Roxane B. Salonen reflects on "Thoughts and prayers"

Just across the street from the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome is an unusual sacred site for pilgrims that they access on their knees. Scala Santa, or Holy Stairs, is a set of 28 marble steps encased in wood for preservation. These are the stairs that led up to the Praetorium in which it is believed Jesus climbed before standing before Pontius Pilate.

Sister Joseph Marie of the Child Jesus, Incarnate Wisdom, O.Carm., Carmelite Nun from the Carmel of Mary Monastery, rural Wahpeton entered eternity Sept. 3 after a several month bout with cancer.

Knights of Columbus Council 4951’s first Rosary Ride was conducted on Aug. 16, 2016. Unbeknownst to the organizer Paul Murphy, a “rosary ride” has been done before. He came up with the idea when participating in other fundraiser/fun runs on his motorcycle. Little did he know that there had been a few other “rosary rides” in other states but none locally.

On the morning of Aug. 27, I attended Mass with my two youngest children at the Catholic Church where they attend school. You could sense among the parents, children, and teachers the excitement, nervousness, and anticipation associated with the first days of school. After Mass, I gave my kids a hug before they gathered their bookbags and headed to school. I left feeling happy and gratified for my children and their wonderful Catholic school.

Seminarian William Gerads shares a meditation from his time in seminary.

On Sept. 7, Pope Leo XIV canonized two young men as saints of the Church. With this action, he recognized the holiness of St. Pier Giorgio Frasatti and St. Carlo Acutis, inscribing them in the long list of holy heroes of the faith who have gone before us.

This is a great question, one that strikes at the core of what it is to be Catholic. The Second Vatican Council called the Mass “the source and summit of the Christian life” (Lumen Gentium 11). Thus, for a non-Catholic to understand us, he or she will have to understand the Mass.

The Family of Servant of God Michelle Duppong was honored by the Knights of Columbus as the family of the year.

A reflection on the book “Undone: Freeing Your Feminine Heart from the Knots of Shame” by Carrie Schuchts Daunt, 2020.

Roxane B. Salonen shares a reflection from her recent work of ministry on the sidewalks of the abortion clinic.

The Basilica of San Clemente is a minor basilica in Rome. It is dedicated to Pope Clement I who was the third pope and was believed to have been ordained by St. Peter himself. The unique aspect of this church is that it has three layers of structures that can be visited today.

The Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus in Manitoba and North Dakota held their 61st Mass for Peace at the International Peace Garden, located on the U.S./Canadian border between Manitoba and North Dakota, with the express purpose of celebrating and maintaining the peace between Canada and the U.S., and praying for world peace.

Obituary for Sister Agatha Lucey

This summer, the Franciscan Sisters of Dillingen in Hankinson (Hankinson Franciscans) joyfully celebrated 20 years of “Mother Daughter Days,” welcoming about sixty mothers, grandmothers, and daughters total to St. Francis Convent during two sessions in June and July. This year’s theme was “Come, Follow Me.”

On the 118th anniversary of Dr. Maria Montessori’s inaugural Casa dei Bambini in 1907, the University of Mary unveiled a groundbreaking initiative: the Catholic Montessori Institute (CMI)—the world’s first and only global center dedicated to advancing Catholic Montessori education. The announcement, made during a campus-wide University of Mary meeting, marks a historic milestone in Catholic education.

Kristina Bloomsburg shares about an upcoming retreat at the Maryvale retreat center.

Paul Braun, Editor of New Earth, shares about the new mosaic behind the crucifix at the new Holy Cross Catholic Church.

Upcoming Events for Parishes within the Diocese.

According to the pro-abortion research and policy advocate, the Guttmacher Institute, there were 1,038,100 clinician-provided abortions provided in the United States in 2024, the highest number in over 10 years. David Tamisiea, JD, PhD, Executive director of the ND Catholic Conference, shares in this article.