Holy Name of Jesus

ACI Prensa Staff, Jan 12, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).

The International Association of Exorcists has expressed concern over several erroneous practices, including those carried out by some priests, which confuse the faithful who seek help when possibly facing extraordinary actions of the devil.

The association, which has some 900 exorcist members worldwide, issued its warning in a Jan. 6 article on the organization’s website in order to “offer necessary clarifications to be able to act well in providing divine mercy through the ministry of exorcism.”

The association published the article because “some pastoral practices have been noticed that, instead of rendering a service to the wounded body of Christ, increase its suffering and cause disorientation.” The exorcists ask Catholics to take these observations into account “to avoid attitudes and methods that do not correspond to the authentic work of the Lord Christ.”

The text also points out that in recent years the number of those seeking out exorcists has increased due to people wondering or being convinced that they are “victims of an extraordinary action of the devil,” whether it be vexation, obsession, possession, or infestation.

However, the exorcists warn that there are cases in which this belief — which requires confirmation with a rigorous examination — is often held “by people who, without any specific training in the matter and without a mandate from the competent ordinary, act inappropriately, causing confusion among the people of God.”

The International Association of Exorcists thus warns about the following nine erroneous pastoral practices that disorient people who seek to be freed from the extraordinary action of the evil one.

1. Improvisation and sensationalism

The association begins by criticizing the attitude of some priests, consecrated persons, and laypeople who, without adequate training and without an episcopal mandate, “instead of referring cases of possible extraordinary action by the evil one” to an exorcist, employ “arbitrary methods of liberation” that are not authorized by the bishop.

“Even more serious is when they dissuade the faithful from turning to the official exorcist of their diocese, suggesting that they look for other notable exorcists considered ‘more powerful’ or [claiming] alleged extraordinary demonic activity that they have detected.”

2. Focusing on the work of the devil and not on the Gospel

The association points out that “it is deplorable that some, instead of announcing the Gospel of Jesus Christ that frees man from the slavery of evil and sin, focus their attention exclusively on the presence and work of the devil,” making those seeking help believe that “liberation depends solely on a compulsive repetition of prayers and blessings,” when the peace of Christ “can only be obtained through a life of charity, nourished by the word of God, through prayer, through frequenting the sacraments of the Eucharist and confession, and through an authentic devotion to the Immaculate Virgin.”

3. Negligent discernment

The association laments that some priests, including exorcists, neglect “the serious and rigorous discernment prescribed by the Praenotanda (directives) of the Rite of Exorcisms” and use “criteria foreign to the Catholic faith, validating concepts of esoteric or New Age origin.” The article warns that this is an approach that is “unacceptable and contrary to the faith and doctrine of the Church.”

4. Superstitious practices

The association also criticizes those who use superstitious procedures, such as requesting “photographs or clothing to identify possible evils,” as well as touching “certain points of the body of the member of the faithful to ‘diagnose the presence of malignant entities’ or to ‘expel negativity,’” or suggesting an improper use of sacramentals such as water, salt, or blessed oil “that some call ‘exorcised.’”

The article warns that “these are incorrect attitudes that feed a superstitious mentality and practice, are injurious to the dignity of the body, the temple of the Holy Spirit, and give rise to a magical use of blessed objects.”

5. The involvement of inappropriate persons

The article states that “it is unacceptable that some priests or pastoral workers collaborate with so-called ‘psychics’ or supposed charismatics” by sending to them the suffering person instead of putting them in contact with exorcists appointed by the bishops.

“Even worse, when it is the diocesan exorcist himself who delegates to these figures the task that the Church has entrusted to him, i.e., the authorized discernment of genuine extraordinary demonic activity.”

The association reminds that the exorcist must take responsibility for the suffering of others and “not omit taking the time for personal discernment … to verify the possible extraordinary action of the devil” and thus provide pastoral care for his victims.

6. Excluding medical and psychological sciences

The association explains that the exorcist not only follows traditional criteria to determine whether a person is suffering from an extraordinary action of the devil but also relies on the experience of established exorcists and, in some cases, “on the advice of people who are experts in medicine and psychiatry.”

