Alleluia! In today’s readings, the early Christian community lives with one heart and mind, sharing everything so that “great grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:32-37). Jesus tells Nicodemus we must be born from above (John 3:7-15). In the Domestic Church, the Risen Lord gives us this new life and courage - our homes become little communities of generous love, bold prayer, and joyful witness where faith is passed on naturally.

📰 Quick Hits

1. Religious Liberty Commission Urges Perseverance as Threats Continue

Members of the U.S. Religious Liberty Commission held their final scheduled hearing on April 13 and stressed the need to keep working to protect religious freedom, noting that challenges in public life, education, and conscience issues “are not disappearing.”

Faith Lens for the Home: The Risen Lord calls His followers to persevere with courage. With your children tonight, ask: “The early Christians faced opposition but prayed for boldness - how can our family live our faith openly and kindly, even when it feels hard?” This is a good moment to model quiet confidence so your kids grow strong in their own witness.

2. U.S. Bishops Urge Protection for Pregnant and Nursing Mothers in Immigration Detention

On April 13, the chairmen of the USCCB’s pro-life and migration committees wrote to the Department of Homeland Security expressing grave concern over reports of pregnant mothers receiving inadequate medical care in ICE detention (including miscarriages) and nursing mothers being separated from their infants. They urged consistent enforcement of existing policy that generally discourages detaining pregnant and postpartum women except in exceptional cases.

Faith Lens for the Home: Every mother and child deserves care and dignity. At dinner, talk with your kids: “The Church reminds us that pregnant and nursing mothers - no matter their situation - need real help and compassion. What’s one small way our family can show mercy and pray for vulnerable mothers and their babies?” This helps us live the Gospel’s call to protect the most vulnerable right from home.

3. Wicklow Lads Turn Christmas Tradition into 50-Church Faith Adventure

Three young friends from Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow, Ireland — Luke Doogue (20), Stephen Patterson (17), and Dylan Byrne (18) — decided to swap the usual “12 pubs” Christmas crawl for visiting 12 different churches for Mass. The simple idea grew, and they have now visited 50 churches and attended nearly 90 Masses across several counties, enjoying the car rides, conversations, and welcome from parishioners.

Faith Lens for the Home: The Risen Lord calls friends to walk together in faith. At dinner, ask your kids: “These three lads chose something different with their friends — visiting churches instead of the usual crawl. Do you have friends you could do a faith adventure with, like going to Mass at a new parish or praying together?” Talk about what makes friendships strong enough to support living the faith joyfully. This Easter season, pray for your children to find and be holy friends.

⛪ Family Saint Spotlight

St. Lydwine of Schiedam - April 14

A Dutch laywoman who, after a skating accident in her youth, became bedridden for decades and offered her intense suffering in union with Christ’s Passion. Despite great pain, she remained joyful, prayerful, and a source of spiritual encouragement to many who visited her.

Ask at dinner: “St. Lydwine turned her long illness into a gift for God. What’s one small suffering or difficulty in our family that we could offer to Jesus with love this week?”

✋ One Simple Action

Start (or add to) a family Resurrection Journal this Easter season. Place a simple notebook or folder by your dinner table or prayer space. Each evening, have everyone name one grace, sign of hope, or moment of God’s presence they noticed that day. If you’re new to Domus Daily, this is a gentle weekly habit - begin tonight with today’s readings or family prayer time. We’ll revisit it lightly each day as a shared rhythm.

📚 Read More

• Religious Liberty Commission hearing: EWTN News (https://www.ewtnnews.com/world/us/religious-liberty-commission-members-urge-continued-work-as-threats-are-not-disappearing)
• Bishops urge protection for pregnant and nursing mothers in detention: USCCB (https://www.usccb.org/news/2026/bishop-chairmen-urge-administration-extend-commitments-life-all-vulnerable-mothers)
• Wicklow lads 50-church journey: RTÉ News (https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0404/1566326-lads-church-faith/)
• St. Lydwine of Schiedam: Catholic.org (https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=456)

The Risen Lord is with us, giving us new life and courage for whatever this week holds. Live boldly and joyfully in your domestic church today.

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