Thousands pray at Fatima for end to pandemic (Reuters) Standing in circles marked to keep social distance, thousands of faithful gathered and held candles at one of Catholicism’s most famous sanctuaries in Portugal on Monday evening, with many praying for the end of the coronavirus pandemic. Every October, around 100,000 people head to the Fatima Sanctuary – many of them by foot – to mark the third and last reported vision of the Virgin Mary more than 100 years ago. But, this year, only 6,000 people were allowed in the massive outdoor venue because of coronavirus restrictions. Many of the faithful, all wearing masks, took the opportunity to pray for those affected by the outbreak…
Biden says Barrett’s Catholic faith ‘should not be considered’ during confirmation (Fox News) Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said that Amy Coney Barrett‘s Catholic faith “should not be considered” as confirmation hearings for President Trump‘s Supreme Court nominee get underway. “No, her faith should not be considered,” Biden told reporters Monday as he boarded a flight from New Castle Airport in Delaware bound for the key battleground state of Ohio…
New York unveils statue of Mother Cabrini on Columbus Day (The New York Times) On Monday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo unveiled a monument to Francesca Xavier Cabrini in Battery Park City during the state’s Columbus Day celebrations on Monday. While the pandemic prevented the traditional parade, there was plenty of fanfare in Battery Park City, where a red cloak was removed to reveal the bronze statue after the governor spoke. “May this statue serve to remind us of the principles that made us great,” the governor said. “Today, the lesson of Mother Cabrini is even more vital because of the difficulties we are facing…”
Nuns give building to pope to house refugees (Vatican News) The Office of Papal Charities in the Vatican has received a building in Rome from a women’s religious congregation for free use to shelter migrants and refugees arriving in Italy. Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the Apostolic Almoner, or the Pope’s official almsgiver, released a statement on Monday saying the Sisters Servants of Divine Providence of Catania were responding to the “invitation of Pope Francis, who in the Encyclical Fratelli tutti repeats several times the need for adequate hospitality to migrants fleeing wars, persecutions and natural catastrophes…”
