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Sophia Forchas, que sobrevivió a una herida de bala en la cabeza durante una misa escolar en la iglesia Annunciation Church de Minneapolis el 27 de agosto de 2025, y su padre, Tom Forchas, salen de una limusina en el Hennepin County Medical Center, en el centro de Minneapolis, el 23 de octubre, justo después de su alta del Gillette Children’s Hospital de St. Paul. Una escolta policial encabezada por el jefe de policía de Minneapolis, Brian O’Hara, llegó al HCMC para una breve visita al personal del hospital que atendió a Sophia. (Foto de OSV News/Dave Hrbacek, The Catholic Spirit)

NACIÓN
MINNEAPOLIS (OSV News) – Sophia Forchas, que resultó gravemente herida en un tiroteo ocurrido el 27 de agosto durante una misa escolar en la iglesia Annunciation Church de Minneapolis, ha sido dada de alta del hospital y fue recibida con carteles y vítores el 23 de octubre en Minneapolis. Sophia, de 12 años, estuvo en estado crítico durante dos semanas tras sufrir una herida de bala en la cabeza. Posteriormente, el centro Hennepin Healthcare de Minneapolis informó el 11 de septiembre que su estado había pasado a ser grave, lo que se define como “una posibilidad de mejora en el pronóstico”. De camino a casa desde el Hospital Infantil Gillette de St. Paul el 23 de octubre, donde estaba recibiendo rehabilitación hospitalaria, Sophia fue acompañada al Hennepin Healthcare. Fue recibida por el personal, que la aplaudió y vitoreó. Algunos miembros del personal lloraron y se abrazaron. Llevaban carteles con mensajes de cumpleaños y le cantaron la canción “Feliz cumpleaños”. Sophia, estudiante de séptimo grado, cumple 13 años el 25 de octubre. El jefe de policía de Minneapolis, Brian O’Hara, formó parte de la escolta. El neurocirujano de Sophia, el Dr. Walt Galicich, agradeció al personal del Hennepin Healthcare su ayuda en la recuperación de la niña. La familia de Sophia, miembros de la Iglesia Ortodoxa Griega St. Mary en Minneapolis, declaró que su progreso en la curación era “nada menos que milagroso; un testimonio innegable de la misericordia y la intervención de nuestro Señor Jesucristo”.

WASHINGTON (OSV News) – Una coalición de organizaciones católicas celebró vigilias de oración en todo el país el 22 de octubre por lo que los organizadores denominaron “un día nacional de testimonio público por nuestros hermanos y hermanas inmigrantes”. Las vigilias se celebraron en medio de la creciente preocupación de algunas comunidades religiosas, incluida una parroquia católica de Chicago, por el impacto de la revocación por parte de la administración Trump de una política que prohibía la aplicación de las leyes de inmigración en lugares sensibles, como iglesias, escuelas y hospitales. Las vigilias “Una Iglesia, una familia: testimonio público católico por los inmigrantes” se celebraron en múltiples lugares del país el 22 de octubre, y está prevista una segunda serie de actos para el 13 de noviembre, festividad de Santa Francisca Javier Cabrini, patrona universal de los inmigrantes. La protesta y la vigilia de oración en la capital del país tuvieron lugar frente a la sede del Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas de Estados Unidos, mientras los empleados entraban en el edificio y los conductores de la hora pico tocaban ocasionalmente el claxon en señal de reconocimiento. Judy Coode, directora de comunicaciones de Pax Christi USA, declaró a OSV News en la vigilia de Washington: “Queríamos ser testigos”. “Tanto como católicos como ciudadanos estadounidenses, tenemos la responsabilidad de dar testimonio de las injusticias que vemos”, afirmó Coode.

VATICANO
CIUDAD DEL VATICANO (CNS) – La búsqueda de la sinodalidad debe fortalecer la misión de la Iglesia católica de proclamar el Evangelio y ayudar a todos los católicos a aprender a colaborar para hacer del mundo un lugar mejor, dijo el papa León XIV. “Como nos ha recordado el papa Francisco en numerosas ocasiones”, dijo el papa, el propósito de la sinodalidad “es ayudar a la Iglesia a cumplir su papel principal en el mundo, que es ser misionera, anunciar el Evangelio, dar testimonio de la persona de Jesucristo en todas partes del mundo, hasta los confines de la tierra”. Ese testimonio incluye defender la justicia, cuidar el planeta y promover la paz, dijo el papa León durante una reunión celebrada a finales de octubre con los participantes en el Jubileo de los Equipos Sinodales y los Órganos Participativos. “La Iglesia tiene voz, y debemos ser valientes a la hora de alzar nuestra voz para cambiar el mundo, para hacerlo un lugar mejor”, dijo a los peregrinos, entre los que se encontraban unos 150 representantes de Estados Unidos con 15 obispos estadounidenses.

