The wonder of the Bible reading might be that—even though he’s tired and half-asleep—Eli realizes that God is calling Samuel and tells him how to respond the next time he hears the voice. Eli tells Samuel to say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

Franciscan Sister Joanne Schatzlein, director of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi in Wisconsin, called it “truly a gift of God” that the Ellicott City-based Our Lady of the Angels Province of the Conventual Francisicans has taken over sponsorship of the Franciscan Center in Baltimore from the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi.

As the world marked 100 days since the Hamas militants attacks that unleashed hell in the Holy Land, images of the children from Holy Family Parish — the only Catholic parish in the Gaza Strip — dressed in white albs to receive the sacrament were a stark and welcome contrast in a land that has had little reason to smile since Oct. 7.

Responding to questions from priests and deacons ministering in the Diocese of Rome, Pope Francis said the possibility of blessing gay couples regards “people, not organizations” or their agendas.

Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talked with Malachy Fallon, executive director of the Xavier Society for the Blind, about the Mass propers and other books and resources the society provides – all free of charge – to its patrons.