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Pope Francis was joined by thousands of pilgrims in the Vatican on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, to celebrate the eighth annual World Day of the Poor. / Credit: Vatican Media

Vatican City, Nov 17, 2024 / 13:46 pm (CNA).

Pope Francis was joined by thousands of pilgrims in the Vatican on Sunday to celebrate the eighth annual World Day of the Poor to renew the Church’s commitment to “be close to the suffering” through spiritual and material works of charity. 

Blessing of 13 keys   

Before the Sunday Mass celebration in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis blessed 13 statues of keys, representing the 13 Houses Campaign of the FamVin Homeless Alliance as a sign of solidarity and the Church’s dedication to care for the poor and marginalized.

Each of the 13 “keys” blessed by the pope is dedicated to a specific country in which the FamVin Homeless Alliance — a charitable organization founded in 2017 and inspired by the legacy of St. Vincent de Paul — has built a home dedicated to the poor: in Syria, Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, the Central African Republic, Chile, Costa Rica, Italy, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine.

Throughout the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, families from each of these 13 countries will meet with Pope Francis and receive the blessed statue dedicated to the poor of their country. 

Sunday Mass and Angelus in the Vatican

During his homily and Angelus address, the Holy Father repeated his plea for Catholics to show their closeness to the poor through gestures of care infused with human warmth and tenderness.

“[To] those who give alms I always ask two things,” the pope said to the thousands of pilgrims gathered inside St. Peter’s Basilica for the eighth annual World Day of the Poor Mass. The theme of the commemoration was “The Prayer of the Poor Rises Up to God.” 

“Do you really touch the hands of these people or do you just throw the coins into their hands? Do you look into their eyes when you are giving some help and doing alms — do you look directly in their eyes or are you looking somewhere else?” he asked.     

Amid the “hour of darkness” — times of desolation and anguish — described in Sunday’s Gospel and readings, Pope Francis said, “a great proclamation of hope” is truly present for those who have put their trust in God.

“Jesus invites us to have a deeper look, to have eyes capable of reading within the events of history,” he explained. “An unshakable hope shines forth on this World Day of the Poor!”

Warning against the temptation of despair, laziness, and despondency, the pope said “we cannot condemn ourselves to powerlessness” in the face of poverty, inequality, and injustice. 

Pope Francis stressed that the poor and marginalized “have no choice but to continue to wait” and urged the Church to work with governments and international organizations to support them.

“Otherwise, the Christian faith is reduced into a harmless devotion that does not disturb the powers that be and is incapable of generating a serious commitment to charity,” the pontiff said. 

After praying the Angelus in Latin with the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the pope reiterated his homily message to live in solidarity with the poor through prayer and action, especially for “families who struggle to make ends meet.”

“Dear brothers and sisters, let us not forget that the poor cannot wait.”

Sunday lunch with 1,300 guests   

Following Sunday Mass and the Angelus, 1,300 economically disadvantaged men, women, and children living in Rome joined Pope Francis for lunch inside the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall.

The Italian Red Cross provided both meals and entertainment at this year’s World Day of the Poor luncheon with the pope. Three hundred forty volunteers served guests lasagna with vegetables, beef meatloaf with spinach and cheese, potatoes, fruit, and dessert.

Priests of the Congregation of the Mission, also known as the Vincentian Fathers, gifted each guest with backpacks containing food and hygiene items to bring home with them after their lunch with the pope.

Carnicerías Jiménez founder José Jiménez and his daughter Luz Maribel, the Chicago grocery chain’s human resources director. / Credit: Courtesy of Luz Maribel Jiménez

ACI Prensa Staff, Nov 17, 2024 / 08:00 am (CNA).

“With God, everything; without God, nothing”: This maxim of her mother left a deep impression on Luz Maribel Jiménez, director of human resources at Carnicerías Jiménez, an award-winning Catholic family grocery store chain in Chicago. 

In an interview with ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, Jiménez shared her family’s guiding principles to inspire entrepreneurs who aspire to lead a business with values ​​and purpose.

“The most important lessons I learned from my parents include putting God and family first, maintaining a strong work ethic, feeling pride and love for what you do, treating everyone with respect, and offering help whenever possible. These are just some of the lessons,” said Jiménez, one of the family’s daughters.

A legacy born from faith, effort, and sacrifice

In 1975, José Jiménez and his wife, Guadalupe, opened a fruit store on the corner of 26th and Pulaski, marking the beginning of the Jiménez family’s legacy in Chicago. From that first business, they were able to expand and transform their venture into Carnicerías Jiménez, now a chain of eight stores that offers fresh produce to the community.

Today, José and his children manage the business, which is much appreciated for the contribution it makes to the local community. In addition, the company’s employees appreciate its family atmosphere. 

“My parents built this business from scratch. They built it on a foundation of faith, love, respect, hard work, dedication, and sacrifice,” Luz Maribel Jiménez shared.

Guadalupe, the mother of the family and one of its pillars, passed away on Feb. 7, 2022, leaving a great void but valuable lessons, her daughter related.

“Without a doubt, the most significant challenge we have encountered as a family and as a business has been the death of my mother. Although she will always be in our hearts, she played a huge role in our lives.”

