As Churchill observed "The strangling of Bolshevism at its birth would have been an untold blessing to the human race." (House of Commons speech, May 11, 1953, reflecting on 1919). The Unspeakable Things The Bolsheviks Did During Their Reign youtu.be/gY00FF7HLZY?si=_sR3… via @YouTube
Thank You @EWTN !
Cardinal Ernest Simoni has an incredible story of faith amid persecution. After offering a Mass in 1963 for the soul of President John F. Kennedy, he was sentenced to death. The sentence was commuted, but he was imprisoned in communist Albania for nearly thirty years under torturous conditions and forced labor. He spends his life now preaching the mercy, love, and compassion of Christ.
Watch the full story: youtube.com/watch?v=vf_D5RzK…
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Truly an honor to meet and speak with Cardinal Simoni. His story of constant faith and perseverance is incredible. A big thanks to @ADAlbCommunity for helping facilitate this interview youtube.com/watch?v=vf_D5RzK…
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Many Catholics may be unaware that they can obtain not one but eight plenary indulgences for departed souls in the first week of November.
For centuries, the Catholic Church widely observed All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1) as an octave, extending the holy celebration to eight days.
The observance was established by Pope Sixtus IV in the 15th century and demoted in the liturgical calendar around the middle of the 20th century, although some Catholics still mark the eight-day observance.
Notably, the Church itself still indirectly acknowledges the ancient eight-day octave in its granting of plenary indulgences for the first week of November.
A plenary indulgence is a grace granted by the Catholic Church through the merits of Jesus Christ to remove the temporal punishment due to sin.
It is not a forgiveness of sin but the remission of punishment for sins already forgiven. It may apply either to oneself or to souls already in purgatory.
In order to obtain a plenary indulgence the faithful must — in addition to being in the state of grace — both have the interior disposition of complete detachment from sin (even venial sin), have sacramentally confessed their sins and received the Eucharist (either within or outside of Mass), and must pray for the intentions of the Holy Father.
The Vatican’s Apostolic Penitentiary, in its “Enchiridion Indulgentiarum” (“Handbook of Indulgences”), states that the faithful can obtain a plenary indulgence for the faithful departed “every day, from the 1st to the 8th of November,” if, in addition to fulfilling the normal terms of a plenary indulgence, one “devoutly visit[s] a cemetery and at least mentally pray[s] for the dead.”
The conditions for a plenary indulgence can be fulfilled a few days before or after performing the works to gain the indulgence, but it is appropriate that Communion and the prayer take place on the same day that the work is completed.
The All Saints’ octave was notably extended throughout the entire month of November in both 2020 and 2021 amid concerns about avoiding large gatherings of people in churches or cemeteries due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
More: ewtnnews.com/world/us/how-ca…
Grateful and thankful to @EWTNNewsInDepth and @StJohnMcLean. President @realDonaldTrump VP @JDVance @ccpecknold see what communism does to #ReligiousFreedom . #cardinalsimoni #Elections2026
God bless Cardinal Simoni🙏🏻💐❤️
In an interview with Mark Irons of “EWTN News In Depth,” 98-year-old Albanian Cardinal Ernest Simoni explained how he escaped death through remaining steadfast in faith.
ewtnnews.com/world/europe/ca…
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Thank you @EWTNNewsInDepth and @MarkIronsMedia for #cardinalSimoni’s story. @KISH_Konferenca @RubenAvxhiu it starts on min 22. youtu.be/KOAmnmE0spM?si=Z4mJ…
It is wonderful to see the young generation of faithful catholics be so eloquent and so happy. As JP2 envisaged! 🙏🏻💐
Really grateful for this interview with @KatiePMcGrady. She explains what the "Church" is, why it leads to true happiness, and how to make Christ the unifying principle in your life. Would recommend both for those practicing, and those far away from faith. youtube.com/watch?v=XisfLPlI…
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One of our staff members ordered lunch from DoorDash. The driver went to the wrong door and accidentally came into the cathedral when the office is next door. He had never been in a Catholic church. He was struck by the beauty.
He made the delivery, went home and started researching Catholicism. He just started OCIA.
Beauty attracts.
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Katie McGrady, Catholic podcast host and Sheen Award recipient, sits down with reporter Mark Irons to discuss how Catholics can evangelize in every part of their lives.
Happy Feast Day of Pope Saint John Paul the Second. This below is a great read! #JP2 #CatholicChurch #catholictwitter #Albania #Prayer #Benotafraid
A beautiful reflection about Albania’s connection to the great saint, Pope JP2!sabrinamaeve.substack.com/p/… @Sachinettiyil
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The feast of St. John Paul II is celebrated on October 22 because it marks the anniversary of the inauguration of his pontificate in 1978.
On October 22, 1978, he celebrated the Mass inaugurating his ministry as Pope, delivering his famous appeal to the world:
“Be not afraid! Open wide the doors for Christ!”
He was elected Pope on October 16, 1978, but the Church chose October 22 as his liturgical memorial to commemorate the beginning of his papal ministry.
St. John Paul II was canonized by Pope Francis on April 27, 2014, Divine Mercy Sunday.
🙏 October 22 is therefore a day to remember his extraordinary pontificate and his call to the world to open its heart to Christ.
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“The great march of mental destruction will go on. Everything will be denied. Everything will become a creed…..we shall be of those who have seen & have believed” GKC
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JUST IN: First Lady Melania Trump announces a new executive order focused on advancing women's health, calling it a "transformative moment for women in America."
"Beginning today, we will change the reality of women's health."
The first lady says the focus is shifting from the fight for women's rights to the search for cures that could help women live healthier, fuller lives.
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🚨 BREAKING: By stroke of pen, President Trump just SIGNED with Melania Trump a landmark executive order for for women's health, creating a brand-new Women's Health Division at the National Institutes of Health
Second Lady Usha Vance even brought her baby to the EO signing! 👏🏻
TRUMP: "THERE IT IS."
It also sets up a White House Women's Health Task Force, co-led by Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and RFK Jr.
The order targets:
- Osteoporosis
- Alzheimer's
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Maternal health
- Mental health
- Endometriosis
Melania pushed for this!
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Catholics around the world are praying for Pope Leo’s health in the wake of his cancer diagnosis. @MarkIronsMedia speaks to local Catholics in Virginia who are praying for the Holy Father’s recovery.
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I am watching with great concern the escalating crisis in NATO Ally Albania. The Albanian people deserve freedom, rule of law, and institutional accountability. The government must refrain from all violence against protestors. Young people deserve a voice in the future of their country.
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I am deeply concerned by the escalating unrest in NATO Ally Albania. The Albanian people deserve the rule of law, accountable institutions, and the freedom to make their voices heard. All parties must reject violence, and the government must respect the rights of peaceful protesters. Albania’s young people deserve a voice in shaping their nation’s future.
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Happy Feast Day of St. Carlo Acutis!
As we mark the day dedicated to the patron of computer programmers and young people, his mother, Antonia Salzano, shares the message her son would give to the world: “Life is precious and must not be wasted. We must make the most of our lives for eternity.”