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Gospel in Art: A man once gave a great banquet and invited many

Van Gogh's Chair, by Vincent van Gogh 1888 © National Gallery, London

Gospel of 3 November 2026 Luke 14:15-24 At that time: One of those who reclined at table with Jesus said to him, 'Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!' But he said to him, 'A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, "Come, for everything is now ready." But they all alike began ... Read More


On All Souls' Day, Pope prays that mothers' tears may silence weapons

Pope Leo placed flowers on one of the tombs in the cemetery. Image Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass at the Verano Cemetery in Rome on All Soul's Day, and recalled that our bond with the dead is not broken but transformed in our faith in Christ. In his homily, the Holy Father noted the connection with the Solemnity of All Saints, observed on November 1, which he described as giving "direction to our prayer." "We turn to our Father in heaven," he said, "asking that the... Read More


No justice in 'earned settlement' - refugees face decades in limbo

Monthly prayer vigil for refugees at Home Office

People who have already endured war, persecution and forced displacement could now face decades more uncertainty under the Government's new 'earned settlement' policy. The proposals would force many refugees to wait 20 years or more before they can settle permanently in the UK, delaying their ability to build stable lives, reunite families, and contribute fully to the communities they call home. ... Read More


Bishop Stephen Wang's Thanksgiving Mass Homily

Homily given by Bishop Stephen Wang for his Mass of Thanksgiving at Westminster Cathedral on 30 October 2026. St Paul is almost overwhelmed with gratitude as he writes to the Christian community in Philippi. Listen to how emphatic he is, and how every word seems to be touched with emotion. He says, "I thank God, every time I remember you; always, in every prayer of mine, for each one of you. I pra... Read More

UK: Armenian bishop to take on Battersea half marathon

Armenian Bishop Hovakim Manukyan in training for the race

An Armenian Bishop is set to pound the streets of London in a sponsored run for Christians who suffer persecution around the world. Bishop Hovakim Manukyan - Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the United Kingdom and Ireland - is hoping to raise £5,000 when he takes part in the Battersea Park Half Marathon on 14th November. Speaking to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) - th... Read More


Booking: Polish Carols at Westminster Cathedral

This year's 'Polish Carols at Westminster Cathedral' concert will take place on Saturday 19th December at 2.30pm. Following on from last year's capacity filled Cathedral, this year's event promises to be equally captivating and full of Christmas joy. It will feature - The Ave Verum Choir conducted by Jurek Pockert. The Fiołki Choir conducted by Jadwiga Słomka and accompanied by The Ambica Ensemb... Read More


Book review: A Time to Reflect - Year B

Gemma Simmonds is a sister of the Congregation of Jesus, a bye-fellow of St Edmund's College, Cambridge, director of the Religious Life Institute at the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology at Cambridge, and past president of the Catholic Theological Association of Great Britain. Part of her purpose in writing these reflections was to help readers understand the links between the different Mass... Read More


Remembering loved ones on All Souls' Day

All Souls' Day is traditionally a time for prayer and reflection. In his first Mass for the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed Pope Leo XIV recalled that 'Christian faith, founded upon Christ's Paschal mystery, helps us to experience our memories as more than just a recollection of the past but also, and above all, as hope for the future'. Across the country, people are remembering those t... Read More


Gospel in Art: All Souls' Day

Vanitas Still Life,   by Herman Henstenburgh, 1700 © Metropolitan Museum, New York

Gospel of 2 November 2026 Matthew 11:25-30 At that time Jesus declared, 'I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father excep... Read More


Pope Leo: May we never tire of fostering peace

Image Vatican Media

In his Angelus message on the Solemnity of All Saints, Pope Leo recalled the countless saints who have dedicated their life to Christ and emphasized how we are all called to be holy and make choices of love that transcend evil. Holiness means, with God's grace, bringing forth "actions and choices of love that transcend the calculations of greed and the arrogance of evil, which at times seems to pr... Read More


Ireland: Archbishop Martin invites prayers for peace

Archbishop Eamon Martin has issued a message to clergy and religious in Armagh inviting them to celebrate the Feast of Saint Malachy, and pray for peace on Tuesday, 3 November at 7.30pm in Saint Malachy's Church, Armagh. Archbishop Martin writes: "In a video message this week to those gathered at the International meeting for Peace at Assisi, Pope Leo XIV said, 'We must build peace everywhere, not... Read More


Book: African Synodal Theology: A Tall Tree Is as Strong as Its Roots

African Synodal Theology: A Tall Tree Is as Strong as Its Roots. Agbonkhianmeghe E Orobator , SJ. Publisher: Orbis, New York The invention of the imagined social reality of geographies far from European corridors of power has always been challenging for Catholicism's central institutions: Pope Leo X (1475 -1521) kept a pet Indian elephant in the Vatican Gardens, which fascinated Rome, and is said ... Read More


The Miracle Doctor of Lourdes

Candlelit procession ICN/JS

Heart and Soul, on the BBC World Service recently broadcast this programme about Lourdes. Presenter John Laurenson to hears pilgrim stories and meets Dr Giana Monami whose job is to investigate imiracles. Her 'Bureau de Constatation' brings the cold analysis of science to claims of instant, otherwise-inexplicable, permanent healings. There have been 72 so far. Dr Monami talks about her investigati... Read More


Jesuits schools to hold mini-COP conferences

Several Jesuit schools are coming together this month to take part in mock 'mini-COP' conferences to raise awareness of climate change. In an initiative run by international development organisation Jesuit Missions, pupils from Stonyhurst College, Wimbledon College, St Aloysius College, and St Ignatius College will discuss key climate issues and the impact these have on communities around the wor... Read More

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