CIUDAD DEL VATICANO (CNS) – Para conmemorar el 1700 aniversario del Concilio de Nicea y su Credo, así como para reafirmar las esperanzas de paz en Oriente Medio, el papa León XIV viajará a Turquía y Líbano del 27 de noviembre al 2 de diciembre. El Vaticano dio a conocer el itinerario del primer viaje al extranjero del papa León el 27 de octubre. El viaje a Iznik, Turquía, sede de la antigua Nicea, estaba inicialmente previsto para el papa Francisco. Pero el papa León, pocos días después de su elección en mayo, anunció su intención de conmemorar el aniversario con el patriarca ecuménico ortodoxo Bartolomé de Constantinopla. El patriarca anunció en una liturgia celebrada en Estambul el 22 de octubre que había invitado a los otros tres patriarcas de la antigua “pentarquía” a unirse a él y al papa para la celebración de Nicea, según el sitio web Orthodox Times. Los jefes de las iglesias invitados son: los patriarcas ortodoxos griegos Teófilo III de Jerusalén, Teodoro II de Alejandría y Juan X de Antioquía.

MUNDO
TEHERÁN, Irán (OSV News) – En Irán, una nueva estación de metro en Teherán dedicada a la Virgen María está llamando la atención y suscitando reflexiones. El cardenal belga Dominique Mathieu, que dirige la Arquidiócesis de Teherán-Isfahán, afirma que la estación “Maryam-e Moghadass” o “Santa María” ofrece a los viajeros un recordatorio diario del amor de Dios por todos. En un artículo publicado el 22 de octubre en la agencia Fides, el cardenal describió los bajorrelieves de Jesús, María y una paloma que representa al Espíritu Santo que decoran la estación. Afirmó que sus rostros serenos «invitan a los transeúntes a contemplar el amor del único Dios» y a seguir el camino de la paz. Situada cerca de la catedral armenia de San Sarkis, la estación también rinde homenaje a la comunidad cristiana armenia de Irán, la minoría más grande del país. Aunque la obra de arte es un símbolo de respeto interreligioso, la libertad religiosa en Irán sigue siendo limitada. Una comisión estadounidense informa de que los cristianos siguen enfrentándose a penas de cárcel y persecución por practicar o compartir su fe. Las imágenes marianas de la estación de metro incluyen varios versículos de la “Sura Maryam”, el capítulo 19 del Corán dedicado a María. Como madre de Jesús, el tercer capítulo del Corán afirma que María, muy venerada en el islam, fue elegida por Dios “entre todas las mujeres del mundo”.

Tome Nota

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Vírgenes y Santos

Día delos veteranos.
11 de noviembre

San Martín de Tours.
11 de noviembre

Santa Isabel de Hungría.
17 de noviembre

Dedicación de las Basílicas de San Pedro y Pablo.
18 de noviembre

Presentación de la
Bienaventurada Virgen María.
21 de noviembre

Santa Cecilia.
22 de noviembre

Nuestro Señor Jesucristo,
Rey del Universo.
23 de noviembre

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Una coalición católica celebra vigilias de oración en todo el país frente a las oficinas del ICE

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Por Kate Scanlon y Gina Christian, OSV News

WASHINGTON (OSV News) – Una coalición de organizaciones católicas celebró vigilias de oración en todo el país el 22 de octubre por lo que los organizadores denominaron “un día nacional de testimonio público por nuestros hermanos y hermanas inmigrantes”.

Las vigilias se celebraron en medio de la creciente preocupación de algunas comunidades religiosas por el impacto de la revocación por parte de la Administración Trump de una política que prohibía la aplicación de las leyes de inmigración en “lugares sensibles”, como iglesias, escuelas y hospitales.

Las vigilias “Una Iglesia, Una Familia: Testimonio Público Católico por los Inmigrantes” (“One Church, One Family: Catholic Public Witness for Immigrants”) se celebraron en múltiples lugares del país el 22 de octubre. Una segunda serie de eventos está prevista para el 13 de noviembre, festividad de Santa Francisca Javier Cabrini, patrona universal de los inmigrantes.

La gente se reúne para una vigilia de oración a favor de los inmigrantes afuera de Delaney Hall, un centro de detención de migrantes en Newark, Nueva Jersey, el 22 de octubre de 2025. El evento estaba afiliado a la iniciativa nacional “Una Iglesia, Una Familia: Testimonio Público Católico por los Inmigrantes” que se organizó en respuesta a la campaña de la administración Trump contra la inmigración no autorizada. Un evento similar está programado para el 13 de noviembre, festividad de Santa Francisca Javier Cabrini, patrona de los inmigrantes. (Foto OSV News/Gregory A. Shemitz)

La iniciativa fue encabezada por la provincia jesuita del oeste, a la que se unieron organizaciones como el Servicio Jesuita para Refugiados de EE.UU., la Red de Solidaridad Ignaciana, Maryknoll, la Red para la Defensa de la Justicia Social Católica (Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justice o CLINIC), Pax Christi USA, los Servicios de Migración y Refugiados de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Estados Unidos y varias órdenes religiosas femeninas.