Jiménez, who continues her legacy, shared with ACI Prensa some of the lessons her mother lived by.

1. ‘Faith is fundamental.’

According to Jiménez, the Catholic faith has been the driving force that undergirds the family in all its decisions. “My parents always put God as the basis of every action, from the smallest to the most consequential.”

A clear example of this was when the family opened its store on Fullerton Avenue. José, the patriarch of the family, decided to build a private chapel in the store to keep alive his devotion to St. Martin de Porres, which he practiced growing up in Mexico. This decision allows him and his team to pray to the saint and also to the Virgin of Guadalupe and St. Jude Thaddeus.

“Faith has been fundamental” in the development and growth of the business,” Jiménez said.

“Prayer and reflection have been guiding forces, helping us clarify our vision and make crucial decisions. It has strengthened our resilience during difficult times, allowing us to maintain a positive attitude and continue moving forward,” Jiménez explained.

2. ‘Sustaining and transmitting family values.’

The continuity of family values, according to Jiménez, is another of Carnicerías Jiménez’s mainstays.

“My parents have upheld and passed down our family values ​​throughout the generations by fostering open communication, sharing stories, encouraging participation in traditions, and leading by example,” she recounted.

In particular, her father has been an exceptional storyteller: “For as long as I can remember, he would engage us directly, using examples from his experiences to illustrate his points, always concluding with a moral lesson.”

In this regard, she addressed future generations of Latino youth to urge them to “always remember their roots and embrace and celebrate their faith, family, traditions, and talents.”

“Their faith will guide them on the right path, while gratitude for their blessings will empower them. Family traditions and the shared values ​​they maintain are vital connections to the future,” she advised.

3. Be grateful: ‘We cannot achieve success alone.’

Another of the main lessons that the Jiménez family can leave to future generations of Catholic entrepreneurs, she said, is having learned “to lead [their employees] with integrity, respect, and gratitude.” 

“Although business and financial growth is crucial, we recognize that we cannot achieve success alone. We must be grateful to our employees, customers, the communities where we are located, suppliers and advisers: all those who have contributed to building our business,” she noted.

4. Constantly educate yourself; ‘never lose sight of your dreams.’

Jiménez also advised entrepreneurs to commit to continuous learning since, according to her, “education is essential to create positive changes in your life and in the lives of others.”

“Never lose sight of your dreams; you have the ability to achieve them. Also, always remember to appreciate those who supported you on your path to your goals,” she added.

5. ‘Maintain an environment where employees feel like family.’

One of the priorities of the Jiménez family has always been the well-being of its employees. Jiménez emphasized that the company has worked to create “an environment in which they feel like family, valued and appreciated.”

“Our mentality has been to provide for our employees, our community, and all those who have helped us reach our 50th year in business,” she said.

In addition, she recalled that the company’s policies are based on solid principles of “honesty, humility, service, and gratitude.”

6. ‘Money is a tool, never an end.’

For the Jiménez family, business should not be just a means to make a profit. The human resources director emphasized that “business for the sake of making a profit is never the way” and added that “the end result and decision-making based solely on numbers should not be the only metric to define whether our business or company is profitable.”

“Money is a tool, never an end,” she pointed out, emphasizing that the true measure of their success is what they can do for the community.

“Our business has always measured itself and its profitability by what we can do to continue to provide employment and stability in our neighborhoods. We do our best to provide/donate financial assistance to the local community, the Catholic Church, and on the global level,” Jiménez noted.

Being a successful business, Carnicerías Jiménez has managed to engage locally by donating financial and food assistance to charities, churches, and schools. In addition, it sponsors community events and offers educational programs and job training for disadvantaged groups.

Globally, the company — under the leadership of José Jiménez — has provided disaster relief, sending supplies to diverse regions such as Mexico, Central America, Haiti, and Puerto Rico, and helping to build schools, clinics, and homes in impoverished areas.

7. One last piece of advice: ‘Pray always; always pay attention to the words of Jesus.’

At the end of the interview, Jiménez emphasized to young people that the key to running a business with values ​​is to always remain in prayer: “Always pray; always pay attention to the words of Jesus, his teachings, and his example in everything we do in this life.”

She also emphasized the importance of cultivating both oneself and one’s employees, avoiding the temptation to exploit resources for financial gain alone. 

“Know that the quality of life you create, the quality of the work environment for yourself and your people will have a huge impact on the profitability of your efforts,” she explained.

Finally, Jiménez shared two quotes that have always accompanied her and sum up her philosophy of work and life:

• “No work is insignificant. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence” — Martin Luther King Jr.

• “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” (“For the greater glory of God”), the motto of the Society of Jesus

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Cardinal Francis Arinze during the centenary celebrations of Bigard Memorial Major Seminary in Rome in November 2024. / Credit: Bigard Memorial Major Seminary

Enugu, Nigeria, Nov 17, 2024 / 07:00 am (CNA).

Vatican-based Nigerian Church leader Cardinal Francis Arinze has urged priests to avoid lengthy homilies, saying a homily should not be an exhibition of “theological acrobatics” but rather a reflection of the priest’s prayer life and a clear, concise proclamation of the Gospel.

