Rhode Island

‘I feel like this is our chance to visit with St. Thomas Aquinas’: R.I. Catholics marvel at relic of patron saint – The Boston Globe

Published

1 year ago

December 5, 2024

‘I feel like this is our chance to visit with St. Thomas Aquinas’: R.I. Catholics marvel at relic of patron saint – The Boston Globe

“I feel like this is our chance to visit with St. Thomas Aquinas,” Laureen Petrocchi, of Johnston, R.I., who is part of the Lay Fraternities of Saint Dominic, told the Globe as she stood outside the church. “It’s a very rare opportunity.”

The relic, usually in France, is now on its first tour across the United States as part of a two-year-long jubilee commemorating the 700th anniversary of the saint’s canonization in 1323, the 750th anniversary of his death in 1274, and the 800th anniversary of his birth, believed to be sometime in 1225, according to the Dominican Friars Province of St. Joseph.

The skull of St. Thomas Aquinas, considered a major relic of the saint in the Catholic Church, inside St. Pius V Catholic Church in Providence, R.I., on Wednesday. Christopher Gavin/Globe Staff

The relic arrived at the church by 9 a.m., and was later scheduled to move across the street to Saint Dominic Chapel at Providence College. Masses were slated to be held at both locations, along with venerations, allowing parishioners and students to pray before the relic.

Wednesday marked the relic’s only tour appearances scheduled in New England.

St. Thomas Aquinas looms large at Providence College: The school was founded in 1917 by Dominican friars, who run the institution to this day, and images and statues of the beloved saint can be found throughout its campus.

“To be able to host him in our chapel, to have an opportunity for students to come and pray in front of his relics, is really special,” college chaplain the Rev. Simon Teller O.P. said in an interview. “It’s a special way to bring students deeper into relationship with Saint Thomas, with the Dominican intellectual heritage and tradition.”

Efforts to bring the relic to St. Pius V had been in the works for at least a year, according to Jason DeSilva, a church parishioner and a knight commander in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, a papal knighthood. DeSilva served as the church’s contact for managing the visit after the tour was offered by the Dominican Order, he said.

Raquel Cuellar, left, and her daughter, Violet, right, were at St. Pius V Church to take part in the public veneration. She had her Miraculous Medal that she's wearing, blessed by touching the relic. — Raquel Cuellar, left, and her daughter, Violet, right, were at St. Pius V Church to take part in the public veneration. She had her Miraculous Medal that she’s wearing, blessed by touching the relic. Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff

St. Thomas Aquanias is a particularly special figure for DeSilva. A former Dominican brother, he adopted the saint’s name when taking his vows, he said.

On Wednesday, he carried the crucifix that once adorned the saint’s rosary beads. Inside the cross is a piece of bone from the beloved saint’s body, he said.

St. Thomas Aquinas, he said, remains relevant for two reasons: Faith and reason.

“Saint Thomas was known for … showing that faith and reason are in harmony and they’re not in conflict, and particularly now when we have such a scientistic society where, like, only science is real and true, he showed that it’s both, and,” DeSilva said. “So that’s what we need today.”

For some, the timing of Wednesday’s visit may have also seemed divine.

Students at Providence College are now fretting over their upcoming final exams for this semester. Teller said he advised a few to consider a visit to the chapel to say a prayer to St. Thomas Aquinas, the patron saint of Catholic education, while the relic was on campus.

“For some, they’re praying for a miracle,” he joked.

Cassidy Pry, a freshman studying education, was the first in line to pray at St. Pius V, and prayed for the students she teaches in her religious education class — along with a bit of help with her studies and those upcoming tests.

“I think a lot of us were excited that he was coming specifically during finals season,” she said with a laugh.

Visitors at St. Pius V Church at Wednesday's veneration. Some had items blessed by touching the relic. — Visitors at St. Pius V Church at Wednesday’s veneration. Some had items blessed by touching the relic. Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff

Meanwhile, Mike Ford said he prayed for “a better ability to focus mind and heart on God and be able to serve him better in my own life.”

Ford and his wife, Elizabeth, drove about an hour and a half to St. Pius V from their home in western Massachusetts on Wednesday morning after learning the relic was there, he said.

Admittedly, Ford was a bit nervous as he made his way toward the altar.

“It’s not every day you get to do that,” he said.

As people continued to trickle in late Wednesday morning, the Rev. John Maria Devaney O.P., the pastor at St. Pius V, recalled how one longtime parishioner had told him earlier she came to pray for a friend with metastatic cancer.

She said she felt honored and yet overwhelmed, too, Devaney said.

“Sometimes with these events, people may experience, like, the veil between heaven and earth a little thinner,” Devaney said. “So that’s what she expressed. She was very grateful, and she was honored she had a few moments with the relics to ask for help.”