La manifestación y la vigilia de oración en la capital del país tuvieron lugar frente a la sede del Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas de EE.UU. (ICE), mientras los empleados del ICE entraban en el edificio y los conductores de la hora punta tocaban ocasionalmente el claxon en señal de reconocimiento.

“Queríamos ser testigos”, declaró Judy Coode, directora de comunicaciones de Pax Christi USA, a OSV News en la vigilia en Washington D.C.

“Tanto como católicos como ciudadanos estadounidenses, tenemos la responsabilidad de dar testimonio de las injusticias que vemos”, dijo Coode. “Por eso, parte de nuestra tradición es rezar en público. Tenemos derecho a hacerlo, así que aprovechamos esa oportunidad y queremos dar testimonio ante quienes están en el poder, quienes toman las decisiones. Queremos apelar a sus conciencias, pedirles que consideren rezar por otro resultado, rezar por otra forma de ser”.

El día antes de las vigilias de oración, el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS por sus siglas en ingles), que supervisa el ICE, se opuso en las redes sociales a un artículo de CBS News sobre pastores que expresaban su preocupación por que el miedo a las redadas del ICE estuviera alejando a algunos de sus feligreses de la iglesia. En una publicación en X, el DHS afirmó que estaba “PROTEGIENDO a personas inocentes en nuestras iglesias al impedir que los extranjeros ilegales y los miembros de bandas explotaran estos lugares de culto”.

“La directiva del DHS da a nuestras fuerzas del orden la capacidad de hacer su trabajo. Nuestros agentes actúan con discreción y cuentan con la aprobación de un supervisor secundario antes de poder tomar cualquier medida en lugares como una iglesia o una escuela”, decía la publicación.

En el informe de la CBS, el director del ICE, Todd Lyons, afirmó que, a pesar del retroceso, los lugares de culto no son un objetivo de las redadas.
Sin embargo, a principios de octubre, los informes sobre la presencia de agentes del ICE cerca de la iglesia católica St. Jerome, en el barrio Rogers Park de Chicago, provocaron advertencias alarmantes e instaron a la precaución durante de una Misa en español, aunque un portavoz del ICE negó que dicha iglesia fuera un objetivo, según informó NBC Chicago.

La revocación de la política de lugares sensibles (también conocida como política de “áreas protegidas”, que incluyen lugares de culto, hospitales y escuelas) es una de las medidas migratorias de la administración Trump que ha sido criticada por los obispos estadounidenses. Recientemente, los prelados ofrecieron su apoyo a una demanda que impugna el cambio de política, presentando un escrito amicus curiae, a veces denominado escrito de amigo del tribunal, ante la Corte de Apelaciones del Circuito de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito de Columbia.

“La iglesia es un santuario y un refugio”, declaró Art Laffin, miembro de Dorothy Day Catholic Worker House, a OSV News en la vigilia de Washington.

Las medidas de control de la inmigración en las iglesias, afirmó, serían “un pecado y una injusticia terribles, por lo que realmente exige que todo el pueblo de Dios se una a aquellos que están siendo perseguidos y criminalizados, ya sea en el santuario o en las calles”.

La doctrina social católica sobre la inmigración también equilibra tres principios interrelacionados: el derecho de las personas a emigrar para sustentar sus vidas y las de sus familias, el derecho de un país a regular sus fronteras y controlar la inmigración, y el deber de una nación de regular sus fronteras con justicia y misericordia.

La hermana de San José Bethany Welch, miembro del equipo nacional de planificación de “Una Iglesia, Una Familia”, declaró a OSV News en una entrevista telefónica el 22 de octubre: “Es esencial que seamos solidarios, especialmente con nuestros hermanos y hermanas que están detenidos”.

La hermana Bethany había asistido a la peregrinación binacional del 12 de octubre dirigida por el obispo Gerald F. Kicanas, administrador apostólico de la diócesis de Tucson, Arizona, como parte de una misión para solidarizarse con los migrantes. A

firmó que su participación en la vigilia “Una Iglesia, Una Familia” del 22 de octubre en un centro de detención de inmigrantes en Newark, Nueva Jersey, era una continuación de ese esfuerzo y de “la llamada del Evangelio a estar atentos a aquellos que están siendo perjudicados o marginados”.

Aunque a menudo se considera a los inmigrantes como “otros”, dijo, “en realidad, forman parte de nuestra Iglesia”.

En todo Estados Unidos, los cristianos representan aproximadamente el 80% de todas las personas en riesgo de ser deportadas por la campaña de deportaciones masivas de Trump, y el grupo más numeroso de cristianos afectados es el de los católicos, según un informe conjunto católico-evangélico publicado por World Relief. El informe reveló que uno de cada seis católicos (18%) es vulnerable a la deportación o vive con alguien que lo es.

“La iglesia de Filadelfia, la iglesia de Newark, la iglesia de Washington D.C. se han construido y mantenido a lo largo de diversas historias de migración, ya sea de inmigrantes irlandeses, latinoamericanos, africanos, haitianos, etc.”, afirmó la hermana Bethany. “A menudo, a medida que prosperamos o tenemos más ventajas, olvidamos nuestros orígenes y nuestros humildes comienzos”.

