“I’ll pray for thee from my pistachio tree”
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Our Sunday Visitor
Cistercian monk’s debut novel offers glimpse into abbey life
By Amy White / The Texas Catholic, August 25, 2026
One muggy afternoon on the Aventine Hill in Rome, an intriguing thought popped into the mind of Father Thomas Esposito: “Wouldn’t it be cool to write a novel that went through a day in the life of a monk?” the Cistercian recalled thinking. Following that thread of inspiration, Father Esposito jotted a list of chapter headings into his journal. Within the pages of that journal, his idea remained untouched for a decade before he picked it back up again at Our Lady of Dallas Cistercian Abbey in Irving to write his debut novel. The publication this year of “Blue Miles: A Monastic Novel” by Ignatius Press marked the culmination of those many years of ruminating, writing, and revising. Though “Blue Miles” is the monk’s first novel, the piece is far from his first work of writing. “The first book was my dissertation, and it’s a dry, boring academic piece that no one should read, because there are too many footnotes,” he joked in an interview with The Texas Catholic newspaper for the Dallas Diocese.
Zeale
New Jersey law could criminalize prayer outside of abortion facilities
By Elise Winland, August 24, 2026
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat, signed legislation Aug. 20 creating criminal penalties for interfering with access to “reproductive health care services,” prompting criticism from CatholicVote’s Mark Houck, who warned that the law could be used against pro-lifers who pray or counsel women outside abortion facilities. The law took effect immediately. “This is nothing more than the FACE Act 2.0 at the state level,” Houck said in an Aug. 22 FOX News interview with Kayleigh McEnany. Under the new law, a person can face criminal charges for intentionally injuring, threatening, intimidating, or physically blocking someone from obtaining or providing reproductive health care. The law classifies interference as a fourth-degree crime, punishable by up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The offense rises to a third-degree crime, punishable by three to five years in prison, if the victim suffers bodily injury.
EWTN News
Harvard chaplain: ‘Record-breaking’ number of conversions
By Diego López Marin, August 25, 2026
This past spring, a record 85 people became Catholic at St. Paul’s Catholic Church across the street from Harvard University — 45 were Harvard students or faculty. This year, 65 have registered so far, which is keeping pace with last year’s “dramatic increase” in conversions, said Father Nathaniel Sanders, the undergraduate chaplain at Harvard. Last year’s group, from both the Harvard Catholic Center and St. Paul’s, was the “largest class of people becoming Catholic in our history … So, there is something really exciting happening here,” Sanders also noted in a recent episode of “The Great American Road Trip,” a cultural and tourism initiative created to celebrate the countryʼs 250th anniversary. Sanders says one characteristic of this community is the participants' profile. “We have very intelligent, high-achieving students. We can give talks on a range of issues, and the students ask great questions,” he explains in the video. “I am really grateful for what God is doing here.”
Related: Catholic conversions surge on college campuses, Hallow data shows - By Madalaine Elhabbal, EWTN News, August 24, 2026
CBCP News
Pope Leo: It is noble to defend the sovereignty of your homeland
By Ishmael Adibuah, August 24, 2026
Pope Leo held a private audience on Aug. 24 at the Vatican with a delegation from the Military Ordinariate of Portugal, which celebrated 60 years since its establishment in 1966. The delegation included members of the Army, Air Force, Navy, National Republican Guard, and Public Security Police. Leo, in his remarks, remembered two Portuguese soldiers who were killed on Aug. 21 in a car accident while helping a truck driver with a flat tire. The pope urged the Christian soldiers present to remain steadfast in their mission to protect their citizens, citing the Roman centurion at Capernaum, who asked Jesus for a miracle for his servant. “Every day, each of you has the noble mission of defending the sovereignty of your homeland and the rule of law, safeguarding the security of your fellow citizens and protecting them from injustice,” Leo said. “Be strong in the Lord like the centurion who, in Capernaum, approached Jesus. He knew well the values by which you shape your lives: obedience, discipline, self-denial, loyalty, camaraderie, dedication, responsibility, and courage.”
National Catholic Register
Pope Leo has yet to appoint his inaugural batch of cardinals
By Andrea Gagliarducci, August 24, 2026
So far, Leo XIV’s government has been characterized by extraordinary prudence and a certain continuity with his predecessors. He has made only a few relatively minor adjustments to the curia, without touching Francis’ broad reform framework. He has also retained the idea of synodality, but without giving it the central importance it had, at least narratively, during the Francis pontificate. And he has almost always drawn on men who had been Pope Francis’ people. The time is coming, however, when Leo XIV’s pontificate will have to take definitive shape, and that will be when the Pope convenes a consistory to create new cardinals. From the choices he will make about who will receive the new red hats, we will learn a great deal about the Pope. This is generally the case with every pontificate, and there is no reason to think Leo will be any different. When Leo XIV was elected, 133 cardinal-electors entered the Sistine Chapel, the largest number in history.
