St. Louis Review

Faithful followed the Eucharist in a Corpus Christi procession around the grounds of the Gateway Arch on Sunday in downtown St. Louis. The procession started at the Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France (Old Cathedral) following the noon Mass, proceeded around the grounds of the Gateway Arch, made a stop on the stairs below the Arch for prayer and concluded back in the Old Cathedral.

More news from the Archdiocese of St. Louis at stlouisreview.com.

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Nine men were ordained as permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of St. Louis by Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski on Saturday at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. The new permanent deacons are Tim Brown, Michael Forget, David Friedrichs, John Hermann, Matthew Olinger, Matthew Surdyke, Daniel Watkins, Stephen Zaegel and Atilio Zardetto.

Read about the new permanent deacons here: https://www.stlouisreview.com/story/nine-men-to-be-ordained-as-permanent-deacons/

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On Saturday, June 6, at 10am, Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski will ordain nine men as permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of St. Louis at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.

Faithful are invited to attend the Ordination Mass or tune into the Cathedral Basilica's livestream.

Please keep these men in your prayers as they prepare to receive the sacrament of holy orders.

To learn more about the nine soon-to-be permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, read their full profiles: https://www.stlouisreview.com/story/nine-men-to-be-ordained-as-permanent-deacons/

Portraits by Jacob Wiegand.

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage marked its first full weekend with events in the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina.

After the pilgrimage's May 24 kickoff in St. Augustine, Florida, the route's "perpetual pilgrims" have accompanied Jesus as they've traveled from Florida to Georgia, South Carolina, and now North Carolina. Along the way, parishes have hosted Mass, eucharistic adoration, and processions with the Eucharist.

The pilgrims expect to accompany Jesus in the Eucharist from Florida to Maine, with the pilgrimage concluding in Philadelphia with events coinciding with the United States’ 250th birthday celebration.

Want to learn more about the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage? Read our full story: https://www.stlouisreview.com/story/national-eucharistic-pilgrimage-commemorates-catholic-history/

OSV News photos, taken by George Martell

As Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozansk reflected on Pope Leo XVI’s new encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas,” he said the pope is asking us to consider the moral questions of what it means to be human in a digital age.

While artificial intelligence can mimic language and perform astonishing tasks, it is also “soulless” and can never replicate the interior life of the human person or the ability to apply faith and ethics to real decisions, Archbishop Rozanski said.

Want to learn more? Visit stlouisreview.com to read Archbishop Rozanski's full reflection: https://www.stlouisreview.com/story/archbishop-rozanski-pope-leo-magnifica-humanitas-encyclical-highlights/

The rites and symbols of the liturgy are not arbitrary ceremonies but the means through which Catholics encounter God and are formed in faith, Pope Leo XIV said on June 3.

Continuing his series on the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, “Sacrosanctum Concilium,” the pope reflected on the role of rites, signs and symbols in Catholic worship during his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square.

Pope Leo cited the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which teaches that their meaning is rooted in creation, human culture and salvation history, and fully revealed in Christ.

He pointed to water as one of Christianity’s most significant symbols, recalling its role in several stories in Scripture.

“When we are sprinkled with holy water, our awareness of the gift received at baptism and our commitment to new life in Christ is rekindled,” he said.

The pope also highlighted symbolic actions such as kneeling and exchanging the sign of peace, saying they foster a sense of belonging and help create “authentic ecclesial relationships.”

Read more of the Holy Father's message from June 3: https://www.stlouisreview.com/story/popes-message-liturgical-rites-and-symbols-reveal-gods-presence/

In light of recent clergy appointments, have you been wondering how priests are assigned?

Father John Brockland, episcopal vicar for clergy, discussed with us the process of priest assignments in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

Careful planning and open conversations are a large part of priest assignments through the archdiocesan Priest Personnel Board. The board, composed of seven elected priests and other ex officio members, considers the pastoral needs of each parish and the unique skill sets of each priest. Their feedback is provided to Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski.

The Personnel Board typically meets from September through May, with the goal of making larger priest reassignments around the ordination of new priests in late May. Changes from this round of clergy assignments will go into effect on July 1.

Read our full story: https://www.stlouisreview.com/story/how-priests-are-assigned/

Every baptized Catholic is marked as priest, prophet, and king.

In addition to this common priesthood, there’s another path to participate in the mission of Christ in a particular way: the ministry conferred by the sacrament of holy orders.

Understanding holy orders starts with understanding baptism, said Father Mark Wedig, OP, a sacramental theologian and president of Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis. Like baptism and confirmation, the sacrament of holy orders imparts a permanent spiritual character on the recipient.

“There’s a radical change in the person themselves, and that has to do with them being configured to Christ in a particular way,” Father Wedig said.

There are three degrees of holy orders: episcopate (bishop), presbyterate (priests), and diaconate (transitional and permanent deacons).

The ministerial priesthood adds a sacred power for the service of the faithful, which is exercised through teaching, divine worship, and pastoral governance.

Through the ordained minister, then, “it is Christ Himself who is present to His Church as Head of His Body, shepherd of His flock, high priest of the redemptive sacrifice, Teacher of Truth,” (CCC 1548).

Learn more about the sacrament of holy orders: https://www.stlouisreview.com/story/holy-orders-configures-men-to-christ/

📷️: Jerry Naunheim Jr.

How do we recruit more priests and religious?

Vocations involve an intersection between God’s invitation and our free will.

God didn’t force Mary to become the mother of God. He invited her, and she freely answered, “Yes.” Yet, we often act as if only Mary or “really holy people” are called by God to live out a particular vocation.

We are often comfortable promoting vocations in general, from other people’s families. Are you comfortable with God choosing priests from among your own family and loved ones? Are you open to God calling your daughter or granddaughter to be a cloistered nun? Are you open to God calling you to be a priest?

God has a plan for you and your loved ones. Are you willing to listen to His call and prioritize His plan over your own?

Read the full reflection by Father Tony Ritter: https://www.stlouisreview.com/story/dear-father-following-gods-will-leads-to-greatest-joy/

St. Louis Catholic Academy welcomed a large group of young people into the Church on Pentecost Sunday — the second straight year for the school.

Eleven students received the sacraments of initiation at St. Josephine Bakhita Parish, and two more are expected to receive the sacraments soon.

The invitation began during an all-school Mass. After blessing the congregation before Communion and speaking about Jesus’ prayer for unity, St. Josephine Bakhita pastor Father Mitch Doyen invited non-Catholic students to consider taking the next step. Teachers wrote down the names of interested students, and school and parish leaders followed up with their parents.

Students received a combination of sacraments, including baptism, Eucharist, and confirmation.

The St. Vincent de Paul conference at Ascension Parish in Chesterfield donated first Communion dresses and veils, suit jackets and ties, blessed rosaries, and Miraculous Medal bracelets, among other items, for their big day.

Read more: https://www.stlouisreview.com/story/st-louis-catholic-academy-receives-large-group-into-church/

Photo courtesy of Baylen Whitfield