Did the Spanish Inquisition really kill thousands of unbelievers?
…or is this widespread “fact” just a “Black Legend”?
Did the Spanish Inquisition really burn thousands of heretics at the stake?
Did it regularly issue draconian punishments to anyone who didn’t agree with the Church’s teachings?
Nope.
The notion that the Spanish Inquisition dealt out death sentences, torture, and cruel punishments to thousands of innocent, free-thinking heretics is traceable to a number of cultivated myths.
Near the end of the 16th century, northern European Protestants began a conscientious propaganda campaign against their enemies, the Spanish. It included much disinformation about a lot of things, including the supposed cruelties of the Spanish Inquisition.
These propagandized calumnies spread through Europe via pamphlets and books (with the newly-invented printing press speeding this process along) and were adopted by later enemies of the Church, as well. It was an anti-Spain, anti-Catholic historical thread that became known as the “Black Legend.” Much of the disinformation about the Spanish Inquisition has its roots in this “legend.”
Let’s do some research!
The actual number of heretics condemned to death by the Spanish Inquisition is small, because the Spanish Inquisition was a state institution, rather than a Church institution, and was at times abused by the monarchs (and excoriated by the Holy See for politicized sentences).
Furthermore, the Spanish Inquisition—reputed to be so severe—actually only condemned 1.8% of the accused to death in 130,000 heresy trials between 1478 and 1834 (that’s 356 years!) according to the meticulously researched book Vatican Secret Archives: Unknown Pages of Church History.
Another 1.7% were sentenced “in absentia” (the whereabouts of the accused being unknown, an effigy was burned in their place). But most of the defendants were acquitted or given punishments—most of which were spiritual—such as a penance or pilgrimage.
Vatican Secret Archives also notes that the Portuguese (whose Inquisition was actually more severe than Spain’s) received no such treatment in the press. The reason was that they were allies of the propagandists.
A case study in propaganda
One reason the Spanish Inquisition looms so large in popular imagination has less to do with history and more to do with politics.
In the sixteenth century, Spain was the dominant power in Europe. Its chief rivals, England and the Netherlands, had every incentive to portray Spain as cruel, fanatical, and oppressive. The Inquisition provided a convenient target.
With the rise of the printing press, anti-Spanish pamphlets, books, and illustrations spread rapidly throughout Europe. Graphic images depicted torture chambers, mass executions, and unspeakable atrocities. These accounts often painted Spain as uniquely brutal, helping build public support for political and military opposition to Spanish power.
Historians now refer to this sustained campaign as the “Black Legend.”
This does not mean the Inquisition was perfect or that abuses never occurred. It does mean that many of the stories and numbers repeated for centuries were exaggerated for political purposes.
The irony is that other nations of the same period often imposed harsher penalties through their own courts. During the reign of Henry VIII, for example, tens of thousands of people were executed under English law, far exceeding the number of executions attributed to the Spanish Inquisition over its entire history.
None of this excuses the mistakes of the Inquisition. It does, however, remind us that history is often more complicated than the legends we inherit. The Spanish Inquisition became a symbol of Catholic cruelty in large part because Spain’s political enemies found it useful to make it one. (Learn much more about this and other popular “legends” in our Good Catholic series, Faith vs. Fiction)
So: don’t believe everything you read on the internet. In Seven Lies about Catholic History, Diane Moczar tackles the most infamous and prevalent historical myths about the Church — popular legends that you encounter everywhere from textbooks to T.V. — and reveals the real truth about them. She explains how they got started and why they’re still around.
Who designed the Papal Guard uniforms and what are the duties of the Swiss Guard?
(Don’t fall for the Roman legend…)
You might be surprised at the age of the Swiss Guard uniform that we all know. Although the puffed sleeves, standing collar, boot covers, and pantaloons scream “Renaissance,” the colorful uniform is just over 100 years old.
The legend crediting Michelangelo with the uniform’s design is not without ground; in Vatican frescoes from that artist’s time, the Swiss Guard are depicted in vaguely similar garments. None of Michelangelo’s incredible designs, however, ever came under the needle of a tailor.
Nonetheless, the true story of the uniforms is arguably just as exciting as the legend.
In 1910, a new Swiss Guard Commandant—Jules Repond—began his command of the world-famous corps. The corps, however, was in bad condition. It had become lax—almost strictly ceremonial. Repond began a successful reform, not only reestablishing the Guards’ militaristic discipline, but also scrutinizing their uniforms.
He carefully researched the Guard’s old garments and designed the uniform we know and love today: a look evocative of the Guard’s Renaissance roots combined with practical moveability for military exercises. He also retained the family colors of Pope Julius II (the founder of the Guard) and his successor Pope Leo X—the iconic red, blue, and yellow.
The uniform was officially approved in 1914.
Most people think of the Pontifical Swiss Guard as ceremonial soldiers standing in colorful uniforms, but they are a real military force responsible for the security of the Pope and certain Vatican properties.
Their duties include:
Protecting the Pope
Guarding entrances to Vatican City
Providing security at papal audiences and liturgies
Controlling access to Vatican buildings
Assisting with crowd management and visitor screening
Accompanying the Pope on some trips
I happen to be in Rome as I write this, and the other day, as we were leaving Mass at St. Anne’s Church (Sant’Anna dei Palafrenieri), which is on the grounds of the Vatican, a guard was speaking to a visitor and enforcing the Vatican’s dress code. The man was wearing a t-shirt and shorts, and flip-flops and looked surprised when the guard said he could not enter the church because, “you look like you are going to the beach”!
The Vatican asks visitors entering churches and sacred spaces to dress modestly. Often, clothing that is considered too casual or revealing will result in being turned away because it is considered inappropriate attire for a sacred space.
One thing many visitors don’t realize is that the Swiss Guard’s work is often quite pastoral. They spend much of their day giving directions, helping lost pilgrims, managing lines, and gently reminding visitors about Vatican customs and etiquette. So the guard you saw was likely doing exactly what he was assigned to do: helping preserve the dignity of a church while controlling access to a Vatican property.
Interestingly, the Swiss Guards must be:
Male
Practicing Catholics
Swiss citizens
Have completed Swiss military service
Be unmarried when they enter service
So beneath those colorful uniforms are trained soldiers entrusted with protecting the Pope and the Vatican.
Who first used the term Catholic to refer to Christ’s True Church?
He does not stop to explain what “Catholic” means. He simply uses it as though his readers already understand it.
Have you ever wondered where the word Catholic came from?
Did it develop gradually over time? Or does it go back to the earliest Christians?
It came from a man who knew the apostles.
Around A.D. 107, St. Ignatius of Antioch was being escorted to Rome for execution because of his Christian faith. Along the journey, he wrote a series of letters to encourage fellow Christians to remain united in the faith. In one of those letters, addressed to the Christians in Smyrna, he wrote:
“Wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.”
This is the earliest known written use of the phrase “the Catholic Church” that has survived to our own day.
That fact alone is remarkable.
Ignatius was not writing hundreds of years after the apostles. He lived in the generation immediately following them. In fact, Christian tradition holds that he was a disciple of St. John the Apostle himself.
Even more interesting is the way Ignatius uses the term.
He does not stop to explain what “Catholic” means. He simply uses it as though his readers already understand it. That suggests the word was already familiar within the Christian community.
The word comes from the Greek katholikos, which means “universal” or “according to the whole.” For the early Christians, the Catholic Church was not merely a local congregation or a regional movement. It was the worldwide Church founded by Christ and handed on through the apostles.
Over time, the term took on an additional meaning. It not only referred to the Church’s universality, but also helped distinguish the authentic apostolic faith from groups that broke away from it.
Interestingly, Ignatius was writing at a time when Christianity was still young and often persecuted. There were no great cathedrals. No Christian nations. No legal protections. Yet already the Church understood herself as something larger than any one city, language, or culture.
She was catholic.
That understanding remains just as relevant today.
The Church spans continents, cultures, languages, and centuries. Catholics may worship in different places and speak different tongues, but they share the same faith handed down from the apostles.
St. Ignatius recognized that reality nearly two thousand years ago as he journeyed toward martyrdom.
As Catholics gather around their tables, pray before meals, and pass the faith on to future generations, they participate in that same universal Church that St. Ignatius described so long ago.
A beautiful reminder of that faith can be found in our Personalized Bless Us O Lord Chef’s Easel Cookbook Holder, which combines a beloved Catholic mealtime prayer with a practical place to hold treasured family recipes. Just as the faith has been handed down through generations, so too have the traditions that gather families around the table.
How did St. Benedict survive poison… twice?
It is also one reason why the St. Benedict Medal became associated with spiritual protection. The prayers and symbols on the medal reflect Benedict’s unwavering confidence in Christ’s power over evil.
St. Benedict is one of the most beloved saints in the Church. He is known as the father of Western monasticism, the author of the Rule of St. Benedict, and the saint whose medal is associated with protection against evil.
What many Catholics do not realize is that, according to the traditional accounts of his life, Benedict survived not one but two attempts to poison him.
Both incidents occurred because of the very thing that made him a saint: his holiness.
The stories come from The Dialogues of Pope St. Gregory the Great, written less than a century after Benedict’s death.
The first attempt took place after Benedict had gained a reputation for wisdom and holiness while living as a hermit. A nearby monastery whose abbot had died asked Benedict to become their superior. He agreed, but the arrangement quickly became difficult.
The monks had grown accustomed to a much easier way of life. Benedict expected discipline, prayer, and fidelity to the monastic rule. Before long, some of the monks decided they no longer wanted him as their abbot.
Rather than ask him to leave, they chose a more sinister solution.
They poisoned his wine.
When the cup was presented to Benedict, he made the Sign of the Cross over it as was his custom before meals. According to St. Gregory, the cup immediately shattered, revealing the danger that had been hidden within it.
Realizing what had happened, Benedict did not seek revenge. Instead, he quietly left the monastery and returned to his life of prayer.
Most people would think surviving one poisoning attempt would be enough.
It was not.
Later, Benedict attracted many followers and established a growing monastic community. His holiness inspired many people, but it also stirred jealousy in others. One local priest, envious of Benedict’s influence, allegedly attempted to poison him a second time.
This time the poison was hidden in a loaf of bread.
Before Benedict could eat it, he recognized the danger. According to the account, he instructed a raven that regularly visited him to carry the loaf away where no one could be harmed by it.
The raven obeyed.
Whether one focuses on the miraculous details or the larger lesson, both stories reveal something important about Benedict.
Trust in God. And that trust became one of the hallmarks of Benedictine spirituality. Stability, prayer, obedience, humility, and confidence in God’s providence have shaped Christian life for more than fifteen centuries through the influence of St. Benedict and his followers.
It is also one reason why the St. Benedict Medal became associated with spiritual protection. The prayers and symbols on the medal reflect Benedict’s unwavering confidence in Christ’s power over evil.
The saint who survived poison twice reminds us that holiness does not make life easier. In many cases, it invites opposition. Yet Benedict’s life also reminds us that God remains present in every trial and that no earthly threat is greater than His protection.
How do you raise a saint? Ask Antonia Acutis
Today, Antonia travels the world sharing her son’s story. Yet one of the most beautiful aspects of her testimony is her humility.
When people hear the name Carlo Acutis, they often focus on what made him extraordinary.
He built a website cataloging Eucharistic miracles. He attended daily Mass. He had a remarkable devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. He died young and is now recognized throughout the world as the first millennial saint.
But there is another question worth asking…How do you raise a saint?
For that answer, it may be worth looking not only at Carlo, but at his mother, Antonia Acutis.
One of the most surprising aspects of Carlo’s story is that his parents were not especially devout Catholics when he was born. In interviews, Antonia has spoken candidly about her own faith journey. Before Carlo’s birth, she knew little about the saints and had rarely attended Mass. Yet her son seemed drawn to God from an early age in a way that surprised everyone around him.
Rather than leading Carlo to the faith, Antonia often describes Carlo as helping lead her.
As a child, Carlo asked to visit churches whenever he saw one. He developed a love for the Eucharist and encouraged his family to attend Mass more regularly. What began as a young boy’s devotion gradually transformed the spiritual life of those around him.
That detail is encouraging because it challenges a common assumption.
When parents hear about saints, it is easy to imagine that they must have grown up in perfect homes with perfect families and perfect spiritual formation. The reality is often much more ordinary. God works through imperfect people, imperfect circumstances, and imperfect families.
Antonia did not raise Carlo by creating an ideal environment free from every struggle or distraction. She raised him by responding to the grace God was offering her family. As Carlo’s faith deepened, she nurtured it. She encouraged it. She made room for it.
Perhaps that is one of the most important lessons in the Acutis story.
Parents cannot manufacture holiness.
Holiness is God’s work.
What parents can do is create space for that work to flourish. They can pray with their children. Bring them to Mass. Teach them the faith. Encourage questions. Model repentance when they fail. Make room for grace.
The saints often emerge from homes that are more ordinary than we imagine.
Carlo’s story also reminds us that the influence between parent and child is not always one-directional. Sometimes children become powerful witnesses to their parents. Sometimes God uses the faith of a child to renew an entire family.
That certainly seems to have happened in the Acutis household.
Today, Antonia travels the world sharing her son’s story. Yet one of the most beautiful aspects of her testimony is her humility. She does not present herself as an expert who discovered a secret formula for raising saints. Instead, she points people back to the Eucharist, prayer, and openness to God’s grace, the same things that shaped Carlo’s life.
As parents, grandparents, godparents, teachers, and mentors, perhaps that is the encouragement we need.
Which saint is depicted holding a book with a sword through it?
The Apostle of Germany covered a lot of ground—literally and figuratively—in his lifetime.
A native of England, Boniface entered a Benedictine monastery in the early 8th century. There, he heard the call to what became a lifelong mission: to work for Christ among the old Saxons in Germany.
Boniface relentlessly pursued this call, even refusing an election as abbot of his monastery in order to travel to Frisia in 716. On the way, however, he took a 40-year detour. Thuringia, Hessia, and other Germanic areas were badly in need of help.
They had been converted to the Faith not long before, but quickly relapsed into paganism or confused muddles of pagan-Christianity. With the support of Rome, Boniface spent decades working in these areas, helping the missionaries who had arrived before him, reforming and educating lapsed Catholics, and founding monasteries.
For his labors, the pope made him a bishop in 722 and then an archbishop 10 years later. Throughout the years, Boniface continually made circuits of his immense diocese.
Boniface’s work bore great fruit, but he still thought wistfully of pagan Frisia. Finally, in 754, the pope allowed him to resign his archbishopric and become, once again, a humble missionary. He went straight to Frisia, where his success made him feared and hated by some of the pagans.
On a spring day, as he prepared to confirm over 50 converts, a group of pagans fell upon them and murdered the entire gathering. Legend says that the saint held up a spiritual book at the onslaught of the attackers, one of whom pierced it through.
Like a true son of St. Benedict, quiet prayer was just as important to Boniface as his missionary work. With a busy schedule, it might feel impossible for us to find time for prayer, too, but keeping this St. Benedict Crucifix as a reminder may work wonders! Compact, ornate, and powerful, this standing crucifix will inspire you to pray every time you see it.
Are you aware of the Biblical roots of devotion to Mary?
The more the early Christians understood Christ as the fulfillment of the Old Testament, the more they also understood the role of His mother within salvation history.
Many Catholics grow up with devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary as something familiar. The Rosary, Marian feast days, titles like Our Lady of Lourdes or Queen of Heaven, images of Mary holding the Christ Child. Yet some people might wonder whether Marian devotion developed later in Church history, apart from Scripture itself.
Many Biblical scholars argue the opposite.
Brandt Pitre in his book, Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary, traces Marian devotion back into the Old Testament and the world of ancient Judaism, showing that many Catholic beliefs about Mary are deeply connected to Scripture and to the way the earliest Christians understood Jesus Himself.
One of the most important ideas is the role of the queen mother in the kingdom of David.
In ancient Israel, the king’s wife was not typically the queen. The king often had many wives. Instead, the queen held a unique role as the king’s mother. She acted as an advocate and intercessor for the people. In the First Book of Kings, Bathsheba approaches her son Solomon, and the king rises to greet her, bows before her, and seats her at his right hand.
If Jesus is the new Davidic king, then His mother would naturally hold the role of queen mother in His kingdom. Catholics see this fulfilled in Mary, not as a rival to Christ, but as one who always points toward Him.
Pitre also connects Mary to the Ark of the Covenant.
The Ark carried the presence of God in the Old Testament. It contained the stone tablets of the Law, the manna from heaven, and the staff of the high priest Aaron. In the Gospel of Luke, many details surrounding Mary intentionally echo Old Testament descriptions of the Ark. Mary carries within her not the word of God written on stone, but the Word made flesh. She carries the true Bread from Heaven and the eternal High Priest.
The parallels are difficult to ignore once they are seen.
Even the language surrounding the Visitation reflects this connection. David once asked, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” Elizabeth similarly asks, “Why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Both David and Mary travel into the hill country of Judah. Both accounts describe rejoicing before the presence of God.
Marian devotion ultimately flows from Christology. Catholics honor Mary because of who Jesus is.
The more the early Christians understood Christ as the fulfillment of the Old Testament, the more they also understood the role of His mother within salvation history. Devotion to Mary was never meant to stop with Mary herself. It always leads more deeply to Christ.
That remains true in Catholic prayer today. The Rosary itself is deeply biblical, built around meditation on the life of Christ through the eyes of the woman closest to Him. Marian devotion is not separate from Scripture. It is woven through it.
A rosary tucked into a pocket or bag can become a small reminder of something Christians have reflected on for centuries: God chose to enter history through Mary, and the Church still turns to her as a mother who leads us to her Son.
Are you aware of the Biblical roots of devotion to Mary?
The more the early Christians understood Christ as the fulfillment of the Old Testament, the more they also understood the role of His mother within salvation history.
Many Catholics grow up with devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary as something familiar. The Rosary, Marian feast days, titles like Our Lady of Lourdes or Queen of Heaven, images of Mary holding the Christ Child. Yet some people might wonder whether Marian devotion developed later in Church history, apart from Scripture itself.
Many Biblical scholars argue the opposite.
Brandt Pitre in his book, Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary, traces Marian devotion back into the Old Testament and the world of ancient Judaism, showing that many Catholic beliefs about Mary are deeply connected to Scripture and to the way the earliest Christians understood Jesus Himself.
One of the most important ideas is the role of the queen mother in the kingdom of David.
In ancient Israel, the king’s wife was not typically the queen. The king often had many wives. Instead, the queen held a unique role as the king’s mother. She acted as an advocate and intercessor for the people. In the First Book of Kings, Bathsheba approaches her son Solomon, and the king rises to greet her, bows before her, and seats her at his right hand.
If Jesus is the new Davidic king, then His mother would naturally hold the role of queen mother in His kingdom. Catholics see this fulfilled in Mary, not as a rival to Christ, but as one who always points toward Him.
Pitre also connects Mary to the Ark of the Covenant.
The Ark carried the presence of God in the Old Testament. It contained the stone tablets of the Law, the manna from heaven, and the staff of the high priest Aaron. In the Gospel of Luke, many details surrounding Mary intentionally echo Old Testament descriptions of the Ark. Mary carries within her not the word of God written on stone, but the Word made flesh. She carries the true Bread from Heaven and the eternal High Priest.
The parallels are difficult to ignore once they are seen.
Even the language surrounding the Visitation reflects this connection. David once asked, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” Elizabeth similarly asks, “Why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Both David and Mary travel into the hill country of Judah. Both accounts describe rejoicing before the presence of God.
Marian devotion ultimately flows from Christology. Catholics honor Mary because of who Jesus is.
The more the early Christians understood Christ as the fulfillment of the Old Testament, the more they also understood the role of His mother within salvation history. Devotion to Mary was never meant to stop with Mary herself. It always leads more deeply to Christ.
That remains true in Catholic prayer today. The Rosary itself is deeply biblical, built around meditation on the life of Christ through the eyes of the woman closest to Him. Marian devotion is not separate from Scripture. It is woven through it.
A rosary tucked into a pocket or bag can become a small reminder of something Christians have reflected on for centuries: God chose to enter history through Mary, and the Church still turns to her as a mother who leads us to her Son.
What is the most famous image of the Sacred Heart?
The Sacred Heart devotion developed from the understanding that Christ’s heart is the source and symbol of His love for humanity.
Most Catholics know the Sacred Heart through St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.
They know the familiar image: Christ pointing to His heart, surrounded by thorns and burning with love.
But what many Catholics do not realize is that the devotion to the Sacred Heart did not begin with St. Margaret Mary. Its roots stretch back centuries earlier, all the way to the Apostle John reclining on the breast of Christ at the Last Supper.
At the Last Supper, John was given a unique privilege. While the other apostles sat at table with Christ, John reclined close to Him, resting against His chest. Christian writers and saints would later reflect on the significance of that moment. John was physically close enough to hear the heartbeat of Jesus.
For centuries, Christians have contemplated what that means.
The Sacred Heart devotion developed from the understanding that Christ’s heart is the source and symbol of His love for humanity. It represents not only His love, but also His suffering. The heart that loved so completely was also rejected, betrayed, mocked, and pierced.
That dual reality appears throughout the history of the devotion.
In the Middle Ages, saints and mystics reflected deeply on Christ’s wounded side and pierced heart. Among them was St. Gertrude the Great, who experienced a vision in which she was permitted to rest near the heart of Jesus. Wondering why St. John had never written about hearing the heartbeat of Christ at the Last Supper, she asked him in prayer.
According to the account, St. John replied that the mystery had been reserved for a later age, a time when the world would grow cold in its love for God and need to be warmed again by hearing of His Sacred Heart.
Whether one focuses on the mystical account or not, the observation remains relevant.
Every age struggles with indifference. Every age needs reminders of God’s love.
That need became especially clear in the seventeenth century when Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. He showed her His heart aflame with love and expressed His desire that devotion to the Sacred Heart spread throughout the Church. He lamented not a lack of power or glory, but a lack of love returned for love.
The Sacred Heart devotion is ultimately about responding to that love.
It invites us to remember that Christianity is not merely a set of rules or ideas. At its center is a Person whose heart burns with love for His people.
That message resonated so deeply that in 1899 Pope Leo XIII consecrated the entire human race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, calling it “the great act” of his pontificate.
More than a century later, Catholics continue to enthrone images of the Sacred Heart in their homes, celebrate the feast of the Sacred Heart, and turn to Christ’s heart in prayer.
It reminds us of a truth that never grows old: God loves us personally, completely, and sacrificially.
And a beautiful reminder of that truth can be found in the traditional image of the Sacred Heart alongside the Immaculate Heart of
What was the last thing Jesus did on earth?
While that is true, Scripture tells us that Christ did something else first. “He lifted up his hands and blessed them.” (Luke 24:50)
Most of us would probably answer this question by saying that Jesus ascended into heaven.
While that is true, Scripture tells us that Christ did something else first. “He lifted up his hands and blessed them.” (Luke 24:50)
The last earthly action of Jesus before He ascended to the Father was to bless His disciples.
The detail is easy to miss because the Ascension itself is so dramatic. Christ, risen from the dead, returns to the Father in glory while the apostles stand watching. Yet Luke intentionally pauses to describe this final gesture. Jesus raises His hands in blessing over those He is leaving behind.
And then He ascends.
Blessings in Scripture are never merely symbolic or sentimental. Throughout salvation history, blessings communicate favor, protection, mission, and inheritance. Fathers bless sons. Priests bless the people. God blesses His covenant people again and again.
Christ’s final earthly act was a blessing.
He blesses the same men who fled during His Passion, struggled with doubt, argued among themselves, and repeatedly misunderstood Him. Yet Christ leaves them with uplifted hands and a blessing.
The Ascension is sometimes misunderstood as Christ “leaving” earth behind, but the Church teaches the opposite. Christ ascends not to abandon humanity, but to draw humanity into heaven itself. His blessing over the apostles becomes the beginning of the Church’s mission in the world.
And perhaps that helps explain why blessings remain so central in Catholic life.
Catholics bless themselves with holy water. Parents bless children. Priests bless homes, rosaries, medals, crosses, and the faithful themselves. The Sign of the Cross traces a blessing over the body. Again and again, the Church continues the pattern Christ Himself left behind.
The final earthly gesture of Jesus was one of protection, grace, and peace extended toward His people
What family activity is a proven saint-maker?
Take it from St. Thérèse’s own family!
We all want our children, godchildren, and grandchildren to grow into faithful men and women.
But it’s difficult to know exactly how to help them get there, especially when the culture around them often spreads a conflicting message.
This is not a new challenge in the history of the Church, however. And there is a simple practice your family can take up that is a known saint-maker: reading Scripture together.
St. John Chrysostom urged his followers to immerse children in the Word of God. He said:
“Let everything take second place to our care of our children, our bringing them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
And this is exactly what a famous family of saints did. St. Thérèse of Lisieux grew up in a deeply devout family where reading the Bible was a cherished daily routine. Each night, her parents, Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin, would gather Thérèse and her siblings together and read to them from Scripture.
St. Thérèse credited this family activity as one of the most formative practices of her childhood. To St. Thérèse, the words of the Bible were more than just stories; they were seeds planted in her heart, seeds that would grow into an unwavering faith.
Reading Scripture together also provides an opportunity for meaningful family discussions. It allows parents to address their children’s questions about faith and life and to offer guidance rooted in the wisdom of the Bible.
So, let us gather our children, open the Bible, and read together. In these moments, we invite God into our homes and hearts, allowing His Word to guide us, comfort us, and unite us in faith.
Do you know how Mary came to be known as “Help of Christians”?
One of the most famous examples came in the sixteenth century during the Battle of Lepanto.Some titles of the Blessed Virgin sound gentle and familiar. Others sound almost military.
“Mary, Help of Christians” is one of them.
The title has deep roots in Church history, but it became especially associated with moments when Christians believed they were facing overwhelming danger. Again and again, Catholics turned to Our Lady under this title during times of persecution, invasion, and war.
One of the most famous examples came in the sixteenth century during the Battle of Lepanto.
At the time, much of Christian Europe feared the expansion of the Ottoman Empire across the Mediterranean. A massive naval confrontation seemed inevitable. Pope St. Pius V called on all Christians to pray the Rosary for victory and entrusted the battle to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
On October 7, 1571, the Christian fleet achieved an astonishing and unexpected victory at Lepanto against overwhelming odds.
The pope believed the triumph came through Our Lady’s intercession.
In thanksgiving, he established the feast of Our Lady of Victory, later known as the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Over time, devotion to Mary as “Help of Christians” continued to spread throughout the Church, especially during periods of suffering and instability.
The title became even more beloved after another dramatic moment in Church history.
In the early nineteenth century, Pope Pius VII was imprisoned by Napoleon for refusing to submit the Church to political control. After years of captivity, the pope was finally released and returned to Rome on May 24, 1814. In gratitude for Our Lady’s protection and help during those difficult years, he established the feast of Mary, Help of Christians on that very date.
Christ alone is Savior. Yet Catholics have always believed that God allows His saints, and especially His mother, to assist the faithful through their prayers and intercession. Mary helps Christians not by replacing Christ, but by leading souls more deeply to Him.
We see the maternal care of Our Blessed Mother throughout history. Missionaries carried devotion to Mary, Help of Christians, across the world. St. John Bosco had a particularly deep devotion to this title and entrusted his work with troubled boys to her protection. He even built a great basilica in Turin dedicated to Mary Help of Christians, convinced that she actively guided and defended the Church.
Most Catholics are not facing naval battles or imprisonment by emperors today. Yet many experience confusion, discouragement, fear, or hostility toward the faith in quieter ways. The Church still asks for Our Lady’s help in all ways.
Mary Help of Christians, pray for us!
“No Greater Love”: the Catholic chaplains who gave everything
“Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
Memorial Day asks something important of us as Americans: to remember.
Not only the wars fought or the victories won, but the men and women who willingly gave their lives in service to others. As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation, remembrance feels even more significant. A country cannot endure without memory, gratitude, and an understanding of sacrifice.
This Memorial Day weekend, and in preparation to celebrate 250 years as a nation, we are honored to release No Greater Love (see our America 250 page to locate the film and watch) a new short documentary tribute featuring the four Catholic chaplains who received the Medal of Honor for their heroic witness and sacrifice:
Fr. Joseph O’Callahan
Fr. Emil Kapaun
Fr. Vincent Capodanno
Fr. Charles Watters
These priests entered the horrors of war unarmed, carrying only the love of Christ and the sacred duty to care for the souls entrusted to them.
Even today, military chaplains continue to serve quietly and faithfully throughout the world. Catholic priests are “borrowed” from dioceses across the United States and commissioned to minister to members of the military and their families, both at home and abroad. They celebrate Mass on military bases, hear confessions in combat zones, accompany the wounded, counsel grieving families, and bring the presence of Christ into places most civilians will never see.
As you will witness in this film, throughout history, chaplains have chosen to stay with the suffering even when escape was possible. The stories told in No Greater Love are deeply moving because they reveal this kind of sacrificial love lived concretely.
Fr. Emil Kapaun ministered to prisoners of war in Korea even while suffering starvation and eventual death himself. Fr. Vincent Capodanno ran repeatedly into combat zones in Vietnam to aid wounded soldiers and Marines before being killed while administering last rites. Fr. Charles Watters died carrying wounded men to safety during the Vietnam War. Fr. Joseph O’Callahan ministered heroically aboard the USS Franklin after catastrophic attacks left the ship engulfed in flames.
Their witness reminds us that sanctity is not confined to monasteries or chapels. Holiness can also appear amid smoke, fear, chaos, and sacrifice.
The documentary also includes reflections from Captain Peter Hetzel, former Commander of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, who speaks about the sacred responsibility of honoring those laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery and the enduring promise that we are a nation that remembers.
The military chaplains hold a special place at Arlington, particularly at Chaplains Hill, where Fr. Charles Watters now rests among fellow chaplains who served and sacrificed for those entrusted to their care.
This project has been especially meaningful for Good Catholic because we have wanted to tell this story ever since filming at West Point with Fr. Pawlikowski, himself both a former active duty soldier and active duty chaplain. Few people could speak about the vocation and sacrifice of military chaplains with the depth of understanding he brings.
This Memorial Day weekend and in the future, No Greater Love offers an opportunity not simply to remember the fallen, but to reflect on the kind of love Christ Himself described in the Gospel:
“Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
As we commemorate 250 years of our nation’s history, may we never forget the courage, faith, and sacrifice of those who gave everything in service to God and country.
What is the “Kitchen Madonna”?
This inspiring depiction of Our Lady will help you sanctify your daily work.
The lovely portrayal of Our Lady known as the Kitchen Madonna is a way to bring both peace and grace to a busy routine.
Wives and mothers give of themselves every day as they care for their families, cook, clean, encourage, support, and love. Our Lady, too, was a wife and mother, and as such, she has a special and unique patronage for the women called to these roles.
The Kitchen Madonna shows Our Lady in her role as a housewife. In her hand she holds a simple broom, not merely signifying the cleanliness of rooms and floors, but also the spiritual cleanliness that Our Lady helps us to achieve and maintain.
Placing a Kitchen Madonna in your kitchen or another space in your home will remind you of Our Lady’s presence and assistance as you go about your daily tasks. This Madonna will also help you remember that every task, offered in a spirit of love and prayer, is a step along the path to holiness. Entrust your work to Our Lady and she will turn it into a continual channel of grace!
Why did the Cristero martyrs cry out “Viva Cristo Rey”?
Their final words continue to resonate because they force an uncomfortable but necessary question: what are we willing to endure for Christ?
During the 1920s, Catholics in Mexico faced a brutal persecution that many outside the country know little about today. Churches were closed. Priests were hunted. Public expressions of the Catholic faith were severely restricted under anti-clerical laws meant to drive religion out of Mexican life altogether.
What followed became known as the Cristero War.
Ordinary Catholics found themselves forced to make impossible choices. Some practiced the faith in secret. Others risked imprisonment or death simply for attending Mass, hiding priests, or refusing to renounce Christ. Many of those eventually killed by the government left behind final words that continue to echo through the Church today.
Among the most famous were the words: “Viva Cristo Rey!”
Long live Christ the King.
These were not political slogans. They were declarations of loyalty to Christ in the face of death.
One martyr, Blessed Miguel Pro, stretched out his arms like a cross before a firing squad and forgave his executioners before shouting, “Viva Cristo Rey!” moments before he was shot. Another, the teenage martyr Saint José Sánchez del Río, endured torture and repeated the same cry even as soldiers cut the bottoms of his feet and forced him to walk toward his execution.
Some martyrs spoke even more quietly.
“I die innocent.”
Those words appeared again and again in accounts from the persecution. They reflected not only innocence before the state, but innocence before God. These men, women, and even children understood that they were not dying for rebellion or hatred. They were dying because they refused to deny Christ and His Church.
The Cristero martyrs challenge modern assumptions about comfort and faith. Many Catholics today live in places where practicing religion carries little immediate cost. The Cristeros remind us that the faith is not merely cultural or private. For them, the sacraments, the Mass, and fidelity to Christ were worth suffering for.
Among the most beloved of the Cristero martyrs is Saint José Sánchez del Río, a fourteen-year-old boy who refused to renounce his faith even under brutal torture. Captured by government soldiers during the persecution, José was repeatedly ordered to deny Christ, but instead continued to cry out, “¡Viva Cristo Rey!” before his execution in 1928. His courage and unwavering fidelity made him one of the most powerful witnesses of the Cristero era and a reminder that holiness is not limited by age.
What is perhaps most moving is how ordinary many of them were. Farmers. Students. Fathers. Mothers. Young people. They were not seeking martyrdom. They simply refused to abandon the faith when pressured to do so.
The Church canonized several of these martyrs because their witness revealed something timeless. Christianity is not sustained only by theologians or leaders, but by ordinary believers willing to remain faithful under pressure.
Their final words continue to resonate because they force an uncomfortable but necessary question: what are we willing to endure for Christ?
Why did Saint Bernardine hold up a sign with the name of Jesus?
The saints understood that repeating the Holy Name is not superstition or empty repetition.
Saint Bernardine of Siena lived at a time when Italy was deeply divided. Political conflict, corruption, and violence had become common, and public life was often marked by bitterness and revenge. Into that world stepped a small Franciscan preacher with a weak voice and an unusual devotion.
The Holy Name of Jesus.
Bernardine traveled from town to town preaching repentance and reconciliation, urging people to abandon hatred, gambling, and immorality. But what made him especially memorable was something simple he carried with him: a wooden tablet painted with the letters “IHS,” a Christogram representing the name of Jesus.
At the end of his sermons, he would hold the tablet high for the crowd to see.
While this might seem insignificant, for Bernardine, the Holy Name was not merely symbolic. He believed the name of Jesus carried real spiritual power because it represented the person of Christ Himself. In a world filled with division and fear, Bernardine wanted people to center their lives again on the One who could bring peace.
And people responded.
Crowds gathered wherever he preached. Some accounts say entire towns were transformed after his visits. Public bonfires were lit where people voluntarily threw gambling dice, immoral books, and other objects connected to vice into the flames. Bernardine was not trying to create emotional excitement. He was trying to bring hearts back to Christ.
He did not present complicated solutions to the problems of his age. He preached Jesus Christ. The Holy Name became both a prayer and a reminder that God is not distant. Bernardine often reflected on the words of St. Paul: “At the name of Jesus every knee should bend” (Philippians 2:10).
That devotion eventually spread throughout the Church. Even today, the IHS symbol associated with Saint Bernardine can still be found carved into churches, stained glass windows, books, and sacred art throughout the Catholic world.
His life also reminds us that holiness does not always appear powerful by worldly standards. Bernardine was frequently sick and naturally timid. Early in his preaching, his voice was so weak that many thought he would never become an effective preacher at all. Yet over time, through prayer and perseverance, he became one of the most influential preachers of his era.
Today, the world remains noisy, divided, and anxious. It is easy to look for complicated answers or to place hope in personalities, systems, or distractions. Saint Bernardine quietly points us back to something simpler and deeper: the name of Jesus itself.
The saints understood that repeating the Holy Name is not superstition or empty repetition. It is a way of drawing near to Christ, especially in moments of fear or uncertainty.
Sometimes the smallest reminders are the ones we return to most often. Saint Bernardine spent his life lifting up the Holy Name of Jesus before others, trusting that Christ Himself was enough.
Why should we keep holy water in our homes?
Making the Sign of the Cross with holy water may seem insignificant, but it reminds us who we are and to whom we belong
Holy water is one of the simplest sacramentals in the Catholic faith, and perhaps one of the easiest to overlook.
Most Catholics are familiar with dipping their fingers into holy water upon entering a church and making the Sign of the Cross. But holy water was never meant to remain only at the church door. For centuries, Catholics have kept holy water in their homes as a daily reminder of baptism, spiritual protection, and the presence of God.
Why keep holy water in your home
Holy water calls to mind our baptismal promises, including the rejection of Satan and sin. Through the blessing of the Church, it becomes a sacramental that prepares us to receive grace and turn our minds toward God. The Church has long encouraged its use in ordinary life because ordinary life is precisely where spiritual battles take place.
The saints understood this well.
St. Teresa of Avila once wrote, “From long experience I have learned that there is nothing like holy water to put devils to flight and prevent them from coming back again.” She went on to say that whenever she used holy water, her soul experienced a “particular and most notable consolation.”
Teresa of Avila was a doctor of the Church and yet there is something is comforting in the simplicity of what she says. Holy water is accessible. A small holy water font near the front door can quietly shape the rhythm of a Catholic home. Family members can bless themselves as they come and go. Parents can bless their children before school or bed. Spouses can bless one another in moments of difficulty or illness.
There is wisdom in these habits.
We live in a world that constantly forms us through repetition. The Church understands that the spiritual life is formed in the same way. Small actions repeated over time begin to shape the heart. Making the Sign of the Cross with holy water may seem insignificant, but it reminds us who we are and to whom we belong.
And perhaps that is part of why sacramentals matter so much. They take the truths of the faith and bring them into daily life, into homes, routines, and ordinary moments.
Have you heard of the Dancing Saint?
Most people live hidden lives in one way or another. Much of life is repetitive and ordinary. Saint Pascal reminds us that holiness is found there too, especially when daily life is united to Christ.
Some saints are remembered for dramatic conversions or extraordinary miracles. Saint Pascal Baylon is remembered, in part, for joy.
He lived in sixteenth-century Spain and was born into a poor shepherding family. From a young age, Pascal spent long hours alone in the fields tending sheep, and it was there that his deep love for prayer began to grow. Unable to attend Mass every day because of his work, he would pause during the hours he knew Mass was being celebrated nearby and pray from afar, spiritually uniting himself to the Eucharist.
That devotion would define his life.
Eventually, Pascal entered the Franciscan order as a lay brother. He was not a famous preacher or theologian. Much of his work was simple and hidden. He cooked, cleaned, gardened, and cared for the practical needs of the monastery. Yet those around him quickly recognized his holiness, especially his profound devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.
So why was he called “the dancing saint”?
According to tradition, Pascal was sometimes so overcome with joy while praying before the Eucharist that he would spontaneously dance. Not in a theatrical or attention-seeking way, but with the kind of uninhibited joy that comes from someone deeply aware of God’s presence.
We often imagine holiness as severe or distant, but the saints remind us again and again that closeness to God also produces joy. Pascal’s life was marked by simplicity, humility, and hidden sacrifice, yet there was a lightness to him that others could see.
His love for the Eucharist became so well known that he was eventually named the patron saint of Eucharistic congresses and associations. Even after his death, devotion to him spread quickly throughout the Church.
There is another detail about Saint Pascal that feels especially meaningful today. He was not highly educated in the formal sense. He did not hold positions of influence or recognition. Yet he became wise through prayer and faithful through ordinary duties. His sanctity grew not through extraordinary accomplishments, but through consistency in the small things entrusted to him.
Most people live hidden lives in one way or another. Much of life is repetitive and ordinary. Saint Pascal reminds us that holiness is found there too, especially when daily life is united to Christ.
And perhaps that is also why his joy mattered so much. It showed that the spiritual life is not merely about obligation or endurance. At its heart, it is about communion with God.
What is the only approved Marian apparition in America?
Today, pilgrims continue to travel to Champion not only because of the apparition itself, but because the place still carries an atmosphere of prayer, simplicity, and trust in Our Lady’s intercession.
Leading up to the 250th Anniversary of July 4, we’re taking time to publish stories about the history of Catholicism in the United States. Please enjoy this latest entry!
When most Catholics think of Marian apparition sites, they tend to think of Lourdes, Fatima, or Guadalupe. Fewer realize that the only Church-approved Marian apparition site in the United States is found in a quiet rural area of Wisconsin.
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion is tucked among farmland and country roads near Green Bay, but its history reaches back to the early days of Catholic America.
In 1859, a Belgian immigrant woman named Adele Brise was walking through the woods when she saw a beautiful lady clothed in dazzling white standing between two trees. Unsure of what she had witnessed, Adele continued on her way, only to see the same apparition again during her return trip. This time, the lady spoke.
She identified herself as the “Queen of Heaven” and gave Adele a mission: to pray for the conversion of sinners and to teach children what they needed to know for salvation. Adele, who had already desired to dedicate herself to God, spent the rest of her life carrying out that task. She taught children the faith, prepared them for the sacraments, and gathered others around her to live lives of prayer and service.
The story of Our Lady of Champion is an American story. It unfolded among immigrants building new lives in a still-developing country. The Catholic faith in America was young, scattered, and often difficult to sustain. Priests traveled long distances. Families struggled to preserve their traditions. Yet even there, in what must have seemed like the edge of the world to many immigrants, the Church took root.
One of the most remarkable moments connected to the shrine came years later during the devastating Peshtigo Fire of 1871, still considered the deadliest wildfire in American history. As flames consumed the surrounding region, Adele and others gathered in prayer, carrying a statue of the Blessed Virgin in procession around the chapel grounds. The fire reached the edge of the property but did not destroy the shrine or those gathered there.
Today, pilgrims continue to travel to Champion not only because of the apparition itself, but because the place still carries an atmosphere of prayer, simplicity, and trust in Our Lady’s intercession.
It is fitting to begin a Catholic American pilgrimage here. Before massive cathedrals and large Catholic institutions spread across the country, the faith was often preserved quietly in homes, immigrant communities, and small chapels like this one. Stories like Our Lady of Champion remind us that the history of Catholicism in America was built by ordinary people who simply remained faithful.
Why did the apostles choose Saint Matthias by casting lots?
From follower to Apostle, by lot.
When Judas Iscariot’s betrayal left the group of the Twelve incomplete, the early Church faced a practical and spiritual decision: how to restore the number of Apostles chosen by Christ. In the Acts of the Apostles, we find the account of how Saint Matthias was selected to fill that role.
Before choosing a new Apostle, Peter outlined specific qualifications: the man must have accompanied Jesus and the other disciples throughout His ministry—from His baptism by John to His Ascension. This requirement ensured that the new Apostle could bear firsthand witness to Christ’s Resurrection, a central task for the Twelve.
Two men were proposed: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. After prayer, the apostles cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias.
Though Matthias is not mentioned again by name in the New Testament, early Church tradition holds that he faithfully carried out the mission of the Apostles: preaching the Gospel and building up the Church. Various sources suggest he evangelized in regions such as Judea or possibly as far as modern-day Georgia or Ethiopia, though details remain uncertain.
Saint Matthias’s quiet obedience and faithful witness filled a real need in the early Christian community. He represents the countless disciples who have served the Church faithfully without acclaim, yet whose contribution was essential to the spread of the Gospel.
His feast day is celebrated on May 14 (today!), and he is the patron saint of those called to unexpected vocations and roles. We know that the Holy Spirit was with the Apostles and the early Church. The Holy Spirit is still with us as Christ promised. One way to bring devotion ito the Holy Spirit into your home is with this charming and unique Come Holy Spirit candle, a Little Way design. Find yours today at The Catholic Company!
What is the “final battle” that Sister Lucia of Fatima spoke of?
The Blessed Mother’s message is not over.
The sheep grazed lazily, drifting about with heads to the ground and eyes half-closed. The three children who herded them were busy about a little furze bush, building a wall with the loose rocks lying about. A bee buzzed nearby in the last of the spring flowers.
Suddenly, a flash lit the air.
The children hesitated, dropped their stones, and looked at the sky.
“We’d better go home,” said the oldest, “that’s lightning; we may have a thunderstorm.”
They had pushed the reluctant sheep onto the road when a second flash like lightning flickered around them. Then, on a holmoak quite near them, a radiant Lady appeared and said to them, “Do not be afraid. I will do you no harm.”
Thus began the Fatima apparitions, wherein the Blessed Mother appeared to the children six times, bringing them a message that urged repentance. If the world did not repent soon, she said, God would send horrific punishments upon it.
The visionaries of Fatima: Jacinta, Lucia, and Francisco
We know what happened over the next one hundred years: the horrors of World War I ended, only to return with greater force in World War II; Russia, “spreading her errors,” embroiled the world in the Cold War and the influences of the Communist ideology; countless martyrs shed their blood for the Faith.
It would be easy to draw a breath of relief and say, “Well, thank goodness all that is over now.”
But is it? Lucia warned us that—because the Fatima message has been ignored—another terrible punishment will fall on the world.
“The final battle between the Lord and the reign of Satan,” she said, “will be about marriage and the family.”
In our times, we can see that the battle has begun—but it’s not too late. God’s punishment is not fixed. Just as He offered the city of Nineveh an opportunity to repent of their sins, so He now offers a way by which mankind can be saved. If we turn to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and follow her plan for peace, we can lessen the full consequences of our sin by means of penance
How does the Church decide if Mary really appeared?
Approval often happens at the local bishop level, sometimes later affirmed more broadly by the Church.
It’s something many Catholics have wondered at some point.
How many times has Our Lady actually appeared? And how does the Church decide what is real and what is not?
It is striking to consider that the Mother of God, the Queen of Heaven, has appeared to people throughout history. Not to the powerful or the famous, but often to the ordinary. Farmers. Children. Religious. The pattern itself says something.
But the Church does not accept these claims lightly. In fact, she approaches them with great caution.
When an apparition is reported, the Church investigates carefully. She looks at the content of the message, the character of the visionary, and any spiritual fruits that follow. Most importantly, she asks a simple question: Does this align with what has already been revealed through Scripture and Tradition?
Because no private revelation can add to the Faith. It can only point us back to it.
That is why not every claimed apparition is approved. Many are left unconfirmed. Some are rejected. The Church moves slowly here, because she is responsible for protecting the faithful from error or deception.
So how many have been approved?
While there is no single official “list” issued by the Vatican in a simple numbered form, there are a relatively small number of apparitions that have received formal approval or strong recognition over time. The list commonly referenced includes:
Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexico, 1531)
Our Lady of Leżajsk (Poland, 1578)
Our Lady of Šiluva (Lithuania, 1608–1612)
Our Lady of Laus (France, 1664–1718)
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (Paris, 1830)
Our Lady of La Salette (France, 1846)
Our Lady of Lourdes (France, 1858)
Our Lady of Pontmain (France, 1871)
Our Lady of Gietrzwałd (Poland, 1877)
Our Lady of Knock (Ireland, 1879)
Our Lady Help of Christians (Czech Republic, 1885)
Our Lady of Fatima (Portugal, 1917)
Our Lady of Beauraing (Belgium, 1932)
Our Lady of Banneux (Belgium, 1933)
Our Lady of Kibeho (Rwanda, 1981–1989)
Some lists include around fifteen to sixteen widely recognized apparitions like these, but it is important to understand that the Church does not present them as a fixed or exhaustive number. Approval often happens at the local bishop level, sometimes later affirmed more broadly by the Church. It also reminds us that Marian apparitions are not required for belief.
A Catholic is not obligated to believe in any private apparition, even approved ones. They are gifts, not foundations. They are meant to help us live the Gospel more fully, not replace it.
Across centuries, cultures, and circumstances, the message is remarkably consistent. Prayer. Conversion. Trust in God. A return to the sacraments. A reminder that heaven is not distant.
How did a future saint uncover the history of the earth?…
Who was Blessed Nicolas Steno? Discover how this Catholic scientist uncovered the hidden history of the earth and what his life reveals about faith and reason.
Blessed Nicolas Steno is not a name most people recognize, but his work quietly changed the way we understand the world beneath our feet.
He was born in 1638 in Denmark and was trained as a scientist, particularly in anatomy. His early work focused on the human body, and he became known for his careful observation and precision. But his attention eventually turned to something unexpected. He began studying rocks, fossils, and layers of the earth, asking questions that few had seriously considered at the time.
What he discovered was simple in concept, but profound in its implications: the earth has a history.
At a time when many believed that fossils were merely random formations or tricks of nature, Steno recognized that they were the remains of once-living creatures. He observed that layers of rock were not placed randomly, but formed over time, with deeper layers laid down before those above them. From these observations, he developed what would become the foundational principles of geology.
Steno approached the natural world with the same seriousness and humility that the Church has always encouraged. He believed that truth, whether discovered through science or revealed through faith, ultimately comes from God. For him, studying the earth was not separate from his belief in God. It was another way of encountering the order and intelligence of creation.
What is less widely known is how his life changed.
Over time, his scientific pursuits led him into deeper philosophical and spiritual questions. His search for truth did not end with observation. It led him toward conversion. He eventually became a Catholic, was ordained a priest, and later consecrated as a bishop. He gave up much of his scientific career to dedicate himself more fully to the service of God and the Church.
That kind of transition can be difficult to understand today. It can seem like a departure from one world into another. But for Steno, it was a continuation. The same desire to seek truth that led him to study the earth led him to seek God more completely.
His life offers a challenge to a common assumption.
Faith and science are not in conflict. When pursued honestly, both are ordered toward truth. Steno did not abandon reason when he embraced faith. He followed it further.
He is now remembered not only as a pioneer of geology, but as a man whose intellectual curiosity was matched by spiritual depth. His work helped reveal the history written in the earth, and his life reflects the deeper truth that all creation points beyond itself.
The world carries within it signs of order, of purpose, and of a Creator who invites us to look more closely. Steno did exactly that, and in doing so, he found more than he expected.
How old is the first written record of Mary’s apparitions at Guadalupe?
Here is told and set down in order how a short time ago the Perfect Virgin Holy Mary Mother of God, our Queen, miraculously appeared out at Tepeyac…
“Here is told and set down in order how a short time ago the Perfect Virgin Holy Mary Mother of God, our Queen, miraculously appeared out at Tepeyac, nose of the mountain, widely known as Guadalupe…”
These are the opening words of a mid-16th century text known as the Nican Mopohua (that is, “Here it is told”). Written in St. Juan Diego’s native language, Nahuatl, it is the first and most definitive written record of what happened on Tepeyac Hill in December of 1531.
The text is attributed to Don Antonio Valeriano, a Catholic Indian. He was a bright mind who received an excellent education from the Franciscans, and, in addition to his native Nahuatl, was competent in Spanish and Latin. He would later hold important positions in the Spanish government of his home territory.
The Nican Mopohua is a short work that Antonio composed about thirty years after the events of Guadalupe. It is a masterpiece of Nahuatl literature and the earliest record of an apparition of Our Lady in the Americas. Because it is written in the indigenous language (one that is still used today in some places), the style is poetic and image-based.
And absolutely everyone, the entire city, without exception, trembled when they went to behold, to admire Her precious Image…They marveled at the miraculous way it had
appeared since absolutely no one on Earth had painted Her beloved Image.
—from the Nican Mopohua
What image is hidden in the eyes of Our Lady of Guadalupe?