Zenit
Loneliness or falling in love? Why do priests leave the ministry?
By ZENIT Staff, August 24, 2026
When a priest leaves the ministry, the explanation is often reduced to two familiar possibilities: a crisis of faith or a romantic relationship. Research into priestly departures, however, points to a more complicated picture. In many cases, leaving appears less like the consequence of a single dramatic decision than the final stage of a prolonged process in which loneliness, exhaustion, inadequate support and the weight of pastoral administration gradually erode a priest’s capacity to sustain his vocation. “Functional loneliness” describes priests who spend almost every day surrounded by people — celebrating Mass, hearing confessions, visiting families, attending meetings and managing parish activities — and yet have remarkably few relationships in which they can speak honestly about their own fears, fatigue or doubts. American sociologist Dean R. Hoge found that 46% of priests who left the ministry in his study referred to this form of loneliness. The paradox is striking: the priest can be socially surrounded while remaining personally isolated.
The Pillar
Laicized Wisconsin priest arrested: Grooming charges, bail jumping
By The Pillar, August 24, 2026
A former Wisconsin priest has been charged with bail jumping and new sexual offenses against minors, the Diocese of Madison has confirmed. Andrew Showers was arrested Aug. 20 for attempted grooming of a child and violation of the conditions of his bail almost exactly one year after his initial arrest. A statement from the Madison diocese, released Friday, called “the allegations of attempted grooming of a child for sexual activity and bail jumping[...] incredibly disturbing.” “Similar to the charges filed in Waupaca County in August of 2025, the new criminal complaint is connected to an online undercover investigation conducted by a police officer posing as a 15-year-old girl,” said the statement. “A warrant was issued for Showers’ arrest, and, after turning himself in, he was taken into police custody earlier today.” The diocese also said Pope Leo XIV dispensed Showers from the clerical state in June of this year. The diocese barred him from public ministry last summer.
Crux
Ukraine’s 35th independence anniversary: Marked by war
By Crux Now Staff, August 24, 2026
Two of Ukraine’s foremost bishops have commemorated Monday’s 35th anniversary of the country’s freedom from the Soviet Union, while describing the terrible conditions that the celebrations will take place in from the ongoing war with Russia. Speaking to Vatican News, both Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, and Bishop Vitalij Skomarovskyj of Lutsk, the president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops in Ukraine (Latin Rite), spoke about the importance of the day. “For us, celebrating Ukraine’s Independence Day means, first and foremost, thanking the Lord for the gift of freedom, of which the independent Ukrainian state is the guarantor. For Christians, love of one’s homeland cannot turn into idolatry of the state,” Shevchuk said. Skomarovskyj said that the freedom Ukrainians enjoy today is a precious gift, especially when compared to the Soviet system.
Keep informed - 8/25/26 news for Catholics
Snippets: Pulpit, EWTN, & Aleteia
BIG PULPIT
Tito Edwards’ Catholic blogger site: August 25, 2026
The Big Pulpit website is an intelligent news aggregator offering insights and analysis on the Catholic Church worldwide. Here are Chief Editor Tito Edwards’ top recommendations for today.
So You’ve Converted—What Now? – Katy Carl at Word On Fire
Before & After: St. Margaret of Scotland Church in Lee’s Summit, MO – Liturgical Arts Journal
A Strong Recommendation From Fr. Z: Fr. Cliff Ermatinger – Fr. Z’s Blog
A Catholic-Raised Member of Congress is Freezing Her Eggs – Dorothy Osanna at CSM
EWTN News
EWTN’s top headlines — August 25, 2026
EWTN News provides reliable, free, up-to-the-minute news affecting the Universal Church, emphasizing the words of the Holy Father and the activities of the Holy See, and is available to anyone with internet access.
Vatican foreign minister meets with officials in Russia to discuss Ukraine conflict - By Ishmael Adibuah - Archbishop Paul Gallagher met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Aug. 25. Vatican News, the official news outlet of the Holy See, described Gallagher’s trip as “a mission of dialogue and peace.” It is his first trip to Russia since 2021.
Pope Leo appoints leader of Knights of Columbus to Vatican body
The pontiff appointed Patrick Kelly as a member of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, and Life on Aug. 25. In 2006, Kelly was named vice president for public policy of the Knights of Columbus. He became deputy Supreme Knight in 2017 before being elected Supreme Knight in 2021.
French Council protects conscience rights for Catholics, pharmacists as euthanasia law takes effect - By Solène Tadié - France’s highest constitutional authority has carved out conscience protections for Catholic institutions and pharmacists, which was welcomed by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris.
