“I’ll pray for thee from my pistachio tree”
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Our Sunday Visitor
Why the FBI investigated Archbishop Sheen during WWII
By Father Anthony D. Andreassi, September 21, 2026
In 1943, at the height of the Second World War, an anonymous source alerted the Federal Bureau of Investigation of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen’s strong criticism of the Soviet Union and its leader, Joseph Stalin. Sheen—then with the title “monsignor”—had been speaking about these topics for many years, along with his intellectual criticism of Marxism. Recall that the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. were allies against Nazi Germany, and some believed that any criticism of the U.S.’s allies could hurt the overall war effort. This led the bureau to open a file on Archbishop Sheen and launch an investigation. Eventually, the agents assigned to tail him came up with mostly worthless facts about Archbishop Sheen such as that he liked chocolate ice cream, kept up a rigorous and somewhat ascetic schedule (including most notably his daily Holy Hour each morning), and once talked a police officer out of giving him a speeding ticket. These small but now comedic details about his life soon led the FBI to drop all suspicions.
Zeale
Minn. county stops immigration-surge relief amid suspected fraud
By Elise Winland, September 21, 2026
Hennepin County, Minnesota, has shut down a $2 million relief program for businesses affected by a federal immigration enforcement operation after reviewers flagged more than 200 of the program’s roughly 300 applicants for potential fraud, according to local reports. In Minnesota’s largest pandemic-related fraud scheme, known as Feeding Our Future, prosecutors said participants stole more than $250 million in taxpayer funds during the COVID-19 pandemic through fake meal sites, shell companies, and falsified invoices, as Zeale News previously reported. The suspected attempted fraud comes as Minnesota officials have faced heightened scrutiny in recent months over fraud involving taxpayer-funded programs. County spokesperson Carolyn Marinan told the outlet that officials are now shifting from focusing on “immediate grant relief” to “strategies that support the long-term vitality and sustainability of businesses.”
Related: Judge halts DHS rule putting time limit on student visa stays, S.A. McCarthy, Zeale, September 21, 2026
EWTN News
Catholic candidates to shape 2026 gubernatorial races in 12 states
By Kathleen Murphy, September 22, 2026
A dozen U.S. states could see Catholic governors elected in 2026, and in two states — Texas and Massachusetts — the outcome is nearly assured because both major-party nominees are Catholic. Catholics are positioned to play a visible role in this year’s 36 gubernatorial contests, with at least 14 candidates across both parties publicly identifying as Catholic. The number of Catholics could increase in governors’ mansions nationwide. If every Catholic candidate won, the number of Catholic governors would climb from 20 to 22. About half of gubernatorial races are open races, with the incumbent either term-limited or retiring. According to The Eagleton Center on the American Governor, 20 U.S. governors publicly identify as Catholic. In Massachusetts, Democratic Gov. Maura Healey faces Republican Michael Minogue, and in Texas, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott faces Democrat Gina Hinojosa, meaning both states have Catholic nominees from each major party.
CBCP News
Philippine Mass remembered Martial Law, its victims
By CBCP News, September 20, 2026
Catholic religious leaders, clergy and laypeople gathered Monday at Cubao Cathedral in Quezon City to remember Martial Law and its victims. The Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines (CMSP) invited the public to join the 10 a.m. Mass, with Bishop Elias Ayuban Jr. of Cubao presiding. “As we remember this chapter of our nation’s history, we bring before the Lord the experiences of those who suffered,” the group said. The group said the Mass also prayed for people working for human dignity, truth, justice, reconciliation, and lasting peace. Martial Law was declared Sept. 21, 1972, through Proclamation 1081, beginning a period marked by widespread human rights abuses and political repression. Fifty-four years later, the CMSP said remembering the period remains important to preserving historical truth and promoting peace and reconciliation.
UCA News
Korean Catholic Church seeks abolition of death penalty
By UCA News reporter, September 7, 2026
The Catholic leaders in South Korea have renewed their call for the abolition of the death penalty and urged lawmakers to build a penal system that protects human dignity, public safety, and the possibility of rehabilitation. The call was made during an annual seminar on abolishing the death penalty, held on Sept. 17 at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building in Seoul. Church leaders and abolition campaigners said South Korea’s long moratorium on executions shows that society can maintain order without resorting to state killing. “Although the death penalty was abolished in Mongolia, contrary to the concerns of many, the incidence of crime has actually decreased,” Elbegdorj said. He added that governments should respond to public fear with evidence, dialogue and justice reforms rather than executions. Elbegdorj said countries debating abolition often struggle when serious crimes dominate public attention. However, he said political leaders must help citizens understand that justice systems can punish grave crimes without adopting irreversible measures.
