Most popular stories and commentaries of 2025 on CatholicReview.org

Here are the most-read local stories and commentaries on CatholicReview.org for 2025:

Local Stories

1. Excitement and pride abound at ordination of five priests for Archdiocese of Baltimore

Joy, excitement and pride permeated the air during the long-awaited priestly ordination of five men during a June 21 Mass at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland.

Archbishop William E. Lori welcomed the new priests – Father Bienvenu Illanga, Father James “Jamie” Lancelotta, Father Shiadrik Mokum, Father Alex Mwebaze and Father Thomas O’Donnell – during a more than two-hour liturgy that inspired applause and ovations from the approximately 1,600 in attendance.

The new priests come from very different walks of life and include one from the Democratic Republic of Congo, another from Uganda and a third from Cameroon.

As part of the ordination rite, the priesthood candidates firmly pledged their “respect and obedience” to Archbishop Lori and his successors. They lay prostrate in the sanctuary while the congregation chanted the Litany of the Saints with reverence. Archbishop Lori then placed his hands upon each candidate’s head in silent invocation of the Holy Spirit – a sacred act that was echoed by the assembled priests.

Father Alex Mwebaze kneels before Archbishop William E. Lori during his ordination to the priesthood June 21, 2025, at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)
The newly ordained were clothed in stoles and chasubles. The archbishop anointed their hands and entrusted each with a paten and chalice. In a final expression of welcome, priests from the archdiocese, along with the archbishop and other bishops, offered each new priest a fraternal kiss.

— Carole Norris Greene

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2. ‘Miracle girl’: Baltimore native’s childhood cure from leukemia helped canonize America’s first saint

EASTON – It’s been half a century since Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton was declared a saint Sept. 14, 1975, but the woman whose miraculous healing helped lead to the first U.S.-born saint’s canonization doesn’t dwell on the miracle that saved her life when she was a toddler.

“We all have miracles all the time,” Ann Theresa O’Neill said. “Mine just happened to be the one they used for the church. There’s a lot of miracles after me that Mother Seton performed, but they’re not documented.”
At 77, Ann spends much of her time babysitting great-grandchildren. She attends daily Mass at Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Easton or other area parishes and cherishes the friendship of companions, both earthly and heavenly.

Her extraordinary healing as a child is simply the foundation of her ordinary life of faith.

Her cozy, floral-themed townhome in Easton, where the Baltimore native has lived for more than 20 years to be near her only daughter, is filled with evidence of Ann’s devotion to the Holy Family and her favorite saints, to angels and her beloved family.

— By Connie Connelly

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3. Hope rises from ashes for St. Rita parishioners

DUNDALK – Not long after Baltimore County firefighters extinguished a two-alarm blaze at St. Rita Church in Dundalk July 1, Father Kevin Mueller carefully ascended the staircase to a soot-covered choir loft.

Looking around what had been used as a storage area, the pastor surveyed burned Christmas decorations and other damaged items – his eye drawn especially to a head that was poking out from the rubble.

He reached into the debris and gently pulled out a scorched statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary that had been part of one of the parish nativity scenes.

“I brought it out, but I didn’t clean it,” he told parishioners during a July 2 Mass at Our Lady of Hope in Dundalk that was offered in support of St. Rita congregants. “I wanted to leave it as it was … just a ‘coming up out of the ashes’ sort of a thing.”

The small figure of Mary, splotched with black grime – her arms crossed in adoration of an unseen newborn Christ child – stood at the front of the congregation during the special Mass inside the hall of Our Lady of Hope-St. Luke School.

The figure stood as a sign of hope and resilience for a community shaken and uncertain about the future. Other items recovered from the church, including an image of St. Rita and a church door handle firefighters had sawed off to gain access to the building, were also on display.

The church sustained significant damage from fire, smoke and water, especially in the reconciliation room, vestibule, downstairs restroom and the stairwell leading to the bell tower.

— George P. Matysek Jr.

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4. Prodigal son to priest

In the eyes of the world, Deacon James “Jamie” Lancelotta is the unlikeliest candidate for the priesthood.

The 53-year-old Baltimore native has wrestled with alcoholism and a gambling addiction. He once lived with his fiancée and hasn’t always followed the teachings of the Catholic Church. There were times he didn’t attend Mass at all, though a part of him always held on to the faith of his childhood.

