WASHINGTON, DC — Father Gary R. Studniewski, CH, COL, USA (Ret.), has been named an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Washington, DC, by His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV. The appointment was announced on Friday, May 1. At a news conference with Washington Archbishop Robert Cardinal McElroy, Bishop-elect Studniewski recounted how he discerned a priestly vocation during his army service in the Nation’s Capital, entered seminary after 10 years on active duty as an artillery officer, and upon...

When we speak about the Christian life, we often focus on grace, faith, and salvation. Yet within the rich tradition of the Church lies another important concept that helps us understand how we cooperate with God: merit . At first glance, the idea of merit can seem transactional—as if we are “earning” heaven. But properly understood, merit reveals something far deeper: the mysterious and beautiful cooperation between God’s grace and human freedom. Within this framework, theologians...

Florissant, MO, April 7, 2026 — As the Church enters the joyful season of Easter, the Augustine Institute invites the faithful to let their celebration bear fruit in transformation. In The Art of Living , a new six-part video series, renowned Catholic scholar and bestselling author Dr. Edward Sri offers a practical and engaging guide to the four cardinal virtues—prudence, fortitude, temperance, and justice—and their essential role in shaping authentic freedom and lasting holiness. Drawing...