The exorcists thus emphasize that one cannot “exclude a priori consulting the psychological and psychiatric sciences, and of other positive disciplines, which in some cases can help to understand the origin of ills that are not necessarily of preternatural origin.”

“This attitude is not only misleading, but it exposes people to unnecessary risks, ignoring the sometimes decisive contribution of modern medical and psychological disciplines.”

7. Reckless and harmful statements

The association calls on people to not fall into “the anxious desire to identify at all costs an extraordinary demonic action as the operative cause of [someone’s] suffering,” especially without having previously made a serious discernment.

8. Regarding witchcraft

In its article, the association notes that although the practice of witchcraft has become widespread, one must not fall into “the fearful attitude” of seeing in it the origin of all the evils and misfortunes that can befall a person.

The exorcists point out that “common sense and experience also teach that when an evil could have really been caused by witchcraft, concentrating on its identification” and assuring people that they have been victims is useless and irrelevant for their liberation, as well as harmful, since they may begin to pour out “feelings of hatred” toward the presumed authors of the curse.

On the contrary, it is important to focus the person’s attention “on the remedies of grace offered by the Church and on the Christian path to follow,” teaching the certainty that “God does not abandon his creature who is going through a trial but in some way suffers with him and at the same time supports and consoles him with his grace.”

Likewise, teaching “the conviction that all suffering, caused by any evil that may strike us in life, if accepted with love and offering to God, turns evil into good.”

9. Intergenerational healing (healing the family tree)

The association also warns about the error of so-called “intergenerational healing” and laments that “some priests and even some exorcists” carry out this practice “as a ‘sine qua non’ (absolutely necessary) condition, without which there can be no healing or liberation, without realizing the harm to their faith and to that of people, as well as the consequences that the latter may suffer on an existential level.”

“Several local ordinaries and bishops’ conferences have already intervened in this area, giving doctrinal reasons that demonstrate how this practice has no biblical and theological foundations.” The association gives as an example the recent doctrinal note on the subject of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference.

Banishing fear

Apart from the above practices, the association’s article also reminds readers that exorcists are called to let Christ’s peace dwell in them, rejecting all forms of fear because “whatever the reason that provokes it, when it is cultivated it leads to the weakening of faith and the loss of trust in God.”

The devil uses fear “to reduce man to slavery”; therefore, a priest who feared the devil “in the exercise of his ministry or in his daily life could not exercise the ministry of exorcism without exposing himself to serious dangers for his spiritual life, especially if instead of cultivating trust and total abandonment of oneself in the merciful hands of God, he sought to address it with more or less superstitious practices.”

“In the Bible, God’s invitation to not be afraid resounds at least 365 times,” the association notes.

Exorcism is an experience of God and of joy

The article points out that certain films have contributed to creating “a dark, disturbing, and terrifying idea of ​​the sacramental of exorcism” as well as feeding “a morbid curiosity about the supernatural.”

However, the association assures that experience shows that this ministry “is imbued with profound joy,” since its members are witnesses of “the powerful action of the risen Christ” and the intercession of the Immaculate Virgin, of the saints and blessed, and of the angels who are “faithful servants of the Most High.”

“The main task of every exorcist will therefore be to give peace and hope, avoiding any gesture or behavior that causes confusion and fuels fear, following the invitation of the Apostle Paul: ‘Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ,’” the International Association of Exorcists notes.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Madrid, Spain, Jan 12, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

At the end of this month, Rome will host the first jubilee event of the holy year to take place following the opening of the Holy Doors: the Jubilee of the World of Communications.

Media professionals from different countries will gather Jan. 24–26 in the Eternal City to take part in this event, with the program including an audience with Pope Francis.

Journalists, video producers, editors, graphic designers, and social media managers all are invited to make this pilgrimage to Rome to renew their faith and experience the graces granted by the 2025 Jubilee of Hope.

After an event to welcome the participants and a penitential liturgy on the evening of Jan. 24 at 5:30 p.m. local time, the gathered communicators will take part in a Mass in St. John Lateran Basilica for the feast day of St. Francis de Sales, the patron saint of journalists and writers.