In his keynote address during the 12-day centenary celebrations of Nigeria’s Bigard Memorial Major Seminary, Arinze emphasized the importance of priests delivering homilies that are deeply rooted in Scripture, liturgical texts, and sound theology. 

“A homily well prepared should last around 10 minutes. A university lecture of 45 minutes is for a different setting. A homily is not a display of theological acrobatics nor a harangue about money,” the cardinal said during a Nov. 13 event.

A homily, Arinze added, “is not an exposition of the local political climate nor a social disquisition on the economic hardships of the people. It should be the sharing of the prayer life of the priest for the past week in the presence of the Lord Jesus in the holy Eucharist.”

He explained that the major points of the homily are best put in writing and that the language of a homily should be clear — “not an admixture of English and the local language, nor an exhibition of the preacher’s ability to navigate in idioms.”

“A poor homily is an offense against the Word of God and against God’s people gathered to hear his word,” the cardinal said.

In his address titled “The Impact of Formations House on Education in Nigeria,” Arinze reflected on the priestly vocation and the role of seminaries in preparing future priests.

“It is expected that the seminary will train the future priest to be a good pastor of God’s people. He is the spiritual director of individual Catholics and of their associations … [h]is patient attendance at their meetings, where he delivers well-prepared addresses, is one of the ways in which he serves them,” the cardinal continued. “Lay leaders remain necessary according to the nature of each association. But the priest is their irreplaceable shepherd. As a good shepherd, he is neither in front nor behind his people; he is in their midst. As the pope would put it, he has the smell of the sheep.”

Arinze noted the alarming trend of young people drifting from the Catholic faith, turning instead to African traditional religions and other superstitions. 

“In many parts of our country, Nigeria, there is a lamentation that many young people today are rather poor in their knowledge of the Catholic faith. Many of them relapse into practices of the African traditional religion,” he said.

“They may engage in real idol worship; they believe in charms; they consult fortune tellers and some go so far as to kill even a relative in the hope that that will attract big money. It is not a surprise if such young people keep away from the sacraments.”

Arinze continued: “The problem is not solved by blaming the catechists for a job not well done. Some Nigerian dioceses have a remarkable increase in the number of their priests … Suppose such a diocese adopts the policy that a priest is to be the teacher of religion in every class in schools primary or secondary. It is not below the dignity of the priest to teach the young about God and religion. Moreover, the teenagers need answers to life’s challenges.”

“The seminary also has the role of preparing its [students] to be good preachers. A priest should be a convinced announcer of the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ.”

In his keynote address at the beginning of the 12-day centenary celebrations, Arinze reflected on the challenge of inculturation in the Catholic Church in Nigeria.

The cardinal pointed to ongoing efforts in the Church to respect local cultures, including the adoption of local names in baptism and hymns in Indigenous languages. 

However, he underscored the need for a more thorough and careful process of inculturation, involving bishops, theologians, and cultural experts. 

“For an element of culture to be inculturated, the bishops’ conference of the area or country in question has first to set up a multidisciplinary study commission of experts in theology, liturgy, scriptural studies, ethnology, psychology, and music. Such a high-powered commission will have to sift the many sides of an indicated custom or tradition and, if it considers it ripe, make recommendations to the bishops’ conference,” he said.

“Inculturation is very demanding on a local Church,” Arinze pointed out. “It is not a one-man affair. It is not the fruit of someone’s over-fertile imagination, which concocts an idea on Saturday evening and forces it down the throat of the innocent and unsuspecting Sunday Mass congregation the following morning.”

As Bigard Memorial Seminary enters its second century of formation, Arinze expressed gratitude for its successes, calling on future generations of seminarians and priests to continue the work of evangelization and faith integration. 

“Bigard Memorial Seminary has come a long way in 100 years in preparing clergy for evangelization. It has done a good job!” the cardinal said. “May the Lord of the harvest continue to bless and guide this respected alma mater of ours as it walks into its second century. May the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Apostles, intercede for Bigard.” 

Bigard Memorial Major Seminary in Enugu was founded in Onitsha in 1922 and officially opened in 1924. It was moved to its current location in 1951. It was named after benefactors Stephanie and Jeanne Bigard, a French mother and daughter who were foundresses of the Pontifical Society of St. Peter the Apostle, who donated the funds for the main building.

In 1982, Pope John Paul II visited Bigard Memorial Major Seminary, the first Nigerian seminary to receive such a guest. 

This story was first published by ACI Africa, CNA's news partner in Africa, and has been adapted by CNA.

Gilmour Street train station in Paisley, Scotland. / Credit: Lachlan1/Shutterstock

London, England, Nov 17, 2024 / 06:00 am (CNA).

The new president of the bishops of Scotland is taking the Church’s message to “the streets” by joining in the evangelistic efforts of a Scottish railway mission. 

Bishop John Keenan, who was announced as the new leader of the Church in Scotland on Nov. 4, recently participated in the mission of Rail Pastors in Inverclyde, Scotland. He told CNA: “It is the Church on the streets where the Spirit wants us to be and where we feel his unique presence in almost every encounter.”

Keenan defined the Rail Pastors’ mission as “creating a little bit of community and warmth” at train stations where he shared “the joy of the Gospel,” using the phrase popularized by Pope Francis in his 2013 apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium. 

