Across countries, reflective thinking correlated not only with #atheism, but with apostasy (https://doi.org/10.1017/S0034412525000198).

But what does reflective thinking predict in subgroups? In 120 #pastors from #Nigeria, reflection predicted *stronger* #religious belief: https://doi.org/10.65696/001c.162288

True Vine (In Lucem)

More original art can be viewed at Deviantart.com/peacegroover

“Out From Under” is an ambitious and worthy #sequel to “The Evil Inclination.” Part of Lev will always feel #Orthodox in the #Brooklyn style he grew up with, but through Rachel, Rabbi Louise and #novel’s broader cast of memorable characters, he becomes open to a more flexible, yet still committed, #religious path.

With rising #antisemitism, #Victor believes both #novels carry the message that “we need to have the courage to make #Judaism meaningful in all aspects of our lives. Deep engagement with #Jewish learning and observance is critical to survival.”

In fact, outside of #Orthodox #publishing, few contemporary #Jewishnovels probe the lives of #Jews searching for meaningful religious engagement, especially from an Orthodox perspective. This makes Victor’s compulsively readable #novels that much more relevant in today’s world."

https://jewishjournal.com/culture/arts/books/388856/lev-livitskys-very-complicated-second-act/

This piece argues that #Somalia’s #Religious objections to #Somaliland’s #recognition by #Israeli contradict the longstanding #Israel ties maintained by major #MuslimMajority @OIC_OCI member states including #Egypt, #Morocco, #UAE, #Bahrain, #Sudan & #Turkey.

https://saxafimedia.com/somalias-islamic-case-somaliland-farce/

22 May: St. Joachina de Vedruna

May 22
SAINT JOACHINA DE VEDRUNA
Religious

Optional Memorial

Joachina was born in Barcelona in 1783. She married Theodore de Mas in 1799 and bore him nine children before being widowed in 1816. Then in 1826, she was prompted by God’s Spirit to found the Congregation of Carmelite Sisters of Charity, which spread throughout Catalonia, establishing houses for the care of the sick and the education of children, especially the poor. She was greatly drawn to contemplating the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Her spiritual life was marked by prayer, mortification, detachment, humility, and love. She died at Vich in 1854.

From the Common of Holy Women (Religious)

Office of Readings

Second Reading

From the Letters of St. Joachina
Epist. pp. 275, 246, 260, 297, 254, 297, 31

Charity above all things

If only we were all on fire with love for God! If we were, we should preach love, proclaim love, and yet more love, until we had set the whole world on fire. We must have great desires: then God will give us whatever is best for us.

We must be careful to free our hearts from everything that might get in the way of the pure love of our beloved Jesus. He is love itself, and wants to give himself to us through love. Jesus is calling us all the time — how long are we going to remain deaf to His voice? No, let us keep our hearts ready, our wills completely for Jesus, our faculties and our senses for our Lord.

There must be no undue attachment in our hearts for created things: they must burn with love alone, love ever more fervent; for love never says ‘enough,’ never rests until it is completely on fire. When our hearts are completely on fire with pure love for Jesus, everything that might hinder love from taking complete possession will be cast out.

We must not give in to weariness: we must spend every minute in loving God.

God alone, the maker of heaven and earth, must be our rest and our consolation. The love of God is the only thing we can possess for ever: everything else will pass away.

Love, love, and yet more love—love that is never satisfied! The more we love God, the more we shall long to love him. And when we have Jesus in our hearts, we shall have everything else in him and with him.

Responsory

R/. Remain in my love. * Whoever lives in love, lives in God, and God in him (alleluia).
V/. Follow the way of love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us. * Whoever lives in love, lives in God, and God in him (alleluia).

Morning Prayer

Canticle of Zechariah

Ant. By this all will know that you are my disciples: that you have love for one another (alleluia).

Prayer

Lord God,
you gave St. Joachina de Vedruna to your Church
for the Christian education of youth
and the care of the sick.
May we follow her example,
and lovingly devote our lives
to serving you in our brothers and sisters.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer

Canticle of Mary

Ant. Whatsoever you do for one of the least of my brethren, you do for me, says the Lord (alleluia).

Catholic Church 1993, Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and the Order of Discalced Carmelites (Rev. and augm.), Institutum Carmelitanum, Rome.

Religious freedom should not inconvenience others, but rules must be same for all: Cong backs CM Yogi on roadside prayers #Religious #Cong #CMYogi #socialnewsxyz

https://www.socialnews.xyz/2026/05/19/religious-freedom-should-not-inconvenience-others-but-rules-must-be-same-for-all-cong-backs-cm-yogi-on-roadside-prayers/

ICYMI A prayer festival backed by #Trump took place in DC yesterday.

Speakers including top #government officials framed the #UnitedStates as a nation founded to be explicitly #Christian [nope]. #Trump delivered a video message reading a #Bible passage aloud.

Until Trump, it was virtually unheard of for #US ofcls to publicly tie the nation to a specific set of #religious beliefs.

#law #Constitution #EstablishmentClause #FreedomOfReligion #ChurchAndState

#GiftArticle
https://wapo.st/4tDbKZZ