Professionally, the parishioner of St. Joseph Monastery in Irvington built a strong career in hospitality. He worked as an executive chef or restaurant manager in places ranging from a dude ranch in Colorado to Baltimore’s popular Grilled Cheese & Co., where he helped grow the business to five locations as managing partner. Despite his success, however, he was restless.

Nine years ago, at a time when he felt “completely gone and shattered,” Deacon Lancelotta attended the funeral of his great-aunt, School Sister of Notre Dame Marie Carl Horn, at Villa Assumpta in Baltimore. Internally, he said, he “let loose on God.”

“I was mad at myself more than anything else, but also mad at God,” recalled Deacon Lancelotta, an alumnus of Trinity School in Ellicott City and Mount St. Joseph High School in Irvington who studied culinary arts at Baltimore International College.

Improbably, he heard an interior voice. He felt that God was telling him he had been called to a religious life all along. It was a path meant for him, Deacon Lancelotta said, but one he had spent years avoiding.

“I didn’t tell anybody because I really thought I was insane,” remembered Deacon Lancelotta, part of a deeply rooted Catholic family in Baltimore. He is the great-grand nephew of Frank Lancelotta, founder of Our Lady’s Center in Ellicott City.

He was eventually accepted as a seminarian and assigned to St. Mary’s Seminary in Roland Park.

— George P. Matysek Jr.

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5. St. Agnes School, Catonsville, to close at end of academic year

Leaders of St. Agnes Catholic School in Catonsville announced Jan. 13 that the parish school will close at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. The coeducational school serves students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade and has a current enrollment of 171, down from nearly 300 in 2011.

According to a statement by the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the closure is the result of “consistent years of declining enrollment” that has caused “significant financial strain on both the school and parish.”

According to information posted on St. Agnes School’s website, enrollment has decreased by 25 percent in the last decade. St. Agnes School experienced a rebound in enrollment after Our Lady of Victory School in Arbutus closed in 2021, St. Agnes School posted, “but took a significant and sharp turn shortly after that growth.”

Enrollment numbers for the 2024-25 academic year are the lowest the school has seen in the last two decades. The school noted that there are short- and longer-term expenses related to keeping up with the demands of maintaining a building the size of St. Agnes School. The deferred maintenance expenses include a total cost of more than $313,000 between now and 2027, the school said.

“We are deeply saddened by the recent announcement of St. Agnes Catholic School closure and understand the news is upsetting to the students, their families, staff and alumni of this beloved institution,” the archdiocesan statement said. “This was not an easy decision to make and came after considerable discussion and extensive evaluation of the sustainability of the school.”

— Catholic Review Staff

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6. Terry Brashears, longtime employee in Archdiocese of Baltimore advancement, dies in car accident

Teresa Ellen “Terry” Brashears, an Annapolis resident who found a second career in fundraising for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, died April 19 from injuries sustained in a car accident in Frederick County.

She was 69, and had worked many years in the archdiocesan Advancement Department, most recently as assistant director of the Catholic Community Foundation since March 2023. 

Auxiliary Bishop Adam J. Parker, vicar general of the archdiocese, praised Brashears in a letter to Catholic Center employees, saying she “was known to show her upbeat spirit and energy to all whom she encountered.” 

“She was passionate about the mission to which she was so dedicated and was known by so many friends and benefactors of the archdiocese as a person of warmth, compassion and hope,” Bishop Parker said.

Kim Montgomery, chief advancement officer for the archdiocese, said Brashears’ “warmth, dedication, and unwavering passion for her work with the Catholic Community Foundation touched countless lives. For nearly a decade, initially through the Annual Appeal … she helped others create legacies of faith and generosity – an enduring reflection of her own spirit.”

“Terry wasn’t just a valued colleague; she was a dear friend to so many on our team, among our CCF board members, Catholic Center colleagues, and throughout the community.”

— Kurt Jensen

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7. Archbishop Lori and Supreme Knight Kelly meet with Pope Leo

Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori and Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly met July 4 in a private audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican to discuss the work of the order around the world.

