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Everything Catholic, Abuja (2026)

19/08/2026

✝️ CAN ALBULARYOS, SHAMANS, OR WITCH DOCTORS REALLY CAST OUT DEMONS?

In cultures where traditional healers and spiritual practitioners are respected, people sometimes ask whether they can genuinely free someone from demonic oppression.

From a Catholic perspective, the answer begins with one essential truth:

Jesus Christ alone has authority over Satan and the powers of darkness.

Christ conquered sin and death through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Any genuine liberation from evil ultimately comes from God—not from occult powers or spiritual practices outside the faith.

Some people report feeling better after consulting a traditional healer, shaman, witch doctor, or albularyo. But an apparent improvement does not necessarily establish that a spiritual healing has taken place.

The Catholic Church therefore strongly warns against seeking supernatural assistance through occult practices, divination, magic, or other forms of spiritualism, even when the practitioner uses religious language, prayers, or sacred images.

Why take such practices seriously?

Because Christians are called to place their trust entirely in God. Seeking supernatural power apart from Him can lead a person away from the Gospel and toward practices that are incompatible with Christian faith.

If you are experiencing what you believe may be a spiritual problem, don't turn first to occult practitioners.

Instead, remain close to Christ through:

🙏 Confession and repentance
✝️ The Holy Eucharist
📖 Prayer and Sacred Scripture
🌹 The Rosary and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary
⛪ Regular participation in the sacramental life of the Church
🕊️ Guidance from a trusted Catholic priest

When there are serious concerns about possible demonic activity, the matter should be referred to the diocesan authority or a priest designated to assist with such cases. The Church also takes care to distinguish genuine spiritual concerns from medical or psychological conditions that may require professional care.

We do not need to seek hidden powers when we have already been given the greatest source of freedom:

Jesus Christ.

«"If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed."
— John 8:36»

True Christian freedom does not come from occult practices or secret spiritual powers. It comes from trusting in God, remaining close to Christ, and walking faithfully in His truth.

🙏 Jesus Christ, deliver us from evil and keep us always close to You.

19/08/2026

⚠️ SAN ANTONIO PRIEST REMOVED FROM THE CLERICAL STATE AFTER SCHISM FINDING

The Archdiocese of San Antonio has announced a serious disciplinary action involving Fr. John Mary Foster, who has been dismissed from the clerical state and excommunicated following a canonical judgment concerning schism.

In a letter dated August 14, 2026, Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller stated that a tribunal authorized by the Holy See found Foster guilty of an offense against the faith involving his refusal to submit to the authority of the Roman Pontiff.

Foster was ordained a priest in 1987 and later became incardinated in the Archdiocese of San Antonio. According to the archdiocese, he publicly rejected the legitimacy of both Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV, referring to them as "usurpers." He also continued celebrating Mass after his faculties had been removed and repeatedly omitted the pope's name from the Eucharistic Prayer.

The controversy was connected to the Mission of Divine Mercy, an apostolate founded by Foster in Canyon Lake, Texas.

The group had circulated alleged prophetic messages containing serious claims about Church leaders and the papacy. Church authorities repeatedly warned Foster and gave him opportunities to correct the situation, but the concerns continued.

In 2024, the archdiocese suppressed the group's status as an apostolate and removed Foster's faculties for public ministry. According to the archdiocese, his actions subsequently constituted schismatic conduct and resulted in latae sententiae excommunication.

The latest canonical decision formally imposed further penalties, including his dismissal from the clerical state.

Archbishop García-Siller has also instructed Catholics not to participate in Masses or other liturgical activities associated with Foster or the Mission of Divine Mercy and has asked the faithful not to provide financial support to the group.

At the heart of the matter is an essential principle of Catholic ecclesiology: communion with the Pope and the bishops in communion with him is an integral part of Catholic unity.

Disagreements, criticism, and difficult questions can exist within the Church, but deliberately rejecting legitimate ecclesial authority can have serious canonical and spiritual consequences.

Let us pray not for condemnation, but for conversion, reconciliation, truth, and healing.

🙏 Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.

May the Holy Spirit protect the faithful from confusion and division and lead all who have separated themselves from full communion back into the unity of Christ's Church.

16/08/2026

⛪ VATICAN OVERTURNS CLOSURE DECISIONS FOR TWO BUFFALO PARISHES

A significant development has emerged in the Diocese of Buffalo, New York, where the Vatican has ruled in favor of two historic parishes that were facing major changes under the diocese's restructuring program.

The Dicastery for the Clergy has ruled that St. Josaphat Parish and Our Lady of the Rosary Parish should not be subjected to the closures or changes previously ordered by the Diocese of Buffalo.

