To see the handwriting of saint you admire – the way he wrote his a’s, the slant he used, the handwriting stroke, firm, or light – is a window into their humanity. These little gems of handwritten notes – rare nowadays in our fast-paced culture of emails, texts, and online messaging – are treasured heirlooms … Read More
Home is Where the Heart is
Did you know that some months of the year have different themes in the Catholic Church? The traditional dedications for the months are: January – Holy Name of Jesus February – Holy Family March – St. Joseph April – Blessed Sacrament May – Blessed Mother June – Sacred Heart July – Precious Blood August – … Read More
No Special Reason
In 2013 I was blessed with the opportunity to join a local church group on pilgrimage to Spain and Portugal. We began by walking the English Route of the Camino de Santiago into Santiago de Compostela, Spain, followed by a visit to the shrine at Fatima, Portugal. Though it was one pilgrimage, I had two … Read More
This couple coined the term “Vocation Awareness”
It takes a family, and what a family this was! The marriage of Saints Louis and Zelie Martin led them to parent one saint, St. Therese of Lisieux; Leonie Martin, a Visitation nun on the path towards beatification; and three other daughters who became Carmelite nuns like St. Therese. “The holy spouses Louis Martin and … Read More
A Little Bit of Heaven on Earth – The Saints Who’ve Stood the Test of Time
What does “incorrupt” mean?The word “incorrupt” means “not having undergone decomposition, especially of a human body.” When a body is exhumed for examination and judged incorruptible, they are generally seen as a saint, although the state of incorruptibility no longer is counted as a miracle towards an individual’s cause for sainthood, as it was in … Read More
Healing of French Nun Recognized as 70th Lourdes Miracle
A French nun who had suffered from a debilitating pinched nerve for more than 40 years was healed after a pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2008 – the 70th miracle of Lourdes.
Unexpected Answers to Unasked Prayers
Oftentimes, however, pilgrims are surprised by the unexpected graces they receive on pilgrimage. Graces they never thought to ask for, or even knew they needed.
Saint John Eudes – The Pilgrim Who Didn’t Travel
Saint John Eudes was born on November 14, 1601 in Ri, France and died on August 19, 1680 in nearby Caen. The distance between his birthplace and the location of his death is less than 40 miles – not a significant distance for an earthly pilgrimage – but his vocation and spiritual legacy reach far … Read More
St. Dominic and the Origins of the Rosary
While some dispute the historical account of the presentation of the Rosary by Our Lady to St. Dominic, many theologians and Popes have upheld this understanding. History reveals that St. Dominic was the first to preach and teach the Rosary as a form of meditative prayer, and the first to see the benefits reaped from … Read More
The Sacred Heart of Jesus
In the late 17th century, Jesus appeared to a young nun, now St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, in the convent of the Visitation Sisters in Paray-le-Monial, France, to speak of his love for all people and to instruct her in the devotion to His Sacred Heart. He said to her, “My Divine Heart is so passionate … Read More
Lourdes – Miracle for Many
On February 11, 1858, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to a poor peasant girl by the name of Bernadette Soubirous near the French village of Lourdes. The Blessed Mother then appeared 17 more times that year and on January 18th, 1862, the local bishop recognized the authenticity of the Apparitions, opening up the devotion to … Read More
St. James and the Camino de Santiago
St. James, Pray for Us! The last two weeks in July, the city of Santiago de Compostela celebrates its biggest festival of the year: St. James Festival or the Apostle Festival (Festas do Apóstolo). St. James is the patron saint of Santiago de Compostela but also Galicia; which means St. James Day is also Galicia … Read More
Pilgrims Welcome
The following message from Pope Francis addressed individuals at an international meeting of pilgrimage organizers and rectors of shrines. Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good morning! I cordially welcome all of you, workers of the pilgrimages to the shrines. Going on pilgrimage to the shrines is one of the People of God’s most eloquent expressions of … Read More
Bishop of Ars removes Blessed Sacrament from parishes amid string of break-ins,
(CNA).- Bishop Pascal Roland of Belley-Ars in France has ordered that the Blessed Sacrament be removed from all chapels and churches in the diocese following a wave of sacrileges that have taken place in recent days. After numerous tabernacles were profaned and consecrated hosts were stolen, Bishop Roland issued an ordinance instructing that “the Blessed … Read More
- Page 1 of 2
- 1
- 2
