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Jan. 20 Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time; Opt Mem of St. Fabian, Pope & Martyr; Opt Mem St. Sebastian, Martyr, Opt. Mem.

St. Fabian and St. Sebastian have always been paired together, with their names coupled in the ancient martyrologies, and still paired in the Litany of Saints. The Church today celebrates separate Optional Memorials for Sts. Fabian and Sebastian:

The Forgotten Faith of Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Preacher Who Put Christianity First

"Before I was a civil rights leader, I was a preacher of the Gospel. This was my first calling and it still remains my greatest commitment."

Discovering Who My Uncle Really Was

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Nuncio says current Russian attacks on Ukraine bear some resemblance to Stalin's Holodomor (Vatican News)

The apostolic nuncio to Ukraine said in an interview that current Russian attacks on Ukraine bear “some resemblance” to the Holodomor perpetrated against Ukraine by Joseph Stalin’s Soviet regime in 1932-1933.

Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas said:

Food shortages are being caused by this energy crisis, apart from the difficulties faced by civilians due to the cold. This seems to have some resemblance to the Holodomor that Ukraine went through in the 1930s.

We have our own generator at the Nunciature, which means we can have more light, water, and heating than the others. If the situation remains unchanged, it is possible that the entire Ukrainian capital would need to be evacuated, as the mayor of Kyiv said a few days ago.

The nuncio also spoke about the Latin-rite hierarchy’s decision to dedicate the year to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Seeking Christ’s “merciful reception, forgiveness of sins, and protection from all evil, we prayed that God’s goodness would overcome sin and war and grant us peace,” said the nuncio. “We know that war is caused by the devil’s actions, and the devil is afraid every time we worship God.”

Cardinal Parolin, in major lecture, decries violations of international law, collapse of multilateralism (CWN)

In a lecture delivered on January 17, the Secretary of State of His Holiness emphasized that peace and justice should “once again become the pillars of order among nations, and not merely remain simple aspirations or empty claims.”

Thanksgiving by Fire: The Martyrdom of Blessed Leonardo Kimura

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Marking anniversary of Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, Pope offers vision for Vatican diplomacy (CWN)

In a letter marking the 325th anniversary of the founding of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, Pope Leo XIV offered his vision of Vatican diplomacy, one in which priests of “deep spirituality” listen and build bridges.

Charlotte bishop returns accused priest to active ministry (CWN)

A North Carolina bishop returned a priest accused of sexual abuse to active ministry effective January 13, over six years after the priest was placed on administrative leave by the previous bishop.

Jan. 19 Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time, Weekday

The Roman Martyrology commemorates Sts. Marius (Maris), Martha, Audifax, and Abachum (d. 270), a group of Persian martyrs of the third century who died for the faith in Rome.