JULY 18, 2025
mississippicatholic.com
Diocesan seminarians witness history in Rome BY MADELYN JOHNSON
JACKSON – Grayson Foley and EJ Martin, seminarians for the Diocese of Jackson currently studying at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, planned their pilgrimage to Italy months in advance. What they didn’t realize was that their visit would become a once-in-alifetime experience. The two were called to join the Pilgrimage of Hope through Rome. After booking their trip in February, they were shocked to learn that a new pope – Pope Leo – had been elected the day before their flight to Rome. While in Rome, Grayson and EJ visited with other seminarians at the Pontifical North American College and spent time with EJ’s older brother, Sterling Foley, a seminarian with the Legionaries of Christ based at their House of Formation in Rome. The trio toured the city and visited all four major basilicas, walking through each Holy Door during this Jubilee Year. “We went through all of the basilicas’ Holy Doors, continuously praying for the people back home in Mississippi and those who made the trip possible,” said Grayson Foley. Shortly after their arrival, news broke that the Installation Mass for Pope Leo XIV – the first American pope – would take place on May 18. The seminarians were faced with a choice: should they stay and serve at the historic Mass? The answer was clear – yes. VATICAN CITY – Circled above, seminarians EJ Martin and Grayson Foley of the Diocese of JackThanks to the hospitality of the Legionaries of Christ son are pictured among those who served during the Inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s seminarians, tickets were secured for EJ, Grayson, and Square, Vatican City, on May 18, 2025. The historic liturgy drew more than 200,000 worshipers, Grant Caillouet, a seminarian from the Diocese of Baton
– Continued on page 6 –
along with global dignitaries, clergy and pilgrims from around the world. (Photo by Julia Mineeva/ EGBN TV News/Alamy Live News/Alamy Stock Photo)
President Trump signs ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ into law July 4 BY KATE SCANLON
WASHINGTON (OSV News) – President Donald Trump on July 4 signed a reconciliation bill enacting much of his legislative agenda on taxes and immigration during an Independence Day ceremony at the White House. “Our country has had so much to celebrate this Independence Day as we enter our 249th year. America’s winning, winning, winning like never before,”
Trump said in comments at the ceremony. “We have officially made the Trump tax cuts permanent,” he added. “That’s the largest tax cut in the history of our country. ... After this kicks in, our country is going to be a rocket ship, economically.” Previously, the U.S. House on July 3 approved the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in a 218-214 vote. The Senate earlier approved the reconciliation package on July 1, after Trump urged them to do so by July 4. Catholic leaders have alternately praised and criticized various provisions in the legislation. But in a July 1 action alert emailed to its supporters, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops ultimately said
the bill “currently fails the poorest families.” Only two Republicans – Reps. Thomas Massie, Ky., and Brian Fitzpatrick, Pa., – voted against the measure. Massie cited the bill’s projected increase to the national debt, while Fitzpatrick, who is Catholic, cited the way Medicaid cuts would impact his district. Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, USCCB president and head of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, said in a July 3 statement after the vote, that he and the bishops had “repeatedly and consistently” urged lawmakers to make sure the bill would help families in need and “to change course” on aspects “that fail the poor and vulnerable.”
– Continued on page 6 –
INSIDE THIS WEEK FOLLOW US
@jacksondiocese DIGITAL EDITION Text MSCATHOLIC to 84576
New Archbishop 3 Mark S. Rivituso named Archbishop of Mobile
Sacraments (insert) First Communion and Confirmation photos
From the archives 7 Bishop Gerow as a seminarian in Rome