On Jan. 25, a pilgrimage will begin at 8 a.m. local time to the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica. Since the door was opened by Pope Francis on Dec. 24, more than a half a million faithful from all over the world have already passed through it.

At the end of the Mass, attendees will go to the Vatican to take part in a meeting at 10 a.m. local time led by the Filipino journalist Maria Ressa and Irish writer Colum McCann. Later, at 12:30 p.m. the audience with Pope Francis will take place in Paul VI Hall.

On Saturday afternoon, the Dicastery for Communication is offering a cultural and spiritual meeting, also in Paul VI Hall, followed by a live broadcast of vespers presided over by the Holy Father in St. Paul Outside the Walls Basilica to conclude the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Later, the documentary “Green Lava” will be shown.

Only those with an invitation will be able to take part in an event for young communicators titled “Uniting Communicators for a Shared Journey.”

Other conferences and events have also been organized, including a talk at the Lateran Palace titled “Journalism as a Mission: Giving Voice to the Voiceless on the Outskirts of Humankind,” organized by the Vicariate of Rome, and “Communicating Hope and Peace” organized by the Office of Social Communication of the Italian Bishops’ Conference to be held at Santa Maria in Trastevere basilica.

There will also be a roundtable organized by the Pauline Family at Regina degli Apostoli alla Montagnola Basilica and a meeting with Vaticanists at LUMSA University, organized by the Spanish Bishops’ Conference.

Finally, on Jan. 26, the media professionals will participate in the Sunday of the Word of God Mass presided over by Pope Francis at 9:30 a.m. local time in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Reading I Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10

Reading II Acts 10:34-38

Alleluia Cf. Mark 9:7

Gospel Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

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Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

CNA Newsroom, Jan 11, 2025 / 20:05 pm (CNA).

The Syro-Malabar Church announced a significant leadership change on Saturday as Archbishop Joseph Pamplany was appointed vicar of the major archbishop for the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly. 

With more than 5 million members globally, the Syro-Malabar Church is one of the Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with Rome. Based primarily in the southern Indian state of Kerala, it is the second-largest Eastern Catholic Church globally after the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. 

The appointment, confirmed by Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil on Jan. 11, follows the first session of the XXXIII Synod of Bishops held at Mount St. Thomas in Kakkanad from Jan. 6–11. 

At the same time, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Bishop Mar Bosco Puthur, who had served as apostolic administrator since December 2023. Citing health concerns, he had initially submitted his resignation in September 2024, having served less than a year after his December 2023 appointment.

The leadership transition occurs as the Eastern Catholic Church continues to navigate a complex dispute over liturgical reforms, particularly regarding the celebration of Mass. The controversy centers on whether priests should face the altar or the congregation during the Holy Qurbana, the church’s Eucharistic liturgy.

The church maintains its own distinct liturgical tradition and enjoys autonomy in administrative and liturgical matters while recognizing the pope’s authority. 

Pamplany, who will maintain his role as metropolitan archbishop of Tellicherry, brings extensive theological expertise to his new position. Ordained in 1997, he holds a doctorate in sacred Scripture from Leuven University and has served in various church leadership roles, including as secretary of the Synod.

The appointment follows Pope Francis’ repeated interventions in the liturgical dispute. He has directly intervened several times in the controversy, which centers on a debate about which direction the priest should face when celebrating the liturgy.

Protests against the adoption of a uniform liturgy have included a hunger strike by priests and the burning of effigies of cardinals.

In May 2024, the pontiff described divisions within the church as “the work of the devil” and urged maintaining unity. In 2023, he appointed Slovak Archbishop-Bishop Cyril Vasil’ as a special delegate to help resolve the ongoing disagreement.

Vasil’ will continue serving as the pontifical delegate for the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly, which serves over 600,000 faithful within the Syro-Malabar Church.

CNA Staff, Jan 11, 2025 / 19:45 pm (CNA).

U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Pope Francis on Saturday and named him a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction, the White House said in a statement.

As the nation’s highest honor, the medal is “presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public, or private endeavors,” the statement said.

This is the first time Biden has awarded the medal “with distinction,” according to the statement.

