Local
Archbishop Samir Nassar, left, and Archbishop Bernard Hebda bestow blessings after the June 29 evening Mass of the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul.  JOE RUFF  |  THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Archbishop Hebda, Archbishop Nassar celebrate solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul

Archbishop Samir Nassar closed his June 24-30 visit from Damascus, Syria, to the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis by celebrating the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul with Archbishop Bernard Hebda June 29 at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul.
Nation + World
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks with other members of the House July 3, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington after final passage of U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping spending and tax bill. (OSV News photo/Jonathan Ernst, Reuters)

House approves Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ after Senate passage

The U.S. House on July 3 approved the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which would enact key provisions of President Donald Trump's legislative agenda on taxes and immigration, meaning the legislation will reach the president's desk for his signature.
More
Scarlett Johansson as skilled covert operations expert Zora Bennett and Jonathan Bailey as paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis, star in a scene from the movie "Jurassic World Rebirth.” The OSV News classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (OSV News photo/ Gareth Edwards, Universal)

Jurassic World Rebirth — PG-13 (A-llI)

Given the blockbuster success of the franchise built on this somewhat outlandish premise, however, the characters who populate it are unlikely to learn their lesson and quit messing with the big beasts anytime soon. Certainly not this summer at any rate, because here comes "Jurassic World Rebirth" (Universal).
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks with other members of the House July 3, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington after final passage of U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping spending and tax bill. (OSV News photo/Jonathan Ernst, Reuters)

House approves Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ after Senate passage

The U.S. House on July 3 approved the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which would enact key provisions of President Donald Trump's legislative agenda on taxes and immigration, meaning the legislation will reach the president's desk for his signature.
Lake Albano, which formed inside a volcano, is seen from Castel Gandolfo, Italy, July 1, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

Church adds Mass ‘for care of creation’ to missal, pope to celebrate

Catholic priests will now be able to celebrate Mass "for the care of creation" after the Vatican announced that a new formulary of prayers and biblical readings for the Mass will be added to the Roman Missal -- the liturgical book that contains the texts for celebrating Mass in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church.
Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, speaks to reporters at the Vatican Sept. 19, 2024. The cardinal confirmed July 3, 2025, the Vatican has officially named a panel of judges for the canonical trial of Father Marko Rupnik, the disgraced Slovenian priest and artist accused of abusing more than two dozen women. (CNS photo/Justin McLellan)

Vatican officially names panel of judges for canonical trial of Father Rupnik

The Vatican has officially named the judges who will oversee the canonical trial of Father Marko Rupnik, the disgraced Slovenian priest and artist accused of sexually, spiritually and psychologically abusing more than two dozen women.
Maria Burud, left, of Madison, Wis., is pictured in a file photo holding a pro-life sign next to demonstrators for legal abortion outside the Supreme Court building in Washington. On July 2, 2025, Wisconsin's Supreme Court struck down the state's 176-year-old abortion ban in a 4-3 ruling. (OSV News photo/CNS file, Peter Lockley)

Wisconsin Supreme Court strikes down 176-year-old abortion ban

Wisconsin's Catholic bishops said that state's top court issued a "tragic ruling" by striking down a ban on abortion Wisconsin had in place since 1849.
Lacy Apfelbeck

Founder of healing ministry leads prayer group at Extreme Faith Camp

Lacy Apfelbeck, founder of Edge of the Red Sea Ministries — a Christian nonprofit based in St. Francis that helps families and individuals find physical, emotional and spiritual healing — believed it was a God moment when Extreme Faith Camp in Trego, Wisconsin, needed volunteers.
Jacqueline Lucca

Aspiring Ham Lake writer believes the writing process gives glory to God

Growing up, Jacqueline Lucca told stories to her younger siblings and friends. She was constantly sharing stories with others. Now, she has written two books that might be close to being published. She is a parishioner at St. Paul in Ham Lake.
Archbishop Samir Nassar, left, and Archbishop Bernard Hebda bestow blessings after the June 29 evening Mass of the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul.  JOE RUFF  |  THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Archbishop Hebda, Archbishop Nassar celebrate solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul

Archbishop Samir Nassar closed his June 24-30 visit from Damascus, Syria, to the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis by celebrating the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul with Archbishop Bernard Hebda June 29 at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul.
Archbishop Samir Nassar addresses about 50 Basilica of St. Mary parishioners and supporters of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis’ eight-year partnership with the Maronite Catholic Archeparchy of Damascus. The leader of the archeparchy spoke at the Basilica in Minneapolis June 26 as part of a weeklong visit to the archdiocese. COURTESY JANICE ANDERSEN  |  BASILICA OF ST. MARY

Damascus archbishop: As Syrian Church continues to diminish, there are signs of hope

The persecution of Christians in Syria, such as the suicide bombing that killed 25 at a Damascus Orthodox church in June, is not common, said Archbishop Samir Nassar of the Maronite Archeparchy of Damascus at a June 26 talk at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis.
Damson Idris and Brad Pitt star in a scene from the movie "F1 the Movie." The OSV News classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

F1 the Movie — PG-13 (A-ll)

'Tis the season for popcorn pictures and the slick but shallow sports drama "F1 the Movie" (Warner Bros.) fits the bill. While acceptable for grown-ups, however, this fictional glimpse into the world of Formula One is not apt fare for impressionable youngsters.
Claire Souilliart of Calais, France, stands in a garden June 14, 2025, near Stacy, Minn., after recounting her claims of two miraculous visits from Sister Annella Zervas, a Minnesota Benedictine whose cause for canonization may open soon, leading her to be cured of a blood disorder.

French woman hopes sharing mystical encounter with Minnesota Benedictine helps sainthood cause

In the early night of Oct. 25, 2024, Claire Souilliart, a devout 32-year-old living in Calais, France, experienced an intense pain in her chest.
Faith
Priest, small, in front of an illuminated cross

The priest as humble servant

A priest is a humble servant, not a high and mighty ruler. Jesus explained this when his Apostles were striving for positions of power: “You know that those recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant” (Mk 10:42,43). Jesus operated out of this mindset as he went on to say, “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve” (Mk 10:45; see also Mt 20:25-28). Priests use their office as a platform to guide and teach, not control or dominate. Their service is given freely for the benefit of others, not for personal advantage (see Lk 14:12,14).

Five loaves and two fish

Vestments worn by priests

Commentary
Bishop Robert E. Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minn., speaks during the July 20, 2024, revival night of the National Eucharistic Congress at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

‘We are in this together’: Recent Supreme Court rulings support parents in their vocation

Three recent decisions by the Supreme Court of the United States reflect the need to protect children when it comes to issues of human sexuality, now more than ever.

The apostolate of the laity

Even now, the ship will hold

Why I am Catholic
Practicing Catholic

Before You Go!

Sign up for our free newsletter!

Keep up to date with what’s going on in the Catholic world