Good Friday

t is indeed Good Friday, April 18, 2025. Here's a look at some recent news and events happening in the Catholic Church that might be of interest:  

Holy Week Observances:

• Papal Activities: Pope Francis, despite a recent period of rest following a hospitalization, has been active during Holy Week. Yesterday, Holy Thursday, he made a surprise visit to the Regina Coeli prison in Rome, meeting with approximately 70 inmates. He also greeted physicians and staff from the Gemelli hospital, where he recently received treatment. While he did not preside over the Holy Thursday Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, he sent his homily, which emphasized the "power of service" exemplified by Christ.  

• Washing of Feet: Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, the Archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, performed the traditional washing of feet during the Holy Thursday Mass, highlighting the call to reject a world that prioritizes profit over people.

• Pilgrimages: Thousands of pilgrims are participating in traditional Holy Week pilgrimages. Notably, in Chimayó, New Mexico, thousands are trekking through the desert to the historic adobe church, El Santuario de Chimayó, for Good Friday, a tradition that blends Catholic faith with local heritage.  

• Holy Week Processions: Iconic Holy Week processions are taking place in Seville, Spain, vividly portraying the Passion of Christ. Similarly, in the Philippines, particularly in San Fernando, Pampanga, elaborate reenactments of the Passion are being held.  

• Seven Churches Walk: Pilgrims in Rome are undertaking the ancient "Seven Churches Walk," a tradition of visiting various churches during Holy Week.  

Other News and Developments:

• Florida State University Shooting: Catholic students at Florida State University are reportedly praying and assisting others following a mass shooting on campus yesterday.  

• Catholic Education: A recent report indicates a rise in school choice programs within U.S. Catholic schools. For the 2024-2025 academic year, there are 1.6 million students and over 150,000 professional staff in Catholic schools across the country.  

• Canonization of Carlo Acutis: The official novena leading up to the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis on April 27th is underway. Acutis, known for his devotion to the Eucharist and his computer skills, will be the Catholic Church's first millennial saint.  

• Ordinations in the U.S.: Over 400 men in the United States are expected to be ordained priests in 2025, with a majority reporting that they felt called to the priesthood by the age of 16.  

• DEI Programs in Catholic Universities: An education watchdog group has identified 20 Catholic colleges and universities in the U.S. with "diversity, equity, and inclusion" (DEI) programs.  

• Legal Developments: A U.S. district judge has blocked the federal government from requiring some Catholic employers to accommodate abortions and IVF treatments for their employees.  

• March for Life: Hundreds of people participated in the "March on the Arch" in St. Louis, Missouri, advocating for pro-life causes.  

• Hebrew Catholic Association: An association of "Hebrew Catholics" is working to build bridges between Judaism and Catholicism and promote the integration of Jewish traditions within Catholic practice.  

• Unified Easter: This year marks a rare occurrence where both Eastern and Western Christian traditions celebrate Easter on the same date, April 20th. This unity is linked to the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and has sparked hopes for greater Christian unity.

• Developments at the Vatican: Security and technological enhancements have been made to St. Peter's Basilica in anticipation of the upcoming Jubilee year. Additionally, Pope Francis has reformed the Vatican's diplomatic academy, focusing on evangelization and raising its status as an institute of higher learning. The Vatican has also confirmed the suppression of all branches of the Sodalitium of Christian Life, a Peruvian group that has faced numerous abuse allegations.  

These are just some of the recent happenings within the Catholic Church as we observe this solemn Good Friday. It's a time of deep reflection on Christ's sacrifice, but also a time when the life and work of the Church continues in various ways around the world