“The first pope from the Southern Hemisphere, Pope Francis is unlike any who came before,” the statement continued. “Above all, he is the People’s Pope — a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world.”

“For decades, [Jorge Bergoglio] served the voiceless and vulnerable across Argentina,” the White House statement said. “As Pope Francis, his mission of serving the poor has never ceased. A loving pastor, he joyfully answers children’s questions about God. A challenging teacher, he commands us to fight for peace and protect the planet. A welcoming leader, he reaches out to different faiths.”

Earlier this week, Biden canceled his planned trip to Rome and a visit with Pope Francis in order to address the ongoing deadly wildfires in California. Biden was set to travel to Rome from Jan. 9–12 at Pope Francis’ invitation. His audience with the Holy Father was set for Jan. 10.

The president’s meeting with the pope was set to focus on efforts to advance peace around the world. Biden was also scheduled to meet with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Biden last met with Pope Francis in June of last year where the two discussed foreign policy in Israel, Gaza, and the Ukraine as well as climate change.

During a private audience at the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy, the two leaders “emphasized the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and a hostage deal” in Gaza and the need to “address the critical humanitarian crisis,” according to the White House.

CNA senior editor Daniel Payne contributed to this report.

CNA Newsroom, Jan 11, 2025 / 16:17 pm (CNA).

Pope Francis made an unannounced visit to Fondazione Roma on Jan. 11, where he praised the foundation’s charitable work supporting humanitarian projects worldwide.

Founded on principles of solidarity and subsidiarity, Fondazione Roma is a cornerstone of Italy’s philanthropic landscape.

During his Saturday afternoon visit to the foundation’s headquarters at Palazzo Sciarra Colonna, the pope met with leadership and blessed a small chapel within the historic building, reported ACI Stampa, CNA‘s Italian-language news partner.

According to a statement released after the visit, Francis expressed gratitude for the foundation’s “profound institutional commitment,” emphasizing “the importance of providing free access across all sectors, especially in culture.”

In a lighter moment, the pontiff underscored the value of humor in life, sharing his daily habit of reciting a prayer for having a sense of humor — often attributed to St. Thomas More — as he has in other encounters.

Foundation President Franco Parasassi recalled the pope’s recent surprise visit to Palazzo Cipolla to view Marc Chagall’s “White Crucifixion.”

The foundation, established in 1500 as the Monte di Pietà di Roma through a papal bull of Pope Paul III, continues its mission of solidarity and subsidiarity through projects across five sectors: health care, scientific research, assistance to vulnerable social groups, education and training, and arts and culture.

During the visit, the foundation gave Francis an overview of its far-reaching humanitarian initiatives. These include disaster relief efforts in Argentina’s Bahia Blanca region, aiding populations affected by recent devastating storms, and maternal health projects in Togo’s Archdiocese of Lomé, where they are providing ultrasound equipment for pregnant women.

Additional initiatives address socio-health care challenges in Bethlehem, support war-affected populations in Lebanon and Ukraine, and strengthen traditional collaborations with Caritas and the Diocese of Rome, particularly aiding peripheral parishes.

Buenos Aires, Argentina, Jan 11, 2025 / 13:00 pm (CNA).

The cause for canonization of Argentine businessman Enrique Shaw took another step forward this week as the alleged miracle attributed to his intercession passed the medical stage and will now be evaluated by a commission of theologians of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.

The vice postulator of the cause and the military bishop of Argentina, Santiago Olivera, informed the Argentine news agency AICA of the development.

The prelate explained from Rome that the miracle “has passed the medical consultation, but we must be very cautious because the process continues with the commission of theologians and then with the bishops and cardinals.”

“Once this happens, if everything goes well, Cardinal [Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints] will present to the Holy Father the permission to announce the decree of his beatification,” Olivera added.

Although there are still several steps to take, the vice postulator indicated Thursday that “today was a very important day. It passed the medical phase regarding what was presented about the healing.”

“We continue to pray,” he said and encouraged the faithful “to wait and be very respectful of the following stages.”

Who is the venerable Servant of God Enrique Shaw?

