"The Power of Prayer: Siblings Paint St. Carlo's Encounter with Mary!"

Trivia Question❓

In Catholic tradition, which saint is known as the patron saint of animals and the environment?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Dear Friend in Christ,

Welcome to today’s HolyHighlights! In a world that feels loud and uncertain, the Church gives us treasures of prayer, courage, and sacred tradition. These stories remind us who we are and where God is calling us. Let’s dive in.

Unveiling the Hidden Symbolism of the Hail Mary Prayer

The Hail Mary stands as a central prayer in Catholic tradition, inviting believers into a deeper spiritual reflection.

Rooted in the Gospel of Luke, its first part echoes the Archangel Gabriel and Elizabeth’s words, greeting Mary as blessed and full of grace.

The Church later added the second half, urging Mary’s intercession for sinners, both now and at life’s end.

Symbolically, this prayer casts Mary as the earth who bears the divine—Jesus—mirroring ancient views where earth embodies openness and heaven represents divinity.

This imagery highlights Mary’s unique role in salvation, receiving the heavenly into the human world.

Each recitation, therefore, becomes more than ritual; it is a meditation on faith’s mysteries and a call for ongoing guidance through Mary’s intercession.

Pope Leo XIV: Tears Can Be the Most Powerful Prayer of All

Pope Leo XIV braved a rainy morning in St. Peter's Square to offer a heartfelt reflection on the spiritual power of tears, using Jesus’ final moments on the cross as inspiration.

He greeted pilgrims, blessing especially the children, before explaining that tears, far from weakness, express deep desires, surrender, and sincere prayer.

The Holy Father highlighted that in the Gospel, crying is not shameful but holds immense spiritual value—sometimes becoming a person’s deepest prayer when words run out.

Recalling Christ’s last cry from the cross, Pope Leo emphasized that this was not a moment of despair, but of full-hearted trust and ultimate love.

He urged the faithful not to suppress their tears, seeing them as gestures of hope and connection to God.

Afterward, the pope personally greeted newlyweds and people with disabilities, underlining his message of compassion and sincerity.

His words offered a moving reminder of the dignity found in every cry from the heart.

Siblings George Capps and Polly Capps Paule have revealed a new painting, The Consecration of Carlo Acutis, depicting a young St. Carlo Acutis in a mystical vision with Our Lady of Fatima.

This artwork moves beyond familiar images of Carlo, presenting him as a child receiving the Blessed Mother’s heart—an inspiration drawn from accounts of his early spiritual experiences.

The piece was commissioned by the Real Presence Education Foundation to visually represent a new parish-based ministry focused on family consecration through Carlo’s intercession.

Based out of St. Louis, the Goretti Fine Art team blends classical techniques with contemporary relevance, offering deeply spiritual, prayer-informed creations.

By honoring tradition yet engaging modern audiences, George and Polly aim to make churches havens of beauty and bring authentic sacred art to today’s faithful.

As Carlo Acutis nears canonization, their painting stands as a moving tribute to his legacy.