The Rail Pastors are familiar to many Scots, as they have been active in Scotland for a number of years and operate at train stations in Fife, Inverclyde, and Paisley. 

The group’s mission is “to listen, care, and help travelers who otherwise might feel a little unsafe, or needing a helpful person to chat to.” Easily recognizable in bright sky-blue uniforms, Rail Pastors send people to relevant agencies for further support and are urged to be on the lookout for people contemplating suicide. 

One Friday evening last month, Keenan, who is also the bishop of Paisley, joined an ecumenical team of Rail Pastors as an observer on the trains and stations from Port Glasgow to Wemyss Bay, and then Paisley to Greenock in the west of Scotland. 

Reflecting on the mission, he said: “Uniformed as Rail Pastors, they engaged passengers of all ages from teenagers to seniors creating a little bit of community and warmth on a dark and wet Scottish autumn night.” 

Mental health statistics among Scotland’s young people are concerning, with 1 in 6 young adults aged 18–34 having self-harmed. In addition, 76% of parents have reported that their child’s mental health deteriorated while waiting for professional mental health support.  

Keenan explained that he sees the Rail Pastors as offering “a safe and reassuring presence to the young people who appreciate this pastoral care even while they are making merry.” He was able to reach out to some young people who were “amazed” to see him operating as part of the Rail Pastors team.

“A group of teenage girls recognized me from my visit to their Catholic primary school, while they were preparing for the sacrament of confirmation, and we had a nice conversation,” the bishop recalled. “Another asked me to pray for her mum. They were amazed to see me engaging with them in this role.”

He added: “In the station bar, a young man recognized me and, as we got on the train and shared his journey home, he opened up about his faith and his parents’ deep Catholic convictions. Our meeting made his day, and he got off the train renewed in faith and spirit.”  

During the evening mission, Keenan also spoke to retired police officers, transport police officers, and rail safety officers. “By midnight we had been six hours out and about as salt, leaven, and light and, where the occasion allowed, sharing the joy of the Gospel,” he said. 

Rail Pastors team leader Chris Jewell said the team was “delighted” to be joined by the bishop. 

In Scotland, Keenan has emerged as a proponent of the new evangelization, which was championed by St. John Paul II and subsequent popes. Keenan is also well known for promoting the rosary and supporting Pope Francis’ rosary “marathon” for an end to the pandemic in 2021.

Pope Francis speaks at a Mass and canonization of 14 new saints in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

CNA Newsroom, Nov 16, 2024 / 15:00 pm (CNA).

Pope Francis wants dioceses worldwide to shine a spotlight on their “saints next door” every year on Nov. 9.

In a letter released by the Vatican in Italian on Saturday, the pope established an annual commemoration of saints, blessed, venerables, and servants of God in local dioceses worldwide, set to begin with the upcoming jubilee.

“I exhort particular Churches, starting from the upcoming 2025 Jubilee, to remember and honor these figures of holiness each year,” Pope Francis wrote.

The initiative aims to help Catholics around the world rediscover and maintain the memory of those extraordinary disciples of Christ who have witnessed the presence of the risen Lord and continue to guide the faithful in those dioceses today.

He signed the letter at St. John Lateran on Nov. 9, the feast day of the basilica’s dedication.

While the pontiff chose this feast day for the yearly remembrance, he emphasized that he was not adding another liturgical celebration to the Church calendar.

Instead, the pope explained, he called on local dioceses to promote appropriate initiatives outside the liturgy or recall these figures within it, such as during homilies.

Called to be holy

Pope Francis connected the initiative to his 2018 apostolic exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate on the universal call to holiness.

The 2018 letter emphasized how sanctity manifests in everyday life through various examples, including married couples living their faith while being open to life, young people following Jesus with enthusiasm, and religious living the evangelical counsels.

“We are frequently tempted to think that holiness is only for those who can withdraw from ordinary affairs to spend much time in prayer. That is not the case,” the pope wrote in his exhortation. “We are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves.”

According to the letter released Saturday, episcopal conferences may develop pastoral guidelines for implementing this commemoration.

The Vatican expects millions of pilgrims to travel to Rome for the 2025 Jubilee Year but also renewed spiritual initiatives in dioceses across the globe.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Martin Scorsese on the set of his new series on the life of the saints. The show premieres Sunday, Nov, 17, 2024, on Fox Nation. / Credit: Slobodan Pikula/Fox Nation

National Catholic Register, Nov 16, 2024 / 10:00 am (CNA).

On the heels of his announcement that he will make a film about the life of Jesus, controversial film director Martin Scorsese has now completed a docudrama series for Fox Nation called “The Saints.”

Discussing the project during a private screening in New York City on Nov. 14, Scorsese said this project is the fruition of an idea he’s been ruminating on for years. 

“I grew up practically living in St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral downtown and contemplating, meditating on those statues, of those saints, different saints — and wondering about their stories: What is a saint? This is something superhuman? Can they achieve something easier than we can, because we’re human beings? And of course, I realize, no. The point is that they’re human and that there are aspects of them that we can have as a good example to follow or to inspire us.” 