According to Mary Pruski, leader of Save Our Buffalo Churches, St. Josaphat successfully appealed a decision that would have resulted in its merger and closure. Our Lady of the Rosary likewise prevailed in its appeal against a decree that would have placed the church into "common use" and allowed it to be sold.

The decisions relate to Bishop Michael Fisher's "Road to Renewal" initiative, launched in 2024 in response to declining Mass attendance, financial difficulties, and other challenges facing the diocese. The restructuring plan proposed merging approximately one-third of the diocese's parishes.

Diocesan spokesman Gregory Tucker confirmed the Vatican's decisions on August 14. He stated that Bishop Fisher respects the Dicastery's rulings and will not appeal them.

The diocese also indicated that the two parishes will be monitored to determine whether they can remain financially and pastorally viable in the years ahead.

Rome has intervened in other Buffalo parish cases as well. In December 2025, the Vatican blocked several additional proposed closures, while other appeals remain under consideration. Some cases could eventually proceed to the Apostolic Signatura, the Church's highest judicial authority.

The situation highlights an important aspect of Catholic Church governance: while diocesan bishops have significant authority over parish administration, their decisions concerning the suppression or alteration of parishes can be challenged through the Church's canonical appeal process.

For the faithful of St. Josaphat and Our Lady of the Rosary, the decisions represent an important moment of hope and perseverance.

🙏 Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.

May God guide the Church's shepherds and strengthen every parish community striving to remain faithful to Christ.

13/08/2026

🌹 A QUIET OHIO HOUSEWIFE MOVES CLOSER TO POSSIBLE SAINTHOOD

A remarkable chapter has opened in the cause for Rhoda Wise (1888–1948), a humble woman from Canton, Ohio, whose life was marked by suffering, prayer, mystical experiences, and devotion to Christ.

On July 7, 2026, the official positio—the extensive dossier presenting the evidence concerning her life, heroic virtue, and reported favors—was submitted to the Vatican's Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.

This means her cause has entered an important stage as the Church considers whether she may one day be declared Venerable.

Rhoda was born into a modest Protestant family and endured many painful trials, including infertility, the death of an adopted daughter, and a difficult marriage. In the 1930s, her health deteriorated severely.

In 1939, while suffering from serious medical problems, Rhoda was reportedly near death. Around this period, she experienced visions of Jesus Christ and St. Thérèse of Lisieux and attributed her extraordinary recovery to their intercession.

She entered the Catholic Church on January 1, 1939.

Beginning on Good Friday in 1942, Rhoda reportedly experienced the stigmata—the wounds associated with Christ's Passion—particularly on Fridays. News of her mystical experiences spread, and people began visiting her modest home seeking her prayers.

Her home has since become a place of pilgrimage, where people continue to remember her life of faith and perseverance.

Perhaps one of the most remarkable aspects of her story is her reported connection to the healing of Rita Rizzo, who later became the famous Catholic nun Mother Angelica, foundress of EWTN. Rita's recovery from a serious stomach condition played an important role in the spiritual journey that eventually led her to religious life and the founding of the global Catholic television network.

Rhoda Wise's story is not one of fame or earthly success. It is a story of an ordinary woman who endured extraordinary suffering while seeking to remain faithful to God.

Her cause will now undergo further historical, theological, and canonical examination. If the Church eventually recognizes her heroic virtue, she could be declared Venerable. Any future beatification and canonization would require the Church to recognize the necessary miracles attributed to her intercession.

Her life offers a powerful reminder that holiness can grow quietly—in suffering, family life, poverty, prayer, and perseverance.

🙏 Rhoda Wise, Servant of God, pray for us.

May God grant that her example inspires those who suffer to remain faithful, hopeful, and close to Christ.

Mary, Queen of All Saints, pray for us. 🌹

13/08/2026

🙏 THE REMARKABLE CONVERSION OF CLAUDE NEWMAN: A STORY OF MERCY ON DEATH ROW

In 1942, a 19-year-old prisoner named Claude Newman was awaiting ex*****on in Mississippi. He had grown up without a religious background and knew very little about Christianity.

Then, according to the account later shared by a Catholic priest who knew him, Claude experienced a mysterious encounter that completely changed the direction of his life.

One night, while in his prison cell, Claude reportedly saw a beautiful woman who spoke to him with extraordinary kindness. She instructed him to ask for a Catholic priest.

Claude followed her advice.

When the priest arrived, he was astonished by Claude's sudden interest in Catholicism and by the depth of his questions about the faith. Claude reportedly spoke about the Eucharist, sin, Confession, and God's mercy with an understanding that seemed remarkable for someone who had never received formal Catholic instruction.

His transformation continued.

As the day of his ex*****on approached, Claude reportedly became peaceful and joyful rather than consumed by fear or bitterness. Most remarkably, he was said to have forgiven those involved in his death and encouraged others to turn toward God.

