Religious Freedom Takes a Blow from DOJ?

Religious Freedom Takes a Blow from DOJ?

June 1st, 2026 - Happy feasts of St. Justin Martyr and St. John Baptist Scalabrini! Major evacuations are underway in southern Beirut as Israel ramps up military actions in Lebanon. The U.S. and Iran have traded strikes while the “ceasefire” officially continues. A potential peace deal is still reportedly in the works, with President Trump still holding off on a final decision. The Washington Nationals president of baseball operations Jason Sinnarajah, himself Catholic, apologized to Catholics during Friday night pregame coverage, stating that the team is "not anti-Catholic" and "horrified by the comments" caught on undercover video. President Donald Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV's meeting with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Saturday, writing in a Truth Social post that "someone should explain to the Pope" that the mayor is "useless" and that "Iran cannot have a Nuclear Weapon!" A federal judge temporarily halted the Trump administration's $1.78 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" from transferring money to victims of government “weaponization.” Pope Leo XIV welcomed representatives of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal to the Vatican, encouraging members to place their spiritual gifts at the service of the whole Church and urging them to pursue communion, charity, and mission rather than "self-promotion, or the pursuit of power or personal prestige." 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: "Don't Water Down the Faith!"

May 29th, 2026 - Happy feasts of St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi and Pope St. Paul VI! California State Assembly passed the so-called ‘Stop Nick Shirley Act’ which will put journalists at civil risk for investigating fraud. A federal judge yesterday allowed President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to create federal voter lists and tighten rules for mail-in voting to remain in place for now, rejecting a request from Democrats to block the order. CatholicVote President Kelsey Reinhardt has sent formal letters to the Washington Nationals and the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division demanding answers over alleged religious discrimination against Catholic pitcher Trevor Williams. The Justice Department launched a criminal investigation into whether E. Jean Carroll committed perjury during litigation against President Donald Trump. A man has been charged with burglary and arson after authorities say he broke into a Catholic elementary school in Springfield, Missouri, damaged religious items, and set a fire inside the building. A 320-foot rocket built by Jeff Bezos-owned company Blue Origin exploded at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station during a "hotfire test" around 9 p.m. yesterday. Pope Leo warned yesterday not to water down Christianity in an attempt to evangelize.  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 Power of Our Lady of Victory

May 28th, 2026 - Happy feast of St. Augustine of Canterbury! Today we welcome our first-ever guest: Fr. David LiPuma, pastor and rector of Our Lady of Victory National Shrine & Basilica in Lackawanna, NY. We discuss Venerable Nelson Baker, the history of the Basilica, and the anniversary celebrations happening this weekend. Pope Leo XIV is inviting Catholics around the world to join him in praying a rosary for peace on May 30. The Holy Father is set to pray the rosary live from the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican Gardens at 7 p.m. Rome time. During a White House cabinet meeting yesterday, President Donald Trump said he feels confident the U.S. and Iran can arrive at a deal to end hostilities, but also threatened new acts of war if there is any backtracking on nuclear restrictions or the opening of the Hormuz Strait. During his meeting with state attorneys general, Vice President JD Vance revealed that his task force on fraud had discovered billions of taxpayer dollars had been lost to waste and criminal scams. During his General Audience yesterday, speaking about the Second Vatican Council document on liturgy, Pope Leo XIV called on clergy to maintain respect for the texts and regulations of the liturgy when celebrating Mass. The Trump administration has ordered federal prosecutors at the Department of Justice to avoid pursuing any criminal investigations into Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez. 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 Called Out the E.U.?

May 27th, 2026 - Happy feast of Ss. Bede the Venerable and Augustine of Canterbury! Reports claim that the U.S.-Iran peace deal is complete except for signatures. The Trump cabinet is holding a meeting at the White House today. Israel continues strikes against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The SCOTUS opted not to hear Florida’s petition regarding Washington and California giving illegal aliens commercial driving licenses. Justices Alito and Thomas dissented. A senior Washington Nationals executive was caught on hidden camera admitting that he had blackballed pitcher Trevor Williams from team social media content because of his Catholic faith. Texas voters overwhelmingly chose Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton as the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate. The Priestly Society of Saint Pius X announced the names of four priests set to be ordained bishops July 1 without papal approval, weeks after the Vatican warned their ordinations would constitute a schismatic act. Planned Parenthood has launched a new program in Washington state and Hawaii that allows women to obtain chemical abortion drugs before becoming pregnant. 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]

Initial Reactions to Pope Leo's New Letter "Magnifica Humanitas"

May 26th, 2026 - Happy Pentecost Tuesday and feast of St. Philip Neri! Pope Leo released his encyclical on AI yesterday, and it has already received both praise and condemnations. President Donald Trump said over the weekend that a peace deal with Iran, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, had been "largely negotiated," though he said the naval blockade on Iranian ports would remain in place until an agreement is certified and signed. The gunman killed in an exchange of fire with Secret Service agents outside the White House this weekend was identified as Nasire Best, who was 21 years old. Washington state's foster care department agreed to a permanent injunction barring it from denying licenses to families based on their religious beliefs on marriage and gender. 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]