Añadió que la “falta de memoria”, junto con una “mentalidad de escasez” –que no ve que el amor, la compasión y la misericordia de Dios son “suficientes para todos nosotros”– se encuentran en el núcleo del sentimiento anti-inmigrante que atraviesa el país.

Pero la comunidad migrante forma una parte muy importante en la iglesia de este país. Según los datos del Pew Research Center publicados en junio, más de cuatro de cada diez católicos en Estados Unidos son inmigrantes (29%) o hijos de inmigrantes (14%). Ocho de cada diez católicos hispanos han nacido fuera de Estados Unidos (58%) o son hijos de inmigrantes (22 %), mientras que el 92 % de los católicos asiáticos son inmigrantes (78%) o hijos de inmigrantes (14%). Por el contrario, la gran mayoría de los católicos blancos están alejados tres o más generaciones de la experiencia inmigrante: solo el 6% nacieron fuera de Estados Unidos, y otro 9 % nacieron en Estados Unidos de al menos un progenitor inmigrante.

La hermana Bethany dijo que las vigilias “Una Iglesia, Una Familia” son “una invitación a recordar de dónde venimos”, afirmó.

Varias docenas de participantes en una vigilia “Una Iglesia, Una Familia” en Filadelfia, que tuvo lugar frente a las oficinas del ICE de esa ciudad, reflexionaron sobre el anuncio de Cristo de su misión terrenal para con los pobres, los ciegos y los cautivos, tal y como se relata en el Evangelio de San Lucas 4,16-30.

“¿Quiénes son los pobres entre nosotros que necesitan escuchar el Evangelio, y quiénes son los ciegos que necesitan recuperar la vista?”, preguntó la hermana de San José Linda Lukiewski, una de las ponentes del evento

La hermana Linda, cuya larga trayectoria ministerial incluye misiones en Centroamérica y entre las comunidades latinas de Estados Unidos, respondió: “Creo que los pobres entre nosotros que más necesitan escuchar el Evangelio son aquellos que carecen de compasión y sentido de la justicia, que sufren de pobreza de juicio recto y que desconocen que todos somos hermanos y hermanas y que todos merecemos respeto y dignidad”.

Peter Pedemonti, miembro fundador y codirector del New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia, una organización sin ánimo de lucro que defiende a los inmigrantes basada en la doctrina católica, señaló en su discurso que “al menos cuatro personas” habían sido detenidas por el ICE esa mañana y se encontraban recluidas en el edificio situado detrás de los participantes en la vigilia.

“Llevemos en nuestro corazón y en nuestras oraciones a esas personas que se encuentran en las celdas de detención detrás de nosotros”, dijo Pedemonti.

También instó a los presentes a “dejar que nuestros corazones se rompan una y otra vez” para que esas detenciones no se conviertan en “algo normal”.

(Kate Scanlon es reportera nacional de OSV News con sede en Washington. Gina Christian es reportera multimedia de OSV News. El editor de noticias nacionales de OSV News, Peter Jesserer Smith, ha contribuido a este reportaje.)

NOTAS: Para más información sobre las vigilias “Una Iglesia, Una Familia”, visite: https://1family.us/

Youth

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MERIDIAN – (left) St. Patrick Catholic School students Myles Owen, foreground, Josiah Rogers and Carolyn Augustine plant pinwheels on Sept. 18 in observance of the International Day of Peace. (Photo by Helen Reynolds)
VICKSBURG – The Vicksburg Catholic School Lady Flashes and the St. Joseph Catholic School Lady Bruins meet on the court for a volleyball match on Oct. 7. (Photo by Tereza Ma)

JACKSON – St. Richard Catholic School sixth graders Reeves Buckley, Masters Neel, Andrew Compretta, Jackson LeBlanc and Drew Simmons visit the St. Richard Early Learning Center, spending time reading and playing with students in different classrooms. (Photo by Celeste Saucier)
JACKSON – St. Richard Catholic School second graders are paired with sixth-grade “Guardian Angels,” who serve as guides, mentors, prayer buddies and friends throughout the year as the younger students prepare for First Reconciliation. Pictured (back row, from left) are Rachel Jones, Addy McKay, Cody Gage-Spencer, Addy Boteler, Thomas Ueltchsey and Masters Neel; (front row, from left) Marilee Nelson, Malia Owens, Corinne Thomas, Isaiah Bost, Cecilia Brown, Marleigh Walker and Thomas Morisani. (Photo by Celeste Saucier)
VICKSBURG – Vicksburg Catholic School student JB Barnes learns how to use a fire hose with help from a local firefighter during Community Helper Day. (Photo by Laura Kidder)

ICE enforcement impacts immigrant priests, seminarians and religious in the US

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By Kate Scanlon
WASHINGTON (OSV News) – Immigrant priests, seminarians and religious in the U.S. are among those impacted by immigration enforcement policy, advocates and analysts told OSV News.