Pope Leo already had some awareness of the Knights, through parish experience in Chicago and because his brother is a Knight. “But it was an opportunity to present kind of a comprehensive picture of who the Knights are and what the Knights do and what some of its current initiatives are,” Archbishop Lori, supreme chaplain of the Knights, said via phone from Rome.

He described the conversation as free flowing, with no need for an interpreter, as would have been the case in meetings with Pope Francis.

Pope Leo “was very engaged,” the archbishop said. “He asked some good questions about aspects of the work of the Knights, particularly the COR program, which is a kind of a men’s formation and evangelization program.”

He said the pope seems to be an active listener, taking in everything and giving ample opportunity for people to speak and then he will engage after that.

A statement from the Knights of Columbus on the social media platform X said, “The Supreme Knight and Supreme Chaplain pledged the order’s loyalty to Pope Leo and promised ongoing prayers and support for his pontificate. They also provided the Holy Father with an overview of the Knights of Columbus, highlighting the order’s charitable activity and men’s faith formation initiatives.”

— Christopher Gunty

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8. Pope Francis names Bishop Lewandowski to Diocese of Providence, R.I.

Pope Francis has named Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., as the new bishop of the Diocese of Providence, R.I. The appointment was publicized in Washington April 8 by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

Bishop Lewandowski has served as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Baltimore since 2020. He will be installed as bishop of Providence May 20. As the 10th bishop of the diocese, he succeeds Archbishop Richard G. Henning, who became archbishop of Boston in October 2024.

Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori said, “Although we shall all keenly miss the presence and ministry of Bishop Lewandowski in our midst, it must be said that Pope Francis could not have chosen a better bishop for the Diocese of Providence. Throughout his service here in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Bishop Lewandowski served the People of God with zeal, fidelity, and love.”

Bishop Lewandowski, 57, a Redemptorist priest originally from Ohio, first came to the archdiocese in December 2016 to serve as pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus/Sagrado Corazón de Jesús Parish in Highlandtown. Pope Francis named him as an auxiliary bishop of Baltimore in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, and he was ordained to the episcopate Aug. 18, 2020.

Archbishop Lori said, “As auxiliary bishop, he preached the Gospel far and wide with zeal and effectiveness, greatly strengthened ministry to and among our growing Hispanic community and effectively conducted the Seek to City to Come parish realignment process, and much more. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, Bishop Bruce will bring his many gifts, his energy and his pastoral heart to the People of God in the Providence Diocese.”

Bishop Lewandowski serves as vicar for Baltimore City and vicar for Hispanic Catholics in the archdiocese. He has led the Seek the City to Come planning initiative to reimagine the Catholic faith in the parishes in the city, amid population loss, decreased Mass attendance and significant costs in deferred maintenance. He participated in dozens of meetings during the two-year process, listening to the concerns of the people who would be affected by the plan.

— Christopher Gunty

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9. In retrial, judge acquits man charged in assault on pro-life protester

A Baltimore Circuit judge June 25 acquitted Patrick Brice, 28, in a retrial over whether the injuries he inflicted on pro-life protester Mark Crosby in a May 26, 2023 incident were intentional.

In February, Brice was found guilty of two counts of second-degree assault and reckless endangerment for injuries he caused to Crosby and fellow pro-life advocate Richard Schaefer outside the Planned Parenthood Baltimore City Health Center. He is due to be sentenced Aug. 7 for those convictions.

The February jury acquitted Brice of first-degree assault charges for his actions involving Schaefer, but they could not reach a unanimous verdict on the same charge regarding his actions against Crosby. The June 25 bench trial before Circuit Judge Yvette M. Bryant was Brice’s retrial on the first-degree assault charge.

According to reporting in the Baltimore Banner, Bryant in her ruling said Crosby clearly suffered serious, protracted and permanent injuries in the unjustified assault, but that video evidence of the attack could be interpreted in more than one way.

She said Crosby’s actions that day, as shown in the surveillance video, could reflect either that he joined in to fight as Brice and Schaefer scuffled or that he engaged only to assist his friend.

In a statement provided to the Catholic Review, Crosby’s attorney, Terrell N. Roberts III, said the acquittal “was a miscarriage of justice that should never have happened.”

