Jun 13 – Memorial for St. Anthony of Padua, priest, religious, doctor St. Anthony's (1195-1231) wealthy family wanted him to be a great nobleman, but for the sake of Christ he became a poor Franciscan. When the remains of St. Berard and his companions, the first Franciscan martyrs, were brought to be buried in his... Continue Reading →
9 June, Monday — The Greatest Defender
The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church The Blessed Virgin Mary has been given the title of Mother of the Church since she gave birth to Christ, the Head of the Church, and she became the Mother of the redeemed people before her Son had given up the spirit on the Cross. Pope Paul... Continue Reading →
31 May, Saturday — A chance meeting? Probably not…
May 31 – Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary This day is called the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary because on it, Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, whom, as the angel had told her, God had blessed with a son in her old age. Patron Saint Index Zep 3:14-16Lk 1:39-56 …he... Continue Reading →
14 May, Wednesday — Chosen and Loved
May 14 – Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle St. Matthias (d. 80) was an Apostle. As he could bear witness to the Resurrection of Jesus, he was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. He preached the Gospel for more than 30 years in Judaea, Cappadocia, Egypt, and Ethopia. He is remembered for preaching the need for... Continue Reading →
3 May, Saturday — Purpose of the Christian
May 3 – Feast of Sts. Philip and James, Apostles St. Philip was a disciple of St. John the Baptist, and a convert. He was one of the Twelve Apostles, and brought St. Nathanael to Christ. He was a confidant of Jesus. Little is known about him, but scriptural episodes give the impression of a... Continue Reading →
1 May, Thursday — The power of conversion
May 1 – Feast of St. Joseph the Worker St. Joseph (d. 1st century) was a descendant of the House of David. He was a layman, a builder by trade; traditionally a carpenter, but may have been a stone worker. He was the earthly spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the foster and adoptive... Continue Reading →
22 February, Saturday — What a friend we have in Jesus
22 Feb – Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, the Apostle The feast of the Chair of St. Peter at Rome, Italy has been celebrated from the early days of the Christian era on Jan 18, in commemoration of the day when St. Peter held his first service in Rome. The feast of the... Continue Reading →
2 February, Sunday — He is always looking out for us
2 Feb – Feast of the Presentation of the Lord; World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life This feast celebrates an early episode in the life of Jesus. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Presentation is the fourth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, it is one of the twelve Great... Continue Reading →
25 January, Saturday — Trapped in our own stories
25 Jan – Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul St. Paul (3-65) was a Jewish Talmudic student and a Pharisee. He was a tent-maker by trade. Saul the Jew hated and persecuted Christians as heretical, even assisting at the stoning of St. Stephen the Martyr. On his way to Damascus to arrest another group... Continue Reading →
12 January, Sunday — Love as the Father loves us…
12 Jan – Feast of the Baptism of the Lord The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, or Theophany, is the feast day commemorating the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. Originally the baptism of Christ was celebrated on Epiphany, which commemorates the coming of the Magi, the baptism of Christ, and the wedding at Cana. Over time in the West,... Continue Reading →