Free Republic

18 February 2026 Ash Wednesday St.Kuriakose Elias Chavara Pilgrim Centre, Mannanam, IndiaReadings at MassLiturgical Colour: Violet. Year: A(II).First readingJoel 2:12-18Let your hearts be broken, not your garments torn‘Now, now – it is the Lord who speaks –come back to me with all your heart,fasting, weeping, mourning.’Let your hearts be broken, not your garments torn,turn to the Lord your God again,for he is all tenderness and compassion,slow to anger, rich in graciousness,and ready to relent.Who knows if he will not turn again, will not relent,will not leave a blessing as he passes,oblation and libationfor the Lord your God?Sound the trumpet in...

[Catholic Caucus] Pope Leo XIV protects Francis’s legacy in key Vatican office overseeing appointment of bishopsBy retaining Francis-era prelates in the Dicastery for Bishops and elevating Sr. Simona Brambilla, Pope Leo is continuing the trajectory of his predecessor in shaping Church leadership.Pope Leo XIV has appointed Sr. Simona Brambilla as a member of the Dicastery for Bishops, and confirmed a very broad roster of cardinals and prelates elevated under Pope Francis.On February 14, the Pope appointed Sr. Simona Brambilla, M.C., who serves as prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, as a member...

[Catholic/Anglican Caucus] Pope Leo told Anglicans ‘we are already one.’ So what about Latin Mass Catholics?Is claiming 'unity' when embracing external differences while punishing internal fidelity true Catholic unity?Recently, Pope Leo XIV told Anglicans at an ecumenical prayer service at the Vatican that “we are already one.” This statement, if taken seriously, is not a mere courteous or diplomatic remark. It is a theological claim with concrete theological implications.Words spoken by a pope imply principles about the nature of Christian unity, the Church, and the relationship between truth, worship, and communion. If ecclesial unity is affirmed with Anglicans – who...

Daily Readings from the USCCBThe disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” Mark 8:14–15Jesus and the disciples frequently traveled by boat, visiting many towns and villages along the Sea of Galilee. After a fruitful visit to the Gentile territory of the Decapolis, Jesus and His disciples crossed to Dalmanutha. Upon disembarking, some Pharisees, who had likely heard of His miraculous feeding of the 4,000, demanded a sign from Him. Jesus, deeply grieved by...

17 February 2026 Tuesday of week 6 in Ordinary Time Solemn Mass celebrated in the Premonstratensian Rite, Ss Peter and Paul in Wilmington, CaliforniaReadings at MassLiturgical Colour: Green. Year: A(II).First readingJames 1:12-18Temptation is not from GodHappy the man who stands firm when trials come. He has proved himself, and will win the prize of life, the crown that the Lord has promised to those who love him. Never, when you have been tempted, say, ‘God sent the temptation’; God cannot be tempted to do anything wrong, and he does not tempt anybody. Everyone who is tempted is attracted and...

Grant had roots in both Baptist and Assemblies of God congregations, and went on to seminary to prepare for ministry. While there, he was introduced to the Church Fathers, who had a very different view of Baptism than the one he’d grown up with. Seeing that they treated it as a sacrament made him wonder if his view of Communion was also out of step with historic Christianity. After serving seven years in ministry, as both a children’s and student pastor, Grant ended up coming home to the Catholic Church.

[Catholic Caucus] Edward Feser’s lecture canceled by Catholic seminary while Fr. James Martin is allowed to speakThe Catholic philosopher lamented that he's 'not welcome to speak to seminarians about how to defend the Church’s teaching on the soul’s immortality' in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. St. John’s Seminary canceled a lecture by Catholic philosopher Edward Feser because he was “too controversial.”On February 13, Feser wrote on X: “I had been invited to speak later this month at St. John’s Seminary in Los Angeles. I have now been informed that the event is being cancelled due to complaints from unnamed critics...

[Catholic Caucus] Women Heading Vatican Dicasteries Marks “Spirit-Led” Ecclesial Development - Cardinal OuelletThe appointment of laypeople to positions of authority in the Roman Curia is not a temporary concession, BUT an ecclesiological advance and a "Spirit-led development", “conservative” Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Bishops, wrote on VaticanNews.va (February 16).Cardinal Ouellet acknowledges the “unease about a papal decision” given that nuns are now in positions reserved to bishops as there is a “close link between the ordained ministry and the function of governing the Church”.BUT: He has “no doubt” that Pope Francis’ gesture is promising for the...

[Catholic/Anglican Caucus] Fr. James Martin praises Pope Leo for celebrating Mass with altar girlsMartin’s claim that it is un-controversial to have female altar servers is contradicted by many arguments, including irrefutable theological principles and practical considerations.Dissident Jesuit priest James Martin has praised Pope Leo XIV for including two female altar servers at a Mass he celebrated at a parish in Rome this past weekend.“The use of female altar servers has proven controversial in some US dioceses, and among some bishops, but, apparently, not in the Diocese of Rome or for its bishop,” Martin said on social media Monday.Martin’s remarks come...

Daily Readings from the USCCBThe Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” Mark 8:11–12The Pharisees struggled with skepticism, resistance, and trickery, reflecting the tragic reality of hearts closed to grace. They should have been the first to rejoice in the coming of the Messiah but became Jesus’ staunchest critics and persecutors. Their rejection shows how pride and hardness...