— Patricia Zapor

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10. Archbishop Lori issues merger decree for two East Baltimore parishes

Archbishop William E. Lori issued a decree Feb. 22 for the merger of St. Leo the Great Parish in Little Italy and nearby St. Vincent de Paul Parish. The merger is effective July 1.

A letter from the archbishop was read at Masses at the two parishes the weekend of Feb. 22-23.

For now, both churches will remain open for worship and continue to serve their respective communities.

In addition, each will keep its civil corporate identity, at least for now, and their assets and liabilities will remain distinct.

The decree notes that any individual parishioner of either parish can make an appeal to the archbishop by March 7. The request must be made in writing and postmarked no later than March 7, or hand-delivered by 5 p.m. on that date to the Catholic Center.

Canon law requires that parishioners be given 10 days to submit an appeal. The March 7 deadline to ask the archbishop to change or revoke his decision is 12 days from the date of the decree.

The decree cited facts regarding St. Vincent de Paul Parish as reasons for the merger, including a 24 percent decrease in the number of Catholic households within the parish boundaries and a 64 percent decline in Mass attendance over 20 years. The number of baptisms declined from 25 in 2014 to 4 in 2024. The decree noted the parishioners are aging, with 47 percent over 60 and 22 percent over 70.

It noted that only six of the Catholic households that are registered at St. Vincent de Paul actually reside in the parish territory.

St. Leo parish has experienced years of decline similar to St. Vincent’s. It is hoped that the two parishes coming together to share ministries and resources will embark on a new beginning for the church in Harbor East and along the President Street corridor.

The two parishes are separated geographically by a half mile, and there are eight other parishes within two miles of St. Vincent de Paul, with four of those within one mile.

— Christopher Gunty

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Commentaries

1. Pope Leo’s Tears at Mass

As Pope Leo XIV lifts the host during the Consecration, you can see his eyes filling up. He swallows, and he seems to be holding back tears.

A beautiful video has been circulating on social media, and I have watched it several times.

It’s so moving to see Pope Leo get emotional during that powerful, miraculous part of the Mass. It’s relatable, because seeing someone express emotion shows them being a little vulnerable. At the same time, it feels aspirational—to worship with your whole self at Mass, to love God that deeply, and to experience God’s love that fully in the moment.

Without using words, our shepherd is offering a gentle invitation.

We are all trying to live well, and to love well, but it can be easy to be distracted. Some days you might feel like you are going through the motions and not connecting with God.

But seeing Pope Leo respond with emotion in that moment is a wonderful reminder that we are each invited to encounter Jesus today.

Over the past 100-plus days of Pope Leo’s papacy, I have listened to him speak, and I have read some of his homilies. He is a beautiful writer who draws on the heart of our faith, and who stirs in me something that feels fundamental to who we are as a church.

But what has also struck me are the photos and videos of his more personal interactions—with children, with families, with individuals who are disabled, with newlyweds, with religious. There is so much authentic emotion to those encounters—so much compassion and so much joy.

So, when I see Pope Leo lifting the Eucharist in that video, I am moved by how personally he is encountering Jesus. It feels like a beautiful invitation for us to recognize that Jesus is there. He’s right there! Waiting for us! Ready to be received by us! Loving us! And longing for a deeper connection with us.

“The Eucharist is the sacrament of love,” St. Thomas Aquinas said. “It signifies love. It produces love. The Eucharist is the consummation of the whole spiritual life.”

— Rita Buettner

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2. The ‘both/and’ pope

Pope Francis’s passing on April 21 and the election of Pope Leo XIV on May 8 mark a significant moment in recent Catholic history. The elevation of Robert Prevost brings the Catholic Church its second pope from the New World, its first U.S. pontiff and the first pope to hold Peruvian citizenship – making him both the first North and South American pope.

Yet many in the English-speaking world overlook a key element in his background: his roughly 24 years in Peru. While excitement is natural – certainly felt in Peru – a blind spot in much English-language media fails to recognize the profound impact of his experience as missionary and Peruvian bishop, who, over nearly a quarter-century, grew deep roots in a country where he likely expected to remain at least until retirement as bishop of Chiclayo. This information is available in Spanish sources. Overlooking this dimension misses the very essence of the man the cardinals have chosen.

