Church remains unscathed after fires in Hawaii
The devastating wildfires that ravaged Hawaii and destroyed more than two thousand buildings in the town of Lahaina, on the island of Maui, inexplicably spared the Church of Maria Lanakila. “Nothing else but Maria Lanakila” is the phrase that was repeated on social media after a local resident posted a video showing the devastation caused by the fires around the church, while it remained unscathed.
Interestingly, Lanakila means victorious and, indeed, the church will stand as a sign to those affected by one of the biggest wildfires in US history, reminding everyone that Mary always triumphs!
St. Agatha’s relic stolen in Italy
The Church of St. Agatha, in the centre of the Italian city of Brescia, Lombardy, suffered a sacrilegious theft on the afternoon of August 18. Two unidentified women stole the bone fragment of the patron Saint on display in a reliquary. The relic, a piece of phalangeal bone from the hand, is certified by a papal document from 1770.
The theft caused deep sadness and bewilderment in the local community, since many Sicilians from the region made pilgrimages to the church to venerate this fragment of the sacred remains of the martyr of Catania. The parish priest, Fr. Gianbattista Francesconi, celebrated a Mass in reparation for the outrage and hopes, in collaboration with the civil authorities, to recover the prized relic.
Documentary about St. Michael the Archangel premieres in Brazil
A film about the Archangel St. Michael, his role throughout Church history and the importance of his actions is proving to be a huge success around the world. Having sold fifty-two thousand tickets in the United States in a single day, the premiere in Brazil was fast-tracked in view of great public interest.
Directed by Polish filmmaker Wincenty Podobinski, the documentary St. Michael – Meet the Angel brings together attestations from writers, members of the clergy and the faithful who, through testimonies of faith and never-before-seen images of the centuries-old architecture in honour of the Prince of the Heavenly Host, allow us to get to know this extraordinary figure in a way never before seen on the silver screen.
Spirituality of St. Rafael Arnaiz on the internet
St. Rafael Arnaiz Barón, the Spanish monk who came to be known as Brother Rafael, now has a website. The Trappists of the Abbey of San Isidro de Dueñas, Spain, where he lived, have launched the website sanrafaelarnaiz.es, where the faithful can find, in several languages, the teachings of this unique Saint – considered one of the great mystics of the 20th century – as well as new information about his personality and testimonies of graces obtained through his intercession.
Vocations fill seminaries in the United States
Despite the marked priestly crisis facing the Church, the number of seminarians in some regions of the United States has increased considerably in recent years. Seminary rectors believe that the growth is the result of years of work in the local churches, and point out that the good formation given to candidates and the careful selection of vocations have ensured the perseverance of those aspiring to the priesthood. In addition, the situation in the world during the pandemic was an opportunity for many young people to hear the call of the Holy Spirit and choose the priestly path.
For Fr. Joseph Taphorn, rector of Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity in the Diocese of Minneapolis, young people “are looking for something that is more than what the world offers. I think there is an aspiration for greatness. And that is really found ultimately in holiness and in sacrificial love.”
Reefs saved by an image of the Virgin Mary
A unique initiative by some divers in the Philippines is helping to preserve native coral reefs, which have been badly damaged by illegal dynamite fishing.
In 2010, the group called Sea Knights decided to install a statue of Our Lady of Fatima on the ocean floor, in a leap of faith that demonstrates the deep-rooted Marian devotion of the Filipino people. Thirteen years later, the divers – accompanied by a BBC reporter – proved that the measure was effective. Indeed, the image, although covered in algae and with its paintwork somewhat deteriorated, is still firmly in place on its underwater pedestal, while the coral has grown back.
It is hoped that the endeavour will be repeated in other regions of the Philippine coastline, which have lost almost half its native reefs in recent years.
Catholic couple denied adoption request
In an unconstitutional and discriminatory decision, the Department of Children and Families of Massachusetts, in the United States, denied the adoption request made by Mike and Catherine Burke, claiming that their status as practising Catholics does not agree with the institution’s guidelines.
“We were absolutely devastated to learn that Massachusetts would rather leave children sleeping in the hallways of hospitals than let us welcome children in need into our home,” the couple said in an interview, adding that they had filed a lawsuit in US federal courts accusing the State of religious discrimination.
Aggression against the Faith in France
Criminals desecrated the abbey church of Our Lady of Lencloître in Vienne, western France, in the early hours of July 29: they broke open the tabernacle and attempted to break into the offertory safe. The ciborium was found on the floor and the Sacred Hosts scattered inside and outside the church.
A few days later, on August 19, Fr. Jacques Bombardier, seventy-four, was brutally assaulted by a drunken man as he left his home in the city of Nancy. The offender insulted the religious, who was wearing a cassock, struck the back of his neck with a chandelier he was carrying and kicked him repeatedly in the head. The police intervened in time to arrest the attacker and transport the unconscious priest to hospital.
Flourishing Norbertine community in the United States
More than seventy religious, including priests and candidates, fill the cloisters of St. Michael’s Abbey in Silverado, California. The community of Premonstratensians – one of the Church’s oldest congregations, founded by St. Norbert – claims that fidelity to the Order’s traditions, the wearing of the habit and splendour in the Liturgy have been the best means of attracting vocations to their ranks.
Combining contemplative life with evangelization, the religious spend more than fourteen hours daily in prayer, and provide assistance to parishes, schools and hospitals.
Church desecrated in Panama
The Church of Our Lady Help of Christians in Bejuco, Panama, was the target of an act of Satanist desecration on August 9. Although no doors or windows were broken, the faithful found the tabernacle breached and the Hosts scattered on the floor, forming phrases of devil worship.
In reparation for the sacrilege, several parishioners gathered at the church doors to pray the Rosary, calling for justice against the desecrators. Police are still searching for the perpetrators.
Dog rescues an abandoned baby girl
A stray dog rescued an infant girl who had been left in a garbage bag in the city of Tripoli, Lebanon. A passer-by who saw the animal carrying the plastic bag and heard cries coming from it, found the baby girl inside and brought her to the hospital, where she was immediately treated.
The infant had bruises and cuts on various parts of her body, which sparked indignation on social media and opened the debate on the value of human life amid the economic difficulties facing the nation.