Bishop Joseph J. Tyson of the Diocese of Yakima in central Washington wrote in a recent newsletter that several seminarians in the diocese were among them, including one who was born in the U.S. but left to be with his parents, who had self-deported to Mexico.

In an interview with OSV News, Bishop Tyson said many of the priests and seminarians in his diocese come from immigrant backgrounds.

Father Adolfo Suarez-Pasillas, a priest of the Diocese of Jackson, is pictured in Mexico, where he returned earlier this year due to immigration backlogs affecting religious worker visas. He had faithfully served the parish community of St. Michael in Forest, Mississippi, but was unable to remain in the United States after his R-1 visa expired. The proposed Religious Worker Protection Act (RWPA) would help ministers like him continue serving U.S. parishes while awaiting permanent residency. (Photo by Tereza Ma)

“I know how hard it is to keep my priests and my seminarians in status,” he said. “I can only imagine what it’s like for parishioners who don’t have a fleet of lawyers.”

Bishop Tyson cited a joint report released earlier this year by the National Association of Evangelicals, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Migration and Refugee Services, the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and World Relief, which found many of those vulnerable to deportation themselves – or those who have a family member vulnerable to deportation – are Christians.

More than 10 million Christians living in the U.S. would be vulnerable to deportation under Trump administration policies implemented in 2025, the report said. Christians account for approximately 80% of all those at risk of deportation, it added, and the Christians most at risk of deportation were Catholics, 61% of the total. The report found one in six Catholics (18%) are either vulnerable to deportation or live with someone who is.

J. Kevin Appleby, senior fellow for policy at the Center for Migration Studies in New York and former director of migration policy for the USCCB, told OSV News, “I think priests and religious from other nations are in a challenging situation, caught between looking after their flock here and perhaps also being a target of enforcement, even if they have legal status.”

“They can play an important role, however, in ministering to immigrants and their families, as they have a shared experience with them and understand the fear they are feeling,” Appleby said. “When push comes to shove – and loyal to their ministry – they will stand with their immigrant brothers and sisters and be a great asset to the church in the U.S. at this troubling time.”

The National Study of Catholic Priests – released in 2022 by The Catholic University of America’s Catholic Project – indicated 24% of priests serving in the U.S. are foreign-born, but the study didn’t record visa or green card status.

Of these priests, 15% were ordained outside the U.S., while others are foreign-born priests who came to the U.S. as seminarians, were ordained in the U.S. and are also subject to visa renewals, it said.

The consequence of immigration enforcement to the maximum degree, Bishop Tyson said, would mean “we have parishes without priests immediately.”

The U.S. bishops have offered their support to bipartisan congressional legislation that would ease some immigration restrictions on religious workers from other countries. The legislation, titled the Religious Workforce Protection Act, would permit religious workers already in the U.S. on temporary R-1 status with pending EB-4 applications to stay in the U.S. while waiting for permanent residency.

An April letter from the USCCB to lawmakers about the Religious Workforce Protection Act said, “Simply put, an increasing number of American families will be unable to practice the basic tenets of their faith if this situation is not addressed soon. Likewise, hospitals will go without chaplains, schools will go without teachers, and seminaries will go without instructors.”

Catholic groups are among those urging the Trump administration to address the backlog in the R-1 visa category.

Bishop Tyson said that legislation would help ease some of the challenges presented by ensuring his priests’ legal status remains in good order.

“Foreign-born religious workers play a vital role in serving immigrant communities in the U.S., often providing services in the languages people know best and offering a sense of home and support,” Miguel Naranjo, director of religious immigration services at the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, commonly known as CLINIC, told OSV News.

“With the end of the protected locations policy, we have seen growing fear in immigrant communities about ICE presence in houses of worship – and even greater risks to the religious workers themselves,” Naranjo said. “Many now carry proof of status at all times, aware of the heightened enforcement climate. Immigrants are increasingly afraid to leave home, attend services, or risk being separated from their families. Yet, despite these challenges, foreign-born religious workers remain steadfast. Their courage and commitment to their ministry have only deepened, knowing their role in serving immigrant communities is more critical than ever.”

Asked about Pope Leo XIV’s recent comments calling on the U.S. bishops to speak with a unified voice on migration issues, Bishop Tyson said, “I think we’ve got to somehow find a way of reclaiming the pulpit, because I think there’s voices outside the bishops’ conference that are very loud on this, and we have Catholics in public life that teach things that are incorrect about the human person.”

“I think that’s kind of where we the bishops really have to figure out how we’re going to work with the social media landscape, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram – the plethora of people that launch things and tend to minimize the weight of our teachings in general on Catholic social teaching, very specifically around immigration,” he said.

Catholic social teaching on immigration balances three interrelated principles – the right of persons to migrate in order to sustain their lives and those of their families, the right of a country to regulate its borders and control immigration, and a nation’s duty to regulate its borders with justice and mercy.

