Breaking News

Catholic travel destinations throughout the world

Home » Breaking News

Major nor’easter off the North Carolina and Virginia coast may affect travel plans

by

If you are traveling by air this weekend, we want you to be aware of possible disruption of your plans. A major nor’easter has developed off the North Carolina and Virginia coast and is forecast to bring hurricane‑force winds, heavy rain, coastal flooding, and rough surf from the Mid‑Atlantic into New England. The storm formed early this week just offshore of the Carolinas and Virginia and is expected to strengthen as it moves north along the Atlantic coast. Meteorologists warn it could deliver wind gusts up to 50–60 mph and waves of 15–18 ft.

Impacts begin midweek (Sep 23) along the central Atlantic coast, spreading to New England Friday (Sept 25) and lasting through the weekend in some areas. Northeast coastal winds gusting up to 50 mph through Thursday; and possible 60–70 mph gusts if the low pressure shifts close to Boston. Boston metro could see 5–8 inches of rain between Friday and Sunday; Cape Cod may experience tropical‑storm‑level conditions. High tides combined with strong winds will cause minor to moderate tidal flooding in most tidal areas from northeastern North Carolina through Massachusetts.

Risk areas

Mid‑Atlantic: Coastal North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland.

Northeast: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and especially Massachusetts (Boston metro, Cape Cod).

New England: Southeastern Massachusetts, parts of New Hampshire and Maine.   

Coastal flood warnings and advisories are in effect for most tidal areas through Thursday night or Friday. Residents in affected zones should prepare for multi‑day disruption and possible power outages.

This is a long‑duration, high‑impact storm with the potential for severe coastal flooding, dangerous surf, and damaging winds. If the low pressure moves close to Boston, conditions could be catastrophic.

Mariners, coastal residents, and anyone in the storm’s path should monitor official forecasts and follow local emergency alerts.

Needless to say, if you are traveling from the Mid-Atlantic or Northeast Coast of the U.S. this weekend, your plans could…and likely will, be disrupted.

If you are traveling with a group, you will probably be contacted by the tour operator to let you know of any changes to the itinerary.

Home » Breaking News

AQVA Exhibition at the Vatican Apostolic Library

by

Water is something we all tend to take for granted, except for those times when there is not enough–or too much–or, as is the case in some parts of the world, it is unsafe to drink.

“AQVA” is the inaugural exhibition of the Vatican Apostolic Library’s new five‑year cycle Catastrophe and Wonder (Catastrofe e Meraviglia), inaugurated on September 14, 2026 by Pope Leo XIV.

“AQVA” (Catastrophe and Wonder – Year I, 2026–2027) marks the beginning of a new multi‑year exhibition program at the Vatican Apostolic Library. It examines water’s dual nature—life‑giving and destructive—through an immersive, interdisciplinary installation.

♦ Water as threat: floods, decay, and the vulnerability of manuscripts.

♦ Water as resource: life, renewal, and cultural inspiration.

The exhibit focuses on natural elements as metaphors for humanity’s fears and hopes, especially threats to written heritage such as water, fire, light, insects, and human intervention. The exhibition pairs rare Vatican manuscripts, books, engravings, and cookbooks with contemporary works, also addressing water damage to heritage items and restoration.

Central historical piece

Ippolito Salviani’s Aquatilium animalium historia (1557), a landmark Renaissance treatise on aquatic animals (celebrating its 470th anniversary).

Featured artworks by artists

JR (French artist): “Diluvium”: A monumental site-specific installation (roughly 230 feet (70 meters) long , up to 98 feet (~30 meters) high, covering the Library’s façade. Inspired by Gustave Doré’s depiction of the Great Flood, it evokes the vulnerability of knowledge and memory (and alludes to climate change). It is the first such exterior commission for the building.

Bill Moran (American typographer): “Letterfishes”: Typographic/marine artworks creating sea creatures from letters, integrating letterpress and typographic design with the Library’s heritage, inspired by historical sources.

Fulvio Pierangelini (Italian chef): linking culinary culture, ecology, and the materiality of water culinary‑thematic contributions connecting gastronomy with the exhibition’s themes.

Two exceptional copies of Ippolito Salviani’s Aquatilium animalium historia (1557): a Renaissance masterpiece combining scientific study of fish, fine engraving, and culinary culture are displayed in honor of the 470th anniversary of its publication, originally funded by the Vatican Library.

The exhibit continues through spaces linking the Vatican Library’s heritage with aquatic themes and contemporary artistic languages and concludes in the Barberini Hall, transformed into a contemplative environment.

