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Background: World Day for Consecrated Life (CWN)

February 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, is also the 30th World Day for Consecrated Life, a commemoration instituted by Pope St. John Paul II in 1997.

Pope marks World Day for Consecrated Life, calls on religious to be prophets (CWN)

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica this evening (booklet, video) and called upon consecrated men and women “to be prophets—messengers who announce the presence of the Lord and prepare the way for him.”

SSPX to ordain new bishops (CWN)

The superior general of the Society of Saint Pius X announced today that the Society’s bishops will consecrate new bishops on July 1.

Feb. 2 Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Feast

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord which occurs forty days after the birth of Jesus and is also known as Candlemas Day, since the blessing and procession of candles is included in today's liturgy. See the Prayer Section for the full rite of the Procession and Blessing of Candles at Mass.

15 US bishops urge Senate to reject ICE funding (EWTN News)

Fifteen US bishops, led by the archbishops of Santa Fe and Seattle, expressed their “deep opposition” to an appropriations bill to fund US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“We cannot support legislation that expands or sustains enforcement practices without adequately addressing their consequences for families and communities,” the bishops and other signatories said. A budget “that prioritizes detention and removal—while lacking strong safeguards for family unity, due process, and accountability—risks entrenching harm rather than promoting justice or public safety.”

Pope entrusts families of Swiss fire victims to Our Lady of Sorrows (Dicastery for Communication)

Pope Leo XIV sent a message to an ecumenical prayer vigil for the victims of the Crans-Montana bar fire in Switzerland, which took place on January 1 and left 40 dead and 116 injured.

“In these hours, when your souls are afflicted not only by suffering, but also by incomprehension and the feeling of abandonment, I can only entrust you to the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, who holds you close to her heart and invites you to look with her to the Cross, one which her beloved Jesus also suffered and gave his life,” Pope Leo said in his message, dated January 28 and released on February 1.

“On the Cross, the Son of God—God in person—wished to share in what you are experiencing today,” the Pope added. “He will also share with you his glorious and blessed resurrection. For Jesus is truly risen!”

The Pontiff previously mourned the loss of life in the fire and met with families of the victims.

Vatican newspaper laments 'terrible situation' in Myanmar, 5 years after coup (CWN)

The Vatican newspaper lamented conditions in Myanmar, five years after a coup d’état brought to an end a decade of democratic rule in the Southeast Asian nation.

Feb. 1 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday

From the Gospel for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A: Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. (Matt 5:10-12).

The Confession I Didn’t Make: An Embarrassing Case of Sacramental Mistaken Identity...

One Saturday, many years ago, a friend of mine was visiting from out of town. Looking for some prayerful encouragement—and probably a kick in the rear to get himself to confession—he confided painfully to me that he had fallen into a pattern of serious sexual sin, about which he was understandably distressed and embarrassed.

Mary and the Gift of Motherhood...

Motherhood is an amazing gift that only women have. Yet so many of our fellow citizens have been programmed to view it instead as a burden, an obstacle to career advancement, or even a disease to be avoided at all costs through sterilization, contraception, and abortion...