Daily Readings

DHAKA, Bangladesh — As the Catholic Church marks Holy Thursday — known in some traditions as Maundy Thursday — a senior priest in Bangladesh says the day remains a deeply joyful and defining moment for priests, rooted in service, sacrifice, and renewal.“Maundy Thursday is a very joyful day for our priests. It is the day ... read more

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had cometo pass from this world to the Father.He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over.So, during supper,fully aware that the Father had put everything ... read more

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,            because the LORD has anointed me;He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly,            to heal the brokenhearted,To proclaim liberty to the captives            and release to the prisoners,To announce a year of favor from the LORD            and a day of vindication by our God,            ... read more

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, ... read more

The last three days of Holy Week are referred to as the Easter or Sacred Triduum (Triduum Sacrum), the three-part drama of Christ's redemption: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. ... read more

President Donald Trump vowed stronger military action against Iran in an address to the nation on Wednesday night, amid continued calls for peace and dialogue from Pope Leo XIV and other members of the Catholic hierarchy.“Weʼre going to bring them back to the stone ages where they belong,” Trump said in remarks from the White ... read more

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday considered whether President Donald Trump’s executive order denying citizenship to children of parents without legal immigration status complies with the Constitution.Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office to block children from automatically receiving citizenship if their parents were residing in the country unlawfully during the ... read more

A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction allowing clergy to minister to people held at an Illinois immigration facility during Holy Week, citing Pope Leo XIV in his ruling.U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman ordered the Trump administration to allow clergy to enter the Broadview immigration facility from April 2–5 to offer religious services for ... read more

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Christians in Bangladesh formed a human chain and rally in the capital March 31 demanding that the government declare Easter Sunday a public holiday.The Bangladesh Christian Association organized the demonstration in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka, calling on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to add Easter to the government’s official ... read more

BRUSSELS, Belgium — The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) told EWTN News that a 40,000-euro (about $46,000) fine on Serbian soccer club Red Star Belgrade was for a banner containing offensive language directed at the organization, not for a massive display featuring an Orthodox Christian icon, which drew international attention.The case follows a Europa ... read more

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot,went to the chief priests and said,“What are you willing to give meif I hand him over to you?”They paid him thirty pieces of silver,and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,the ... read more

Wednesday of Holy Week is traditionally known as Spy Wednesday, to commemorate the treachery of Judas, who made a bargain with the high priest to betray Jesus for 30 silver pieces (Matt 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:1-6). ... read more

There are approximately 20,000 sailors stranded near the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most strategic maritime routes — according to data compiled by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).However, beyond the economic and geopolitical impact, the war is “breaking down the mental health of these workers,” said Bishop Emeritus Luis Quinteiro Fiuza of ... read more

Colorado violated the First Amendment by telling therapists that they could not help young people struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction, the U.S. Supreme Court said in a March 31 ruling. The high court said in an 8-1 decision that Colorado’s law banning “conversion therapy” for minors runs afoul of free speech protections and does not ... read more

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican has canceled the second World Children’s Day, which had been scheduled to take place in Rome Sept. 25–27, about six weeks after Pope Leo XIV dissolved the commission responsible for its organization.The Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, and Life announced the decision March 27, saying it had “considered it ... read more