Despite Pope Francis’ warnings, the leaders of the Church in Germany have refused to back down on their promotion of intercommunion or to change the course on their much-criticized ‘synodal path.’

By Edward Pentin 

VATICAN CITY — As reports emerged recently of Pope Francis’ “dramatic concern” about the state of the Catholic Church in Germany and news that he received Germany’s apostolic nuncio for private talks on Monday, the country’s bishops pressed ahead on their goal of shared Communion with Protestants despite strong objections from the Vatican.

The Basilica of St. Rita, the patron saint of impossible causes, is launching a seven-month prayer initiative for Lebanon as the country faces an unprecedented economic and political crisis.

“In prayer with St. Rita for Lebanon” will begin in the Italian town of Cascia with Mass at the tomb of St. Rita Oct. 22 at 5 p.m. local time (6 p.m. in Beirut) and will be broadcast via livestream. 

The beatification cause of a Polish missionary doctor known as the “mother of lepers” was opened Sunday. 

Bishop Damian Bryl inaugurated the diocesan phase of the cause of Wanda Błeńska at Poznań Cathedral, western Poland, Oct. 18, the feast of St. Luke, patron of doctors. 

Błeńska spent more than 40 years in Uganda caring for sufferers from Hansen’s disease, also known as leprosy, training local doctors, and turning St. Francis Hospital in Buluba into an internationally respected treatment center.

More than 41,000 people visited Bl. Carlo Acutis’ tomb during the 19-day celebration of the Italian teen’s beatification, according to the Diocese of Assisi.

A daily average of 2,170 people visited Bl. Carlo’s tomb, in the Sanctuary of the Spoliation in Assisi’s Church of St. Mary Major, from Oct. 1 to Oct. 19, despite tight restrictions relating to the coronavirus pandemic. There they saw a young person on the path to sainthood, lying in repose in jeans and a pair of Nike tennis shoes.

The Australian financial intelligence agency has handed information to federal police concerning allegations that international money transfers, amounting to hundreds of thousands of euros in Vatican funds, were sent to Australia during the trial of Cardinal George Pell.

After her baptism, St. Kateri Tekakwitha “flowered among Native Americans in a life of innocence,” and miracles were attributed to her even before her death.

By Father Stan Smolenski 

Without doubt, the spiritual life of St. Kateri Tekakwitha is very interesting and inspiring. Yet at times, it is not adequately presented at her celebrations or through the media where her native natural culture seems to be emphasized and dominate to the degree that these presentations seem supernaturally sterile.