The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, miraculously imprinted on St. Juan Diego’s tilma in 1531, holds marvelous secrets.
Michelangelo once said, “Only God creates. The rest of us just copy.”
Certainly the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe illustrates the divine artistry of God. The viewer can be deeply moved simply by gazing upon the graceful composition of the image: Our Lady’s gentle expression, the radiant colors, the intricate details.
But the beauty and symbolism of this portrait go far deeper than what we can see with unaided eyes. In 1929 and again in the 1950s, the image of a human figure was discovered within Our Lady’s eyes. Further studies revealed that this image was tripled and somewhat distorted, just as a reflection in a live human eye would be.
More recently, an engineer named Dr. José Aste Tonsmann, who began his studies on Our Lady of Guadalupe’s eyes in 1979, said there are many more figures reflected in her gaze.
Tonsmann magnified Our Lady’s eyes x2500 and found a scene depicted in them: the very moment when Juan Diego unfolded his tilma to reveal the miraculous image to Bishop Juan de Zumárraga. Other witnesses to that famous scene are visible, too.
But Dr. Tonsmann’s studies revealed even more. Another group is visible at the center of Our Lady’s eyes: a family, with a father, mother, and several children. Two more figures are apparent behind the mother, which Tonsmann thinks are grandparents. Tonsmann conjectures that perhaps this image of a family remained undiscovered until modern techniques could reveal it, so that we would see this image at a time when the family was under attack.
The incredible images found within Our Lady’s eyes add to the miraculous features of this divinely-imprinted portrait. Studies have repeatedly shown that no paint, pigment, undersketching, or brush strokes were used to create it. Moreover, the plant fiber of the tilma should have disintegrated after twenty years. 500 years later, they survive in beautiful condition.
Our sister-brand, Good Catholic recently completed their biggest project yet: Not Made By Human Hands: The Miracle of Guadalupe! (There is a Spanish version!).
m says sacramental signs “prepare us to receive grace” and help sanctify the circumstances of life (CCC 1677). Ashes function in this same pedagogical way.
They tell the truth about who we are and who God is.
We are fragile. God is all-powerful. We need saving. Christ has already come to save.
Perhaps the most surprising truth about Ash Wednesday is that it is not pessimistic. It is hopeful. The Church does not place ashes on the unredeemed. She places them on those who belong to Christ.
Ash Wednesday proclaims that death does not have the final word, because it is marked on people who are already destined for resurrection. The ashes will be washed away. Easter will come.
The Catechism reminds us that penance is ordered toward joy and freedom, not despair (CCC 1439). So ashes are not the end of the story. They are the beginning.
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Lenten journey. This unique Cross of Jesus cross beautifully illustrates the pivotal moments of Christ’s Passion, including the agony in the garden and Calvary, and is a meaningful piece for your home this Lent.
Why Is Shrove Tuesday the Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus?
To honor the Holy Face of Jesus on Shrove Tuesday is to remind ourselves of Veronica who comforted Our Lord.
Shrove Tuesday is often associated with pancakes, rich foods, and the final indulgence before the penitential season of Lent begins. It is the day many Christians traditionally “use up” butter, eggs, and sugar before Ash Wednesday.
But in the Catholic Church, Shrove Tuesday holds a deeper and more moving meaning.
That is because it is also the feast of the Holy Face of Jesus.
This is not a random pairing. In fact, it is one of the most powerful ways the Church prepares our hearts for Lent.
The devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus reaches back to the Passion itself. According to tradition, as Our Lord carried His Cross to Calvary, St. Veronica stepped forward with compassion and offered Him a veil to wipe the blood and sweat from His face.
In response to her charity, Christ left the miraculous impression of His Face upon the cloth.
This moment is forever remembered in the Stations of the Cross as the Sixth Station, when Veronica wipes the Face of Jesus.
Even in the earliest centuries of Christianity, the veil was treasured as a sacred object. Tradition holds that St. Veronica later entrusted it to St. Clement, the third Bishop of Rome, and that it was preserved in the catacombs during the persecutions. Eventually, it was placed in St. Peter’s Basilica, where it has remained.
In other words, this devotion is not a modern invention. It is ancient. It is deeply Catholic. And it begins with love offered to Christ in His suffering.
Shrove Tuesday is the final day before Ash Wednesday. It is the threshold between ordinary life and the desert of Lent. That is why it makes spiritual sense that the Church invites us to contemplate the suffering Face of Jesus before the penitential season begins.
The Holy Face devotion is closely connected to reparation. It is meant to make amends for the sins of the world and for offenses against God. It is a way of offering love in return for indifference. What better time to do this than during the Lenten season!
In the 1800s, Our Lord renewed this devotion through visions given to Sister Marie of St. Peter. He requested prayers of reparation to His Holy Face, including what became known as the Golden Arrow devotion. Jesus told her:
“All who honor My Holy Face in a spirit of reparation thereby perform for Me the services of the pious Veronica.”
This is an astonishing spiritual truth. It means that even now, centuries later, the faithful can still imitate Veronica by comforting Christ through prayer, love, and repentance.
In 1849, during political upheaval and revolution in the Papal States, Pope Pius IX ordered public prayers to implore God’s mercy. Veronica’s Veil was displayed publicly in Rome for three days.
On the third day, the features of Our Lord, normally faded, became distinctly visible and were surrounded by a soft halo of light. This phenomenon lasted for three hours and was documented by Vatican officials.
This event caused devotion to the Holy Face to spread rapidly, and copies of the veil began to be made and touched to the original, becoming objects of devotion.
Soon afterward, a layman named Leo Dupont, often called the Holy Man of Tours, placed an image of the Holy Face in his home with a burning oil lamp. Visitors prayed there, and many miracles and healings were reported over the next thirty years.
Because of these miracles, Pope Leo XIII later established the devotion as an Archconfraternity for the whole world.
Even St. Thérèse of Lisieux and her family belonged to it. So great was her devotion that she took the name: Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face.
The devotion continued to grow, and in 1958 Pope Pius XII formally approved the observance of the Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus on Shrove Tuesday. This choice was deliberate.
Right before the ashes are placed on our foreheads, right before we enter forty days of penance, the Church sets the wounded Face of Christ before our eyes.
It is as if the liturgy quietly asks us a question.
Before giving up sweets, before fasting, before taking on sacrifices, will you look at Him? Will you love Him? Will you make reparation?
The Holy Face devotion is also closely linked to the Shroud of Turin, believed by many to be the burial cloth of Christ. The Shroud remains one of the most scientifically studied objects in history, yet it still confounds experts.
Its image, like Veronica’s Veil, confronts the viewer with something deeply unsettling and deeply sacred. It is the Face of a Man who suffered. It is the Face of God who allowed Himself to be humiliated.
The Church invites us to begin Lent not with self-improvement, but with love. Not with a checklist, but with contemplation. Not with pride, but with repentance.
To honor the Holy Face of Jesus on Shrove Tuesday is to remind ourselves of Veronica who comforted Our Lord. It is an invitation to us to say, like Veronica, let me not turn away. The Holy Face of Jesus Chaplet showcases a beautifully designed Shroud of Turin medal paired with a distinctive Sacred Heart crucifix and an Our Lady of Sorrows centerpiece. It is a wonderful accompaniment for a prayerful
Can cheerfulness actually be a spiritual weapon?
What made Philip remarkable was not only his mystical experiences or his founding of the Oratory, but his conviction that friendship and joy could be paths to sanctity.
Who does not want friends? Not the kind of shallow connections that fade quickly, but friendships rooted in joy, honesty, and faith.
As Catholics, we are blessed with a saint who understood this desire deeply and lived it beautifully. St. Philip Neri, whose feast day is May 26, shows us that holiness does not always arrive through severity or distance, but often through warmth, laughter, and genuine human connection.
Living in sixteenth-century Rome, a city weary from corruption and spiritual indifference, Philip did something disarmingly simple. He befriended people. He met them where they were, spoke to them with kindness, and invited them gently toward God. His cheerfulness was not shallow optimism. It was a deliberate spiritual posture rooted in charity.
Philip believed that joy opens hearts. He once said that cheerfulness strengthens the heart and helps us persevere in the spiritual life. People were drawn to him because he made holiness feel possible. Young men, pilgrims, scholars, laborers, and even popes sought his counsel. He walked the streets of Rome asking a simple question that changed lives: “Well, my brothers, when shall we begin to do good?” This is the kind of holy attitude the devil hates.
What made Philip remarkable was not only his mystical experiences or his founding of the Oratory, but his conviction that friendship and joy could be paths to sanctity. He gathered people for prayer, conversation, shared meals, and recreation. Faith was lived in community, not isolation.
In a world where loneliness is widespread and conversation is often rushed or distracted, St. Philip Neri reminds us that friendship and laughter can be sacred ground. A shared meal, a warm welcome, and a little humor can be doorways to breaking barriers that might
It is no surprise that those who knew him called him the Apostle of Rome. He converted hearts not by force, but by love. St. Philip Neri believed that friendship was fertile soil for faith. The Come Have Breakfast Mug is a small reminder of that spirit. It invites us to slow down, share a moment, and make space for joy and connection, just as St. Philip did.
Have you heard of the Miraculous Garden of St. Fiacre?
Today, some still visit places associated with St. Fiacre seeking spiritual and physical healing…
When we think of saints and gardens, we might imagine quiet paths, blooming flowers, and a moment of peace. But the story of St. Fiacre and his garden is something more — a testimony to Christian hospitality, simplicity, and the way God honors faithful generosity.
St. Fiacre was an Irish monk who lived in the seventh century. He left Ireland seeking a life of prayer and solitude on the continent, eventually settling in what is now France. Known for his humility and devotion to God, he was given a small piece of land by the local bishop to build a hermitage. But Fiacre’s heart was never meant for strictly solitary living. Instead of keeping the land to himself, he turned it into a garden that served everyone.
From that simple beginning arose the Garden of St. Fiacre — a place of cultivation that soon bore abundant vegetables, fruit trees, and medicinal herbs. People came from near and far to enjoy the produce and the healing balm of nature that flourished there. Gardeners and pilgrims alike carried testimonies of unusual fruitfulness and grace in the soil Fiacre tended.
One story from his life brings the miraculous character of that garden to light. A local landowner once challenged Fiacre to show the boundaries of his property. With no measuring tools and only faith in God, Fiacre called upon his brothers to stretch out a cloak, and as they did, the land miraculously expanded beneath it. What was once a modest plot became a garden large enough to supply many people’s needs.
The Church has long remembered St. Fiacre as the patron saint of gardeners, herbalists, and anyone who finds holiness in creation. His garden was more than soil and seed. It was a place where hospitality met abundance and where nature became an outward sign of God’s providential care.
In our own lives, gardens remind us that creation is not merely a backdrop to human activity but a gift meant to teach us about God’s economy of generosity. Just as seeds must be tended over time, so too does the soul require patience, sowing, and faithful expectation. Lent, likewise, invites a season of tending — letting grace nurture what we have been given.
Today, some still visit places associated with St. Fiacre seeking spiritual and physical healing, and flower festivals in his honor celebrate his legacy each September. His garden connects us to the Body of Christ in the world, where every act of care for others becomes a field where grace grows.
A Floral Reminder of Faith and Care
In honor of St. Fiacre and his love for the garden’s beauty and bounty, the handpainted Madonna and Child bud vase makes a lovely devotional touch in any home. Placing fresh flowers in a sacred vessel reminds us that beauty, like faith, is meant to be shared. Each bloom becomes a silent prayer, a sign of gratitude for God’s goodness in every season of life.
How do the saints help us to offer it up?
These holy men and women did not cling to their comfort. They embraced their crosses as a way to follow Christ more closely.
Suffering is a mystery that every human being faces. It can feel isolating, confusing, and heavy. Yet in the life of the Church there is a great cloud of witnesses who show us that suffering can be transformed when united with Christ.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that suffering has a place in God’s plan. When a person offers their pain in union with Christ’s suffering, it can become a participation in the redemptive love of Jesus for the world (CCC 1505). This does not make suffering good in itself, but it does unite it with a greater purpose.
We see this truth reflected in Scripture. Saint Paul wrote from prison that he rejoiced in his sufferings because they “produce endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (Romans 5:3-4). Paul did not romanticize hardship, but he showed how it can be embraced as part of the life of faith.
The saints are living examples of this transformation. Their lives did not bypass suffering. Instead, they walked through it with faith.
Consider the example of St. Therese of Lisieux. She suffered from tuberculosis for years, enduring pain, weakness, and spiritual dryness. Yet she offered each moment for the salvation of souls, writing in her journal that she desired to be “love in the heart of the Church.” Her Little Way teaches us that even the smallest sufferings, when offered in love, participate in Christ’s own offering.
Or consider St. Gemma Galgani, who endured chronic illness and intense spiritual trials. She offered her suffering for the Church and for souls, accepting pain as a way of staying close to the wounded heart of Christ. She often said that suffering, when united with Jesus, becomes an instrument of love.
Saint Padre Pio carried deep suffering, bearing physical pain along with the spiritual battle of temptation and intercession for souls. His life illustrates that suffering can deepen our compassion for others and draw us into greater prayer and dependence on God, especially when we offer it up for souls.
These holy men and women did not cling to their comfort. They embraced their crosses as a way to follow Christ more closely. This echoes the words of Jesus Himself: “If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). The cross is never a burden we carry alone. It is the place where we meet Christ and where our suffering is taken up into His saving work.
Suffering can make us feel abandoned, but the saints teach us that we are never truly alone. Their lives remind us that God walks with us in our pain. In offering our suffering with faith, we join a long communion of saints who have turned suffering into prayer, love, and hope.
For those who are enduring illness, chronic pain, or intense spiritual trial, Imitation of Christ for the Sick and Suffering offers reflections rooted in the wisdom of Thomas à Kempis and the Church’s tradition. This book gently guides hearts to see suffering not only as a challenge, but as a way to grow in union with Christ’s Paschal mystery. Through its pages, we discover that suffering united with Jesus can become a powerful source of grace.
Do you know why is the St. Benedict medal considered so powerful?
Catholics should never treat the St. Benedict medal as a superstitious object. Sacramentals are sacred signs instituted by the Church to prepare us to receive grace and to sanctify the circumstances of daily life (CCC 1677)
The beloved St. Benedict medal is crafted from the spiritual legacy of St. Benedict of Nursia (d. 547), the founder of the Benedictine Order and the father of Western monasticism.
St. Benedict’s life was marked by intense spiritual struggle. Ancient accounts describe repeated encounters with the Devil and the saint’s steadfast triumph over temptation through prayer, humility, and the Cross of Christ. This is the origin of the spiritual strength associated with the medal that bears his name.
The medal is not only beautiful in design. It is also one of the Church’s most cherished sacramentals for spiritual protection. Because St. Benedict is invoked as a patron against diabolical influence, temptation, poison, and disease, the faithful have long worn or kept this medal as a prayer for God’s safeguarding grace. It is also associated with petitions for perseverance in purity, strength in faith, protection in danger, and the grace of a holy death.
The letters engraved on the medal stand for Latin prayers of exorcism and firm rejection of evil. The medal even has a special blessing rite in the Roman Ritual, emphasizing its serious spiritual purpose. Although St. Benedict lived long ago, the devil’s attacks have not ceased since his time. As the Bible tells us, the adversary is like a lion on the prowl…seeking ways to “devour”.
That is strong language! This is why, if you trust in God and wear this medal, you can seek the intercession of St. Benedict, who fought against the devil and emerged victorious.
At the same time, Catholics should never treat the St. Benedict medal as a superstitious object. Sacramentals are sacred signs instituted by the Church to prepare us to receive grace and to sanctify the circumstances of daily life (CCC 1677). They do not work by magic. Their value comes through the prayers of the Church, the intercession of the saints, and a life lived in union with Christ.
The Benedictine monks of Subiaco Abbey explain that there is no single prescribed way to use the medal. It may be worn on a chain, carried in a pocket, placed in a home or car, or even set into the foundations of a building. Its purpose is simple: to call down God’s blessing and protection wherever we are.
By conscious and devout use, the medal becomes a silent prayer. It is a reminder that the Christian life is a real spiritual battle, and that Christ has already won the victory. As St. Benedict urges in the Prologue of his Rule, the faithful are called to walk in God’s ways with the Gospel as our guide, taking up the Cross daily and following the true King, Christ our Lord.
What Is the Lenten Tradition of Lighting Candles?
The Catechism teaches that sacramentals such as candles prepare us to receive grace and dispose the heart toward prayer.
Lent is often associated with fasting, penance, and simplicity. Yet throughout Catholic history, one quiet tradition has remained deeply meaningful: the lighting of candles during the penitential season.
Candles have always held rich symbolism in the Church. Christ Himself is the Light of the world (John 8:12), and every candle lit in prayer is a small sign of that truth. Even in seasons of sorrow, the faithful do not pray in darkness, but in hope.
During Lent, many Catholics adopt the practice of lighting a candle during personal prayer, especially before a crucifix or sacred image. This simple gesture becomes a reminder that Christ’s Passion is not merely an event of the past, but a mystery entered through prayer.
In monasteries, candles are often kept burning near icons or in chapels as a sign of continual intercession. The Liturgy of the Hours, prayed daily by clergy and religious, frequently uses light as a symbol of vigilance and repentance. Lent calls Christians to stay spiritually awake, watching with Christ in the garden (Matthew 26:40).
Some families also keep a special Lenten candle at the center of the home, lighting it during evening prayer or Scripture reading. This creates a visible rhythm of the season, reminding the household that Lent is a journey toward Easter.
The Catechism teaches that sacramentals such as candles prepare us to receive grace and dispose the heart toward prayer (CCC 1667). A candle does not replace conversion, but it can help shape the soul’s attention toward God.
In the quiet flame, Lent becomes more than a list of sacrifices. It becomes a steady longing for the Light that cannot be overcome.
As the weeks of Lent pass, a candle reminds us of this truth: even as we walk toward Calvary, Christ is already present, guiding us toward Resurrection. For a beautiful way to incorporate these flames into your own Lenten experience, discover the Lent Lily & Cross Candleholder
Why should I get my throat blessed?
Have you ever had your throat blessed at Mass on the Feast of St. Blaise? Here’s why!
In some parishes, priests will use two candles in the form of a cross to bless the congregation’s throats after Mass, usually around St. Blaise’s feast day, celebrated on February 3rd.
St. Blaise of Sebaste was a physician and the bishop of Sebastea, in modern-day Armenia, around the 3rd century A.D. Not much is known about his life, but we do know that many people came to him seeking healing for body and soul. The Acts of St. Blaise is a series of legends about his life. According to the medical writings of Aetius Amidenus, Blaise would treat people who had objects stuck in their throats.
In 316, the governor of Cappadocia (modern-day central Turkey) was ordered by the Roman Emperor Licinius to persecute St. Blaise. Blaise was hunted down, imprisoned, and eventually beheaded.
St. Blaise became associated with blessings of the throat after a miracle he performed shortly before his death. According to his Acts, as St. Blaise was being taken into custody, a child nearby was choking on a fishbone. His mother threw herself at the saint’s feet and begged him for his intercession. Blaise prayed for the child, who was then cured. As a result, St. Blaise often intercedes for protection against illnesses and injuries of the throat. (Some accounts state that Blaise had been given two candles and formed the candles in a cross around the boy’s throat.)
The tradition of blessing throats dates back to the 8th century and is derived from the Book of Blessings, a liturgical book that contains instructions for Catholic ritual blessings. Within the Book of Blessings is the Order of the Blessing of Throats on the Feast of Saint Blaise, which states that, to bless someone’s throat, the priest must join two candles with a red ribbon and make the sign of the cross while saying the following blessing:
“Through the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
The intercession of St. Blaise through the Blessing of the Throats can protect us from diseases and anything that distracts us from God and His healing power. Customs like this one, so deeply rooted in our history as a Church, show us the beauty of our faith and how close we are to the miraculous.
Did You Know 2026 Marks 800 Years Since the Death of St. Francis of Assisi?
These commemorations are promoted by the Franciscan family with the support of the Holy See and invite the faithful to return to the heart of Franciscan spirituality.
When Catholics hear references to a Jubilee of St. Francis, it can sound as though the Church has declared a special jubilee year similar to a Holy Year. In reality, what is being celebrated is a series of major Franciscan centenaries marking 800 years since defining moments in the saint’s life.
These commemorations are promoted by the Franciscan family with the support of the Holy See and invite the faithful to return to the heart of Franciscan spirituality. They are rooted in the biblical understanding of jubilee as a time of conversion, mercy, and renewed fidelity to God, as described in Leviticus 25.
The years from 2023 through 2026 mark four pivotal events. The approval of the Franciscan Rule in 1223 revealed Francis’ radical trust in the Gospel. The Greccio Nativity of 1223 showed his desire to make the mystery of the Incarnation tangible for ordinary people. The Canticle of the Creatures, composed near the end of his life, expressed his praise of God even amid suffering. Finally, the year 2026 marks 800 years since his death in 1226, known as the Transitus of St. Francis.
While these are not papal Jubilee Years in the technical sense, the Church encourages the faithful to engage spiritually through prayer, the sacraments, and pilgrimage. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that indulgences and special graces are meant to foster conversion and charity, never to replace interior repentance (CCC 1471–1479).
St. Francis did not seek recognition or celebration. His life was shaped by obedience to Christ, love for the poor, reverence for creation, and joyful trust in God. These centenary years invite Catholics to examine their own lives in light of that same Gospel simplicity.
Even outside a formal jubilee, Francis’ call remains urgent. Rebuild my Church begins not with structures, but with hearts willing to live mercy, humility, and peace.
For those wishing to enter more deeply into Franciscan prayer, the Franciscan Crown Rosary Chaplet offers a beautiful way to meditate on the joy of the Gospel. Rooted in Franciscan tradition, it reflects the spirit of praise and trust that defined St. Francis’ life.
Did you know some saints had a miraculous sweet scent?
The “odor of sanctity” isn’t just a metaphor!
Here’s a sweet miracle that you should know about…
Did you know some saints had a miraculously sweet-smelling fragrance?
Yes! It’s sometimes called the “odor of sanctity” that emanates from them, often even after death. It’s almost as if their holiness and friendship with God radiates from them through a sweet fragrance.
Let’s meet some of these sweet-smelling saints…
St. Therese of Lisieux: After her death in 1897, many reported that her grave and relics emitted a beautiful floral scent, even before her body was exhumed during her beatification process. This fragrance was experienced by those who prayed for her intercession and has been noted in connection with her relics to this day.
St. Padre Pio: Witnesses reported that he exuded a perfume-like smell, often described as a blend of flowers and incense. This occurred even during his lifetime and was experienced by people in his presence or praying to him from afar.
St. Rita of Cascia: Her incorrupt body, preserved in a glass coffin in Italy, is said to emit a subtle, sweet aroma. Visitors to her shrine often comment on this unexpected fragrance, which has persisted for centuries.
St. Catherine of Siena: After St. Catherine’s death in 1380, witnesses noted that a pleasant, floral-like scent was present around her body, particularly during her funeral and burial. This phenomenon was recorded by contemporaries and later hagiographers and was understood as a sign of holiness rather than a physical explanation. Similar reports appear in the lives of other saints, such as St. Thérèse of Lisieux and St. Teresa of Avila.
In Catholic tradition, the odor of sanctity is not considered miraculous proof of sainthood on its own. Rather, it is viewed as a spiritual sign sometimes accompanying a life of heroic virtue. The Church never bases canonization on such phenomena, but it does acknowledge them when they are well attested.
In St. Catherine’s case, the fragrance was associated with her intense life of prayer, penance, and mystical union with Christ. Her body was later found to be partially incorrupt, with her head remaining remarkably preserved, now venerated in Siena.
The Church views the odor of sanctity as a sign, not proof, of sainthood. It’s never the sole reason for canonization. For those saints whose lives bore the fragrance of virtue, it seems fitting that their earthly remains would bear the fragrance of heaven.
Although we may not possess this miraculous fragrance, we can use a sweet scent to help cultivate a holy and prayerful space with a Catholic candle! One of our favorites is this St. Catherine Set the World on Fire candle. With its elegant design, quote from St. Paul, and delightful citrus, jasmine, and musk scent, this candle is the perfect addition to any Catholic space.
How Did St. Brigid’s Cross Become a Symbol of Protection and Faith?
St. Brigid is one of the three great patron saints of Ireland, alongside St. Patrick and St. Columba.
St. Brigid is one of the three great patron saints of Ireland, alongside St. Patrick and St. Columba. St. Brigid, whose feast we celebrate on February 1st, was born in Ireland around the mid-fifth century. She entered the world as the daughter of a pagan chieftain and a Christian woman who had been enslaved. From the beginning, her life was marked by both suffering and grace.
As a young girl, Brigid worked on her father’s farm, tending animals and performing humble tasks. Stories from her early life consistently point to a remarkable generosity. She gave food meant for her household to the poor and watched it be mysteriously replenished. Her charity so confounded her father that he attempted to sell her into service. When she freely gave away his jeweled sword to a beggar, a Christian king intervened, recognizing that her heart belonged entirely to God.
Brigid refused marriage and consecrated herself to Christ, eventually gathering other women around her who desired the same life. When she sought land for a monastery at Kildare, the local king offered only what her cloak could cover. As she spread it across the ground, it expanded until it covered acres. The land was granted, and a center of prayer, education, and care for the poor was born.
Her cross emerged in a quiet moment at a deathbed. Sitting beside a dying pagan chieftain, Brigid wove rushes from the floor into a cross while explaining the meaning of Christ’s sacrifice. The man listened, converted, and was baptized before his death. From that moment, the cross became a symbol of peace, protection, and faith in Irish homes.
To this day, St. Brigid’s Cross is placed near doorways and hearths as a prayer for blessing and protection. It serves as a reminder that faith is passed on through small, faithful acts of love.
For those who treasure Irish Catholic heritage or carry prayer with them daily, the Personalized Irish Blessing Rosary Pouch is a meaningful way to honor St. Brigid’s legacy.
What does it mean for a relic to be incorruptible?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that the Christian hope of resurrection extends to the whole person
For centuries, Catholics have venerated the physical remains of saints. We call these relics, and they remind us of lives wholly lived for God. Among them are a number of relics that are described as incorruptible. But what does it mean when a body is called incorruptible, and why does the Church take notice?
In the Catholic tradition, the resurrection of the body is a core belief. At the end of time, Scripture teaches that the bodies of the faithful will share in Christ’s eternal life (Romans 8:11). The early Church honored martyrs and saints in part because their lives and deaths testified to Christ’s victory over sin and death. Sometimes, even before final resurrection, God allows a sign of that victory to be seen in a saint’s physical remains.
An incorruptible relic is a body or body part that, after death, has not undergone the normal process of decomposition expected in human remains, absent preservation methods. The Church does not take this as proof of sainthood on its own but as a possible sign of God’s grace at work in an individual whom the Church is already examining or honoring.
The phenomenon is not uniform. Some bodies remain supple, others desiccate in a way unlike typical decay. In each case, the Church investigates carefully. Her approach is neither credulous nor dismissive. She respects scientifically observable reality and simultaneously holds that God’s ways are not limited to natural explanation when He chooses to manifest grace.
One early example comes from the fourth century with Saint Cecilia, martyred under Roman persecution. When her tomb was opened centuries later, her body was found in a condition that astonished those present. For believers, her state testified to her fidelity to Christ even unto death.
In more recent history, saints such as Saint Bernadette Soubirous and Saint John Vianney exhibited similar signs when their remains were examined decades after death. In each case, the Church studied the condition of the body in light of historical testimony, virtuous life, and spiritual fruits associated with the person’s cause for canonization.
Why does this matter? For one thing, it points to the unity of body and soul in salvation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that the Christian hope of resurrection extends to the whole person. The body is not merely an object to be discarded; it is part of what God created good (CCC 364, 1004). When a body remains in a preserved state after death without artificial means, some see it as a sign — not a proof — of the body’s dignity and the soul’s holiness.
The witness of an incorruptible relic invites the faithful to reflect on holiness in embodied life. Saints like Cecilia, Bernadette, and John Vianney did not live apart from the world. They walked, breathed, suffered, and loved in the flesh (just like the rest of us). That their bodies show signs of preservation after death becomes, for many believers, a way of pointing beyond the natural toward the eternal.
The saints teach us that holiness is not abstract. It is lived in daily obedience to Christ’s command to love God and neighbor. The state of a relic is never an end in itself but a sign directing us back to a life of faith, hope, and charity.
A book to inspire your journey with the saints
If the witness of incorruptible relics moves your heart and deepens your curiosity about how God’s grace worked in the lives of remarkable saints, The Incorruptibles offers a compelling collection of stories about these extraordinary remains. Each chapter invites you to encounter the saints not as distant figures, but as real men and women whose lives testify to Christ’s power over death and His invitation to holiness.
What saint was locked in a tower….by his own family?
…and climbed out of a tower window to escape?
You have probably heard of St. Thomas Aquinas.
However, you may not have heard about his kidnapping ordeal…a plot that was orchestrated by his own family!
We’re going to need some backstory to get to the bottom of this…
St. Thomas Aquinas was born to a noble family in Aquino, Italy. The youngest of eight children, St. Thomas was expected to enter religious life.
This expectation shaped Thomas’s childhood. He received a thorough and rigorous education. He grew to be a devoted man and felt the call to religious life personally, not merely out of family duty.
However, Thomas’s vocational call differed from his family’s expectations that he become a Benedictine.
Thomas desired to join not the Benedictines but the Order of Preachers, the Dominicans. The Dominicans, though sharing in a deep love of theology and an appreciation for teaching, differed from the Benedictines in several notable ways.
Primarily, at least for Thomas’s family, the Dominicans were a very young order. Founded in 1212, 13 years before Thomas’s birth, the Dominicans only received papal approval in 1216. Because of this, and their commitment to a vow of poverty, the Dominicans had very little power in their region.
When Thomas expressed his desire to become a Dominican, he met with great resistance from his family—so great, in fact, that his father had Thomas kidnapped by his older brothers and locked in their family tower!
Tradition says that, hoping to break some of his religious fervor and will, Thomas’s brothers attempted to tempt him by sending a prostitute into the tower where he was being kept. They hoped that if he fell into sin, he would abandon the commitment he had to entering this uncertain religious order.
But like his desire to become a Dominican, Thomas’s commitment to virtue was not a fleeting thing—it was a firm resolution based on a burning love.
Thomas, resolved in his faith and his vocation, remained sure in his vow of chastity. As included in the official records for his canonization, Thomas drove the prostitute away wielding a burning log—with which he inscribed a cross onto the wall—and fell into a mystical ecstasy.
Realizing her son’s decision to become a Dominican was a resolute one, his mother arranged for a window to be left open so that Thomas could escape. Climbing out of his window, Thomas left the comfort of his family’s money and power and began his life as a Dominican.
Even though we may not be destined to be great preachers or theologians, we are still called to the same extraordinary holiness as St. Thomas. However, we may need a little assistance in that call…
Yes, we certainly need prayer, and coffee helps too! Start your mornings off with a little extra help in the form of a caffeine boost and some saintly intercession.
Who founded the Ursuline Order? Why does her vision still shape the Church?
Her own life prepared her for this mission through hardship. Orphaned at a young age and later grieving the sudden death of her sister, Angela turned instinctively to prayer.
St. Angela Merici, born in Desenzano, Italy in 1474, founded what would become the Ursuline Order at a time when few imagined women as educators outside the home, let alone leaders in the renewal of Christian society. Yet Angela saw clearly what others overlooked. If the faith was to be lived and passed on, young girls needed to be formed in it with care, wisdom, and love.
Her own life prepared her for this mission through hardship. Orphaned at a young age and later grieving the sudden death of her sister, Angela turned instinctively to prayer. In her sorrow, she entrusted her sister to God’s mercy and received a consoling vision that confirmed her sister’s salvation. This early suffering shaped her lifelong confidence in God’s providence, reflected in her simple encouragement to others: have faith and keep up your courage.
Angela lived during a period of social unrest and moral instability, and she recognized a pattern that remains strikingly relevant. Disorder in society, she believed, often begins with disorder in the family. Women, though lacking formal power in her time, held enormous influence through the formation of children and the spiritual tone of the home. This conviction guided her desire to educate young girls not only in reading and practical skills, but in prayer, virtue, and devotion to the Church.
As a young woman, Angela experienced another defining moment. During a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1524, she suddenly lost her sight while praying before a crucifix on the island of Crete. Rather than abandoning the journey, she continued on, visiting each holy site in blindness, relying on others and remaining joyful. When she returned through Crete at the end of the pilgrimage, her sight was restored while praying before the same crucifix. She understood this experience as a lesson from God never to close her eyes to the needs of others or her heart to His will.
In 1535, Angela formally gathered women into the Company of St. Ursula, named for the early Christian martyr who led others in faithfulness to Christ. These women did not live in cloisters but remained in their homes, meeting regularly for prayer and instruction while dedicating themselves to teaching young girls. It was a radical model, rooted in trust that holiness could flourish in the world, not only apart from it.
Angela remained deeply faithful to the Church during a time of corruption and confusion. She became a Third Order Franciscan and made a pilgrimage to Rome during the Jubilee Year of 1525. Pope Paul III, impressed by her holiness and success, invited her to remain in Rome. She declined, choosing instead the quieter path of continuing her mission. That humility eventually led to the formal recognition of the Ursulines as a religious teaching order shortly after she died in 1540.
St. Angela Merici’s legacy lives on wherever women are formed in faith, prayer, and service. Her feast day is January 27, and she is invoked as a patroness of the sick, the disabled, and those grieving the loss of parents. Her life reminds us that patient formation, lived fidelity, and quiet courage can change the Church and the world.
For women seeking daily spiritual nourishment rooted in Scripture, the saints, and the rhythms of Catholic life, Daily Companion for Women offers thoughtful reflections to support prayer and growth throughout the year. Like St. Angela’s vision, it encourages faithfulness in the ordinary places where God continues to work.
What really happened on the road to Damascus?
Paul’s conversion teaches us that transformation may be sudden at its core, but it also requires a period of interior change.
The story of St. Paul’s conversion is one of the most dramatic turns in all of Scripture. A man who once hunted Christians ended up becoming the greatest missionary of the early Church. But beyond the famous facts lies a deeper invitation for us to understand how God meets us in our own transformations.
Saul of Tarsus was educated, zealous, and deeply committed to the traditions of his people. He believed that the young Christian movement threatened everything he held dear. So much so that he actively persecuted believers, even consenting to the deaths of Christian men and women. He was convinced he was doing God’s work.
Then everything changed on the road to Damascus.
According to Acts, as Saul was traveling with authority to arrest Christians there, a blinding light from heaven suddenly surrounded him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Amazed and terrified, Saul asked who was speaking, and the voice replied, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”
What strikes many readers is Paul’s response. He did not argue. He did not defend his zeal. He simply asked, “Who are you, Lord?” This moment was not a theological debate. It was an encounter. God met Saul exactly where he was, in the middle of his pursuit, and asked him to stop running.
But the story does not end there. Saul was left blind for three days. He fasted, prayed, and wrestled with this experience. Then a Christian named Ananias, acting on a vision from the Lord, went to Saul and laid hands on him. Saul regained his sight, was baptized, and immediately began to proclaim Jesus as Lord. The one who once persecuted Christians now preached Christ with unstoppable energy.
One anecdote from early Christian tradition highlights that Saul’s companions on the road heard the sound but saw no one when the light flashed. They knew something extraordinary had taken place. Later tradition tells us that Paul spoke to kings, endured beatings, shipwrecks and imprisonment, yet none of those hardships shook him as much as those days of blindness and reflection.
His letters reveal a man transformed not by information but by encounter and trust. His theology is not abstract. It is born from the experience of meeting the risen Christ.
Paul’s conversion teaches us that transformation may be sudden at its core, but it also requires a period of interior change. We may not be struck by a literal light from heaven, but deep change always involves an interior reorientation. Paul went from persecution to proclamation because he was willing to see truth not as something to defend, but as something to live.
If the story of Paul’s conversion leaves you wanting to understand him more deeply — his life, his letters, and his theology — Understanding St. Paul: A Concise Guide to His Theology, His Letters, His Life can help.
Who were Timothy and Titus, and why did St. Paul trust them so much?
Together, Timothy and Titus reveal something essential about St. Paul’s mission. The Church was not built by lone heroes. It was built through relationships, mentorship, and shared responsibility. Paul did not cling to authority. He formed others to carry it forward.
When reading the letters of St. Paul, two names appear again and again: Timothy and Titus. They were not apostles in the dramatic sense of Paul, nor were they martyrs. Yet they were essential to the life of the early Church and deeply loved by the man who brought Christianity across the ancient world.
Timothy was Paul’s spiritual son. He first met Paul in Lystra, where Timothy was already known for his faith despite his young age. His mother was Jewish, and his grandmother Lois had passed on the Scriptures to him, while his father was Greek. Paul saw in Timothy devotion, humility, and teachability. So Paul invited him to leave home and travel as a missionary companion.
In the Scriptures, we see Paul’s trust in Timothy. Paul sent him alone into difficult communities, including Corinth and Thessalonica, which were filled with conflict and opposition. Paul himself admitted that Timothy was timid by nature. Yet he encouraged him, urging him not to let others look down on him because of his youth. Timothy learned leadership through Paul’s faithfulness and patience with him.
Titus, by contrast, was known for steadiness and strength. He was a Gentile convert and living proof of Paul’s teaching that salvation did not depend on Jewish law. Titus became Paul’s problem solver. When churches were divided or struggling, Paul sent Titus.
One memorable moment comes from Paul’s mission to Corinth. The community was fractured, and Paul feared his letter of correction might have done more harm than good. He anxiously awaited news from Titus, who had been sent to assess the situation. When Titus returned with word that the community had repented and reconciled, Paul was overwhelmed with relief and joy.
Paul later left Titus in Crete to organize the Church there, appointing elders and correcting disorder. This was not an easy assignment. Crete was known for instability, yet Paul trusted Titus to bring order with wisdom and firmness.
Together, Timothy and Titus reveal something about St. Paul’s mission. The Church was not built by lone heroes. It was built through relationships and mentorship. Paul did not cling to authority but formed others to carry it forward.
Their lives also remind us that faith is often transmitted quietly. Through teaching, encouragement, correction, and simple presence. Timothy shows us the power of gentle perseverance. Titus shows us the strength of faithful leadership. Both reveal that God works through trust and obedience.
We see the works of St. Timothy and Titus in the New Testament. Become familiar with these saints in the New Testament and Psalms RSV.
Who is the Patroness of the Unborn?
“Am I not here, who am your Mother?” Discover these and more of the tender words Our Lady spoke to Juan Diego almost 500 years ago.
That’s right—Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patroness of unborn babies.
Before Spain brought the Faith to Mexico in the 16th century, the Aztec religion had formed a culture of death in the native Mexican peoples. The “gods” required human blood to atone for offending them and to ward off their wrath. War and slaughter were a central part of their lives.
When the Holy Virgin appeared to Juan Diego, carrying within her the unborn God-man, she brought a culture of life to Mexico. Where missionary efforts had met with little success, she brought about 9 million conversions to the Catholic faith and the devout adoration of the only true God. Because of this apparition, she has been named Patroness of the Americas.
In our own times, we have seen the Culture of Death rise again in America. When the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Roe vs. Wade, it created a loophole which was quickly monopolized. Pro-abortionists cried out that abortion was now legal, and for the next fifty years life has been held as cheaply in our culture as it was in the Aztec religion.
The Patroness of the Americas, however, has triumphed. The Supreme Court ended the wholesale “legal” abortion torrent: the first step in restoring respect and gratitude for Life—a Culture of Life—to America.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Unborn and of the Americas, will continue to lead us in the defense of Life. We just have to be faithful.
To learn more about Our Lady of Guadalupe, discover our newest Good Catholic docuseries called Not Made By Human Hands. The 5-part series you’ll learn about the tumultuous encounter with the Spanish, the history leading up to the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the incredible events of December 1531. You’ll discover what this image meant to those who saw it, and how it changed the world so drastically and so fast. You’ll also see how this 500-year-old image of the Blessed Virgin Mary which hangs above the altar in a basilica in Mexico, is unlike anything science can explain.
We invite you to also find this beautiful exclusive Marian Cross candle that honors Our Lady of Guadalupe with the inviting scent of Mandarin Vanilla Bourbon, as a reminder of her steadfast motherly protection & love. Discover this and more at The Catholic Company today!
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How old is the Vatican Observatory?
One of the oldest observatories in the world was established by the Vatican.
Did you know that one of the oldest observatories in the world was founded by the Vatican?
The story begins in 1582 with Pope Gregory XIII. Famous for reforming the calendar (yes, the Gregorian calendar you use today), Gregory XIII relied on astronomers to ensure the calendar aligned with the solar year.
Gregory encouraged the Vatican to support and pursue scientific observations and documentation. These observations were documented within the Vatican and led to many great developments in the scientific study of the stars.
Fast forward to 1774, when Pope Clement XIV built on his predecessor’s work and established the Vatican’s first observatory, the Specola Vaticana, atop the Roman College.
A bigger observatory was created in 1891 under Pope Leo XIII and given the official title of Vatican Observatory.
Over the years, the observatory has moved to avoid the light pollution of Rome. By the 1930s, it had relocated to Castel Gandolfo, the Pope’s summer residence. In the late 20th century, it expanded to a new facility in Arizona, where clearer skies offered astronomers a better view of the heavens.
So, how old is the Vatican Observatory? If you count its roots in Gregory XIII’s era, it’s over 440 years old! It continues to evolve to this day as the Church maintains her commitment to the support of the sciences.
Teach your children about Church history and science with this engaging book, designed for ages 7-11, called Brilliant: 28 Catholic Scientists, Mathematicians, & Supersmart People.
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Did you know that a dove once “chose” a Pope
Sometimes, the most remarkable decisions are revealed not through calculation but through quiet submission to God’s will.
Some moments in Church history defy expectation. One such moment took place in the year 236 when the faithful gathered to choose a new bishop of Rome. What happened next would become one of the most remarkable stories of divine guidance in papal history, and it centers on St. Fabian.
The Church had just lost its pope, and the Christian community in Rome prepared itself for the solemn process of selecting the next leader. Like many elections of the era, it was expected to be a careful deliberation among the clergy and faithful. But on that day, something extraordinary occurred.
As the clergy discussed candidates, a dove descended from the sky and settled on a man standing quietly among the crowd. That man was Fabian, a layman about whom little was widely known. The dove remained with him for a remarkable length of time, and the people interpreted this sign as a heavenly endorsement. In an instant, the choice was made. Without the usual maneuvering, arguments, or politicking, Fabian was acclaimed pope.
This moment stands out not only for its drama, but for what it teaches about the Church’s understanding of God’s active presence. Election was not merely a human process; it was a moment of prayer, trust, and submission to God’s will. The image of the dove carries deep meaning in Christian tradition, signifying the Holy Spirit. For the early Christians, the Spirit was not an abstract idea but a living guide.
Fabian went on to serve the Church with wisdom and courage. His papacy was marked by organization and growth. He divided Rome into ecclesiastical districts, appointed deacons to oversee welfare, and took care to protect the Church from internal division and external threats. His leadership demonstrated that a surprising beginning can lead to fruitful and steady stewardship when it is rooted in faith.
In a world often characterized by lengthy debates, power struggles, and strategic campaigning, St. Fabian’s election reminds us that God’s ways are not our ways. The Church does not simply choose leaders by human standards. She prays, listens, and remains open to the unexpected movement of the Spirit.
Sometimes, the most remarkable decisions are revealed not through calculation but through quiet submission to God’s will. And when the Spirit moves, even a layman in the crowd can be invited to undertake a great responsibility.
If stories like St. Fabian’s surprise election inspire you, the A Year with the Popes book offers a rich journey through the lives and teachings of the successors of St. Peter. From early martyrs to modern saints, this devotional invites you to reflect on the role of the papacy in guiding the Church through history with faith, courage, and fidelity. It is a meaningful way to deepen your understanding of the Church’s past and to pray for the Church’s future. Discover your copy today at The Catholic Company!
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How did St. Agnes inspire one of the Church’s oldest traditions?
Every year on January 21, a quiet but striking scene unfolds in Rome. Two small lambs are brought to a church, blessed, and entrusted to religious sisters for careful tending.
Every year on January 21, a quiet but striking scene unfolds in Rome. Two small lambs are brought to a church, blessed, and entrusted to religious sisters for careful tending. Months later, their wool will be woven into one of the most meaningful symbols of episcopal authority in the Church.
All of this happens because of a young martyr named Agnes.
St. Agnes lived in Rome in the early fourth century and was martyred at about twelve or thirteen years old. Her crime was simple and absolute: she belonged to Christ alone. When pressured to renounce her faith and marry, she refused. Her steadfast purity and courage led to her execution, and she quickly became one of the most beloved martyrs of the early Church.
Her name itself tells part of the story. Agnes comes from the Latin agnus, meaning lamb. From the earliest centuries, Christians associated her with the image of a lamb, a symbol of innocence, sacrifice, and Christ Himself. Art often depicts her holding a lamb, not as sentimentality, but as theology. She mirrored the Lamb of God in her purity and self gift.
This symbolism eventually shaped a living tradition.
On the feast of St. Agnes, lambs are blessed at the Church of Sant’Agnese fuori le mura in Rome. Their wool is later used to make the pallium, a narrow woolen band worn by metropolitan archbishops. The pallium rests on the shoulders and signifies the bishop’s role as shepherd, carrying the flock with humility and care.
The pallium is placed on the tomb of St. Peter before being given to new archbishops, connecting three realities at once: the martyrdom of Agnes, the authority of Peter, and the pastoral mission of the bishops.
There is something quietly profound here. A child martyr’s witness supplies the wool that becomes a sign of leadership. Innocence undergirds authority. Sacrifice supports service.
St. Agnes reminds the Church that true power is never separated from purity of heart, and true leadership is always shaped by the Lamb who was slain.
Her feast is not only a remembrance of courage in persecution, but a living reminder that holiness, even when hidden or young, continues to clothe the Church.
To help children and families connect with this tradition at home, Louie the Lamb Personalized Prayer Buddy offers a meaningful companion for prayer and devotion. Louie can be a comforting presence during bedtime prayers, a reminder of St. Agnes’ courage, and a gentle symbol of Christ’s own lamb-like love.
Whether given as a gift or kept as a daily prayer friend, Louie invites us to remember that faith sometimes looks like simplicity, trust, and the willingness to follow Christ wherever He leads. Find yours today at The Catholic Company!
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Lent starts in one month. Will you be ready?
Lent is not meant to be improvised. It is a season of intentional conversion, and like any meaningful pilgrimage, preparation matters.
Lent rarely sneaks up on us by accident. The Church gives us signs well in advance. Readings shift. Alleluias begin to feel numbered. There is a subtle invitation to slow down and take stock.
With one month until Lent begins, the Church is already asking a quiet question: Are you ready to begin the journey well?
Lent is not meant to be improvised. It is a season of intentional conversion, and like any meaningful pilgrimage, preparation matters. When we wait until Ash Wednesday to think about fasting, prayer, or sacrifice, we often start hurried and distracted. But when we prepare our hearts ahead of time, Lent becomes less about doing more and more about becoming different.
This preparatory month is an opportunity to notice what already weighs on the soul. What habits need refining? What relationships need healing? What distractions quietly pull us from God? Lent does not create these realities. It reveals them.
The Church has always understood Lent as a journey, not a challenge. It is forty days of walking with Christ toward the Cross, trusting that resurrection follows. That kind of trust does not appear overnight. It is learned.
This is why many saints speak of beginning Lent before Lent begins, through prayerful intention rather than sudden austerity. A prepared heart enters Lent with clarity and peace instead of pressure.
Mary shows us how to do this. She did not rush God’s plan or resist the unknown. She pondered. She listened. She carried the mystery quietly until it unfolded in God’s time. Lent lived with Mary becomes less about self-mastery and more about surrender.
As this month unfolds, consider letting prayer shape your expectations for Lent rather than waiting for discipline to do the work alone.
A resource like A Lenten Journey with Mother Mary can help orient the heart before the season begins. Walking with Mary day by day offers a steady, maternal guide through Lent, reminding us that conversion grows best when rooted in trust.
Where and When Was the First Eucharistic Procession?
In response, he entrusted the great theologian St. Thomas Aquinas with composing the liturgical texts for a new feast honoring the Eucharist: the Feast of Corpus Christi.
Most Catholics today know the Eucharistic procession as a beautiful expression of our faith — the Blessed Sacrament carried through streets, neighborhoods, and churches with incense rising and bells ringing. But how far back does this tradition go? And where did it begin?
Surprisingly, the first recorded Eucharistic procession did not take place in the grandeur of medieval Europe, but in a humble Italian town in the early 13th century: Orvieto, in 1264.
A Time of Fear and a Miracle of Faith
The story begins with a spiritual and physical crisis. Little is known about the precise origins of the illusion, but in the mid-1200s, Europe was gripped by fear of the unknown and spiritual unrest. Around this time, a German priest in Bolsena — not far from Orvieto — was struggling with severe doubts about the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
While celebrating Mass, he reached the consecrated host, and it began to bleed. The corporal (the altar cloth) became stained with drops of blood. Shocked and shaken, the priest took the cloth to Pope Urban IV, who was staying in nearby Orvieto.
The pope was moved by the event, later confirmed as a Eucharistic miracle. In response, he entrusted the great theologian St. Thomas Aquinas with composing the liturgical texts for a new feast honoring the Eucharist: the Feast of Corpus Christi.
That same year, 1264, a solemn procession was held in Orvieto so that the Blessed Sacrament could be publicly honored, adored, and visibly carried among the faithful. This event is widely considered the first formal Eucharistic procession in Church history — a moment when the reality of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist was not only believed, but publicly proclaimed.
What Makes This Moment So Important
This wasn’t just a parade. In a world still sensitive to mysticism and skepticism, the procession was a bold proclamation:
The Eucharist is Jesus…truly present, truly among us, not hidden but revered.
It became a turning point in the Church’s devotional life. The Feast of Corpus Christi spread rapidly across dioceses, and the custom of processing the Eucharist — carried in a monstrance — became a public witness of faith.
Over centuries, this practice took on layers of meaning. It became a blessing for towns, a sign of unity, a witness of belief in Christ’s real presence, and a public declaration that God does not remain hidden in the tabernacle but walks among His people.
One of the most telling anecdotes from those early processions comes from medieval chroniclers: when the Blessed Sacrament passed through the streets of a town, shops and inns would close; farmers in their fields would kneel; children walking home from school would fall silent and genuflect. It was said that in those moments the world paused, not for festival, but for profound reverence.
That awe of Christ walking among His people is the heart of the procession.
The Eucharist in Our Lives Today
Centuries later, Eucharistic processions remain a vivid expression of a living faith. In 2024, tens of thousands of Catholics filled the streets of Indianapolis in one of the largest Eucharistic processions in U.S. history during the National Eucharistic Congress, publicly witnessing to belief in the Real Presence of Christ.
Whether winding through parish streets or around the grounds of a cathedral, Eucharistic processions challenge us similarly: to recognize that Christ is not only in a consecrated host behind a veil, but present among us as we move through our daily lives.
A Tool to Deepen Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament
If the history and tradition of Eucharistic processions nourish your soul, you may want a companion that helps you dive deeper into Eucharistic adoration. The Manual for Eucharistic Adoration offers prayers, reflections, and guidance for quiet, intentional time before the Blessed Sacrament.