Robert Prevost’s Peruvian Journey

For more than two decades, the future pope immersed himself in Peruvian culture and church life. This was not a temporary assignment. It was a gradual, profound integration into Peruvian Catholicism, its pastoral life and public presence.

Chulucanas

After his 1982 ordination, Robert Prevost began ministry in Chulucanas, Peru, in 1985. This district is in the northern coastal desert, about 600 miles from Lima. The region includes Chiclayo and Trujillo. Chulucanas had about 479,000 residents, 85 percent Catholic. His early years in Peru coincided with a turbulent period in the country’s history, marked by insurgencies, terrorism, and economic crisis. After briefly returning to the U.S. (1987–1988) to promote vocations and raise funds, he resumed ministry in Peru in 1988, joining the Augustinian mission in Trujillo.

— Deacon Manuel Aliaga

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3. Thank you to a one-of-a-kind teacher

When Our Lady of Mount Carmel School held a fundraiser late last year, one of the incentives for donating was the chance to receive a personalized video message from current or former teachers if you made a donation during a specific time slot.

When I saw that one of those time slots belonged to Connie Flagg, I didn’t hesitate. I made my donation immediately – not only to support my alma mater, but because I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to hear from one of my most influential high school teachers. I was fortunate to donate in time, and sure enough, Mrs. Flagg sent me a video message. In it, she thanked me for supporting the school and wished my family a merry Christmas. Her warm, genuine smile lit up the screen, a beautiful reminder of the bright spirit she carried throughout her life and career.

Mrs. Flagg died June 11. She was a remarkable educator, having taught for more than 30 years at both Most Precious Blood School in Baltimore and Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School in Essex. But beyond her tenure, it was her deep care for her students that set her apart. She had a gift – not just for teaching, but for connecting with people and making them feel seen and valued.

I stayed in touch with Mrs. Flagg long after graduation and had the privilege of serving alongside her on the Mount Carmel school board for two years. By then, she insisted I call her “Connie,” but I could never quite bring myself to do it. To me, she would always be “Mrs. Flagg.”

Back in high school, and even years later, she used to joke that one day I’d take over her role as a history teacher at the school. That didn’t happen – at least not yet – but the idea always stayed with me. Maybe one day, it will.

When Mrs. Flagg retired in 2014, I wrote her a note as part of a collection presented to her by former students and colleagues. I’d like to share that message below, as a small tribute to a woman who shaped so many lives.

Thank you for everything, Mrs. Flagg. I feel blessed to have that video message to remember you, a final gift from a teacher who never stopped giving.

— George P. Matysek Jr.

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4. Breakfast Casserole Time

When my sister reached out to tell me she had scheduled my nephews’ First Communion, I told her we would be there.

“We will discuss my breakfast casserole later,” I texted back.

“Not sure what there is to discuss,” she replied. “Everyone loves it.”

That’s when I realized I’ve made this casserole enough and served it to enough people that I have a breakfast casserole. I’ve even made it and brought it to the office to share—and my colleagues were thrilled.

As it turns out, you don’t need a Baptism or a First Communion party to enjoy it. It’s a fairly simple recipe, but I’ve never shared it here. As we inch our way through these dreary February days, I thought it might be time.

Warm, hearty breakfasts are perfect for wintry days. And, since there’s snow in the forecast, we might be running out to buy eggs—and bread and milk. I love to bake on a snow day, but it can also be good to have some comfort food around.

This is a flexible recipe. You can add more vegetables or pull back on the cheese (or add more), and it will still be tasty.

Sometimes I am making a casserole just for our household, and it works well to slice a piece off and reheat it in the microwave for breakfast the next day or two. When I need to transport the casserole, I find it travels well. I cover it in foil, wrap it in a beach towel, and put it inside a cooler so it can stay warm until we serve it.

— Rita Buettner

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5. Five Lessons Pope Francis Taught Us

Weeks ago, when it became clear that Pope Francis’ health was failing, I thought I had come to terms with the possibility of him passing away.

When I woke up to the news that he had died, however, I realized I wasn’t prepared at all.

Yes, we knew he was elderly and battling double pneumonia. Yes, he was weak and frail. Yes, he was struggling to speak and participate in his public appearances.