Many Catholics have understood the mysterious woman in the story to have been the Blessed Virgin Mary, lovingly leading a lost soul toward her Son.

The story of Claude Newman has continued to circulate for decades because of its powerful message:

No soul is beyond God's mercy.

A person's past does not have to determine their future. God can reach someone in the darkest circumstances and awaken a heart that seemed completely distant from Him.

Mary's role, in Catholic devotion, is never to replace Christ but to lead souls toward Him.

Whether one regards every detail of the account as historically established or as a devotional testimony, its central message remains deeply Christian: God's mercy can reach us even when we believe we are too far gone.

✝️ Jesus never stops calling sinners home.

🌹 Our Lady, Refuge of Sinners, pray for us.

🙏 May God have mercy on every soul seeking Him, especially those who feel they have wandered too far to return.

10/08/2026

🧠🙏 CAN PRAYER ACTUALLY CHANGE THE BRAIN? SCIENCE IS BEGINNING TO EXPLORE THE QUESTION.

Prayer has always been understood by Christians as a way of drawing closer to God. Interestingly, modern neuroscience is also investigating what happens in the brain when people pray, meditate, and engage in contemplative practices.

Researchers using tools such as MRI and SPECT brain imaging have observed measurable changes in brain activity associated with regular prayer and meditation.

🔹 Attention and focus:
Certain forms of contemplative prayer appear to engage brain networks involved in concentration and sustained attention.

🔹 Emotional regulation:
Prayer and meditation have been associated in some studies with changes in brain regions involved in stress and emotional processing.

🔹 Compassion and empathy:
Some research suggests that contemplative practices may strengthen habits of compassion, emotional awareness, and connection with others.

🔹 Changes in the sense of self:
Neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Newberg and colleagues famously used SPECT imaging while studying Franciscan nuns during intense prayer. Their research observed changes in activity in areas associated with attention and spatial orientation, including reduced activity in the parietal regions. The researchers connected these patterns with the participants' reported sense of deep spiritual connection.

Other studies of meditation and contemplative practices have also found associations with psychological well-being, stress reduction, and emotional resilience.

But there is an important distinction: science can observe changes in brain activity associated with prayer; it cannot determine whether God is causing those changes or prove the supernatural reality of a person's spiritual experience. That question belongs to theology and faith.

For Christians, this is nevertheless fascinating. We believe that prayer transforms the whole person—not merely our thoughts, but our hearts, habits, relationships, and ultimately our lives.

St. Paul writes:

«"Be transformed by the renewal of your mind."
— Romans 12:2»

Perhaps neuroscience is giving us another glimpse of just how deeply our habits of attention, reflection, gratitude, and prayer can affect us.

🙏 Prayer changes us from the inside out.

Do you notice a difference in your mind or emotions after spending time in prayer?

What is your favorite way to pray? Share below. 👇

07/08/2026

🙏 CATHOLIC PARISH IN QUEENS VANDALIZED AGAIN: COMMUNITY CALLS FOR PRAYER

A Catholic parish in Long Island City, Queens, has experienced another disturbing act of vandalism, marking the fourth reported attack at the parish in approximately two years.

Early on August 1, a masked man reportedly entered the courtyard of St. Rita Roman Catholic Church by jumping over a fence. He then used a hammer to destroy a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, knocking it from its pedestal and leaving the statue shattered.

The Diocese of Brooklyn has confirmed that the NYPD is investigating the incident as a possible hate crime. As of August 6, no arrest had been reported.

Sadly, this was not the first incident at St. Rita's.

Since 2024, the parish has also experienced other acts of vandalism, including damage to a stained-glass window and the destruction or defacement of statues depicting St. Francis of Assisi and St. Jude.

Other Catholic churches in the New York area have faced similar incidents. In 2024, statues at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Brooklyn were also vandalized.

These repeated attacks have understandably left parishioners concerned about the safety and security of places where people gather to worship, pray, and find peace.

Whatever someone's beliefs may be, places of worship should be treated with respect. Destroying sacred objects does not advance a cause—it wounds a community and attacks a place that many people consider their spiritual home.

Let us pray not only for the protection of Catholic churches and their communities, but also for those responsible—that they may turn away from hatred and violence and discover the path of peace.

🌹 Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.

🙏 St. Rita, pray for us.

05/08/2026

🌹 THE ROSE PETAL OF ST. THÉRÈSE AND THE HOLY FACE OF JESUS

In 1923, an extraordinary discovery was made near the tomb of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the beloved "Little Flower."

A rose petal was found whose natural patterns, when viewed using transmitted light, appeared to form an image closely resembling the Holy Face of Jesus. According to reports from the time, scientific examination under magnification found no evidence of paint, ink, or artificial engraving. The image seemed to arise from the petal's own natural cellular structure.