Just as the first procession made the presence of Christ visible to all, this manual invites you to make Christ’s presence personal, deepening your prayer life and your awareness of Jesus truly present in the Eucharist. Discover yours today at The Catholic Company!
Why did Our Lord choose to be baptized?
He obviously had no need of baptism. He wasn’t a sinner. So why be baptized?.
When Our Lord came to the River Jordan to receive baptism at the hands of His cousin St. John the Baptist, John asked the question that any of us would have asked:
“I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
—Matthew 3:14
Our Lord answered:
“Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.”
—Matthew 3:15
So John obeyed and baptized Jesus, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world, yet Who was guilty of no sin Himself.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in his work Jesus of Nazareth has some profound insights into why Our Lord underwent baptism. One of the Holy Father’s central points is the identification of Jesus with sinners and the anticipation of His sacrifice on the Cross.
Although the baptism John offered to the people of Israel was not the same as the true Baptism Our Lord would bring, it was a prefigurement of it. Like the Sacrament it anticipated, John’s baptism involved a deep-seated conversion of heart, a confession of sins, and a rising out of the water to new life.
As Jesus goes into the waters of the Jordan to receive this baptism, He is identifying Himself with sinners, taking our sins upon Himself, and submerging Himself—in our place—into the waters of purification. His rising up shows the new life that He will gain for us.
This, of course, is directly related to His Passion, death, and Resurrection. In fact, as Pope Benedict points out, He refers to His Passion as His “baptism.” In His death, He fully shoulders our sins, cleansing them in His own Blood.
Our Lord rises from the waters of the Jordan as He would rise from the tomb three years later, glorified and victorious. At the Baptism, we see the heavens opened and the Trinity manifested: the Father proclaims the identity of His Son—“This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased”—a proclamation which, Pope Benedict says, foreshadows the Resurrection.
His rising from the dead was the most definitive proclamation of His divinity and His power over all things, even sin and death. Because of Christ’s actions, the heavens are opened, and we—through our own Trinitarian Baptism and participation in Christ’s death—can pass through.
Why Ordinary Time Might Be the Most Demanding Season of All
Ordinary Time invites us to follow Christ not only in the mountaintop experiences but in the steady unfolding of daily life.
The Church moves through the year with a beautiful rhythm. Advent teaches us to wait. Christmas teaches us to rejoice. Lent teaches us to repent. Easter teaches us to hope.
Then comes Ordinary Time.
It is the longest season of the liturgical year, and perhaps the easiest to overlook. Nothing obvious happens at first glance. No dramatic fasts or feasts dominate the calendar. Ordinary Time looks, well — ordinary.
Yet this is precisely why Ordinary Time is so essential.
Ordinary Time invites us to follow Christ not only in the mountaintop experiences but in the steady unfolding of daily life. It is a season of growth, of quiet faithfulness, and of learning to see Christ in the everyday moments we often take for granted.
Saint Josemaría Escrivá reminded us that God is calling us to serve Him in and from the ordinary. Holiness is not just found in dramatic moments of conversion, but in the faithful living of daily responsibilities and relationships.
The funny thing is that it can be easier to be kind to strangers than to those closest to us. A cheerful word comes easily in passing, yet patience is harder with a spouse after a long day. We may smile at a neighbor but grow weary with our own family.
This reveals something profound: Ordinary Time holds up a mirror to our hearts. It asks not how we behave when we are seen, but how we love when no one is watching.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta said that if we want to serve the poor, we should begin in our own homes. Saint Faustina Kowalska lived this truth, uniting every moment to Christ, offering every breath and act for His glory. In her diary she wrote that even when she was with others, her heart was united to Jesus, allowing His presence to guide her words and actions.
In Ordinary Time, the Church invites us to live this same unity. We are called to grow in prayer, in virtue, and in love — especially toward those right in front of us.
A Tool for Every Ordinary Day
As you live out this season of steady grace, the holy rosary can help anchor your daily walk with God. Allow this treasured spiritual companion to enrich your prayer life this year. Whether you are new to the Holy Rosary or deepening an established routine, this beautiful Rustic Budded Cross Antique Style Wooden Rosary is perfect for you. Discover yours today at The Catholic Company!
What is the Chartres Pilgrimage?
What do 20,000 (and more) Catholics do every year?
Each year at Pentecost, thousands of Catholics gather at Notre Dame de Paris before setting out on foot for one of the most remarkable pilgrimages in the modern Church.
After Mass, the pilgrims leave the city behind and begin walking through fields, forests, and quiet countryside. Over the next three days they travel more than sixty miles, praying, singing, listening to talks, sharing silence, and even stopping to receive the Sacrament of Confession along the way. Halfway through the journey, a special Pentecost Mass is celebrated outdoors, often in the Latin rite.
Their destination is Notre Dame de Chartres.
This pilgrimage is often confused with the great Paris cathedral, especially since the tragic fire of 2019. But Chartres Cathedral was not damaged and remains one of the most intact medieval cathedrals in the world. Its famed stained glass windows, largely original from the 12th and 13th centuries, still glow with astonishing depth and color, just as they did centuries ago.
The Chartres pilgrimage itself dates back to the Middle Ages, when it formed part of the longer Camino de Santiago. Pilgrims came to venerate a treasured relic believed to be the veil of the Blessed Virgin Mary. For centuries it was a bustling route of devotion, prayer, and sacrifice.
Then history intervened. Wars, religious upheaval, and cultural shifts slowly emptied the roads. By the early 20th century, the pilgrimage had nearly vanished.
In 1982, a small group of faithful Catholics revived it. What began modestly has grown year after year, drawing thousands, including young adults and families, and even curious non Catholics. When pilgrims finally glimpse Chartres’ twin spires rising above the horizon after days of walking, many describe the moment as a kind of homecoming.
Even those who may never walk the road to Chartres can still unite themselves spiritually to this ancient devotion. The Chartres Cathedral Stained Glass Windows Candle brings the beauty of that Marian sanctuary into the home. As it burns, it evokes the luminous windows that have drawn pilgrims for centuries, offering a quiet reminder of faith, perseverance, and the peace found at journey’s end.
What saint helped shape Catholic schools in America?
Neumann’s life reminds us that education is never just about facts. It is about forming people who can think, love, and serve with courage and purpose
Long before public schools were everywhere, Catholic parents in the United States faced a dilemma. Their children learned reading, writing, and arithmetic in classrooms that offered little support for their faith. But one 19th-century priest had a vision that would change the face of Catholic education in America forever.
That man was St. John Neumann, a native of Bohemia who became a Redemptorist missionary in the young United States. When he arrived in New York in the 1830s, he encountered a Church struggling to keep up with the needs of its immigrant population. One problem stood out: Catholic children were falling through the cracks of a school system that did not teach their religion.
A Bishop Who Walked the Streets
After years of missionary work and parish ministry, Neumann was made the fourth bishop of Philadelphia. One of his first priorities was to build a Catholic school system that would serve all children, especially those of immigrant families. But resources were scarce, and opposition was common.
Still, Bishop Neumann had a remarkable instinct for inspiring others. He would visit families door to door, encouraging them to send their children to Catholic schools. One parishioner later recalled him gently reminding her that education without faith could leave a child empty. Neumann wasn’t merely organizing schools; he was planting seeds of faith that would bear fruit for generations.
To staff these schools, he invited the School Sisters of Notre Dame from Europe at a time when few American women saw teaching as a vocation. These sisters brought discipline, devotion, and a love for children that matched Neumann’s own.
Under his leadership, the number of parish schools in the diocese skyrocketed. Neumann understood that Catholic education was not just about knowledge, but formation: the formation of heart, mind, and soul.
Catholic schools, as Neumann envisioned them, ground students not just in reading and math, but in the life of Christ. They teach children to see the world through the lens of the Gospel: that every person is made in God’s image, that truth matters, that service to others is not optional, and that faith and reason are not enemies but companions.
Neumann saw schools as places where faith becomes habit, prayer becomes normal, and virtue is learned as children learn. In doing so, he helped give the American Church one of its most vital institutions: a place where children encounter Christ in teachers, classmates, and the routine of school life.
Today’s Legacy
Because of St. John Neumann’s commitment, the Catholic school system in the United States became a model for faithful education. His legacy lives on in classrooms where the cross hangs at the front of the room, in students learning both algebra and the Beatitudes, and in generations of families for whom Catholic schools have been a foundation of faith.
Neumann’s life reminds us that education is never just about facts. It is about forming people who can think, love, and serve with courage and purpose.
To understand why St. John Neumann fought so tirelessly for Catholic schools; one must look at what he wanted children to receive: not just information, but formation rooted in sacramental life. He believed that young people needed to understand how Christ meets them through the Church, especially in the sacraments that shape a faithful life from baptism to the Eucharist and beyond.
The Catechism of the Seven Sacraments is designed in a vivid comic-book format with stunning photographs. It appeals to both children and adults by making profound theological concepts accessible. Discover yours today at The Catholic Company.
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This Christmas Season, Consider How You Buy
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Did you know there was a time and place when Christmas carols were banned?
The most dramatic suppression came in 17th-century England under the Puritan regime. Singing was outlawed. Shops stayed open on December 25….
It may surprise many modern Catholics to know that the cheerful carols we sing today were once forbidden. Yes, there was a time when singing “Silent Night” or “Joy to the World,” or simply walking the streets with a harp or lute and caroling from door to door, could land you in trouble.
What we now call “Christmas carols” began not in living rooms, but with medieval church and folk traditions. By the 13th–15th centuries, Christians across Europe sang verses and refrains; often in Latin, sometimes in the local tongue, to narrate the mysteries of faith with music.
But not everyone loved the joy these songs stirred. Some church authorities condemned the popular tunes and dances tied to carols as licentious or distracting from proper worship.
The most dramatic suppression came in 17th-century England under the Puritan regime. Parliament issued ordinances in the 1640s that abolished Christmas as a feast day — meaning no midnight Mass, no decorations, no feasting… and no carols.
Carol-singing was outlawed. Shops stayed open on December 25. In some cities, government soldiers patrolled the streets to prevent public caroling and the sale of traditional foods and drinks associated with Christmas feasts.
The ban was rooted in Puritan objections to what they saw as popery — excessive feasting, drunken revelry, pagan customs, and what they believed was improvised, sensual, or secular entertainment masquerading under Christian celebration.
The Will of the People Won Out
Still, the carolers refused to vanish quietly. In many towns, people secretly gathered to sing carols. In London, Canterbury, Norwich and elsewhere, riots and open defiance broke out when authorities tried to impose the ban.
And when the monarchy was restored in 1660, the ban was overturned. Carols returned, and within centuries spread across continents. Today, those once-banned songs are so woven into Christmas that it is hard to imagine how they were ever forbidden at all.
The tale of the Christmas-carol ban reminds us that holiness and joy are not always safe from suspicion. It also shows how deeply ingrained and powerful the longing for beauty, music, and celebration is in the human soul, even in hardship or under oppression.
What is a Shepherd’s Mass?
The Shepherds’ Mass captures the humble, urgent, joyful response to the Incarnation: when ordinary people—lowly shepherds—became the first earthly witnesses to God-with-us.
When most think of Christmas Mass, they picture the great Midnight Mass — but the celebration of Christ’s birth in the Church has often included three distinct Masses, each with its own name, moment, and spiritual focus. One of them is the Shepherds’ Mass. The Shepherds’ Mass is traditionally celebrated at dawn on Christmas Day. It commemorates the moment when angels announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds tending their flocks by night — and when those humble shepherds rushed to Bethlehem to adore the newborn Savior.
Why Three Masses — and What Each Means
• Midnight Mass (“Angel’s Mass”) — celebrates the birth itself, in the darkness, with angels proclaiming “Glory to God.” Shepherds’ Mass (Dawn / “Shepherds’ Mass”) — recalls the shepherds’ visit, their haste, their adoration, and their willingness to leave everything and seek Christ. Daytime Mass (“King’s Mass” / Mass During the Day) — proclaims Christ to the whole world, highlighting His divinity revealed by the light of day.
The Shepherds’ Mass captures the humble, urgent, joyful response to the Incarnation: when ordinary people—lowly shepherds—became the first earthly witnesses to God-with-us.
What It Teaches Us Today
The dawn Mass issues a timeless invitation:
• To put aside comfort and convenience — like the shepherds leaving their flocks — and hurry toward Christ.
• To greet Christ not just in convenience or celebration, but with reverence and readiness, as light dawns on a new day.
• To remember that sometimes the spiritual greatest encounters — the greatest revelations — come when we rise early, step out simply, and seek the Lord with open hearts.
Just like those shepherds, we, too, are invited to respond to the good news with haste, awe, and worship.
To help you hold this season close — and remember the journey of the shepherds — the Adoration of the Shepherds Gold-Framed Print offers a beautiful, timeless depiction of that first Christmas night.
What are the “O Antiphons”?
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel.” These beautiful Advent words help us prepare for the coming of Christ each Advent.
The beloved Advent hymn O Come, O Come Emmanuel is a musical rendering of the Greater Advent Antiphons, also called the “O” Antiphons based on the initial letter of each. They are sung at the Magnificat during Vespers (Evening Prayer) from December 17th through December 23rd.
These verses are a heart-rending plea for the Messiah to appear and save His people. They address Him by the titles He is given in Sacred Scripture and encapsulate the profound longing of God’s people for their Savior.
Thousands of years of salvation history, thousands of years of waiting—of aching—for the Messiah find expression in these short, simple, yet intensely moving words.
The great liturgical commentator Dom Prosper Guéranger notes that these Antiphons are sung at Vespers because Our Lord came at the “evening of the world,” and are placed at the Magnificat to illustrate that He came to us through Our Lady.
A fascinating fact about these antiphons is that Our Lord’s answer is rendered within them as an acronym. If you take the first letters of each Latin title, beginning with the last (Emmanuel) and working backward to the first (Sapientia), it spells ERO CRAS, which means “Tomorrow I will come” in Latin!
Here are all seven antiphons. Make them a part of your prayer over the next seven days as you make your final preparations for our long-awaited Savior.
December 17 – O Sapientia
O Wisdom, that comest out of the mouth of the Most High, that reachest from one end to another, and orderest all things mightily and sweetly, come to teach us the way of prudence!
December 18 – O Adonai
O Adonai, and Ruler of the house of Israel, Who didst appear unto Moses in the burning bush, and gavest him the law in Sinai, come to redeem us with an outstretched arm!
December 19 – O Radix Jesse
O Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the people, at Whom the kings shall shut their mouths, Whom the Gentiles shall seek, come to deliver us, do not tarry.
December 20 – O Clavis David
O Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel, that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth, come to liberate the prisoner from the prison, and them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death.
December 21 – O Oriens
O Dayspring, Brightness of the everlasting light, Sun of justice, come to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death!
December 22 – O Rex Gentium
O King of the Gentiles, yea, and desire thereof! O Cornerstone, that makest of two one, come to save man, whom Thou hast made out of the dust of the earth!
December 23 – O Emmanuel
O Emmanuel, our King and our Law-giver, Longing of the Gentiles, yea, and salvation thereof, come to save us, O Lord our God!
As the O Antiphons lead us step-by-step through the rich tapestry of salvation — calling out “O Wisdom,” “O Key of David,” “O Radiant Dawn” — they prepare our hearts for the great “O Come, Emmanuel.” If you’d like to carry that journey with you beyond choir stalls and candlelight, the Christ’s Story Bracelet is a beautiful companion. Its simple beads trace the path of redemption, reminding you of the Advent longing that the antiphons kindle, and the Christ who always answers. Wear it as a sign of hope, faith, and readiness for the coming King. Discover yours today at The Catholic Company!
How do I pray a novena?
What is a novena and why should I pray one during Advent and Christmas?
In Acts 1:4, Jesus told His disciples in Jerusalem to “wait for the promise of the Father.” Between the time of His Ascension and Pentecost, Jesus’ Apostles spent nine days devoted to prayer. After this time of prayerful preparation, the Holy Spirit came upon them and filled them with supernatural grace, giving them the courage and faith to fulfill Christ’s divine mandate.
A tradition developed to imitate the Apostles’ prayer in the Upper Room by praying for a particular intention for nine days. This devotion was called a novena. The word novena comes from the Latin word novem which means nine.
A novena prayed well increases our faith and helps us grow in virtue through nine consistent days of prayer. (Some “novenas” are shorter, some longer, as various novena devotions have developed over time.) The repetition of certain prayers over multiple days keeps the specific devotion fresh in our minds, helps us grow in patience and perseverance, and can open our hearts to receive any special graces Our Lord may want to give us during that time.
While there are many different types of novenas, over the centuries a few standards have come about. Many novenas also include prayers and reflections for each day, focusing on particular virtues or petitions.
The most popular time to pray a novena is during the days leading up to a special feast day. These special feast days include Pentecost, Advent, Christmas, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and Our Lady Undoer of Knots, among many others!
If you have a special devotion to a saint, it’s common to pray a novena leading up to that saint’s feast day, or simply any time you have a specific intention that falls under the patronage of that saint. Some popular novenas to saints and angels include St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Jude, St. Rita, and St. Michael the Archangel.
Advent and Christmas are wonderful times to pray a novena to help draw us close to the nativity of Our Lord. The world wants to move on from Christmas on the 26th. Don’t let that influence your own celebration of this beautiful season that lasts until the feast of the Epiphany!
Celebrate Christmas with Irish charm using the Irish Blessings Glass Ornament Collection, exclusively crafted by The Catholic Company
Why are green, red, and white the colors of Christmas, and what is the Catholic meaning behind them?
Seen together, these three colors tell the whole message of Christmas:
• Green: Christ brings eternal life
• Red: Christ pours out His love to save us
• White: Christ is the divine Light entering our world
Every December, homes, churches, and city squares are wrapped in red, green, and white — colors so deeply tied to Christmas that we barely question why. But long before marketers and decorators adopted them, these colors carried rich Catholic symbolism rooted in Scripture, tradition, and the mystery of the Incarnation.
Green: The Sign of Eternal Life
Green has been associated with Christmas for centuries, especially through evergreens – the few plants that remain alive and vibrant through winter.
For Christians, this became a natural sign of Christ’s eternal life, the One who enters a world of spiritual winter to bring never-ending life.
Evergreens reminded early believers of these truths:
• Christ’s life cannot wither
• Hope endures even in the darkest season
• The newborn Savior comes to give us life that “will never die”
So the color green whispers Advent’s promise:
Life is coming.
Red: The Color of Love — and of the Cross
Red is unmistakably the color of Christmas, but its meaning goes far deeper than holly berries or ribbons.
In Christian tradition, red symbolizes:
• the blood of Christ, shed out of love for humanity
• martyrdom, the witness of those who gave their lives for Him
• sacrificial love, the heart of the Gospel
Even in the cave at Bethlehem, the Church has always kept the Cross in view.
The wood of the manger foreshadows the wood of Calvary.
The Child wrapped in swaddling clothes is the same Christ who will be wrapped again in burial cloths.
Red reminds us that Christ came not only to be born, but to die and rise for us. While the nativity is the focus, Christmas joy is inseparable from the redeeming love of the Cross.
White: The Light That Shines in Darkness
White is the color of Christmastide itself — the liturgical color worn at every Christmas Mass.
It symbolizes:
• Christ’s purity
• His divinity hidden in human flesh
• the radiant glory of the Incarnation
• the light the darkness cannot overcome
White proclaims that in the birth of Jesus, something utterly new has entered the world:
God Himself has stepped into time.
This is why Christmas is celebrated with white vestments — the same color used for Easter.
The joy of Christ’s birth and the triumph of His resurrection are woven from the same thread.
A Story Written in Color
Seen together, these three colors tell the whole message of Christmas:
• Green: Christ brings eternal life
• Red: Christ pours out His love to save us
• White: Christ is the divine Light entering our world
No wonder the earliest Christians embraced them.
Every wreath, ribbon, and candle silently proclaims the Gospel.
Christmas is a feast of color — because Christmas is a feast of divine meaning.
As you celebrate the beauty and symbolism woven through this season, the Personalized Epiphany Home Blessing Gift Set offers a beautiful way to extend the holiness of Christmas into your home.
This cherished Epiphany tradition invites Christ’s light, protection, and blessing over your household for the coming year. Personalized with your family name, it becomes a meaningful keepsake; a sign that the same Light symbolized in Christmas white is welcome to dwell in your home all year long.
Why do Christmas traditions last a lifetime?
This is why the stories we choose matter. They can become seeds of faith and wonder that will be carried into future Christmases long after the toys have been forgotten.
Every family has them — the Christmas memories that become legendary.
Someone’s famous fudge recipe.
The aunt who always sang the same carol.
The one ornament that must go on the tree first.
These traditions stay with us not for a year or two, but for decades. And what’s more beautiful — they often pass quietly from one generation to the next.
Children grow up, form families of their own, and suddenly the stories, songs, and rituals from their childhood reappear around new tables, new trees, new hearths.
Because Christmas memories have an unusually long life.
They root themselves in the soul, carrying warmth even into adulthood —
which is why the stories we tell at Christmastime matter more than we think.
Why Stories Shape the Season
Before Christmas became noisy with screens, sales, and nonstop schedules, families gathered at the end of the day to read together.
Stories lit the season with meaning.
They shaped hearts, formed imaginations, and strengthened the bond of family in a way few other things could.
Stories Worth Passing Down
The beauty of reading at Christmastime is that it becomes more than an activity — it becomes a memory.
These aren’t just tales — they are invitations:
• to slow down
• to quiet the home
• to gather the family close
• to share something sacred
A child may not recall every gift they received, but they will remember:
• the warmth of the fire
• the hush of the house
• the rhythm of a beloved story
• the feeling of being gathered, welcomed, and loved
This is why the stories we choose matter.
They can become seeds of faith and wonder that will be carried into future Christmases — long after the toys have been forgotten.
Christmas Around the Fire captures that timeless tradition.
Ryan N. S. Topping has gathered a rich and thoughtful collection of stories, essays, and poems — featuring the voices of literary greats like Chesterton, Dickens, Tolstoy, and reflections from beloved spiritual writers.
Don’t overlook the impact of these moments.
The stories we read today may become the ones our children read to their children tomorrow.
Did you know there are three Christmas Masses?
There were three traditional Christmas Masses …
The Catholic tradition of celebrating three distinct Masses on Christmas Day is an ancient and profound custom, rooted in the history of the Church in Rome and steeped in theological symbolism. While Catholics are only required to attend one Mass to fulfill the holy day obligation, the three Masses beautifully symbolize the threefold birth of Christ: His eternal birth from the Father, His temporal birth from the Virgin Mary, and His spiritual birth in our hearts.
1. The Mass During the Night (The Angels’ Mass)
Time: Midnight (or late Christmas Eve).
Symbolism: This Mass focuses on Christ’s Eternal Birth from the Father, a hidden, mysterious, and miraculous event. Celebrated in the darkness of night, it mirrors the spiritual darkness of the world before Christ’s coming. It emphasizes the immediate, hidden moment of the Nativity.
Key Scripture Theme: The Nativity Narrative itself, featuring the Gospel of Luke where the angels announce the birth to the shepherds.
2. The Mass at Dawn (The Shepherds’ Mass)
Time: Daybreak.
Symbolism: As the natural light begins to return, this Mass focuses on Christ’s Spiritual Birth in the hearts of the faithful. Christ is celebrated as the “Sun of Justice” bringing illumination to the world. The shift from the deep night to the first light of day symbolizes the dawning of grace in humanity. The Shepherds, the first to adore Christ, represent the simple faithful who are drawn to Him.
Key Scripture Theme: The Adoration of the Shepherds (Luke), focusing on the shepherds hastening to the crib and proclaiming the Good News.
3. The Mass During the Day (The King’s Mass)
Time: Morning/Daytime.
Symbolism: Celebrated in the fullness of day, this Mass focuses on Christ’s Temporal/Historical Birth and the full revelation of His Divinity and Incarnation to the whole world. It proclaims Christ as the Eternal Word made flesh and the undisputed King of Kings.
Key Scripture Theme: The Prologue of St. John’s Gospel (“In the beginning was the Word…”), which provides the most theological reflection on the Incarnation: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” All of this comes from the Church’s ancient historical practice, the texts of the Roman Missal, and authoritative theological teaching.
Keeping the traditions of Advent and Christmas alive for your children is eminently doable! One way to share the beautiful story of the Christmas nativity and incorporate Santa for young children is the A Special Place for Santa book. This invaluable teaching tool for Christian families aims to uphold the true meaning of Christmas in a sweet way.
What is the connection of the titles Our Lady Queen of Peace and Our Lady of Loreto?
Today, the world continues to be full of tumult and pain, and our need for the perfect peace of Christ is apparent. Our Lady desires to bring us this peace.
Today, the world continues to be full of tumult and pain, and our need for the perfect peace of Christ is apparent. Our Lady Queen of Peace desires to bring us this peace!
Who is Our Lady Queen of Peace?
On his wedding day, Jean de Joyeuse wanted to give his bride a powerful gift.
After some prayer, Jean de Joyeuse commissioned a statue for his bride, a beautiful statue of Our Lady. This was not the usual depiction of Our Lady. Instead of a traditional depiction, this Madonna statue featured Our Lady gently grasping an olive branch with one hand while her other hand supported Christ under the title of the Prince of Peace.
Eventually, the statue made its way into the ownership of his grandson Henri Joyeuse. Henri, a devout and prayerful man, joined the Capuchin Franciscans in Paris, and out of devotion to Our Lady Queen of Peace, he brought his family’s statue with him on his journey. For the next 200 years, the Capuchin monastery in Paris had the particular honor of being home to Our Lady Queen of Peace.
Statue of Our Lady Queen of Peace at the University of Bonn
While in the Capuchins’ care, the statue of Our Lady Queen of Peace was pivotal in several key moments for France. While the nation was being plagued with the heresy of Jansenism, King Louis XIV made a personal visit to the Capuchins to present the statue of Our Lady Queen of Peace with a crown and to place the faith of France under her protection. Tradition holds that the influence of Jansenism decreased greatly in France after this act of entrustment to Our Lady of Peace.
During the French Revolution, the Capuchins were driven from their monastery. Despite being forced to flee with almost nothing, the Capuchins insisted that they bring Our Lady Queen of Peace. The Capuchins and the statue went into hiding and miraculously remained safe from the violent revolution.
In the 20th century, as World War I raged on, Pope Benedict XV was inspired by the history of this statue of Our Lady Queen of Peace and felt called to add this Marian title to the Litany of Loreto. Throughout those tumultuous years of war, he continued to urge the faithful to pray to Our Lady Queen of Peace for her intercession and for the restoration of peace throughout the world.
Peace in the world begins in our own homes. This St.Benedict Home Blessing offers a tangible symbol of protection and faith for your home. Purchase yours in time for the New Year blessing at The Catholic Company!
Who is known as the “boy bishop”?
This famous saint we honor during Advent was consecrated a bishop at the tender age of 30!
Did you know that St. Nicholas was consecrated a bishop at 30, leading to his nickname of “boy bishop”?
Or that he is a reported attendee of the Council of Nicaea?
Yes! There is so much more to the life of this powerful saint than what is commonly known!
While we recognize St. Nicholas as the source behind the legendary Santa Claus, we may not know the many fascinating facts of his life. St. Nicholas was not a mythical figure, but a man who served the Church, risked his mortal life for the poor and persecuted, and whose charity made him a saint!
St. Nicholas (270-343) was the bishop of Myra in what is now Turkey. He was beloved during his life for his quiet generosity, always attuned to the needs of the poor and suffering. Many miracles were attributed to St. Nicholas’s intercession. Strong devotion to the saint known as the “gift-giver” grew rapidly until he was revered worldwide as Santa Claus.
But it was not just gift-giving and service that defined St. Nicholas—he endured great suffering for Christ as well. Under the rule of Emperor Diocletian, Nicholas spent seven long, hard years tortured and imprisoned for his faith in Christ. In 313 A.D., the first Christian emperor, Constantine, issued the Edict of Milan, giving religious liberty to all Christians and freeing St. Nicholas.
Alongside 317 other bishops, St. Nicholas participated in the Council of Nicaea, the first council of the Church, in 325 A.D. The main purpose was to resolve confusion—caused by the Arian heresy—over the nature of the Son in His relationship to the Father. The Council of Nicaea formulated the Nicene Creed—the Creed we pray at Sunday Mass to this day—which outlines the basic Christian belief that the Son is “consubstantial” with the Father. In this way, the greatest gift St. Nicholas helped give us is our Creed!
Inspired by St. Nicholas, may we remember that we are never too young or too old to be called by Christ! This “boy bishop” lived his life with striking charity and Christian witness, reminding us that the greatest legacy we can leave behind is one of love.
Did you know Juan Diego walked over 10 miles to Mass every day?
Most people know Juan Diego as the humble visionary of Our Lady of Guadalupe. He was the quiet indigenous convert chosen to carry Heaven’s message. But here’s a fun fact that reveals just how extraordinary he really was:
Juan Diego used to walk about 15 miles to attend daily Mass.
Not once a week. Not when it was convenient. Every. Single. Day.
Before dawn, he wrapped himself in his tilma and walked the long, dusty road from Cuauhtitlán to Mass in Mexico-Tlatelolco — moved by love for the Eucharist and a desire to know Christ more deeply.
And it was on one of these early morning walks, on December 9, 1531, that Heaven met earth. On Tepeyac Hill, the Mother of God greeted him with tenderness:
“Juanito, the littlest of my sons… where are you going?”
The Humility Heaven Could Entrust
When Mary asked him to carry her message to the bishop, Juan Diego didn’t think he was worthy, and he said so with profound humility.
He told her:
“Please choose someone important for this task… I am only a porter’s rope, a backframe, a man who is no one.”
He saw himself as small — not out of self-loathing, but out of truth.
He knew he was not learned, powerful, or influential.
He knew he was unknown in the eyes of the world.
And that is precisely why Our Lady chose him.
Juan Diego’s humility made him a clear vessel for God’s grace.
Our Lady wasn’t looking for status — she was looking for someone whose heart was ready.
He didn’t think he was worthy of the mission… which is what made him worthy.
Faithfulness Prepared Him for a Miracle
God did not choose a scholar, a nobleman, or a warrior.
He chose a man who simply kept showing up — to prayer, to Mass, to love of neighbor.
Juan Diego’s daily faithfulness and honest humility opened the door for the greatest miracle of the New World. His long walks became the very path where Our Lady’s message transformed a continent.
It is a reminder for all of us:
God entrusts great things to those who are faithful and humble in the small things.
Teach Little Hearts About This Humble Saint
The St. Juan Diego Mini Saint Doll is a sweet, meaningful way to help children learn Juan Diego’s story — not just the miracle, but the humility and faith that made him worthy of Our Lady’s trust.
Soft, colorful, and perfectly sized, it reminds little ones (and the adults who love them) that holiness begins with a humble heart.
Because the saint who once thought he was “only a porter’s rope” became the messenger who changed the world.
Why do we celebrate the Immaculate Conception today?
Today’s glorious feast recalls the perfect sinlessness of Our Lady.
“Who are you?” asked Bernadette.
The Lady raised her eyes to Heaven and joined her hands in prayer.
“I am the Immaculate Conception,” she answered.
Our Lady’s words to St. Bernadette at Lourdes recall a most glorious truth about this Lady. It’s a truth we confess almost every time we address her, since so many titles that we give to Our Lady refer to her sinlessness.
In the Litany of Loreto, we call her Mother most admirable, Mother most pure, Mother inviolate, Mother undefiled, Queen conceived without original sin. In fact, all her titles speak directly or indirectly of her Immaculate Conception.
It is fitting that we should so often praise Our Lady under this title. By a singular privilege bestowed upon her by God, Our Lady was preserved free from original sin at the first moment of her conception. She remained absolutely sinless throughout her life: full of grace and the greatest flowering of every virtue. She is God’s most perfect creation, who alone among all of us mortals loved Him perfectly and fulfilled His will without fail.
The teaching of the Immaculate Conception, though always true and believed by the Church, was solemnly defined as a doctrine of the Catholic Faith on December 8, 1854, by Pope Pius IX in his encyclical Ineffabilis Deus:
“We declare, pronounce, and define that the doctrine which holds that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin, is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful.”
Every year on December 8, nine months before the feast of Our Lady’s Nativity and on the anniversary of Ineffabilis Deus, we celebrate this glorious feast to remember and rejoice in Our Lady’s Immaculate Conception.
It’s such an important feast for us Catholics in the United States that it is a Holy Day of Obligation. (Be sure to get to Mass!) We also honor Our Lady as the Patroness of the United States under this title, so let us pray for our country on this day, that Our Lady will guide us in the ways of God.
The Miraculous Medal that so many of us wear is inscribed with these words: O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. This medal is truly a tangible profession of faith in Our Lady’s Immaculate Conception. Another way to recognize the purity and love of Mary during this time of year is with the Madonna of the Streets ornament. The Catholic Company carries a variety of ornaments. They make wonderful Christmas gifts!
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This Christmas Season, Consider How You Buy
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Who created the first nativity scene?
A beloved saint brought us this most beloved Christmas tradition.
Every year, one of your favorite Advent traditions is probably setting up your Nativity set.
Perhaps your nativity is made of wood, or silver, or china, or simple plastic; maybe you put it on the mantelpiece, or in the center of the dining room table. Many of us have a large one that we place outdoors so that passers-by can enjoy it; we might also have a tiny one that we place by our bedside to remind ourselves of the reason for the Christmas season.
We keep the Baby Jesus hidden away, ready to place Him in the manger on Christmas morning.
The three Kings are placed in a different part of the house; they will arrive on Epiphany and not before.
Devout citizens place Nativity scenes in public places, at state capitols, in parks, to bring the light of Christmas to their fellow-men. They fight to keep Christ in the public square even as others try to remove Him. This year, after all the struggle, 40 states have a Nativity scene in or at their capitol building.
But who invented the Nativity scene?
It was a deacon in Italy in the 13th century, who had a special love for the Child Jesus. He hatched a plan to inspire this same love in the townspeople.
In a cave near the town, he set up a manger and brought a real ox and donkey to play their part. He invited the people to Midnight Mass at the cave, and they came, the forest ringing with song and bright with candlelight. After chanting the Gospel, the deacon preached a sermon about the Babe of Bethlehem, Whose Name he could not utter for sheer love.
He kept the manger empty, since the Child had not arrived yet. But one man—a holy citizen and former soldier who was a friend of the deacon—said that he saw, in the manger, a beautiful, radiant Child. He witnessed the deacon gathering this Child devoutly in his arms.
Of course, the deacon was none other than St. Francis of Assisi, and this is the story of the first Nativity scene, as related by St. Bonaventure in his biography of the saint. Bonaventure also relates that the hay from that first crèche was saved by the townspeople in attendance and that it miraculously cured ailing cattle.
When we put our Nativity sets out this Christmas, we are continuing a tradition that started nearly 800 years ago, in 1223.
If you are looking for a Nativity set—perhaps your first one, perhaps one to add to your collection—it’s not too late to order one. We Catholics celebrate Christmas long after the world has moved on. And there are many beautiful sets still available here at The Catholic Company. Become a part of St. Francis’ wonderful tradition. Our favorite is this simple one-piece Holy Family Nativity Panoramic Sculpture! Order yours today from The Catholic Company!
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BIBLE ACROSS AMERICA Discipleship Together Hosted by the St. Paul Center
A good Bible study leads to a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. A great Bible study compels you to go out and share your encounter with others. This Advent, join fellow Catholics for a Bible study unlike any other.
Bible Across America is the nation’s biggest Bible study hosted by the St. Paul Center. Beginning Nov. 5, we’ll gather around God’s Word, discovering together what it means to affirm Jesus as “Teacher and Lord” in our lives as modern-day disciples. Journey with our guests – Father Boniface Hicks, OSB, Heather Khym of Abiding Together, Katie McGrady from SiriusXM’s The Catholic Channel, and Alex Jones, CEO of Hallow – along with Bible studies across the country – as we grow closer to Christ this season.
Let’s do discipleship together.
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What is the “Christmas Nail”?
It’s a little ornament that carries a profound meaning.
Maybe this Christmas, a friend will visit your house. As they admire your Christmas tree decorated with lights, images of the Nativity, perhaps some colorful ribbon and a snowman or two, they’ll spy a strange little ornament hanging close to the trunk of the tree. It’s almost invisible—hidden behind branches and lights and other decorations.
It’s a plain, long nail—much like the nails that pierced the hands and feet of Christ during His Passion. Your guests might wonder why such a nail would be found on a Christmas tree.
You’ll explain to them that Jesus was born in Bethlehem so that, thirty-three years later, He could die for our sins on Calvary. The Nail is a reminder of the Passion this little babe would undergo, as innocent at His death as He was at His birth.
It reminds us of His sufferings and the incredible love that motivated both His earthly nativity and His death. This Nail decorates a Christmas tree, and the nails of His Passion decorated the Tree of the Cross.
The Nail is not in a place of prominence, but almost hidden away near the trunk. It is not so much a decoration, but a prayerful reminder for the family and for those guests with particularly keen eyes and hearts.
A poem explains the meaning of The Christmas Nail:
This is The Christmas Nail.
It is to be hung on a sturdy branch,
a branch near the trunk,
a branch that will hold such a spike without being noticed by well-wishers
dropping by to admire one’s tinseled tree.
The nail is known only to the home that hangs it.
Understood only by the heart that knows its significance.
It is hung with the thought that the Christmas tree but foreshadows the Christ-tree
which only He could decorate for us,
ornamented with nails as this.
You can make this tradition your own with a Christmas Nail available from The Catholic Company. Hung on a red ribbon, this Nail will become a beloved part of your Christmas tree. Comes with The Christmas Nail poem and a listing of Scripture prophecies about the Messiah.
How one missionary “wore out his arm” for souls
St. Francis Xavier’s arm may have worn out. But his spirit endures — calling us to share the same Gospel courage in our time.
When we hear the name St. Francis Xavier, we often think of distant oceans, foreign lands, and the spread of the Gospel across continents. But perhaps the most powerful image of his zeal isn’t a ship on the waves — it’s his arm.
Legend says that in parts of Asia where he ministered, Francis baptized so many people — so many souls — that he literally wore out his arm from the constant motion of pouring water and pronouncing God’s mercy in baptism.
A Missionary Driven by Love and Truth
Francis Xavier wasn’t content with preaching from the safety of a pulpit. He traveled thousands of miles — on foot, by ship, through unknown lands — driven by a fierce love for Christ and the people He came to save.
Every village he visited, every port he landed in, became a place of encounter. And wherever he went, people came to him — not merely out of curiosity, but drawn by the power of the Gospel and the witness of a man who lived what he preached.
Where other missionaries hesitated or feared, Francis moved forward. He didn’t just teach doctrine — he offered the living water of baptism, welcoming souls into the family of God.
Baptism Worn Into the Flesh
The story of Francis wearing out his arm isn’t meant as a boast. It’s a sign: salvation is costly, personal, and wired into the body of Christ.
Every drop of water, every spoken prayer, every new Christian received shows that the Church doesn’t expand through comfort or convenience — but through sacrifice and surrender.
Like baptism itself, Francis’s mission reminds us: believers aren’t objects in a pew. We are living stones being built into God’s temple — made alive, washed clean, sent forth.
What His Example Teaches Us Today
• Faith demands risk and dedication — sometimes leaving everything familiar behind.
• The Gospel isn’t a side-note. It’s the main event.
• Baptism begins a new life — and that life calls for action, not apathy.
• The harvest is plentiful — but the laborers are few.
St. Francis Xavier’s arm may have worn out. But his spirit endures — calling us to share the same Gospel courage in our time.
Dive into His Story — Across Oceans and Hearts
To learn more about the extraordinary life of St. Francis Xavier, consider reading St. Francis of the Seven Seas: St. Francis Xavier.
This inspiring volume tells the full story of a saint who gave everything for Christ and His Church. It’s a powerful read for anyone who longs to live faith beyond comfort — with boldness, sacrifice, and love for souls.
What is the tradition of the Christmas Oplatki wafer?
The spirit of Christ-like charity is baked into this wafer-bread.
The Oplatki have an unassuming appearance and only the mildest flavor, looking more like a thick piece of paper.
This modest appearance, however, conceals a symbolically-rich custom.
The Christmas wafers come from Eastern Europe. The name means “Angel Bread.” Made only of flour and water, they are stamped with Christmas images such as the Star of Bethlehem or the Nativity.
On Christmas Eve, the head of the family prays for the members of his family, present or absent, then breaks a piece off the wafer and gives it to each person. As the family members receive the wafer pieces, they are greeted with a kiss and a felicitation for a joyful feast. They then return the greeting in the same way.
The lesson of this custom is that the family must be united with the bonds of charity. It reminds us that we do not seek salvation alone, but with others, especially our family. We should help each other obtain salvation, always bearing Christ-like charity toward one another. When we are united in charity, we are joined, by the head of the family, to the unbroken links of One Body, One Bread, One Christ, and One Church.
If you have family and friends who live far away or overseas, the Christmas wafer is an excellent way to reach out to them and let them know they are loved and missed and are still an integral part of the family or group. The oplatki wafers are so thin and surprisingly sturdy that they can be carefully mailed in a Christmas card without breaking.
Today, many also purchase oplatki wafers to share among a special group of friends, such as friends from church or the classroom. You can even send several oplatki wafers to your friends and family members so that they can enjoy the tradition with those who are special to them.
Do you want to renew and cultivate the bond of charity you have with your family? Incorporate the Oplatki Christmas Wafers tradition into your own family customs this year. The delicate sets of Angel Bread, colored white and pink, come in an envelope printed with the description of the Oplatki tradition.
Did You Know Advent Once Lasted 40 Days?
Advent was traditionally penitential. Before the Church shortened the season in the 9th century, Advent lasted forty days,
We tend to think of Advent as four quiet weeks before Christmas: candles, wreaths, anticipation, and joy. But historically, Advent wasn’t four weeks at all.
It was forty days.
Early Christians understood Advent as a “Little Lent”—a season of penance, prayer, and preparation before the joy of Christ’s birth. And surprisingly, the Church’s ancient wisdom reveals something we often forget:
Bethlehem is always in the shadow of Calvary.
A Little Lent Before Christmas
The Nativity scene is tender—Mary, Joseph, and the Infant wrapped in swaddling clothes. But Christians are not naïve witnesses. We know where the Child is headed. The wood of the manger points to the wood of the Cross.
As author David Mathis observes:
“We cannot keep Bethlehem and Golgotha apart without losing what Christmas really is.”
This is why Advent was traditionally penitential. Before the Church shortened the season in the 9th century, Advent lasted forty days, echoing the forty-day fast of Lent. Violet vestments, a restrained liturgy, and the omission of the Gloria all signaled that the Church was preparing its heart for the coming of the Savior—the Child who would die for us.
Dom Guéranger explains that the Gloria is withheld because:
“The tongues of the angels are not loosened yet… it is not time to sing, ‘Glory to God in the highest.’”
Not until Christmas night.
Somber—Yet Still Joyful
But Advent is not Lent.
There is no Passion Week.
There is no Good Friday on the horizon.
Instead, Advent holds a tension that is uniquely its own:
penance paired with festivity.
We still sing the Alleluia, because we are waiting not for death, but for birth.
Not for the tomb, but for the manger.
As Great Advent puts it:
“Advent is both somber and festive because we are anticipating the birth of a Child… our long-awaited Messiah.”
A Season of True Preparation
Both Advent and Lent point beyond themselves.
Advent prepares the soul for the coming of Christ—
His Nativity long ago,
His coming in glory at the end of time,
and His quiet arrival in our hearts today.
Christmas doesn’t begin until the first Mass on Christmas Eve.
Everything before that is preparation.
Everything before that is longing.
And in a culture tempted to skip Advent entirely, the Church calls us back to the truth:
The Child we await is the Savior who will one day hang upon the Cross.
Advent invites us to hold both mysteries together—
the tenderness of the manger
and the triumph of the Cross.
Only then do we understand what Christmas truly is.
Who were the three wise women of Scripture?
Mary believed. Elizabeth recognized. Anna waited. Three women, three kinds of wisdom—all rooted in the same source: a heart attuned to God’s will.
When we think of wisdom in the Bible, our minds often go straight to Solomon or the Magi. But before the star led wise men to Bethlehem, three wise women had already prepared the way for Christ: Mary, Elizabeth, and Anna.
Mary: The Woman Who Believed
When the Angel Gabriel appeared to her, Mary didn’t demand proof or delay with doubt.
She simply said: “Let it be done to me according to your word.”
Her wisdom was born of faith.
She listened, trusted, and obeyed—showing that true wisdom begins not with knowing everything, but with surrendering everything to God. This scene is one of the beautiful mysteries of the Holy Rosary.
Elizabeth: The Woman Who Recognized
When Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth instantly recognized the presence of the Messiah. Filled with the Holy Spirit, she cried out, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”
Elizabeth’s wisdom was the fruit of humility. In her old age, she rejoiced not in herself, but in what God was doing through others. She teaches us that spiritual insight comes when our hearts are free of envy and full of gratitude. This moment between Mary and Elizabeth is another one of the beautiful mysteries of the Holy Rosary.
Anna: The Woman Who Waited
Eighty-four years old and long widowed, Anna never left the Temple. She fasted, prayed, and waited. When she finally saw the Child Jesus, she knew Him instantly—and began proclaiming His coming to all who would listen. What amazing confidence in the Lord she revealed, and what an example of steadfast love for God.
Anna’s wisdom was perseverance in faith. She shows that those who wait on the Lord will not be disappointed.
The Wisdom of the Heart
Mary believed.
Elizabeth recognized.
Anna waited.
Three women, three kinds of wisdom—all rooted in the same source: a heart attuned to God’s will.
Their stories remind us that divine wisdom isn’t about intelligence or power, but about listening, trusting, and responding to God’s call in the everyday moments of life.
As Advent approaches, may the example of these wise women guide our own waiting—believing like Mary, rejoicing like Elizabeth, and persevering like Anna—until Christ is born anew in our hearts. Learn more about these three wise women in this beautiful Advent devotional: Three Wise Women – 40 Devotions Celebrating Advent with Mary, Elizabeth, and Anna.
Purchase a copy for yourself (or buy it as a gift) at The Catholic Company today!
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How does the Church year revolve around the Son?
The liturgical calendar isn’t meant for the Church alone—it’s meant for every believer. It sanctifies time and teaches us how to live for God in every moment.
Christianity isn’t just lived—it’s celebrated.
Our faith is not only about what we believe but how we worship. The Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, orders our worship through a sacred rhythm called the liturgical calendar—a yearly cycle of seasons, feasts, and solemnities that unfold the story of our salvation.
The Work of God in Time
“Liturgy” means the work of God. It is how the Church praises and glorifies Him each day through the Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, and the celebration of the mysteries of Christ’s life.
To help the faithful participate in this divine rhythm, the Church sets her own calendar. And this calendar doesn’t begin on January 1st—it begins on the first Sunday of Advent.
This marks the start of a new liturgical year, a new opportunity to enter more deeply into the life of Christ. It reminds us that everything—our beginnings and endings—centers on Him.
As Jesus says in Revelation 22:13:
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
The Rhythm of Heaven and Earth
Just as the earth revolves around the sun, the Church revolves around the Son of God. The liturgical calendar unites heaven and earth, setting the entire Church—across every nation and time zone—on the same page of prayer.
Throughout the year, the Church celebrates the mysteries of Christ in five main seasons:
Advent – a time of preparation and hopeful waiting for the birth of Christ.
Christmas – rejoicing in the mystery of the Incarnation.
Lent – a season of repentance and conversion before Easter.
Easter – celebrating the Resurrection of the Lord.
Ordinary Time – growing in faith during the “green” seasons of grace.
The liturgical year concludes with the feast of Christ the King, the Sunday before Advent begins again—fittingly showing that all things begin and end in Christ.
Living by the Church’s Time
The liturgical calendar isn’t meant for the Church alone—it’s meant for every believer. It sanctifies time and teaches us how to live for God in every moment.
When we align our hearts to the rhythm of the Church, we live in harmony with heaven itself. Our days, our prayers, and our celebrations all point toward our final goal: eternal life with God.
Discover this beautiful book: Sanctifying Time – A Simple Prayer Companion and learn how the liturgical calendar orders our worship around Christ.
What Catholic priest’s Advent sermons were smuggled out of a Nazi prison?
Fr. Alfred Delp’s inspiring words couldn’t be held back by iron bars.
“More, and on a deeper level than before, we really know this time that all of life is Advent.” —Fr. Alfred Delp, S.J., writing from prison
Fr. Alfred Delp, a young German Jesuit priest, loved Advent. He considered it not just a liturgical season, but an entire mode of life that we could carry with us throughout the year.
He thought that our whole life, in fact, was an Advent, a preparation for meeting God face-to-face. This spiritual idea would be embodied and fulfilled in his life.
Fr. Delp was a powerful preacher, and as a pastor in Münich, spoke with clarity and vigor against Nazism. But he wasn’t just a preacher of the word—he was a doer as well. For his conviction, the Gestapo arrested him in July 1944.
During his confinement, from a freezing cell with his wrists handcuffed, he penned powerful reflections on his beloved theme of Advent, deepened and magnified by the personal Advent he was experiencing that winter.
He would, in fact, meet God face-to-face on Candlemas, the feast that marks the end of the Christmas season. He was hanged on February 2, 1945, a martyr for the truth, his lifelong Advent coming at last to its glorious fulfillment.
But although this courageous priest did not escape prison, his words did escape.
His Advent reflections, scrawled on scraps of paper, were smuggled out of the prison with his laundry. From there, these writings made it to friends and parishioners back in Münich, and down to us today.
Fr. Delp’s prison writings—along with other Advent sermons preached before his imprisonment—have been collected for you in Advent of the Heart. This inspiring collection introduces you to Fr. Delp’s extraordinary spirituality—and makes a perfect companion for the coming Advent season.
Why do we celebrate the feast of Christ the King of the Universe?
Established a century ago as a means to heal the culture from the pains of war and atheism, this feast is just as essential today!
The early 20th century saw great destruction, tyranny, and corruption.
With the advent of technological advances in weaponry and transportation, World War I brought great depravity and horror. Faced not only with the pain and destruction of war, this era also saw a rise in political tyranny, with fascism and communism threatening the freedom and dignity of many peoples. These ideologies did not merely affect the political order, but greatly impacted people personally, causing a great rise in nihilism and atheism.
The culture was broken, people were suffering, and the Church was under threat.
What the world needed was a king. Not an earthly king, whose pride and power keep him from serving his people, but a Heavenly King, One Who rules the universe with humility and love.
Recognizing this profound need, in 1925 Pope Pius XI wrote the encyclical Quas Primas (“In the first”) in response. This encyclical addressed the reality of Christ’s kingship over the entire world and instituted the feast of Christ the King of the Universe. He recognized that attempting to “thrust Jesus Christ and his holy law” out of public life would result in continuing discord among people and nations. This solemnity reminds us that while governments come and go, Christ reigns as King forever.
The feast of Christ the King is celebrated on the last Sunday of the liturgical calendar, closing out each liturgical year with the hopeful reminder that Christ will always reign. This year, the feast of Christ the King will be celebrated on Sunday, November 26th.
Since the feast of Christ the King occurs right before the Advent season, it also serves as a profound reminder to keep Christ as King of our hearts and to use the upcoming weeks as prayerful preparation to make our hearts fit for such a King.
