Aleteia — Catholic Spirituality, Lifestyle, World News, and Culture

The legendary origin of St. Bonaventure’s name

Philip Kosloski — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 07:05:46 +0000

The “Seraphic Doctor,” St. Bonaventure, is among the more well-known Franciscan saints, next to St. Francis and St. Anthony. He was born a few years before St. Francis’ death in 1226, and it is recorded that his life almost ended shortly after he was born. St. Bonaventure himself narrates the events of his youth in Read More…

The legendary origin of St. Bonaventure’s name

Canonist explains SSPX’s appeal of decree of excommunication

I.Media — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 06:49:50 +0000

On July 13, 2026, the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) announced it had filed a recourse against the decree of excommunication published against it by the Holy See on July 2. In an interview with I.Media, canonist Pierre Chaffard-Luçon explained that this procedure is legitimate, but the excommunication penalties continue to apply due to Read More…

Canonist explains SSPX’s appeal of decree of excommunication

Ann Widdecombe’s faith and her surprising donkey legacy

Cerith Gardiner — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 13:39:03 +0000

For decades, Ann Widdecombe was one of the most recognizable voices in British public life. Politician, author, television personality, and formidable debater, she had a particular gift for saying exactly what she thought and appearing remarkably untroubled by what anyone might make of it. Yet in the days following her shocking death at the age Read More…

Ann Widdecombe’s faith and her surprising donkey legacy

Why England’s soccer team is a great option for Catholic fans!

Cerith Gardiner — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 12:10:03 +0000

I should probably begin with a tiny declaration of interest. I grew up in England, which means I’ve had years of practice in the particular blend of hope, heartache, and blind optimism required to support its national soccer team. So, when the Three Lions face Argentina in tomorrow’s World Cup semifinal, I will inevitably be Read More…

Why England’s soccer team is a great option for Catholic fans!

Report: There are 3,344 candidates for sainthood in Spain

Matthew Green — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 07:44:02 +0000

There are currently 349 causes for beatification and canonization, covering a total of 3,344 people, currently open in Spain. This is according to a new report from the Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE), delivered to the Vatican on June 25. The document, “2025 Jubilee Report: Report on Causes of Virtues in Spain,” is the result of Read More…

Report: There are 3,344 candidates for sainthood in Spain

6 Catholic sayings to inspire your mission in life

Father Dave Mercer — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 07:42:17 +0000

At the Last Supper, Jesus offers his Apostles a one-liner that reminds them of their mission’s origin, saying: It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you to go and bear fruit that will remain. (John 15:16) The entire Church — including you and me — inherits that mission, and Jesus’ words Read More…

6 Catholic sayings to inspire your mission in life

St. Kateri had a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Philip Kosloski — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 07:29:21 +0000

One common thread among the saints is devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It appears that whenever a saint draws close to Jesus, they invariably also deepen their love of the Blessed Mother. Such was the case in the life of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, who developed a special love of the Virgin Mary. When being Read More…

St. Kateri had a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Fernando Mendoza narrates Hallow’s new St. Paul series

Theresa Civantos Barber — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 07:24:01 +0000

What happens when you combine the #1 prayer app with the #1 draft pick? A quarterback who prays every morning, guiding a challenge on the man who wrote most of the New Testament Fernando Mendoza is narrating a 7-day prayer challenge about St. Paul for the Catholic prayer app Hallow, which started yesterday, July 13. Read More…

Fernando Mendoza narrates Hallow’s new St. Paul series

July is a month full of feasts for married saints

Philip Kosloski — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 10:37:01 +0000

In recent years married saints have become much more prominent in the Catholic Church, as the Church seeks to highlight the reality that everyone is called to holiness (you and me too!). This is important, as typically people see priests and religious as set apart for sanctity, while some see marriage as a “lesser” state Read More…

July is a month full of feasts for married saints

‘God, the Science, the Evidence’ written for believers and atheists

Caitlin Bootsma — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 10:33:00 +0000

Many people are familiar with at least one argument for the existence of God, whether it be scientific, philosophical, or theological. Michel-Yves Bolloré and Olivier Bonnassies’ thoroughly researched and reviewed book God, the Science, the Evidence, however, presents many arguments, from multiple different fields of study, all of which point to the reality of a Read More…

