January 2026

The Mustard Seed

Rekindling Christ’s fire within ourselves

Glen Argan · January 9, 2026

In his final catechesis, given on December 20, Pope Leo focused on the generative nature of hope. That is, hope offers life instead of death. “Without hope, we are dead; with hope, we come to the light.”

Cardinals leave consistory with a clear vision from pontiff: 'A Church that cares'

At first consistory, pontiff shows his papacy will be one of continuity with the Gospel

Paulina Guzik · January 9, 2026

After an intense day of roundtable discussions, the "low-batteried" but "very pleased" cardinals wrapped the first historic extraordinary consistory convened by Pope Leo XIV. They left the consistory with a clear vision of the new pontiff for "a Church that cares."

Heavenly intercessor for Venezuela has family connection in Vancouver

Nicholas Elbers · January 9, 2026

As Pope Leo responded to the recent U.S. capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro by invoking the intercession of newly canonized Saint Jose Gregorio Hernandez, the moment carried special meaning for a B.C. man who is related to the Venezuelan saint.

Editorial

May peace be the victor

January 9, 2026

The familiar claim that war solves nothing must be balanced off with the acknowledged wisdom that peace is not the mere absence of war.

Program stresses Christ as centre of marriage

Redeemed sheds light on joy He brings to Holy Matrimony

Luke Mandato · January 10, 2026

Mississauga, Ont.’s Merciful Redeemer Parish’s young adults program is encouraging Catholic adults to rediscover Holy Matrimony in a new light, not as a worldly coming-of-age checklist event, but rather a Christ-centred path to true joy, fulfilment and discernment.

Among peace talks, Ukraine’s humanitarian crisis continues

Susan Korah · January 10, 2026

While political leaders debate the terms of a peace settlement in gilded halls of power, Ukrainians living in the nightmare of an ongoing war are struggling to survive and rebuild the tattered remnants of their lives, say those working on the ground with parishes, eparchies and local partners such as Caritas Ukraine.

The Bible: God speaks words of comfort, support and hope

Fr. Yaw Acheampong · January 10, 2026

On Sept. 30, 2019 — the Memorial of St. Jerome, Bishop and Doctor of the Church — Pope Francis established that “the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is to be devoted to the celebration, study and dissemination of the Word of God.” In establishing “Sunday of the Word of God,” the late Holy Father reminded us of the importance of reading the Bible as part of our faith practice.

B.C. Supreme Court to hear challenge on forcing faith-based hospitals to provide MAiD

Implications for religious freedom, institutional autonomy, health-care access

Canadian Catholic News · January 11, 2026

In a case with implications for religious freedom, institutional autonomy, and health-care access across Canada, a B.C. Supreme Court trial starting Monday will consider whether faith-based hospitals can be forced to provide euthanasia on-site.

Baptism provides light in darkness, gateway to heaven, Pope Leo says

Carol Glatz · January 12, 2026

Baptizing one's children is as essential as providing them with food and clothing, Pope Leo XIV told parents.

Alleged desecration of crucifix in classroom sparks controversy, national debate in Poland

Katarzyna Szalajko · January 12, 2026

An alleged desecration of a crucifix at a primary school in northern Poland has triggered nationwide outrage in the predominantly Catholic country.

St. Mike’s TEDx Talk redefines perspectives

Modern thinking brought to intersections of educational platforms

Luke Mandato · January 12, 2026

Even as an institution with 173 years of independent Catholic education and character formation behind it, Toronto’s St. Michael’s College School continues as it breaks new ground in student engagement with its inaugural TEDxYouth@SMCS event on Jan. 16.

A new lease on life for fire-ravaged Alberta parish

'Joyful moment' as Morinville parishioners welcome new church

Quinton Amundson · January 13, 2026

Poetically, in the Jubilee Year of Hope, the historic St. Jean Baptiste Parish in Morinville, Alta., rose again from the ashes.

Venezuelan Nobel laureate Machado asks Pope Leo for help in freeing political prisoners

Junno Arocho Esteves · January 13, 2026

Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel laureate María Corina Machado asked for Pope Leo XIV's help in securing the release of political prisoners in the country following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Pope Leo calls for peace and dialogue as protests continue in Iran

Junno Arocho Esteves · January 13, 2026

As anti-government protests in Iran continue despite an internet blackout and the use of lethal force against demonstrators, Pope Leo XIV expressed his concern over the escalating situation.

Drastic rise in Syrian persecution of Christians

Quinton Amundson · January 14, 2026

For the fourth consecutive year, North Korea was named the country where Christians face the most extreme persecution, according to Open Doors’ World Watch List 2026, but Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's dictatorship just over a year ago has propelled the Mideast nation up the list.

Freedom of religious expression on trial

Quinton Amundson · January 14, 2026

The Christian Heritage Party (CHP) of Canada and the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) are taking to the courts next month to defend freedom of political and religious expression.

Culture à la Carte

Nothing is alien about God’s creation

Sr. Helena Burns · January 15, 2026

On June 12, 2026, after a lengthy hiatus, Steven Spielberg will release his much-anticipated sci-fi movie entitled: “Disclosure Day” about extraterrestrial life making contact with Earth. The teaser shows a meteorologist (Emily Blunt) becoming possessed (yes, possessed) on air, and thus begins the dropping of the old UFO tropes.

The Mustard Seed

En garde before the Empire strikes us

Glen Argan · January 15, 2026

In earlier times, American military action in Venezuela and abduction of the country’s dictator might have been seen as just another takeover of a decrepit country that has something the U.S. wants – in many cases, oil. However, President Donald Trump has changed everything. The thin veil of bringing democracy and supposed prosperity to oppressed people is now nowhere to be found.

Pope Leo to ministers general of the Franciscan family

Catholic Register Staff · January 15, 2026

Pope Leo XVI’s letter to ministers general of the conference of the Franciscan family on the occasion of the opening of the eighth centenary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi.

Mother praises daughter’s care at St. Paul’s, describes ‘very quick’ MAiD transfer

B.C. Catholic · January 15, 2026

The mother of a Vancouver woman who was transferred from St. Paul’s Hospital to another facility for medical assistance in dying testified Tuesday that the doctors and nurses at St. Paul’s were “wonderful,” but said the transfer itself was “very, very quick”.