Catholics celebrate many beautiful feasts. Perhaps this is one of the reasons Saint John Henry Newman found the Catholic faith so appealing. Loss and Gain is the first work John Henry Newman penned after entering the Catholic Church in 1845, and it remains one of the great Catholic conversion novels. Discover Loss and Gain, by John Henry Newman,.
How can we make Advent and Christmas about giving instead of getting?
Day by day, as these hidden acts of love multiply, the manger fills up until Christmas morning.
Advent is meant to prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming—but in a season filled with wish lists and shopping carts, it’s easy to lose sight of the real joy of Christmas: giving.
That’s where The Giving Manger tradition comes in.
Each day during Advent, every time someone in the family does a small act of kindness—a chore without being asked, a kind word, a secret good deed—they place a piece of straw in a little wooden manger.
Day by day, as these hidden acts of love multiply, the manger fills up—until Christmas morning, when the family places the Baby Jesus on the soft bed they’ve prepared for Him with their good works.
It’s a simple yet powerful reminder that every act of love prepares a place for Christ—not only in the manger, but in our hearts.
This family tradition teaches children that kindness, sacrifice, and service are gifts we can offer to others and to Jesus Himself. And as the straw pile grows, so does the spirit of love in your home.
Bring the Joy of Giving Home This Advent
Start a new tradition with The Giving Manger Gift Set
— a beautiful, hands-on way to help your family live the true meaning of Christmas.
This complete set includes a heartwarming storybook, wooden manger, bundle of straw, and baby Jesus figure—everything you need to fill Advent with faith and love.
Each act of kindness becomes a prayer, and every straw a symbol of love offered to the Savior.
Make this Advent one your family will never forget.
Order The Giving Manger Gift Set today from The Catholic Company.
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Did you know about the new Our Lady of Waiting Rosary?
The Our Lady of Waiting Catholic Company Rosary of the Year (2026)
Honors this profound Marian title and invites prayerful trust in God’s timing.
What Does It Mean to Wait with Mary?
Waiting can feel like one of the hardest parts of faith.
Waiting for prayers to be answered.
Waiting for healing, direction, or peace.
Waiting for hope to make itself known.
Mary knew that kind of waiting better than anyone.
From the moment the angel announced God’s plan, she lived a life of holy expectation—waiting for the birth of her Son, for His mission to unfold, for His suffering to end, and for His Resurrection to bring new life to the world.
That same faith-filled patience is at the heart of an ancient devotion: Our Lady of Waiting—also known as Our Lady of Lebanon. She is the Mother who waits with her children, who prays with them in their longing, and who reminds them that God’s timing is perfect, even when it feels hidden.
The Our Lady of Waiting Catholic Company Rosary of the Year (2026)
honors this profound Marian title and invites prayerful trust in God’s timing.
Handcrafted by skilled artisans in our Charlotte, NC workshop, this exquisite rosary features a cutout antique bronze centerpiece engraved with Auspice Maria—“under the care of Mary.”
A stunning crucifix medal depicts Mary and St. Mary Magdalene at the foot of the Cross—the place where love and waiting meet.
This sacred design calls to mind the moments when Mary waited with unwavering faith, reminding us that she still waits and prays with us now.
Whether waiting for healing, guidance, or an answered prayer, let this rosary become a companion on the journey. It whispers a gentle truth: God’s silence is not absence. His timing is mercy. His answer is love.
Wait with Mary. Hope with her. Pray with her.
And trust that—like her—your waiting is not in vain.
What is the St. Andrew’s Novena?
This beloved Advent tradition begins November 30th.
The St. Andrew’s Novena—which begins on this Apostle’s feast day—consists of a short, beautiful prayer that is recited fifteen times a day in honor of Our Lord’s Nativity.
It is not a novena in the literal sense of the word, because it lasts much longer than nine days—beginning on November 30th and finishing on Christmas Eve, which makes it 25 days long. (If you’re a numbers person, that means this novena prayer is recited a total of 375 times!)
The tradition is of uncertain origin, but possibly began in Ireland about a century ago and has become immensely popular.
Like most novenas, it is not only a sincere act of devotion, but also a way to offer God the intentions that are close to your heart. It is piously believed that those who pray this novena faithfully will receive what they ask.
The prayer is as follows:
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.
You can pray the fifteen iterations all at once, rosary-style, or you can break them up throughout the day.
Here at The Catholic Company, we offer a handcrafted bracelet to help you pray the St. Andrew’s Novena. Designed and made in-house, it consists of fifteen jade beads of vibrant purple, the color of Advent. It also comes with a prayer card featuring the novena prayer.
How to make the Total Consecration to Mary
What’s your favorite Marian feast day?
Okay, let’s be honest: the Total Consecration to Mary—and the traditional 33-day preparation for it—is a daunting and confusing concept for first-timers. So let’s break down the steps of this truly beautiful and enriching devotion.
The first thing to do is pick your favorite Marian feast day and make a note of the date 33 days prior—for example, if you choose the Holy Name of Mary on September 12, highlight August 10 as the day to start your preparation for consecration.
Next, you need to know the format laid down by St. Louis de Montfort. The consecration consists of an initial 12-day preparation followed by three consecutive weeks, each week focusing on a different theme.
So, you first prepare your soul to be given wholly to the Blessed Mother; then, you spend a week on each of the following themes: knowledge of oneself, knowledge of Mary, and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
St. Louis prescribed a set of prayers for the preparation period and for each week. For example, during the 12-day period, you pray the Veni Creator (Come Holy Spirit), Ave Maris Stella (Hail, Star of the Ocean), Magnificat, and Glory Be. After these prayers, he recommends that you read from a spiritual work.
The 34th day—that favorite feast day of yours—is your consecration day. St. Louis recommends going to Confession and receiving the Holy Eucharist at Mass. Then, read the Consecration Prayer, date it, and sign your name. Keep in mind that this consecration is like a vow, and is a solemn act.
Fortunately, there are several books devoted to the 33-day consecration. They include short daily readings taken from spiritual works recommended by the saint—this is especially helpful for first-timers, as you don’t have to decide what to read each day!
The Church celebrates the feast of the Immaculate Conception in early December, which makes now a powerful time to begin a consecration to Our Lady. 33 Days to Morning Glory makes the Marian Consecration practice simple. So, if you’ve been thinking about entrusting yourself to Mary for the first time or if you’re simply looking to deepen and renew your devotion to her, 33 Days to Morning Glory is the right book to read and the perfect retreat to make.
Who is the only female saint called “the Great”?
This saint was known for her immense humility and her devotion to the Holy Souls
St. Gertrude was born in Germany around 1256. At the early age of five, she was sent to live with Benedictine sisters. She was an obedient, amiable, and profoundly humble child, and those who knew her were impressed by her virtues. When she was old enough, she entered the order and gave herself to intense study.
She was twenty-six when Our Lord first appeared to her, showing her His Sacred Heart. From this time on, she frequently received visions concerning the Sacred Heart. The visions were so engrossing that she would be utterly insensible to anything around her. In her great humility, she begged Our Lord that no outward sign would reveal her as a visionary to others.
Inflamed by the visions, Gertrude gave up all other studies and devoted herself to theology. She wrote numerous spiritual works and worked to spread devotion to the Sacred Heart. Her final years were marked with illness and pain, which she bore with sweetness and love.
Although not formally canonized, her feast was promulgated throughout the Church in the 1600s.
Learn more about this powerful saint and her astounding visions in the spiritual classic, Life & Revelations of St. Gertrude the Great! Containing Saint Gertrude’s own writings, as well as further writings on her life by her religious sisters, this book is a beautiful look at St. Gertrude’s mysticism and life.
Who was the first American born citizen to become a saint?
With the zeal of a true missionary, she and her sisters brought dignity to those who had been forgotten
Few saints embodied courage and compassion like St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American citizen to be canonized a saint—and the beloved patron of immigrants.
Born in Italy in 1850, Frances Cabrini was the youngest of thirteen children. From an early age, she longed to serve God as a missionary. Though she was rejected by one religious order for her frail health, she refused to give up. Instead, she founded her own community—the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus—and dedicated her life to helping the poor, the orphaned, and the forgotten.
Her dream was to bring the love of Christ to China, but God had other plans. When she met with Pope Leo XIII, he told her to go “not to the East, but to the West.” The Holy Father sent her to America, where millions of Italian immigrants were struggling to survive and to keep their faith alive.
Missionary to the New World
Mother Cabrini arrived in New York City in 1889 to find poverty, sickness, and prejudice awaiting her. She spoke no English, had few resources, and faced rejection even from Church leaders who doubted her mission. But she pressed on.
With the zeal of a true missionary, she and her sisters begged for supplies, taught immigrant children, opened schools, hospitals, and orphanages, and brought dignity to those who had been forgotten. By the time of her death in 1917, Mother Cabrini had founded 67 institutions across the Americas—one for every year of her life.
She traveled over thirty times across the Atlantic, even though she was terrified of water, and trusted completely in the Sacred Heart of Jesus to guide and protect her.
Her life was marked by deep prayer, hard work, and miracles—both during her lifetime and after. Her faith moved mountains, and her love built bridges across continents.
Today, her legacy continues wherever faith, courage, and compassion are needed most.
“I will go anywhere and do anything in order to communicate the love of Jesus.” — St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
Learn from a Saint Who Never Gave Up
Walk alongside this incredible woman of faith with Hope Without Borders: 30 Days with Frances Xavier Cabrini — a beautiful devotional that invites you to pray, reflect, and grow in the same trust and courage that fueled her missionary heart.
Through 30 days of reflections, you’ll discover how Mother Cabrini’s perseverance and love for the Sacred Heart can inspire you to serve with joy—wherever God sends you.
Five ways to pray for your grandchildren
A guide to the most powerful gift you can give your grandchildren.
In recent decades, the Church has increasingly recognized the unique and vital spiritual role that grandparents play. Popes like St. John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis have all spoken beautifully about this “special apostolate,” with Pope Francis even instituting the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly to honor their importance.
This highlights a beautiful truth: grandparenting is not just a family role, but a true spiritual vocation. At the heart of this vocation is the call to prayer. Here are five simple but powerful ways to live out that call for your grandchildren.
1. Pray for Their Parents: Ask the Holy Family to grant your own children the wisdom, patience, and love needed to raise their children in a faith-filled home.
2. Pray for Their Faith: Pray that your grandchildren will develop a personal and loving relationship with Jesus and that their Catholic faith will be an anchor for their entire lives.
3. Pray for Their Protection: Place them under the mantle of the Blessed Mother and the care of their guardian angels, asking for protection from all physical, emotional, and spiritual harm.
4. Pray for Their Future Vocation: Ask the Holy Spirit to guide them as they grow, so they may discover their unique God-given talents and the specific mission He has for them.
5. Pray for Your Relationship with Them: Pray that you can be a source of unconditional love, wisdom, and joy, effectively passing on the stories of your family and your faith.
As Catholics, we can embrace this beautiful vocation by intentionally praying for our grandchildren, even if it is in short daily prayers. To help you in this sacred duty, consider the book One-Minute Prayers® for Grandparents.
This simple, powerful resource provides short, focused prayers to help you lift up your grandchildren daily. It’s the perfect tool to help you fulfill your special calling. Available today from The Catholic Company.
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Who are the patron saints of each military branch?
Who protects those who protect us.
Who protects those who protect us?
There’s something powerful about watching a soldier say goodbye before deployment. A final wave. A heavy duffel thrown over the shoulder. A silent prayer whispered through tears: “Lord, keep them safe.”
The men and women of our military make extraordinary sacrifices to serve—and thankfully, they have heavenly backup.
Saints on the Front Lines
The Church has long honored special patrons who intercede for soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines. Here are just a few of the most beloved:
• St. Michael the Archangel – Heaven’s chief warrior, defender of God’s people, and patron of the military.
• St. George – The legendary dragon-slayer, symbol of courage in battle.
• St. Ignatius of Loyola – A soldier turned saint, whose conversion on the battlefield led to the founding of the Jesuits.
• St. Joan of Arc – The fearless teenage warrior who fought for God and country.
• St. Sebastian – Martyred soldier and symbol of faith under fire.
And that’s just the beginning. Different branches of the U.S. Armed Forces also have their own patrons:
• Army: St. Sebastian and St. Martin of Tours
• Navy: St. Brendan and St. Nicholas
• Air Force: St. Michael and Our Lady of Loreto
• Marines & Artillerymen: St. Barbara
• Special Forces: St. Philip Neri—chosen for his courage, cheerfulness, and leadership
No matter the branch or badge, these saints remind us that faith and courage go hand in hand. When we pray for our troops, we can ask these holy men and women to watch over them—protecting those who protect us.
Bring Your Faith Wherever Duty Calls
Do you have a family member stationed at home or abroad? Here is a gift idea to help keep their coffee hot and their spirit strong with the Catholic Coffee Black Travel Mug.
Designed for life on the go, this sleek black mug features the Catholic Coffee logo and a bold, masculine look that honors faith and service. Perfect for early mornings, long commutes, or anyone living out their daily duty with devotion.
What “great” pope faced down Attila the Hun?
We all face our own “Attilas”; our own fears, our own struggles, let’s ask Pope Leo the Great for help!
In a world that often feels chaotic and on the brink of collapse, it’s easy to feel small and powerless. We see conflict, division, and the erosion of values, and we wonder, “What can one person possibly do?” When faced with such overwhelming forces, we might be tempted to despair. But the life of St. Leo the Great, one of only three popes to be given that title, offers a powerful antidote to that feeling.
Most of us have heard the name Attila the Hun. He was the “Scourge of God,” a ruthless warrior who left a trail of destruction across Europe. In 452, his barbarian horde stood at the gates of Rome, ready to plunder and destroy the Eternal City. The Roman army was powerless to stop him. All hope seemed lost.
But then, something extraordinary happened. An unarmed, elderly man, Pope Leo I, went out to meet the fearsome conqueror. While the details of their conversation are shrouded in legend, the outcome is a historical fact: Attila the Hun, the man who had terrorized a continent, turned his army around and spared Rome. According to pious tradition, as Leo spoke with Attila, the Hun saw a vision of St. Peter and St. Paul standing behind the Pope, brandishing swords of flame. Whether it was the Pope’s words, a miraculous vision, or a combination of both, the power of faith triumphed over the power of the sword.
St. Leo the Great’s courage in the face of overwhelming odds is a testament to his unwavering faith. But his greatness wasn’t limited to this single, dramatic event. He was also a brilliant theologian who played a crucial role in clarifying the Church’s teaching on the nature of Jesus Christ. At the Council of Chalcedon in 451, his famous “Tome” was proclaimed as “the voice of Peter,” settling a fierce debate and affirming the doctrine that Jesus is one divine person with two natures, both human and divine. This may sound like an abstract theological point, but it goes to the very heart of our faith. It reminds us that Jesus is both fully God and fully human, and that in him, heaven and earth are united.
But perhaps the most relatable aspect of St. Leo’s life is his deep pastoral care for his people. He wasn’t just a brilliant administrator or a courageous leader; he was a true shepherd who loved his flock. He understood that being a Christian isn’t just about believing the right things; it’s about living out the Gospel in a world of suffering and need.
In our own time, we may not be facing down barbarian hordes at the gates of our cities. But we all face our own “Attilas”; our own fears, our own struggles, our own moments of doubt and despair. The life of St. Leo the Great reminds us that we are not powerless. With faith, courage, and a heart for others, we can make a difference. We can be a force for peace in a world of conflict. We can be a voice of truth in a world of confusion. And we can be a source of hope in a world of despair.
St. Leo the Great shows us that holiness isn’t just for the saints of the past. It’s a call for each of us, here and now. It’s a call to say “yes” to God in the midst of our daily lives, to trust in His power, and to be His hands and feet in the world. This colorful and engaging book introduces children to the history and mission of the pope.
Teaching our children about the papacy and especially about the many amazing popes can be a great way to share the faith. Blending fun facts with solid Catholic teaching, OSV Kids Discover: The Pope helps young readers appreciate the pope’s role as the successor of St. Peter and the visible head of the Church.
How can one tree tell the story of salvation?
Basically, the Jesse Tree is simply a tree or branch on which, each day of Advent, a homemade ornament is hung
The idea of the Jesse Tree is based on the prophecy of Isaiah 11:1: “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse.” A famous cathedral window in Chartres, France, depicts such a tree. At the base of the tree lies Jesse, the father of King David. On the branches of the tree are various persons from Christ’s lineage. As we look at the lineage of Jesus in the Old Testament, we can see our loving God patiently guiding His people.
Through the Christian eye, all of the people and events of the Old Testament point toward the coming Messiah. Thus, this is a perfect activity for family use during Advent.
Basically, the Jesse Tree is simply a tree or branch on which, each day of Advent, a homemade ornament is hung. These ornaments show an event or person key to the circumstances surrounding man’s need and preparation for the coming of the Messiah. For example, the first ornament would depict creation, the second would show the fall of man, the third Noah, etc. The later ornaments would depict New Testament persons preceding Christ, such as John the Baptist.
This Advent, bring this beautiful tradition into your home with The Jesse Tree for Families. This book offers a meaningful way to celebrate Advent and prepare for Christmas with daily meditations and ornaments. It teaches children about the Family Tree of Jesus with engaging portraits and conversation starters. This 112-page paperback by Colleen Pressprich includes resources to deepen family faith, making it an ideal Advent tradition.
Who is the patron saint of the souls in purgatory?
This saint experienced purgatory while on earth.
A saint who was particularly devoted to the holy souls—and is now considered their patron saint—is St. Catherine of Genoa.
St. Catherine was born into an aristocratic Italian family in 1447. She was a quiet, obedient, devout child who practiced prayer and penance and had a deep devotion to Jesus’ Passion.
At the age of sixteen, her family arranged a marriage for her, possibly to end a feud between the two families. Her husband proved to be faithless, however, having also a violent temper and spending his money unwisely. Their married life was miserable. Catherine did not bear any children, and for the first five years lived in “melancholy submission” in her home.
For the next five years, she turned to the world for consolation, and began to engage in the kind of social activity expected of her state in life. This only increased her weariness and depression, and led to the loss of her religious fervor.
So Catherine prayed earnestly for assistance in her trouble. Taking the advice of her sister, who was a nun, Catherine went to confession, and before the sacrament was begun or completed, had a profound mystical experience in which she clearly saw the depth of her sinfulness contrasted with the depth of God’s love.
Catherine renewed her commitment to rigorous prayer, penance, and works of mercy.
St. Catherine sees Our Lord in a vision
Meanwhile, God continued to favor her with mystical visions. She experienced within her soul a real purgatory, and had a deep understanding of what the Holy Souls experience and suffer there. She was given profound insights into the relationship between the Poor Soul and God, the reasons why they suffer, and the fact that these Holy Souls willingly embrace purgatory in order to be made perfectly pleasing in the sight of their Divine Lover, God Himself.
As for Catherine’s husband, her virtue later won his conversion and he became a Third Order Franciscan. Together they cared for the poor and sick in the Genoa hospital.
Catherine’s mystical experiences were recorded by her confessor toward the end of her life in such treatises as Dialogues on the Soul and the Body and Treatise on Purgatory.
Another saint who had a great devotion to the poor souls in Purgatory was St. Faustina. She went a long way in teaching us how to pray for the souls in Purgatory, which is something we are all asked to do. During the month of November, the Church urges the faithful to pray for the souls in Purgatory. Learn from St. Faustina how you can pray for these souls, in the book, St. Faustina Prayer Book for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
Think you are humble? St. Charles Borromeo might make you think again.
Humility
St. Charles Borromeo
Ever struggle to stay humble? You’re not alone. Even the saints wrestled with pride; and one of the best examples of conquering it is St. Charles Borromeo.
Born into nobility in 16th-century Italy, Charles had every worldly advantage: wealth, status, and influence. His father was a count and his mother belonged to the famed House of Medici. Although Charles was “a good and practical Catholic,” he was also “a haughty noble, proud of his ancient name.” He was greatly pleased when his uncle, a cardinal, became Pope Pius IV, knowing that this would bring the Borromeo family even greater favor and privilege.
But when his brother died suddenly, he realized how fleeting worldly honor really was. Instead of continuing the proud family legacy, he turned his life over completely to God. Charles then took on a spiritual director who helped him lead a holier life; in particular, “to curb the intense pride that was the keynote of Charles’s character.”
During this time, his pride began to melt, and his humility increased, which poured itself out in charity to his neighbor. He also began to live a life of greater austerity.
St Charles Borromeo Framed Print
As a bishop and later Archbishop of Milan, St. Charles reformed a diocese that had fallen into corruption and neglect. He taught priests, restored reverence to the liturgy, cared for the poor, and even stayed in Milan during a deadly plague to minister to the sick when others fled. He assisted with the production of the Catechism of the Council of Trent, with revisions of the Roman Breviary and the Missal, and with the reform of Church music. His love and dependence on the sacraments were apparent to all who knew him.
His secret? Humility. He often said that “souls have to be gained on the knees.” Despite his noble background, he wore a rough hairshirt beneath his fine vestments and lived with simplicity. His life reminds us that true humility isn’t self-loathing—it’s knowing who we are before God: small, dependent, and deeply loved.
We might often think we are humble when we are not. Yet when we remember that all we have—our gifts, our faith, our very breath—comes from Him, humility becomes not a burden, but a joy. Knowing who we are – creatures – before our Creator is a key to humility.
Want to help your family grow in faith and humility?
Bring the beauty and mystery of the sacraments to life with Light of the Sacraments a stunning, interactive children’s book that reveals the invisible graces of the sacraments through brilliant illustrations that change before your eyes.
It’s the perfect way to teach your little ones that holiness begins with God’s grace—and that humility opens our hearts to receive it.
Can Catholics celebrate Halloween?
Though it is often hijacked by the pagan, demonic, and secular, All Hallows’ Eve has a treasured place in Catholic tradition…
…but you’d never know it when walking down the street in October, seeing houses gaudily strewn with fake spiderwebs, skeletons, and repulsive cadavers. Some Christians have considered withdrawing totally from this “holiday,” since it seems like the domain of the devil.
But the proper celebration of Halloween is very much a part of Catholic tradition.
Halloween is another word for “All Hallows’ Eve”—the eve of All Saints’ Day. In the old Church calendar, the Vigil of All Saints was a liturgical event. It had its own Mass, where the priest would vest in penitential purple, the usual color for vigils. He would don white in the evening for the First Vespers of All Saints, which marked the beginning of the Church’s celebration of this great holy day.
Together, the Vigil (October 31st), the Feast of All Saints (November 1st), and the Commemoration of All Souls (November 2nd) formed a comprehensive picture of the Catholic view of the afterlife.
Then, there are the Vespers of the Dead—sometimes called “Black Vespers,” since the priest would vest in black, the color of death and mourning. These Vespers were not officially said on Halloween, but rather after Second Vespers on All Saints’ Day, looking toward All Souls’ Day. In the Catholic region of Brittany, a devotion developed of saying these Vespers on Halloween itself. It seems these Breton folk were quite solemn on Halloween and kept the importance of praying for the dead at the forefront of their Vigil doings.
In the British Isles, festive All Hallows’ Eve traditions arose that will sound familiar to you. Children would go door-to-door begging for a “soul cake” and promising in return to pray for the deceased of the giver’s family. The Halloween tradition of dressing up is also potentially connected with this custom (pictured below: an excellent Halloween/All Saints costume—St. Michael!).
Because of her Protestant leanings, Queen Elizabeth I forbade the traditions associated with All Souls’ Day. But these customs escaped her anti-Catholic, anti-fun edicts and have made their way down the centuries to us today.
Help your kids understand the spiritual reality of All Hallow’s Eve with the new Anthony DeStefano book All Hallow’s Eve. This children’s book reclaims Halloween with a spooky but meaningful story. Through a ghostly encounter with Hulga May in a cemetery, young readers learn about prayer for the dead, penance, and the Communion of Saints. This is the perfect book for the month of November as the Church dedicates herself to honoring those souls in purgatory.
What is the difference between demons and ghosts?
And why is it important to distinguish them?
Ghosts and demons, oh my!
Around this time of year, all things supernatural tend to be treated the same way: just another spooky thing for Halloween fun.
However, contrary to popular belief, not everything supernatural is just a ruse. Ghosts and demons are real, and they all should be taken with spiritual seriousness!
Demons are fallen angels who rebelled against God. That’s what demons are: corrupt angels. They are not mere human concepts or symbols of evil. They are real, fallen angelic persons.
The leader of these evil spirits is known by various names, although “the devil” and “Satan” are the most common.
The demons hate mankind in a way that surpasses our comprehension. We are created in the image of God, and they hate God; we are beneath them by nature, and yet God has made us His children and heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven.
The demons want our souls in hell. They want us to be as miserable as they are. And they loathe creation, for it is good, and it is God’s.
So, should we be afraid of demons? No. We should, however, be aware of them and their power.
Now that we understand what demons are, we can say for certain that demons are not ghosts.
Ghosts, properly understood, are disembodied souls, and disembodied souls belong to human beings who have died.
But who are these souls, and can they really appear to the living?
Often, these souls are residents of purgatory, where they are undergoing a period of purification before entering heaven. And yes, these souls are occasionally permitted to return to earth to beg for prayers.
But sometimes these are the souls of the damned who also are occasionally permitted to visit the living to warn them of the fate that awaits them if they do not amend their ways.
However, demons are capable of pretending to be departed souls; so not all “ghosts” are really human souls.
And remember: not every claim of ghostly activity is genuine. Most paranormal reports can be attributed to natural causes.
The best approach to all supernatural activity is prayer: prayer to defend yourself spiritually against demons and prayer for all the poor souls suffering in purgatory!
Help your kids understand the spiritual reality of All Hallow’s Eve with the new Anthony DeStefano book All Hallow’s Eve. This children’s book reclaims Halloween with a spooky but meaningful story. Through a ghostly encounter with Hulga May in a cemetery, young readers learn about prayer for the dead, penance, and the Communion of Saints.
What is the “Golden Arrow” prayer?
Who gave it to us? And why?
Correction: Earlier today, this email was sent with the wrong introductory paragraph. We apologize for any confusion. Because this prayer and devotion are so important, we’re resending today’s Get Fed with the full, correct article.
“My Name is everywhere blasphemed! There are even children who blaspheme!”
This is the sorrowful complaint of Our Lord to Sr. Mary of St. Peter, a Carmelite nun who lived in France in the 1800s. He said that sins against His Holy Name are like poisoned arrows that wound His Sacred Heart most grievously—more, He said, than all other sins.
But He provided Sr. Mary with a remedy, a “golden arrow” that would pierce His Heart with a welcome wound to atone for the sin of blasphemy.
It is a beautiful and simple prayer:
May the most holy, most sacred, most adorable, most incomprehensible and unutterable Name of God be always praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified, in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth, by all the creatures of God, and by the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Amen.
Sr. Mary said that “at that moment I believe I saw streaming from the Sacred Heart of Jesus, delightfully wounded by this ‘Golden Arrow,’ torrents of graces for the conversion of sinners.”
The Golden Arrow prayer forms the backbone of the Holy Face Devotion, which Our Lord revealed to Sr. Mary in a series of revelations in the 1840s. He desired Sr. Mary to spread this devotion in particular to atone for blasphemy, the sins of atheism and communism, and the profanation of Sundays, especially by Christians.
Pope Leo XIII established this devotion as an Archconfraternity in 1885. Some of its early members were the Martins, the family of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. When Thérèse entered Carmel, she took the name “Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face.”
Though it seems almost niche, this devotion—so earnestly desired by Our Lord Himself!—is more necessary than ever in our modern age, which is so impious, irreverent, and infected with atheistic and communist ideas.
Explore the Church’s history of resistance to communism in the important book When the Sickle Swings. This book highlights the courageous acts of faith practiced secretly by persecuted Catholics worldwide.
Why is St. Jude portrayed with an image of Jesus in his hands?
What is the giant medallion he carries on his chest?
St. Jude, known as Thaddeus in the Gospels, is always portrayed with a staff, a book, and a large medallion of Jesus’ face. The staff and book imagery makes sense—he traveled to spread the Gospel, and wrote a short epistle—but why does he carry an image of Our Lord?
The answer goes back to the time of Jesus’ public ministry.
According to legend, in the city of Edessa, King Abgar lay dying of an incurable disease. He hadn’t despaired of his life yet, however. Rumor had reached him of a holy man who worked miracles in distant Israel. With hope, Abgar sent a letter to this man, begging Him to come to Edessa.
When Our Lord was given this letter, He did not go to the dying king. Instead, He said He would send one of His apostles: Jude Thaddeus. Before Jude made the journey, however, Jesus pressed a cloth against His face, and gave the cloth to Jude.
St. Jude then went to Abgar and presented the cloth to him. It bore a miraculous impression of Christ’s face. Abgar looked upon it and was immediately healed.
That is why St. Jude, of all the Apostles, is depicted bearing the face of Christ—because he was entrusted with an image of Our Lord.
The patron saint of impossible causes can bring Our Lord’s healing grace to any situation. Pray for his intercession with our exclusive St. Jude Impossible Causes Decade Rosary. Fashioned with beautiful, forest-green jasper beads and a silver medal of St. Jude, this pocket-sized decade rosary will comfort you or a loved one in times of trial. Includes a card with a prayer to the saint.
How did the saints rest?
And what how can rest help us on our own journey to Heaven?
Ready or not, the seasonal “fall back” time change is coming.
This season, with its shorter days and longer nights, provides a hidden holiness you may not expect: rest. Rest really can be holy. This is something the saints understood well. Rest is not idleness; it is participation in God’s rhythm of creation.
From the beginning, rest has been sacred. “On the seventh day, God finished His work which He had done, and He rested” (Genesis 2:2). If the Creator Himself rested, then rest must be part of how we reflect His image.
But what does that look like in a world that never stops moving?
Rest didn’t mean inaction for the saints. Rather, it meant renewal. St. John Paul II, who spent his life in motion, carved out quiet afternoons for hiking and prayer. For him, physical rest was an invitation into contemplation, a deeply important aspect of the spiritual life. He once said, “Take time to look around you, to listen to the wind, to feel the earth. In those moments, you’ll find God.”
Even the busiest saints knew the need to step away. St. Teresa of Calcutta instructed her sisters to spend an hour in Eucharistic adoration every day, no matter how many poor people needed them. “If we pray,” she said, “we will have time for everything.”
And St. Francis de Sales, whose words still echo today, advised, “Half an hour’s meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hour is needed.”
Their example reminds us that rest should not be seen as a reward after holiness but as an essential part of holiness.
Rest may look different for each of us. But as the days become darker and shorter, spend some time considering what deeper rest God may be inviting you into. For some, it may mean making the most of the shorter day, not through increased productivity, but through a walk while the sun is still up, appreciating the beauty of the day, or through an evening Rosary prayed while the sun is setting.
For others, it may be an invitation to slow down and take on less. Prayerfully consider saying “no” to a few more afternoon and evening activities, making an intentional effort to get home as the evening darkness comes in, settling down into prayer or family time earlier than usual.
Together, as the Get Fed community, let us embrace this slower season. Because holiness is not found in endless striving; it is found in knowing when to be still and remember that He is God (Psalm 46:10).
Before the time changes and the busyness of the holiday season, order Prayers of Rest, a beautiful collection of prayers to help you slow down and experience peace in the present.
How did Roman collars became the priestly uniform?
We all recognize priests by this special vesture. But where did it come from?
Priests began wearing the standard cassock about three or four hundred years before the iconic collar. In the interim, collars changed according to the times.
Then, in 1624, the Church concluded that the time had come for clerical garb to have stricter guidelines.
Why 1624? Well, collars had grown into major fashion statements by that time. No matter how plain or embellished the rest of the garb, the collar was the crown of it all. Linen was the most common material, but the high class could display impressive, filigree collars of lace. The fancier the collar, the wealthier the owner!
The Church, however, wished both the clergy and laity to always remember what a priest is: Christ’s representative on earth, who is consecrated to God, and who embraces material poverty as did Our Lord. For a priest to wear collars of expensive materials was incongruous with this aspect of his calling. So Pope Urban VIII forbade ornamentation or lace and the Church regulated the fashionable collars to simple ones.
Today, we are familiar with the most common form of this simple collar: the “Roman collar,” with its simple white square.
As Catholics, the priestly collar has become a fond image we associate with our beloved priests who help us spiritually. Pass along this fondness for the priesthood to the next generation with the Saintly Snacker Priestly Baby Bib.
Nervous for confession? Try this.
t’s time to learn how to really make an examination of conscience.
A regular examination of conscience is essential to growing in our faith and strengthening our relationship with Christ.
St. Paul emphasized the importance of regular daily examination of conscience, especially 1 Corinthians. St. Ignatius Loyola crafted two types of examination of conscience to be said each day: the general examination and the particular examination. When you do a general examination, you review your day and reflect on what went right and what went wrong. In a particular examination, you can focus on one specific fault of that day and brainstorm how to avoid it in the future.
You can make these examinations of consciences in the morning or evening, or both.
Before Confession, we follow an examination of conscience in preparation to confess our recent sins and seek repentance. Before you make your confession, ask the Holy Spirit to help you feel sorry for your sins. You then spend some time reflecting on the sins you have committed since you last went to Confession.
A good way to identify your sins is to follow a guide with questions to ask yourself about sins you may have committed, then writing your sins down before you enter the confessional. The Daily Roman Missal provides an in-depth list of questions to ask yourself before confession.
The Ignatian practice of a daily general examination is a great way to strengthen your self-awareness, which will in turn make your examination of conscience before confession easier and more powerful.
This Ignatian Examen is done in 5 steps:
1. Ask God for Light
2. Give Thanks
3. Review your Day
4. Reflect on Shortcomings
5. Look Toward the Day to Come
As you grow in your self-awareness and humility through a good Examen practice, you’ll be able to bring every part of your life to Christ. The goal is unite every part of your day to prayer—even your suffering!
In How to Make Sense of Suffering, you’ll learn how to avoid the mistakes most of us make when we’re suffering—mistakes that only make our burdens heavier. You’ll come to see that misfortunes are not the blind workings of chance, but are vital elements in God’s loving plan.
How many countries did JPII visit as pope?
The total number isn’t in the single digits. It’s not even in the double digits.
It’s in the triple digits.
History’s most well-traveled pope visited a total of 129 countries during his twenty-six-year pontificate.
Of these, the top most-visited country was his native Poland, with nine visits (also where he literally helped topple Communism); then France, with eight visits; and our own United States coming in third place, with seven.
Some folks on the internet actually put together a fun map of all the places he went. The different shades of blue represent the number of times he visited each place:
This translates to around 721,000 miles of travel. That’s like circumnavigating the earth 29 times!
Start each morning off with a good laugh while remembering this beloved saint with our JPII Stupidity Quote Mug. Featuring the great line from this beloved pontiff, “stupidity is also a gift from God, but one mustn’t misuse it”, this mug carries a cheeky quote and beloved image of Pope John Paul II that will bring a smile to your face even while making you think. Pair it with a cup of delicious Pope Saint John Paul II Peruvian Roast Coffee!
Are there any farmer saints?
It’s harvest season. Let’s meet two farmer saints!
“The land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us.” — Psalm 67:6
If you’re anything like us, you find something desirable in the simplicity found in working the land.
We’re not alone in this though! Several saints were formed in the beautiful humble practice of working the land.
Today let’s meet two of them:
St. Isidore the Farmer:
St. Isidore of Madrid spent his life plowing other people’s fields. He’d stop for daily Mass before sunrise. Though his co-workers grumbled that he wasted time, they’d return to find his furrows perfectly straight, as if angels had taken up his plow.
His secret wasn’t efficiency. It was trust. He believed that when he gave God the first fruits of his day, grace would multiply his labor. And it did. His story reminds us that holiness doesn’t require changing your life’s work but rather sanctifying the work you already do.
St. Ansovinus:
Bishop Ansovinus of Camerino wasn’t a farmer himself, but he deeply loved the farming people he served. He walked among them, blessed their seeds, fields, and barns, and prayed that both their land and their hearts would bear good fruit. During times of drought, his prayers were said to bring rain.
He reminds us that tending land and tending souls are both forms of stewardship, both slow works that require trust in the unseen.
While we may feel pretty disconnected from the life of tilling the land, this season and these saints should remind us that our own souls need similar care to the land: planting, waiting, pruning, and gathering.
Holiness, like farming, takes time. It’s born of small faithfulness found in
little seeds and believing that, in the end, God brings the harvest.
If this season makes you long to live more deeply with the land—to let the Church’s calendar and the earth’s seasons shape your prayer and daily life—you’ll love The Liturgy of the Land: Cultivating a Catholic Homestead.
It’s a beautiful guide to rediscovering the sacred connection between faith, family, and creation. Whether your “field” is a farm, a garden, or a small backyard with a single tomato plant.
Do you practice “divine seeing?”
This prayer practice can help heal your vision…
Do you practice “divine seeing?”
We understand if not! In fact, it seems like a very odd question. However, after learning about this prayer practice you’ll understand why it may be a good thing to pursue during your busy days.
We live in a world flooded with images. Between endlessly scrolling on our phones, signs, and access to streaming media, we see more in a day than most people in history saw in a lifetime. And yet, we rarely see deeply. Most of the time, all an image gets is a quick glance from us before we forget about it entirely.
That’s where Visio Divina—“divine seeing”—comes in.
Like its sister practice, Lectio Divina, which invites us to pray with Scripture, Visio Divina invites us to pray with images. It’s the ancient art of encountering God through sacred art, slowing down and letting beauty become a doorway to His presence.
God created us to be creatures who saw. Although He may be unseen, He created our vision to be a way of encountering Him. Visio Divina helps us hone this ability and helps us to slow down and appreciate the beauty God has placed all around us.
Although the term divine seeing seems a little daunting, it is actually a very simple practice to start. Here is a short guide to getting started:
How to Practice Visio Divina
1. Look. Gaze quietly at a sacred image—a crucifix, icon, or painting. Let your eyes rest and wander.
2. Reflect. Notice what draws you in. A gesture, color, or face might stir something within you. Ask: What is God showing me here?
3. Respond. Speak to God from the heart. Offer your thoughts, questions, or gratitude.
4. Rest. Simply remain with Him, allowing silence to complete the prayer.
If this practice seems a little new fangled to you, don’t worry! It is truly an ancient practice of the Church and one beloved by many saints. Here are a few saints who regularly practiced visio divina:
• St. John of Damascus defended the use of icons, teaching that images can lead us to the invisible God by way of the visible world.
• St. Francis of Assisi saw God’s beauty reflected in every part of creation—the sun, the moon, even the humble sparrow. His heart was one long act of divine seeing.
• St. Thérèse of Lisieux prayed through holy cards and images of Jesus and Mary, letting them lift her mind to heaven when words failed.
• Bl. Fra Angelico, the Dominican friar-painter, would pray before painting and was said to weep while creating sacred images—his art was a prayer in color.
For these saints, beauty was more than decoration, it was revelation and a way to enter into conversation with our Creator.
In an age ruled by screens, Visio Divina is more than a devotional—it’s a healing.
The constant stream of images we consume often distorts our vision. Visio Divina restores our sight and helps us learn where to direct our gaze.
When practiced, it can retrain the eye to linger, not scroll—to behold, not consume.
As Pope Benedict XVI once said, “A work of art can open the eyes of the mind and heart. Perhaps sometimes, before a sculpture, a painting, a few verses of a poem or a song, you have experienced deep within an intimate emotion, a sense of joy, that is to have clearly perceived that in front of you there was not only matter, a piece of marble or bronze, a painted canvas, a series of letters or a combination of sounds, but something bigger, something that speaks, capable of touching the heart, of communicating a message; elevating the soul.”
Are you interested in starting this practice? We recommend beginning with an image of Christ or Our Lady. By meditating on these images, we are invited to contemplate the Incarnation and enter into deeper relationship with Our Lord.
Our in-house exclusive sacred art line is a beautiful way to actually bring real beauty and prayer into your home. This Sacred Heart of Jesus Framed Canvas is a beautiful way to start your collection of Sacred Art and visio divina prayer!
Holy Smokes: Why do priests burn incense at Mass and Adoration?
What role does incense play in our prayer life?
Love the scent or hate it, incense is a valuable part of Catholic worship.
So why do Catholics use it so often?
We derive our use of incense from Scripture. Psalm 141:2 reads, “Let my prayer be incense before you; my uplifted hands an evening offering.” Also, in Revelation, John describes incense as a symbol of the prayers of the saints in heaven.
Incense has long been a part of Judeo-Christian worship. In the Old Testament, incense was used for worship, and Catholics used incense even in the early Church.
We use incense in the Mass and at Adoration to symbolize our prayers rising to heaven, and how the grace of the Mass purifies and sanctifies us. Also, when the burning incense rises into the air, representing our prayers going to heaven, we’re reminded of the spiritual connection as earth and heaven meet in the sacrifice of the Mass.
Incense is required for Benediction and may be used at certain points in the Mass, including during the entrance procession, at the proclamation of the Gospel, at the offertory, and at the consecration. Priests may also burn incense at funerals around the coffin to represent our prayers to heaven for the deceased person, and also to commemorate that this person’s body was holy as a temple of the Holy Spirit.
Today’s Get Fed is sponsored by the St. Paul Center!
A good Bible study leads to a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. A great Bible study compels you to go out and share your encounter with others.
This Advent, join fellow Catholics for a Bible study unlike any other. Bible Across America is the nation’s biggest Bible study hosted by the St. Paul Center. Beginning Nov. 5, we’ll gather around God’s Word, discovering together what it means to affirm
Jesus as “Teacher and Lord” in our lives as modern-day disciples. Journey with our guests – Father Boniface Hicks, OSB, Heather Khym of Abiding Together, Katie McGrady from SiriusXM’s The Catholic Show, and Alex Jones, CEO of Hallow – along with Bible studies across the country – as we grow closer to Christ this season.
Let’s do discipleship together.
Although we don’t often use incense at homes, a beautiful candle can serve as a similar reminder of Our Lord’s presence. One of our personal favorites is this Fiat Scented Candle! Along with it’s lovely mandarin vanilla bourbon smell, this candle displays the beautiful words of Our Lady from the Gospel of Luke: “May it be done unto me according to your word.” Remind yourself to say yes to Our Lord daily with this stunning candle! Available today at
Believe it or not, this prayer was once just a bookmark for a saint.
Introducing St. Teresa’s Bookmark…
A brief, powerful prayer was found in St. Teresa of Avila’s breviary after her death.
Now known as St. Teresa’s Bookmark, this short prayer has become universally beloved as an inspiring petition for peace and serenity.
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing;
God only is changeless.
Patience gains all things.
Who has God wants nothing.
God alone suffices.
St. Teresa of Avila, the celebrated Carmelite nun, mystic, and Doctor of the Church, prayed this prayer in the 16th century, but its concise beauty is just as comforting today! Throughout the worry and busy-ness of our everyday lives, let us remind ourselves of God’s steady strength and love with this heavenly bookmark.
Like St. Teresa, keep this prayer right where you can see it. Our beautiful framed print of St. Teresa’s Bookmark is a great way to do just that! With gorgeous calligraphy and illuminated-manuscript-style adornments, this print is the perfect addition to any Catholic home.
Is minimalism a virtue?
No. But it can help you be virtuous!
Minimalism itself is not a virtue.
However, its principles coincide with several important virtues that are essential in today’s materialistic world.
Let’s take a look at these virtues:
The virtue of simplicity includes the practice of moderation—of acquiring and using only what we need to fulfill the duties and obligations of our state in life. It guides us to own no more—and no less—than what is necessary.
Simplicity removes the excess from our lives. It cuts away unnecessary possessions and distractions and provides balance by way of self-control. This requires great intentionality and practice! And that’s a good thing: the intentionality it requires forces us to confront our impulse-buying and frivolity.
Minimalism also promotes detachment from material goods, which aids in the practice of the virtue of detachment. Detachment is not about rejecting the material world. Rather, it’s about putting it in its proper place and not allowing it to dominate our lives. Detachment helps us center our eyes on Christ and heaven rather than earthly things.
By reducing our attachment to material possessions, minimalism fosters humility. It reminds us that our worth is not tied to what we own but to our identity as children of God.
Even though minimalism can help aid your spiritual life in these ways, it is important to recognize that it is not a virtue and is often practiced in a secular manner! Many of the books that promote minimalism don’t address the underlying spiritual aspect and instead promote an empty and unsatisfying approach to minimalism.
That is why it is so important to have a spiritual approach to minimalism!
In Declutter Your Heart and Home, you’ll receive a faith-filled invitation to embrace Catholic minimalism—clearing out not only the clutter in your home but also the noise in your soul.
Which Marian apparition was scheduled in advance…
…and had to be pushed back?
When Our Lady first appeared to the three children of Fatima on May 13th, 1917, she told them she would return to the same spot on that day for the next six months.
She did indeed come on the 13th of every month—but one day, the children were unable to keep their appointment with the Blessed Mother.
Here’s why.
It was August 13th, 1917. By now, enough people had heard of the apparitions at Fatima that the children were famous, and many people went to the site with them.
The governor, a staunch anti-Catholic, was very displeased and concerned about the crowds these children were drawing. So, he got in his carriage, and drove toward the apparition site.
On the way there, he encountered the children, and offered them a ride to the site in his carriage. Once they got in, however, he drove them to his house and locked them up.
The next day he subjected them to relentless interrogation, threw them in jail, and even threatened their lives—but all to no avail. The next day he finally released them, having gained nothing.
On August 19th, nearly a week after the arranged date, Our Lady appeared to the children in a different spot. After that, the apparitions continued as originally planned.
Today, Our Lady of Fatima is one of the most famous apparitions of the Blessed Mother. “We would be mistaken,” said Pope Benedict XVI, “to think that Fatima’s prophetic mission is complete.” Do you know the truth about this miraculous apparition? Fatima for Today: The Urgent Marian Message of Hope carefully analyzes the events that took place in Fatima and clears up lingering questions and doubts about their meaning. This important book will deepen your understanding of this important Marian apparition!
Who was the courageous Fr. John Gerard?
This secret priest knew the perils of the path he followed.
It’s a rainy, cold day in October, 1588. A man appears on the road ahead of you, scrambling out of the overgrown ditch.
He’s wet through and through. Dead leaves stick to his plain clothing.
He approaches with a hurried air.
“Hello!” he says. “I seem to have lost my falcon. Have you seen it? Heard its bell tinkling, perhaps? No? Oh well. Thank you.”
He walks off in disappointment, diving again into the bushes by the road.
You shrug in sympathy and scurry home to a warm hearth.
You don’t realize that you’ve just seen Fr. John Gerard—a man who’s being hunted like a fox. After all, this is Elizabethan England, and it’s illegal to be a Catholic priest. Priests who are discovered are tortured and killed in horrific ways.
At the age of fifteen, John heard his call to the priesthood. Although he spent two years in prison simply for being Catholic—where he met a saintly companion of St. Edmund Campion who suffered horribly—he did not falter in pursuing his vocation.
He attended seminary in France. Then, a year after his ordination—he snuck back into England, using the ploy of the missing falcon to travel off-road without arousing suspicion.
He worked secretly, tirelessly, for nearly twenty years, at one point being imprisoned again and tortured.
Just before the Gunpowder Plot erupted, he left England and spent his last years as a spiritual director for English-speaking schools on the Continent.
Everyone who knew him was impressed by his courage and uncanny talent for remembering things. Of himself, he said only, “My unworthiness robbed me of the crown of martyrdom.”
If you want to learn more about Fr. John Gerard—he can tell you himself! In his firsthand account The Autobiography of a Hunted Priest, he tells of the pursuit of his vocation, his secret arrival in England, his work, capture, escape, and everything in between. It’s a true story far more inspiring and thrilling than any Hollywood invention!
Where does the Communion Antiphon come from?
And does it really matter?
You know how during Mass the choir or the priest will sometimes sing a Communion Antiphon—a short verse before the distribution of Communion? Have you, like me, ever wondered where that verse came from? Is it from Scripture? Is it a prayer? How do they choose which antiphon goes with what day?
Let’s take a brief dive into some of these questions.
The Communion Antiphons are not random selections. They come directly from the Roman Missal (the book containing the prayers and chants for Mass) and ultimately from the Roman Gradual, the Church’s ancient collection of chants rooted in Scripture. Most of the antiphons are short passages from the Psalms or the Gospels, chosen to echo the theme of the day’s readings or the mystery being celebrated.
The purpose of the Communion Antiphon is to draw us more deeply into the mystery of what’s happening at that very moment—the reception of the Eucharist. Just as the Entrance Antiphon prepares our hearts at the beginning of Mass, the Communion Antiphon gives voice to our prayer as we receive the Body and Blood of Christ.
For example, on Corpus Christi, we sing: “Whoever eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood remains in Me and I in him” (John 6:57). The text is no coincidence; it’s a direct meditation on what we are receiving!
On other days, the Church might choose a psalm that expresses trust, joy, or thanksgiving, matching the spirit of the liturgical season. The idea is that Scripture itself becomes our song of communion, helping us to speak to God through His own words.
So next time you hear the Communion Antiphon, listen closely! The Church has prayerfully selected the verse to help guide your heart closer to Our Lord’s presence, both in the Eucharist and in the liturgical year.
Want to follow along with the antiphons, readings, and prayers each Sunday?
Bring the beauty of the liturgy into your hands with the St. Joseph Sunday Missal your perfect companion for prayerfully engaging with every part of the Mass, from the Entrance Chant to Communion and beyond.
Jesus’ message to Faustina: bake some bread.
Our Lord used this saint to be a messenger of His love in every way.
Yesterday was the feast of St. Faustina!
You may know her as God’s messenger of Divine Mercy.
Christ spoke to Faustina directly for years. Through visions and conversations, Christ gave St. Faustina the message of Divine Mercy that has changed the world.
But did you know Christ also used St. Faustina for small, humble tasks as well?
Once, while St. Maria Faustina was in the convent kitchen in Vilnius, she heard Jesus speak to her heart with a simple yet challenging request: He asked her to bake bread for the poor.
Faustina paused, her hands still dusted with flour from the loaves she was already preparing for the sisters. She wasn’t the one in charge of distributing food and the convent had strict rules about such matters. But the instruction felt clear, so she took a deep breath, set aside her own hesitation, and quietly set to work making extra loaves.
That afternoon, as she carried out her daily tasks, a few unexpected visitors came to the convent—a handful of poor men, looking hungry and weak. Without hesitation, Faustina welcomed them and handed over the bread she’d made. She offered no explanations, understanding that this was simply an act of obedience to Jesus.
Later that evening, her mother superior noticed the missing bread. When she asked Faustina about it, Sister Faustina calmly explained what had happened, mentioning only that Jesus had asked her to do it. To Faustina’s relief, her superior didn’t question her; she only nodded.
Today, may we be inspired to listen obediently to the voice of Jesus, remembering that, even if we are not called to receive visions, we are all called to be His messengers of love, just as St. Faustina was.
The life of St. Maria Faustina is truly incredible. The Diary of Saint Maria Faustina is a spiritual classic chronicling St. Faustina’s great experience of Divine Mercy in her soul and her mission to share that mercy with the world. No Catholic library is complete without this classic!
Can Catholics believe in ghosts?
Yes, we should. That is, we should believe in real ghosts.
“I’m too old to be believing in ghost stories,” says Elizabeth Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean.
The old pirate captain responds: “You’d best start believing in ghost stories, Miss Turner—you’re in one!”
The truth is, there are such things as ghosts—but not (as Miss Turner would be pleased to discover) the outlandish sort portrayed in that fantasy film. The culturally-popular idea of ghosts draped in white sheets or lurking about in half-decayed forms are just that: a popular (not accurate) concept.