Produced as an eight-part series, the Oscar-winning director’s project focuses on the lives of St. Joan of Arc, St. Francis of Assisi, St. John the Baptist, St. Thomas Becket, St. Mary Magdalene, St. Moses the Black, St. Sebastian, and St. Maximilian Kolbe.  

Created by Matti Leshem, who co-founded a production company specializing in Jewish history and Judeo-Christian dialogue, and directed by Elizabeth Chomko, who was raised Catholic, “Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints” was written by Kent Jones, who has known the director for years. Scorsese developed the series but also narrates the stories in a didactic way, attempting to tell the true story of each saint, with vivid details and historical context.  

Most of Scorsese’s movies have either dealt with Catholic themes directly or touch on issues surrounding virtue and vice, darkness and forgiveness. Upon seeing the series’ trailer alone, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone broached a question to his social media followers: “Wow. Martin Scorsese … coming home?” 

But the theme of Catholicism has always been a constant for Scorsese, as he told the series’ writer in 2019 on the topic of forgiveness: “The profound impression of Catholicism at a very early age is something that I’ve always related back to,” he told Jones. 

“One may read or become interested in many different ways. … I’m interested in how people perceive God or perceive the world of the intangible — all people, everywhere. But my way has always been through Catholicism.”

The National Catholic Register, CNA’s sister news partner, was able to watch two of the episodes at Fox Nation’s special screening in Manhattan, followed by a panel discussion where Scorsese discussed the Catholic faith, his motivations, and why the lives of saints are important. 

Here are 11 things Catholics should know about this new series:   

1. Martin Scorsese has long desired to bring a series on the saints to life, even before the ever-controversial “The Last Temptation of Christ” or his most recent faith film, “Silence.” But the long-awaited project finally panned out this year. Scorsese explained: “Maybe the fact that there are saints, were saints, and still are saints is something that’s lost on our newest generation. Because we don’t live with them. So we thought this was a good attempt to try and understand what that is and what faith is, really.” 

2. Scorsese visited the Irish Dominican Order at San Clemente in Rome in 2023 to research matters of faith for this series as well as religious films he has in the pipeline. “The Saints” production took seven years in entirety to conceive and complete.  

3. The cinematic series also features historical footage and photos of the era in which the saint lived, especially the life of St. Maximilian Kolbe. Video shows the priest leaving his home and what life was like during the Nazi invasion of Poland during World War II.

4. Due to the content and context of the stories, including graphic violence and gory details of war, the series is suitable for an adult audience; it is not meant for children. The life of St. Maximilian Kolbe also shows nudity related to his imprisonment at Auschwitz. 

5. Each episode ends with a panel discussion with controversial priest Jesuit Father James Martin, known for his pro-LGBTQ activism within the Catholic Church, alongside poet and author Mary Karr and Georgetown fellow Paul Elie.  

6. The series shows accurate depictions of how many saints are called as children to their vocations. In the opening sequence about St. Kolbe, he is shown as a child praying while the Blessed Mother appears to him showing her one hand of white and one hand of red, representing martyrdom. 

7. In the episode on Joan of Arc, reference is made to her virginity, and twice viewers are shown the process of checking her virtue that may be considered graphic by some. Given the over-sexualized nature of many of Scorsese’s movies, the references are shown in a subtle and tasteful way. Historically, such assessments did occur.  

8. The portrayal of Joan of Arc requesting a guard to make a cross for her before being burned at the stake is accurate. However, Scorsese omits the famed line: “Lift high the cross so I may see it through the flames.”

9. During the Nov. 14 panel, Scorsese spoke about Dorothy Day, who is currently being considered for sainthood, recalling a time when he was in the servant of God’s presence. “She was at our little youth center; Father Frank Principe had her come and talk. He pointed to her and said, ‘See that person; she’s really good.’ I grew up way downtown. Now, it’s a very chic area, but when I was there, it was a very down place. The Catholic Worker was the only place that I recall in terms of helping these men, some women that were dying in the streets.” 

10. The episode on St. Maximilian Kolbe references controversial content regarding the priest’s alleged antisemitism, referencing a small sect that many at the time believed to be factual, but Jedrzej Giertych, author of “Libel Against a Saint,” defends Maximilian saying: “Father Kolbe was certainly not an enemy of the Jews as such, and in particular was anything but a ‘racial’ or ‘zoological’ anti-Semite. He saw in the Jews souls created by God, for which he prayed continually and whom he sought to help when they were in need.”

11. In an interview with The New York Times this week, Scorsese was asked about what his faith life looks like right now, and he said: “At times I’m a practicing Catholic. At this point, my relationship with it is a dialogue that I have with certain clerics and priests.”  

Scorsese is considering several faith-based and personal projects, as he turns 82 on Sunday, including “A Life of Jesus.” Speaking to The Los Angeles Times in January upon the script’s completion, Scorsese said the inspiration for the film came last year after he met Pope Francis at the “Global Aesthetics of the Catholic Imagination,” a conference that brought together artists and creatives from across the world. After this meeting, Scorsese said: “I have responded to the pope’s appeal to artists in the only way I know how: by imagining and writing a screenplay for a film about Jesus.” 

This story was first published by the National Catholic Register, CNA’s sister news partner, and has been adapted by CNA.