Christopher Gavin can be reached at christopher.gavin@globe.com.

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Rhode Island

Thousands drop public health insurance coverage in RI after premiums spike

Published

10 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Thousands drop public health insurance coverage in RI after premiums spike

Thousands of Rhode Islanders dropped their health insurance plans after federal subsidies expired.
Enrollment in HealthSource RI, the state’s marketplace, fell by 20% in early 2024.
The average premium for enrollees more than doubled as federal funding ended.

Thousands of Rhode Islanders dropped health insurance coverage through Rhode Island’s public insurance marketplace instead of maintaining plans with rising premiums and lower subsidies, HealthSource RI said.

Enrollment through HealthSource, Rhode Island’s “Obamacare” exchange, plunged 20% between the end of last year and the close of the annual enrollment period a month later, as federal funding for premium tax credits expired, according to a HealthSource new release.

There were 48,060 individual and family enrollments on Dec. 31 of last year, the day the premium subsidies from the American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act ended.

On Feb. 1, there were 38,557 enrollments.

Before this drop, HealthSource has posted enrollment increases almost every year since Affordable Care Act exchanges launched in 2013.

How did we get here?

Last year, the Republican-controlled federal government declined to extend premium tax credits after a protracted budget battle with congressional Democrats, who are now negotiating to restore the health insurance subsidies.

The lapse in subsidies coincided with an increase in premiums, driven by a combination of factors, which sent the total cost of coverage climbing.

The average premium across HealthSource enrollees more than doubled (101%,) the exchange said, or $111 per person, per month.

Many enrollees opted for cheaper insurance plans despite their higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs.

Others dropped coverage altogether.

“The increase in premiums, combined with the decrease in federal supports, makes this an incredibly challenging year for folks depending on HealthSource RI for health coverage,” HealthSource Director Lindsay Lang said in the release. “Having health coverage helps protect against one bad turn of luck becoming years of financial burden. We will work with every customer to find options that are best for their needs and budget, and continue to work with state leaders and our federal delegation to find long-term solutions.”

Could help be on the way?

Gov. Dan McKee included $9.5 million in his proposed state budget for the year starting July 1 to subsidize coverage for some of the lowest-income exchange enrollees.

The enrollment declines show that may be too little for some Rhode Islanders, and too late for others.

“It is disheartening but not surprising that, as President Trump’s policies have caused health insurance costs to skyrocket, more Rhode Islanders are struggling to pay for health coverage,” McKee said.

Since the exchange opened in 2013, Rhode Island’s uninsured rate has declined by two thirds, down to 2.2%, HealthSource said.

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Powerball, Numbers Midday winning numbers for March 9, 2026

Published

22 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 9, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 9 drawing

22-23-28-36-54, Powerball: 13, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from March 9 drawing

Midday: 5-7-4-4

Evening: 2-1-3-2

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from March 9 drawing

02-14-16-34-35, Extra: 10

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 9 drawing

06-16-26-41-43, Bonus: 03

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
Winners of the Millionaire for Life top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life and second prize of $100,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.

When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Rhode Island

Spring And Summer Concert Guide: 10 Can’t-Miss Shows In Rhode Island

Published

1 day ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

Spring And Summer Concert Guide: 10 Can’t-Miss Shows In Rhode Island

Whether with a stop on a national or international tour or a regional favorite, the spring and summer concert calendar is filling up in Rhode Island.

The Ravers, Newport’s reggae band, comes to Rhode Island in April. There are plenty of concerts in the area that will have you dancing all spring and summer long, including some regional favorites.

We’ve rounded up 10 concerts in Rhode Island that are worth getting on the calendar. And speaking of calendars: Are you planning an event this spring? Feature it, so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!

Here’s what you need to know about upcoming concerts:

Candlelight: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles, March 20, Bishop McVinney Auditorium, Providence
Soulful Sounds in Pawtucket, April 3, Hope Events on Main, Pawtucket
Ravers Night! April 11, Newport Vineyards & Winery, Middletown
Corvettes — Doo Wop Revue, April 19, Courthouse Center for the Arts, Kingstown
“Dancing at the Forty Steps” – Newport Irish Heritage Month flagship event, March 29, the Forty Steps on Cliff Walk, Newport
Newport Classical: Yevgeny Kutik & Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner, April 10, Newport Classical Recital Hall, Newport
Newport Classical: Zijian Wei performs Ravel and Liszt, May 8, Newport Classical Recital Hall, Newport
Newport Classical Finale: Amir Hoshang Farsi and Chelsea Wang, June 5, Newport Classical Recital Hall, Newport
An Evening With John Legend, April 26, Providence Performing Arts Center, Providence
Ani DiFranco with Special Guest Valerie June, May 8, Providence Performing Arts Center, Providence

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