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Hello, I'm Gina Christian, and you're listening to our OSV Newscast for Wednesday, October 7, 2026. Today is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, which commemorates the day in 1571 when the Christian forces of Europe's Holy League defeated the Ottoman Turks as they tried to take the island of Cyprus. Pope Pius V had called on all Christians to pray the Rosary ahead of what became the Battle of Lepanto. Those prayers were answered, and in 1572, Pope Pius V established the Feast of Our Lady of Victories, which his successor, Pope Gregory XIII, renamed Our Lady of the Rosary. Of course, we face many battles in life, primarily with sin and temptation, and the Church recommends praying the Rosary to gain the victory by drawing closer to Jesus through Mary. Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us. Now let's catch you up on the Catholic News of the Day, and here we go. Well, on October 18th, Catholics around the world will mark World Mission Sunday. And one expert told OSC News: a renewed energy infuses the annual celebration of the Church's missionary activity as it marks its 100th year. Earlier this week, I spoke with Father Anthony Andreassi, a priest of the Oratory of St. Philip Neary in Brooklyn, New York, and a researcher for the Pontifical Mission Society's USA. He told me there are more and more dioceses around the country that are finding innovative ways to tell the stories of missionaries and the need to support missionaries, the need to pray for missionaries. He said the institution of World Mission Sunday in 1926 has led to a greater emphasis on the role of missionary activity as central to the Church's mission, even in places where the church appears to be well established. The recent beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, who led the Society for the Propagation of the Faith for 16 years, has drawn increased attention to the missions. Father Andreassi said, above all, missionary outreach is central to the life of Christians everywhere, including the U.S., where many things still challenge or threaten the faith. And he added, missionary efforts must lead to an interior transformation. We're looking to convert hearts and minds. Days after Pope Leo XIV's late September visit to France, scenes of unrest have replaced the atmosphere of unity and peace that marked the Papal Trip. Riots that began in the Paris region on a small scale back on September 17th spread nationwide after September 28th, forcing closures or disruptions at nearly 900 of France's 3,700 public high schools by October 6th. Authorities say more than 5,000 people have been taken into custody and several hundred police officers have been injured. The protests are largely rooted in economic concerns, and they've drawn students, farmers, and political activists amid difficult budget negotiations, inflation, and rising energy costs. Bishop Hervé Gosselin of Angouleme lamented the contrast with the Pope's visit. He said, after those three days of serenity, the joy of being together and peace, reality quickly caught up with us. While acknowledging that some student concerns are serious and deserve attention, he stressed, violence is a failure and can never be justified. Church leaders have repeatedly called for dialogue over confrontation. Bishop Olivier Ducagnev Evro said, many young people face fears about climate change, unemployment, war, and social isolation. He said, in the face of violence, young people especially need to rediscover a path of dialogue. We must pray that this violence will cease, and he urged prayer and renewed dialogue to quell it. A new update from the excavation of Ireland's former St. Mary's mother and baby home in Tuam is challenging long-standing claims that children's remains were simply dumped at the site. Investigators report that all 109 sets of remains recovered so far show evidence of having been buried in coffins. The state-led excavation began in July 2025, and it's examining a location believed to contain the remains of nearly 800 infants and children who died at the institution between 1925 and 1961. According to the latest update on October 2nd, archaeologists uncovered 10 additional sets of remains during an 11-week period. Officials said forensic evidence supports earlier findings that the children had been placed in coffins, many of which later deteriorated over time. The home was operated by the Bon Secur sisters on behalf of the Irish government. The case gained international attention after local historian Catherine Corliss discovered death records for 796 children, but found no corresponding burial records. A 2017 investigation later identified significant human remains in underground chambers on the property. The sisters have contributed more than $2.8 million towards the excavation, and they've previously apologized for burial practices described as disrespectful and unacceptable. DNA collection and identification efforts continue, with excavation expected to run through 2027 and further analysis planned afterwards. Recognizing equal dignity and rights for men and women must be the foundation of a just and human-centered society. That's according to Archbishop Christophe El Cassis, Apostolic Nuncio and the Holy See's permanent observer to the United Nations. The Archbishop shared his thoughts yesterday during the UN's third committee meeting amid the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The committee sessions began on October 1st and run to November 20th, and they focused on human rights questions, including the advancement of women. Quoting Pope Leo XIV, the Archbishop stressed the need for concrete actions that demonstrate true equality and dignity between the sexes. However, he clarified that while women and men have equal dignity, equality does not mean sameness. He noted that policies discriminating against motherhood and family life, along with surrogacy and human trafficking, undermine true respect for women's rights. The Archbishop said, in the face of these challenges, the Holy See hopes that the recognition of equal dignity and rights for men and women will serve as a guiding principle for all multilateral commitments and form the foundation of a just and human-centered society. Mysticzka, or the mystic, opened on September 11th, and it tells the story of Lenchewska, a teacher who returned to the Catholic faith in her 50s after years away from the church. Following a profound conversion experience, she recorded what she believed were interior conversations with Jesus, and her journals later filled 900 pages. Director Jan Sobyski told OSV News Lenchevska's story is an extraordinary story of an ordinary woman. Actress Dorota Hotecka Patsura said she was not a saint, but a normal person. Like each of us, the Archdiocese of Szczecin Kamin has begun a broad examination of Lenchevska's life and writings, establishing a commission on July 1st to gather testimonies and study materials she left behind. Church officials stress the effort is not a beatification process, though historian and biographer Eva Chachkovska said such a cause could become possible in the future. Lenchevska, who died in 2012, is remembered for a life of prayer, sacrifice, and a message of hope that conversion is possible at any stage of life. And that's your OSV Newscast for today. I'm Gina Christian. Check out the show notes for a link to our website. That's where you can find the stories in this episode, plus so much more. Make sure to subscribe to this podcast, follow us on social media, and as always, bookmark osvnews.com. A shout out to our listeners around the world. I do love to see you check in. Drop us a line. Let us know what you think. Thanks so much for listening and God bless.

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