“Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14). Ever since the days that Saint Monica (c. 332-387) wept over her son Augustine’s sins, raising children in the Faith has been challenging. Virtuous parents sometimes raise children who depart from the Church … Read more
Among the religious orders dedicated to the contemplative life, the Carmelites have a special role. Carmelite convents are found all over the world. They have given the Church countless saints and models. Many Carmelite convents are now in crisis because they have no vocations. The nuns are dying off. Convent after convent is closing. Each … Read more
Of angelic purity and enormous devotion to Our Lady, this young woman mystically participated in practically all acts of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Saint Gemma Galgani died at the beginning of the twentieth century at the age of 25. She was favored by all sorts of charisms, such as experiencing the stigmata … Read more
Mallorca: Cradle and Roots The honors rightly paid to Friar Junípero Serra on all continents should not overshadow the Majorcan roots and soul of this slender Franciscan with a gigantic soul. He was born on November 24, 1713, on the Spanish island of Majorca in the Mediterranean Sea. His root’s vitality stems from the … Read more
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Foundress and first superior of the Sisters of Charity in the United States, b. in New York City, 28 Aug., 1774, of non-Catholic parents of high position; d. at Emmitsburg, Maryland, 4 Jan., 1821. Her father, Dr. Richard Bayley (b. Connecticut and educated in England), was the first professor of anatomy … Read more
January 3 is the feast of Saint Genevieve, virgin (422-500). We will read a short biographical account of some episodes of her extraordinary life: Genevieve was famous worldwide. While still living, her renown and virtues were already known even in the East. Atop his column, Saint Simeon Stylites had a vision of this spiritual sister … Read more
August 25 is the feast of Saint Louis, King of France, a model of Catholic statesmen, who participated in two crusades. Dom Prosper Guéranger (1805-1875), the famous Abbot of Solesmes, makes some excellent commentaries about Saint Louis. From the pen of this great Catholic writer, one of the most important churchmen of his time, we … Read more
The modern world is full of broken marriages and families. Unfortunately, this lamentable trend includes many Christians. Instead of opposing family breakdown, many favor making it easier with divorce and living together arrangements. As a result, such concessions have become accepted and even commonplace. The confusion reigning in civil society now extends even to the … Read more
On a certain morning in 1208, probably 24 February, Francis was hearing Mass in the chapel of St. Mary of the Angels, near which he had then built himself a hut; the Gospel of the day told how the disciples of Christ were to possess neither gold nor silver, nor scrip for their journey, nor … Read more
