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
The Perfect Weekend for a Feast
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
Praying for Rain
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
A Man for the Times
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
Celebrating Our Mother on New Year’s Day
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
A Prayer for Times of Need
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
Double the Celebration
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
Pray Like St. John Paul II Today
“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
The Saints in our Lives
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
Build My Church
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
Receiving Roses and Rest
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
A Saint’s Saintly Friend
In recent years, San Giovanni Rotondo, home of St. Padre Pio, receives millions of visitors annually. During his lifetime, he personally received hundreds of thousands of penitent sinners and heard their confessions, with the goal of converting them further to Christ. However, with some visitors from Naples, he had an odd response to them coming to see him. “Why do you … Read More
One Month, Seven Sorrows
The month of September brings us numerous feasts and commemorations, including the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15. In addition, traditionally, the entirety of the month is dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of Mary. These seven sorrows from various points in the life of the Blessed Mother are as follows: Prophecy of … Read More
The Lingering Spirit of St. Louis
The name “St. Louis” is a midwestern staple. Known by most in the region as Missouri’s most popular city, it also lays claim to several other namesakes. Whether it’s the St. Louis Cardinals, the Spirit of St. Louis, or perhaps a rousing rendition of “Meet Me in St. Louis,” this name has a solid grasp … Read More
Mary Magdalene and her Red Egg
We all know the awe-inspiring story of Mary Magdalene, the first person Christ appeared to after his Resurrection. She was a true saint of hope running to tell the Apostles she had seen the Lord. They didn’t believe her until they ran to the tomb themselves. The unbelief of the Apostles steeled her for a … Read More