But he showed up. He continued to radiate joy and love for his flock. I let myself believe that his enthusiasm for accompanying us would carry us through whatever was holding him back. I believed that because I wanted to believe it. I believed it because it was so obvious that the world needed Pope Francis. And, of course, the world still needs Pope Francis. He will simply be helping us in a different way, interceding for us from heaven.

As I reflect on who Pope Francis was for our Church and our world, I realize there are so many lessons he taught us. Here are a few I will hold onto.

Show up. Pope Francis went to the people. He visited prisoners, not for photo ops, but on important days like Holy Thursday to wash their feet. He came to St. Peter’s Square to be with people even when his health was failing. He traveled around the world on arduous trips just to connect with people. He gave us so much through the gift of his presence.

Live faith with joy. When I picture Pope Francis, he is always smiling. He brought so much joy to the way he lived out his faith. He loved Jesus and Mary. He loved us. He loved life. He shared his love with us in such a joyful way. He was there for us in the hard times—praying in such a powerful way for and with us during Covid. He spoke out about the problems of the world. And he lived with a love and a joy that was inspiring, life-giving.

Love the person in front of you. Some of the most moving moments with Pope Francis involve the children who ran up to be near him in public. He welcomed them, always smiling, letting them act the way children do, giving them space to be kids. I feel like that was his approach with everyone. He expected us to strive to be good people, and his spoken and written messages called us to live with greater love and greater purpose. But he also loved us as we are. He designated a year of mercy. He recognized where we were, and he knew what we needed.

Pray—and ask others to pray for you. I loved how Pope Francis would invite us into prayer. I loved that when he was elected pope, and he stepped out on that balcony—a stranger to us in that moment—he asked us to pray for him. He began his papacy in prayer, and inviting us to be part of that prayer. Many, many times since then, he has asked us to pray. Such a beautiful reminder that we are all connected, that our relationship with God is as important as the pope’s relationship with God, and that prayer is something we can do for one another.

Live with hope. Pope Francis gave us many gifts in these final months of his life, including the way he poured himself out to the people, visiting with them and sharing of himself when he had so little time and energy left. But one of the greatest gifts he gave us was the Year of Hope. His passing away during the Year of Hope—and during the octave of Easter—is especially poignant. What an incredible reminder that hope is greater than death, that hope does not disappoint, and that we live for a greater purpose than anything we will encounter on earth. We are created to love and be loved by God.

–– Rita Buettner

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6. Pilgrims of Hope: Walking the Way of St. Francis in the Year of Jubilee

Just over two years ago, my friend Father Patrick Carrion and I arrived together at five newly-merged parishes in Northeast Baltimore City. These included St. Francis of Assisi Church and School, Shrine of the Little Flower, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Dominic and Most Precious Blood. A year later we added St. Matthew and Blessed Sacrament. When people asked what my parish was, I sometimes replied, “the Litany of the Saints.”

Throughout the Seek the City to Come pastoral planning initiative of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, we walked with parishioners through the difficult period of merging churches and in some cases celebrating their final public Masses.

Some days in prayer, I thought about how I became a priest because, like St. Francis of Assisi, my confirmation saint, I wanted to rebuild the church, not close its doors. But I realized that new growth occurs only through the patient and sometimes painful process of pruning and planting seeds for the future.

This is the Jubilee Year. The theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” seemed perfectly timed. We live by hope, and “hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5). Pope Francis noted that the Christian life is a “journey calling for moments of greater intensity to encourage and sustain hope as the constant companion that guides our steps towards the goal of our encounter with the Lord Jesus.”

I was carrying events and emotions from the preceding years I still needed to process prayerfully.

In 2017, a turning point in my life, I walked the Camino de Santiago, the “Way of St. James,” across the north of Spain. For 2025, I decided on walking the Via di Francesco, the “Way of St. Francis” (Also called the Via Roma, “Way of Rome”), a 170-mile hike from Assisi to Rome that passes through sacred sites in the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Andiamo!

Just before my pilgrimage, Pope Francis completed his earthly journey. For 12 years, Francis walked with me, a spiritual companion through the ups and downs of my young adulthood and early years of priesthood. But who could guess I would get to see the first American pope? Vivat Papa Leo XIV!

