It would have been fun to witness, but we weren’t too disappointed. Seeing the cloud from a rocket launch all the way in Maryland would have been a bonus, but we will see something else special in the sky another day. It just didn’t happen for us today. catholicreview.org/what-we-s… #Blog #FaithBlog #commentary @OpenWindow_CR

When I was a teen, we all participated in community service while we were preparing to receive the sacrament of confirmation. I signed up for several activities, but the one I remember the best was making soup. My fellow teens and I would gather in the kitchen in the school at St. Mary in Govans. There was a man in charge of the soup-making operation, and I wish I could recall his name. He was a force. He was a leader and a teacher. He assigned us each a job, and he was incredibly patient with us while we learned it. But he was also our commander, keeping us focused on the task at hand. We might have had other thoughts on our arrival, but while we were in that kitchen, we had one job – to make soup. And it was going to be good. catholicreview.org/soup-time… #Commentary #Blog #FaithBlog @OpenWindow_CR

My friend’s dear mother was nearing the end of her life, and I had assured her that I would pray. So, I was praying. Most mornings, she was the first person on my mind. I would think of her throughout the day, and I would pause and ask God to give her the comfort, strength, and peace she needed as she said goodbye to her mom. One day my friend sent along a specific intention related to the needs of the moment, which I was all too happy to voice in my conversations with God. Of course, our father in heaven knows what we need before we ask, and I knew he was already holding my friend and her family in his hands. But praying for someone I love—or even for a stranger—allows me to participate in such a meaningful way. catholicreview.org/praying-f… #Commentary #Blog #FaithBlog @OpenWindow_CR

In this Oct. 4, 2026, episode of Catholic Review Radio, host Rita Buettner explores the life, legacy and enduring spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi as the Church marks the 800th anniversary of his death. Through conversations with Conventual Franciscan Father Michael Heine, provincial of Our Lady of the Angels Province, and Conventual Franciscan Father Gary Johnson, vicar provincial, listeners gain fresh insight into one of Christianity’s most beloved saints. Father Heine reflects on the dramatic conversion of St. Francis, from the son of a wealthy merchant to a follower of Christ who embraced poverty, simplicity, and service to the marginalized. He discusses Francis’ deep love for the Gospel, creation, and peace, as well as the saint’s continuing influence on Franciscan life and ministry today. Later, Father Johnson shares how Franciscan friars inspired his own vocation and explains the spiritual themes that continue to attract people to St. Francis centuries later. He highlights Francis’ profound love for Jesus, his commitment to gratitude, fraternity, and care for others, and his vision of peace in a divided world. Together, the guests reflect on Franciscan spirituality, the significance of the Transitus of St. Francis, and why the saint’s message remains as relevant today as it was 800 years ago. This inspiring conversation invites listeners to discover how the spirit of St. Francis can transform lives today. Listen to the #Podcast here: catholicreview.org/radio-int… or anywhere you listen to podcasts! @OpenWindow_CR

When I saw that St. Bernadette’s relics were coming to Baltimore this September, I looked at the schedule to see when I might be able to go. They would be at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, but I didn’t see a good time to make a brief visit. catholicreview.org/a-visit-t… #commentary #Blog #FaithBlog @OpenWindow_CR

I was hurrying into church on a busy morning, running just a few minutes late, when I heard the sound. The panel for the security system next to the church door was beeping. I went into the church and slipped into a pew. But the beeping carried into the church, so I could still hear it during Mass. It was persistent, beating a steady rhythm. Just when I was starting to get used to it, I heard the whir of a lawnmower start outside. catholicreview.org/praying-t… #FaithBlog #Blog #commentary @OpenWindow_CR

A “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to venerate relics of St. Bernadette Soubirous! The relics – rib fragments, kneecaps and samples of muscle, hair and skin from the French saint – were at the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes as one of the first stops on a “Journey of Grace” tour of 140 locations across the country. Also on hand were two sizable rocks from Lourdes, France. catholicreview.org/st-bernad… #LocalNews #Saints #WesternVicariate @GrottoofLourdes

Taking young children to Mass is so wonderful as they begin to discover God and their role in a faith community. But it can also be challenging. For a few years, my husband and I tried a “divide and conquer” approach. We would each take one of our children and sit separately. That was surprisingly effective, and our sons always remembered whose turn it was to be with which parent. You do what you have to do. catholicreview.org/front-row… #Commentary #Blog #FaithBlog @OpenWindow_CR

Rita Buettner @OpenWindow_CR speaks with Ilka Knüppel, author of “Finding Ruth: A Personal Story of Hitler’s Secret Euthanasia Program, Action T4.” Knüppel recounts the life of her great-aunt Ruth Muehlmann, a young woman with a disability who was murdered in 1941 as part of the Nazis’ secret program that systematically killed people with disabilities. She shares her years-long search through German archives, her visits to the institutions where Ruth lived and died, and the emotional journey of uncovering long-hidden family history. The author also reflects on how her Catholic faith sustained her while researching such profound evil and why remembering these forgotten victims is essential today. This conversation offers a powerful reminder of the dignity of every human person, the importance of confronting history honestly and the responsibility to protect the most vulnerable. Listen to the #podcast here: catholicreview.org/author-sh… or anywhere you listen to podcasts!