Note: We, as Christians, are called to care for our physical surroundings, but Catholic voices argue that key segments of the movement have adopted naturalistic or neo-pagan premises, overstated certainty on complex climate models or policy efficacy, and subordinated human dignity.

Home » Breaking News

Opening of the new campus of Ave Maria University at Mount Melleray Abbey, Ireland

by

Famous American Catholic university Ave Maria University has officially opened its Ireland campus at historic Mount Melleray Abbey in County Waterford. The opening Mass was celebrated by Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan of Waterford and Lismore.Mount Melleray Abbey was a historic Cistercian (Trappist) monastery on the slopes of the Knockmealdown Mountains near Cappoquin, County Waterford. It was founded in 1833 as the first post-Reformation Cistercian house established in Ireland in the post-Reformation period. It has served as a major Trappist community for nearly 200 years.

It was officially closed as an active monastic community in early 2025. By the time it closed, the community was down to single figures, yet the facilities were still there in a beautiful, peaceful setting. Now, Ave Maria University will be using the famous monastery as a campus, keeping it open for Catholic purposes. Ave Maria University was founded by Tom Monaghan, who created Domino’s Pizza and his known for his Catholic philanthropic works.

The opening Mass was celebrated by Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan of Waterford and Lismore.

Their main campus is Ave Maria, Florida.

Home » Breaking News

Delta and United Resume Nonstop New York–Tel Aviv Flights

by

The situation in Israel has greatly improved. People are returning to the Holy Land, and flights from the U.S. are as well! Delta resumed nonstop service from New York to Tel Aviv and so has United. 

Delta’s restart followed a security review and is its primary transatlantic gateway to Israel; other Delta Israel routes (e.g., Atlanta, Boston) remain suspended.  Delta Airlines will offer daily service from New York using the Airbus A330‑900neo (neo stands for “new engine Option”), offering Delta One®, Premium Select, Comfort, and Main Cabin. 

Delta flight #234 departs JFK at 3:40 p.m.(15:30) local time, arrives TLV at 9:25 a.m. (09:25) the following day,

The return flight, Delta flight #235  leaves TLV departs 11:35 a.m. (11:35) local time and  arrives JFK at 5:00 p.m. (17:00).

United Airlines began two daily Newark–Tel Aviv flights on September 8. United’s Newark–Tel Aviv service had been suspended since March 2026 amid regional conflict; this restart is part of a broader U.S.–Israel service rebuild. Service resumed on September 8, 2026, with two daily flights from Newark Liberty International (EWR) to Tel Aviv using a Boeing 787-10, which seats 318 passengers.

United flight #84 departs Newark (EWR) at 3:55 p.m. (15:55) and arrives Tel Aviv (TLV) at  9:20 am (09:20) the following day.

United flight #90 departs Newark (EWR) at 11:35 pm (23:35) and arrives Tel Aviv (TLV) at 5:00 p.m. (17:00) the following day.

Both airlines’ schedules are subject to security and operational conditions; check Delta.com or United.com for the latest updates.

Other airlines, including European carriers, are also planning Tel Aviv returns later in fall.

El Al, Israel’s flag carrier, has continued service from New York’s JFK Airport with no interruption. You can visit their website here.

Home » Breaking News

Pope Leo XIV grants Jubilee Year dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe

by

Pope Leo XIV Grants Jubilee Year for Our Lady of Guadalupe from October 12, 2026 – October 12, 2027

Pope Leo XIV has declared a Guadalupan Jubilee Year to mark the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the new Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City and the transfer of the sacred image of the Virgin to the current shrine on October 12, 1976.

This year also coincides with the 131st anniversary of the pontifical coronation of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes, Archbishop Primate of Mexico, announced the jubilee with “profound joy and gratitude” and invited the faithful to attend the solemn Mass marking the start of the jubilee on October 12 at noon at the Basilica. The Archdiocese of Mexico has scheduled a series of liturgical and cultural events in the days leading up to the opening, including Lauds, Masses, Vespers, a Rosary, concerts, and the opening of the Holy Door.

The primate archbishop encouraged Catholics to use this period for spiritual renewal and conversion under the protection of Our Lady of Guadalupe, recalling her invitation: “Am I not here, I who am your Mother?”.

During the jubilee, the faithful who visit the Basilica of Santa María de Guadalupe with devotion and a contrite spirit, participate in a liturgical act, or spend time in prayer there, may receive a plenary indulgence for themselves or apply it to the souls in Purgatory.