Properly defined, “ghosts” are the disembodied spirits of dead humans, and yes, these do on rare occasions appear to living humans.
These spirits can be souls in Purgatory—coming to ask for prayers—or the souls of the damned, whom God has permitted to appear to the living as a warning of the results of a sinful life. St. Thomas Aquinas mentions this in his writings.
A realistic portrayal of a real-world ghost might be the ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge’s deceased business partner in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, who comes to warn the miserly Scrooge of the consequences of greed.
Now, this doesn’t mean that every report of ghostly activity is genuine. Most can be attributed to natural causes, wild imaginations, or, unfortunately, demonic activity.
Yes, some things that are often called “ghosts” inhabiting places that people call “haunted” are not really ghosts, but demons. A demon can even falsely present itself as the “ghost” of a departed person.
Regarding the few true ghosts, remember why many of them appear: to ask for prayers.
If you want to learn more about these “ghost stories” and discover the powerful message these suffering souls bring us, pick up a copy of Hungry Souls: Supernatural Visits, Messages, and Warnings from Purgatory! This Catholic favorite unveils church-verified accounts of purgatorial visits, with insights into the afterlife and God’s mercy.
Can Catholics believe in ghosts?
Yes, we should. That is, we should believe in real ghosts.
“I’m too old to be believing in ghost stories,” says Elizabeth Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean.
The old pirate captain responds: “You’d best start believing in ghost stories, Miss Turner—you’re in one!”
The truth is, there are such things as ghosts—but not (as Miss Turner would be pleased to discover) the outlandish sort portrayed in that fantasy film. The culturally-popular idea of ghosts draped in white sheets or lurking about in half-decayed forms are just that: a popular (not accurate) concept.
Properly defined, “ghosts” are the disembodied spirits of dead humans, and yes, these do on rare occasions appear to living humans.
These spirits can be souls in Purgatory—coming to ask for prayers—or the souls of the damned, whom God has permitted to appear to the living as a warning of the results of a sinful life. St. Thomas Aquinas mentions this in his writings.
A realistic portrayal of a real-world ghost might be the ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge’s deceased business partner in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, who comes to warn the miserly Scrooge of the consequences of greed.
Now, this doesn’t mean that every report of ghostly activity is genuine. Most can be attributed to natural causes, wild imaginations, or, unfortunately, demonic activity.
Yes, some things that are often called “ghosts” inhabiting places that people call “haunted” are not really ghosts, but demons. A demon can even falsely present itself as the “ghost” of a departed person.
Regarding the few true ghosts, remember why many of them appear: to ask for prayers.
If you want to learn more about these “ghost stories” and discover the powerful message these suffering souls bring us, pick up a copy of Hungry Souls: Supernatural Visits, Messages, and Warnings from Purgatory! This Catholic favorite unveils church-verified accounts of purgatorial visits, with insights into the afterlife and God’s mercy.
Can angels read our thoughts?
Today is the feast of the Guardian Angels! Let’s learn more about these heavenly friends.
“God alone,” says St. Thomas Aquinas, “can know the thoughts of hearts and affections of wills.”
So no, angels can’t read our minds.
But the angels—our guardian angels especially—can often tell what we’re thinking based on physical cues such as facial expressions.
It makes sense, if you think about it. A family member or a good friend can often tell what we’re thinking or feeling just by the slump of our shoulders or the very slight smile on our faces.
Our guardian angels saw us grow up. They’ve seen our faces and mannerisms since we were babies. They’ve been at our side 24/7 for all our existence, so they certainly can tell a lot through our subtle external signals (especially considering that their intellects are far superior to ours).
So does the fact that angels can’t actually mind-read mean that we always have to pray out loud to communicate with them?
No. We can, without the aid of articulated words, communicate any thoughts or prayers we desire to share with them. God allows such things through His power.
[Angels] can know specific thoughts that we willfully desire to communicate with them…Therefore, as soon as we make the decision to speak with or to pray to the angels, they will become aware of what we want to communicate to them.
—Fr. Matthew Hincks, ORC, Opus Sanctorum Angelorum
If you think about it, this is rather fun, since it’s so different from how we communicate with other humans. Words are, at best, only estimations of our thoughts. They are always a translation of sorts, never quite reaching the accuracy of the original language. It can even be a source of sorrow and frustration when we can only imperfectly convey our ideas through human language.
But with angels, we can convey our thoughts and prayers just as they are.
Instantaneously. Presto. How cool!
And how comforting it is to have a friend with whom we can communicate so easily, who often already knows how we’re feeling…
Friendship with your guardian angel can be one of the most powerful tools in our spiritual arsenal! For a lot of us, this friendship begins in our childhood. Help instill your own children and grandchildren with the gift of angelic devotion with this Guardian Angel Prayer Framed Print.
The time that St. Thérèse broke the rules at the Colosseum…
What did St. Thérèse do at this famous site during her pilgrimage to Rome?
St. Thérèse Martin and her sisters grew up in a home atmosphere of deep devotion to Our Lord and His saints. Devotions, penances, and pilgrimages were important to them.
Shortly before Thérèse entered Carmel, the Martin family made a pilgrimage to Rome. (This was the same trip on which Thérèse cast herself at the feet of an astonished Pope Leo XIII to ask permission to enter Carmel!)
During their Rome pilgrimage, Thérèse’s group made a visit to the Colosseum. Thérèse and her sister Celine were thrilled—they wanted to kneel and pray on the sand that had received the blood of so many holy martyrs.
However…when they entered the famous, hallowed building, they found that the main portion of the arena was roped off.
That didn’t stop the two Martin girls! The group followed their guide around the public areas—while Thérèse and Celine slipped under the ropes and ran into the arena.
Kneeling on the arena floor, they prayed to the holy martyrs, gathered some gravel as relics, and ran back to their father. No one else had noticed their brief disappearance, but St. Louis probably gave his daughters a loving, piercing look!
St. Thérèse of Lisieux reminds us that we are all called to be saints, even though we may be small and occasionally unruly. The Saint Paul Center equips us with the spiritual formation we need for this journey to sainthood! They would like to formally invite our Get Fed audience to their annual gala:
“Join us November 7th in Nashville at the St. Paul Center Annual Gala for an unforgettable evening for the Catholic Church in America. Join our keynote speaker and Good Shepherd Award winner, Bishop Robert Barron, along with Dr. Scott and Kimberly Hahn, and Dr. John Bergsma for an evening of prayer and celebration of the impact of the St. Paul Center and of Bishop Barron.”
Experience a night with Dr. Scott Hahn and Bishop Barron!
Want to know more aboutSt. Thérèse? Learn more about her in her own words in the spiritual classic Story of a Soul. Not only will this beautiful autobiography bring you closer to this wonderful intercessor, but it will guide you along St. Thérèse’s “Little Way of Love,” which is a little way leading right to Heaven!
In terms of modern-day countries, where did the events of the Bible take place?
Biblical events occurred in a total of three continents.
Nothing can compare to a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and the other sacred places in which the events of Holy Scripture took place. Even if we can’t make a pilgrimage right now, finding these places on a modern map puts their events in geographical context and brings them to life in our minds—reminding us that these events really happened, in real places, on this earth.
The events of the Bible center around the Holy Land in modern-day Israel and Palestine. Almost the entirety of Our Lord’s earthly life was spent in this region: Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jerusalem, and the surrounding areas.
Our Lord also spent a period of His childhood in Egypt, to which He and His family fled when escaping the wrath of Herod. Egypt appears in many places elsewhere in the Bible, particularly in the Book of Exodus, where we see God’s people in bondage to Pharaoh. Through the rod of Moses, God miraculously parted the Red Sea to lead His people to freedom. The part of the Red Sea referenced is the Gulf of Suez, which in modern times has been connected to the Mediterranean by the Suez Canal.
Other places we encounter in the Bible are a little harder to geo-locate on a modern map. For example, where in the world is…
Babylon? The site of the Israelites’ infamous exile was located in the part of ancient Mesopotamia that is now modern-day Iraq. Iraq also encompasses other famous biblical locations such as Ur, the homeland of the patriarch Abraham, and Nineveh, the city that repented upon hearing the preaching of Jonah.
Philistia? Goliath and the Philistines may have disappeared as a civilization, but their name lives on as the epithet of uncultured oafs everywhere. Their home territory was mostly in modern-day Israel.
Galatia? Ephesus? Colossae? St. Paul’s letters to the Galatians, Ephesians, and Colossians were written to various inhabitants of modern-day Turkey.
Corinth? The recipients of Paul’s two Epistles to the Corinthians were located in south-central Greece.
Patmos? The island where the exiled St. John the Apostle wrote the Book of Revelation is located just off the coast of Turkey, but actually belongs to Greece.
Sacred Scripture is the foundation of our faith. Not only does it draw us closer to the Word of God, it also helps us see and understand the world more clearly. Nurture in your children a lifelong love of Scripture with the imaginative and inspiring collection of Bible stories in Past Watchful Dragons.
How St. Michael saved a young Marine in the Korean War
Michael, Michael of the morning, fresh corps of Heaven adorning…
…Keep me safe today,
And in time of temptation
Drive the devil away.
Amen.
The young Marine, named Michael in honor of the archangel, said that prayer every day. His mother had taught it to him, and he had taught it to some of the men in his unit when they were deployed during the Korean War.
One day, Michael was sent with an advance detail beyond enemy lines.
It was bitterly cold. He could see his breath like smoke in the frosty air. As he trudged along, a big, tall Marine that he didn’t recognize pulled up alongside him.
“I have never seen you before,” Michael said. “I thought I knew every man in the outfit.”
“I just joined at the last minute,” the other replied. “The name is Michael.”
“Is that so,” said the first Michael, surprised. “That is my name too.”
“I know,” the other said and then went on, “Michael, Michael of the morning …”
Michael was amazed that this other Michael knew the prayer.
A few moments later, Michael #2 said they were going to have trouble up ahead.
Heavy snow began to fall, and soon, Michael #1 was marching in a thick white fog of snow. Briefly losing his companion, he called to him and felt a strong hand on his arm.
“This will stop shortly,” Michael #2 said. And it did.
But as they came up over a rise, Michael #1 froze. Seven of the enemy stood at point-blank range, aiming their rifles at them. Michael dropped to the ground and screamed to his friend to do the same.
Michael #1 heard the rifles crack as Michael #2 stayed standing. Not a bullet hit him.
Michael #1 received a chest wound as he leapt up to pull his friend to the ground. As he collapsed in pain, he felt himself laid in the snow by strong arms. He saw Michael #2, but he looked different now. He seemed bigger, with brilliant light shining from his face and from all around him like wings. And he held a sword in his hand.
When the rest of the unit found the wounded Michael, he asked where the other Michael was. His sergeant said that, besides him, there was no other Michael in the outfit.
The sergeant then asked how Michael had done it.
“Done what?” Michael asked.
The sergeant explained that all seven of the enemy had been slain, not with bullets (none had been fired from Michael’s rifle), but with a sword.
This incredible story was related by the Marine himself in a letter written to his mother as he lay recovering in the hospital. A Navy chaplain who read the letter and spoke to the Marine, his mother, and the leader of his unit attested to the truth of it.
Good spiritual habits begin young. Michael the Marine’s devotion to St. Michael the Archangel began with a simple childhood prayer and grew into a lifelong devotion.
Devotion to St. Michael is powerful—and it can change your life. By inviting his protection into your daily routine, you place yourself under the care of one of heaven’s strongest intercessors.
Why not start that devotion with something as simple as your morning cup of coffee? Our St. Michael Dark Roast is bold, rich, and crafted to help you begin each day with strength—reminding you to call on St. Michael’s protection as you face life’s battles.
4 saints to help you with holy hospitality.
Hosting season is upon us. These saints get it.
There is something very essential about hosting to Catholic spirituality.
Throughout the Gospel, we see Christ going into homes, sitting with all sorts of people, sharing meals, and spreading the Gospel.
The early Church was influenced directly by Christ and continued to gather in homes to pray and break bread; that instinct to welcome others is part of our DNA.
But let’s be honest: hosting isn’t always effortless and it doesn’t often feel holy. It can feel like a juggling act of grocery runs, vacuuming, and hoping the casserole actually cooks through. The stress is real, and sometimes it overshadows the joy.
Which is why it helps to look to the saints—men and women who lived hospitality in both big and small ways, and who show us that welcoming others doesn’t have to be perfect to be holy.
Let’s take a look:
St. Martha – For when you’re feeling frustrated.
We all know Martha. She’s the one in the Gospel who’s scrambling to set the table while her sister Mary sits peacefully at Jesus’ feet. She gets frustrated but who wouldn’t? Hosting is work. But Martha also had the courage to proclaim her faith out loud: “Yes, Lord, I believe.” When you’re tempted to grumble about being the only one wiping down counters, ask St. Martha to help you host with humility.
St. Zita – For the tired homemaker.
Zita was a servant in Italy who did all the behind-the-scenes work without fanfare. She’s the patron saint of domestic workers, which makes her a natural companion for anyone running the kitchen like a command center. She didn’t complain, didn’t demand thanks—she just did her work well, with kindness. Ask her for a little of that quiet steadiness when your guests are eating faster than you can refill the breadbasket.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary – For an increase of generosity.
Elizabeth had royal wealth, but what made her unforgettable was the way she used it. She fed the hungry, gave her best to the poor, and turned her castle into a place of refuge. Hosting can sometimes feel like performance—matching napkins, polished silver—but Elizabeth reminds us that all that is for naught if one isn’t giving with real generosity of heart. If your food isn’t fancy or your living room isn’t picture-perfect, it doesn’t matter if you’re generous in your love.
St. Pier Giorgio Frassati: For the more casual host.
Not every host is a meticulous planner. Some are more like Pier Giorgio—who loved bringing people together, hiking, and sharing meals. Rather than formal dinner parties or events, St. Pier Giorgio would create spur of the moment gatherings and intimate moments with those who happened to be around him. If you feel pressured to host like Martha Stewart, Pier Giorgio says: relax. Genuine friendship and the intention to share the beatitudes matters far more than a planned tablescape and a 4-course meal.
As Catholics, we must remember that hosting isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. These saints lived ordinary hospitality with extraordinary love.
Above all, we should look to Our Lady who was a homemaker to the King of Kings. In simple, humble, service, Our Lady sanctified the tedious and mundane housework that is unavoidable in all hosting pursuits. The Kitchen Madonna is a beautiful ode to that holy work of Our Lady. A beautiful statue depicting Our Lady amongst the tools of homemaking, this piece of art will help you invite her into your own home.
Holy Hygee? The Catholic approach to a cozy fall and winter.
There’s no need to dread the colder and darker days.
Have you heard the term hygge?
Although it’s not a recent practice, hygge has certainly become a trending term in recent years. In general, hygge is a Danish practice that helps people embrace the colder and darker months of the year by leaning into simple, cozy practices and cultivating a sense of warmth within their homes.
Okay, you may be thinking, but what does this have to do with my spiritual life? Good question.
In her book Holy Hygge: Creating a Place for People to Gather and the Gospel to Grow, Jamie Erickson invites us to reimagine hygge not just as a cozy décor trend but as a gospel-shaped way to make home a sanctuary. She writes, “hygge is a mindset—a way of making the mundane and necessary tasks of life more meaningful and beautiful.”
That emphasis on elevating the ordinary is deeply Catholic. After all, our faith teaches us that even the little moments of life can become vessels of grace, and that living seasonally can help us align with the Church and our created nature.
So, as we enter into fall, let us all try to cultivate a little holy hygge in our homes!
1. Hospitality = Gospel at the Table
One of the core tenets of hygge is hospitality: creating space for others to gather and feel at home. Erickson suggests that true hospitality isn’t about perfection or impressing others, but about offering presence over perfection.
In Catholic practice, sharing a meal, breaking bread, and praying before and after are incarnational acts. When a family invites someone in, lights a candle, shares a simple meal, and says grace, they echo Christ’s own table fellowship. Imagine a modest evening gathering where the Rosary is prayed together and laughter fills the room; this is holy hygge in action.
2. Presence, Not Performance
Erickson warns against hustle. Hygge rejects overabundance and over-effort. She writes, “Simple pleasures… cultivate contentment.”
In Catholic spirituality, silence, contemplative prayer, and lectio divina invite us to presence. Instead of rushing from one task to the next, hygge presses us to linger: listen to Scripture, pray the Angelus at midday, or sit quietly before a crucifix. These are small pauses that root us in God’s presence.
3. Set the Tone
The atmosphere of a space—lighting, texture, scent—affects the soul. Erickson connects hygge and atmospheric living: cozy lighting, soft textiles, scents, and comfort.
In Catholic tradition, sacred art, candles, incense, and liturgical season décor serve the same purpose. They are not distractions, but invitations. A dim lamp beside a Bible, a Marian statue with a rose nearby, or a candle near the tabernacle helps the soul enter prayer more readily.
4. Rest That Remembers God
One element of hygge is rest. Erickson speaks of rest as not just cessation of labor but an attitude of receiving.
The Church gives us the Sabbath, holy days, and nights of Eucharistic adoration. Resting well—turning off screens, putting down to-dos—makes space for the Holy Spirit to speak. In those moments, hygge and Christian rest overlap beautifully.
5. Contentment Anchored in Christ
Hygge encourages gratitude for what is, rather than striving for more. Erickson says extravagance becomes exhausting when constant; “simple pleasures… cultivate contentment.”
In the Christian life, contentment is a virtue. St. Paul writes, “I have learned in whatever state I am to be content” (Philippians 4:11). In practice, this means appreciating the little routines—morning coffee, quiet prayers, a cozy corner—as gifts from God, not things to replace.
Hygge without Christ is sentimental. Holy hygge invites Him in.
As Erickson notes, “true and lasting comfort… can help, especially when paired with the hope of Jesus.”
May your home become a place where faith and coziness meet—not to impress, but to invite, nurture, and reflect the love of Christ in the everyday.
The strange miracle of Padre Pio and the blind girl…
Thanks to Padre Pio, Gemma di Giorgi could now see—but she shouldn’t have.
The Christmas of 1939 brought a beautiful gift to the di Giorgi family: a little daughter, whom they christened Gemma. The family delighted in this newest member, although there was something unusual about her eyes…well, no matter.
By the time Gemma was three months old, however, her mother knew that something was definitely wrong with her daughter’s sight. She took the child to a doctor, who performed an examination and gave the di Giorgis grave news: Gemma’s eyes had no pupils. She would never see.
The family was devastated.
A nun urged the di Giorgis to seek the intercession of a holy friar who was famous for the miracles granted through his prayers. The friar was part of the Capuchin community in San Giovanni Rotondo. His name was Pio.
A letter was accordingly sent to Padre Pio, telling him sorrowfully of Gemma’s condition and begging for his prayers.
Then one night, the nun dreamt she saw Padre Pio approach her. He said, “Where is Gemma, for whom so many prayers are being offered that it is almost deafening?”
The next day, the sister received a letter from him assuring her of his prayers for Gemma. After this, she urged the di Giorgis to visit Padre Pio in person, with Gemma. The family was unable to make the long journey for years until, at last, Gemma’s grandmother took the seven-year-old child to the Rotondo monastery.
On the way, Gemma confided that she seemed to see some things. Her grandmother thought that perhaps she was imagining it, but they began to pray together for the miracle.
When they at last reached the monastery, the two received the sacrament of confession from the holy friar. In the confessional, Gemma’s grandmother explained about her granddaughter’s eyes. She asked Padre Pio for a miracle.
Gently, he replied, “Do you have faith, my daughter? The child must not weep and neither must you for the child sees, and you know she sees.”
Gemma then received Holy Communion from Padre Pio, who blessed both her eyes with the Sign of the Cross, saying, “Be good and saintly.”
Gemma and her grandmother returned home. And now Gemma was seeing things clearly.
Immediately, Gemma’s mother took her to an eye specialist. Gemma’s beautiful eyes still lacked pupils, but there was no denying that she could see.
The doctor examining her stamped his foot.
“Without pupils, one cannot see!” he said. “The child sees. It is a miracle!”
Many other doctors came to examine Gemma, and all had to conclude the same thing: inexplicably, her eyes had received the gift of vision as well as any fully-formed eyes. She had obtained an outpouring of grace from God through Padre Pio’s intercession.
From miraculous healings to the gift of bilocation, Padre Pio’s life testified to the reality of God’s presence among us. This Padre Pio Espresso Roast is crafted to honor his extraordinary witness, reminding us that even a simple cup of coffee can become an opportunity to recall God’s wonders. Let each sip be a small way to bring Padre Pio’s spirit of faith and miracles into your daily rhythm.
What is a 54-day Rosary novena?
Our Lady brought us this novena herself.
The 54-Day Rosary Novena consists of six nine-day Rosary novenas said sequentially—three in petition and three in immediate thanksgiving, whether the petition was granted or not.
This has become an immensely popular devotion to Our Lady. But did you know that she gave us this particular novena herself?
In the neighborhood of Pompei, Italy, in the 1880s, Blessed Bartolo Longo was hard at work spreading devotion to the Most Holy Rosary, particularly under her title of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompei (read more about Bl. Bartolo and this image here).
At that time in the nearby city of Naples, a young woman named Fortuna Agrelli was suffering from terrible physical afflictions. It appeared that she was incurable, so she and her family prayed a novena of Rosaries, begging for Our Lady’s intercession.
Our Lady appeared to Fortuna, under the appearance of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompei: seated on a high throne, her Child accompanying her along with St. Catherine of Siena and St. Dominic, a Rosary in her hand.
Fortuna addressed her as “Queen of the Holy Rosary,” begging her to be restored to health.
Our Lady responded:
“Child, thou hast invoked me by various titles and hast always obtained favors from me. Now, since thou hast called me by that title so pleasing to me, ‘Queen of the Holy Rosary,’ I can no longer refuse the favor thou dost petition; for this name is most precious and dear to me. Make three novenas, and thou shalt obtain all.”
Fortuna and her family obeyed, and she was fully cured.
Blessed Bartolo strongly promoted this novena, and Pope Leo XIII—an ardent apostle of the Rosary who wrote many encyclicals and apostolic letters on it—was deeply moved by Fortuna’s miracle.
MIRACLE ALERT: Whose blood miraculously liquefied today?
Three times a year, throngs of faithful come to witness the miracle.
“Il miracolo é fatto!” “The miracle has happened!”
These words are traditionally proclaimed in the Cathedral of Naples when the preserved blood of the city’s beloved martyr-bishop, St. Januarius, miraculously liquefies each year.
We do not know much about this saint’s life. He was the Bishop of nearby Benevento, and was martyred for the Faith in the 4th century under Diocletian. Some sources say that he and his companions were thrown to the wild beasts, but were not harmed by them and had to eventually be beheaded.
Januarius’ blood—contained in glass phials in a silver reliquary—is normally coagulated and solid. But for hundreds of years it has, on regular occasions, become liquid again.
The miraculous liquefaction occurs three times a year: the commemoration of the transfer of his relics to Naples on the Saturday before the first Sunday in May; his feast day, September 19th (that’s today!); and December 16th, the anniversary of the occasion when his intercession saved Naples from an impending implosion of Mount Vesuvius in 1631.
The people process with St. Januarius’ relics as Mount Vesuvius threatens
On each of these occasions, a silver bust housing fragments of the saint’s skull is placed near the reliquary containing the phials of blood. Throngs of people pray for the miracle and watch in anticipation. Then, the hardened blood (usually) becomes liquid, often bubbling and foaming. The Archbishop of Naples or another officiant holds up the reliquary and turns it sideways to demonstrate the liquefaction. The people come to kiss the relic and sing the “Te Deum,” the Church’s traditional hymn of thanksgiving.
The miracle usually happens, but not always. Sometimes it stays solid, and this is often taken as a foreshadowing of calamity by the observers. But whether it happens or not, the blood of Januarius remains a stunning modern-day, ongoing miracle that bears a beautiful testament to our Faith. (Editor’s note: the blood did indeed liquefy today!)
The miracle of St. Januarius’ blood reminds us that God often uses the tangible and physical to draw our hearts to the invisible reality of His love and presence. Just as the liquefied blood of this martyr stirs faith and awe, the Eucharist—Christ truly present in Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity—offers us the greatest miracle of all.
If you’d like to explore more about the astonishing science behind Eucharistic miracles, dive into A Cardiologist Examines Jesus: The Stunning Science Behind Eucharistic Miracles. This powerful book unveils the evidence behind these extraordinary signs and deepens our wonder at the gift of the Eucharist.
The saint who flew—and helps with tests.
Meet St. Joseph Cupertino! They call him the patron of pilots—and for good reason.
Giuseppe really didn’t have any skills. He was considered exceedingly dull as a child, and seemed incapable of learning anything. He performed poorly in school, couldn’t seem to keep his focus on the simplest things, and failed at apprenticeships as a teenager. He would “space out” frequently and even wander off at times.
When he tried to join the Capuchin Franciscans in the hopes of finding his place in the world, he was accepted for a time. Then they sent him away because of his lack of ability to do…anything. In addition to his apparent unintelligence, the bouts of distraction continued, wherein he was seemingly whisked away by some pious thought while he was supposed to be occupied with a practical task.
He tried again with a different community of Franciscans as a servant, and things began to improve. The Franciscans noticed how humble Giuseppe was, how full of joy, how simple; indeed, he was what a model Franciscan should be. He was readmitted to the Order, and began studies for the priesthood.
But study was still his weakness, and he found himself unable to learn what he needed to know. There was only one Scripture passage he could talk about: Luke 11:27, “Blessed is the womb that bore you.” When it came time for his diaconate test, his prospects looked grim—but as God would have it, he was asked during his exam to speak on exactly that passage, and speak he did! A deacon he became, and eventually a priest—and is now known as the patron saint of test-takers.
Giuseppe’s episodes of abstraction continued, and with immense fervor. He would be lost for long periods of time in contemplation at the beauty of God, completely taken away from this world to the other. It appeared that his trademark absent-mindedness was something far deeper than that. He had an incredible connection to God, who chose to reveal Himself in ways that made Giuseppe lose himself in wonder.
And did we mention that he flew? Levitation was a normal part of this mystical friar’s life. He would fly across the chapel; when he heard the names of Jesus and Mary; at the refectory table; outside when in awe at the beauty of creation, et cetera.
He is now also known as the patron of aviators!
Though Giuseppe was beloved by the poor he served, his mystical experiences did not always gain him the favor of his brethren. He was reported to the Inquisition for his unusual behavior. Although they found nothing against him, he was eventually put into seclusion, never really returning to normal life. He spent twenty-five years this way, accepting everything with resignation and patience. He died on September 18th, 1663.
Just as St. Joseph of Cupertino—once thought incapable of learning—reminds us that God provides the wisdom and strength we need in moments of weakness, today’s sponsor, Truthly, is helping Catholics access truth with confidence. Their mission is simple but powerful: to put the faith at your fingertips, delivering instant, reliable answers from trusted Church sources, along with short lessons and daily goals to help you live and share what you learn.
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Despite the pain of forced isolation, St. Joseph of Cupertino spent the last 25 years of his life consoled by unity with Our Lord. In our own times of loneliness and struggle, we too can draw close to Christ’s comforting presence. Keep that reminder near with a Sacred Heart of Jesus Comfort Cross.
Meet the saint who could be a trending wellness influencer today…
St. Hildegard was a gardener, mystic, Doctor of the Church, and a wellness teacher centuries ahead of her time.
Meet the ancient mystic who could be a trending wellness influencer today…
In an age of wellness gurus, herbal remedies, and mindfulness apps, it might surprise you to learn that one of today’s “trending” voices comes from nearly 900 years ago.
It might also surprise you that the voice belongs to a saint.
Her name? St. Hildegard of Bingen.
Born in 1098, Hildegard was a Benedictine abbess with an astonishing range of talents.
It is really shocking to read about all she was able to accomplish: she was a visionary who recorded breathtaking mystical experiences, a composer whose chants are still sung today, and a spiritual writer who counseled popes and emperors.
But what might be most shocking to Catholics of today would be her approach to wellness. Sometimes wellness can get a bad reputation from today’s Catholic culture. A lot of the so-called wellness influencers engage in a shallow and vain form of wellness that forgets to acknowledge our deeply spiritual nature–but not St. Hildegard!
Hildegard understood that the human person is both body and soul, created to live in relationship with God and His world. In her famous work Physica, she carefully described the properties of herbs, plants, and remedies, showing how the gifts of creation could be used rightly for health and healing.
For her, caring for the body through natural remedies wasn’t about vanity or even just survival—it was about prayerful appreciation for God’s creation. She believed the health of our bodies, the peace of our souls, and the balance of the natural world were all bound up together in God’s design.
When we hear about Hildegard now, we might think that she was way ahead of her time. But really, she was simply rooted in the eternal truth of how God created us. She reminds us that wellness isn’t about chasing trends—it’s about living in harmony with the One who made us.
Her music invites us to lift our hearts to God.
Her wisdom shows us how creation itself points toward healing.
Her courage calls us to live authentically, even against the current of culture.
It’s no wonder Pope Benedict XVI named her a Doctor of the Church in 2012. She doesn’t just belong to the past; her wisdom belongs to us.
There is no better time dive into St. Hildegard’s wisdom. On this feast of St. Hildegard, you can step into her garden yourself. Her timeless insights on food, herbs, and remedies have been gathered into a beautifully practical volume, St. Hildegard’s Garden: Recipes and Remedies for Healing Body and Soul.
Inside, you’ll find her holistic approach to wellness, blending natural wisdom with a deeply Catholic vision of life. It’s the perfect way to bring her voice into your own home—and to rediscover what true harmony between faith and daily life can look like.
Explore St. Hildegard’s Garden here.
5 saints to pray to if you are feeling lonely
These saints get it.
Despite being seemingly “connected” to hundreds of people at any given moment through our phones and social media, we live in an age of unprecedented loneliness.
Especially as the days begin to shorten and darken, we can all start to feel a bit lonely. However, just because you’re lonely doesn’t mean you have to be alone! Many saints experienced profound loneliness and they want to be your friends and guides during this difficult season.
Here are five saints to pray to if you are experiencing loneliness:
St. Rita of Cascia – Known as the “Saint of the Impossible,” St. Rita endured a difficult marriage and the loss of her children, yet found solace in her deep relationship with God. She’s a powerful intercessor for those feeling abandoned or in impossible situations.
St. Dymphna – St. Dymphna is the patron saint of mental health and her life speaks to those suffering from emotional and psychological distress, including loneliness. She encourages turning to Christ for inner peace.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre – St. Benedict lived a life of extreme poverty and isolation, wandering the streets as a pilgrim. Though people passing by would hardly look at him, St. Benedict found his true home in God. If you are feeling like an outcast in this season, St. Benedict Joseph Labre will offer you comfort, understanding, and intercession.
St. John of the Cross – A mystic and Doctor of the Church, St. John of the Cross wrote extensively about the “dark night of the soul,” a time of deep spiritual desolation and loneliness. His writings and intercession will show you how to unite your own isolation and loneliness with Christ Crucified and find deeper union with our loving Father.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton – After the death of her husband and separation from many friends, St. Elizabeth faced loneliness as a widow and single mother. She converted to Catholicism and found her strength in God, eventually founding the Sisters of Charity. St. Elizabeth’s example can show you how God wants to use your pain and loneliness to bring you consolation in Him.
Loneliness is difficult. God created us for community, so the experience of feeling alone is painful, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find goodness and strength in your struggle!
In The Catholic Guide to Loneliness, you’ll find a comprehensive guide to loneliness that affords Catholics the deepest possible answers to the growing problem of loneliness in our fragmented, technological modern society. You’ll also come to see how to harness loneliness for the service of God and neighbor, and how to bear with grace any residual loneliness you can’t manage to defeat.
The Rosary our country needs.
Today’s feast day is a great opportunity to learn the Servite Rosary.
Imagine this: you’ve been praying the Rosary for years. You finally feel like you understand the rhythm and meaning of the repeated words. But one day, after a parish talk on Marian devotions, you hear about something new: the Servite Rosary.
Curious, you ask the speaker, “What’s that?”
The Servite Rosary, also called the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows, dates back to the 13th century and comes from the Order of the Servants of Mary, or the Servites. Unlike the traditional Dominican Rosary, which focuses on Jesus’ life, the Servite Rosary leads the faithful through the sorrows of Mary—her deepest moments of suffering as she walked with her Son.
Instead of five decades, this devotion has seven “stations,” each recalling a sorrow of Mary, such as the Prophecy of Simeon, the Flight into Egypt, and the Crucifixion. Each section begins with an Our Father and includes seven Hail Marys, totaling 49 Hail Marys by the end.
With the news cycle and your own sorrows heavy on your heart, you feel drawn to this different approach to the Rosary.
You seem to understand. “So, it’s about meditating on Mary’s suffering?”
“Exactly,” the speaker says. “It helps us unite our own struggles with hers and ultimately with Christ’s Passion.”
The Servite Rosary is a profound prayer that connects us intimately to Jesus’ Passion through Mary. Mary was with Christ every step on His way to Cavalry and each wound of Christ pierced her own heart as well. By contemplating Mary’s sorrows, she will help us understand her Son’s sacrifice.
By joining Our Lady in her suffering, we also invite her into our own. She will bring our own sorrows to her Son.
The Servite Rosary is a beautiful prayer all year-round, but it is particularly important on today’s feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, when our country needs her comfort so deeply.
Although you can pray the Servite Rosary on standard rosary beads, there are specific chaplets designed to help you meditate on the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady. This Dark Amethyst Seven Sorrows Chaplet features striking depictions of each of Our Lady’s sorrows that help you envision these sacred scenes while you pray. Order your chaplet today from The Catholic Company!
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How the Holy Name of Mary stopped a Muslim attack…
Baptizing over 300,000 enslaved individuals, St. Peter Claver dedicated his life to serving those captive in the slave market.
The Ottoman Empire was vast. Touching all five major seas of Europe—the Mediterranean, Caspian, Black, Red, and Arabian Seas—it stretched along the top of Africa, down into the Arabian Peninsula, and engulfed modern-day Turkey and Greece.
How had this empire become so huge?
For nearly 400 years, the initially tiny kingdom had aggressively invaded and subjugated its neighboring countries.
Now, it had just swallowed Hungary but, encountering a sharp repulse from Poland, it turned to attack Vienna, the heart of the Hapsburg empire and the key into Western Europe.
When the siege began in July of 1683, the Hapsburg emperor fled his city.
But Pope Innocent XI knew this was not a time to succumb to fear, and leapt into action. He immediately appealed to King Jan Sobieski of Poland, the same who had been victorious over the Turks a few years earlier in Podhajce.
King Jan set out for Vienna in August with a vastly outnumbered force—in fact, the Ottoman army was four times the size of the Polish troops.
As he passed the shrine at Czestochowa, King Jan invoked Our Lady’s intercession and aid.
Then, just before the battle on September 12th, he and his troops prayed the holy rosary by Innocent XI’s request.
A depiction of the Battle of Vienna by Frans Geffels
By evening, the Ottomans were completely routed and fled the Hapsburg empire.
When Innocent XI learned of the Ottomans’ miraculous defeat, he attributed it to the Name of Mary and declared that the Sunday after her Nativity would be dedicated to her Holy Name.
This devotion had been practiced in Spain for about a century, traditionally on the octave day of Our Lady’s Nativity in correlation with the Holy Name of Jesus.
However, it became a movable feast due to Innocent XI’s decree until 1908, when Pope Pius X declared that it could be celebrated on the actual day of the battle.
Remind yourself of the power of the Holy Name of Mary with our beautiful Ave Maria Travel Case. The lid features the “Auspice Maria”—the symbol of Our Lady’s Name. Perfect for your rosary or other keepsakes, and you can even personalize it to make it your own.
The saint you need to know: St. Peter Claver
Baptizing over 300,000 enslaved individuals, St. Peter Claver dedicated his life to serving those captive in the slave market.
An ordained Jesuit, St. Peter Claver was sent to Cartagena, South America’s chief slave market, to serve the poor.
Struck by the miserable, inhumane treatment of the enslaved people, St. Peter Claver declared that he would be “forever the slave of the Africans” and spend the rest of his life serving these suffering people in whatever way he could.
In Cartagena, Fr. Claver’s vocal opposition to the slave trade and his service to the captive Africans was met with hostility. The locals ruthlessly mocked the simple and humble man while the authorities actively persecuted him.
Yet, despite the great danger in doing so, Fr. Claver deeply desired to treat the enslaved people with the dignity they deserved as the beloved sons and daughters of Our Lord.
So, every morning, Fr. Claver would make his way through the crowded streets of Cartagena and board the slave traders’ ships, where he served those who were forced to wait to be priced and sold.
In the midst of the terrible suffering of these men and women, as they were objectified and stripped of their humanity, Fr. Claver reminded the enslaved of their inherent and irremovable dignity.
Accompanied by translators, Fr. Claver would speak to these individuals in their native language so that they could be heard and understood. He would nurse the sick, bring clean water and food, and comfort the distraught and terrified captives.
Kneeling on the hard, dirty ship floor, Fr. Claver would wash their feet with tender care. As these men and women endured the terrible wait to be sold in the slave market, Fr. Claver would teach them about the infinite love of God, about the person of Christ who shared in their suffering, and about the reality of heaven and salvation. In their moments of unimaginable darkness, St. Peter Claver brought them hope and dignity through the Sacrament of Baptism.
Although they suffered as slaves in this life, St. Peter Claver helped over 300,000 enslaved Africans be reborn into the freedom of Christ through Baptism.
We are all called to serve just as St. Peter Claver did. One of the most powerful—and most accessible—ways we can serve others is through prayer. Spending a full hour before the Blessed Sacrament might feel intimidating, but it is also one of the greatest gifts we can offer.
The Holy Hour: Meditations for Eucharistic Adoration will guide you step by step, helping you enter into prayer with transformative reflections, spiritual prompts, and timeless prayers.
What really happens at a canonization?
Mother Teresa didn’t see humility as the world sees it.
It’s time to celebrate!
Tomorrow, September 7th, the Church will officially recognize two remarkable young men as saints: Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Blessed Carlo Acutis.
We truly couldn’t be more excited. Their canonization reminds us that holiness is not reserved for people who lived centuries ago; it is a calling for you and me. It also reminds us of the reality of heaven as we celebrate two more of our own reaching the eternal banquet.
But what actually happens at a canonization?
Canonization is the Church’s formal declaration that someone is in heaven and worthy of veneration by Catholics everywhere. The day begins with a solemn Mass in St. Peter’s Square, usually attended by thousands of pilgrims. After hymns and prayers, the Litany of Saints is sung, invoking the names of holy men and women throughout history.
Then comes the central moment. The Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints petitions the Holy Father three times to declare the candidates saints. The Pope then proclaims: “We declare and define Blessed [Name] to be a saint…” With those words, the person is officially recognized as a saint of the universal Church. Relics of the newly canonized are then honored and presented for veneration, a powerful reminder of their nearness to us in heaven.
Although this process is ancient, it is always relevant. Tomorrow we will see that in a real way as two young men, hardly different from any of us, will be declared and defined as saints.
Frassati, a lover of the outdoors who climbed mountains and served the poor, and Carlo, a millennial who used his computer skills to spread Eucharistic devotion, show us that sanctity fits right into ordinary life.
So let us go pursue sanctity. May we go forth with renewed hope that one day, we too may join St. Pier Giorgio and St. Carlo Acutis in heaven.
What is Mother Teresa’s humility list?
Mother Teresa didn’t see humility as the world sees it.
“Humility is the mother of all virtues; purity, charity and obedience. It is in being humble that our love becomes real, devoted and ardent. If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are. If you are blamed you will not be discouraged. If they call you a saint you will not put yourself on a pedestal.” —Saint Teresa of Calcutta
As we can see from this thought-provoking quote, Mother Teresa doesn’t see humility as the world sees it. The world sees it as blind self-neglect or a degrading regard for oneself. In contrast, her life shows us that she was a champion for the precious, God-given dignity of every single person.
Her definition of humility stresses the down-to-earth, unattached nature of true humility. In practicing it, we have a clarity of sight that allows us to not be consumed by the standards and judgments of the world, whether those judgments place us in a positive or negative light.
We celebrate the feast of St. Teresa of Calcutta today! One way to honor this amazing saint is to try to imitate her humility. Challenge yourself by reading through her humility list and asking for her intercession in incorporating them into your daily life.
Here is her counter-cultural, inspiring, and challenging Humility List.
Mother Teresa’s Humility List:
1. Speak as little as possible about yourself.
2. Keep busy with your own affairs and not those of others.
3. Avoid curiosity.
4. Do not interfere in the affairs of others.
5. Accept small irritations with good humor.
6. Do not dwell on the faults of others.
7. Accept censures even if unmerited.
8. Give in to the will of others.
9. Accept insults and injuries.
10. Accept contempt, being forgotten and disregarded.
11. Be courteous and delicate even when provoked by someone.
12. Do not seek to be admired and loved.
13. Do not protect yourself behind your own dignity.
14. Give in, in discussions, even when you are right.
15. Choose always the more difficult task.
At first glance, Mother Teresa’s “Humility List” appears to be a startling and even extreme guide to living the virtue of humility. However, if we look at the list with eyes of faith and thoughtful discernment, we’ll see that it is not “extreme”—it simply requires just those two things: faith and discernment.
Faith – These guidelines are not for the faint of heart or the weak-willed! They are challenging, and require the grace of God to sustain us and increase our stamina when we wish to fall back into our deep-rooted, prideful ways. So take heart—if God wishes us to live the virtues (which He does, of course) then we must trust that He will provide us with the means to fulfill His will.
Discernment – Some of the points on the list can be taken to an unhealthy extreme: “Accept insults and injuries…” “Do not interfere in the affairs of others…” In some serious cases, it may end up being the case that the virtuous response is to do the opposite of what she’s saying! But Mother Teresa’s list is not meant to be applied to situations in which we encounter immoral or unlawful behavior. Here is another clarification: when she says “Avoid curiosity,” she is not saying “Don’t be interested in others.” She wants us to avoid idle curiosity, which can lead us to sin. This list is for our daily sanctification.
We invite you to take this list to prayer, and ask Our Lord and St. Mother Teresa to help you see how to make these important points a part of your daily growth in virtue!
Carry this message of simple love with you—whether you’re running errands, volunteering, or greeting your family each morning—with the Mother Teresa “Small Things” Ball Cap. The embroidered reminder, “Do Small Things With Great Love,” offers a subtle daily invitation to live as Mother Teresa lived—faithfully, humbly, and with extraordinary love.
Our Lady’s pet: the spotted backyard critter named for Mary
A captivating legend tells us the origins of this colorful—and helpful—creature.
Everyone loves ladybugs. Not only are they eye-catching—with their rosy-red mantles and dapper spots—but they also consume pests that cause serious trouble for gardeners and farmers. An adult ladybug can eat 75 aphids a day!
But did you know that the ladybug owes its name to Our Lady and has a special connection to her?
Legend has it that back in medieval times, terrible pests were devastating crops in Europe. The people, in danger of losing their livelihood and source of sustenance, prayed to Our Lady for assistance. Soon, a great swarm of small beetles—with red shells and black spots—came and ate up the offending pests. The crops were saved, and the people named the miniature heroes after Our Lady, hence “ladybug.”
The name took various forms in different regions—they are called ladybirds in the UK, and in other countries of Europe they bear a similar Marian title, such as Marienkäfer in German, “Mary’s beetle.”
The red of the ladybug’s shell recalls the red mantle often worn by Our Lady in sacred art, and the black spots—which, on the Seven-Spot Ladybird, the most common species in Europe, are seven in number—represent her Seven Sorrows and Joys.
This month, the Church honors the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady, so beautifully represented by the lovely ladybird. Devotion to Our Lady’s Sorrows has ancient origins in the Church, and is a practice she has asked us to cultivate.
What is the Church’s devotion for September?
The Church offers a beautiful devotion that helps answer our pain.
Our Lady knows how hard we pray for our loved ones who have left the Faith. She knows how much we suffer alongside our friends and family who are dealing with physical or emotional afflictions.
She also knows that people in need of conversion are often closed to our attempts to lead them to the truth.
In 1840, she brought us a simple and powerful devotion to her Immaculate Heart, a devotion designed for such difficult (and delicate) situations.
On the Feast of her Nativity, September 8th, 1840, she appeared to Sister Justine Bisqueyburu in Paris. Sister Justine was a Daughter of Charity, the same order as St. Catherine Labouré who had received the Miraculous Medal just ten years earlier.
Our Lady appeared with her Immaculate Heart in her right hand and a scapular in her left. The scapular was really a cloth medallion rather than a true scapular, since it only had one piece of cloth. It depicted Our Lady on one side—her flaming Heart in her hands—and on the other, her Heart, pierced and flaming, rays coming forth from it, and a cross surmounting it. Around her Heart are the words:
“Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us, now and at the hour of our death.”
An interior voice told Sister Justine that God wished to establish in the world a greater and more tender devotion to the Immaculate Heart. Graces of conversion would abound for those who were devoted to her under this title and using the image Sister Justine saw.
Since it is not a form of a religious habit like other scapulars, there is no enrollment process—it need only be blessed by a priest. The person needing healing or conversion should wear it and say the above-quoted prayer to the Immaculate Heart every day.
Our Lady also explained that if the person in need is unable or unwilling to wear it, you can slip it—unbeknownst to them—into their belongings or home or work environment! (A wise Mother indeed!)
If (as in the case of someone unwilling to wear it) the intended wearer cannot or will not say the prayer, you can pray it for them.
Since the apparition, the Green Scapular has become famous for the conversions and healings Our Lady has effected through it. Some of the most common types of miracles associated with it include: healings of people on the brink of death or suicide, sudden wisdom and understanding in the midst of dangerous relationships or behaviors, and, most importantly, quiet or drastic changes of heart which lead people to (or back to) the Catholic Church.
If you have a friend or family member in need of spiritual conversion, enlightenment, or any kind of healing, place them in the safe haven of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Green Scapular is Our Lady’s special means of rescuing these souls—even when they don’t want to be rescued.
Who were the Catholic heroes of revolutionary France?
Meet the rebels of the Vendée—a group who gave everything for God and country.
“I often fought, sometimes I was beaten, but I have never been killed off.”
—General François-Athanase de Charette, leader of the Vendée revolt
Amidst the bloody horror of the French Revolution, stories of heroism miraculously arose.
One of the most famous is the tragic but glorious tale of the rebels of the Vendée—a region in western France that was devoutly Catholic and resisted the vicious attacks on the Church enacted by the revolutionary government.
The Vendéans weren’t initially against all the Revolution’s aims, but things got ugly when the Civil Constitution of the Clergy was passed in the summer of 1790. This decree abolished over a third of dioceses and a quarter of the parishes in France.
Clergy were exiled, interned, and killed for refusing to swear a required oath of loyalty to the state. The decimation of the Catholic religion was clearly underway, and the Vendéans would not stand for it.
The tipping point came when the government introduced conscription. The Vendéans had no interest in fighting for the Republic, and they instead organized themselves into the Catholic and Royal Army. It was composed mostly of peasants, in the name of whom the Revolution—ironically—claimed to act.
The Sacred Heart patch worn by the Vendéan rebels. It reads, “God, the King.”
Members of the Catholic nobility joined later, bringing much-needed military expertise with them. Some of the revolt’s most famous leaders were these young aristocrats—men mostly in their 20s and 30s—who would lay down their lives on the battlefield or by execution.
The Catholic and Royal Army had some success initially, taking several towns and the city of Angers by midsummer 1793. But in autumn, the Revolutionary Army had reinforced and reorganized themselves to deadly effect. They crushed the rebels at the Battle of Le Mans, and engaged in dreadful slaughter of prisoners afterwards.
The terror had only just begun. In November, a law came into effect that delineated a plan to exterminate the Vendéans—including women, children, and the elderly.
The groundwork for the plan had been laid even earlier, in the spring of that year.
At the end of November, the inhuman General Louis Marie Turreau took command of the Republican army and formed “infernal columns” that marched through the Vendée, burning villages and slaughtering the inhabitants.
Though the rebels were effectively defeated at the Battle of Savenay on December 21, 1793, the terror against civilians lasted from August 1793 through July 1794, a campaign that has been accurately called genocide.
With the recall of Turreau and the rise of a more moderate faction in the government, an amnesty was reached at the end of 1794. Early the next year, the rebels were granted freedom of worship and exemption from conscription. When Napoleon—a great admirer of the Vendéans—came to power, he further granted compensation and assistance to the devastated region.
The Republic tried to bury the history of this rebellion, and for a long time the official narrative excluded much mention of it. Even up until the 20th century, the story was not fully known. A French historian, Reynald Secher—whose ancestors died in the Vendée—decided to change that. Beginning in the 1970s and continuing for decades, his monumentally important research shed new light on this period of history.
The Vendéan rebels—like St. John Paul II—remind us to “be not afraid” in our own day. Share that same message of courage and hope with family and friends through our Be Not Afraid Scented Candle.
Which saint was called to conversion by the voice of a child?
A voice spoke out from the darkness and urged, “take up and read…”
St. Augustine was not saint material to begin with. Though gifted with a brilliant mind, he was a womanizer, a rowdy drunk, an occasional thief, and an unbeliever.
Yet, his mother, St. Monica, prayed continually for his conversion. For many years, her prayers seemed to be unanswered. From Carthage to Rome to Milan, St. Augustine pursued only fleeting pleasures, engaged in entangling affairs, practiced the anti-Christian polytheistic religion Manichaeism, and distanced himself from his mother and her devout faith.
As her son risked his eternal soul and dismissed his inheritance of faith, St. Monica could only watch, deeply pained, and continue to pray for her beloved son.
These years of constant prayer were rewarded when one night, St. Augustine heard the soft voice of a child call out to him from the darkness. The voice urged him to “take up and read.”
When he did so, he read a passage from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, which said:
“Not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying, but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof.” (Romans 13:13-14)
The words of St. Paul spoke through the centuries and cut directly to St. Augustine’s heart. Moved by the power of Scripture, St. Augustine began to yearn for truth.
After decades of loss, pain, and disappointment, St. Monica’s prayers were answered. On the Easter Vigil in 387 A.D., St. Augustine was baptized. He became a priest, then a bishop, preached over 6,000 sermons, fought heresies, explained doctrine, became one of the greatest Fathers and Doctors of the Church, and continues to inspire souls through his writings and intercession.
Few express the longing for God and the nature of prayer more beautifully than St. Augustine. You might think his writings are “too deep” for you—but we have a solution! In the book St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions On Prayer, Fr. Cliff Ermatinger gathers Augustine’s teachings on prayer and presents them in a helpful question-and-answer format. What emerges is nothing less than a rich and easy-to-read “catechism on prayer” by one of the Church’s greatest saints!
Prayers to St. Monica for Wayward Children
Today is the feast of St. Monica!
St. Monica is the patron saint of wives, difficult marriages, widows, mothers, disappointing or wayward children, and victims of adultery and abuse.
Most of what is known about this devout and patient saint is from her much-loved son, St. Augustine of Hippo. In his book Confessions, he relays much detail of Monica’s life.
Monica was married to a pagan man of violent temper and her son, Augustine, was in the heretical Manichaeism sect along with leading a very immoral life. This caused Monica great anguish and pain.
Through her great patience and constant prayers along with her examples of kindness, Monica was blessed with the conversion to Christianity of both her husband and son.
