loop-header-—-road-to-purity–4 FRIDAY, APRIL 3 – GOOD FRIDAY + FIRST FRIDAY DEVOTION US BOMBS IRAN INFRASTRUCTURE, TRUMP THREATENS WORSE The U.S. struck a major bridge near Tehran yesterday, hours after President Donald Trump vowed to bomb Iran “back to the stone ages, where they belong.” The escalation sparked concern about Iranian retaliatory strikes in the wider region. Late last night, Trump wrote on social media that the U.S. has not “even started destroying what’s left in Iran” and demanded Iranian officials make a deal. READ HEGSETH FIRES TOP GENERAL AMID IRAN WAR War Secretary Pete Hegseth yesterday had Gen. Randy George leave his position as the Army’s chief of staff. According to CBS, an official “said Hegseth wants someone in the role who will implement President Trump and Hegseth’s vision for the Army.” READ TRUMP FIRES PAM BONDI AS US ATTORNEY GENERAL Trump said yesterday that Attorney General Pam Bondi will leave her post for a new private-sector role, praising her for overseeing a major drop in crime. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will serve as acting attorney general for now. READ SUPREME COURT RULING COULD ROLL BACK LGBT SPEECH LAWS The Supreme Court ruled 8-1 this week that Colorado’s ban on so-called “conversion therapy” violated the First Amendment. The ruling has given counselors and therapists across the country legal grounds to challenge similar bans in other states. READ POPE PREACHES SELF-GIVING LOVE AT HOLY THURSDAY MASS Pope Leo yesterday celebrated his first Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper as pontiff. He washed the feet of 12 priests and preached against seeking to “dominate” and be “victorious” over others. “In contrast,” he said, “as true God and true Man, Christ offers us the example of self-giving service and love.” READ 10-YEAR-OLD HONORED FOR BRAVERY AMID SHOOTING AT MASS A Minneapolis student who shielded a classmate during the shooting at the Annunciation Catholic School Mass in 2025 has been honored for what officials called “extraordinary bravery far beyond his years.” READ GOP LAWMAKER: NIGERIA MUST PROTECT CHRISTIANS THIS EASTER Republican New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith is calling on the Nigerian government to immediately strengthen protections for Christian communities during Holy Week and ahead of Easter Sunday after a Palm Sunday massacre in Plateau State killed dozens of people. READ AD: DISCOVER A TIMELESS WAY TO DEEPEN YOUR FAITH Our new collection of Catholic prayer holy cards features elegant designs and cherished prayers — perfect for daily devotion, gifting, or keeping close as a reminder of God’s presence. Thoughtfully crafted and beautifully printed, each card is a small piece of inspiration you can carry wherever you go. Explore the collection and find the one that speaks to your heart. SHOP NOW 4-3-road-to-purity POPE REFLECTS ON CHURCH’S MISSION IN ‘DARK HOUR OF HISTORY’ During the Chrism Mass yesterday, Pope Leo reflected on the Church’s missionary identity, calling the faithful to proclaim Christ’s Passion with unity and courage “in this dark hour of history.” READ CARDINAL PIZZABALLA BEGINS TRIDUUM AT HOLY SEPULCHRE During Holy Thursday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre — the site of Christ’s crucifixion, burial, and Resurrection — Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa washed priests’ feet and called Christians to accept a love that “humbles itself,” saying true communion with Christ begins by allowing oneself to be served. READ SELF-HELP THAT MATCHES YOUR FAITH Good psychology doesn’t run counter to the Catholic faith, but we all know there is plenty of pop-psychology and psychobabble out there that isn’t any real help at all. Here are seven self-help books that actually comport with the truth about how God wired us. READ CATHOLIC 101 When Good Friday falls on the first Friday of the month, Catholics can still fulfill the Sacred Heart devotion — even without Mass — by receiving Communion during the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion. Zeale’s McKenna Snow outlines how the devotion’s requirements can still be met despite the absence of the Eucharistic liturgy. READ