16 February 2026Monday of week 6 in Ordinary TimeAtlanta Greek Orthodox Cathedral Feast Of Saint Juliana Of NicomediaReadings at MassLiturgical Colour: Green. Year: A(II).First readingJames 1:1-11Your faith is put to the test so that your patience may make you completeFrom James, servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Greetings to the twelve tribes of the Dispersion. My brothers, you will always have your trials but, when they come, try to treat them as a happy privilege; you understand that your faith is only put to the test to make you patient, but patience too is to have its...

[Catholic Caucus] Leo XIV Approves Beatification Process for Bishop who Allowed Indigenous Youths to Touch his Private PartsHis diary celebrates “blessed nudism,” recounts sleeping naked beside adolescents, and normalizes sexualized touching as “natural curiosity” — yet Leo still advances his cause.Venerable by decree, scandal by his own penOn 22 May 2025, Leo XIV authorized the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints to promulgate a decree recognizing the “offering of life” of Alejandro Labaka Ugarte, Capuchin, Apostolic Vicar of Aguarico, killed in Ecuador in 1987. That authorization is exactly what moves a cause forward in the Church’s official machinery, placing the...

15 February 2026 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Sanctuary of Sacred Heart in Paray Le Monial containing the relics of Saint Claude La Colombière Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: Green. Year: A(II).First readingEcclesiasticus 15:16-21He never commanded anyone to be godlessIf you wish, you can keep the commandments, to behave faithfully is within your power.He has set fire and water before you; put out your hand to whichever you prefer.Man has life and death before him; whichever a man likes better will be given him.For vast is the wisdom of the Lord; he is almighty and all-seeing.His eyes are on those...

Daily Readings from the USCCBSixth Sunday in Ordinary TimeJesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place.” Matthew 5:17–18For many, the Old Testament can be confusing, filled with laws, rituals, and prophecies that seem difficult to connect with the New Testament. Yet, Jesus’ words remind us that the...

[Catholic Caucus] Cardinal Fernández tells SSPX superior that Vatican II documents ‘cannot be corrected’The Vatican's immovability chills the likelihood of an agreement with the SSPX, given that the Society has repeatedly insisted parts of Vatican II texts contradict magisterial teaching.Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, the prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, reportedly told Father Davide Pagliarani, Superior General of the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX), that documents from the Second Vatican Council cannot “be corrected.” A communiqué from the SSPX General House published Thursday revealed that, while Fernández has proposed dialogue with the SSPX to...

By Dr. John BergsmaThe “Hippie Jesus" is one of the common misunderstandings of Christ that are circulating in popular culture. People think of Jesus as a laid-back guru who traveled around Israel in this Volkswagen Vanagon, accompanied by twelve dudes in tie-died T-shirts. Jesus taught that all we need is Love, and not to be so uptight, like all those rule-bound priests and scribes. Of course, that view of Jesus is wrong. People adopt it, however, because they misunderstand the nature of Jesus’ conflict with the priests, scribes, and Pharisees that dominated Jewish religious practice in his day. Because Jesus...

14 February 2026 Saints Cyril, monk, and Methodius, Bishop on Saturday of week 5 in Ordinary Time Church of Saint Valentine in Woźniki Śląskie, PolandReadings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: A(II).Readings for the feriaReadings for the memorialThese are the readings for the feriaFirst reading1 Kings 12:26-32,13:33-34The prophecy of the separation of IsraelJeroboam thought to himself, ‘As things are, the kingdom will revert to the House of David. If this people continues to go up to the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem to offer sacrifices, the people’s heart will turn back again to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah, and...

[Catholic Caucus] Leo XIV Fills Congregation of Bishops with Francis’ Era Members – Adds Sr BRAMBILLAPope Leo XIV has named today Sr Simona Brambilla as a member to the Dicastery for Bishops. He also confirmed numerous previous members including the outrageously pro-homosexuals Cardinals Cupich, Tobin, Fernández, Grech, Tolentino de Mendonça, Cobo, or Heung-sik.Newly AppointedSr. Simona Brambilla, 60, Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic LifeConfirmed Members — CardinalsPietro Parolin, 71, — Cardinal, Vatican Secretary of StateKurt Koch, 75 — Cardinal, Prefect, Dicastery for Promoting Christian UnityJoão Braz de Aviz, 78 — Cardinal, Prefect Emeritus,...

Daily Readings from the USCCBMemorial of Saints Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, BishopIn those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, Jesus summoned the disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance.” Mark 8:1–3Early in Jesus’ public ministry, He made a brief trip across the Sea of Galilee to the territory of the...

Irish priest equates receiving Communion on the tongue with feeding animalsA Dublin cleric said in a homily that the purpose for Mass is 'sharing a meal' and not worshiping God.Father Pat Fitzgerald, C.P., the interim administrator of Mount Argus parish, compared during a recent homily the traditional reception of the Holy Eucharist at the altar rail and on the tongue with how wild animals are fed.During his homily, Fitzgerald touted that the Church has progressed so far that the faithful no longer line up at the altar rail to receive Holy Communion “the same way as we feed animals.” Just...