Lives of Saints 
Stories and biographies of the Saints and Blessed.
Before the Jesus Prayer
After almost 1600 years, John Cassian’s instructions for meditative prayer remain as relevant — and useful — as ever. “God, come to my assistance.” “Lord, make haste to help me.” Several times today, throughout the world, monks, nuns, clergy and laypersons of the Christian faith, across several denominations, will pray these words, usually at the… Read More ›
St. Blaise
Little is known about Saint Blaise prior to his mention in a court physician’s medical journal. The physician, Aëtius Amidenus, spoke of Saint Blaise’s aid in treating objects caught in the throat. He was also mentioned in the book of Acts, where he was aided by animals and treated people and beasts alike. Saint Blaise… Read More ›
Aquinas on Islam
It is no secret that secularists generally react to Christianity with hostility, but to Islam with obsequiousness – or silence in the face of belligerence and even of atrocities such as the Ft. Hood massacre. The most elementary explanation for this curious phenomenon, aside from cowardice, might simply come from that old adage: the enemy… Read More ›
Stephen the Martyr Feast Day (Day after Christmas 2015)
For many, Christmas can be a very sentimental time of the year. Baby Jesus, pretty lights and decorations, parties and yes gifts. All good, and possibly for those who don’t get caught up in the cultural tornado of frenzied activity (probably more than is realized), a very good time of the year. Sentiment is good… Read More ›
West Bank town takes pride in links to St. Nicholas, celebrates Dec. 19
BEIT JALLA, West Bank (CNS) — Bethlehem might have the Church of the Nativity, but residents of this largely Christian town adjacent to Bethlehem say they have St. Nicholas. “People believe he is the protector of the city,” said Father Faysal Hijazen, parish priest of the Church of the Annunciation. “In all of the Christian… Read More ›
Padre Pio’s Mysterious Encounters with Souls from Purgatory
God chose Saint Pio of Pietrelcina to reveal the supernatural life to our tepid era. His supernatural interior life was made visible through his immense suffering and his well-known stigmata. As we move into November and pray for the Poor Souls in Purgatory, we do well to recall a few encounters of Padre Pio with the souls… Read More ›
The Devotion of Father Solanus Casey
Thank God ahead of time. This sentence nearly leapt off the page of a thin book of collected quotes by Father Solanus Casey that I purchased at the St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit. I was a young college student, and my faith was in its springtime as I embraced my singlehood to grow and mature… Read More ›
Feast of All Saints
All Saints’ Day is a solemn holy day of the Catholic Church celebrated annually on November 1. The day is dedicated to the saints of the Church, that is, all those who have attained heaven. It should not be confused with All Souls’ Day, which is observed on November 2, and is dedicated to those… Read More ›
These Two Popular Sayings Were Actually Never Uttered By St. Francis
If you grew up Catholic — and even if you didn’t — you’ve almost certainly heard “The Peace Prayer” prayed or sung, a lovely set of verses attributed to St. Francis which begins like this: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred let me sow your love. Where there is… Read More ›
Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael
What is an archangel? The word “archangel” (Greek, archangelos) means “high-ranking angel”—the same way that “archbishop” means a high-ranking bishop. Only St. Michael is described as an archangel in Scripture (Jude 9), but it is common to honor St.s Gabriel and Raphael as archangels also. Why are they called “saints” if they’re angels rather than… Read More ›