To obtain it, they must also fulfill the usual Church conditions:

Sacramental confession

Eucharistic Communion

Recitation of the Creed

or the 500th anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions to St. Juan Diego, with the next Guadalupan Jubilee planned for 2031

Beginning October 12, 2026 pilgrims traveling to The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City will be able to receive a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions.

The Jubilee will continue through October 2027.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for the Americas.

Home » Breaking News

Archbishop challenges Catholics to walk to Shrine in Angola

by

Archbishop Filomeno do Nascimento Vieira Dias of Angola’s Archdiocese of Luanda has challenged Catholics to undertake a 81-mile (130-kilometer) pilgrimage on foot to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Conception of Muxima, describing the journey as an opportunity to unite physical sacrifice with faith, prayer and communion among Angolan families.

Archbishop Dias made the appeal Thursday, August 13, during a press conference at the Archbishop’s House in Luanda, where he officially presented the Archdiocese’s first organized walking pilgrimage to the historic shrine.

The pilgrimage is scheduled for September 4–5, 2026, and Archbishop Dias said he will personally participate in the initiative.

“Choosing to walk represents a concrete way of uniting physical effort with faith and with the intentions that pilgrims will take to Muxima,” the Agolan Catholic Archbishop said.

He described the decision to walk as an expression of faith and sacrifice, saying pilgrims would be able to associate their physical effort with their prayers and intentions before God.

“There are other pilgrimages that we have organized in recent years. We go in caravans, buses, cars, etc., but on foot, this is the first,” he said.

Archbishop Dias said pilgrimages to Muxima date back to the 17th century, when Catholics travelled individually, as families or in small groups to the shrine.

“Not organized as they are today, but people would leave individually, as families, with a neighbour, with another neighbour, to Muxima,” he recalled.  The Catholic Archbishop said the initiative differs from previous pilgrimages to Muxima because it seeks to bring Catholics together along the same route and revive an ancient tradition of walking to places of spiritual significance.

He described the shrine as a place with a long history and a deep connection with the Catholic faithful of Angola.

Home » Breaking News

Midland, Texas: Traditional Latin Mass added

by

Beginning Sunday, August 30, Saint Ann’s Catholic Church in Midland, TX, will become the home to a monthly Traditional Latin Mass celebrated according to the 1962 Missal.

This Mass will be offered on the last Sunday of each month at 3:00 p.m. in the Holy Family Chapel at St. Ann’s Church.

It’s their hope that this time will enable people from West Texas (Lubbock, Amarillo, and El Paso) and Southeastern New Mexico (Las Cruces) to join them for this celebration. This is just a beginning as the diocese discerns a path forward to provide for their people.

Other priests of the diocese will be learning the Traditional Latin Mass in the weeks and months ahead.

The weekly Traditional Latin Mass at St. Margaret’s Church in San Angelo will remain unchanged.

Home » Breaking News

Why is Poland such a hot destination?

by

No, we’re not talking about the temperature…..summer is relatively mild: August temps in Krakow average high 76F, low 58F (24c high to 14c low).

What we are talking about is the fact that Poland has surged in popularity in 2026. It is recording record-breaking visitor numbers, thanks to a strong value-for-money, and a mix of cultural, natural, and seasonal appeal. Poland attracted over 21 million international tourists in 2025, the first time that figure has been exceeded, and total accommodation stays rose 11% year-on-year.  This year is shaping up to be even better.

This growth has made it one of Europe’s fastest-growing tourism markets, ranking second only to Malta in EU growth rate. Hotels are seeing a quarter of all guests as foreign tourists, with Germans, Britons, and Czechs leading arrivals. Travelers are increasingly choosing Poland over crowded southern European destinations because of cooler summer temperatures, lower costs, and easy access to lakes, mountains, and Baltic beaches. Poland’s medieval cities like Kraków and Warsaw, UNESCO-listed Old Towns, vibrant markets, and rich cuisine are major draws.

And, with its rich Catholic history, Poland offers many sites that will make your trip memorable, so check out these locations.

When winter comes, you will find major draws in Christmas markets, festive traditions, and seasonal foods like pierogi and makowiec.

Airline networks have expanded, making it easier to reach Poland from across Europe and Asia. This has reduced reliance on traditional travel corridors and brought in more visitors from Western and Southern Europe, North America and even Asia.

Poland offers a blend of history, nature, and modern culture—from alpine air in Zakopane to the sea breeze of Gdańsk—while still being budget-friendly. It’s also popular for short breaks, multi-stop itineraries, and group travel.

In short, Poland’s combination of affordable prices, diverse attractions, improved infrastructure, and seasonal appeal has made it one of Europe’s most sought-after destinations in 2026.