Pope Francis greets members of Italy’s National Youth Council at the Vatican on Nov. 16, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

CNA Newsroom, Nov 16, 2024 / 09:00 am (CNA).

Pope Francis on Saturday warned of a “worrying and complex” rise in youth mental health challenges, including self-harm and suicide, while calling for a new “educational alliance” to address what he described as not just a cultural but an “anthropological metamorphosis” in society.

Speaking to members of Italy’s National Youth Council at the Vatican on Nov. 16, the pope emphasized the need for comprehensive support structures amid what he called an “epochal change” affecting young people.

“As we know — even from recent news — the challenges that concern you are many: the dignity of work, family, education, civic engagement, care for creation, and new technologies,” the pope said.

“The increase in acts of violence and self-harm, up to the most extreme gesture of taking one’s life, are signs of a worrying and complex distress,” Francis warned.

The pontiff’s remarks came as the youth council marked its 20th anniversary. Francis noted with approval their “Quarta Rilevazione dell’Indice di Fiducia” (“Fourth Trust Index Survey”), showing that hope remained the predominant “inner attitude” among Italian youth.

“We often meet disillusioned people because they look to the future with skepticism and pessimism,” Francis observed. “It is important therefore to know that Italian young people can be artisans of hope because they are capable of dreaming.”

Calling for what he termed a “village of education,” the pope urged creating networks of “human and open relationships” that place the person at the center while investing in the formation of those who will serve the community.

The pope connected his message to the upcoming 2025 jubilee year, which he noted he had announced with the words “La speranza non delude!” (“Hope does not disappoint!”).

In addressing the youth representatives serving as a consultative body at local, national, and European levels, Francis emphasized their role in giving voice “to all, especially those who have no voice.”

He highlighted challenges, including dignity of work, family life, education, civic engagement, environmental care, and new technologies.

The pope concluded by referencing Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, asking the youth leaders if they knew of him and encouraging them to learn from “his consistency and his courage.”

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, born April 6, 1901, to a prominent Italian family, died July 4, 1925, at age 24.

The young Third Order Dominican could be declared a saint during the Catholic Church’s 2025 jubilee year, according to recent statements by the prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.

St. John Paul II, who declared Frassati a patron for World Youth Days, called him “the man of the beatitudes” for exemplifying these blessings in his daily life. According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Frassati has become “a significant global patron for youth and young adults,” with a special significance for young Catholics in the United States.

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at St. Mary’s Parish in Franklin, Massachusetts, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. / Credit: Franklin Fire Department

CNA Staff, Nov 16, 2024 / 08:00 am (CNA).

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is recommending that houses of worship exercise “increased vigilance” and adopt new security measures amid a series of recent arson incidents against churches.

The ATF said it “urges all religious institutions to take enhanced security measures to protect their congregations and facilities” after several acts of arson directed against churches in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

In a Nov. 8 statement, the bureau said there were “no specific threats” against churches but that authorities “recommend vigilance and proactive steps to prevent potential incidents.”

The federal agency cited several fire incidents at churches in New England in recent months, including a fire at a Catholic parish in Franklin, Massachusetts.

Investigators deemed an October fire at St. Mary Church in Franklin as an act of arson. The church in the Archdiocese of Boston was temporarily shuttered after the fire; the parish has been holding Mass in its chapel while raising funds to restore the main worship space. 

The ATF in its statement suggested churches should employ several methods of enhanced security, including video cameras, restricted facility access, and updated emergency plans. 

The bureau also said houses of worship should “maintain open communication with local police and ATF, report any suspicious activity immediately, and explore options for regular patrols in the area.”

The ATF is committed to “providing support to religious institutions to enhance their security,” the agency said. 

Catholic churches take hits

Several other Catholic churches in the U.S. have recently suffered fires. An early-morning fire on Oct. 18 severely damaged St. Anthony of Padua Church in Casa Grande, Arizona.

A Catholic church in Florida, meanwhile, has suffered multiple fires in just 16 months, with the most recent fire currently being investigated as arson.

Beyond fires, Catholic churches throughout the U.S. have seen repeated acts of vandalism in recent months and years. 

A parish in Arkansas was struck by three vandalism incidents in recent months, including the destruction of a statue of Mary on the parish grounds. 

St. Francis de Sales Parish in Sherman Oaks, California, meanwhile, was attacked multiple times over the summer, including graffiti and arson attacks on four occasions, beginning in August and continuing through September.

In March, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio called on the government to protect Catholic churches from attacks, citing a tracker that found more than 400 attacks against Catholic churches since May 2020.

Father Rafael Capó (third from left) with young adults (from left) Alan Angelis, Arturo Zayas, Dylan Francisco, Rosanne Sherman, Cecilia Seiglie, Father Hilary Nwainya, Isabelle Seiglie, and Maria Vazquez at the National Eucharistic Congress outside of the Indianapolis Convention Center July 17, 2024. / Credit: Antonio Dejesus

Miami, Fla., Nov 16, 2024 / 07:00 am (CNA).

Father Rafael Capó has traveled far and wide, from his native Ponce, Puerto Rico, to the center of Catholicism in Rome — and yet in the case of Catholic Hispanic education and ministry, all his roads lead to Miami.