— Father Evan Ponton

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7. Five Reasons to Love St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

As a child growing up in Baltimore, I remember learning about Mother Seton. We were especially proud of this new saint, who had a connection to our hometown. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was not only the first American-born saint, but she had spent so much of her life in Maryland.

Sometimes on a warm summer day, my parents would load us into the family station wagon to drive to Emmitsburg, Maryland, to see where Mother Seton had lived. Those road trips helped me realize saints were real people who lived in the world and did their best to serve God in ordinary and extraordinary ways.

On Jan. 4, we celebrate St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s feast day, and we are marking the 50th anniversary of her canonization this year. If you’re looking for a reason to get to know this saint a little better, here are a few reasons you might find her easy to turn to for help.

She knew sorrow. During her life, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton lost her mother when she was 3, her husband not quite 10 years into their marriage, and later two of her daughters. In addition to all the personal loss she dealt with, she hit obstacle after obstacle while trying to live out her mission on earth. She is a great person to turn to when you’re experiencing loss or insurmountable problems. “Do what we can, and God will do the rest,” she said. “What seems so impossible to nature is quite easy to grace.”

Her life had so many twists and turns — and she just kept going. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton felt called to marriage as William’s wife and welcomed five children with him. After he died, she continued to look for ways to answer God’s call, opening a school and eventually founding an order that has had a profound impact on the world. What an inspiring life—and what a perfect person to ask to intercede when you’re facing a significant life decision. Or maybe she’d love to hear from you when you feel overwhelmed with parenting and working and managing all life’s responsibilities.

She was a Baltimorean (for part of her life). In fact, Mother Seton started the first parochial school in the United States in Baltimore. If you’re in or near Maryland, you can visit places that were important to her life, walk in the steps of a saint, and see how she made her mark.

She was open to change — and was willing to make change happen. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was raised in the Episcopal Church and converted to Catholicism after she learned more about the faith while in Italy. As a Catholic widow, she founded an order, the Sisters of Charity, which has founded and run orphanages, schools, and hospitals. She was an innovator and a problem solver, someone who saw a need, stepped forward in faith, and offered a solution.

She was a woman of courage and faith. As I’ve grown up and become a wife and mother, I’m even more in awe of all St. Elizabeth Ann Seton achieved for God during her 46 years on earth. What an extraordinary person she was, navigating so many challenges in her life, seeking opportunities to grow in faith, and always living for God. “I resign the present and the future to Him who is the author and conductor of both,” she said.

–– Rita Buettner

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8, The day I hit my Mass goal (and kept going)

Last year, I set a goal to attend 100 Masses. I reached my goal and continued on to attend 133 Masses. I surprised myself.

So, as we were beginning 2025, I decided to kick it up a notch. Why not try to go to 150 Masses? It seemed like a bit of a stretch, but I had nothing to lose, and lots to gain.

Last Wednesday, I hit my goal, and I found myself realizing that it’s been quite a year so far.

I’ve been to Masses celebrated by 36 priests and one bishop in 12 different churches—plus Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

I’ve gone to funerals, First Communions, baptisms—and my son’s Confirmation.

I’ve heard homilies that have stayed with me, and some that I can’t recall.

I’ve taken thousands of intentions into Mass with me this year.

I’ve sat with friends, and I’ve sat with strangers.

I left each Mass grateful for God’s presence in my life—and thankful to be able to set aside a little more time for him.

I think that is what I most enjoy, feeling that I can deepen my relationship with God through the simple gift of time. It’s my gift to him, but it’s also his gift to me. I can’t get there every day, even when I try. One Sunday I was too sick to go, and I watched online—but wouldn’t count that as Mass.

Sometimes I could get there, but I choose not to go because I feel I am needed elsewhere—my family needs me or a friend or colleague stops me with a question, and their request feels pressing. So, I don’t go, and I trust that I am in the right place.

Back in January, I was at a Mass at St. Joseph’s Cockeysville, when Father Steven Roth said, “Every time we come to Mass it is a gift, and we see a miracle before our very eyes.” I wrote that quote on the list where I keep track of where I’ve been to Mass and which priest was the main celebrant.

Each time is a gift.

