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On 26 September 2025, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth announced that the twenty soldiers who participated in the 1890 massacre of hundreds of Lakota men, women, and children at Wounded Knee would retain the Medals of Honour awarded to them. He declared the decision final, stating: "Their place in our nation's history is no longer up for debate." Secretary Hegseth further stated that US sold... Read More

Despite heavy rain, around 25 people attended the October memorial vigil for those who have died trying to reach a place of safety in Europe and the UK. The vigil has been held for over 10 years, in fact, but it restarted after COVID as a regular monthly event, and this month marks the beginning of its fifth year. This week we stood in a covered walkway shivering, dripping and praying a shortened ... Read More

Two weeks after the long-awaited ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, there is hope - although the situation remains very fragile. CAFOD was honoured to welcome partners from Caritas Jerusalem to London last week and reflected with them on the realities on the ground, the fears that remain, and what must change. Elizabeth Funnell, CAFOD's Middle East Country Representative said: "The ceas... Read More

Praying for the dead was once core to Catholic devotional life. The wealthy often laid aside huge sums so that Masses would be said for them after they had died. But this tradition has declined over the last decades for various reasons, cultural and religious. But there are signs that the Holy Spirit is inspiring a comeback. As shown in history God often chooses specific people for his tasks and p... Read More

Today, Sunday 26 October, representatives from six different religions will come together at St Chad's Cathedral in Birmingham to mark the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate. Published on 28 October 1965, Nostra Aetate - 'In Our Time' - was a ground-breaking declaration of the Second Vatican Council focusing on the Catholic Church's relations with non-Christian religions. It is still considered a ... Read More

Canon Pat gave this homily at Holy Apostles, Pimlico, today: On the rare occasion when I drive on the motorway behind those lorries carrying huge containers, I find myself thinking of those 39 people who were discovered inside one some years ago. No one knew their names, their nationalities or where they had come from. They were nobodies who had been shoved in there - into a sealed, refrigerated,... Read More

Gospel of 26 October 2025 Luke 18:9-14 At that time: Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 'Two men went up into the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: "God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even li... Read More

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Those who enter into that extraordinary yet simple relationship with the Living God in prayer, often find that their spiritual journey is not only adventurous at times, but sometimes has moments when they also face the aridity of absence, of a type of desolation where the Lord appears not to be present. The great spiritual guides are clear that this can be part an... Read More

Celebrations for the Feast of St Jude began this weekend in England at his National Shrine at Whitefriars, Tanners Street, in Faversham, Kent. The programme of activities includes regular celebrations of the Eucharist, blessings with the oil of St Jude, and other devotions. There is also a stall, a display of Carmelite books, and light refreshments available. Come and visit the Shrine and the surr... Read More

One of the many poignant moments during His Majesty The King's State Visit to the Holy See was when he and Pope Leo exchanged orchids. Both are deeply committed to living sustainably on the earth and this exchange of gifts represented this shared commitment to the earth. This morning, in a moment of prayer and reflection Archbishop Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, and Father Manuel Dorant... Read More

'To give a voice to love' - Media and Information Literacy week At the beginning of October a young American sister wearing a habit posted a short video on twitter (X) giving some excellent helpful suggestions of how to pray the rosary. Amid the many replies of thanks was this one who identified him/herself as a 'trad' user tweeting, 'Good to promote the rosary, but your sleeves should be below t... Read More

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa gave the following homily today on the Solemnity of Our Lady, Queen of Palestine at the Shrine of Our Lady of Palestine in Deir Rafat. Dear Excellencies, dear brothers and sisters, The Lord give you His peace! As in previous years, I would like to reflect on some of the insights that the Word of God offers us on this beautiful day ... Read More

Brother Jack Curran, FSC, from Bethlehem University, writes: Today, October 25, the Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady Queen of Palestine, a day of prayer for the protection of the Holy Land and for peace among all who call it home. Entrusted to the Church here nearly a century ago, this feast invites us to lift our minds and hearts to God through Mary's intercession. As Cardinal Pierbattista... Read More

Gospel of 25 October 2025 Matthew 1:18-23 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord... Read More