As vice president for mission and ministry and dean of the school of theology at St. Thomas University in Miami, Capó has been immersed in Hispanic ministry for years. 

Since his ordination in 1996, he has worn many hats: pontifical missionary of mercy under Pope Francis; participant in the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ Fifth Encuentro Nacional Hispano de Pastoral; adviser to the National Catholic Network de Pastoral Juvenil Hispana — and the list goes on. From his vast experience, Capó believes that our contemporary times present unique opportunities for Hispanics in the U.S.

“I’m really excited about the moment we’re living in and the reality of calling Hispanic Latinos to positions of leadership in the Church and society at this moment,” Capó said in an interview with CNA. “We’re at the moment where it’s not that the Church needs to serve and minister to young Hispanics, but we need to realize that we need to empower them. They are now being called to serve the wider Church.”

Through his ministry to young adults in Miami and beyond, Capó seeks to enable young Hispanics to live out their call. Before that, however, he was a teenager struggling with his vocation and in need of guidance — and perhaps a few miracles. 

Losing bags and gaining graces 

Capó’s journey toward becoming a Catholic educator began in the classroom in Puerto Rico. Capó received a Catholic education from elementary through high school. Seeing the example of the priests who were his teachers made him feel drawn to priesthood, despite himself. 

“I was always kind of scared of the possibility that I was being called and was trying to run away from any possibility of being invited to a retreat or anything, because I didn’t even want to consider it,” he said.  

In high school, he had big aspirations to obtain a medical degree from an Ivy League school. He even had a girlfriend at the time. But then came an opportunity that changed his life forever: the first World Youth Day in 1985.

“I was at first really excited because my girlfriend was going,” he said. “But there in Rome, John Paul II was calling young people to open wide the doors to Christ. I was rattled by all those words of John Paul II. Things started to move a bit, deep inside of me.”

During the pilgrimage, his school group decided to tour various shrines around Rome. Disaster struck when one of the teacher’s bags was stolen. While the leaders tried to resolve the problem, Capó decided to strike a deal with God.

“I was by myself there in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament and looking at the image of the Blessed Mother there,” Capó recalled. “The words of John Paul II started to come back. And I kind of started asking God, give me a sign if you’re really calling me to be a priest. If they find the bag, I’ll know that you’re calling me to be a priest. But then as we left the church, I was really scared that they might find the bag!” 

The bag was lost for good, though, and the pilgrims returned home. Even so, Capó couldn’t escape the invitation he kept hearing in his heart. After speaking with a priest, he understood that he didn’t have to go the way of the lost bag. 

“The sign was not looking for a bag. It was like the Lord had found me a long time ago,” he said. 

Capó let go of the “baggage” paralyzing him, turned down his acceptance to Yale University, and entered the Piarist Fathers Seminary. The decision caused a 10-year rift between him and his father.

As a seminarian in Rome, Capó approached Pope John Paul II for his intercession on behalf of his broken relationship with his father. 

“Lo and behold, two weeks after that, I got a phone call from my dad accepting my vocation,” Capó said. “He came to Rome for my ordination to the diaconate. I think it was a miracle.” 

Bringing young Hispanics to God 

Ordained in 1996, Capó was immersed in Hispanic ministry early on. Beginning in 2000, he participated in Pastoral Juvenil’s ministry in the Archdiocese of New York. In 2011, he was installed as executive director of the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ Southeast Regional Office for Hispanic Ministry (SEPI) in Miami.

SEPI was established in the late 1970s, created by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and spearheaded by Father Mario Vizcaino. The organization serves Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. SEPI’s outreach and educational opportunities to Hispanics has been instrumental in U.S. Catholic ministry. 

As Capó picked up the reins at SEPI, he also initiated what he calls his “unofficial social media ministry.”  

“I began very informally on social media platforms, just sharing my ministry and my priestly life and what I do, and my interests in fitness and spirituality,” he explained.  

The goal is to teach young adults the importance of exercising body, mind, and spirit. Using hashtags like #FitfortheKingdom, Capó promotes a “calling to strong spirituality for our young people.” The unofficial ministry has taken off, and Capó is an in-demand speaker at young adult groups.

“His mission to inspire others to be strong in body, mind, and spirit has changed my personal and professional life forever,” said Thomas Lahart, a young adult entrepreneur. “I would not be where I am today without his support and inspiration to be fit for the kingdom. I’m so grateful for his dear friendship and guidance as a young man pursuing the faith. It is amazing to see so many people around the world be set on fire by his message and example.”  

As vice president for mission and ministry and dean of the school of theology at St. Thomas University, Capó strives to help Hispanic students realize their potential.  

“I’m trying to help them explore the possibility of leadership and theological studies, and to go through leadership training,” Capó explained. “To help those that have the abilities, talents, and a special calling to realize that they might be called to serve their diocese, Catholic organizations, and society as well — and be faithful Catholic leaders for the whole Church, not just for the Latino community.” 

One of Capó’s proudest moments was witnessing one of the young adults he has mentored, Isabelle Seiglie, represent the United States at the Vatican’s International Congress of Youth Ministry earlier this year. A doctorate student, Sieglie is a Cuban American and director of ministry programs at St. Thomas University. 

