Natalie HoeferLast Updated: November 22nd, 2022Saints, Spiritual Reflections
November 17 is the feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. Given her work in feeding the poor, she could easily be called St. Elizabeth of the Hungry! This 13th-century saint is the patron of several causes, one of which is what she is most noted for in her lifetime: charity. St. Elizabeth was a princess, … Read More
Andrea JoinesLast Updated: November 22nd, 2022Saints, Spiritual Reflections
On November 11, we celebrate the feast of St. Martin of Tours, often remembered for giving half of his cloak to a poor beggar. Though mocked for this act of charity, Martin later received a vision from Christ saying it was He himself whom Martin helped. The figure in this vision was wearing the cloak … Read More
Andrea JoinesLast Updated: September 8th, 2022Saints, Spiritual Reflections
Yesterday, the world entered a period of mourning for the longest reigning English monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. Her life and death have been marked with all the celebrations and festivities fit for an earthly queen. Over the next few days, or even weeks, there will be news reports, tv programs, special newspaper editions, and the … Read More
Bri CampbellLast Updated: July 20th, 2022Saints, Spiritual Reflections
As we transition into the season of summer, we’re greeted by the month-long celebration of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. With the added benefit of beautiful, warm weather, we are also called to draw closer to the merciful and all-encompassing love of our Savior. First revealed to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque through apparitions in the … Read More
Bri CampbellLast Updated: May 18th, 2022Italy, Marian Shrines of Europe, Saints
It was a warm May afternoon, pleasantly sunny and warm. The 16th century architecture wrapped around the square, slowly swelling as 10,000 people earned their spot in the sprawling courtyard, woven around fountains and structures, corralled in by hardy trail markers. The general attitude of the growing crowd was gentle exciting, growing with each ticking … Read More
Bri CampbellLast Updated: May 11th, 2022Saints
Spring is in the air, we’re into our second week of the Easter season, and the brighter days call for socializing and celebrating the departure from cold and bleak weather. One of the great things about the Church is that it, too, likes causes for celebration all year long. One way to incorporate the life … Read More
Petition is one of many types of prayer, asking the Lord for guidance, graces, healing, and more. In petitioning God the Father, we are only following the command of Jesus, as He shared with His disciples: “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will … Read More
Bri CampbellLast Updated: March 24th, 2022Domestic Church, Saints, Spiritual Reflections
Last January 23, I completed my first Consecration to St. Joseph by Fr. Donald Calloway. This was during the Year of St. Joseph as proclaimed by Pope Francis on December 8, 2020. Encouraged by the testimonies of friends and my parish priest who had already begun the consecration, I decided to begin myself and picked … Read More
Bri CampbellLast Updated: March 24th, 2022Saints, Spiritual Reflections
Mothers’ Day almost always takes me by surprise. Falling in the first week of May, it seems like I never have any warning to buy the perfect gift or write the perfect card before April suddenly ends and I find myself looking Mothers’ Day in the face. I can’t say the same about the other … Read More
Bri CampbellLast Updated: March 24th, 2022Saints
Today is the feast of St. Martin of Tours, an early saint from the fourth century. After experiencing a conversion to Christianity at the age of 10, Martin became a steadfast follower of Christ. Upon turning 15, he had to report for duty in the Roman army, where he was eventually stationed in France. As … Read More
Andrea JoinesLast Updated: March 24th, 2022Saints
I love my birthday. Not for any presents or cake, but more for the celebration. Getting together with friends, unexpected phone calls and texts, and all the freebies from restaurants. Free coffee from one place and free pastry from the place next door – birthday breakfast! Office party – birthday lunch! Last summer, we went … Read More
Bri CampbellLast Updated: March 24th, 2022Saints
“We can pray perfectly when we are out in the mountains or on a lake and we feel at one with nature. Nature speaks for us or rather speaks to us. We pray perfectly” One of the more commonly known things about St. John Paul II is that he flourished in the outdoors. From the early … Read More
Andrea JoinesLast Updated: March 24th, 2022Saints, Spiritual Reflections
Throughout the early 80s, at the Saturday evening vigil Mass, an older couple always sat in the front pew on the right side of the aisle. Each week they watched as, across the way, a young mother brought her preschool son to Mass, teaching him the ways of the faith and showing him the love … Read More
Andrea JoinesLast Updated: December 14th, 2021Saints
As we celebrate the feast of St. Francis this week, many will recall the vision he had from Jesus on the cross in the Church of San Damiano telling him to “Rebuild My Church.” St. Francis took this literally, and began to rebuild the small church where he was praying, but then later realized it … Read More
Bri CampbellLast Updated: October 7th, 2021Saints, Spiritual Reflections
Tomorrow is the first of October, the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux. As one of Catholicism’s most popular saints, it should come as no surprise that her novena is also one that is frequently prayed and whose answers are most eagerly awaited for. Most commonly, those that pray this novena expect St. Therese to … Read More