‘God, the Science, the Evidence’ written for believers and atheists

The two priests behind Middle-earth

Daniel Esparza — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 10:20:34 +0000

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien — the Oxford philologist who wrote The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and is generally considered the most widely read author of the 20th century — was a lifelong practicing Catholic. He attended daily Mass, went to confession regularly, and described his faith as the foundation of everything he Read More…

The two priests behind Middle-earth

Unique Catholic university doubles its footprint, literally

Theresa Civantos Barber — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 10:13:13 +0000

It’s time for Catholics to reclaim their heritage as leaders in the creative arts — and that’s exactly the mission of a very special university in California. John Paul the Great Catholic University in Escondido, California, was founded to bring a Catholic perspective to media and creative arts. “The creative arts were something that the Read More…

Unique Catholic university doubles its footprint, literally

The world’s largest rosary is taking shape in Lebanon

Cerith Gardiner — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 09:53:40 +0000

If you have ever struggled to keep track of your place while praying the Rosary, the solution might be to make the beads nearly 16 feet long. Admittedly, that was not the primary motivation behind the extraordinary Rosaire du Liban, or Rosary of Lebanon, rising in the hills of Deir el Ahmar. Yet at approximately Read More…

The world’s largest rosary is taking shape in Lebanon

Did a mom’s advice just save England’s World Cup?

Cerith Gardiner — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 16:07:20 +0000

There are some things you never quite outgrow, and being told by your mom to watch your language is apparently one of them. Just ask Jude Bellingham. The 23-year-old England soccer star had quite a night on Saturday, scoring both goals in his country’s dramatic 2-1 extra-time World Cup quarter-final victory over Norway and sending Read More…

Did a mom’s advice just save England’s World Cup?

By Monday night: Submit comments on IVF, fertility

Kathleen N. Hattrup — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 13:04:04 +0000

A note from the US bishops’ Respect Life office notes that the US government is proposing a new, optional insurance system for the treatment of infertility. This system includes coverage for IVF. But the rule is still vague on what counts as “other fertility treatments.” The government is asking for public comments to decide what gets Read More…

By Monday night: Submit comments on IVF, fertility

Seth Rogen is right, but kids are still worth it

Tom Hoopes — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 12:47:16 +0000

People keep seeing videos pop up online from the comedian Seth Rogen making his argument that he is glad he doesn’t have kids. Of course, lots of people are pushing back on the sentiment, and I will too. But I wanted to admit here that he gets a lot right. First, Seth is right: Often, Read More…

Seth Rogen is right, but kids are still worth it

Use vacation also for praying with Scripture, urges Pope Leo

Kathleen N. Hattrup — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 12:31:17 +0000

Before leading the midday Angelus in Castel Gandolfo, where he is on a summer vacation, Pope Leo spoke about the parable from the Gospel of today’s Mass. “God’s generosity towards us is not naïve but wise,” the Pope said. “He sees within us the potential of a good that, at times, we ourselves might fail Read More…

Use vacation also for praying with Scripture, urges Pope Leo

This miracle-working Brazilian priest drew millions

Matthew Green — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 12:21:12 +0000

The history of the Church around the world is full of remarkable examples of holy men and women who had a huge impact, both during their lives and after their deaths. Despite their fame on a local or national level, however, we don’t always hear about them in other countries. One example you may not Read More…

This miracle-working Brazilian priest drew millions

Keep the flame of hope, even if it’s flickering: Pope

Kathleen N. Hattrup — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 12:13:46 +0000

After leading the midday Angelus in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XVI lamented that the “winds of war are blowing again” and urged us to keep the “flame of hope and peace” alive, despite the violence and death. The Pope’s comments as Iran and the United States have resumed strikes in these days, bringing an end Read More…

Keep the flame of hope, even if it’s flickering: Pope

Without a speech but with a hunger, says Pope at lunch

I.Media — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 11:35:32 +0000

Surrounded by the sound of cicadas, Leo XIV had lunch with some 200 people n the gardens of the papal villas at Castel Gandolfo on Saturday, July 11. The Holy Father is at the villa for a few days of summer vacation. Speaking briefly to his guests before the meal, he called for the causes Read More…

Without a speech but with a hunger, says Pope at lunch