–– Rita Buettner

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9. Witness to truth

The last time I spoke with Elizabeth Ann Murphy was after the 2023 death of John Merzbacher, the fiendish former lay teacher at Catholic Community School in South Baltimore who had repeatedly raped her and other students in the 1970s.

Liz had long forgiven Merzbacher for his horrific crimes. I knew that from past conversations when she told me she prayed for her tormentor daily. Still, I hesitated to ask her where she found the strength to forgive – especially now that he was gone, facing an eternal accounting for his actions. Part of me feared reopening wounds.

She paused. Then, in a slow, deliberate cadence, she answered.

“We know what our Lord calls us to – and it isn’t easy,” she said, her voice cracking through the phone. “It’s not something Liz does. It is the grace of God that allows me to do this. Because the love and power of God transcend all things, even this.”

It was one of the most extraordinary statements I’d heard in nearly three decades at the Catholic Review. But that was Liz – extraordinary in faith and resilience. She endured unfathomable horrors, fought relentlessly for justice, and held onto her faith, even when she felt the church had failed her.

I first met Liz 15 years ago when she invited me into her home to share her story. Over the years, we spoke by phone several times and exchanged emails. Our last in-person meeting was two years ago, on her 62nd birthday in her home, discussing the Maryland State Attorney General’s report on child abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. On that day, as always, she was direct and unwavering.

“I have done a lot of interviews over the past almost 30 years now, and none are as important to me as this one – none,” she said, her searing, ice-blue eyes locking onto mine. “Because this is where I’m going to speak to the Catholic faithful. Because that’s where a lot of my pain has come from.”

Liz spoke of the agony inflicted by fellow Catholics who accused her of making up her abuse or seeking financial gain. She couldn’t understand why some in the pews refused to hear survivors.

While she acknowledged the Archdiocese of Baltimore had more recent policies in place to protect children, she was frustrated by what she saw as the church’s tendency to focus on progress rather than the lasting pain of survivors.

“I wish I could forget the repeated rape and abuse I suffered as an 11-, 12-, and 13-year-old at the hands of a Catholic schoolteacher,” she said. “I truly do, but this trauma lives in the very cells of my body. This trauma continues to be triggered and intrudes in my life, uninvited.”

A lifelong Catholic who grew up at St. Mary, Star of the Sea in South Baltimore, Liz insisted survivors should not be blamed for any financial hardships the church might face because of lawsuits. Victim-survivors had the right to seek justice, she said.

— George P. Matysek Jr.

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10. A Miracle for a Baby in Rhode Island (and for all of us)

We have all hoped and prayed for miracles. No wonder we get excited when we hear that the Vatican has confirmed one.

And the miracle in the news this week is such a beautiful one—resulting in the restored health of a baby who was born prematurely, deprived of oxygen, and was barely breathing with no pulse. The doctors didn’t expect him to survive.

It was then that Dr. Juan Sánchez-Esteban—the physician in the room—turned to the deceased 19th-century Spanish priest Salvador Valera Parra. He told Vida Nueva that he whispered a childhood prayer from his hometown in southern Spain: “Fr. Valera, I have done everything I can. Now it’s your turn.”

Minutes later, the baby started breathing on his own. What happened cannot be explained medically. But God knows.

“It’s your turn.”

What a powerful realization. How often are we able to see that we have done what we can do—but not give up hope completely? We do our part, and then we invite God to do the rest, perhaps asking someone in heaven to intercede on our behalf.

Father Valera had never been to the now-closed hospital in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where the baby was born. He had never even been to the United States. But heaven and earth are not so far away. Prayer connects us all. And today Pope Leo XIV is crediting this 19th-century priest with a miracle that saved the life of a tiny, premature baby in Rhode Island.

This likely future saint heard and responded, reaching out to God to plead for this tiny baby, born in January 2007.

That child, identified as Tyquan Hall, wasn’t expected to live. Then he wasn’t expected to live a healthy life. But he met all his milestones and apparently is a thriving 18-year-old now.

What a miracle.

What a beautiful reminder for us that anything and everything is possible for God. God’s love and power have no limits. He invites us to trust him, to call on him, and to turn to those in the communion of saints—on earth and in heaven—to pray with and for us, even when all seems impossible.

–– Rita Buettner

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