Minneapolis Victim Lourdes Blessing, Irish Missionary Freed, Pope Leo Birthday Gift (You Can Be a Part!), and More

Thanks for listening! Let us know what you think. God bless!Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for Sept. 3, 2025. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.In this episode:Blessing her forehead and both hands with holy water from Lourdes, France, as she lay unconscious in a hospital bed in Minneapolis, Auxiliary Bishop Michael J. Izen of St. Paul and Minneapolis prayed for 12-year-old Sophia Forchas, left in critical condition with head injuries when bullets tore through Annunciation's church in Minneapolis one week before. Law enforcement officials arrested an Alabama man after he allegedly made criminal threats against a Catholic church in Orange County, California, and a cache of ammunition and body armor was found in his vehicle, authorities said.An Irish missionary held hostage in Haiti has been freed after nearly a month in captivity. Pope Leo XIV publicly called on the leaders of Sudan's warring factions to negotiate an end to the violence and to ensure aid can reach desperate civilians.Pope Leo XIV turns 70 on Sept. 14, and OSV News is celebrating by gathering a host of prayers into a very special "spiritual birthday bouquet" for the Holy Father. The best part? Everyone can participate.