Enrique Shaw Tornquist was a layman, businessman, husband, and father. He was born on Feb. 26, 1921, in Paris. Shortly after, his family moved to Argentina.

He belonged to the Naval Military School, where he carried out an apostolate with great dedication.

In 1943 he married Cecilia Bunge, with whom he had nine children. In 1945 he asked to be discharged from the Argentine Navy for the purpose of becoming a worker and carrying out an apostolate among the working class.

He promoted the creation of the Christian Association of Business Leaders and died on Aug. 27, 1962, at the age of 41 from cancer.

In 1997, the preliminary stage for the opening of the canonization process began, and 10 years later the formal opening of the cause was presented.

The diocesan phase was concluded in 2013, and in 2014 the documentation was sent to Rome.

In 2020, documents were submitted in Rome for the diocesan investigation into the alleged miracle attributed to the intercession of Shaw.

On April 24, 2021, Pope Francis approved the decree that recognizes Shaw’s heroic virtues, declaring him “venerable.”

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

CNA Staff, Jan 11, 2025 / 10:00 am (CNA).

A new movie telling the true story of an Armenian family who was forced to flee their home country of Azerbaijan amid political turmoil will be in theaters Jan. 26–28.

The Petrosyans — made up of husband and wife Ivan and Violetta and their two daughters Olga and Julia — inspired the new film “Between Borders,” which depicts the real-life events the family endured while fleeing their home in Baku, Azerbaijan, during the anti-Armenian massacre that took place in the late 1980s.

Experiencing discrimination in their home country and then in Russia, the country to which they fled, the Petrosyans eventually found hope in a church established by American missionaries. There they came to the faith and were helped to seek refuge in the United States.

CNA spoke to Violetta and Olga Petrosyan about their experience fleeing persecution and how they came to find refuge in Christ along the way.

Olga, who was only 4 years old when the violence broke out, said watching their story depicted in a movie has been “healing.”

“Growing up, when you end up going through all of those tribulations, you don’t know that there is a life not lived like this,” she explained. “You think that this is how everyone probably lived their life, but the older you get and the more normal your life becomes away from all the hardships, you understand how much you’ve gone through in your childhood and teenage years that affected you in many different traumatic ways.” 

She pointed out that by watching their story now in a movie format with others who are “processing your story with you” it feels as though “you are seen and known and you are affirmed in some of those situations where you felt it wasn’t as bad — no, it was as bad because you can hear other people processing it out loud so it becomes healing.”

Violetta added that it was “a mix of emotions” watching their story on the big screen.

“It was so intense, so many emotions, bringing back memories — at the same time, in awe and wonder that God actually made it happen,” she said.

She explained that there are moments from your past “that you want to forget but you also don’t want to forget because there’s some aspect in life that still shows you how God brought you through, even at the moments when we didn’t know him. So, that’s how important it is that you understand that his hand was always protecting our family.”

While in Volgograd, Russia, after fleeing Azerbaijan, the family began to attend a church established by American missionaries and it was there that Violetta experienced a conversion.

She shared that she was taught by her grandmother at a young age to always make the sign of the cross and say the Lord’s Prayer before bed but her grandmother never spoke about God.

As she became an adult, Violetta became a member of the Communist Party and even led a Communist Party organization at the school she taught at.

“We were raised in the Communist era and we learned that there is no God, that God is evil. I would protect children from going to church because I said that it doesn’t exist,” she shared. “I still don’t know how I was saying that.”

“When God came into our life in Volgograd through the missionaries that was the immediate click and I realized that I’ve always known that God existed but I pushed him away from me and then it actually happened — my conversion happened on the 6th of October, on my physical birthday.”

Olga added: “I saw my family before Christ and then I saw my family after Christ and the difference that it makes to be united in Christ in the midst of hopelessness, around the circumstances, makes everything different. We still had the same tribulations after we came to Jesus, but we had this center, which was Christ binding us all together, that we knew that no matter what, we can do this with Christ who gives us strength.”

