Photos

Catholics express love for Mary through various devotions

Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago show their love of Mary through devotions centered around various images of the Blessed Mother native to their ethnicities and homelands. Or they join others in those devotions. Here we share moments of Catholics with Marian images over the years through spring of 2026. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

St. Benedict Prep, St. Giles schools win new Gold Star award

Students at St. Benedict School assemble with teachers and staff to celebrate their Gold Star win on May 21, 2026. The Archdiocese of Chicago celebrated two of its Catholic schools that received the National Association of Elementary School Principals National Gold Star Schools recognition. St. Benedict Preparatory School and St. Giles School were among over 50 schools honored for exemplary leadership, innovation and commitment to student success. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Worshippers fill shrine chapel for St. Rita feast day

Worshippers fill the St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel, 7740 S. Western Ave., for the 119th novena and feast day Mass for St. Rita of Cascia. Known as the patron saint of impossible causes, St. Rita was a wife, widow, mother and Augustinian nun who bore the stigmata and died in 1457 in Cascia, Italy. She is also associated with roses. Worshippers received a rose before the Mass and it was blessed with a relic of the saint during the service. Augustinian Father Tom McCarthy, director of the shrine and prior-elect of the Midwest Augustinians, was the main celebrant for the Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Memorial Day Masses remember the fallen

Auxiliary Bishop John Siemianowski celebrates a Memorial Day Mass at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleums in Justice on May 25, 2026. The Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Cemeteries hosted its annual field Masses at 21 cemeteries throughout Cook and Lake counties. Guests prayed for peace and honored those who have served this country and remembered the fallen. Active members of the military and veterans received a special blessing during the liturgies followed by the playing of “Taps.” (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Well of Mercy offers safe home for women and their children

Well of Mercy is a Chicago-based nonprofit, long-term residential shelter located in West Rogers Park that provides housing, support, and resources to single mothers and their children. Founded in 2010 by Mary Zeien, it helps families fleeing poverty or domestic violence achieve independence through a supportive, communal living environment for up to five years. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Mothers receive special blessing during holiday Mass

Auxiliary Bishop José María Garcia-Maldonado blesses mothers and those expecting children during Mother’s Day Mass at Immaculate Conception/Five Holy Martyrs Parish, 4327 S. Richmond St., on May 10, 2026. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Cardinal Cupich ordains 13 men as deacons for archdiocese

Cardinal Cupich was the main celebrant as 13 permanent deacons were ordained for Archdiocese of Chicago on May 16, 2026, at Holy Name Cathedral. The newly ordained deacons will assist the bishop and his priests in ministries of the Word, Liturgy and Charity. These include proclaiming the Gospel, leading intercessions, preaching, preparing the altar, celebrating baptisms, leading the faithful in prayer, distributing holy communion, witnessing marriages, and conducting wake and funeral services. Deacons also identify the needs of the poor and underserved, and shepherd the Church's resources to meet them. The newly ordained deacons will be assigned to parishes in Barlett, Barrington, Chicago, Cicero, Lake Forest, Northbrook, Northlake, Schaumburg, Streamwood and Wadsworth. One permanent deacon from the Diocese of Joliet was also ordained during this Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

St. Peter Claver council and court celebrate 50 years of service

Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Perry was the main celebrant for a Mass to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary St. Felicitas/St. Ailbe Council/Court 181 at St. Katharine Drexel Parish on April 26, 2026. On April 25, 1976, 11 ladies were initiated into the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary at St. Felicitas Church and Court #181 was established. The court is active in and raises money for various charitable efforts. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Pope’s fellow Augustinians celebrate election anniversary

The Midwest Augustinians celebrate a Mass on May 8, 2026, at St. Jude Church in New Lenox, Illinois, for the first anniversary of the election of their fellow Augustinian, Cardinal Robert Prevost, as Pope Leo XIV. Prevost, the first American elected pope, was elected on May 8. 2025. Parishioners from St. Jude joined the Augustinians for the Mass and a reception afterward. They also sold books related to Pope Leo's spirituality and life. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

School feels close to Pope Leo one year after mock conclave

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy, 720 W. Belmont Ave., hosts a food packing event, donation and Mass on May 6, 2026, to mark the first anniversary of Pope Leo’s election. The school went viral last year for holding a mock conclave just days before the real conclave elected Chicago-native Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV. Students who participated in the mock conclave travelled to Rome last year and met Pope Leo. To continue to support the pope, the school created Team XIV that meets monthly to watch a video of the pope’s prayer intention for that month and does a service project around the intention. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
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