(Kate Scanlon is a national reporter for OSV News covering Washington. Follow her on X @kgscanlon.)

Love for the poor is hallmark of faith, pope says in first exhortation

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By Cindy Wooden
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Many Christians “need to go back and re-read the Gospel” because they have forgotten that faith and love for the poor go hand in hand, Pope Leo XIV said in his first major papal document.

“Love for the poor – whatever the form their poverty may take – is the evangelical hallmark of a Church faithful to the heart of God,” the pope wrote in “Dilexi Te” (“I Have Loved You”), an apostolic exhortation “to all Christians on love for the poor.”

Pope Leo signed the document Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, and the Vatican released the text Oct. 9.

The document was begun by Pope Francis, Pope Leo said, but he added to it and wanted to issue it near the beginning of his papacy “since I share the desire of my beloved predecessor that all Christians come to appreciate the close connection between Christ’s love and his summons to care for the poor.”

The connection is not new or modern and was not a Pope Francis invention, he said. In fact, throughout the Hebrew Scriptures “God’s love is vividly demonstrated by his protection of the weak and the poor, to the extent that he can be said to have a particular fondness for them.”

“I am convinced that the preferential choice for the poor is a source of extraordinary renewal both for the Church and for society,” Pope Leo wrote, “if we can only set ourselves free of our self-centeredness and open our ears to their cry.”

As he has done from the beginning of his papacy in May, the pope decried the increasing gap between the world’s wealthiest and poorest citizens and noted how women often are “doubly poor,” struggling to feed their children and doing so with few rights or possibilities.

Pope Leo also affirmed church teaching since at least the 1960s that there are “structures of sin” that keep the poor in poverty and lead those who have sufficient resources to ignore the poor or think they are better than them.

This is a quote from “Dilexi Te,” Pope Leo XIV’s first apostolic exhortation which promulgated Oct. 9, 2025. (OSV News graphic/Megan Marley)

When the church speaks of God’s preferential option for the poor, he said, it does not exclude or discriminate against others, something “which would be impossible for God.”

But the phrase is “meant to emphasize God’s actions, which are moved by compassion toward the poverty and weakness of all humanity,” he wrote.

“Wanting to inaugurate a kingdom of justice, fraternity and solidarity,” Pope Leo said, “God has a special place in his heart for those who are discriminated against and oppressed, and he asks us, his Church, to make a decisive and radical choice in favor of the weakest.”

That choice, he said, must include pastoral and spiritual care as well as education, health care, jobs training and charity – all of which the church has provided for centuries.

The document includes a separate section on migrants with the pope writing, “The Church has always recognized in migrants a living presence of the Lord who, on the day of judgment, will say to those on his right: ‘I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.’”

The quotation is from the Gospel of Matthew 25:35, which is part of the “Judgment of the Nations” in which Jesus clearly states that his followers will be judged on how they care for the poor, the sick, the imprisoned and the foreigner.

“The Church, like a mother, accompanies those who are walking” in search of a better, safer life for themselves and their families, Pope Leo wrote.

“Where the world sees threats, she (the church) sees children; where walls are built, she builds bridges,” he continued. “She knows that her proclamation of the Gospel is credible only when it is translated into gestures of closeness and welcome.”

The church knows, he said, “that in every rejected migrant, it is Christ himself who knocks at the door of the community.”

In his exhortation, Pope Leo went through biblical references to the obligation to love and care for the poor and cited saints and religious orders throughout history that have dedicated themselves to living with the poor and assisting them.

A section of the document focuses on the “fathers of the church,” the early theologians, who, he said, “recognized in the poor a privileged way to reach God, a special way to meet him. Charity shown to those in need was not only seen as a moral virtue, but a concrete expression of faith in the incarnate Word,” Jesus.
Of course, for Pope Leo, an Augustinian, St. Augustine of Hippo was included in the document. The saint, “The Doctor of Grace, saw caring for the poor as concrete proof of the sincerity of faith,” the pope wrote. For Augustine, “anyone who says they love God and has no compassion for the needy is lying.”

And while the pope wrote that “the most important way to help the disadvantaged is to assist them in finding a good job,” he insisted that when that is not possible, giving alms to a person asking for money is still a compassionate thing to do.

“It is always better at least to do something rather than nothing,” Pope Leo wrote.

Still, the pope said, Christians cannot stand idly by while the global economic system penalizes the poor and makes some people exceedingly wealthy. “We must continue, then, to denounce the ‘dictatorship of an economy that kills,’” he said, quoting a phrase Pope Francis used.

“Either we regain our moral and spiritual dignity, or we fall into a cesspool,” he wrote.

“A Church that sets no limits to love, that knows no enemies to fight but only men and women to love,” Pope Leo said, “is the Church that the world needs today.”

October highlights American archives

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From the Archives
By Mary Woodward
American Archives Month is national celebration led by the United States National Archives every October to promote the importance of archives in preserving cultural heritage and historical records. It’s a time when archives nationwide open their doors to highlight their collections, showcase stories, and celebrate the value of public records.