“It was Jesus that made the whole difference for me,” Olga said. “The world can give us temporary labels and I think we all carry some sort of labels that were given to us by people of this world. And I’ve carried those labels as a ‘foreigner,’ ‘unwanted,’ ‘refugee,’ ‘dirty,’ but I got one label from the Lord and that’s the one that will stick with me through eternity and that’s ‘child of God.’” 

Olga hopes that “Between Borders” will help shed light not on the political conflict but on what hatred does to people.

“It’s not ‘Oh, look at what Azeris have done.’ I think for me it’s important, at least, that it’s more ‘Look what evil that is fostered, or hatred that is fostered, between two nationalities can do, what it can lead to,” she explained. “But at the same time, look what God can do despite and through that … There’s always hatred between two … and it’s fostered and it bursts more hatred and it bursts destruction and tragedy, but look what God can do.”

Violetta added that she hopes viewers will see that “there is always forgiveness.”

“No matter how hard the events were in that conflict … no matter how severe it is, love and forgiveness always conquer.”

Check theater listings near you for showtimes.

CNA's video interview with Violetta and Olga Petrosyan can be watched below.

CNA Newsroom, Jan 11, 2025 / 07:15 am (CNA).

Pope Francis kicked off the first Saturday jubilee audience of 2025 by urging pilgrims to embrace hope as a divine strength that enables new beginnings, drawing inspiration from St. John the Baptist.

Speaking to pilgrims gathered in the Vatican’s audience hall on Jan. 11, the pontiff emphasized that hope is not merely a character trait but rather a theological virtue that represents “strength to be asked for” from God.

“Many of you are here in Rome as ‘pilgrims of hope,’” Pope Francis said.

“Indeed, the jubilee is a new beginning, the possibility for everyone to start anew from God. With the jubilee we start a new life, a new phase.”

The pope highlighted how the Latin word “virtus” means strength, explaining that hope, therefore, comes as a gift from God rather than existing as a mere habit or personality characteristic.

The Catholic Church teaches that hope is one of the three theological virtues — along with faith and charity — which God pours into the hearts of the faithful.

Drawing connections to the feast of the Baptism of the Lord on Sunday, Francis reflected on John the Baptist as a “great prophet of hope,” noting how people flocked to him “longing for a new beginning.”

“Just as we today pass through the Holy Door, so John proposed to cross the river Jordan, entering the Promised Land as Joshua had done the first time,” the pope said, connecting the biblical narrative to the current jubilee year.

Pope Francis concluded with special greetings to English-speaking pilgrims, invoking God’s blessings of “wisdom, strength, and peace” upon them and their families.

The jubilee audience marked the beginning of regular Saturday gatherings that will welcome pilgrims from around the world throughout the 2025 Jubilee Year.

The first major calendar event of the 2025 holy year is the Jubilee of the World of Communications, scheduled for Jan. 24–26. The Vatican expects thousands of journalists and media professionals from around the world to come to Rome for the occasion.

CNA Newsroom, Jan 11, 2025 / 06:15 am (CNA).

Pope Francis expressed his condolences Saturday to Los Angeles communities affected by devastating wildfires that have destroyed homes and churches, including the historic Corpus Christi Catholic Church.

In a telegram released by the Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the pope said he was “saddened by the loss of life and the widespread destruction” caused by the fires near Los Angeles.

The pontiff entrusted “the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of Almighty God” and sent “heartfelt condolences to those who mourn their loss.”

President Joe Biden canceled his upcoming visit to Italy — which would have included a meeting with Pope Francis — to address the ongoing crisis in Southern California.

Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, addressing the tragedy during a special Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on Thursday, called on Catholics to become “instruments” of God’s love amid the devastation.

The archdiocese has set up a donation portal to help the community.

The fires began Tuesday and spread rapidly due to dry conditions and hurricane-force Santa Ana winds. Multiple blazes remained unchecked across thousands of acres as firefighters worked to gain control.

Among the destroyed structures was Corpus Christi Catholic Church. However, in what some consider miraculous, a Virgin Mary statue survived the blaze that consumed one parishioner’s home — the only item left standing after the fire reduced the building to ashes.

The archdiocese is coordinating with local Catholic agencies to provide resources to those affected by the fires.