When you think of the Blessed Mother, how do you picture her? Most often, I think of her as a joyful new mother, holding her baby, the Savior of the World, in her arms. Those images are so beautiful and moving, showing motherhood at its most peaceful and serene. There is nothing like the wonder of holding a precious new life, a child with a whole future to experience. And, of course, Mary was holding an extraordinary child, a child who was the Son of God. But there are other images of our Blessed Mother, those showing her at her most sorrowful. catholicreview.org/our-mothe… #MarianDevotion #Commentary #Blog #FaithBlog @OpenWindow_CR

If you knew Jeff Nattans, you must remember his smile. He was always pleasant, always upbeat, and always eager to connect with people around him. I didn’t know Jeff personally, so when we talked in person, I never expected him to recall who I was. But whenever we connected, Jeff made me feel like I was just the person he wanted to see, the very person he was hoping to talk to at that moment. He was interested and engaged and curious in all the best ways. He generally didn’t really want to talk about himself, except to share his gratitude and enthusiasm for the people and organizations that had made an impact on his life. Jeff, who passed away this week at 59, had that way of making you feel seen and valued. He was a great listener who led with kindness and humility. And he did it all with that warm, genuine smile. catholicreview.org/the-gift-… #Commentary #Blog #faithBlog

Especially as the summer ends and a new school year begins, I am thinking of how our children rise to the occasion and dig deep to try new things. They plunge into harder classes and new social settings. They take on extracurricular activities that might stretch them and help them grow. They find themselves studying in a classroom with stricter standards or more complicated assignments. It’s a time of change and the start of another chapter in life. catholicreview.org/the-girl-… #Commentary #Blog #FaithBlog @ArchbaltSchools @OpenWindow_CR

For years, Tom Tirpak’s mother, Therese, thought about writing a book. She had a deep love for the Divine Mercy, and she wanted to share the personal stories and miracles in her life that reflected what she called Mercy Moments. She started writing some of her stories in a notebook, and she told others to one of her grandsons, who recorded them. After Therese passed away, Tom was moved to pull together his mother’s stories and reflections into a book, “Get on Board the Mercy Train: Journeys of a Marian Helper on the Road to Heaven.” Tom, who is an expert in business process management and Artificial Intelligence applications, is a published writer, but this book is his first major faith-based publication. In the Aug. 30, 2026, episode of Catholic Review Radio, Rita Buettner speaks with Tom about his own faith journey, describes how the book came to be, illuminates his mother’s deep Catholic faith, and talks about the impact he hopes the book will have on others. Tom also shares a powerful story of a miracle his mother recalled experiencing during the canonization of St. Faustina – a beloved family patron and the saint who awakened a love for the Divine Mercy among Catholics worldwide. Listen to the #podcast here: catholicreview.org/radio-int… or anywhere you listen to podcasts! @OpenWindow_CR

As I was driving home, I pulled off the highway and stopped at a light. I’ve sat at the end of that ramp many times. But today, I glanced up and saw a white SUV slowing down to make room for me to move in front of them. I was surprised. I’ve never had a car pause there so I could enter that stretch of road before. Everyone is always in a hurry. Suddenly, I realized the driver was waving vigorously at me. And I realized, “I know her! That’s Molly!” catholicreview.org/a-blessin… #Blog #FaithBlog #Commentary @OpenWindow_CR

Dolly was one of the good ones. It’s hard to believe that she won’t sing another song or create another production or launch another campaign to save whatever part of the world she can—helping children learn to read, fighting against Covid, and trying to make the world just a little better and a little brighter. As she once said, “I like trying to make people happy and lift people up and glorifying God. That’s my mission in life.” What a beautiful mission—a mission that anyone could embrace with success. @OpenWindow_CR catholicreview.org/dolly-we-… #rip #DollyParton #MusicLegend #InspiringWomen #RememberingDolly #Commentary #Blog #FaithBlog

What happens when 1,200+ people named Ryan get together? 🤔 Meet the **Ryan Meetup** — a growing series of gatherings where people named Ryan come together to make friends, celebrate their shared name and, this time, try to break a world record. One Baltimore-area Ryan, Ryan Butts, traveled to Minnesota for the latest meetup, where the Ryans took over the Mall of America’s “Ryancoaster.” 🎢 Did they break the record? Find out! catholicreview.org/ryan-meet… @OpenWindow_CR #RyanMeetup #Ryan #WorldRecord #MallOfAmerica #Minnesota #Baltimore #CatholicReview #Commentary #Blog #FaithBlog

Some might call the timing of the release of the latest Spider-Man movie on the Feast of St. Ignatius (July 31) coincidental. But I don’t tend to believe in coincidences. Instead, this is a chance to contemplate a few connections between our favorite arachnid-bitten superhero and the inspiring founder of the Jesuits. So, let’s consider how much these two great legends, one real and one fictional, have in common: catholicreview.org/two-heroe… #Commentary #Blog #FaithBlog @OpenWindow_CR