Aleteia
Aleteia’s global network reports for August 25, 2026
Aleteia (aleteia.org) is an online publication distributed in six languages (English, French, Spanish, Polish, Portuguese, and Slovenian). Launched in 2013, it is one of the world’s leading news websites with content free from ideological influences.
Pope points out “vicious cycle” fueling global catastrophe - The Pope’s message for September 1 links war and ecological destruction, and calls for a conversion that goes deeper than policy. This year's annual ecological observance is an occasion to address war, environmental destruction, and the condition of the human heart as a single interconnected crisis.
The missing piece of Sheen’s legacy in Rochester: His failure - Bishop Sheen’s three years as Rochester bishop in New York give fuller insight into his life and his own journey to holiness. When he left the Rochester diocese, he apologized to the priests of the diocese for sometimes “monologuing” when he should have been dialoguing.
The good reason some Catholic art is so hideous - The martyrs may look physically disfigured and wracked with pain, but they aren’t defeated. Quite the opposite. They are victorious. To their dying breath, they defied their oppressors. They held to the truth and didn’t let any amount of intimidation, suffering, or evil change their minds.
August 25, 2026 - USCCB Daily Mass Readings
You can listen HERE - or read HERE:
Tuesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s Catholic commentary:
Dominica
Why me, Lord?
By Br. Mannes Bresnahan, O.P., April 28, 2026
“Descendants as countless as the stars of the sky” (Gen 22:17) seems like an impossible promise for someone in Abraham’s shoes. The stars are practically innumerable, and Abraham was an aging man without an heir. “Why me, Lord?” Saint Paul’s “vast desert sky” was the number of people he had to evangelize. He probably asked the same question whenever he reflected on God’s election of “a blasphemer and a sinner.” God’s providence is full of these apparent contradictions. Saint Augustine was busy with worldly pursuits before eventually becoming one of the Church’s greatest theologians. Saint Francis of Assisi lived extravagantly but eventually became the exemplar of poverty. Saint Catherine of Siena was an illiterate Tuscan girl who would one day be named a Doctor of the Church. “Why me, Lord?” is not always a bad reaction to God’s promises. It can signal humility before God’s greatness. It can stem from a repentant heart for having offended God.
Missio Dei Catholic
First cleanse the inside
By Deacon Michael Halbrook, August 25, 2026
In today’s Gospel, Jesus is diagnosing a specific kind of religious exhaustion. The scribes and Pharisees are meticulous, not lazy. They tithe mint, dill, and cumin—herbs so small that counting them out requires genuine attention and care. They cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish until it gleams. They have built a system of observance so thorough that no external requirement goes unmet. And yet this thoroughness is what has become the problem: they have polished the outside of the cup so diligently that they have convinced themselves the inside must be clean too. “But inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence.” The external practice is not wrong, but the sequence and priority are wrong. The interior has been subordinated to the exterior - or perhaps rather, and worse, replaced by it. The exterior is not irrelevant. It follows from the interior, naturally, without being forced. But the person who prioritizes the exterior has misunderstood the order of things.
Zenit
Court wants to exclude Spiritual Direction from legal protection
By Zenit Staff, August 24, 2026
Arizona has become an unexpected battleground over one of the Catholic Church’s most protected practices: the confidentiality of sacramental confession. A recent state Supreme Court ruling has clarified when clergy-penitent communications qualify for legal protection, while a state legislator is preparing to revive an effort to narrow that protection. The dispute is significant not because the Arizona case involved a Catholic priest — it did not — but because the court’s reasoning could shape how the law treats confidential religious communications across denominations, including the Catholic sacrament of reconciliation. A conversation between a former Baptist pastor and a man accused of sexually abusing a minor did not qualify as a protected religious confession. The accused, Mario Rodriguez-Ramirez, secretly admitted wrongdoing to a fellow pastor. When prosecutors sought to use the recording in court, he invoked clergy-penitent privilege. The court rejected that claim.
Catholic Stand
The limits of human reasoning
By Deacon Greg Lambert, August 25, 2026
[Jesus] turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do (Mt.16:23). Peter’s reaction to what Jesus announced above was an emotional response coming from his human heart, and not unlike how most of us would react to a loved one suffering greatly. The seemingly harsh remark involving Satan is quickly qualified with the reality that thinking “as human beings do” can impede progress in the spiritual life. Thinking as God does is an ideal reachable only with divine assistance. What is now called the Paschal Mystery was introduced to the disciples in its nascent form. During his time on Earth, Jesus consistently introduced concepts to his followers that ran contrary to conventional thinking and human reasoning. Thinking as God does requires humility and docility. The dictates of self-will often stand in contrast to divine teaching and spiritual growth and must undergo the transformation that the cross can bring about in our lives.
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