“I was so proud and so honored to see her having the opportunity of meeting the pope and taking part in those conversations,” Capó said. “It was very moving for me.” 

Expanding beyond the Hispanic community 

At the National Catholic Association of Diocesan Directors for Hispanic Ministry (NCADDHM) conference in Miami Oct. 8–11, Capó shared the importance of incorporating young Hispanics into the life of the Church.  

“It’s about including them in conversations, having them sit at the decision table, making them part of all the processes — not just events, but the planning as well,” he said. “Don’t plan for the young people, plan with the young people and include and mentor them so that they’re part of the process.”  

Armando García, Hispanic ministry coordinator for the Diocese of Palm Beach, Florida, shared the impact of this mentality on his own life: “Father Capó’s trust in me and in young people in the Church was evident when he entrusted me with La Voz del SEPI, a radio program at the Southeast Pastoral Institute in Miami, reflecting his belief in our potential to lead and serve.” 

Reacting to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ updated 2023 National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry, Capó highlighted Miami’s unique vantage point on Hispanic ministry and how it impacts the entire Church. 

“We see progress being made with the apostolic movements in implementing the conclusions of the pastoral plan in all they’re doing with young adult groups,” Capó said. “The young adult groups have built bridges between the Hispanic young adult groups and the mainstream groups, including them in formation. There are many fruits that we can see at the local level here in Miami and that we’re very proud of.” 

Capó gave the example of the Encuentros Juveniles youth movement in Miami.  

“It was born really as a Cuban community youth movement in the Archdiocese of Miami,” he explained. “Through their involvement in the Fifth Encuentro process and being empowered and knowing this reality of the Church in this moment, they are now serving not just the Cuban American community but also the wider youth community.” 

“We don’t have an office for Hispanic ministry in the Archdiocese of Miami because we’re way past that,” he said. “All offices work for the Hispanic community, and Hispanic Latinos in every office work for the wider community. So bridges have been built. That takes time, and that takes generations, and it takes empowering Latino leaders to be able to serve the wider Church.”

The Diocese of Scranton in Pennsylvania launched a parent education program designed to provide support and resources for local families. Four of the six parent educators from left to right: Mineyris Novas, parent educator; Dagmar Frias Montolio, program supervisor; Montie Ford, lead parent educator; and Mara Portoreal, parent educator. / Credit: Diocese of Scranton

CNA Staff, Nov 16, 2024 / 06:00 am (CNA).

The Diocese of Scranton in Pennsylvania launched a parent education program this fall designed to provide support and resources for local families. 

The “Parents As Teachers” program offers support, resources, and formation for parents raising young children. This includes home visits from educators, workshops on parenting, and other educational resources, according to the diocese. The program, which began serving its initial group of nine families in September, celebrated a large kickoff event on Nov. 9.

Dagmar Frias Montolio, the program supervisor, told CNA that the diocese launched the program “in response to a growing recognition of the need to support parents as their children’s first and most influential teachers.”

The Catechism of the Catholic Church notes that parents “have the first responsibility for the education of their children” and encourages parents to educate their children in virtue (No. 2223). But parental mental health is at a low, with stress levels increasing over the past decade, suggesting parents need more support. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy cited parental stress as a public health challenge in an advisory this summer. 

“The initiative was likely inspired by several factors: the challenges many families face in raising children amidst changing societal pressures, the desire to strengthen family bonds, and the Church’s mission to foster moral and educational growth within the community,” Montolio explained. 

“By focusing on early childhood education, the program aims to equip parents with knowledge and resources to support their children’s development from birth through the early school years,” Montolio continued.

The program is personalized to each family’s needs and involves a one-year minimum commitment. It focuses on parenting strategies as well as marking developmental milestones and early literacy. 

There are currently six caseworkers involved in the program. Caseworkers visit once or twice a month, depending on the child’s needs. 

When asked where the need was for the program, Montolio cited socioeconomic issues.  

“In Luzerne County, there is a specific need for programs that bolster parenting skills and support family stability, particularly for families facing economic challenges or lacking access to early childhood education resources,” she explained. 

In Luzerne County, about 15% of the population is considered to be living in poverty. 

“Socioeconomic issues like poverty and low parent education levels are reflected in our current truancy rates and continuous education challenges children are facing,” Montolio continued. “We want to help break the generational cycles and barriers so many of our families are struggling with.”

The program is available to any families and does not have an income requirement. 

Montolio noted that the program is not directly faith-based but is rooted in Catholic teaching. 

“Although it is not a faith-based program, ‘Parents As Teachers’ does align with the vision and mission statement of Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton: Bringing dignity to families,” she said. 

“Catholic social teaching emphasizes the importance of dignity, solidarity, and compassion; all values that are integral to the ‘Parents As Teachers’ approach,” Montolio explained. 

Catholic social teaching, based on a tradition of papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents, highlights various themes and priorities for Catholics in society such as “life and dignity of the human person,” “solidarity,” and the “call to family, community, and participation.” 

“The program draws on the Catholic teachings which outline the family as the cornerstone of society and the Church’s role in nurturing strong, faith-filled communities,” Montolio said.