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Upcoming traditionalist France pilgrimage, Diocese of St. Augustine's Catholic history, Pope Leo's message to Villanova graduates

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Hello, I'm Maggie Murray of OSV News, and this is your OSV Newscast for Wednesday, May 20th, 2026. Let's catch you up on the Catholic News of the Day. In France, tens of thousands of Catholics are preparing for the annual Paris to Chart Pentecost pilgrimage as church leaders navigate renewed tensions surrounding the traditional Latin Mass and divisions among traditionalist groups. Organizers expect around 20,000 pilgrims to participate in the 60-mile walk from May 23rd to 25th, with this year's theme focused on the mission. U.S. Cardinal Raymond Burke is scheduled to celebrate the closing mass at Chart Cathedral. Pilgrims will spend nights camping along the route while volunteers transport luggage between stops. The event comes amid renewed friction between the Vatican and the Society of St. Pius X, or SSPX, after the group announced plans for episcopal ordinations without papal approval. Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, warned such ordinations could amount to schism and carry penalties, including excommunication. Organizers of the pilgrimage emphasized their loyalty to the Pope and expressed concern that the SSPX situation could reopen old wounds among traditionalist Catholics in France. At the same time, they say interest in traditional pilgrimages continues growing, especially among younger Catholics seeking deeper expressions of faith. Today, a coalition of Catholic bishops from the U.S.-Mexico border region is warning Congress about what they describe as the human consequences of a massive new immigration enforcement proposal. In a May 20th letter to lawmakers, 14 bishops expressed grave concern over legislation that would provide an additional $72 billion for immigration enforcement efforts. The measure advanced through Senate committees the same day the bishops released their statement. Signers included Archbishop Gustavo Garcia Sierra of San Antonio, Archbishop John Wester of Santa Fe, Bishop Mark Seites of El Paso, and Bishop Michael Fam of San Diego. The bishops noted the proposal would add to a previously approved $142 billion package directed toward immigration arrest, detention, and deportation efforts. In their letter, the bishops argued that many immigrants being targeted have committed no crimes and have established lives and families in the United States. Framing the issue as both moral and pastoral, the bishops called on lawmakers to consider the human impact of expanded immigration enforcement policies and their effects on vulnerable communities. Looking ahead to this weekend, organizers of the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage are emphasizing that the story of America begins not only with politics and independence, but also with Catholic worship. The pilgrimage, themed One Nation Under God, will begin May 24th in the Diocese of St. Augustine, Florida, at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios, recognized as the oldest site of the continuous Catholic presence in the United States. St. Augustine itself was founded in 1565 by Spanish Catholic explorer Pedro Menendez de Aviles, making it the nation's oldest continuously inhabited European founded city and home to the country's oldest parish, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine. Church leaders note that one of the earliest masses celebrated in what would become the U.S. took place there in 1565, following the arrival of Spanish settlers and their priest chaplain. Jason Shanks, president of the National Eucharistic Congress, said the pilgrimage intentionally begins in St. Augustine to remind Americans that worship and faith preceded the nation's political founding. Organizers say the pilgrimage will connect Eucharistic devotion with reflection on America's semi-quincentennial anniversary. In Seattle, Archbishop Paul Etienne is calling Catholics to rediscover devotion to the sacred heart of Jesus, describing it as a spiritual response to a wounded and divided world. In a pastoral letter released May 18th, the Archbishop said devotion to the Sacred Heart is more timely than ever because it points believers back to the love and mercy of Christ. The document, titled Learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart, encourages families to enthrone images of the sacred heart in their homes and urges parishes to revive First Friday devotions, both practices that have declined in many places over recent decades. Archbishop Etienne also challenged clergy to return frequently to the heart of Christ as the source of their vocation, especially during what he described as a time of strain and complexity. The pastoral letter comes as U.S. bishops prepare to consecrate the nation to the sacred heart of Jesus during America's 250th anniversary celebrations. Reflecting on the upcoming consecration, Archbishop Etienne asked Catholics to imagine what it would look like for the country to live out mutual love, respect, peace, and care for neighbor. At Villanova University in Pennsylvania, Pope Leo XIV delivered a message to graduating students encouraging them to carry forward the Augustinian values of truth, unity, and charity, while reflecting on the founding principles of the United States. The message was shared during Villanova's May 19th commencement ceremony by University President Father Peter Donahue. Pope Leo, who graduated from Villanova in 1977 with a mathematics degree, when he was still known as Robert Privost, urged the class of 2026 to remember both their Catholic formation and the ideals upon which the nation was founded. In his remarks, the Pope quoted the Declaration of Independence, repeating the famous line that all people are created equal and endowed by their creator with inalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The message connected Villanova's Augustinian identity with broader civic responsibility as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary. By highlighting truth, unity, and charity, Poplio encouraged graduates to bring faith, service, and moral leadership into public life as they move on to the next stage of their vocations and careers. And that's your OSV Newscast for today. I'm Maggie Murray of OSV News. Check out the show notes for direct links to the stories in this episode. Make sure to subscribe to this podcast, follow us on social media, and bookmark osvnews.com. Thanks so much for listening and God bless. This has been an OSV News production. To learn more, visit osvnews.com.

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