In today’s world of instant gratification, Monica is a powerful example of patience and intercessory prayer. Her many years of prayer and her unfailing trust in God’s will were richly rewarded.
Below are prayers to this great saint, asking her assistance in obtaining the grace of conversion for wayward children.
3 PRAYERS TO ST. MONICA
Exemplary Mother of the Great Augustine,
you perseveringly pursued your wayward son,
not with wild threats but with prayerful cries to heaven.
Intercede for all mothers in our day
so that they may learn to draw their children to God.
Teach them how to remain close to their children,
even the prodigal sons and daughters
who have sadly gone astray.
Amen.
Dear St. Monica, troubled wife and mother,
Many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime.
Yet you never despaired or lost faith.
With confidence, persistence and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion
of your beloved husband, Patricius,
and your beloved son, Augustine.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience and trust in the Lord.
Intercede for me, dear St. Monica, for (mention your petition here)
and grant me the grace to accept his will in all things,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever.
Amen.
Blessed Monica, mother of St. Augustine,
we give thanks to our Father in Heaven
Who looked with mercy upon your tears
over your wayward son.
His conversion and heroic sanctification
were the fruit of your prayers.
Dear St. Monica,
we now ask you to pray with us
for all those sons and daughters
that have wandered away from God,
and to add your prayers to those of all mothers
who are worried over their children.
Pray also for us that,
following your example, we may,
in the company of our children,
one day enjoy the eternal vision of our Father in Heaven.
Amen.
As you turn to St. Monica for her powerful intercession, keep her close with the St. Monica Rosary. This beautifully crafted rosary honors the saint who never gave up on her family and reminds us of the strength of persistent prayer. A perfect companion for anyone praying for the conversion of loved ones.
Order yours today from The Catholic Company!
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7 Saints for Back-to-School Season
The Church gives us saints to guide, strengthen, and inspire our learning.
It’s here already—back-to-school season.
Every August, it seems to sneak up on us. The start of a new school year can feel a little overwhelming, but it’s also a fresh opportunity, for students and non-students alike, to get organized, refocus our priorities, be inspired to keep learning, and pursue excellence.
As Catholics, we don’t have to face this season on our own. The saints are powerful intercessors and faithful friends who want to help us along the way.
Here are seven saints to pray with during this back-to-school season:
St. Thomas Aquinas – Patron of Scholars
St. Thomas is a classic patron for students. He wasn’t just brilliant—he also knew how to place his learning in service of God. His famous prayer before study is still prayed by students today.
Pray to him when: you need focus, clarity, and the wisdom to use your studies well.
St. Joseph of Cupertino – Patron of Exams
Known for his struggles in academics, St. Joseph passed his priestly exams by a small miracle. His story gives hope to anyone who feels overwhelmed by tests.
Pray to him when: you’re facing exams or presentations and need peace and confidence.
St. Catherine of Alexandria – Patron of Students and Philosophers
Brilliant, articulate, and courageous, St. Catherine defended the faith with wisdom that amazed scholars of her time.
Pray to her when: you’re writing essays, preparing debates, or need courage to stand up for the truth.
St. Monica – Patron of Mothers
St. Monica prayed faithfully for her son, St. Augustine, through years of difficulty. She is a model of perseverance and trust in God.
Pray to her when: you feel worried about your children’s choices or need encouragement to stay patient and prayerful.
St. Joseph – Patron of Workers and Families
As the foster father of Jesus, St. Joseph balanced the demands of family life and daily work with quiet strength. He understands the challenges of providing and caring for a household.
Pray to him when: you’re balancing schedules, work, and family life during the hectic school year.
St. Frances of Rome – Patron of Homemakers
Known for managing her household with love and holiness while still serving the poor, St. Frances shows how ordinary tasks can be sanctified.
Pray to her when: you need grace in the busyness of chores, errands, and after-school routines.
St. Gianna Molla – Patron of Mothers and Physicians
A modern saint, St. Gianna was a doctor, wife, and mother who managed the challenges of modern family life with deep faith.
Pray to her when: you’re stretched thin between family responsibilities and personal demands, and need peace in the middle of it all.
Which saint saved her city from pirates?
Legend tells of the humble heroism of a girl named Rose…
Struck by her radiant beauty, those around Isabel Flores de Olivia fondly called her Rose. As she grew older, her beauty only deepened, and the name Rose stuck. Upon her confirmation, St. Rose of Lima formally took the name Rose.
Rose was born in Lima, Peru, in 1586 to Spanish parents. Her beauty and virtue attracted numerous eligible men, but Rose was devoted only to Our Lord and desired to be His bride through a vocation as a nun.
Yet, due to her young age and her parents’ hesitation, she was unable to enter a convent. Undeterred and resolute in her desire, St. Rose took a private vow of chastity and turned away the many suitors.
Eventually, struck by their daughter’s commitment, her parents relented and allowed Rose to remain in a private room to live a life of personal prayer and penance. At the age of 20, Rose became a Third Order Dominican and continued her life of prayer, fasting, and penance.
Though Rose sought seclusion, the many miracles attributed to her gave her a reputation throughout Peru as a holy and wise woman. Legend tells us of one such miracle that occurred around the time St. Rose entered the Dominicans.
Dutch pirates had invaded Lima’s harbor, defeating the Peruvian fleet. Due to the religious division resulting from the Protestant Reformation, they intended not only to loot the city but also desecrate the Catholic churches. The women, children, and religious of Lima took refuge in the churches.
In the church of Santo Domingo, Rose stirred them all to prayer. It is said that as pirates burst into the church, they were confronted with the terrifying spectacle of a young girl ablaze with light, holding a monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament.
They turned away and fled to their ships, which sailed away.
St. Rose of Lima died on August 25th, 1617 at the age of 31. Tradition says that St. Rose predicted and expected her death, eagerly waiting to join her Lord in heaven. When the day that she predicted came, St. Rose passed away peacefully and the entire city of Lima was filled with the scent of roses.
Just 50 years later, she was canonized by Pope Clement in 1667, becoming the first canonized saint born in the Americas.
You can honor St. Rose of Lima with this beautiful rose-scented rosary—the perfect companion for your daily prayer. The lovely rose scent of the beads makes it a powerful and calming prayer piece. Perfect for a devotee of St. Rose of Lima or any woman on a special occasion.
Who is the Apostle identified as Bartholomew?
He may be identified in the Gospels under another name…
Each Gospel and ancient list of Apostles mentions a Bartholomew among the Twelve. But there is no mention of “Bartholomew” beyond his name. Other Apostles appear in episodes throughout Jesus’ public life. Others have historically-recorded dialogues, actions, and ministries. But not Bartholomew.
However, this may be because we are looking for evidence under the wrong name.
Bartholomew is a patronymic name, meaning “Son of Talmy,” and scholarly tradition has acknowledged Batholomew’s identity in the Gospels as the man called Nathanael, a name meaning “God has given.”
In John’s Gospel, when Jesus first sees Nathanael, He calls out to him with a reference to the Psalms, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile!” (John 1:47, Psalm 32:2)
Immediately following this exclamation, Our Lord reveals that He knew Nathanael even as he sat under the fig tree. Nathanael responds to this moment of recognition with a profound confession of faith, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” (John 1:49)
After the Ascension, Bartholomew traveled to India, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, where he was martyred for his faith. His body traveled the globe before arriving in Rome in 998 as a gift to Emperor Otto II. Upon his final burial and arrival in Rome, the beautiful church, San Bartolomeo all’Isola, was rededicated in his honor.
San Bartolomeo all’Isola is fascinating for many reasons, particularly its unique location. In the center of the Tiber River, right in the heart of Rome, there is a small island that has been covered with siding so that it almost appears to be an anchored ship. This is the Island Tiber and rising from its land is the beautiful Basilica of St. Bartholomew on the Island, San Bartolomeo all’Isola.
This small island in the Tiber has always been important to the city’s spirituality. In the age of the Roman empire, the island hosted the Temple of Aesculapius. When the city became Christian, the temple was destroyed and the land was consecrated to the Catholic Church. Its storied past, unique landscape, and striking beauty all make San Bartolomeo all’Isola the perfect burial place for St. Bartholomew and a powerful place for pilgrims!
Feast days like St. Bartholomew’s should remind us of the beuaty and richness of scripture and all it’s characters. Have you been keeping a habit of praying with Scared Scripture? If not, start today with the Word on Fire Bible – Gospel Edition. This powerful will help you center your life on the Gospels.
In it, you’ll find the four Gospels surrounded by illuminating artwork and helpful commentary from Bishop Robert Barron, the Church Fathers, and some of the greatest saints, mystics, artists, and scholars throughout history, allowing the story of Jesus Christ to shine with new clarity and splendor.
What did Mary’s coronation look like?
How can paintings such as the Coronation of the Virgin inspire us?
In the early Gothic period around the 12th century, the faithful were growing in devotion to Mary. This strong devotion to Mary inspired an abundance of art depicting Mary’s coronation as Queen of Heaven. For several centuries, many artists painted their own versions of the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin. Gentile da Fabriano is one such artist.
In earlier depictions of the Coronation, Jesus and His mother are standing side by side or seated on thrones with angels accompanying them. Later depictions portray God the Father sitting beside His Son with the Holy Spirit between them, and Mary kneeling in front of the Trinity.
coronation
By the 15th century, during the High Renaissance, many artists developed more individualistic and unique depictions of Mary’s Coronation, creating their own interpretations rather than following the former depictions. At this point, the depiction of the Coronation was often combined with a scene of the Assumption, so that as Mary is being crowned, a group of Apostles are at the bottom of the painting, gazing upward at her Coronation.
Gentile da Fabriano’s Coronation of the Virgin was painted in 1420. In this painting, Jesus gently places a beautiful crown on His Mother’s head as angels watch from both sides. Gentile da Fabriano used many different types of tools and materials to create unique patterns that depict tapestry-like backgrounds.
Sacred art is impactful because it can help us understand the mysteries of our faith and imagine and reflect on events that we have trouble picturing on our own.
Through viewing and reflecting on the Coronation of the Virgin, we are able to see how her queenship is a theological reality, not merely a nice idea.
You, too, have the opportunity to reflect on Our Lady’s Queenship with a beautiful image of the beautiful event. Remind yourself to have Our Lady reign in your home with a Coronation of the Virgin Ceramic Tile.
What papal tradition did St. Pope Pius break?
Eating alone isn’t very fun…even for popes!
Sometime in the early 1900s, a long-upheld Vatican tradition was broken.
Pope Pius X opened up his own dining table at the Vatican to…his friends?!
Now, to understand the significance of this, you have to realize that the papal dining table was no ordinary dinner spot. For centuries, the Pope’s meals were a solitary affair with attendant formality and ritual. It was more about reflection and less about relaxation.
But Pius X was a man of the people, and he believed that even the Pope needed good company—especially at mealtime! So, instead of dining alone, Pius X invited close friends and trusted advisors to share meals with him. This was unheard of!
Imagine the scene: a formerly quiet, almost somber room now filled with the sound of conversation, laughter, and the clinking of wine glasses. Pius X, with his warm smile and hearty laugh, would be at the center, enjoying a simple meal—he wasn’t one for elaborate banquets—and sharing stories, discussing matters of the Church, or just enjoying good company.
This wasn’t something Pius X did simply to challenge tradition. In fact, Pius X was a great defender of tradition! Rather, it was his way of bringing his humanity into his papacy.
Pope Pius X did this in many other ways as well. In addition to opening up the papal dining room to friends, he also would open up the Vatican cafeteria to the poor and homeless.
He was also known to walk around with candy in his pockets, ready to hand out to anyone he encountered on the streets of the Eternal City!
St. Pius X was remembered not only for his holiness, but also for the warmth and humor that made him beloved by the faithful. He showed the world that joy and sanctity go hand-in-hand.
Bring that same joyful Catholic spirit into your own home with our Catholic Humor Dish Towels – Set of 2. With lighthearted phrases like “Don’t make me have to go to Confession” and “Lucky for you I’m Catholic. I will offer it up,” these towels are a fun daily reminder that faith isn’t just lived in churches and chapels, but in the heart of the home.
Just as Pius X led the Church with a smile and humility, you can bring a touch of Catholic cheer to the kitchen.
Was Pius XII really “silent” in the face of Nazism?
Often criticized by secular historians as being “silent” in the face of evil, Pope Pius XII’s actions saved the lives of thousands.
The Soviets were excellent at propaganda. So when they decided that Pius XII was an enemy of theirs—due to his hard stance against Communism—they initiated a campaign to destroy his memory. The operation was called “Operation Seat 12.”
It’s incredible how much this dis-information campaign succeeded. Anti-Pius-XII books and media were still appearing in the 2000s. It seems that Pius XII is still shaking off the false accusations leveled against him for his supposed “silence” in the face of the Nazi persecution of the Jews.
The truth is that his silence—far from being the result of cowardice or a conciliatory approach—was a careful tactic that was critical to his success in saving hundreds of thousands of Jews from death.
It was no secret to anyone, including the Nazis, what the Vatican thought of their views. Pius XI and Eugenio Pacelli—as Archbishop, Cardinal, then as Pius XII—had condemned Nazism multiple times in various ways, through audiences, speeches, and encyclicals. Cardinal Pacelli was a major contributor to Mit brennender Sorge, Pius XI’s encyclical condemning Nazi ideology. As Pope Pius XII, he spoke again in Summi Pontificatus, which took aim at National Socialism and Communism.
The only thing Pius XII didn’t do was publicly name names and speak in explicit terms, though neither the persecuted nor the persecutors had any doubt as to who his words were directed against.
The reason for this careful use of words was the bitter fruit that a direct approach had borne. In Holland, when the Dutch bishops had publicly protested the Nazi persecution of Jews, the crackdown against the Church was brutal. A similar thing had happened in Germany after the publication of Mit brennender Sorge.
Pius XII mentioned twice—once in a letter to a bishop, and again in an address to the College of Cardinals—his deliberate avoidance of the sort of direct condemnation that modern critics think he should have made. He knew it would perpetuate more death. So he talked in “code,” you might say—but he didn’t stop there. He also took action.
The Church worked tirelessly to save the Jews in Europe by forging documents, smuggling them abroad, and hiding them in Church buildings. In Rome, 5,000 Jews were hidden in religious houses and 3,000 in Castel Gandolfo, the Pope’s own private residence. When all was said and done, the Pope contributed to the rescue of as many as one million Jews throughout Europe.
Jewish leaders at the time were outspoken in their gratitude to Pius XII. Although his enemies tried to bring him down, modern-day Jewish historians and personages have also insisted on Pope Pius XII’s heroic role in saving their people.
Besides the misinformation about Pius XII, many other myths persist today about Catholic history. So often we hear the Church criticized for persecuting Galileo or killing thousands during the Inquisition. But are these stories true? Find out in The Real Story of Catholic History: Answering Twenty Centuries of Anti-Catholic Myths. This page-turner will give you the real scoop on many of the most commonly misunderstood events in Church history.
Get the true story—order your copy today from The Catholic Company!
Which saint lived in a cider barrel while caring for the sick?
St. John Eudes pioneered devotion to the Two Hearts.
Fr. John Eudes crawled back into the big, empty barrel that formerly held cider. It was almost large enough to live in—although a bit damp and cold at times—while he attended the suffering plague victims in his home diocese in France. He could not stay in safety, he thought, while so many needed the sacraments and a comforting presence.
But the plague was highly contagious and he did not want to spread it to his fellow religious. So he lived in a barrel outside the city till his work was done. It was but one example of the intense, Christlike and Marylike love that burned in his heart.
St. John Eudes was born in 1601 and ordained a priest of the Oratory of Jesus and Mary in 1625. His primary job was to conduct parish missions and he proved himself a zealous and effective preacher.
In 1641, touched by the unfortunate condition of the prostitutes he ministered to in his work, he founded a religious congregation—the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Refuge, now known as the Good Shepherd Sisters—to give shelter and support to these women.
During his time as a missionary, he was disturbed by the lack of formation among the clergy. The idea of dedicated diocesan seminaries was relatively new, having only been introduced by the Council of Trent the previous century. So priestly formation often lacked standards and could vary widely. Fr. Eudes noticed that the good reforms he inspired among the faithful at his missions often disappeared quickly because their parish priests were so poorly formed.
So he decided to do something about it. He founded his own congregation—the Congregation of Jesus and Mary, also known as the Eudists—to establish seminaries for the education of priests.
But perhaps the greatest gift that St. John Eudes gave the Church was his intense devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This devotion formed the core of his spirituality and lit the fire of his missionary zeal. He wrote the first Masses in honor of the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart and the first book about devotion to them. Popes have praised his contributions to devotion to the Hearts, and there is a movement afoot to proclaim him a Doctor of the Church.
Just as St. John Eudes brought clarity and courage to the Church in his time, today’s sponsor, Truthly, is helping Catholics discern truth with confidence. Their mission is simple but powerful: to put the faith at your fingertips—delivering instant, reliable answers from trusted Church sources, along with short lessons and daily goals to help you live and share what you learn.
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Just like St. John Eudes, remind yourself of the love and zeal of the Two Hearts with our Sacred & Immaculate Hearts Italian Plaque. This elegant Italian plaque features oval images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, beautifully detailed with serene colors and gold leaf accents. A truly stunning and unique piece to honor Jesus and Mary!
Meet the 80 year old mother who helped discover the True Cross…
St. Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, helped preserve many sacred sites.
St. Helena was in the Holy Land.
She closed her eyes prayerfully. She stood on holy ground.
Beneath her feet, three wood crosses were buried deep in the earth at Golgotha.
This was the true cross, the place where salvation was purchased for all of us. How did she get here?
Helena was the mother of Constantine, the Roman emperor who legalized Christianity in the fourth century. By the time of her pilgrimage, she was in her eighties, yet her faith drove her to seek out the places where Christ lived, died, and rose.
Constantine himself entrusted her with this mission: to honor Christ’s memory and raise churches in His name.
Arriving in Jerusalem around the year 326, Helena poured her resources and energy into uncovering the sacred sites of Christ’s Passion. Guided by local Christians, she helped uncover three wooden crosses buried at Golgotha. Unsure which one had borne Christ, tradition tells us that a dying woman was brought to touch them. When she was healed by one, Helena and those with her knew they had found the True Cross.
Her journey did not stop there. She ordered the construction of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre over Christ’s tomb, the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and other holy shrines that still stand today. Through her devotion, the holiest places of Christianity were preserved for pilgrims throughout the centuries.
Because of her, Christians have, for over 1,600 years, been able to kneel in the very places where heaven touched earth.
We may not all be able to travel to the Holy Land, but we are all called to honor the cross, just like St. Helena. Experience the solace of the cross, and create a connection to the Holy Land, with this Olive Wood Relic Cross. Crafted from smooth olive wood, this comforting cross features a relic that touched the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
What happened on November 1st, 1950?
The day a beloved doctrine was made official…
On a bright, crisp morning in Rome, Italy, St. Peter’s Square was filled to overflowing with 700,000 Catholics who came to witness a long-awaited, solemn event.
They came to hear the solemn declaration of a doctrine—something that does not happen very often! The last time it happened was 1854, when Pope Pius IX declared the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Now, Pope Pius XII, resplendent in white and gold regalia, read the words of the doctrine from the steps of the Basilica, formally announcing the Assumption of the Blessed Mother to be part of the deposit of faith.
Although every person created by God is subject to physical corruption, explained the Holy Father, the Blessed Virgin Mary is an exception. Her body, after her earthly sojourn had drawn to a close, was taken up by her Son into heaven together with her soul.
This the Church had held to be necessary, through many centuries, for several reasons:
1) It was not possible that Our Lord should allow the body from which He had drawn His own flesh to suffer corruption.
2) Being immaculately conceived, the Blessed Mother “completely overcame sin,” and so was not subject to the punishment which the rest of mankind must undergo.
3) God had filled the Blessed Mother with such an outpouring of graces and perfections that she was able to receive Him perfectly and become entirely a tabernacle of God.
4) Our Lord, as the perfect Son Who honors His parents, would certainly honor His pure mother by raising her from the dead and bringing her to paradise with Him.
The Assumption provides us with beautiful inspiration for own lives. Although we will have to face death, we must still aim to be called home to heaven as Our Lady was.
What is “St. Michael’s Lent”?
Have you ever heard of this devotion that honors St. Michael?
“St. Michael’s Lent” is a beautiful devotion in honor of St. Michael the Archangel. It is a forty-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance—a miniature Lent, you might say—that runs from the Feast of the Assumption on August 15th (tomorrow!) to the great archangel’s feast day on September 29th.
This devotion comes to us from the life of St. Francis of Assisi, who was deeply devoted to St. Michael and the angels. He practiced this “Lent” himself, as mentioned in St. Bonaventure’s famous biography of him and in The Little Flowers of St. Francis, a collection of stories about the early Franciscans.
St. Michael’s Lent, in fact, forms the backdrop to one of the most famous events in the life of St. Francis. A couple years before his death, the saint was inspired to spend St. Michael’s Lent on a certain mountain called La Verna. Here, close to the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14th), he received the wounds of Our Lord’s Passion in his own body: the stigmata. The Franciscans celebrate St. Francis’ reception of the stigmata with a feast on September 17th.
St. Michael’s Lent, like the original Lent, excludes Sundays (and, we presume, feast days—there aren’t strict rules since it is a devotion rather than an obligation).
We should all foster devotion to St. Michael, our great helper and defender in our battle with the devil. Practicing St. Michael’s Lent is a great way to do it—but don’t be intimidated, you can practice it in whatever way and to whatever extent you can! Even a little given with love and devotion has measureless value in the eyes of God and His angels.
Tomorrow is the feast of of the Assumption and the traditional start to St. Michael’s Lent. Will you be participating in this spiritual journey?
Remind yourself to invoke St. Michael’s powerful intercession each morning with a strong cup of St. Michael’s Dark Roast. Crafted with premium, single-origin Honduran beans and roasted in-house, this 12oz dark roast blend evokes the strength of St. Michael the Archangel, our steadfast ally against temptation.
4 Patron Saints for Restless Nights
These saintly friends will help you find peaceful rest.
We’ve all been there…
It’s been a long day, you’re tired, but you can’t fall asleep. All you can seem to do is toss and turn. When you finally do fall asleep, the slightest noise wakes you up!
Next time this happens to you, don’t despair! You’re not alone—there are four saints you can turn to:
1. St. Joseph: St. Joseph, sometimes even invoked as Sleeping St. Joseph, is widely recognized as the patron of a good night’s rest. In the Gospel of Matthew, God communicates with Joseph through dreams multiple times—guiding him to take Mary as his wife, flee to Egypt, and return safely to Nazareth. St. Joseph will help you find peace and remind you that God is always with you—even when you’re sleeping!
2. St. Blaise: St. Blaise is best known as the patron saint of throat troubles, but he also has a lesser-known role as a helper for those who suffer from sleeplessness due to physical ailments. Blaise was a physician before he became a bishop, and his compassion and healing abilities were legendary. You can ask St. Blaise to intercede when physical discomfort—whether from a sore throat, nagging cough, or other illness—disrupts your sleep.
3. St. Dymphna: Often, our restlessness is caused by worry and anxiety. In these times, turn to St. Dymphna for her intercession and comfort. St. Dymphna, the patron saint of those suffering from anxiety, depression, and mental illness, will bring your worries directly to Christ and help calm your mind. Her story is one of courage: she fled her home after her father, suffering from severe mental illness, threatened her safety. When your worries or mental anguish keep you awake, ask St. Dymphna to bring you peace and a good night’s sleep.
4. St. Michael the Archangel: The next time you are frightened by a nightmare or fearful imaginings, invoke the protection of St. Michael. As a powerful warrior, he is always ready to do battle for your peace. If you sense anything evil or disturbing in your dreams or thoughts, call on St. Michael! Praying the St. Michael Prayer will help you feel safe and ready to sleep again.
God our loving Father wants to be a part of every moment of your life—including your sleepless nights. Invoke these four saints the next time you are up late and transform a restless moment into a prayerful one!
If you find you really can’t go back to sleep, pour yourself a warm cup of our Sleeping St. Joseph Decaf Coffee, cozy up with a rosary, and spend some time in prayer. With all the flavor and none of the caffeine, our Sleeping St. Joseph Decaf is a great way to bring your faith into every moment. From your morning coffee to those restless nights, Sleeping St. Joseph will be interceding for you through it all.
There’s a novena for that?!
From career challenges to family crises, from thanksgiving to spiritual renewal—there really is a novena for that.
There’s a novena for that?!
If you’ve been Catholic for more than a minute, you’ve probably heard someone say, “Pray a novena!” But what is a novena—and why are there so many?
A novena is a nine-day prayer (from the Latin novem, meaning “nine”), modeled after the nine days the Apostles and Our Lady spent in prayer before Pentecost. The Church treasures novenas as a way to persistently seek God’s help, honor Our Lady and the saints, and prepare for great feasts.
Here are a few beloved examples:
St. Jude Novena – Patron of impossible causes. Pray when a situation seems hopeless, trusting God’s power to open doors.
Our Lady Undoer of Knots Novena – Brings tangled problems, relationships, or worries to Mary for her gentle untangling.
Sacred Heart Novena – Focuses on growing in trust, reparation, and deep love for Christ’s heart.
St. Joseph Novena – For provision, protection, and guidance, especially in work or family matters.
From career challenges to family crises, from thanksgiving to spiritual renewal—there really is a novena for that. And best of all, each one draws us closer to Jesus through steady, faithful prayer.
Want to keep a treasury of novenas at your fingertips? Check out the Pocket Guide to Novenas—a compact, beautiful book packed with powerful prayers for every need.
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Which saint was a wife, mother, and a nun?!
Meet St. Bridget of Sweden, whose feast day is celebrated today!
She was a noblewoman, wife, mother of 8, nun, founder of a religious order, and saint.
Meet St. Bridget of Sweden, whose feast day is celebrated today (July 23rd)!
She lived in a turbulent century for the Church, but she never let politics—or her own suffering—drown out the call of Christ.
Bridget was married to a pious nobleman named Ulf. Together they lived a deeply devout life raising their 8 children. One of them, St. Catherine of Sweden, would go on to also become a saint!
After Ulf’s death, Bridget was sent down a surprising new path.
She began receiving vivid revelations from Christ, which she carefully dictated and preserved.
While still in Sweden, she received a vision instructing her to found a new religious order. Christ showed her a rule of life centered on poverty, prayer, and imitation of the Virgin Mary. The community would include both men and women—an unusual structure at the time—living in separate quarters but united under one abbess.
This vision became the Order of the Most Holy Savior, now known as the Bridgettines. Though she never saw the order fully approved in her lifetime, Bridget worked tirelessly to secure papal recognition. She even traveled to Rome, where she spent her final years in advocacy, writing, and prayer.
After her death, Pope Urban V approved the order. The first monastery was established in Vadstena, Sweden, and it became a center of spiritual renewal and learning. Bridget’s daughter, St. Catherine of Sweden, helped lead and spread the order after her mother’s death.
In her Revelations, Christ said to her:
“I chose you as a trumpet so that My words may be heard.”
That trumpet still sounds. Bridget’s voice—clear, insistent, faithful—remains a reminder that holiness often involves more than quiet devotion. Sometimes it means building something lasting, even when the world is falling apart.
While not all of us will be called to found a religious order, we are all called to holiness. St. Bridget’s life reminds us of the sanctity of all vocations.
For every Catholic woman, may this be a gentle reminder to embrace the vocation God has placed before you—whatever it looks like right now.
Whether you’re in a season of quiet or chaos, 100 Holy Hours for Women is written just for you. With beautiful prompts and heartfelt prayers crafted specifically for the feminine heart, this book will draw you closer to our Eucharistic Lord in every moment.
Where in the Old Testament do we find St. Mary Magdalene?
If we look at the readings for this great feast, we see a remarkable parallel.
I will rise then and go about the city;
in the streets and crossings I will seek
Him whom my heart loves.
I sought him but I did not find him.
The watchmen came upon me,
as they made their rounds of the city:
Have you seen him whom my heart loves?
—Song of Songs 3:2-3
Today’s feast is of such importance in the Church that Pope Francis raised it from a memorial to a feast in 2016. It is the feast of St. Mary Magdalene, one of Our Lord’s most faithful disciples.
The above passage is taken from one of the readings for today’s Mass. It comes from the Song of Songs, Solomon’s marvelous discourse on the love between God and the soul. We can certainly see why this passage was chosen for St. Mary’s feast day, since she possessed such a profound and faithful love for Our Lord.
But did you know that this passage bears a striking parallel to an actual incident in Mary’s life, recounted in the Gospels?
Let’s look at the Gospel for today. It is from St. John’s Gospel, where he writes of Mary Magdalene’s sorrow as she wonders where Our Lord’s body has been taken. She speaks with the angels keeping vigil at the tomb:
“Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.”
—John 20:13
Jesus Himself then comes, and Mary recognizes Him when He says her name. He then tells her not to hold Him, for He has “not yet ascended to the Father.”
Now let’s jump back to the Epistle. In the older form of the Mass, the Epistle is taken from the same place in the Song of Songs, but goes a little further, saying, “I took hold of Him and would not let Him go…”
We see here a clear reference to Jesus’ words in the Gospel. Though Jesus prevents Mary from holding on to Him physically, He does so to help her take a firmer hold of Him spiritually—to raise her love from the human to the divine plane.
What was John Paul II’s New Evangelization?
And how can you participate?
St. John Paul II was a beloved pope. As one of the longest-serving Vicars of Christ, he is known for influencing the fall of communism in his day and his passion for serving young people.
There is much to be said about the life and legacy of St. John Paul II, but today we’ll focus on how he led millions of youth closer to Christ.
Author Bert Ghezzi explains how we can be like St. John Paul Il. Through the movement known as the “New Evangelization,” John Paul II prioritized calling all Catholics to go and make disciples of all nations.
The New Evangelization was revolutionary because the Pope did not just call on those in religious life to lead others to Christ. He especially called on the laity to take part in leading young people to the Faith.
In 1985, Pope John Paul II invited the youth of the world to join him in Rome on Palm Sunday. He expected 60,000 people to join; nearly half a million young people journeyed to hear the Pope’s message. Beginning the following year, the Vatican held World Youth Day every three years, welcoming millions of youth to make the pilgrimage to this event.
Bert Ghezzi explains how we can follow St. John Paul II’s call and participate in the New Evangelization even in the smallest ways:
“The New Evangelization charges laypeople with transforming their culture by living out the requirements of the gospel in all their social environments. However, Pope John Paul II’s example may seem too big, too daunting for us to imitate…Even so, we must consider making choices that allow God to act through us to care for others…We need to behave in ways to show that God is working to set things right in our worlds. Just like Pope John Paul II—on a small scale, perhaps, but following his example nonetheless.”
Participating in the New Evangelization and leading others to Christ does not require you to gather millions of young people to join you for an international conference. You can answer St. John Paul II’s call by leading Sunday School, working with a youth group, serving at a homeless shelter, visiting the elderly and the sick, or reaching out to those in need of Christ’s love. You can be a source of joy and encouragement for your family members and co-workers. It’s as simple as that.
Learn more about St. Pope John Paul II and other modern saints in the beautiful book Humans of Heaven. This book is unlike any other saint book you’ve experienced. Showcasing 50 short stories of modern Catholic saints, this coffee table book pairs each saint story with vintage photographs, captivating quotes, and quick facts. It will be a powerful tool for inspiration and evangelization in your home!
What do a lion, ox, eagle, and angel have in common?
They’re all symbols of the Gospel writers!
When you see the four Evangelists—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—depicted in art, one quick way to know who is who is to look at their symbols, which are frequently depicted with them.
You’ll see a man (usually portrayed as an angel), a lion, an ox, or an eagle. Sometimes artists utilize the symbols as stand-ins for the actual saints, so you’d need to know your symbology to figure out who is represented.
Let’s start by matching the right symbol with the right Evangelist:
Matthew: Man/Angel
Mark: Lion
Luke: Ox
John: Eagle
The great Church Father St. Jerome, who lived in the 4th and 5th centuries, gave us the pairings as we now know them. St. Gregory the Great corroborated his interpretation.
The symbols themselves come from the book of Ezekiel, who had a vision of God in the midst of these four creatures. The Church Fathers interpreted this as a foreshadowing of the four Gospels.
We meet the four creatures again in the 4th chapter of St. John’s Apocalypse:
“…the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like a flying eagle…”
Matthew’s symbol is a man because he begins his Gospel with Christ’s human genealogy, focusing on Christ the Man.
Mark is represented by a lion because his Gospel starts off with a roar. Right away in the first chapter, we are confronted with the fiery words of St. John the Baptist, the “voice of one crying in the wilderness.”
Luke is accompanied by an ox, an animal of sacrifice. This is because the first event he recounts is the apparition of the Angel Gabriel to Zechariah, the father of St. John the Baptist. Zechariah, a priest, is offering sacrifice to God in the temple when St. Gabriel appears to announce the impending birth of St. John.
An eagle is the companion of St. John, because in his Gospel, St. John “soars” above earthly events to contemplate the Divinity of Christ. His narrative begins with these sublime words: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
The Church and her saints have always had a deep friendship with God’s creatures. In Saintly Creatures, you’ll discover the exciting tales of God’s creatures and the holy men and women they encountered. Each of these fourteen tales shows the heroic virtue of the saints and inspires young readers to faithfully follow Jesus.
Is Carlo Acutis the First Influencer Saint?
The Church is about to canonize a coder!
In many ways, he was just an ordinary teenager…
But now the teen once dubbed “God’s influencer” is only weeks away from becoming the Church’s first millennial saint—proof that holiness and high-speed internet can peacefully coexist.
Carlo Acutis loved soccer, wore his favorite Nikes everywhere, and devoured computer-science textbooks before most kids had mastered long division. When he noticed that Google returned more gossip than Gospel, he built a slick, database-driven website that mapped Eucharistic miracles around the world and gathered Marian apparitions into one searchable hub. What began as a home-grown project in his bedroom became a multilingual portal used by catechists, youth ministers, and the simply curious on every continent.
His stated mission: “To get as many people as possible to fall in love with the Eucharist.” With a few clicks he was doing just that—years before “digital evangelization” was a buzzword.
Yet his life and legacy was far more than just Java Script and Halo…
Diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia at 15, Carlo offered every needle-stick for the pope and the Church, telling his mom, “I’m happy to die because I’ve lived my life without wasting even a minute on things that don’t please God.” Fourteen years after his death, crowds packed Assisi’s piazzas on Oct. 12, 2020, for his beatification—watching on giant LED screens he would’ve loved to configure.
Now he is on the path to sainthood.
On June 13, 2025, Pope Leo XIV announced that Carlo Acutis and fellow young Catholic powerhouse Pier Giorgio Frassati will be canonized together on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square. The joint ceremony, part of the Jubilee celebrations, will spotlight two very different but equally contagious styles of evangelization—Frassati’s mountaintop charity and Carlo’s Wi-Fi apostolate.
Carlo’s example is important because he showed that the internet can promote faith rather than undermine it. At a time when many online platforms profit from conflict, Carlo showed how code, good design, and digital reach can instead lead people toward truth and hope.
Carlo’s life can inspire us to use technology to further our pursuit of Sainthood, with his digital library of Eucharistic miracles offering a template for how technology can serve the Gospel. One example of this in action is Truthly, the ground-breaking Catholic AI action app carrying Carlo’s vison forward by putting the faith at your fingertips, delivering instant, reliable answers from trusted Church sources along with short lessons and daily goals to help you live and share what you learn.
Try it now: download Truthly in your app store and enjoy a free seven-day trial.
If Carlo’s life of online evangelization sparks your curiosity, keep the momentum going with God’s Influencer: Holy Advice from St. Carlo Acutis—a 160-page interview with his parents that distills Carlo’s own “secrets” for holiness, Eucharistic love, and using modern media for good.
Did you know that the Brown Scapular has worked miracles?
A huge neighborhood fire was no match for Our Lady.
Did you know that the Brown Scapular has many miracles associated with it?
Two families survived a huge fire because of their devotion to Mary and her Brown Scapular.
In 1957, a fire erupted in a neighborhood in Westboden, Germany. A whole line of houses caught fire and the flames were spreading rapidly.
Two families who lived together in a household noticed the fire approaching. Without hesitation, these devout families hung a Brown Scapular on the front door of their home.
When the fire reached their house, the structure remained unscathed. Sparks and flames licked the sides of the building, but there was no damage, and the families were safe inside. The house appeared to be fireproof!
Within five hours, all the houses in the area had been devoured by the flames—all but one. The home with the Brown Scapular fastened to the door remained completely intact. Although the Scapular was only made out of fabric, it also remained totally untouched by the fire. It hung from the front door of the home—demonstrating the families’ trust in Our Lady.
Not only has Our Lady rescued her devout children from physical fire, but every day, she rescues them from eternal fire through her Brown Scapular. She promised to bring into heaven anyone who dies while wearing this important sacramental. You can order a beautiful, handmade Brown Scapular today and wear it as a sign of your devotion to Mary.
Which saint’s scarred face became radiant at her death?
The Lily of the Mohawk grew tall amidst the flames of suffering.
It was a challenge to write this article.
What can we say about this extraordinary saint that has not already been said? How do we go beyond just listing facts? How do we go deeper into her unique heroism, shrouded as it is in both the mists of time and the sheer legendary-ness of her story—taken, it seems, from the books of the most daring tales of early America?
Danger, immense suffering and deprivation, fortitude, courage, heroism—the life of St. Kateri Tekakwitha has everything you want in an American story. This girl’s capacity to endure is the stuff of legends, except that the legend is true.
Tekakwitha, daughter of a Mohawk chief, was born near the present location of Auriesville, New York. It was here that St. Isaac Jogues and his companions were martyred for the Faith not long before. The witness of her Christian Algonquin mother was most likely her first encounter with the Faith.
Her life was hard from the start. A smallpox epidemic took the lives of her parents and brother when she was a child, and left her own face scarred and her eyesight impaired.
She learned more about the Faith from Jesuit missionaries who had an uneasy presence in her village—the village leaders weren’t thrilled about them being there, but had to accommodate them due to a treaty requirement with the French.
The young Tekakwitha was inspired to become a Christian. She was filled with a desire to dedicate her life to God, and refused a marriage that was arranged for her, much to the consternation of her tribe.
She was baptized with the name Kateri—the Mohawk version of Catherine—around the age of eighteen. The difficulties with her family and village only continued, and she was subjected to persecution and scorn for her beliefs.
On the advice of a priest, she decided to leave for a place where she could live her faith in peace.
The destination: Kahnawake, a Native Catholic village near Montréal, Canada. It was 200 miles away.
Here, she at last was able to live freely among other Native Catholics. She made a vow of virginity and spent peaceful hours in prayer and works of charity. She had a stunning capacity for penance and took many sacrifices upon herself for the love of God.
She only lived a few years in her new community before moving on to eternal life at the age of twenty-four. At her death, witnesses say her scarred face became clear and lovely, and shone with a supernatural radiance.
Perhaps her story is hard to write because it simply speaks for itself. St. Kateri, Lily of the Mohawk, pray for us!
St. Kateri Tekakwitha is the patron saint of ecology, reminding us that every tree and trail is a cathedral of God’s glory. Help the next generation share her wonder with God Made That: A Catholic Nature Field Guide—a joyful guide that weaves fascinating nature facts with prayers and saintly wisdom.
What religious order had their rule dictated by Christ Himself?
Meet the Bridgettines, who live by a rule written by Christ.
Martin Luther nicknamed St. Bridget of Sweden “that crazy Bridget.” Sadly, King Henry VIII, Martin Luther, and the other forces of the Protestant Reformation suppressed and destroyed most of the Bridgettine religious houses in Europe.
While this is a sad event for any religious order, it is particularly tragic considering that the Bridgettines are incredibly special in one way: Christ wrote their religious rule.
The Bridgettines, also known as the Order of the Most Holy Savior, were formed by St. Bridget of Sweden, a mystic whose visions revealed much about purgatory and Our Lord’s Passion.
St. Bridget’s life is unusual in many ways. Although she would later become a nun and found her own order, St. Bridget was also a wife and the mother of eight children. When her children were grown and her husband passed away, she was given permission to enter religious life.
St. Bridget received many visions throughout her life. Her suffering united her closely to Our Lord. In this intimate friendship, Our Lord revealed much about His own suffering to St. Bridget and helped with her order by dictating the rule to her verbatim.
This rule includes directions for the Bridgettines to be deeply devoted to Christ’s suffering. The motto of the Bridgettines is Amor Meus Crucifixus Est (My Love is Crucified).
St. Bridget’s revelations, particularly about the Passion of Christ, can help ignite a new devotion in your heart to our crucified Lord. Add to your Catholic library and immerse yourself in the words of Christ by reading The Revelations of St. Bridget.
The prisoner-guard who became a guardian of the Faith
Who are Augustine Zhao Rong and his 119 companions?
Zhao Rong leaned on his musket and contemplated the prisoner before him.
He was an old hand in the military. After all, a man saw a lot of action in 10 years, especially on the prisoner-escort detail. He had thought that nothing would surprise him anymore, that he had seen it all. Now he began to wonder…had he?
No. Definitely not. The foreign priest huddled on the ground shattered all his experience of prisoners and their typical behavior. Fear he had seen, yes, and despair, anger, hatred, cowardice. But serenity? Courage? Gentleness? Even gratitude?
How on earth did the foreigner remain calm on this march to Beijing, where exile was the kindest fate that could await him? Zhao Rong could not resist asking. Soon, he and his prisoner conversed frequently and freely.
He learned of a God-Man called Christ. He learned of sin and suffering and salvation. He learned about sacraments, and a wondrous thing called the Eucharist. He learned that a desire for these things had gnawed at him all his life. Towards the end of the march to Beijing, he asked for baptism.
The rest, as they say, is history. After his baptism into the Catholic Faith, Augustine Zhao Rong entered seminary. He was ordained five years later, in 1790, and spent nearly 30 years guarding his flock before his martyrdom in 1815.
In 2000, he was canonized along with 119 fellow martyrs, both native Chinese and foreign missionaries. They are among the brightest gems in the Church—these men and women who bore witness to the Truth with courage, sweetness, and charity.
Like Zhao Rong, every boy is on a journey toward truth and courage.
God’s Wisdom for Boys equips young hearts with the strength, virtue, and faith needed to follow that path—just as Zhao Rong did when he chose Christ against all odds.
Help the boys in your life grow into men who walk in wisdom and stand firm in grace.
What is the Litany of Humility?
Learn this beautifully challenging tool for holiness.
Sometimes considered “the most difficult prayer,” the Litany of Humility has a powerful way of piercing one’s heart. Like other litanies, the Litany of Humility is a simple series of pleas for intercession. In this particular prayer, we beg Our Lord to grant us radical humility, no matter how difficult that may be.
And it is indeed difficult. Throughout the Litany of Humility, one finds oneself actively asking to be placed in situations the rest of the world would avoid. One asks to go unnoticed, to be set aside, to be decreased, humiliated, suspected, wronged, and even forgotten…
While these instances may seem undesirable, the humility necessary to embrace the discomfort of these situations is transformative. By actively choosing to forego the false glories of our culture, we free ourselves to choose the true glory found in following the will of God. The simple repetition within the Litany of Humility helps us to recall the Lord’s urgent reminder in the Gospel of Matthew: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
This beautifully challenging prayer is often credited to Cardinal Merry del Val, Pope Pius X’s Secretary of State. The Cardinal was said to have prayed the Litany of Humility every day after Mass.
The Litany of Humility
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, deliver me, Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I go unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
Holiness requires humility. Let us follow Cardinal del Val’s example and implore God for the graces necessary to grow in true humility. Keep a copy of this necessary prayer—along with many other beloved Catholic devotions—near at hand with the beautiful Pieta Prayer Book!
Which child-saint had the fortitude of an adult?
Where did Maria Goretti get the strength of a martyr?
The story of Maria Goretti leaves a deep impression in the hearts of those who hear it. We are all astonished at the fortitude of the 11-year-old saint who accepted death rather than give in to sin.
We all wonder: how did such a young girl master this difficult virtue?
The answer lies in Maria’s deep spiritual life, a life which was nurtured—rather than crushed—by the extreme poverty and deprivation of her earthly life.
Maria was nine years old when her father died. This forced Signora Goretti to work, so Maria took over the upbringing of her five younger siblings, her family’s household chores, and the chores of the Serenellis, with whom the Gorettis lived.
With all this work for the child to accomplish daily, one might think that Maria wouldn’t have had time for anything else. Maria, however, found time every day for silence and prayer.
She had been confirmed at age six and her greatest desire was to receive Our Lord in the Eucharist (a desire fulfilled the year before her death). She walked to Mass every Sunday, although the church was far away. She prayed the Rosary for her father’s repose every night.
Through her deep prayer life and profound love for Our Lord, Maria quickly acquired the heroic virtues which marked her final agony and death.
St. Maria Goretti shows that sanctity isn’t about age but about courage. Help the young Catholics you love find that same courage with The Daily Companion for Young Catholics.
Each bite-sized reflection delivers a clear reminder of Jesus’ love and a practical nudge to live it amid homework, screens, and soccer practice—turning ordinary days into stepping-stones toward sainthood.
Why is July the Month of the Precious Blood?
This monthly devotional stems from a pope’s response to revolution.
Italy was in political turmoil for the first half of the 19th century. At that time, Austria ruled over some parts of Italy, and Italian revolutionaries were trying to throw off that rule. Petty skirmishes eventually led to a declaration of war on Austria in 1848—and the Holy Father was caught in the middle.
Early in his pontificate, Blessed Pope Pius IX had extended political pardon to Italian revolutionaries who were exiled or imprisoned. His liberality, however, was greeted with demands to make further political concessions to the revolutionaries.
Finally, revolutionaries attacked the pope’s rule in the Vatican State itself. Some of the pope’s ministers were even murdered.
By 1848, Pius IX found himself besieged in his own papal palace because he refused to sanction the war on Catholic Austria. Foreign ambassadors staying with the pope helped him disguise himself and flee the Vatican. He went to Gaeta, accompanied by a superior general of the Fathers of the Precious Blood.
Inspired by the superior general, Pius IX decided to institute an official feast for the Most Precious Blood, praying for the end of the war and bloodshed in Italy.
Soon after he announced this decision—at the end of June, 1849—the war subsided. The first Sunday of July was set aside for the Most Precious Blood, and later Pope St. Pius X fixed the feast on July 1st. (In the current calendar, this feast is no longer fixed, but is a moveable votive Mass.)
Where is St. Thomas the Apostle buried?
What happened to the Apostle whose feast we celebrate today?
According to legend, the Apostles drew lots to determine who would travel to which part of the known world. The lot of India and the East fell to Thomas.
Thomas slowly made his way eastward from Jerusalem, preaching, baptizing, and confirming.
Eventually, he reached the area now called Mylapore, India. He remained there for some years. His work among the people grew steadily.
Finally, the ruler of the area had a common reaction to the Apostle’s success: uneasiness, alarm, and finally acute fear. The ruler decided that Thomas must be eliminated and sent men to kill him.
Thomas was martyred on a high hill near Madras (now Chennai). The Catholics of the area secured his body and buried it. Since then, the site of his grave has been preserved in their tradition, memory, and reverence.
The Chennai Catholics built a church over Thomas’s tomb. The church was rebuilt a few times, and the current basilica was built by the British in the 19th century.
Whether going on the long pilgrimage to St. Thomas’s tomb or just taking a quick trip, we all need dependable travel accessories. Our Miraculous Medal Travel Set—luggage tag, passport cover, and compact jewelry case—is the perfect gift for the traveler in your life. Get your set today at The Catholic Company!
The famous American hero you’ve never heard of…
Devout Catholic father of seven, Prisoner of War, Navy Commander, naval pilot, U.S. Senator.
July 18th, 1965. South China Sea near North Vietnam. Heat wavering in the air on the flightdeck.
Captain Jeremiah Denton strapped himself into his plane and took off, leading an air strike into Vietnam.
He never returned to that ship.
Shot out of the air, Jeremiah crash-landed in the Mã River and was immediately captured by the North Vietnamese. The next eight years, he said, were “hell in session.”
Denton with his A-6 Intruder
Horrifically tortured, starved, psychologically manipulated, and subjected to long periods of solitary confinement, Jeremiah astounded and enraged his captors by his strength.
They could not break him. They could not stop his influence on the other POWs.
When they tidied him up and put him on TV for an interview to convince the USA that they were treating POWs well, Denton—at the risk of his life—managed to blink (in Morse code) the word “TORTURE” at the same time he was answering their innocuous questions. And American authorities learned that things were truly bad for their imprisoned men.
The North Vietnamese simply could not control Denton.
Nor could they figure him out. What sustained Jeremiah against all their abusive tactics?
In a 1974 interview, Jeremiah related a profound spiritual experience which occurred during one of his torture sessions, saying:
“I was once in a rig which was inducing considerable pain, and I finally just said words to the effect of, ‘God, you’ve got it, I can’t take it anymore. I can’t handle it. I’m just putting it entirely in Your Hands.’ And from the instant I phrased that, I can tell you that I felt absolutely no pain, in fact I felt the greatest sense of comfort, not only physical comfort but psychological warmth and comfort, that I have ever felt in my life before or since.”
This was the boundless source of Jeremiah’s strength: his faith in Christ.
Through those eight interminable years of hellish imprisonment, Jeremiah’s faith grew stronger. His belief in God and country were unshakeable. Finally, he returned home in 1973 when the United States left the Vietnam War and negotiated the release of all American POWs. After retirement he spent a term in the Senate, defending the family and national security against the attacks of the culture. He remained active on several college and foundation boards until his death in 2014.
Combine faith and patriotism as Jeremiah did when you clip on the St. Michael America Brave Beads Tenner. Fashioned in red, white, and blue, this rosary decade reminds us of the blood, sweat, and sacrifice of those who protect our country.
What do the symbols on the St. Benedict Medal mean?
And how do the provide powerful spiritual protection?
Many Catholics proudly wear the St. Benedict Medal. It is a sacramental containing many symbols and prayers that can remind us to hold fast against temptation.
During his life, Benedict was known to work many miracles through the power of the Holy Cross. These included his heroic conquering of temptations and his miraculous vanquishing of attempts to kill him. By making the Sign of the Cross over a glass of wine that had been poisoned, for example, the glass shattered and he was spared from drinking it.
These miracles, and his devotion to Christ’s Cross, led to the creation of the St. Benedict Medal. It was a Jubilee medal first struck in 1880 by the Archabbey of Monte Cassino to commemorate the 14th centenary of St. Benedict’s birth.
On the front of the medal, St. Benedict can be seen holding a cross in his right hand and the Rule he wrote for his monks in his left.
To the right there is an image of the poisoned cup which he was once given.
On the other side of Benedict, a raven can be seen. This is because an enemy once sent him poisoned bread; God sent a raven to take the loaf and fly off with it, thereby protecting Benedict from harm.
The letters on the medal contain either whole phrases in Latin or the first letter of each word in these phrases. What do they mean in English?
Front of the Medal:
Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti
Cross of the Holy Father Benedict
Eius in obitu nostro praesentia muniamur
May we at our death be fortified by his presence
Back of the Medal:
Pax
Peace
On the cross in the center:
C.S.S.M.L.—N.D.S.M.D.
Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux
Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux
The Holy Cross be my light
Let not the dragon be my guide
Circled letters at each corner of the cross:
C.S.P.B.
Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti
Cross of the Holy Father Benedict
Initials around the perimeter:
V.R.S.N.S.M.V.—S.M.Q.L.I.V.B.
Vade Retro Satana, Nunquam Suade Mihi Vana
Sunt Mala Quae Libas, Ipse Venena Bibas
Begone Satan! Never tempt me with your vanities!
What you offer me is evil. Drink the poison yourself!
This is a medal that tells Satan to go back to hell where he belongs.
Let St. Benedict fight your spiritual battles with a St. Benedict medal! His protection is powerful and important for your home and family.
Wrap that protection around your wrist and it will be with you always!
Why are Saints Peter and Paul celebrated on the same day?
Why not Peter and John? Or Paul and Barnabas?
Today is the great Solemnity of St. Peter and St. Paul. In some places, such as Great Britain, this day is so revered that it is a Holy Day of Obligation!
But why do we celebrate these two apostles on the same day? After all, they didn’t spend much time together. Peter focused on evangelizing the Jews, while Paul traveled all over the Mediterranean converting the Gentiles.
The answer: we celebrate these two together because they are, in different ways, the foundational pillars of the Church.
Peter was the first pope, the prince and head of the Apostles, the rock upon which Christ founded His Church. He was the first in an unbroken line of popes who have guided the Church ever since and will do so till the end of time.
Paul was the great Apostle of the Gentiles, whose missionary labors were integral to the early spread of the Faith. He also wrote a huge chunk of the New Testament, authoring fourteen Epistles that are critical sources for Catholic doctrine.
Both were martyred in Rome, the capital city of the Church, only a short time apart. Their blood consecrated the Eternal City as she began her new role as the center of Christendom. There, towering statues of each of them flank either side of the mighty St. Peter’s Basilica, where the bones of Peter rest beneath the high altar.
So, it makes sense that we should have a joint celebration of these two lions of the Faith, doesn’t it? The tradition of celebrating them together goes back, in fact, to the very early centuries of the Church.
Our Church may be built upon Sts. Peter and Paul but we understand that a good day is built on a good cup of coffee. Why not combine both! With our St. Peter Parish Roast, you can! The St. Peter Parish Roast is smooth, balanced, and perfect for all tastes.
What is the devotion to the Holy Face?
Loving Jesus’ Holy Face can atone for grave sins.
During Our Lord’s Passion, His Face was ravaged by the blows and spit of the guards, soldiers, and crowds.
Today, every blasphemy is a spiritual injury to His Holy Face.
In the mid-19th century, Our Lord appeared to a Carmelite nun and spoke to her of the sins—in particular, the sins of blasphemy, atheism, communism, and profanation of Sundays, especially by Christians—which continually wound Him. He told her that His great mercy holds back His justice from immediately punishing those who offend Him in this way, and requested that devotion to His Holy Face be promulgated.
The devotion was accompanied by the prayer known as “the Golden Arrow,” and would strike Our Lord’s Heart with welcome veneration and reparation. Those devoted to the Holy Face would console Our Lord and repair the injuries done to His Face.
The Carmelite sister who received these apparitions died very young, but her efforts to promote the devotion were carried on by a zealous and holy Frenchman: M. Leo Dupont. M. Dupont kept an image of the Holy Face in his house, and hundreds of miracles were wrought there through this devotion.
Finally, Pope Leo XIII established the Archconfraternity of the Holy Face, as Our Lord had requested, in 1885. The feast of the Holy Face was later set on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday.
Now, more than ever, our world needs reparation for the constant wounds inflicted on the Heart of Christ.
Joan of Arc prayed in a chapel in Wisconsin?!
Did you know that the stone St. Joan of Arc knelt on to pray is located in the heart of the United States?
A beloved Church treasure can be found in the middle of the United States of America.
The St. Joan of Arc Chapel is at the center of Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This chapel was first constructed in the fifteenth century in the Rhone Valley near Lyon, France.
In the 1920s, Gertrude Hill Gavin, whose father was a wealthy railroad industrialist, obtained the chapel and had the structure dismantled and shipped to her family’s estate on Long Island. She renamed the chapel after St. Joan of Arc to honor her devotion to the saint.
Gertrude Hill Gavin later sold the chapel and her French Renaissance château to Marc Rojtman. Fire ravaged the chateau but the chapel survived, so the Rojtmans offered the structure to Marquette University.
What makes this chapel so unique is that it contains the “Joan of Arc Stone,” brought by Gertrude to the USA from France. According to a sign at the chapel’s original site in France, St. Joan may have visited the original chapel in 1429 after she met King Charles VII. According to Marquette University, legend says that she stood on this flat stone in front of a statue of the Virgin Mother to pray for success in battle. Then she knelt down and kissed the stone. Since that time, the stone has always felt cooler to the touch than the stones around it.
The St. Joan of Arc Chapel now serves as a place of peace and solitude in the midst of suffering and sorrow.
Just as St. Joan of Arc prayed and fought for her country’s freedom, we are also called to pray for our own country!
Which martyr died sheltering a priest?
Would you trade places with a priest whose life was in danger?
Bang bang bang!
Alban leaped to his feet. It was late at night, and he had just been finishing his prayers to the gods. The sudden noise got him off his knees in an instant.
Who could be at the door at this hour, in the pouring summer rains of Roman Britannia, an inhospitable place at any time of year?
Alban strapped his sword on, just in case. Then he pulled a torch off the wall and—slowly and cautiously—opened the door.
There, in a heap on the step, wet and exhausted, was a man. He looked harmless.
“Who are you?” Alban said, feeling no threat from the stranger, but mistrustful nonetheless.
The man looked up at him, his eyes sharply reflecting the flickering light of the torch.
“I am a priest of the one God,” he said. “I am a Christian.”
Alban stiffened. He’d heard of these Christians but had never met one, and knew they weren’t well-liked among the local Roman powers-that-be. Some had even been killed.
“I am pursued by the agents of the governor,” the priest went on. “I will not stay here long. Only enough time to recover and I will leave you in peace.”
A stained-glass depiction of St. Alban at a church in Yorkshire
(photo credit: Dave Webster/CC BY 2.0)
Alban didn’t pay much attention to the last part. He had already begun ushering the stranger inside. He took the priest’s walking staff and wet cloak and threw another log on the fire.
“You are welcome here,” said Alban. “Sit, I will prepare you something hot. Now, please tell me…” He paused a moment, a little surprised at his own curiosity. “Please tell me about your God.”
The rest is history. Alban—a pagan from the area of Roman Britain now known as St. Albans, north of London—was converted in the following days by the words and example of that Christian priest.
But the priest’s pursuers caught up to him eventually. When it became clear what was about to happen, the newly-baptized Alban clothed himself in the cloak of the priest and offered himself up in his place. He was brought before the authorities and scourged, but refused to give up his new faith and was sentenced to death.
They say that when Alban was marched to the place of execution, he stopped the waters of an impeding river so that they could cross. They also say that a fountain of water sprang up on the hillside where he was beheaded. He was the very first martyr of Great Britain, killed for his faith in the 3rd or 4th century A.D.
The legends of St. Alban’s life come to us mostly from the work of St. Bede the Venerable in the 8th century, but he has been revered in England since the 5th. He is one of the great patrons of that country which—we hope and pray—will soon return to her ancient faith.
The old country sure has given us some great saints and scholars, hasn’t she? We’ve encapsulated some timeless British wisdom in our Holy Spirits Coasters, which feature memorable lines from some of England’s most famous sons: Shakespeare, J.R.R. Tolkien, G.K. Chesterton, and Hilaire Belloc (well, Belloc was sort of French, but we won’t hold that against him).
What is the earliest depiction of Mary?
The earliest depiction of Our Lady reminds us that she is always with us.
In the quiet hush of a second-century Roman catacomb—just a short descent beneath the bustling city streets—lies a wall painting that may hold a singular honor: the earliest known depiction of the Virgin Mary.
It’s not what most imagine when they think of Marian art. There is no halo, no blue mantle, no crown of glory, no angels in flight. Instead, we see a modest woman seated, holding a child close to her chest, possibly breastfeeding him.. Beside her stands a figure—perhaps the prophet Balaam—pointing upward toward a star.
Why did they paint Our Lady here?
Because she always draws near to the persecuted. And the Christians of this time (c. 230–240 A.D.) were indeed persecuted—Christianity was still illegal in the Roman Empire.
These early believers could not gather publicly for worship. Instead, they bravely celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in these underground catacombs. In the absence of public churches, the very walls became their homilies.
And in the dim light of flickering oil lamps, they found consolation in Our Lady. They dared to paint her image—simple, tender, and deeply reverent—as a sign of comfort and hope for others who would come after them.
Even then, in the earliest days of Christianity and amidst raging persecution, the Church held Mary close.
Beneath her image is her earliest known title. Here, she is not yet Queen, Advocate, or Star of the Sea. She is simply Mother—of Christ, and by extension, of the Church.
Honor her beautiful titles, ancient and new.
Did the Spanish Inquisition really kill thousands of unbelievers?
…or is this widespread “fact” just a “Black Legend”?St. Benedict is one of the most popular and beloved saints of all time—and the St. Benedict medal is well known as a sacramental for spiritual protection. But do you know why St. Benedict is often called upon for protection?
As a younger man, Benedict was completely disappointed by the immorality and materialism he saw in Rome, where he had gone to study. So he left to become a hermit. While living in the mountains he developed a reputation for his holiness.
Eventually, a community of monks asked him to join them as their abbott. He agreed, and all went well at first. Some of the monks grew jealous of the Saint’s holiness and became bitter toward his strict rules.
The actual numbers of heretics condemned to death by the Spanish Inquisition are actually small, even considering the fact that the Spanish Inquisition was a state institution, rather than a Church institution, and was at times abused by the monarchs (and excoriated by the Holy See for politicized sentences).
Furthermore, the Spanish Inquisition—reputed to be so severe—actually only condemned 1.8% of the accused to death in 130,000 heresy trials between 1478 and 1834 (that’s 356 years!) according to the meticulously-researched book Vatican Secret Archives: Unknown Pages of Church History.
Another 1.7% were sentenced “in absentia” (the whereabouts of the accused being unknown, an effigy was burned in their place). But most of the defendants were acquitted or given punishments—most of which were spiritual—such as a penance or pilgrimage.
Vatican Secret Archives also notes that the Portuguese (whose Inquisition was actually more severe than Spain’s) received no such treatment in the press. The reason was that they were allies of the propagandists.
So: don’t believe everything you read on the internet. In Seven Lies about Catholic History, Diane Moczar tackles the most infamous and prevalent historical myths about the Church — popular legends that you encounter everywhere from textbooks to T.V. — and reveals the real truth about them. She explains how they got started and why they’re still around.
Husbands, fathers, saints…
As we approach Father’s Day, let’s meet some saintly dads!
When we look at the lives of canonized fathers, we see that they all display fortitude in principles, fervor in faith, reliance on God’s strength, and devotion to their family’s spiritual growth. Today, let’s focus on three fathers:
Bl. Luigi Beltrame Quattrocchi: Born 1880, died 1951. He was brought up by his uncle and aunt, as they were childless.
Luigi’s house was always open to beggars and, during the World Wars, to refugees. He and his wife consecrated their family to the Sacred Heart and prayed the Rosary daily with their four children. Additionally, they kept a family Holy Hour on First Fridays, attended retreats, and continually studied their Faith.
Inspired by this example, three of Luigi’s children entered religious life; the remaining daughter became a consecrated virgin.
St. Thomas More: Born 1478, died 1535. His last words, “I die the king’s good servant, and God’s first” summarize his whole life.
Initially attracted to religious life, Thomas instead married and had four children. He imparted to his children the rich classical education he himself had received and passed on to them his fervent love of God. Before his contrived execution for treason, Thomas ensured—from his prison cell—that all his family could safely escape the country.
St. Stephen I of Hungary: Born 975, died 1038. A child-convert from paganism, he is known as the first king of Hungary.
As chief of the Magyars, his objective was to weld the migratory group into a solid nation. He accomplished this through various measures, primarily through his support and promotion of the Catholic Faith. He was crowned king in 1001. He instilled his own deep faith in his son, urging him to remain a devout Catholic king above all else and to protect the growth of the young Church in Hungary. This son is also a saint.
Who first called the Church “Catholic”?
The term dates all the way back to 107 A.D.!
If you’ve ever wondered where the word Catholic came from, you’re not alone. Many Christians today use the term, but few know its origins—or how early it was used to describe Christ’s one, true Church.
The first recorded use of Catholic to describe the Church comes from St. Ignatius of Antioch, a bishop, martyr, and disciple of the Apostle John. Around the year 107 A.D., while being transported to Rome for execution, St. Ignatius wrote several letters to Christian communities. In his letter to the Smyrnaeans, he wrote:
“Wherever the bishop appears, there let the people be; as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.”
This was just a few decades after the death of the last Apostle. The early Christians didn’t invent new denominations or start separate churches—they were part of one, visible, united Church, led by bishops and rooted in the teachings of the Apostles.
The word catholic itself comes from the Greek katholikos, meaning “universal” or “according to the whole.” From the beginning, this Church wasn’t local or tribal—it was for everyone, everywhere, offering the fullness of truth handed down by Christ Himself.
St. Ignatius’ use of the word shows us something powerful: from the earliest days, the Church understood itself as one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. That’s not just a line in the Creed—it’s a historical reality.
So the next time you say you’re Catholic, remember: you’re part of a Church that’s been called by that name since the first century—a Church founded by Christ, spread by the Apostles, and still proclaiming the truth to the whole world.
What is the secret message hidden in Our Lady of Guadalupe’s mantle?
Today, let’s take a minute to remark on one of the most powerful titles of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Unborn.
Our Lady of Guadalupe is universally recognizable. Her beautiful praying posture, starry jade mantle, and dazzling sun rays can be seen in many unlikely places.
However, many do not know that Our Lady of Guadalupe is widely recognized as the Patroness of the Unborn.
Why? Because from her first appearance until now, Our Lady of Guadalupe’s image has communicated symbols of life, motherhood, and divine care.
The Virgin is depicted wearing a black maternity sash, a traditional Aztec symbol of pregnancy, with a four-petaled flower over her womb. In Aztec culture, this flower represents the cosmos and is associated with the highest divinity—and so it shows her to be the Mother of the true Creator of the cosmos.
She stands atop a crescent moon, which signifies her victory over darkness. Rays of light emanate around her that underscore her role both as the conqueror of the old Aztec gods and as the Mother of the one, life-giving God.
This week, we need the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe more than ever! In the United States, in addition to welcoming a new administration, it is also the week of the annual March for Life.
Let us ask Our Lady of Guadalupe for her intercession on these events. May her maternal love guide this new administration and our country to a deeper recognition of the dignity of life, from conception to natural death. Her message, as relevant now as it was nearly 500 years ago, invites us to see the image of God in every person, from conception onward.
Did you know that St. Benedict was nearly poisoned twice?
St. Benedict is a powerful protector against Satan. Do you know why?
St. Benedict is one of the most popular and beloved saints of all time—and the St. Benedict medal is well known as a sacramental for spiritual protection. But do you know why St. Benedict is often called upon for protection?
As a younger man, Benedict was completely disappointed by the immorality and materialism he saw in Rome, where he had gone to study. So he left to become a hermit. While living in the mountains he developed a reputation for his holiness.
Eventually, a community of monks asked him to join them as their abbott. He agreed, and all went well at first. Some of the monks grew jealous of the Saint’s holiness and became bitter toward his strict rules.
They decided to get rid of him by poisoning his wine. But St. Benedict prayed a blessing over his poisoned cup—and it instantly shattered.
On another occasion, a jealous priest tried to kill him with poisoned bread. St. Benedict again prayed over his meal and a raven swooped down and took the bread from him before he could eat it. Because of these two legends, St. Benedict is often pictured in sacred art with a chipped chalice or a raven with a piece of bread in its mouth.
St. Benedict is a powerful and protective intercessor! Just as he protected himself and his abbey from threats, with this St. Benedict Door Hanger he will help protect your own home all while evangelizing to anyone who enters!
St. Norbert’s Unexpected Ordination
How the city of Magdeburg, Germany was turned upside down by one man’s sainthood.
In the year 1126, the city of Magdeburg, Germany, was adrift.
It’s politics were corrupt and it’s people discouraged. When the beloved yet cautious Bishop passed away, the canons of Magdeburg looked for someone saintly—yet safe. They didn’t want someone with the Church challenging their power.
They chose a humble man named Norbert, thinking he would be too gentle to challenge their power. What they didn’t realize was that they had just invited a thunderstorm into their cathedral. Norbert was holy and gentle, yes, but he was willing to be filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit.
Norbert, already known for radical poverty, initially dreaded the nomination. He had no interest in politics or prestige—his heart burned solely for the reform of the Church and the salvation of souls. But Pope Honorius II insisted, and Norbert obediently accepted.
Upon entering the city, he walked barefoot through the muddy streets, a white-robed Premonstratensian among richly dressed priests.
He purged the cathedral treasury of its luxuries, replacing golden vestments with simple cloth, and reformed the liturgy to reflect the reverence of the early Church. When priests resisted, he reminded them they had chosen him. “Did you not call me a saint?” he asked. “Then allow me to act like one.”
Norbert would go on to face assassination attempts, exile, and even imperial intervention—but he never backed down from preaching truth or embracing poverty.
His story reminds us: true peace doesn’t come from comfort or power, but from union with God’s will—no matter how disruptive that may seem.
Looking to cultivate that same interior peace in your own life? Take a moment each day with Peace of Soul by Venerable Fulton Sheen—a spiritual classic that helps you face the storms of life with clarity, confidence, and calm.
What are the 12 promises of the Sacred Heart?
Let’s remind ourselves of these beautiful graces!
You’ve probably read them before, but—during this month of the Sacred Heart—let’s review the magnificent promises of Our Lord to those devoted to His Heart!
Revealed to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century, these promises show us in no uncertain terms just how much Our Lord desires that we devote ourselves to His loving Heart.
For those who do, He promised:
1. I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
2. I will establish peace in their homes.
3. I will comfort them in all their afflictions.
4. I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.
5. I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
6. Sinners will find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
9. I will bless every place in which an image of my Heart is exposed and honored.
10. I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
11. Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart.
12. I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays in nine consecutive months the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in my disgrace, nor without receiving their sacraments. My divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.
The twelfth promise refers to the First Friday devotion—a very easy way to insert devotion to the Sacred Heart into our monthly routines. All we have to do is receive Holy Communion on nine consecutive First Fridays (ensuring we go to Confession beforehand if we are not in a state of grace), offering these Communions in reparation for the sins committed against the Sacred Heart.
There are many other additional, daily ways to place ourselves in the Heart of Christ. A simple thought of love and affection means so much to Him. “Jesus, I trust in You!” or “Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!” are other little prayers we can offer to more firmly bind ourselves to this Heart that loves us so much.
Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus with this beautifully detailed 5×7 image in a classic gold frame. A timeless expression of love and mercy, it’s perfect for prayer spaces, home altars, or as a meaningful gift.
What did Joan of Arc mean when she said, “I am not afraid…I was born to do this”?
The context of her words reveals a far deeper meaning than, perhaps, we might suppose.
Joan of Arc’s famous quote is cherished by Catholics and non-Catholics alike. While she did say something like this, it is important to understand the context of her original words in order to grasp the deep spiritual meaning behind them.
On impact, Joan’s quote makes her sound like a believer in self-aggrandizing personal empowerment.
But if we take a look at what she said and why she said it, a much different meaning emerges.
Joan was just about to start her mission of saving France from the English. With a tiny escort of three men, she prepared to ride from Vaucouleurs to Chinon where she would meet the Dauphin. Her perilous route lay through English-watched territory.
Before she set out, a woman approached her and cried, “How can you make such a journey when on all sides are soldiers?”
“I do not fear the soldiers, for my road is made open to me,” Joan instantly replied. “And if the soldiers come, I have God, my Lord, who will know how to clear the route that leads to my lord the Dauphin. It was for this that I was born!”
“I have God, my Lord.” Joan was not boasting about her own bravery or empowerment—quite the opposite! She was humbly expressing her total confidence in God.
She knew that she—an illiterate peasant girl—could not protect herself, let alone save her country. God watched over and guided her, and that is why she had nothing to fear. He had entrusted her with the mission of saving France, and He would enable her to carry it out.
This complete trust in God marked the whole of Joan’s life, military action, and infamous trials. She didn’t rely on power, status, or even personal confidence—only on the certainty that God had called her and would provide the strength she needed.
That kind of courage never goes out of style.
Honor the faith and fearlessness of St. Joan with this bold t-shirt featuring her words: “I am not afraid; I was born to do this.” It’s a simple, striking way to witness to your own trust in God’s purpose—whether you’re facing a battle of your own or just trying to live faithfully day by day.
A modern day Eucharistic miracle in a time of turmoil
It happened on a summer night in a tiny town in Bavaria, West Germany, in 1970. Actually, it happened twice.
The pastor serving the town of Stich was sick. He couldn’t offer Mass for the people, so a visiting Swiss priest assisted him and offered Mass at 8 PM on Tuesday, June 9, 1970.
But something unusual happened after the Consecration. The priest noticed a red spot on the corporal next to the chalice, a spot that grew to the size of a coin.
At the elevation of the chalice, another spot appeared in the place where the chalice had stood. The priest ensured that the chalice was not leaking, and after Mass, he examined the corporal and the cloths underneath it. No cause could be found for the appearance of the spots.
The stained cloths were sent to the Polyclinical Institute of the University of Zurich for analysis. The examiners, who had been told nothing of the origin of the stains, concluded that the stains were caused by human blood, and according to the letter written to the priests informing them of the results:
…the director of the clinical laboratory said that in his considered judgment the blood was most certainly that of a man in agony.
Five weeks later, at 8 o’clock in the evening on Tuesday, July 14th, the Swiss priest was scheduled to celebrate another Mass in Stich. He carefully examined the altar stone, the altar cloths, the corporal and the chalice prior to Mass and made sure they were completely clean and undamaged. Shortly after the Consecration, the red spots appeared again on the corporal. The priest invited the congregation to inspect the stains after Mass, and they later testified to what they saw. The cloths were again sent for analysis, this time to the District Hospital of Cercee, and again, the scientists concluded that they were caused by human blood.
The 60s and 70s were a time of tremendous upheaval in the world, and in Germany, the Iron Curtain had divided the country in two since the end of World War II. At such times it is easy for us to sideline our faith and allow the events of the world to take priority in our minds. But on two nights, in an insignificant town in a place far from the newspaper headlines, Our Lord sent a miraculous reminder that—no matter how tumultuous the world becomes—He is the center of everything and His Presence is real.
Eucharistic miracles are a powerful way of fortifying our faith and devotion to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Bring the power of the Blessed Sacrament into your home with this Blessed Sacrament Candle! When you can’t get to Adoration, light this candle to remind yourself of the beauty of the Blessed Sacrament, especially when exposed in Adoration.
Which saint is portrayed with a thorn wound in her head?
This saint for hopeless causes bore a unique stigmata.
From a young age, Rita embodied the virtues of obedience, patience, forgiveness, and hope. She lived in 15th-century Italy—the time immortalized by Romeo and Juliet, when noble families were embroiled in wars and vendettas against each other.
Rita wished to become a nun, but in obedience to her parents, married a man from one of Italy’s noble families. Her husband was not a man of faith and treated her harshly, but she practiced such sweetness and deference to him that he eventually grew kinder.
After his death—as well as the deaths of their two sons—Rita asked to enter the Augustinian monastery nearby. At first, she was denied entrance, but when she was miraculously transported into the enclosure one night, the Augustinians quickly welcomed her into the novitiate. It was clear that God wanted her to be consecrated to Him!
Rita’s close relationship with God deepened still further in her monastic life. She frequently meditated on the Passion of Christ and was granted visions and ecstasies while she prayed.
During one of these ecstasies, Rita received the stigmata. The holy wound appeared in the form of the Crown of Thorns. Unlike the stigmatas of other saints, Rita’s was accompanied by a horrible smell—a true humiliation. In order to spare her sisters from the smell, Rita became a hermit.
For the rest of her life, Rita lived in solitude, enduring her stigmata and growing ever closer to God. After her death in 1457, her stigmata’s stench vanished and was replaced with a sweet aroma.
St. Rita faced many thwarted dreams and hopeless circumstances throughout her life, but her unshakeable faith in God helped her overcome every situation. Now, she’s eager to help all of us in every impossible cause. Ask her for her intercession with our St. Rita Impossible Causes Decade Rosary.
Where was the first Marian apparition?
Did you know that the first Marian apparition occurred even before the Blessed Mother was assumed into Heaven?
Around 40 A.D., Mary is believed to have appeared to the Apostle James the Greater in modern-day Zaragoza, Spain. The Blessed Mother was standing on a pillar of jasper, helped by two angels, an apparition that led to the devotion to Our Lady of the Pillar.
According to tradition, at the time, St. James was evangelizing to the Romans in modern-day Spain and was encountering great struggles and discouragement. While he was praying by a river, Mary bilocated from Jerusalem to bring St. James encouragement and consolation.
Today, the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar is located at the site of the apparition in Zaragoza, Spain. This cathedral was the first church dedicated to Mary in Church history.
The basilica contains majestic artwork; the main attraction is the wooden statue of Our Lady, standing on a jasper column. Many well-known Church figures and leaders have visited the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, including St. Teresa of Ávila, St. John of the Cross, and St. Ignatius of Loyola.
May is the month of Mary! Let these last days of May remind you to grow in devotion to our Blessed Mother. Remember that we are not only called to love Our Lady, we are called to imitate her! Imitation of Mary is compiled from the works of Thomas à Kempis and presents an inspiring guide to grow closer to Jesus through reverence for Mary.
What is the “Kitchen Madonna”?
This inspiring depiction of Our Lady will help you sanctify your daily work.
The lovely portrayal of Our Lady known as the Kitchen Madonna is a way to bring both peace and grace to a busy routine.
Wives and mothers give of themselves every day as they care for their families, cook, clean, encourage, support, and love. Our Lady, too, was a wife and mother, and as such she has a special and unique patronage for the women called to these roles.
The Kitchen Madonna shows Our Lady in her role as a housewife. In her hand she holds a simple broom, not merely signifying the cleanliness of rooms and floors, but also the spiritual cleanliness that Our Lady helps us to achieve and maintain.
Placing a Kitchen Madonna in your kitchen or another space in your home will remind you of Our Lady’s presence and assistance as you go about your daily tasks.
This Madonna will also help you remember that every task, offered in a spirit of love and prayer, is a step along the path to holiness. Entrust your work to Our Lady and she will turn it into a continual channel of grace!
A beautifully-designed Kitchen Madonna is available right here at The Catholic Company. This sweet statue shows Our Lady reflectively tending to her home: a poignant image of docility and small things done with great love. It makes the perfect piece for a kitchen or dining area, and is sure to bring a smile to all who gaze on it!
Which little-known missionary was known as “the man with the kind heart”?
A little island in the Pacific was astonished by the virtues of St. Peter Chanel.
Peter was one of those young men who unconsciously brought attention to themselves because of their sincere piety. His parish priest, seeing Peter’s devotion to Our Lord, helped him receive a good education so that he could enter the seminary.
During his school years, Peter read accounts and letters about the missionaries working in the Pacific. His heart beat fast—one day, he hoped to be one of those missionaries, caring for the poor souls out in the Pacific and bringing Christ to them.
He was ordained in 1827 and eagerly joined the Society of Mary four years later—then was assigned to work in a seminary. For five years, Peter obediently taught at the seminary, while his mind roamed the islands of the Pacific. He did not grow discouraged, but remained hopeful of obtaining a mission someday.
At last, in 1836, he was sent to the Pacific islands. His charge was the island of Futuna, to which no missionary had gone before.
The chief—who was also the high priest of the island’s religion—received Peter kindly at first. Peter immediately set to work, caring for the sick and the poor. He loved them unconditionally and demonstrated a greater sweetness, patience, and true goodness than the Futunans had ever dreamed of. That is why they called him “the man with the kind heart.”
Over five years, the people grew to love their holy stranger and eventually to request baptism. Peter was overjoyed—but the chief was not. He felt threatened in his position as high priest. He banned Christianity—and then his own son and daughter sought baptism. This was the last straw.
One night, Peter’s little hut was attacked by the chief’s henchmen. They clubbed the priest to death. Peter received the blows with the same sweetness of temper and perfect resignation. His martyrdom inspired most of the island to embrace the Faith.
We are not all called to be missionaries in foreign lands or undergo physical martyrdom, but we are all called to love and treat others with a Christ-like love, just like St. Peter Chanel!
Remind yourself of this important Christian calling with a framed print of St. John Paul II’s quote: “The ultimate test of your greatness is the way you treat every human being.”
Which saint had angels for coworkers?
How did the most ordinary of men become one of Spain’s most beloved saints?
You don’t have to move mountains to be a saint. You don’t have to write theological works, be a visionary, or found a religious order. You certainly don’t need any kind of worldly standing or lofty profession. The humblest life can be the pathway to great sanctity.
St. Isidore was a simple man who worked all his life as a farmer for a wealthy landowner, Juan de Vargas, near Madrid. His wife Maria is also a saint. Together they were hardworking, charitable people, and generous towards the poor. St. Isidore often brought home hungry workers to share his table lest anyone suffer want. It is said that once, Maria ran out of stew to feed them—but it miraculously replenished itself, enough for them all!
Jusepe Leonardo’s depiction of St. Isidore. Note the angels plowing in the background!
St. Isidore’s fellow workers noticed that he was sometimes late coming to the field because he would go to Mass first. When his boss looked out the window to see if this was true, he saw an angel plowing the field in Isidore’s place. Another story says that the landowner, wondering how St. Isidore got so much done in so short a time, saw angels plowing on either side of him.
St. Isidore died in 1130 and promptly gained the love of Spain’s monarchs and people—as well as a reputation for the miraculous. His body remains incorrupt to this day. They say he appeared to the King of Castile in 1211 and showed him a surprise way to attack the Moors against whom he was fighting. King Philip III was miraculously healed through his relics.
Saint Matthias: The Apostle You Might Have Missed
From follower to Apostle, by lot.
When Judas Iscariot’s betrayal left the group of the Twelve incomplete, the early Church faced a practical and spiritual decision: how to restore the number of Apostles chosen by Christ. In the Acts of the Apostles, we find the account of how Saint Matthias was selected to fill that role.
Before choosing a new Apostle, Peter outlined specific qualifications: the man must have accompanied Jesus and the other disciples throughout His ministry—from His baptism by John to His Ascension. This requirement ensured that the new Apostle could bear firsthand witness to Christ’s Resurrection, a central task for the Twelve.
Two men were proposed: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. After prayer, the apostles cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias.
Though Matthias is not mentioned again by name in the New Testament, early Church tradition holds that he faithfully carried out the mission of the Apostles: preaching the Gospel and building up the Church. Various sources suggest he evangelized in regions such as Judea or possibly as far as modern-day Georgia or Ethiopia, though details remain uncertain.
Saint Matthias’s quiet obedience and faithful witness filled a real need in the early Christian community. He represents the countless disciples who have served the Church faithfully without acclaim, yet whose contribution was essential to the spread of the Gospel.
His feast day is celebrated on May 14 (today!), and he is the patron saint of those called to unexpected vocations and roles.
Looking for a simple way to introduce your children to the Gospel?
The Galilee Boat & Apostles Play Set offers a fun, hands-on way for kids to learn the stories of the men who followed Jesus—including Saint Matthias. It’s more than play—it’s a chance to plant seeds of faith and inspire young hearts to follow Christ and become saints themselves.
What is the “final battle” that Sister Lucia of Fatima spoke of?
The Blessed Mother’s message is not over.
Today is the feast of Our Lady of Fatima!
The sheep grazed lazily, drifting about with heads to the ground and eyes half-closed. The three children who herded them were busy about a little furze bush, building a wall with the loose rocks lying about. A bee buzzed nearby in the last of the spring flowers.
Suddenly, a flash lit the air.
The children hesitated, dropped their stones, and looked at the sky.
“We’d better go home,” said the oldest, “that’s lightning; we may have a thunderstorm.”
They had pushed the reluctant sheep onto the road when a second flash like lightning flickered around them. Then, on a holmoak quite near them, a radiant Lady appeared and said to them, “Do not be afraid. I will do you no harm.”
Thus began the Fatima apparitions, wherein the Blessed Mother appeared to the children six times, bringing them a message that urged repentance. If the world did not repent soon, she said, God would send horrific punishments upon it.
We know what happened over the next one hundred years: the horrors of World War I ended, only to return with greater force in World War II; Russia, “spreading her errors,” embroiled the world in the Cold War and the influences of the Communist ideology; countless martyrs shed their blood for the Faith.
It would be easy to draw a breath of relief and say, “Well, thank goodness all that is over now.”
But is it? Lucia warned us that—because the Fatima message has been ignored—another terrible punishment will fall on the world.
“The final battle between the Lord and the reign of Satan,” she said, “will be about marriage and the family.”
In our times, we can see that the battle has begun—but it’s not too late. God’s punishment is not fixed. Just as He offered the city of Nineveh an opportunity to repent of their sins, so He now offers a way by which mankind can be saved. If we turn to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and follow her plan for peace, we can lessen the full consequences of our sin by means of penance.
Today is the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima and her message is just as urgent as ever!
Uncover the powerful truth behind Our Lady of Fatima’s message—still as urgent today as it was in 1917. In Fatima for Today, Fr. Andrew Apostoli unveils how Mary’s call to conversion, prayer, and peace speaks directly to our troubled times. This compelling book blends history, theology, and pastoral insight to inspire renewed hope and devotion.
How many approved Marian apparitions are there?
And how does the Church decide?
It’s amazing to consider that Our Lady, the Mother of God and Queen of Heaven, wants to visit us here on earth.
Throughout history, Our Lady has appeared to all sorts of people, from farmers and peasants to rulers and religious. However, not all of these claims are accepted by the Catholic Church.
The Church actually has a rigorous process for investigating and approving apparitions to ensure the messages align with Catholic teaching and there’s no deception involved.
As of today, there are 16 Marian apparitions officially recognized by the Vatican.
Here’s the full list:
1. Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexico, 1531)
2. Our Lady of Lezajsk (Poland, 1578)
3. Our Lady of Silvua (Lithuania, 1608–1612)
4. Our Lady of Laus (France, 1664–1718)
5. Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (Paris, France, 1830)
6. Our Lady of Zion (Rome, 1842)
7. Our Lady of La Salette (France, 1846)
8. Our Lady of Lourdes (France, 1858)
9. Our Lady of Pontmain (France, 1871)
10. Our Lady of Gietrzwałd (Poland, 1877)
11. Our Lady of Knock (Ireland, 1879)
12. Our Lady Help of Christians (Czech Republic, 1885)
13. Our Lady of Fatima (Portugal, 1917)
14. Our Lady of the Golden Heart (Belgium, 1932)
15. Our Lady of Banneux (Belgium, 1933)
16. Our Lady of Kibeho (Rwanda, 1981–1989)
So why only 16?
Well, the Church is very cautious in these matters. Each case is investigated with great care to avoid misleading the faithful. The process can take years, even centuries, and involves examining the messages, the fruits of the apparition (like conversions and miracles), and the character of those who reported the apparitions.
In short, the Church doesn’t rush to judgment. It’s more important to be thorough than to be quick, and the Church wants to ensure that any approved apparition truly leads people closer to Christ through Mary.
Also, this does not mean that the Church belittles or doubts other reports of Marian apparitions. She simply doesn’t believe that public approval of that apparition is necessary or she hasn’t fully investigated the extent and message of the apparition.
Many of Our Lady’s apparitions to saints, such as St. Alphonsus Liguori, are not officially approved by the Catholic Church, but they can still be believed by Catholics.
There are actually several apparitions that have not been approved by the Vatican but have been approved by local bishops. Did you know that one of these locally-approved Marian apparitions actually took place in Wisconsin?
Yes! Our Lady of Good Help appeared in Champion, Wisconsin in 1859 to Adele Brise. In this apparition, Our Lady asked Adele to evangelize the pioneer families of that region and revealed herself as Our Lady, Queen of Heaven. These apparitions took place the year after the Marian apparitions at Lourdes!
Few of us will receive apparitions of Our Lady, but she still longs to be with us and guide us to her Son. This should be inspiring and comforting! This Titles of Our Lady Art Plaque is a fun way to remind yourself of all the ways Our Lady comes to us. Featuring 10 of Mary’s most loved and renowned devotions, this plaque is a great way to honor Our Lady and bring some Marian inspiration into your home.
Available today at The Catholic Company!
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Which Pope Leo wrote the St. Michael prayer?
The St. Michael Prayer has a connection to our new Pope!
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle…
The prayer to St. Michael is part of the Leonine Prayers, which were once said at the end of Mass. They are called Leonine because Pope Leo XIII (the nominal predecessor to our new Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV!) ordered them to be said after Low (simple) Mass for the liberty of the Church during an era when the temporal authorities were attempting to suppress the Church’s rights.
But the St. Michael prayer was not originally included in the Leonine Prayers. It was added a couple years after Pope Leo’s original instruction, following a mysterious and powerful vision that he is said to have experienced after celebrating Mass one day at the Vatican.
Though it is not certain exactly what happened that day, accounts say that—appearing pale and fearful as he stood near the altar—the Holy Father beheld a harrowing vision of demons gathering on Rome. He quickly went and composed the St. Michael prayer and added it to the Leonine Prayers.
Although it is no longer obligatory after Mass, pontiffs—especially John Paul II—and bishops have promoted the St. Michael prayer as a powerful defense against Satan’s forces. Many parishes recite it together after Mass, some even continuing the tradition of the whole set of Leonine Prayers.
By choosing the name Leo, Pope Leo XIV has placed himself in the powerful tradition of his predecessors. From Pope Leo the Great, who halted an army with his faith, to Pope Leo XIII, who’s devotion to St. Michael helped create a powerful line of defense for our Church, Pope Leo XIV is stepping into the role of a defender of the Church.
Moreover, he was elected on the feast of St. Michael!
Pray the St. Michael prayer! Pray it for Pope Leo XIV! Pray it for the protection of the Church, for our country, for your family, for yourself. Pray it! Do it now! Here it is!
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into Hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Let this St. Michael Brave Beads Tenner remind you to call on his powerful intercession for our Holy Mother Church and Pope Leo XIV.
Featuring a double-sided silver medal honoring St. Michael—the valiant defender of Heaven and our Faith—alongside your own Guardian Angel, this tenner Rosary delivers a bold spiritual statement that can go with you anywhere.
Meet our new pope!
Pray for Pope Leo XIV, the first pope from the United States of America!
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” -Matthew 16:18
“Habemus Papam!”
What a wonderful moment to be Catholic. Following the tradition of visiting the Room of Tears and the Papal dressing, our newly elected pope was announced on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica…Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost: Pope Leo XIV.
The new Pope delivered his first apostolic blessing, Urbi et Orbi, to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square and those watching globally.
Some background on Pope Leo XI
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago to a family of Italian, French, and Spanish heritage, Prevost’s early life was marked by a deep commitment to faith and service. He joined the Order of St. Augustine in 1977, professing solemn vows in 1981. His academic pursuits led him to earn a degree in mathematics from Villanova University, a Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and both licentiate and doctoral degrees in canon law from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
In 1985, Prevost embarked on a missionary journey to Peru, serving in Chulucanas and later in Trujillo. His roles included parish vicar, seminary rector, and canon law professor, reflecting a blend of pastoral care and scholarly engagement. His leadership qualities were recognized globally when he was elected Prior General of the Augustinian Order in 2001, a position he held until 2013.
Pope Francis appointed him as the bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, in 2014, and later brought him to Rome in 2023 to serve as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, overseeing the selection of bishops worldwide. His elevation to cardinal in September 2023 further solidified his standing within the Church hierarchy.
Pope Leo XIV’s focus on the Eucharist
Pope Leo XIV is known for his humility and approachability. But most importantly, Pope Leo XIV is known for his Eucharistic devotion, a trait that has marked both his pastoral ministry and his theological emphasis. His years as a missionary, seminary rector, and bishop were shaped by a reverence for the Real Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.
In a time when the world is often distracted by noise and novelty, his example in this way draws us back to the very heart of our Catholic faith: the Eucharist. The Church does not simply believe in the Eucharist — she lives from it. As Pope Leo XIV steps into the Chair of Peter, we are all reminded that the source and summit of our faith is not a program or policy, but a Person — Jesus Christ, truly present in the Holy Eucharist.
The name of Leo
The name “Leo” signifies the strong leadership and doctrinal clarity of the other Pope Leos who have gone before him. Pope Leo the Great famously defeated Attlia the Hun and St. Leo is one of the four great Western fathers of the Church. The name means “Lion” which of course spiritually refers to strength of faith.
Leo XIII was the first pope to be filmed and truly embraced technology, and perhaps this is one of the aspects that Pope Leo XIV will also embrace. Apparently he is also an avid tennis player and those who knew him in Chicago warmly called him Fr. Bob.
Join us in praying for Pope Leo!
To honor Pope Leo XIV and the power of the Holy Spirit at work in the Church, we have created a special rosary, the Pope Leo XIV Red Carnelian & White Jade Holy Spirit Rosary!
This heirloom rosary reminds us that as the Spirit came to conquer the doubts and fears of the Apostles at Pentecost, he brings truth and wisdom to us, manifests God’s love and powerful healing, and guards the Church and the Successor to Peter.
Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, His gifts, & His fruits while you honor and pray for our Holy Father. Order yours today from The Catholic Company!
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Do we have a new pope?
Look for white smoke and you’ll know!
Today, the College of Cardinals meets to begin the conclave to elect the successor to Pope Francis.
The world watches with eager anticipation.
But how will we know when a new pope has been chosen? For us modern Catholics, the answer seems obvious: a news alert, a tweet, a livestream notification. We expect to know almost instantly.
That wasn’t always the case. In earlier centuries, Catholics sometimes had to wait days—or even weeks—for the news to reach them. But the Church, ever creative, sought a way to let her children know as quickly as possible that a new shepherd had been chosen.
The solution? A signal that would rise high above the Sistine Chapel and tell the world: Habemus Papam—we have a pope.
Thus began the tradition of the white smoke, a signal still used today, and one that we now await with great expectation.
As we wait, let’s dive into the fascinating history behind this simple, powerful sign.
The air in St. Peter’s Square was damp with winter chill. Hundreds of Romans gathered silently beneath the shadow of the basilica, their eyes fixed on the modest chimney that crowned the Sistine Chapel. For centuries, they had waited blindly during conclaves, relying only on tolling bells or word of mouth to learn of a new pontiff.
But today was different.
For the first time in history, Vatican officials had arranged for a signal to reach the people instantly: smoke. Dark smoke would mean “no decision.” But white smoke—a clear, clean puff—would proclaim to the world: We have a pope.
The crowd murmured as the chimney exhaled a faint wisp. It was dark at first—then lighter. A collective breath was held. And then, unmistakably, a pure white cloud billowed up and drifted into the Roman sky.
Cheers erupted. “Habemus Papam!” someone cried, even before the official announcement. Children were lifted onto shoulders, old women crossed themselves, and church bells began to toll.
Inside, the cardinals had elected Gioacchino Pecci, who would become Pope Leo XIII. But outside, the people had already known. For the first time, the Holy Spirit’s whisper had taken the form of white smoke, a visible grace in the sky.
Since that pivotal conclave in 1878, white smoke (fumata bianca) has become one of the most iconic and eagerly awaited symbols in the Catholic world. It signals that the cardinals, gathered in secret within the Sistine Chapel, have chosen a new successor to St. Peter.
But the tradition hasn’t always been perfectly clear.
In 1958, during the conclave that elected Pope John XXIII, smoke appeared white—prompting cheers and news reports that a pope had been chosen. But the smoke later darkened. It turned out to be a false alarm, caused by damp materials and incomplete combustion.
Again in 2005, just before Pope Benedict XVI was elected, an ambiguous puff caused a stir in the square. White or black? No one was sure—until the bells of St. Peter’s rang to confirm a successful election.
To end the confusion, starting in 2005 the Vatican began adding specific chemical compounds to ensure clarity:
• Black smoke is produced using potassium perchlorate, anthracene, and sulfur.
• White smoke comes from burning potassium chlorate, lactose, and pine resin.
No longer left to guess, the faithful now watch with certainty for that billowing white sign—and for the joy that follows: Habemus Papam. It’s a wonderful time to be Catholic!
Join us as we pray for the conclave.
What is the only church in the world consecrated by an angel?
In the spur of Italy, near the broad expanse of the Adriatic…
…lies the little town of Monte Sant’Angelo, just a 30-minute drive from San Giovanni Rotondo.
In this beautiful, whitewashed town is a shrine located in a small cave.
The cave constitutes the only church in the world not consecrated by human hands.
Why wouldn’t we consecrate this place like every other church?
The reason is that St. Michael did it himself.
The traditions surrounding the founding of this shrine include four apparitions of St. Michael, including the earliest appearance of him in the Western world.
Entrance to the cave (photo: Mboesch/CC BY-SA 4.0)
In the 5th century, he appeared to a local lord from nearby Siponto who had lost a bull in a cave. The man shot an arrow to scare the bull out of the cave, but the arrow came back and struck the lord. St. Michael appeared to the local bishop to request that the cave be consecrated.
The bishop did not obey immediately, perhaps doubting the vision’s veracity.
The second vision of the Archangel occurred when Siponto was threatened by invaders. He saved the town, an event that is commemorated on May 8th (some scholars believe this battle may actually have taken place a couple centuries later, in the 600s).
St. Michael appeared a third time—to the same bishop—to reiterate his request. The bishop at last acquiesced, and was told by St. Michael that the cave didn’t need to be consecrated because the Archangel had already done it himself. Legend says that he even left his footprint in the rock of the cave!
St. Michael made one last appearance in 1656, when he spared the townspeople from a plague that had struck southern Italy. He told the bishop that whoever kept stones from the cave would be protected from the plague.
To this day, pilgrims flock to the town to visit the grotto, which is one of the holiest spots in Christendom—even though it isn’t as well known as other pilgrimage sites. Many popes and saints have visited it, including St. Francis of Assisi, who wouldn’t enter it because he felt unworthy. The stones of the cave—which have been used effectively in exorcisms—are now relics that you can obtain for spiritual and physical protection.
If you ever get the chance to travel to Italy, be sure to put Monte Sant’Angelo on your itinerary. Even if you can’t go there right now, you can still foster devotion to the great Archangel St. Michael with a beautiful statue of the saint.
Meet the Apostle who was Jesus’ extended family…
What do we know of this quiet man?
St. James and his brother Jude were the only Apostles related to Jesus by blood; their mother was a relative of Our Lady. Jesus called James to be His Apostle in the second year of His public ministry, but after that James fades into the background of the gospels.
St. Paul tells us that Our Lord appeared to James alone after the Resurrection. Before Our Lord’s Ascension, He commended the Church in Jerusalem to James’s care, while the rest of the Apostles traveled the world to spread the Faith.
James became well-beloved in Jerusalem, gaining the name “James the Just” from the faithful. Jews and Gentiles alike respected him and revered his great holiness. He was very strict with himself and spent so much time in prayer that his knees grew very hard.
From his place in Jerusalem, James supported and defended the other Apostles and disciples. The early Church relied heavily on his wisdom and example, calling him—along with Peter and John—a pillar of the Church. He wrote the Epistle that bears his name in the New Testament.
In 62 A.D., hostile Jews attempted to make him apostatize before a huge crowd during the Pasch. James instead proclaimed his faith in Jesus Christ so that all could hear. He quoted Our Lord’s words from the cross—“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”—as the crowd martyred him.
Although James was a great man in the early Church, he is still known to us by the non-flashy name of James “the Less,” making him a good saint to look to for humility. You can ask St. James to help you grow in this virtue as you follow the pithy advice of Humility Rules: Saint Benedict’s 12-Step Guide to Genuine Self-Esteem. With beguiling humor and refreshing candor, these twelve simple steps will smooth your way to growing in one of the hardest virtues.
Meet the influential cardinals voting in the Conclave
A Conclave is not quite a democratic process…
If you’ve been on social media recently, or even tuned into traditional news sites and media, you’ll see plenty of people sharing infographics claiming to know who the “leading papal candidates” are. It’s essential that as Catholics we understand there are no candidates for the papacy in the usual sense; rather, we trust that the Holy Spirit will guide the voting cardinals to the next pope.
So while we can’t share with you a list of “likely candidates” for the papacy, we can share with you some of the leading cardinals who will be voting in the upcoming conclave so that you can pray for them by name!
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Italy)
The Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Zuppi is a significant voice in the European church.
Cardinal Peter Erdo (Hungary)
A seasoned theologian and canon lawyer, Cardinal Erdo serves as the Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest. With extensive experience in synods and a strong academic background, his presence at the conclave underscores the Church’s intellectual and canonical traditions.
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo (Democratic Republic of Congo)
As Archbishop of Kinshasa, Cardinal Ambongo brings the perspective of the growing African Church.
Cardinal Robert Sarah (Guinea)
The former Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Cardinal Sarah is deeply respected for his spirituality, eloquence, and advocacy of silence, contemplation, and the reverence of the liturgy.
Cardinal Raymond Burke (United States)
Though no longer holding a curial post, Cardinal Burke remains one of the most well-known figures associated with a strong emphasis on doctrinal clarity and liturgical tradition. As Prefect Emeritus of the Apostolic Signatura, he has long been a defender of canon law.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines)
Currently serving as Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, Cardinal Tagle bridges the local and the global.
As these and over a hundred other cardinal electors gather in Rome, let us remember to pray for them.
Let’s send our prayers to Rome! Although the length of the conclave is unknown—it could last a day or stretch over twelve months! But we do know the power of a faithful prayer. Will you join us in asking for the Holy Spirit’s powerful intercession for the College of Cardinals?
Sign up for our daily emails with prayers to the Holy Spirit here. When you sign up, we’ll send you a daily email with prayers to the Holy Spirit.
The process of a papal election is a beautiful and sacred time. It is also an excellent time to introduce your children to the traditions of the Church. We Have a Pope is an engaging illustrated children’s book that explores the history of the papacy and how a new pope is chosen.
Which beloved Marian book was “hidden” for over a century?
Its author correctly predicted that his now-famous work would be unknown for a long time.
“We have found a treasure!”
The superior general was ecstatic, as were the other members of the Missionaries of the Company of Mary at their motherhouse at St. Laurent-sur-Sèvre, France.
The librarian, Fr. Rautureau, had found an old manuscript on devotion to Our Lady. It seemed to be the work of their founder, Fr. Louis-Marie de Montfort; closer inspection revealed this to be true.
The book Treatise on True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin had been written around 1712 but was never published. During the French Revolution—when religious books and manuscripts were in danger of confiscation by the secular authorities—the Missionaries’ motherhouse had entrusted its manuscripts to local farmers, who hid them underground until after the Revolution. It wasn’t until April 22nd, 1842, that this particular treasure was rediscovered.
This would not have surprised the author himself. St. Louis de Montfort had predicted that the devil would endeavor to keep this book out of the hands of the faithful, saying:
“I clearly foresee that raging beasts will come in fury to tear to pieces with their diabolical teeth this little book…or they will cause it at least to lie hidden in the darkness and silence of a chest and so prevent it from seeing the light of day.”
Despite the devil’s best efforts, the book found the light of day. Now True Devotion to Mary is considered one of the greatest Marian masterpieces of all time. Since its publication in 1843, it has been instructing saints, popes, religious, and ordinary laymen about Our Lady’s integral role in the salvation of the world and how to cultivate devotion to her in our own lives.
