The MLB Takes on Religious Liberty

The MLB Takes on Religious Liberty

June 17th, 2026 - Happy feast of St. Botulph! Pope Leo said yesterday he may still attempt once more to convince the leadership of the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) to reverse course on the illicit episcopal ordinations that the Vatican has said would result in excommunication. An independent British inquiry released a 219-page report yesterday, concluding that organized networks of predominantly Pakistani Muslim men sexually exploited as many as 250,000 girls and women across the United Kingdom over several decades while police, social workers, and politicians repeatedly failed to intervene or suppressed evidence of abuse. Jeremy Clarkson, a British television legend and the former face of “Top Gear”, has revealed a prostate cancer diagnosis, saying the cancer is aggressive, but was caught early, and treatment begins soon. Major League Baseball (MLB) told three San Francisco Giants pitchers they had violated uniform rules after they wrote Bible verses on their "Pride Night" caps during a June 12 game. The Trump Administration is continuing to increase sanctions on Cuba, which is being felt by those who live on the island.  Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org [https://thestationofthecross.com/riseright]

The UK Social Media Ban - Good or Bad?

June 16th, 2026 - Happy feast of St. Lutgardis! 8 Americans were reported killed yesterday after an Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed shortly after takeoff for a test flight from Edwards Air Force Base in California. The cause of the crash is under investigation. Please pray for the repose of those killed. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz restated yesterday that the nation would not withdraw its troops from land Israel has captured in Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu also stated in an address that the Trump administration’s deal with Iran is President Donald Trump’s “decision” and not Israel's. Trump is reportedly pressuring Israel strongly to withdraw from Lebanon by Friday. A large-scale Russian missile and drone attack struck Kyiv early June 15, damaging the historic Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery complex and killing at least five people in the Ukrainian capital, Ukrainian officials said. Pope Leo’s brother, Louis Prevost, was spotted chatting with Vice President JD Vance during Trump’s UFC event at the White House. Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance discussed their family’s Mass attendance practices ahead of the release of Vance’s memoir, explaining that having a priest celebrate Mass at their home is “one of the rare privileges of this life.” The FBI and its law enforcement partners disrupted an alleged plot targeting this weekend’s UFC Freedom 250 event in Washington, DC. Five people were in custody as of yesterday, and investigators identified 23 people as part of a potential network of plotters. The alleged plan involved using explosive-laden drones to hit buildings near the event, force a mass evacuation and steer crowds toward a pre-staged sniper team. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org [https://thestationofthecross.com/riseright]

Peace in Iran...FINALLY?

June 15th, 2026 - Happy feasts of Ss. Vitus, Germaine Cousin & Bernard! After the Trump administration announced it was hours away from finalizing the Iran deal to end hostilities, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered strikes on Beirut, Lebanon, a move Trump decried for nearly scuttling the effort to end the war. Trump said he was "very angry" that Netanyahu struck Lebanon, accusing the Israeli leader of having no discretion or judgment. The U.S. and Iran have officially come to an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and cease hostilities as they continue negotiations throughout today. Vice President JD Vance told "CBS Sunday Morning" that he expects the President to be "very supportive" of whatever Vance and second lady Usha Vance decide regarding a potential presidential run. The Scottish girls who became famous online for wielding a knife and hatchet, one of whom came to be known as ‘Sophie Of Dundee’ were vindicated in court, when their aggressors were formally convicted. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org [https://thestationofthecross.com/riseright]

Pope Leo's Nuance on Migration

June 12th, 2026 - Happy feast of the Sacred Heart, along with Pope St. Leo III! President Trump canceled his proposed strikes against Iran, citing progress on a Memorandum of Understanding that is expected to be signed on Sunday. Details include cessation of hostilities, the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran’s commitment to not seek nuclear armament. The White House issued a presidential message yesterday supporting the U.S. bishops’ consecration of the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. At the consecration event, new papal nuncio Archbishop Gabriele Caccia struck a tone of support and friendship with the US bishops, which many noted was markedly different from the previous nuncio’s often antagonistic relationship with American prelates. Cardinal Raymond Burke will be celebrating Mass for the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and enthroning the Sacred Heart at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe today at 5PM Eastern Time There will be a livestream, if you would like to watch and pray along. In a shocking announcement that included reports of serial child abuse, DHS announced that they have found some of the unaccompanied children who were lost by the Biden Administration. Supporters of Karmelo Anthony, who was just convicted in the murder of Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet, have been threatening jurors with violence. Jacksonville police are investigating videos showing assaults of those who look like jurors.  Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org [https://thestationofthecross.com/riseright]

Fully Funded!

June 11th, 2026 - Happy feast of St. Barnabas! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who donated and helped us reach full funding in our Spring Appeal. U.S. Central Command yesterday evening announced it had renewed bombings against Iran, calling the strikes "self-defense" in response to the downing two days earlier of a U.S. Army helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump signed the Secure America Act into law, approving almost $70 billion in funding to bolster U.S. immigration enforcement and deportation operations through the end of fiscal year 2029. During his apostolic journey in Spain, Pope Leo yesterday prayed the Rosary at a 1,000-year-old Benedictine monastery and visited with inmates at a penitentiary. Protests continue in Belfast after the attempted beheading by an immigrant. A water cannon was deployed on a crowd of 200 yesterday. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org [https://thestationofthecross.com/riseright]