Zenit
Third year in a row, Ireland is experiencing a vocational spring
By ZENIT Staff, September 21, 2026
Ireland’s seminaries are beginning the 2026–2027 academic year with a modest increase in men preparing for the diocesan priesthood, a development bishops describe as a sign of renewed openness to a vocation that remains difficult to discern in an increasingly secular culture. Fifteen new students have entered the Propedeutic Year, bringing the total number of diocesan seminarians currently in formation in Ireland to 74. Of these, 51 are studying at the national seminary at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, and the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Dundalk, while another eight are pursuing formation in seminaries elsewhere in continental Europe. For the Irish bishops, the most important question is not simply how many have entered seminaries, but whether these men can be accompanied patiently enough for a vocation to mature. The first step for the 15 newcomers is not yet theological specialization or preparation for parish ministry. It is a year deliberately designed to establish the human and spiritual foundations on which the rest of formation will depend.
Related: Uptick but no ‘boom’ for adult baptisms in Switzerland - The number of Church ‘exits’ also fell in 2025 - Luke Coppen, Pillar, September 21, 2026
The Pillar
Patriarchate denounces ‘lies’ after bishops seek to remove him
By The Pillar, September 21, 2026
The Syriac Catholic Patriarchate of Antioch said Thursday that a gathering of the Eastern Church’s synod preceded the bishops’ call for a special session to vote on removing the patriarch. The statement followed speculation that Patriarch Ignace Youssif III Younan had moved to convene the Eastern Church synod in response to Syriac bishops' move to remove him, the first use of a new law issued last month by Leo XIV to create a mechanism for removing an Eastern patriarch. The September 17 statement, via the patriarchate’s website, said it was necessary to “refute all past and potential future writings, rumors, claims, fabrications, and lies that mislead public opinion and distort facts that are as clear as day.” The patriarchate’s statement did not specify what “fabrications and lies” it aimed to refute, but signaled future legal action, presumably against media outlets and social media posts covering escalating tension within the Eastern Catholic Syriac Church.
Crux
France: A secular country at odds with Catholic teaching on life
By Nicole Winfield, September 22, 2026
When an ailing Pope John Paul II visited the French shrine at Lourdes in 2004, on his last foreign trip, he delivered a forceful condemnation of abortion and euthanasia as he gasped for air during Mass. Pope Leo XIV is expected to make a similar appeal to protect life when he visits France this weekend and also prays at Lourdes. One of Christianity’s most-visited pilgrimage destinations is especially popular for sick people because of its association with miraculous cures. Leo’s message will likely land differently, since France’s National Assembly in 2024 enshrined abortion as a constitutional right and recently gave final approval to a bill allowing adults with incurable illnesses to receive lethal medication. It was the culmination of years of debate over end-of-life care in France and comes as other countries in Europe and the Americas have increasingly legalized assisted dying, though British lawmakers recently voted down a bill allowing it.
Keep informed - 9/22/26 news for Catholics
Snippets: Pulpit, EWTN, & Aleteia
BIG PULPIT
Tito Edwards’ Catholic blogger site: September 22, 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.
The Curious Case Of America’s Most Atheist State – John Mac Ghlionn at Religion Unplugged
When Priests Leave: Finding a Balance Between Mercy & Reverence – Catholic Exchange
Spiritual Gluttony – Colleen Orchanian at Catholic Spiritual Direction
Seven Notable Catholics Converted by Fulton Sheen – Kevin Knight & Zelda Caldwell at The National Catholic Register
EWTN News
EWTN’s top headlines — September 22, 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.
Fragments of medieval Gospel of St. Mark-turned-relic reunited after 7 centuries - By Victoria Cardiel - The exhibition, “The Gospel of Mark: Seven Centuries. Three Fragments. One European Story,” has made it possible to view the original sixth-century manuscripts once venerated as relics.
Thousands join Germany’s March for Life as activists attack pro-life stand - By Alexander Folz - Thousands of pro-life demonstrators took to the streets of Berlin and Cologne on Saturday, Sept. 19, for Germany’s annual March for Life, held in both cities at once for the fourth time. Organizers put the combined turnout at about 6,000.
Brazilian Catholic family defends home schooling amid legal battle - By Diego López Marina and Nathália Queiroz - Despite there being no federal law regulating home schooling, the parents have been fined and ordered by a court to enroll four of their children in a traditional school, a ruling they are appealing.
Aleteia
Aleteia’s global network reports for September 22, 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.
