News - August 2023 RSS Feed

Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin, and Nicodemus, a Pharisee, bury the dead Jesus in a tomb that Joseph had thought would be his own. Both at first fear to follow the Lord publicly, but together, these learned men perform for him an office of love. (Image: Sts. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, disciples of the Lord, Giotto, vaticannews.va)

Join the Diocese of Providence at our upcoming peaceful, prayerful, and respectful activities for life - - supporting the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception to natural death. For details, please contact Lisa Cooley, lcooley@dioceseofprovidence.org, 401-278-2518. (Photo: RI Catholic)

We are so blessed by the service of the Little Sisters of the Poor in the Diocese of Providence!

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - PROVIDENCE — One unfortunate fact of Church life in contemporary society is the decrease in religious affiliation reported among the youth and young adult population. Affiliation with formal religious institutions and regular church attendance among these age groups is at an all-time low. (PHOTO COURTESY OF HANNAH KLINE)

St. Augustine was an indefatigable truth-seeker. The author of hundreds of books, tracts, treatises and letters. He was born in Thagaste on November 13, AD 354, and died in the city of Hippo (present-day Annaba in Algeria), on August 28, AD 430. St. Augustine, pray for us! (Image: St. Augustine, Fra Angelico, MET, © MET)

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - COVENTRY — In Matthew 25, Jesus speaks of feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and visiting those in need – charitable acts now known as the Corporal Works of Mercy. These have always been the mission of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Vincent de Paul Conference in Coventry/West Warwick, but they took on a different form when COVID-19 forced the closure of their soup kitchen in the West Warwick Senior Center. One man’s need to cook transformed the care the conference offered, filling the physical and emotional needs of others, particularly the elderly. (PHOTOS: RICK SNIZEK)

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - EAST GREENWICH — “In giving the world priests, He gives us His own Son’s mediators on earth, earthen vessels that we are, and imperfect and weak as we can be. No priest knows why God has called him, but every priest surely knows that God has called him.” (PHOTO: COLE DESANTIS)

Celebrate your milestone wedding anniversary! The 2023 Wedding Anniversary Celebration includes Holy Mass, renewal of wedding vows, a personalized certificate and a reception for you and your guests with Most Rev. Bishop Richard G. Henning, D.D., S.T.D., main celebrant and homilist in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Providence, Sunday, October 22 beginning at 1 p.m. Advance registration required, click for more.

By Tyler Rowley, President, Servants of Christ for Life - I can remember driving through Narragansett in the backseat of my parents’ car and seeing a strange van passing by with peculiar images draped across the sides. Even though I don’t remember the specific conversations, I’m sure I asked my parents about the images, and they delicately explained them to my young ears. (Photo courtesy of family)

At the borders of Rhode Island, there is usually a blue sign that states “Discover Beautiful Rhode Island.” I have been taking that invitation very seriously — using my first months in the Ocean State to get to know the communities and people of the Diocese of Providence and the State of Rhode Island. During the warmer months, I have had a number of opportunities to march in parades, join in processions and feasts, and participate in blessings and civic occasions. You have already heard about some of these occasions in this column...

ROME — On Sunday, August 20, the orientation group of students from the Pontifical North American College, including Providence seminarian Nathan Ledoux, met with the Holy Father before he recited the midday Angelus prayer with an estimated 10,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square. Among the crowd were 29 seminarians who had just arrived to begin their studies at the Pontifical North American College, the U.S. seminary in Rome. (PHOTO COURTESY OF SEMINARIAN NATHAN LEDOUX)

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) This is one of Jesus’ Beatitudes from His Sermon on the Mount. “Poor in spirit” means to be humble. Well, I am humble enough to admit that there is so much that I am still constantly learning about our rich Catholic faith...

On the day of her Assumption, Mary our Mother was solemnly crowned by Christ and received by the whole court of Heaven as Queen. (source: www.catholictradition.org) 

Our diocese and parishes are praying for all of our students, families and teachers as they begin their new school year! (Photo: Diocese of Providence file)

Make an emergency donation to CCUSA today to help provide lifesaving resources, and 100% of your gift will be sent where it's needed most! (Photo: catholiccharitiesusa.org)

Learn more!

The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Holyday of Obligation. The diocesan Chancery Office Building located at One Cathedral Square, Providence, will be closed today, Aug. 15.

This Polish Conventual Franciscan was a missionary in Japan before returning to a Poland ravaged by war. Imprisoned at Auschwitz in 1941, he offered to take the place of a fellow prisoner condemned to death. John Paul II canonized him as a “martyr of charity.” Click for more...(Image: vaticannews.va)

A theologian and martyr who died of ill treatment in the quarries of Sardinia, Hippolytus was an important Christian in third-century Rome...

In observance of Victory Day, the Chancery Office Building, located at One Cathedral Square, Providence, will be closed Monday, we will reopen at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.