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Pro-life advocates have filed more than 75 amicus briefs at the Supreme Court, supporting Mississippi’s ban on most elective abortions after 15 weeks. The Supreme Court will consider the ban this fall. Pro-life advocates say the case presents an opportunity for the court to reevaluate, or even possibly overturn its previous rulings that claimed a right to abortion.
Catholic gymnast Simone Biles returned to competition at the Olympics on Tuesday, and will leave with two medals. Biles had been favored to win as many as five gold medals in Tokyo, but she withdrew from four events, after revealing that she was suffering from the twisties. The twisties refers to a disconnect between a gymnast’s brain and body, and results in random loss of muscle memory. Biles has spoken about her Catholic faith in the past, and she keeps a rosary in her gymnastics bag, and prays prior to competitions. She says she lights a candle to St. Sebastian, the patron saint of athletes, prior to competition.
In his general audience today, Pope Francis said Christians must receive the truth of the Gospel as it was announced, without seeking to negotiate with it. Francis said faith in Jesus is not a bargaining chip, it is salvation and redemption. One month has passed since the pope underwent surgery on his colon. Vatican commentators said the pope appeared agile, attentive and responsive during today’s general audience.
Today, the Church celebrates the feast of Saint John Vianney, the patron of priests. John was born in 1786 in France. He was a parish priest in a remote French community. While there, he prayed and worked for the conversion of his parishioners. He restored his parish church, opened an orphanage, and cared for the poor. Pilgrims would travel from all over France to come to him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.