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THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY OF SISTER MARIA – Convert, Widow, Mother Of 4 Nuns and a Priest, Takes Perpetual Vows

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Sister Maria Zhang Yue Chun made her perpetual vows on May 13,2025 at the convent of the Augustinian Recollects in Vitigudino, Salamanca province, Spain. Her prioress, Sister Berta, said she is “an example” for her community. Born in Shangqiu, Henan province, China, Maria lived without any connection to Catholicism. She was married and took care of her five children. During a serious illness, however, the support provided to her by a community of active Augustinian Recollects opened her eyes to the faith.

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DISCERNING AND WALKING TOGETHER – Philippine Bishops hold 130th retreat and plenary assembly

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The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) opened its first-ever retreat in Bohol province on Monday, marking a historic step in the Church’s ongoing journey of synodality. At the welcome Mass at Dauis Church, Tagbilaran Bishop Alberto Uy greeted more than a hundred bishops and synodal delegates — a mix of priests, consecrated persons and laypeople — with a message of urgency and hope. “The bishop’s decision to come to Bohol is not just for a change in venue,” he said. “It is deeply symbolic. Like Jesus moving from village to village, he said, the bishops came not just to rest but to reflect, pray and walk with the people.

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KEEPER OF THE KEYS (10) – The Easter Question and Papal Charities: Anicetus, Soterus, Eleutherius

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The 11th Pope in the official Vatican list is St Anicetus, born in Syria. Like the previous pontiffs, he actively fought against Gnosticism and Marcionism.  He asked the clergy not to wear long hair, following St Paul (“Does not nature itself teach you that for a man to wear long hair is degrading to him?”

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JOURNEYING WITH FAITH (2) – Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope and Charity

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The life of an authentic Christian is a virtuous life: following the Virtuous One Jesus Christ, God and Man. A virtuous life is the life of a disciple of Christ who practices virtues: the Seven Magnificent Virtues which according to St. Thomas Aquinas make a good Chattian, namely, faith, hope and charity (the theological virtues), and prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance (the cardinal moral virtues). 

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KEEPING THE FAITH AND LEADING THE MULTITUDE TO CHRIST – Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles

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Jesus handpicked twelve men whose names are listed in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-19, and Luke 6:14-16) and in the Acts of the Apostles (1:13 excluding Judas Iscariot). Saint Matthew writes, “The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter …”  (10:2). “Simon Peter” is first in the list of Matthew, of Mark, of Luke, and of the Acts, but Matthew emphasizes this fact: Peter is first – “primus Simon.” 

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GOD’S CALL, UNIQUE IN ITS ORDINARINESS – Persevering in God’s Call Through Simplicity and Service

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Sister Maria Rosa Viloria, a member of the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, shared her inspiring journey to religious life in a recent interview, reflecting on the profound experiences that led her to dedicate her life to serving others. Her story, marked by personal loss, family support, and a deep trust in God, offers a powerful testament to the calling of a Good Shepherd Sister.

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JOURNEYING TOGETHER WITH FAITH AND HOPE (8) – Hope: Fidelity to the Moment

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Today is in our hands but not fully: today is made up of many moments. Only this moment is in our hands. From the perspective of Christian faith, of spiritual/moral life, what is the meaning of “the moment”? When she was very young, St. Therese of the Child Jesus was worried about the future. After she became a Carmelite nun, she focused her life on the present moment: “I just keep concentrating on the present moment. I forget the past, and preserve myself from worries about the future… Let us see each instant as if there were no other. An instant is a treasure.”   

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PEACE FOR A BELOVED COUNTRY – Between War and Natural Disasters

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Since the beginning of the civil war in Myanmar in 2021, there have been an increasing number of areas where fighting has taken place, where civilians have been living for too long as displaced people, facing continuous and increasing difficulties whenever they flee from areas of intense conflict. As far as the Catholic community is concerned, the Sagaing region is undoubtedly the most affected, with frequent bombings and “widespread suffering among the civilian population,” as recalled by Peter Sein Hlaing Oo, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Mandalay, in the north-central part of the former Burma. For this reason, this local prelate, like other members of the local Church, view with optimism the words of Pope Leo XIV, who, during the Sunday Angelus prayer on June 15, recalled the ongoing fighting in Myanmar.

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