The LOOP

The Monday Loop - April 14, 2025

MONDAY, APRIL 14 - HOLY MONDAY

WHITE HOUSE MAKES EXTRA EFFORT TO HONOR HOLY WEEK

"The White House is gearing up for an 'extraordinary' celebration for Holy Week ahead of Easter," Fox News reported Sunday, "with President Donald Trump participating in a number of events to celebrate and honor the holiday 'with the observance it deserves.'"

FBI: WISCONSIN MURDER SUSPECT PLOTTED TO KILL TRUMP

A Wisconsin teen allegedly killed his parents in pursuit of the “financial means and autonomy” he needed to assassinate Trump, the FBI revealed yesterday.

TEXAS POISED TO PASS HUGE SCHOOL CHOICE VICTORY

House lawmakers in Texas this week may pass the largest school choice program in the nation. If passed, the measure would put education tax dollars toward savings accounts, allowing families to use public funds for private school tuition, homeschooling, and other approved education expenses.

LENTEN LESSONS: WHAT’S THE FIRST OBLIGATION OF A CATHOLIC PRIEST?

Saint John Vianney said, “A priest goes to Heaven, or a priest goes to Hell with a thousand people behind.” Watch and learn as Relevant Radio CEO Fr. Rocky explains why personal holiness is essential in today’s Lenten Lesson on the Sacraments.

ILLINOIS BISHOPS CALL ON FAITHFUL TO DEFEAT DEATH BILL

Catholic bishops across Illinois are urging the faithful to act quickly as a bill that would legalize assisted suicide could soon be sent to the state Senate for a vote. Here are the details.

MILITARY SEES RECORD NUMBER OF CHAPLAIN CANDIDATES

A discernment retreat for prospective military chaplains drew 37 candidates this year, the highest number of attendees in the retreat’s history. The group included soldiers, cadets, civilians, and a religious brother. READ

MEDICAL 'BOOT CAMP' PREPS CATHOLICS TO FIGHT FOR LIFE

The Catholic Medical Association (CMA) says Catholics entering the medical field will find themselves in “a battle against a culture of secularism, atheism, relativism, and scientism that pervades medical education in the United States." That’s why the CMA calls its weeklong summer program for medical students a “boot camp.”

SO MUCH NEWS

Here are the stories we couldn’t fit in today’s LOOP: • White House ignores emails from journalists with "preferred pronouns." • A new book defends "canceled" Catholic historical figures. • Here are the results of Trump's physical exam.

UDALLAS STANDS WITH ALUMNUS BRIAN BURCH

"A man of deep Catholic faith, strong character and genuine prudence, Brian Burch is a truly outstanding selection to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See. We look forward to the great work he will perform in this vitally important role, and could not be prouder of him.” - UDallas President Jonathan J. Sanford. Join us in prayer for Brian.

A DATABASE OF CLASSICAL SCHOOLS IN THE US!

The Heritage Foundation has launched an online database surveying almost 900 classical schools across the United States, aiming to provide parents, teachers, and legislators with information on the trending alternative to public schools.

ANALYST: ATTEMPTS TO QUASH LATIN MASS LEAD TO DIVISION

A Catholic analyst recently suggested that restrictions on the traditional Latin Mass have intensified one of the most polarizing debates in today’s Church, deepening divisions rather than resolving them.

SACRED MEMORY

There’s something so special about going to someone’s childhood home and seeing his or her stash of memories: baby pictures, homemade Halloween costumes, birthday photos, old toys… We can have a similar experience of Jesus. He has created a memory trove for us, but one that goes beyond memory and makes each moment alive again.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation." (Psalm 27:1)

DAILY READINGS

Today's Mass readings.

DEVOTION

A Catholic nun prays for a baby in critical condition who was recently baptized following the death of the mother during childbirth.