Because of the devotion it inspired, photographs of the petal were later reproduced on prayer cards with ecclesiastical approval (an imprimatur). Many of the faithful saw it as a beautiful reminder of St. Thérèse's profound devotion to the Holy Face and her famous promise to "spend my heaven doing good upon earth" and to "let fall a shower of roses."

Years later, in 1948, reports from the Carmelite monastery in Lipa, Philippines, described rose petals that witnesses said bore sacred images without visible signs of painting or engraving.

The similarities between these two accounts have fascinated many Catholics. Both involve rose petals, both are connected with the Carmelite tradition, and both have been associated by some of the faithful with the spiritual legacy of St. Thérèse.

It is important, however, to distinguish between private devotion and official Church judgment.

The Church has not recognized the reported supernatural character of the 1948 Lipa events. At the same time, Catholics remain free to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title "Mediatrix of All Graces," a longstanding Marian title within the Church that is independent of the reported apparitions.

Whether or not one sees these events as extraordinary signs, St. Thérèse's enduring message remains the same: to follow Christ through humility, childlike trust, and faithful love in the ordinary moments of life.

🙏 St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face, pray for us. Help us to love the Holy Face of Christ and to walk the "little way" with confidence and joy. Amen.

03/08/2026

✝️ WHY DO CATHOLICS MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS ON THE FOREHEAD, LIPS, AND HEART BEFORE THE GOSPEL?

Have you ever wondered why Catholics trace three small crosses on their forehead, lips, and heart just before the Gospel is proclaimed at Mass?

This beautiful gesture is far more than a ritual. It is a silent prayer asking God to transform us through His Word.

When the priest or deacon announces, "A reading from the Holy Gospel according to...", we respond, "Glory to You, O Lord," while making three small Signs of the Cross.

Each cross carries a profound meaning:

✝️ On the forehead:
May God's Word fill my mind, so that I may understand, believe, and remember the Gospel.

✝️ On the lips:
May God's Word be on my lips, so that I may proclaim the truth with courage, charity, and faith.

✝️ On the heart:
May God's Word dwell in my heart, so that I may love it, treasure it, and put it into practice every day.

This ancient custom reminds us that the Gospel is not merely something we hear—it is something we are called to believe, proclaim, and live.

St. Caesarius of Arles beautifully expressed its meaning:

«"We sign our forehead, our lips, and our heart so that the Word of God may be in our mind, on our lips, and in our heart."»

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM, no. 134) also describes this liturgical gesture as part of the proclamation of the Gospel, highlighting its place within the Church's worship.

Although the Catechism of the Catholic Church does not specifically explain the three small crosses, it teaches that the Holy Spirit opens our hearts to understand God's Word:

«"In the liturgy of the Word, the Holy Spirit... opens our hearts to the spiritual understanding of the Word of God." (CCC 1101)»

Pope Benedict XVI likewise reminded us that the gestures of the liturgy are not empty ceremonies but outward expressions of an interior faith. Through them, our bodies join our souls in giving glory to God.

The next time you make these three small Signs of the Cross, remember that you are praying:

🧠 Lord, enlighten my mind.
👄 Lord, guide my words.
❤️ Lord, transform my heart.

May every Gospel we hear bear fruit in our lives.

30/07/2026

🙏 THE COURAGE OF "LITTLE LI": A STORY OF LOVE FOR THE EUCHARIST

Among the many stories of Christians who remained faithful under persecution, one account has inspired Catholics around the world—that of a young girl often known simply as "Little Li."

According to this widely shared tradition, during the persecution of the Church in Communist China in the 1950s, soldiers entered a Catholic church, arrested the priest, and desecrated the sanctuary by scattering the consecrated Hosts across the floor.

Fear kept most people away.

But one young girl, believed to have been about 10 or 11 years old, quietly returned each day. Before approaching the Blessed Sacrament, she spent an hour in silent prayer and adoration. Then, with great reverence, she received one Host at a time using only her tongue, determined to protect the Eucharist from further desecration.

Day after day, she returned until only one Host remained.

According to the account, a soldier eventually discovered her. She was shot, yet with her remaining strength she crawled toward the final Host and received her Lord before surrendering her life.

Whether remembered as history or cherished tradition, her story has inspired generations of Catholics with its powerful witness to faith, courage, and love for the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Jesus reminds us:

«"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." — John 12:24»

May the example of this courageous child encourage us never to take the gift of the Holy Eucharist for granted and to remain faithful to Christ, whatever the cost.

🙏 Let us also pray for all Christians around the world who continue to suffer persecution because of their faith.

Note: This story is widely circulated in Catholic circles and was popularized by Servant of God Fulton J. Sheen. However, many of its details have not been independently verified by historical documentation, so it is best presented as a cherished tradition rather than as a fully established historical account.

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