The LOOP
The Saturday Loop - August 23, 2025
FBI RAIDS DC RESIDENCE OF JOHN BOLTON
FBI agents raided the residence and office of former Trump national security advisor John Bolton. Reuters reported that “a source familiar with the matter” said the search was part of a national security probe into classified information leaks. Trump told reporters: "[Bolton's] not a smart guy, but he could be a very unpatriotic guy. We’re going to find out.
STOCK MARKET SURGES AS FED HINTS AT RATE CUT
Friday saw a stock market surge after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell signaled a potential interest rate cut in September. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.02% to an all-time high of 45,688.25, while the S&P 500 grew 1.63%.
NOEM: WE HAVE SECURED THE BORDER
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem this week announced that the second Trump administration has definitively achieved one of Trump's central campaign promises: the border is secure.
POPE LEO TALKS WITH CARDINAL RAYMOND BURKE
Pope Leo received US Cardinal Raymond Burke for an audience in Rome yesterday. The Holy See Press Office has not stated what the two discussed. Cardinal Burke had already communicated with the new Pope on at least one occasion: In June, the cardinal shared that he expressed to the Holy Father his hope that the new pontificate would restore more access to the Traditional Latin Mass.
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CRACKER BARREL REDESIGN SETS OFF FIRESTORM OF DEBATE
Cracker Barrel is facing a storm of criticism from longtime customers after unveiling its first logo change in 48 years — a text-only design that drops the company’s trademark man-and-barrel image.
PIER GIERGIO FRASSATI CHAPEL BRINGS ADORATION TO DC
Just a short walk from Washington, DC’s Chinatown, Immaculate Conception Church has opened a new chapel dedicated to the patronage of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati with opportunities every day for adoration and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
LOOPcast
John Bolton's House Raided by the FBI, Cracker Barrel is dead, and the president of Hillsdale College is stirring everyone up. All this and more on the latest!
LUNCH IDEAS FOR THE KIDS
Do your kids tend to trade away their lunches at school or leave them barely nibbled? Here is a collection of kids lunch ideas that will leave them satisfied instead. Maybe they will want to look through it with you and help you brainstorm the school meal plan!
UNUSUAL SAINTS FOR MEN
Men need their band of brothers — both earthly ones and heavenly ones. Here are six saints, including some you've likely never heard of, who are good examples, intercessors, and companions for the modern man's journey in life.
SPIRITUAL & PHYSICAL HEALTH
As embodied souls, our physical and spiritual health are inextricably connected, and we should always be striving to integrate the two in a healthy way. But what does this look like? We don't want to be slapping Catholicky gimmicks onto our workout routines. Here's what health looks like from a coach who integrates Theology of the Body with fitness and nutrition.
SAINT OF THE DAY
Today, the Church celebrates Saint Rose of Lima (1586-1617), the first canonized saint from the Americas. Her parents' wish was for her to marry, but she desired to enter a convent. Out of obedience to her parents, Rose did not become a nun, but she held fast to her vow of virginity. She lived and worked at home for her whole life, devoting one room in the house to caring for the sick and the elderly.
SATURDAY'S PSALM
"See how the Lord blesses those who fear him." (Psalm 128)
SATURDAY'S READINGS
Saturday's Mass readings.
SUNDAY'S PSALM
"Go out to all the world and tell the Good News." (Mark 16:15)
SUNDAY'S READINGS
Sunday's Mass readings.
ANSWER TO THE TRIVIA
Excardination.
SAINT ROSE OF THE USA?
Saint Rose of Lima, whose feast day is today, is connected to another holy woman from the Americas. The Vatican announced in 2024 that Rose Hawthorne, daughter of the famous American author Nathaniel Hawthorne, is officially on her way to being canonized a saint as well! She was raised Protestant but converted to Catholicism later in life. Then she founded the Dominican Sisters of St. Rose of Lima.