The Sacred Heart
I’m really vibing (enjoying) Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical. Right from the start, he calls artificial intelligence (AI) one of the biggest threats to our humanity and morality. The Magnificatus Humanitas stands out for its length (about 43,000 words) and its symbolism, which hints at the direction his papacy might take. He wrote it not just for Catholics, but for “all men and women of goodwill.” He talks about real, political, and measurable issues. It’s a good reminder of what matters most about being human, like love, joy, excitement, and connecting with others.
The pope is asking us to resist challenges with love, connection, and faith. He isn’t saying we should ignore the hard things in the world, but that we should face them with love and connection. How can we do that here at Maryville?
A Call to Action:
1. Take a walk or roll with a friend. If you met someone here at Maryville, take the time to get to know them and connect on something you care about.
2. Make a commitment to unplug for a few hours a day, allowing your brain to wander, rest and spark new ideas.
3. Pray for the Pope as he leads the Church.
4. Take the time to read the encyclical or any parts that interest you.
I’m excited about the Magnificatus Humanitas and how it’s spreading (dare I say, going viral?). It could show us a new path forward, both as Catholics and as people of goodwill.
Melissa McCoy
Maryville Chaplain
After Pentecost, the Church enters Ordinary Time, which is the longest season of the liturgical year. As we begin this season, let’s pause and ask ourselves: how is God inviting us to grow closer to Him during Ordinary Time?
The feasts we celebrate in June show how the Church continues to grow. We remember the feasts of the apostles Peter and Paul, and the birth of St. John the Baptist, who was both a disciple and a prophet.
This June, you might attend Mass for one of these special feast days. You could also pray the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus or offer prayers for the Church. Maybe pick a martyr or saint to learn about and ask for their prayers.
As we continue our journey of faith, let’s find ways to encourage and support each other in our community. When we grow together and help one another, we strengthen our mission to share Christ’s love with the world. May the Heart of Jesus inspire us to live out our Baptismal call to holiness. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
Magnifica Humanitas
Pope Leo XIV released his first papal encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas” (On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence or AI).
Signed on May 15, 2026, which marks the 135th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s influential social encyclical Rerum Novarum, the letter explains the Catholic Church’s views on technology and human dignity.
Here are the key takeaways from the document:
*To read the full text of the letter, you can access the Vatican’s Official Magnifica Humanitas Document at Vatican.va