A hidden chapel built over a miracle spring - Deep in a valley, this Chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel rises above a medieval spring. The stretch of land between Siggiewi, Rabat, and Dingli, in Malta, is known as “tal-Fawwara.” The origin of this name is an ancient spring (fawwara meaning "gushing spring"). Throughout the ages, this land offered an abundance of water.
“Every pastoral activity should … ask ourselves ‘what’ to do, but rather ‘whom’ to encounter and ‘how’” - Speaking before the assembly of the Diocese of Rome, gathered at the Lateran Basilica on September 18, Pope Leo XIV launched a period of “authentic discernment.” This process is meant to “recognize what must be maintained, valued, corrected, abandoned, or started,” with particular attention to young people and Rome's social realities.
La Salette celebrates 180th anniversary of Marian apparition - The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Mélanie Calvat and Maximin Giraud on September 19, 1846, while they were tending cattle on a mountain in France. The apparition occurred on September 19, 1846, and what's unique about the encounter is that Mary is portrayed as visibly crying.
September 22, 2026 - USCCB Daily Mass Readings
You can listen HERE - or read HERE:
Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s Catholic commentary:
Dominica
Dominican spirituality: The art of sailing without a boat
By Br. Cassian Iozzo, O.P., September 22, 2026
It’s hard to pin down exactly what Dominican spirituality is. But we can get a profound insight from one wild story about an early Dominican, Saint Raymond of Peñafort. After Raymond vehemently rebuked the King of Aragon for keeping a mistress, the king held him captive on the island of Mallorca, forbidding any ship from letting him leave. Raymond then strolled down to the beach and took off his cappa—the black cape worn by the friars. He stood at the edge of his cappa and propped up the other side with his walking staff, fashioning a kind of sail. He then sailed off the island on his cappa, escaping the king's power. In this story, we have one aspect of Dominican spirituality in a nutshell. Those who stand up for the truth of the Gospel will find themselves in difficult situations, surrounded on all sides by enemies visible and invisible, external and internal.
Missio Dei Catholic
Matthew’s own story of being rescued by Jesus
By Ana Luque, September 21, 2026
In Monday’s Gospel reading, we meet St. Matthew the Apostle, also known as one of the four evangelists. This passage is perhaps one of the most infamous parts of Matthew’s story, for he was a tax collector, long reviled by his own people. You see, in their eyes, Rome was the enemy, and since all subjects had to pay Caesar his dues, the Jews felt scorned and betrayed by one of their own. How could he pick money over them? How could he possibly choose the men—the Empire—who continuously mocked and oppressed them? Either way, no matter his past, no matter his sins, no matter his pride or his avarice, when Jesus went by Matthew’s stall and saw him, He still said: “Follow me.” St. Matthew went on to become, as we very well know, one of Jesus’ most devoted disciples. He wanted everyone to know the Good News, and wrote down miracles, parables, and teachings for all to read.
The Obscure, Forgotten, and Undiscovered
Marianne Moore’s baseball poems
By James K. Hanna, September 20, 2026
In an essay titled Marianne Moore’s Baseball Poems, Kirby Olson explores the space between sport and religion and the influence of Moore’s naval chaplain brother on her art. “Marianne Moore (1887-1972) wrote with the freedom characteristic of the other Modernist poets, often incorporating quotes from other sources into the text, yet her use of language was always extraordinarily condensed and precise.” She was “a great fan of professional baseball and an admirer of Muhammad Ali, for whom she wrote the liner notes to his record, I Am the Greatest! Deeply attached to her mother, she lived with her until Mrs. Moore’s death in 1947. Marianne Moore died in New York City on February 5, 1972,” wrote the authors at www.poets.org. I suggest reading the essay first and then the two poems. Here are links to “Baseball and Writing” and “Hometown Piece for Messrs. Alston and Reese.”
Catholic Stand
Is it better to settle for a so-so guy, or live alone ‘Til Death?
By Guy McClung, September 22, 2026
The hook title of this article presents an unreal “Hobson’s choice” for young Catholic women: a rock or a hard place; the lesser of two evils; or the devil and the deep blue sea. Girls, women, ladies, you are not confronted with a Hobson’s choice to settle or live/die alone. Do whatever analysis or criticism of the numbers you want; the fact is, a plethora of the “gone” men out there are young, unmarried, marriage-eligible, good men. However many there are and whatever general categories describe them, they are gone, and any young lady looking for a husband will not find these guys in the pews, in the parish bubble, the parochial school sphere, or the diocesan galaxy. At least every Sunday young women say “I believe” in an all-powerful God. This is the God who loved each of you into existence and, with this divine creative love, maintains you in existence every moment and always will. He will always do what is divinely perfect for you.
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