 

Home » Breaking News

A new saint in June 2026: Saint Peter ToRot

by

In June 2026, Pope Leo XIV proclaimed Peter ToRot as a saint.

St Peter ToRot (yes, we know, it doesn’t quite sound saintly) stands as one of the most luminous lay martyrs of the twentieth century. Born in Papua New Guinea in 1912, he grew up in a family deeply committed to the Catholic faith. His father served as village chief and encouraged Peter’s early desire to serve the Church. Peter eventually became a catechist, a role that demanded both pastoral care and moral leadership in a region where Christianity was still young and vulnerable.

When Japanese occupation forces outlawed Christian gatherings and attempted to impose polygamy, Peter refused to abandon the sacraments or the dignity of Christian marriage. He continued to teach, pray with families, and defend the sanctity of matrimony even when threatened with imprisonment. His fidelity led to his arrest and eventual death in 1945 after being secretly poisoned in his cell. The Church honors him as a martyr because he died in defense of the faith and the moral law.

The Church recognized him as a saint because of his heroic virtue, steadfast faith, and martyrdom during World War 2.

St Peter’s life speaks powerfully to the modern world. He reminds us that holiness is not reserved for clergy or religious but is fully attainable in the ordinary life of a layperson. His courage challenges believers to uphold truth even when it is unpopular or dangerous. His devotion to family life encourages all Christians to protect the dignity of marriage and to nurture faith within the home. His quiet perseverance shows that sanctity often grows in hidden places, nourished by prayer, charity, and fidelity to God.

Prayer for the Intercession of St Peter ToRot:

St Peter strong in faith and grace, who walked with Christ through trial’s fire.

Defend our homes in every place, and lift our hearts to God’s desire.

Teach us to stand when truth is tried and trust in God, who casts out shade.

To walk with courage at our side to guard the vows that love has made.

O martyr pure and servant true, pray that our souls may never part.

From Christ who daily makes us new, and writes His law upon our heart

St Peter guide us on our way, and keep us faithful day by day. Amen

Sources

Catholic News Agency. 2026. Peter To Rot canonized in Vatican ceremony.

Home » Breaking News

First commercial flights from the U.S. to Venezuela since 2019

by

U.S. airlines suspended direct flights to Venezuela in 2019 due to safety, security concerns, crime risks, and U.S. government advisories (including potential detention of American citizens).

The U.S. Department of Transportation and Department of Homeland Security lifted the formal suspension of direct passenger and cargo flights earlier in 2026 (with the DHS notice retroactively effective around mid-April). This followed broader policy shifts, including after the reported capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The resumption is widely seen as a sign of thawing relations and improved conditions for travel and commerce between the two countries.

First scheduled flights from U.S. to Venezuela in 7 yearsAmerican Airlines received approvals and loaded the route into its schedule: direct flights go from Miami to Caracas (MIA-CCS/MAR), flying time a little over 3 hours. Tickets are now available for purchase. The resumption is subject to final government approvals and security assessments from both sides.

This marks the first regular U.S. commercial passenger service to Venezuela since the 2019 halt. Other airlines may follow, but American is leading the restart. Early bookings are primarily expected to consist of Venezuelan diaspora visiting family, business travelers, and individuals returning to the country. With over 1 million Venezuelan immigrants in the U.S. as of 2024, the demand is largely driven by family reunification rather than religious tourism. 

As a predominantly Catholic country, Venezuela has several Catholic places of interest that will no doubt appeal to Catholic travelers.

Venezualian mystic Maria EsperanzaFor those of you who traveled to Betania, Venezuela to see the mystic Maria Esperanza, this may bring back some memories……since this was the route most often taken from the U.S. to Cracas back in the 1990’s.  In fact, there were  pilgrimages to Betania most months of the year. 

Once Maria died…and the government became more repressive, interest in traveling to Betania naturally faded away.   However, there were other points of interest as well, especially the Eucharistic Miracle reported in Los Teques, Venezuela.

Despite the resumption of commercial flights from the U.S., the current U.S. State Department Travel Advisory for Venezuela (as of March 19, 2026) is Level 3 – Reconsider Travel due to risks of crime, kidnapping, terrorism, and poor health infrastructure. Some areas carry an even higher Level 4 risk (Do Not Travel).

This is an improvement from the previous Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory. The update removed specific indicators for “wrongful detention,” “unrest,” and “other” risks, coinciding with the phased resumption of U.S. embassy operations in Venezuela (starting January 2026) and the restart of direct flights. However, the core concerns remain significant.

Here is the link to the U.S. State Department.