-
Our pilgrims are halfway through their trip across Italy, waving goodbye to Rome and heading north. They have already seen countless Catholic treasures and even had the privilege of a Wednesday Audience with Pope Francis.
Follow along on a digital pilgrimage ,even if the pope won't be jumping into your bus any time soon.
Past our Covington borders, we know of brothers and sisters in the faith suffering explicit, violent persecution. With millenia-old Christian sites being destroyed and martyrdoms just a Youtube click away, Syria, Iraq, and neighboring ISIS-affected areas are bearing the brunt of religious hatred.
This state of affairs encourages solidarity in our works and prayers with those affected in the worst of ways. Take a scroll through related articles by Catholic News Agency.
With background, also put a face on the tragedy, through the recent escape of Fr. Jacques Mourad, who credits the Blessed Virgin Mary and a Muslim friend for his freedom. The article, picked up by Catholic National Register, is appropriately titled "It’s Truly a Miracle’ — Kidnapped Syrian Priest Escapes From ISIS Clutches." The Aleteia website also has an interview with Fr. Mourad that offers more background on how he is processing the ordeal.
Our pharmacies and super-stores have been telling us since August: Halloween is coming.
Well, they've been talking about Christmas since then, too, but Halloween comes first. Pretty sure.
There's always a great deal of confusion about this blended holiday, seemingly emphasizing secular spookiness (bring on the goblins and vampires) with an American appetite (more candy! more candy!) -- all without a complete disconnect from Catholicism (what's in a name, again?).
Our Sunday Visitor's Mark Shea does us all a service by teasing out these threads and pointing us to the true history of the holiday in his "The long, twisted story of All Hallows Eve."
The Family Life Apostolate of the Archdiocese of New Orleans also offers a resource with its post "Ghosts and goblins or saints and angels? Faithfully navigating Halloween," including a (wait for it) Pintrest Board link.
Have you picked out your costume? (rumor has it, Fr. Otis-themed is in this year; we have nearly forgotten what he looks like.)
Before those costumes and the end of October, Covington enjoys one final Columbia Street Block Party for the year. Come out from 6:30-9:30pm on Friday, October 30th (we'll let you guess the street). Music, food, and of course, classic cars will be on display.