For the past five years through this column, we have been highlighting in various ways our diocesan archives. We have shared sacramental records dating back to the 1790s, stories from the travels of our bishops at home and abroad, our diocesan connection to the Gulf South region, unique characters and historical tidbits. A huge thank you to Bishop Richard Oliver Gerow who meticulously maintained our collection for more than 40 years.

Our archive collection is full of American history and church history. We currently are in a clean and reorganize mode. Papers and artifacts are getting a new look. Therefore, the vault is closed to any outside professional research at this time.

As much as we would like to allow visits to the archives, it simply is not the nature of the beast. Visits to our archive collection are reserved for professional scholars researching historical topics for dissertations and journal publications. We do not allow independent genealogical research among our records or the well-intentioned history buff.

With that understanding, we have tried to break open some of our cherished history for you to give you an image of how our Catholic faith has developed over the past 300 years in this little corner of God’s Kingdom. So, in celebration of American Archives Month let me feature a few of our favorite images from the collection.

(Mary Woodward is Chancellor and Archivist for the Diocese of Jackson.)

FEATURE PHOTO: … Pray for Saltillo mission …

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GARAMBULLO, MEXICO – Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz of Jackson (center) concelebrates Mass with Father David Martínez Rubio (left) and Bishop Louis Kihneman of Biloxi (right) during a visit to mission communities in the remote Saltillo region. The annual diocesan mission trip by the bishops continues the work begun decades ago by Father Patrick Quinn. (Photo by Tereza Ma)

Calendar of Events

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SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
DIOCESE/MADISON – Fall Faith Formation Day, Saturday, Nov. 15 at St. Francis, Madison from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Department of Faith Formation welcomes all formation leaders and volunteers for a keynote by Robert Feduccia and a variety of breakout sessions to with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope Journeying Together.” Cost: $10. Register at https://bit.ly/FFFDay2025. Deadline is Nov. 5. Details: email fran.lavelle@jacksondiocese.org.

DIOCESE/MOBILE, Ala. – Sister Thea Bowman Jubilee of Hope Bus Pilgrimage, Nov. 15-16 to Mobile and Montgomery, Ala., for a powerful journey of faith, history and fellowship. Highlights include visits to the Africatown Heritage Center, the Equal Justice Initiative and more. Details: Visit https://bit.ly/srtheapilgrimage2025 for more info and to register.

DIOCESE/NATCHEZ – Diocesan Young Adult Pilgrimage to St. Mary Basilica in Natchez, Nov. 8. Register by Nov. 1. Cost $25. Fee does not include transportation, meals or optional overnight stay. Details: https://jacksondiocese.flocknote.com/signup/222556 or email amelia.rizor@jacksondiocese.org.

DIOCESE/CLINTON – Diocesan Youth Adult Day of Reflection “Prepare the Way,” Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Camp Garaway, Clinton. Register at https://bit.ly/YAReflection25. Details: amelia.rizor@jacksondiocese.org.

CLINTON – Holy Savior, Parish Ladies Retreat, Saturday, Nov. 1, 8:30 a.m. to noon. Join us for a time of fellowship, reflection and prayer. Retreat includes Mass, presentations and lunch. Details: Register at https://bit.ly/HSLadiesRetreat112025.

GLUCKSTADT – St. Joseph, Millions of Monicas – Praying with confidence for our children, each Tuesday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the church. Join with other mothers and grandmothers as we pray for our children’s faithful return to the church. Details: email millionsofmonicas@stjosephgluckstadt.com.

PARISH & YOUTH EVENTS
BROOKHAVEN – St. Francis, Trunk or Treat, Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. on the parish playground. Details: church office (601) 833-1799.

CLINTON – Holy Savior, Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat, Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the upper parking lot. Details: church office (601) 924-6344.

GREENVILLE – St. Joseph, Trunk or Treat, Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 5:30 p.m. in the Our Lady of Lourdes parking lot. Details: Katherine at (662) 836-6108.

JACKSON – Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, Parish Gala, Saturday, Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. at the Capitol Club Rooftop. Join us for this no tie occassion to raise funds for the Cathedral kitchen and promote community in the parish. Details: church office (601) 969-3125.

MADISON – St. Francis, Parish Mission “Hope and Pilgrimage,” Oct. 26-27 from 5:30-7:45 p.m., with speaker and author Joan Watson. All are welcome. Please RSVP. Details: church office at (601) 856-5556.

St. Francis, Trunk or Treat, Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 6:30-8 p.m. Details: church office (601) 586-5556.

NATCHEZ – St. Mary Basilica, Trunk or Treat and Halloween Carnival, Thursday, Oct. 30 in the parking lot on Union Street across from Memorial Park. Details: church office at (601) 445-5616 or secretary@stmarybasilica.org.

PEARL – St. Jude, Remembrance Mass, Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. Come for a special celebration in memory of our loved ones that have gone before us. Details: office@stjudepearl.org.

SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Halloween Bash, Friday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m. Games, concessions and more. Cost of entry: one bag of candy. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.

STARKVILLE – St. Joseph, CYO Garage Sale, Saturday, Nov. 15 from 8-11 a.m. in the parish hall. Details: church office (662) 323-2257.

EMPLOYMENT
JACKSON – Diocese of Jackson seeks a Facilities Manager to support parishes and schools. Oversees contract review, construction, and diocesan property/life-health-safety policies; manages maintenance and repairs for the Chancery and diocesan sites. Bachelor’s/associate degree in facilities or construction preferred; CFM preferred; 5+ years facilities/construction management required. Email résumé and cover letter to Cathy Pendleton at cathy.pendleton@jacksondiocese.org.

CATHOLIC SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR POSITIONS – The Diocese of Jackson seeks qualified, faith-filled leaders to serve as administrators in our Catholic schools. Positions available at St. Joseph School, Madison (Grades 7–12), St. Joseph School, Greenville (Grades PK3–12), and St. Elizabeth School, Clarksdale (Grades PK3–6). Applicants should be practicing Catholics with leadership experience, strong communication skills, and a commitment to Catholic education. For details and applications, visit jacksondiocese.org/administrator-employment.

Blues, BBQ and blessings: Homegrown Harvest strengthens support for seminarians

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By Joanna Puddister King
MADISON – The spirit of faith and generosity filled St. Francis of Assisi Parish on Saturday, Oct. 11, as nearly 300 guests gathered for the sixth annual Homegrown Harvest Festival – an evening of blues, barbecue and support for the future priests of the Diocese of Jackson.

The event raised a record $189,000, with donations still coming in. Funds from the night directly support the diocese’s 12 seminarians and the Office of Vocations’ efforts to promote priesthood.

MADISON – Jo Ann Foret (center) waves with excitement as guests arrive for the Homegrown Harvest Festival at St. Francis of Assisi Parish on Oct. 11. The event celebrated the diocese’s seminarians and future priests.

For the first time, the event featured a live auction led by EJ Martin, who energized the crowd with a “raise your paddle” appeal. Guests pledged at various levels helping the live auction alone bring in $15,400.

“It was a wonderful evening,” said Father Nick Adam, diocesan director of vocations. “We had a record number of guests and raised a record amount for our seminarians. Every dollar supports our twelve current seminarians and our efforts to continue to promote the priesthood throughout the diocese.”

Father Nick noted that three additional men are currently applying for seminary next fall. “We would love to hit $200,000, which was our goal heading into the night,” he said. “If we do, that amount would help educate four of our seminarians for a year.”

The silent auction was another highlight of the evening, featuring dozens of donated items, including 12 themed baskets created by the families of each seminarian. The baskets reflected the personalities and favorite pastimes of the seminarians – from sports teams to snacks, and even a few with bottles of their favorite spirits.

“One of the greatest gifts of the evening was seeing our seminarian parents having such a great time and working together in support of our men,” said Father Nick. “They’ve really grown together over the past several months as they walk with their sons.”

A new touch this year were special buttons and ribbons worn by seminarian mothers, a visible sign of their pride and their sons’ ongoing discernment. Many families spoke about forming a prayer group to lift up their sons, Father Nick and future vocations.

Seminarian Grayson Foley, a graduate of St. Joseph School in Madison, drew laughter and applause when he shared his vocation story with the crowd. Using humor and heartfelt honesty, Foley told how God spoke to him through his love of basketball.

“I had an experience in adoration where I saw the Lord face to face,” he said. “I prayed, ‘Thy will be done,’ and for the first time I really meant it. I thought I was giving up basketball, but the Lord gave it back a hundredfold.”

Foley explained how he met then-Deacon Nick Adam on a basketball court years ago, where the two bonded over the sport that would later lead Foley to discern seminary. “Everything we do is for you,” Foley told attendees. “My life is not my own – it’s completely yours.”

Among the seminarians recognized was Will Foggo, who will be ordained to the transitional diaconate on Nov. 29 at Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson. Foggo, the most senior of the group, will serve as a deacon at St. Joseph Parish in Starkville until his priestly ordination in May 2026.

The cost of education, room and board for each seminarian runs close to $50,000 per year, underscoring the importance of continued support from across the diocese.

MADISON – Seminarian Grayson Foley speaks to guests at the Homegrown Harvest Festival at St. Francis of Assisi Parish on Oct. 11, sharing how God used basketball to lead him to discern the priesthood. (Photos by Joanna Puddister King)

“The work of calling forth more young men to consider priesthood is continuing,” said Father Nick. “We still have our goal of 33 seminarians by the year 2030. I know it sounds crazy, but with God, anything is possible.”

The night’s joyful fellowship, generous giving and laughter from stories like Foley’s showed that the seeds of that vision are already taking root.

(To support seminarian education, contact Rebecca Harris in the Office of Stewardship and Development at (601) 969-1880 or rebecca.harris@jacksondiocese.org.)