If you are looking for a shorter read, St. Louie de Montford’s powerful little booklet, The Secret of the Rosary, packs a profound spiritual punch. Probably the finest book ever written about the Rosary, this book teaches what the Rosary is, how to recite it, and explains its many spiritual benefits. You’ll never pray the Rosary the same way again!
What is the “Radical Prayer”?
Don’t pray this prayer if you want to live according to the world’s expectations.
Being a Christian is pretty radical.
“Wait, radical?” you might ask. “We’re called to be radical?”
Well, yes! As Christians, we’re called to reject the things of this earth, which is quite radical in today’s world.
But being this kind of radical is a challenging task. After all, the world is against us.
Thankfully, a spiritual giant—St. Ignatius of Loyola—left us with some guidance and a few powerful tools.
One of these tools is the Suscipe Prayer, also known as the Radical Prayer:
Take, O Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will. Whatever I have or hold, You have given me; I restore it all to You and surrender it wholly to be governed by Your will. Give me only Your love and Your grace, and I am rich enough and ask for nothing more.
This prayer is not just a petition but a total offering of oneself to the divine will, an unconditional surrender of ourselves, our powers, and our plans to God. It cultivates humility and detachment by acknowledging that all gifts come from God and are to be used according to His purpose. It’s a total surrender that, paradoxically, does not cause fear or worry—it actually brings a spirit of peace and contentment that stays strong regardless of external circumstances.
This “radical” offering is a cornerstone for those seeking a deeper relationship with God, because it fosters a profound union with Him and a deliberate spirit of cooperation with His will.
Wow. That’s a pretty radical feat in our materialistic and self-centered culture!
Be the best kind of radical with the help of St. Ignatius. His methods of self-examination and meditative prayer have led countless souls down the path of radical holiness for centuries. The Spiritual Exercises is St. Ignatius’s most beloved work. It is a complete guide to his life-changing spiritual practices!
Where is St. Peter’s chair?
Where is the physical chair from which St. Peter led the Church as her first pontiff?
As the Church mourns the passing of Pope Francis, the world turns its eyes once again to Rome. Even non-Catholics watch the Vatican with curiosity.
The bells of St. Peter’s Basilica have tolled with solemn weight, and soon the doors of the Sistine Chapel will close upon the College of Cardinals, gathered in sacred conclave. As we await the election of a new pope, there is perhaps no better moment to reflect on the symbol that often comes up in times such as these: the Chair of St. Peter.
Walk through the mighty doors of St. Peter’s Basilica. Make the long trek down the immense nave. Pause in the transept to admire Bernini’s magnificent baldacchino that shelters the high altar of the Basilica, then continue into the apse where you’ll find—below the same artist’s alabaster window of the Holy Spirit—the “Altar of the Chair.”
The central feature of the Altar is another stunning work of art by Bernini—an immense bronze chair, seemingly lifted up by golden clouds and flanked by four giants of the early Church: St. Ambrose and St. Augustine from the West, and St. Athanasius and St. John Chrysostom from the East.
This bronze chair that you see on the outside is a sculpture from the 17th century. Within it, however, is a much older chair, made of wood with ivory detailings.
Is this St. Peter’s original chair?
It was once believed to be. The actual origins of this chair are uncertain, but we do know that it was a gift from King Charles the Bald, the grandson of Charlemagne, to Pope John VIII in the ninth century. Studies done on the chair suggest that the oldest parts of it date to around the sixth century.
While the dating shows that this chair wasn’t in use at the time of St. Peter, it still holds (as a gift from the grandson of a great Catholic king) a crucial place among the glories of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Bernini intended, through the sculpture, to illustrate key truths about the papacy: the Chair of St. Peter—borne up by clouds and seeming to float—is sustained by Heaven rather than human aid. The Church Fathers are portrayed holding small loops connected to the Chair, which shows that they offer guidance, but are not supporting its weight. The Holy Spirit, depicted in the alabaster window, sheds His light from above—guiding and illuminating the work of the successors of St. Peter until the end of time.
And now, once again, the Church prays for that same light to fall upon the cardinals, that they may discern the next occupant of Peter’s Chair. This seat, both ancient and eternal, reminds us that while popes come and go, the mission remains. The Holy Spirit does not slumber. The Chair stands ready.
While you wait and pray with the Church, brew a cup that honors this moment. St. Peter’s Parish Roast is a rich, medium-roast blend inspired by the spiritual heart of Rome. Whether you’re watching coverage of the conclave or meditating on the legacy of St. Peter, this smooth and aromatic coffee will keep you grounded—and awake—for the journey ahead.
What happens when a pope dies?
From the papal ring to three distinct coffins, there are a lot of details to cover.
As we mourn the passing of Pope Francis, let us honor his legacy of humility and compassion by offering prayers for his soul and the Church he so lovingly shepherded. May the Lord grant him eternal rest and guide the faithful during this time of transition.
You might think the world’s smallest country would go quiet after a papal death—but oh no! Vatican City springs into action with a sacred blend of ancient ritual and precise logistics. Here’s what actually happens when a pope dies:
1. First to Act: The Camerlengo
Ever heard of the Camerlengo? Think of him as the temporary steward of the Vatican. When the pope dies, the Camerlengo confirms the death—once traditionally done by calling the pope’s baptismal name three times! Today it’s a bit more clinical, but the symbolism remains rich.
The Camerlengo then smashes the pope’s Fisherman’s Ring with a silver hammer. Why? To prevent forgery of official documents during the time between popes.
2. Nine Days of Mourning
After a pope dies, the Church enters a special nine-day mourning period called the novemdiales—Latin for “nine days.”
Each of the nine days features a special funeral Mass celebrated in honor of the deceased pope. These Masses are offered in St. Peter’s Basilica and are often led by different cardinals, with intentions for the repose of the pope’s soul, the needs of the Church, and the faithful worldwide.
3. Lying in State
The pope’s body is displayed in St. Peter’s Basilica, allowing faithful pilgrims to pay their respects.
The passing of a pope is truly a historical event, and a time when the whole world pays attention to the Church. When Pope John Paul II passed away, over 4 million people flooded into Rome to honor him. Rome experienced a city-wide traffic jam that lasted nearly four days!
4. The Papal Coffins (Yes, more than one!)
The pope is traditionally buried in three coffins: one made of cypress wood (symbol of humility), one of zinc (for preservation), and one of elm or oak (for dignity). They are all stacked within each other, with the pope being laid directly into the humble one made of simple cypress wood.
5. The Conclave Begins
Once mourning ends, it’s time for the conclave, the sacred and secretive process of electing the new pope. Every Cardinal that is eligible to vote (all those under the age of 80) gather in the Sistine Chapel and vote in silence.
The cardinals are literally locked in—con clave means “with a key” in Latin.
6. The Pope is Chosen
During the conclave, the world watches a tiny chimney atop the Sistine Chapel like hawks. Why? Because they use an old-fashioned stove to send up smoke signals: black for no decision, white for Habemus Papam! (We have a pope!)
So, yes, the Vatican will be busy of the next few weeks. However, in these immediate nine days after the passing of our beloved Pontiff, let us follow the direction of the Church and spend time prayerfully mourning Pope Francis.
Remember Pope Francis and bring a piece of his legacy home with our collection of Pope Francis products.
What are Pope Francis’s top ten secrets to happiness?
Join us as we remember our beloved pontiff.
With the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, we want to share what he revealed in an interview with Catholic News Service of the top 10 secrets to happiness: Slowing down, being generous, and fighting for peace were part of Pope Francis’ secret recipe for happiness.
In an interview published in part in the Argentine weekly “Viva” July 27, 2014, the pope listed his top 10 tips for bringing greater joy to one’s life:
1. “Live and let live.” Everyone should be guided by this principle, he said, which has a similar expression in Rome with the saying, “Move forward and let others do the same.”
2. “Be giving of yourself to others.” People need to be open and generous toward others, he said, because “if you withdraw into yourself, you run the risk of becoming egocentric. And stagnant water becomes putrid.”
3. “Proceed calmly” in life. The pope, who used to teach high school literature, used an image from an Argentine novel by Ricardo Guiraldes, in which the protagonist — gaucho Don Segundo Sombra — looks back on how he lived his life.
“He says that in his youth he was a stream full of rocks that he carried with him; as an adult, a rushing river; and in old age, he was still moving, but slowly, like a pool” of water, the pope said. He said he likes this latter image of a pool of water — to have “the ability to move with kindness and humility, a calmness in life.”
4. “A healthy sense of leisure.” The pleasures of art, literature and playing together with children have been lost, he said. “Consumerism has brought us anxiety” and stress, causing people to lose a “healthy culture of leisure.” Their time is “swallowed up” so people can’t share it with anyone. Even though many parents work long hours, they must set aside time to play with their children; work schedules make it “complicated, but you must do it,” he said. Families must also turn off the TV when they sit down to eat because, even though television is useful for keeping up with the news, having it on during mealtime “doesn’t let you communicate” with each other, the pope said.
5. Sundays should be holidays. Workers should have Sundays off because “Sunday is for family,” he said.
6. Find innovative ways to create dignified jobs for young people. “We need to be creative with young people. If they have no opportunities they will get into drugs” and be more vulnerable to suicide, he said. “It’s not enough to give them food,” he said. “Dignity is given to you when you can bring food home” from one’s own labor.
7. Respect and take care of nature. Environmental degradation “is one of the biggest challenges we have,” he said. “I think a question that we’re not asking ourselves is: ‘Isn’t humanity committing suicide with this indiscriminate and tyrannical use of nature?'”
8. Stop being negative. “Needing to talk badly about others indicates low self-esteem. That means, ‘I feel so low that instead of picking myself up I have to cut others down,'” the pope said. “Letting go of negative things quickly is healthy.”
9. Don’t proselytize; respect others’ beliefs. “We can inspire others through witness so that one grows together in communicating. But the worst thing of all is religious proselytism, which paralyzes: ‘I am talking with you in order to persuade you,’ No. Each person dialogues, starting with his and her own identity. The church grows by attraction, not proselytizing,” the pope said.
10. Work for peace. “We are living in a time of many wars,” he said, and “the call for peace must be shouted. Peace sometimes gives the impression of being quiet, but it is never quiet, peace is always proactive” and dynamic.
Are you “keeping watch” with Jesus tonight?
Why do parishes hold a special time of Eucharistic adoration on Holy Thursday? Why is it important to “watch” with Our Lord?
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go yonder and pray.” …And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour?”
—Matthew 26:36, 40
It is Holy Thursday.
Our Lord struggles with the very human fear of His coming Passion, sweating blood in His distress. The Apostles—who were supposed to watch with Him and keep Him company—are leaning against the twisted olive trunks, fast asleep.
“Could you not watch one hour with me?” is all that Our Lord says to them—yet it is the question which resounds every moment in our souls. Will we watch with Him?
Tonight, parishes hold Eucharistic adoration to commemorate the Agony in the Garden. The silence, the prayer, the quiet altar where the Blessed Sacrament is reposed—they all signify that evening in Gethsemane.
Tonight, we are given the chance to adore Our Lord in the Eucharist before tomorrow’s ordeal. We can thank Him for redeeming us. We can console Him with our prayers. We can “watch with Him” in His darkest hour.
Adoration is a meaningful and beautiful way to spend this evening—and any other evening in the year.
Adoration is important for the spiritual life because it places us in God’s presence in a unique way: in an attitude of “self-abasement…and in devout recognition of His transcendent excellence” (The Catholic Encyclopedia). This special appreciation of His perfection instills in us a greater awe, love, and desire for God.
The Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration dedicate their lives to adoring Our Lord in the Eucharist, so they can tell us about adoration—and how to do it well—better than anyone else. In their Manual for Eucharistic Adoration, they include answers to the most pressing questions about adoration as well as prayers, meditations, and hymns for the time you spend before the Eucharist.
Why is today called “Spy Wednesday”?
Do you know this traditional title for Wednesday of Holy Week?
Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.
—Matthew 26:14-16
The day before Jesus entered into His Passion, a spy arose from among His closest friends. The traitor Judas Iscariot made his deal with the chief priests, agreeing to betray the Son of God for a pile of coins. Taking advantage of the gift of Christ’s friendship, Judas kept the veneer of an Apostle, but was secretly plotting betrayal.
Judas, who had been a chosen assistant in the ministry of Christ, who had shared His table, who had enjoyed the fellowship of God Himself, who would be present at the first Holy Mass—he would exchange it all for a pittance.
A wound from an enemy is to be expected. But a wound from a friend—and a friend who has received nothing but the greatest possible gifts—that is a painful wound indeed. And what is more, the traitor would send the Son of Man to His death with a kiss, with a sign of love and friendship!
To remember this deed of darkness that precipitated the events of the Passion, the Church has traditionally called this day “Spy Wednesday.”
Let us remember today the deep wound in Christ’s loving Heart at the betrayal of Judas—and perhaps look into our own hearts, too, to see when we might have preferred the things of this world to the superabundant love of Christ.
As we approach the Passion of Our Lord, remember that Christ’s death upon a cross was the ultimate sign of His mercy and love. Each time we gaze upon a cross, remind yourself of God’s mercy and love. In part, this is why the Church celebrates Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday so close together!
This Divine Mercy Standing Cross beautifully provides an image of the cross that emphasizes Christ’s Mercy. As we prepare to remember Christ’s Passion on Good Friday and His infinite mercy on Divine Mercy Sunday, this cross will provide help bring Christ’s love to the forefront of your life.
Who was the mysterious Simon of Cyrene?
Do we know much about the “passer-by” who helped carry Jesus’ own cross?
The Gospels say very little about the man who carried the cross to Golgotha with Jesus. In fact, only one sentence is dedicated to him in three gospels. The fourth gospel does not mention him at all.
All we know of Simon from the Scriptures is that he was native to Cyrene—a large city in northern Africa—and had sons named Alexander and Rufus.
We learn more about him from one of the Church’s modern mystics and visionaries: Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich. Blessed Anne received visions of the Blessed Mother’s life and the Passion.
She begins thus concerning Simon:
At this moment Simon of Cyrene, a pagan, happened to pass by, accompanied by his three children. He was a gardener, just returning home after working in a garden near the eastern wall of the city, and carrying a bundle of lopped branches.
Blessed Anne goes on to explain that the Romans chose him to help Jesus because he was pagan. They didn’t want to risk offending any of the Jews by making them help, but a pagan couldn’t refuse.
Simon was disgusted with Jesus’ condition and tried to refuse. How could they expect him—an honorable man—to walk with and assist a dirty, mutilated criminal?
The Romans, however, forced him to take up the cross.
Then everything changed.
Simon had not carried the cross after Jesus any length of time before he felt his heart deeply touched by grace.
That is the last we hear of Simon himself, but Blessed Anne’s words leave us with the hope—and expectation—that he became a Christian. It is likely that he did. After all, it is believed that his sons became well-known Christians, hence St. Mark mentioned them by name.
Remind yourself to carry your cross with joy with our St. Benedict Blue Enamel Cross. Featuring the additional protection of the St. Benedict Jubilee Medal, this small cross fits in any space as a quiet memento of the Cross that Simon the Cyrenian helped to carry.
The Big Bang theory and a priest? How science points to God…
Nowadays the “Big Bang theory” is thought of as an atheistic explanation of the universe, but nothing could be farther from the truth.
The real “Big Bang” theory actually wasn’t called that. “Big Bang” was a derisive name invented by a scientist who disagreed with Fr. Georges Lemaitre’s “primeval atom” theory.
Georges Lemaitre was born in Belgium at the end of the 19th century. His interest in math and science was sparked during World War I as he operated artillery units.
After the war, he became a priest. He obtained permission to continue his studies and went to university in England and America, earning his doctorate in cosmology.
Fr. Lemaitre with Albert Einstein
Combining Einstein’s discoveries on gravity with parts of other scientists’ theories, Fr. Lemaitre proposed his “primeval atom” theory in 1929. The theory suggested that the universe emanated from one point and was expanding. Universal inflation began when the original point—the primeval atom—exploded.
Fr. Lemaitre’s theory was the only one which explained all the scientific data available at the time; at the same time, it proved that the universe was not an eternal, unchanging force, but something that had a beginning. Fr. Lemaitre’s “Big Bang” was in total agreement with the idea of a Creator and suggested a means by which God might have created the universe.
The more we learn about the universe and the earth, the more we see God’s hand in them. They were created, and the earth especially was created with us in mind. In the Beginning: A Catholic Scientist Explains How God Made Earth Our Home refutes the idea of “a universe by chance,” exploring the fascinating facets of our amazing universe that prove its origins in the mind of an intelligent, all-powerful, and loving Creator. This will become your favorite science book of all time!
Why was Jesus always going to the Mount of Olives?
What’s the story behind one of the New Testament’s most frequently-mentioned spots?
There are several reasons why Jesus may have chosen this ancient spot, all of them wrapped in rich symbolism.
The Mount of Olives is first mentioned in King David’s time. When David came to Jerusalem, he dedicated a spot on the Mount of Olives to Yahweh. Before the Temple was built, people could go to that holy place to pray. It became a focal point for worship again when the Temple was destroyed.
The hill’s name reveals much, too. The Mount and its adjoining hills look dry and mostly barren now, but at the time of Jesus—and before—it was a lush olive orchard. Olives meant so much to the Jewish people.
Olive oil was a large part of their economy; many people made their living from manufacturing and selling the oil. Olives came to represent life and prosperity. The beauty and hardiness of the trees symbolized strength and vitality. Giving someone an olive branch was a gesture of conciliation.
The olives from the Mount, however, were even more special than those in other places. Their oil was used solely for anointing kings and high priests.
These are the reasons, then, why Jesus may have selected this spot:
1. The place had a long history of sacredness and beauty.
2. It had once belonged to His predecessor, King David.
3. Its trees represented the placation of anger.
4. It proclaimed itself as His holy ground with the priestly, kingly nature of its fruits and its soil dedicated to Yahweh.
Jesus came to us as our King and High Priest as well as our Savior. Keep a subtle, beautiful reminder of these inseparable roles with an Olive Wood Crucifix with Relic. Fashioned with wood from the Holy Land’s olive trees, the simple cross is finished with a detailed corpus and a relic which has been touched to the Holy Sepulchre.
Who has been called “the last scholar of the ancient world”?
As the ancient world waned, one bishop fought against the darkness of ignorance.
St. Isidore of Seville lived in the turbulent centuries following Rome’s collapse, when barbarians and Vikings threatened to eradicate the last vestiges of civilization and education. His own country of Spain was overrun with Visigoths who adhered to the Arian heresy, declaring that Jesus Christ was only a man and not God.
Born in 560 A.D. in Cartagena, he was educated at the cathedral school in Seville, where his older brother Leander—also a saint—taught. He was remarkably intelligent and quick at his studies. When Leander, who was bishop of Seville, passed away in 600, Isidore succeeded his brother in ministering to the diocese.
Over the next 40 years, Isidore worked ceaselessly to preserve, rebuild, and propagate the vanishing educational wealth achieved by Rome. He turned first to the unruly, heretical Visigoths, successfully expunging Arianism from Spain. Then he set to work instituting schools and seminaries like the one he had attended as a boy.
These schools, of course, needed textbooks, and so Isidore wrote the book that was to be used for 900 years in every cathedral school: the Etymologiae. This book was the forerunner of encyclopedias, containing vast knowledge on every subject from food to war to the mystery of Man.
Isidore’s devotion to unifying his splintered country through good education and the fullness of the Church inspired the surrounding European countries to follow in his footsteps. In this way, Isidore stopped the flood of barbarism from washing away centuries’ worth of evangelization and learning.
After Isidore’s death in 636, the Church lauded his memory as her “extraordinary doctor, the latest ornament of the Catholic Church, the most learned man of the latter ages, always to be named with reverence.”
To honor the legacy of St. Isidore, help preserve the history and knowledge of the Church by stocking your home with Catholic Traditions and Treasures. Compiled in Isidore’s encyclopedic style, this marvelously illustrated and carefully written book will take you on a fascinating journey into the timeless customs and traditions of the Church. A coffee table book that St. Isidore himself would be proud to own!
If the disciples weren’t Greek, why was the Bible written in Greek?
How could a pagan conqueror from the 4th century B.C. affect Jews and Christians?
We know Alexander the Great as the young king who astounded the entire civilized world of his time.
With his army, Alexander accomplished military feats which—to this day—stand out as daring, seemingly-impossible, and incredibly successful. He conquered the entire civilized world with the exception of China only in his brief, thirteen-year reign.
After his death, the empire he formed shattered immediately…yet the effects of that empire have permanently marked the course of history.
His conquests brought the Jews—until then a mainly nomadic, isolated people—into contact with other races. The Jews were a tight bunch who alone worshiped the true God; now they brushed shoulders with Greeks, learned their language, even—to a certain degree—adopted some Greek culture.
Greek became the common language of Alexander’s empire, a characteristic which remained long after his successors divided the lands. This is why the New Testament was written entirely in Greek: the Apostles and evangelists wanted to spread the Faith everywhere, and the common language enabled them to do this.
Curious to dive deeper into Scripture—just like the early Christians did? My Daily Catholic Bible makes it super doable, with just 20 minutes a day. You’ll get daily readings from both the Old and New Testaments, so you’re not just reading—you’re journeying through the whole story of salvation, one day at a time.
All saints are royalty in Heaven, but these saints were royalty on earth!
Meet the forgotten Catholic saints who were kings and queens.
When we think of saints, we often picture quiet monks in the desert, holy nuns in convents, or courageous martyrs in the Colosseum.
But what about those saints who had thrones, courts, and crowns?
Yes—some saints ruled from thrones, not hermitages.
Let’s rediscover a few of these holy monarchs:
St. Clotilde: The Queen Who Converted a Kingdom
Clotilde was a Burgundian princess who married the pagan Frankish king, Clovis I. Though she initially was the queen of a hostile pagan nation, her commitment to prayer and her faithful example led to her husband’s baptism—and with him, the conversion of an entire nation.
France, the “Eldest Daughter of the Church,” traces its Christian roots to this queen’s persistent prayers and steadfast witness.
She could have chosen comfort. Instead, she chose the Cross—and brought a kingdom with her.
St. Wenceslaus: A Young King and Martyr
You may know his name from a Christmas carol. Which makes sense, this holy monarch deserves a historic tune in his honor! This Bohemian duke ruled with charity and piety in the 10th century, caring for the poor and defending the Church.
His own brother, resentful of his holiness, murdered him. But Wenceslaus’s martyrdom only strengthened his legacy. He became a symbol of righteous leadership—and remains the patron saint of the Czech Republic.
St. Margaret of Scotland: A Royal Reformer
Born into exile and married into the Scottish court, Margaret found herself queen of a rugged land. Rather than feel timid and afraid in her new role, Margaret ruled with holy boldness.
She reformed court customs, promoted Sunday rest, founded churches, and helped the poor with her own hands. Behind the scenes, she quietly helped shape a Christian Scotland.
Her children were also known for their holiness, and one son—David I—became a saint too.
Portrait of King Louis IX by Auguste de Creuse
St. Louis IX of France: The King Who Carried the Crown of Thorns
A king who dined with beggars and walked barefoot through the Holy Land? That’s St. Louis IX.
He ruled 13th-century France with justice, led two crusades, and even acquired the Crown of Thorns—one of Christ’s Passion relics—for his kingdom. But more than his political achievements, Louis is remembered for his integrity, humility, and love for the poor.
He told his son: “Prefer death to the commission of a mortal sin.”
At our baptisms, we are marked as sons and daughters of God the Father—which means we become part of His royal family. So in a very real spiritual sense, we can say that we are princes and princesses of Heaven! Teach your children about these royal saints and inspire them to earn their own crown of sainthood one day!
Teach them about the Holy Mass, their royal inheritance on earth, and instill in them a lifelong love of the sacraments with this Children’s Wooden Mass Playset! Ideal for imaginative play and religious education, it’s a perfect gift for young Catholic children.
The priest who blew up his own church—Part II
Today we continue on the trail of Fr. Albert Braun!
(Click here if you missed Part I!)
With anti-clerical, anti-Catholic laws in force in Mexico, the priests and faithful were suffering persecution and martyrdom. From New Mexico, Fr. Braun and another intrepid Franciscan volunteered on three trips to assist their Franciscan brethren across the border. They would disguise themselves as businessmen to buy Franciscan property and save it from confiscation.
St. Joseph’s Apache Mission was at last completed (except for the windows, which the community couldn’t afford and which would be added later) in 1939 and dedicated on the Fourth of July.
That year, another world war broke out. At this point, you can probably guess what Fr. Braun did next.
He reported for duty as an Army chaplain in the Philippines in November of 1940. He served the soldiers of the New Mexico National Guard during the infamous Battle of Bataan in early 1942 and, along with them, was taken prisoner by the Japanese.
During the time of his imprisonment, he suffered torture, multiple diseases, and starvation, but none of that stopped him from caring for the sick and dying, burying the dead, and celebrating Mass in secret before convincing the Japanese to allow services. He gave up his own rations and craftily stole food for the starving prisoners—becoming so adept at it that he was nicknamed “Al Capone.”
He gave the prisoners solace and strength even when they were loaded onto the infamous “hell ships” which the Japanese utilized to ship the prisoners north and prevent their liberation.
A recent photo of St. Joseph’s Mission (photo by Jocnewt/CC BY-SA 3.0)
Three and a half years of imprisonment elapsed before Fr. Braun and the surviving prisoners were freed in August of 1945. Only a little over half of the New Mexicans who served in Bataan made it home.
After the war, Fr. Braun returned to St. Joseph’s and rededicated the church to the veterans of both World Wars. For his actions in the war, he received a second Silver Star and the Legion of Merit.
But as much as he loved St. Joseph’s Mission, Fr. Braun’s health—deeply impacted by his years as a POW—required him to take less strenuous posts. His final mission would be to the “Golden Gate Barrio,” an impoverished Hispanic community in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1949. There, despite his injuries, he served his parishioners with vigor, building up a vibrant parish community. Among the projects he spearheaded was a new church, Sacred Heart, which was dedicated in 1956 and still stands today.
Fr. Braun spent the evening of his long life in the care of the Little Sisters of the Poor. Despite the amputation of one leg and confinement to a wheelchair, he kept his indomitable spirit, celebrating Mass for the nuns and other residents up until five days before his death.
He passed from this world on March 6th, 1983. His body was returned to his beloved Mescalero and buried at St. Joseph’s Mission, as he had wished.
And this, at last, is the end of Fr. Braun’s story—quickly summarized.
What a saga. What a life lived to the absolute fullest for Christ.
It’s certainly a life that illustrates God’s words in the book of Joshua: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Take this inspiration on your next journey with our Strong and Courageous Journal, featuring a rustic, leather-like cover and the words from Joshua debossed on the back. The perfect place to chronicle your days, plan your adventures, or jot down favorite quotes. A great gift for Confirmation!
The priest who blew up his own church
His story has so many fascinating chapters, we have to tell it in 2 parts!
If you scroll through the life story of Fr. Albert Braun, OFM, you’ll wonder how such a life could be real—and not just a storyline from a movie!
By the time he died at the age of 93, Fr. Braun had accomplished more than seems possible in one lifetime. His work spanned the globe, from his ministry among the Mescalero Apache in New Mexico to his service as a chaplain in not one but two World Wars.
Born to German immigrant parents in Los Angeles in 1889, John William “Bud” Braun was not the most typical candidate for the priesthood. As a child, he was mischievous, short-tempered, and a bit of a prankster. “I’ve been in trouble all my life,” he would later laugh.
When he turned up at a Franciscan high school preparatory seminary in Santa Barbara, he was accepted. But they told him he was too stubborn to be a priest.
Defying expectations once again, he persevered, professed solemn vows in 1912, and was ordained in 1915. He was assigned to the Mescalero Apache in southern New Mexico, a rugged outpost of 720 square miles with a decaying church.
Though he shared no common language with the people of the reservation, Fr. Braun threw himself into the work. He learned all about the Apache people and ranged from one end of the reservation to the other, often on horseback, accompanied by his native interpreter, Eric. The people loved this enthusiastic, hardworking priest, and as numbers swelled in the little chapel, Fr. Braun set his sights on building a new one.
But that would have to wait. With the U.S. joining World War I in 1917, Fr. Braun volunteered as an Army chaplain. He was sent to France, where he served during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the enormous final battle of the war. He insisted on serving the soldiers in the extreme danger of the front lines, and did so with his characteristic courage, receiving both the Purple Heart and Silver Star.
Fr. Braun then returned to the Mescalero. Inspired by the great churches of Europe, he was determined that they should have a beautiful church, too. But his request to replace the dilapidated church was denied.
You’ll never guess what he did next.
He filled the cracks in the deteriorating church with a payload of gunpowder. And then…BOOM.
It worked.
The building was condemned and he received permission to build a new one—but was given no money to do it with. As you’ve probably figured out by now, Fr. Braun was never deterred by challenges. “Insignificant!” was his common response to any obstacle.
With $100 of Army pay in his pocket, he hopped on a train to the other side of the country—Philadelphia!—to meet with architect William Stanton. Inspired by Fr. Albert’s vision, Mr. Stanton drew up plans for the new chapel pro bono.
Then, back on the reservation, Fr. Albert got to work with a team that included Apache volunteers, a friend from California, and Franciscan friars fleeing the religious persecution in Mexico.
Speaking of Mexico, you’ll never guess what he did next. Tune into tomorrow’s Get Fed to find out!
In the meantime, you should probably start packing—because you’ll be ready for an adventure by the time you’re done with Fr. Braun’s story!
While you’re organizing your saddlebags, be sure to clip on a St. Michael Brave Beads Tenner Rosary. Handcrafted from fire-and-earth-colored jasper beads and outfitted with a handy carabiner clip, this tenner is designed to go wherever the adventure trail leads.
So, what is almsgiving really?
The saints show us the way.
Let’s be honest—when we hear the word almsgiving, we might think, “Okay, donate something and check the Lent box.” But there’s more to it than that.
For Catholics today, especially during Lent, almsgiving isn’t just about tossing a few extra bucks into the collection basket or Venmo-ing a charity. It’s about asking: What do I have that someone else truly needs? And am I willing to part with it—not just conveniently, but sacrificially?
Almsgiving is one of the three pillars of Lent—alongside prayer and fasting—but it’s often the least understood. In today’s world, where giving often feels transactional or tied to tax receipts, the Church invites us to rediscover almsgiving as a spiritual discipline, not just a charitable act.
St. John Chrysostom once said, “Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life.” In other words, almsgiving is not optional. It’s justice. The goods we have—time, money, talents—are entrusted to us for the sake of others.
For modern Catholics, this might look like consistent, quiet generosity: giving to someone without expecting recognition; offering material support to a family in need; even donating time to someone who cannot repay it.
St. Basil the Great warned, “The bread you store belongs to the hungry; the cloak you keep hidden belongs to the naked.” That’s not poetic exaggeration—it’s a sober reminder that almsgiving is about detachment from wealth and attachment to Christ in the poor.
And it’s not about how much we give, but how we give. As St. Teresa of Calcutta put it, “It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” During Lent, we are called to a deeper simplicity—a willingness to be interrupted, to give even when it costs us.
Practically, that could mean creating space in your weekly budget for intentional giving. It might mean refusing to ignore the homeless person you pass every day. Or checking in on someone you know is struggling—not with advice, but with presence.
The saints remind us: almsgiving is not merely for the benefit of others. It is for our own salvation.
Lent can seem difficult, However, at it’s core, it is very simple: it is a time to grow closer tot Christ.
The Last Hours of Jesus – From Gethsemane to Golgotha helps us do exact that. By walking the readers through Christ’s last hours, this powerful book units us more intimately with our Savior.
This saint was salt of the earth—literally.
Why is St. Rupert depicted with a salt-shaker in hand?
St. Rupert was born into nobility in 7th century Germany. Rather than live a lavish life, St. Rupert felt called to a life in service of the Church. As a young man, his humility and faithfulness was recognized and he was made Bishop of Worms.
However, his preaching was quickly met with resistance. Though Christianity had spread through the Roman Empire centuries earlier, by the 7th century many regions in what is now Germany had reverted to pagan practices or had never fully embraced the faith.
As Bishop of Worms, Rupert was known for preaching reform and calling people to a deeper, more authentic Christian life. Not everyone was up to his challenge, and the townspeople opposed and threatened their holy bishop.
Eventually, the opposition became so strong that Rupert left Worms voluntarily. Rather than force the issue, he accepted Duke Theodo of Bavaria’s invitation to bring the Gospel to regions where people were more open to it. There, especially in what would become Salzburg, he found fertile ground for his mission—literally.
Rupert traveled to the ruins of the old Roman town of Juvavum, where he saw an opportunity to build both the Church and a community. He renamed the city Salzburg—literally “Salt Castle”—because of the nearby salt mines. Recognizing the economic value of salt, Rupert helped organize its production and trade. The income supported the monasteries and churches he founded, including the famous Abbey of St. Peter and Nonnberg Abbey, one of the oldest convents in the world.
That’s why Rupert is often depicted with a salt barrel or salt shaker. It’s not just symbolic—salt was part of his practical mission. Through it, he helped build a strong foundation for Christian life in the region.
Rupert died around 718 AD, likely on Easter Sunday. He is remembered not only as a bishop and teacher, but as a builder who used the resources at hand—spiritual and material—to spread the faith.
St. Rupert used local salt to build a Christian community; you can use your kitchen to build a Catholic home.
So why not start with the Bless Us O Lord Cutting Board? It’s practical, beautiful, and engraved with the classic table blessing—making it the perfect reminder that even chopping onions can be holy work.
Channel your inner St. Rupert. Use the salt. Say the prayer. Build the kingdom—one meal at a time.
Meet St. Margaret Clitherow
Did you know there is a patron saint of businesswomen?
St. Margaret Clitherow is one of the Four Martyrs of England and Wales. Born in 1555, she was raised in the Church of England, but after she married John Clitherow in 1571, she converted to Catholicism. While her husband remained Protestant, he was supportive of his wife’s decision because his brother was a Catholic priest.
During the English Reformation, Parliament passed the “Jesuits, etc. Act 1584,” which required all Catholic priests either to swear allegiance to the Queen of England or to leave England within forty days, or else they would be guilty of high treason.
Margaret was arrested and sent to prison in 1577 for converting to Catholicism and not attending the Church of England’s services. Once she was released, she started a school and harboured priests who remained in England to serve the faithful. In 1584, she was put on house arrest when it was revealed she sent her son to study in the seminary at Douai, France.
When English authorities discovered Margaret was helping Catholic priests, she was arrested again and condemned to death. On May 25, 1586, St. Margaret Clitherow was crushed to death under an eight-hundred-pound weight. Pope Paul VI canonized her in 1970, and her feast day is October 21st.
St. Margaret Clitherow is the patron saint of businesswomen and is the prime example of a fearless woman who went to great lengths to defend her faith.
St. Margaret Clitherow didn’t live a loud life—but she lived a brave one. In a world that demanded her silence, she chose faith. In an age of fear, she chose courage. Her legacy challenges us today: Will we quietly conform, or boldly live the truth?
Carry that spirit into your daily life with this Be Not Afraid Mug—featuring the powerful words of St. John Paul II. Whether you’re at work, at home, or on the go, let it remind you to live your faith without fear, just as St. Margaret did.
Who is the patron saint of postal workers?
Hint: he was a highly-skilled messenger.
Now don’t give up guessing just like that! You’ve got this one. Think about it…
• Every written record of this saint involves him delivering an important message to someone.
• He is way faster (and we mean way faster) at delivering messages than the Post Office, the Pony Express, Amazon Prime, or any server that ever delivered an email.
• Today is his feast day in the older calendar of the Church. The placement of his feast pretty much gives his identity away.
Do you have a guess?
If you’re thinking St. Gabriel the Archangel, you are correct!
We first meet St. Gabriel in the Old Testament Book of Daniel, in which he speaks to the prophet Daniel about the future of Israel.
At the beginning of Luke’s Gospel, he is sent to Zechariah to announce the birth of St. John the Baptist.
And in tomorrow’s Gospel—also from Luke—for the great Solemnity of the Annunciation, we will hear about Gabriel’s most glorious task: the greatest message he ever delivered.
It was the good news of the Incarnation, the coming of the Messiah, the message given to a humble virgin named Mary in the little town of Nazareth. Though he was one of God’s most noble creations, Gabriel knelt before this maiden, whom he knew to be the future Mother of God and Queen of the Angels:
“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee,” he said. “Blessed art thou among women…Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. And of his kingdom there shall be no end.”
—Luke 1:28, 31-33
Let us honor St. Gabriel today—and repeat often the words that he taught us: “Hail Mary, full of grace.”
Though the messages we send are not as critical as St. Gabriel’s—and won’t be delivered with angelic speed—a hand-written note can bring God’s light into someone’s day. Our Daisies Collection Note Cards—adorned with simple, artful florals and text such as “Praying for You”—are the perfect thing when you need to send an uplifting message to a friend.
“Hide in here, Father!”
AKA: How to hide a priest 101
The priest quickly gathered up the altar vessels. He ran down the darkened hallway to where someone was already sliding out the panel of a stair, revealing a cramped space underneath. Without a word, he slipped inside.
Such was the life of a priest in Elizabethan England. The Holy Mass had been outlawed and any priest caught celebrating it would be imprisoned, tortured, or killed. Those who refused to acknowledge the Queen as the head of the Church of England were guilty of high treason.
But these priests weren’t about to just give up offering the Mass. It was too precious, and the souls of their flock were too hungry, especially during such a time of persecution. It was the priests’ job to feed their sheep—come torture, come death, come rack, come rope. It was the risk they took when they offered their lives to God.
But the Catholic families of England were not, in their turn, going to let their priests go to prison and death if they could help it. So they hid these priests within their homes, where they could offer the Holy Sacrifice without detection. These brave families equipped their dwellings with “priest holes” in which a priest could hide when the dreaded “priest hunters” came knocking at the door.
These holes had to be clever. The authorities would be looking carefully, knocking on the walls for hollow spaces, checking under floorboards, probing the dark corners of every closet. Catholics needed the skill of someone like Nicholas Owen, the Jesuit lay brother who created some of the most ingenious and invisible priest holes of all time. You can still see some of his masterpieces in various houses in England, with some possibly remaining undiscovered.
Nicholas was eventually caught and tortured to death, earning the martyr’s crown, and canonized along with his intrepid fellow Jesuit Fr. Edmund Campion and thirty-eight other English martyrs in 1970.
There is so much to learn from the heroic witness of the English martyrs! Mostly, we simply need to learn to pray through all of life’s variables, even active persecution.
But how do we do that?
A really good place to start is the classic book The Spiritual Exercises. This little book is a powerful guide for self-examination and spiritual renewal. A manual for those striving to sainthood, it includes step-by-step instructions, Jesuit wisdom, and journal exercises for independent use.
Why is St. Joseph known as the “Terror of Demons”?
Among St. Joseph’s many powerful titles, this one stands out.
Terror of Demons.
Possibly one of the coolest titles belongs to one of the most quiet and forgotten saints: St. Joseph.
But why was he given this title? When we look back at the biblical references to St. Joseph, we don’t see him cast out demons, or even behave in such a way that would invoke terror.
However, it is precisely in this silent and calm biblical depiction of St. Joseph that this title has its surprising origin.
Although the Bible does not elaborate extensively on Joseph’s actions, his unwavering faith, obedience to God’s will, purity of life, and protective care over Mary and Jesus are evident.
These virtues are the foundation of his power over demons, as they embody the antithesis of the Evil One’s rebellion against God. Demons cannot withstand these virtues.
Theologically, St. Joseph’s designation as “Terror of Demons” underscores our belief in his power against evil. His role in the Holy Family places him in direct opposition to the forces of darkness.
Just as he protected Mary and Jesus from earthly threats, such as Herod’s decree to kill the newborn boys of Bethlehem, he continues to protect the faithful from spiritual threats.
His role as Guardian of the Holy Family also helps us understand the power of all families. Just as the Holy Family’s goodness and purity angered and threatened the Evil One, all families participate in God’s natural design for man and the inherent goodness of the family. In this way, the Evil One is threatened by all families, making it all the more essential that we fortify ourselves spiritually.
In an age where family and faith are under assault, St. Joseph’s example and protection are more needed than ever. His guardianship over the Holy Family makes him a potent intercessor for our own families as we strive to keep them safe from spiritual harm.
Today is the glorious feast of St. Joseph! The Church devotes all of March to his honor and encourages us all to grow in friendship with this powerful saint every day.
Invite St. Joseph into your daily life with Day by Day with St. Joseph. Written as a collection of short meditations, this book is the perfect tool for growing in friendship with our foster-father, St. Joseph.
Draw closer to St. Joseph through this powerful devotion.
“What could Jesus Christ refuse St. Joseph, who never refused him anything during His mortal life on earth?” —St. Augustine
Although Scripture records none of St. Joseph’s words, the stories it relates of his life actually reveal a great deal. From Scripture, we know that he was a carpenter of the line of King David. We also know that he was the foster father of Jesus and the earthly spouse of Mary, the Mother of God.
We can see that St. Joseph was a righteous man who demonstrated the virtues of compassion, courage, faith, and love of Jesus and Mary, to name a few.
St. Joseph said “yes” to God by adopting Jesus, the Incarnate Son of God, as his own Child. Joseph’s “yes” is very similar to the “yes” of Mary: just as it demonstrated her humility and obedience, so it also demonstrates his.
In our own lives, we are also called to give Our Lord our own “yes.” However, this act of obedience can prove difficult. When we find ourselves struggling to give Jesus our “yes,” we can turn to St. Joseph in prayer. He will help us grow in obedience, even when it’s hard!
The Chaplet of St. Joseph is one of the most powerful ways to pray to St. Joseph. Here is how to pray it:
The chaplet contains 15 groups of four beads consisting of one white and three colored beads. The white bead represents St. Joseph’s purity, and the colored bead (normally blue or purple) symbolizes his piety.
For each of the 15 white beads, we meditate on a Mystery of the Holy Rosary, while a special prayer is recited on each colored bead:
“Praise and blessed be Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.”
The chaplet concludes with an invocation to St. Joseph and a closing prayer.
Throughout March, the Church honors St. Joseph. This month, renew your devotion to him by praying the Chaplet of St. Joseph.
Our exclusive St. Joseph Chaplet was designed both as a tool for this powerful prayer and as an intentional reminder of St. Joseph’s loving fatherhood of us all. Handcrafted with stunning white howlite and amethyst gemstones complemented by a silver crucifix and St. Joseph medal.
Did St. Patrick really drive snakes out of Ireland?
There are no snakes in Ireland – did St. Patrick actually drive them out?
It is true that there are no snakes in Ireland. Legend tells us that St. Patrick drove them away during his missionary journey around the fifth century. For this reason, many images depict St. Patrick crushing a snake with his foot.
But did St. Patrick really drive the snakes out of Ireland? While we know about his impact on the spread of Catholicism in Ireland, we don’t know many of the details of his life. St. Patrick is also a major symbol of Irish culture, so there are a lot of legends about his life.
St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland is almost certainly one of those legends. Yes, Ireland is snake-free, but most experts believe they never made it to Ireland in the first place. But St. Patrick did drive the metaphorical snakes of evil and paganism out of Ireland, converting an entire people to Catholicism. That is why the legend persists and why, while probably not literally accurate, it is spiritually true.
Before St. Patrick, pagan practices were rampant in Ireland. St. Patrick helped incorporate the Christian message into Irish culture to help the Irish people understand the Christian God and abandon their pagan practices.
So while St. Patrick likely did not physically drive snakes out of Ireland, we can say with certainty that he did have a major role in driving the Devil out of Ireland by converting the Irish to Christianity.
Begin your day with prayer, seeking St. Patrick’s powerful intercession, and let his guidance help banish sin from your life!
There’s no better way to begin your day than with prayer—and a cup of St. Patrick Irish Cream Coffee! With its smooth, sweet notes of Irish cream and a beautifully designed bag featuring St. Patrick himself, this rich roast will fuel your faith and energize your morning.
Struggling with your Lenten penances?
Fear not! Even our failures are opportunities for grace.
Lent is hard.
We’re just over a week into this penitential season and already we can feel defeated.
Maybe you’ve already broken those Lenten resolutions you made with such determination. Maybe you’re struggling with fasting and physical penance. Maybe you’ve kept all your Lenten intentions but still feel burdened and depleted spiritually.
For some of us, the sacrifices we’ve committed to can feel burdensome, and the demands of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving can weigh heavily on our busy lives.
No matter where you find yourself this Lent, remember that these small defeats are an important part of your Lenten journey!
It is within these difficulties that we can find profound opportunities for growth and grace.
St. Teresa of Avila teaches us that those who walk closest to Christ often endure the greatest trials, and Lent is an opportunity to walk with Christ in the desert. Yet she reminds us that God will never abandon us in these struggles. Rather, He will always provide us with the strength necessary to suffer them well. She wrote:
“Courage, courage, my daughters. Remember that God does not give anyone more trials than can be suffered and that his majesty is with the afflicted. For this is certain; there is no reason to fear but to hope in his mercy. He will reveal the whole truth; and some machinations, which the devil kept hidden so as to create a disturbance, will be made known.”
These small moments of weakness and difficulty are also opportunities for profound humility. Sometimes the lessons of Lent are not beautiful ones of self-sacrifice, but difficult ones of personal humility. The lessons learned in weakness will teach us that we cannot trust ourselves to be strong; rather, we must rely on God, who gives us His strength in abundance.
Strength requires struggle and our spiritual lives require strength. This Lent, remind yourself to remain in the Lord’s strength with this Strength Candle. This elegant Strength Candle will effortlessly bring the strength of our faith into your home. It’s contemplative design, featuring Joshua 1:9, will inspire you to prayer all year-long.
What is the “Auspice Maria”?
This symbol reminds us that we have a particularly powerful helpmate.
You’ve seen the symbol many times on various religious objects: the delicate capitals of M and A intertwining.
Sometimes those letters are called the Marian Monogram, but they aren’t a monogram properly speaking—they don’t represent the initials of Mary’s names. They actually stand for the Latin phrase Auspice Maria, meaning “Under the protection of Mary.”
Doesn’t that phrase imitate the Blessed Mother’s own words concerning herself?
“Am I not here, I who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection?”
The phrase reminds us that Mary—the Mother of God—is also our mother.
From the cross, Our Lord generously bestowed His Mother on us, and in turn, entrusted us to His Mother. He never leaves us without help; in His loving mercy, He always gives us what we need when we need it. When we go astray, He always points to a path that will lead us back to Him. Often, that path back to Him is the same way that He came to us: through His Mother.
Mary took on her role as our mother wholeheartedly. Like the perfect mother she is, she never stops caring for us, listening to us, comforting us, and interceding for us. She’s watching out for us. She’s protecting us. She loves to hear us call upon her name and ask for her help.
Don’t forget that you’re always under her protection!
Remind yourself—and others—of this wonderfully comforting fact with the sweet Auspice Maria Floral Platter! With beautiful handmade floral design and feminine colors, this platter is the perfect addition to your spring and Easter tables!
What are “Ember Days”?
The U.S. bishops have encouraged us to observe this ancient practice.
The Ember Days are an age-old custom of the Church, originating about the 4th century.
They were observed four times per year, at the beginning of each season, and consisted of three days of prayer, fasting, and abstinence as a way of thanking God for the gifts of Creation, to ask His help in using them well, and to assist those in need. Like Rogation Days, these days were closely connected to the seasonal farming cycles and were a profound way of sanctifying our earthly doings.
The Ember Days are always Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, and the dates are as follows:
1. The Third Week of Advent
2. The First Week of Lent (The week after Ash Wednesday—this week!)
3. The week after Pentecost
4. The third week in September
Traditionally, priestly ordinations have taken place on Ember Saturdays, a custom that dates all the way back to Pope Gelasius in the 5th century. Although this is not observed as a rule anymore, the Ember Days are still a good opportunity to offer prayer and sacrifice for our clergy.
In fact, various bishops and clergy in the U.S. have encouraged the renewed observance of the Ember Days as a way to pray for vocations, priests, and the needs of the Church.
In their Pastoral Statement on Penance and Abstinence of 1966, the U.S. bishops also encouraged the voluntary observance of vigils and Ember Days as a way of participating in the Church’s traditional custom of a “fast before a feast.”
Yet penance is an essential part of the Christian life. Why not bring it back through the observance of the Ember Days, in whatever way—small or large—that you are able?
You don’t have to perform great feats in order to embrace a spirit of self-denial. St. Thérèse of Lisieux—whose “Little Way” has become the path to holiness for countless souls—knew that little sacrifices are the key to sanctity.
Our St. Thérèse Sacrifice Bracelet encourages you to perform small, hidden acts of penance throughout the day: with every act, you can slide a bead along the string to keep track. Also doubles as a decade rosary!
Meet the real-life Dr. Watson you’ve never heard of
He may not have been a detective, but he was saint!
You may know John Watson from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories.
But did you know that there was a real John Watson?
Well, even the real John Watson wasn’t the real John Watson.
Let me explain…
In 1614, a man calling himself “Captain John Watson” rode into Glasgow. He was no soldier, no merchant, and certainly not an ordinary traveler.
His real name was John Ogilvie. He was a Jesuit priest working undercover in Protestant Scotland, where Catholicism was illegal.
Ogilvie had been born in Scotland in 1579 but left the country as a teenager to study in Catholic Europe.
Ordained a Jesuit in 1610, John might have expected that he would lead a typical priestly life running a parish, teaching, and serving the surrounding community. But this was not God’s plan for John Ogilvie.
Instead, he was sent on a dangerous mission: return home.
Back in Scotland, John would be asked to serve Catholics who still practiced their faith in secret.
His life as a priest could have been mistaken for the life of a spy.Disguises, coded messages, and hidden chapels were a part of daily life for Ogilvie and his fellow Scottish priests.
His work did not go unnoticed for long. After a few months in Scotland, he was betrayed, arrested, and interrogated by authorities who wanted him to renounce the pope’s authority. Ogilvie refused. Even under torture—where sleep deprivation and the infamous “boots” (iron devices that crushed the legs) were used—he did not break. On March 10, 1615, he was martyred and hanged in Glasgow.
John Ogilvie was canonized in 1976, but in his own time, he was simply a priest doing his duty under threat of death.
We might not be called to life as an undercover priest, but we are all called to follow our faith, wherever it may lead us. Just like St. John Ogilvie, we’re going to need some courage on our own walk of faith.
Bring a dose of courage along with you wherever you go with this Be Strong and Courageous Leather Wallet. Featuring the important reminder, “Be strong and courageous. The Lord your God goes with you,” this wallet will help any Catholic man choose courage in their daily life.
What is the Celtic cross?
How did a pagan symbol help spread the Catholic Faith?
If you have enjoyed roaming the rugged Irish countryside, you may have stumbled upon a Celtic cross.
These crosses, ranging from small, simple grave markers to 20-foot-high landmarks, some intricately carved by artisans, others roughly hewn by commoners’ hands, are spread throughout Ireland.
But what are they, what do they represent, and how did they become such cultural symbols, both in Ireland and worldwide?
In Ireland, it is a popular legend that the Christian cross was introduced to the island by St. Patrick. Prior to that, there was a variety of Celtic religious imagery on the Island. The Celtic cross is the beautiful combination of these images, Christian and Celtic, into a unity that relays profound realities of our Faith.
The distinctive Celtic cross is usually mounted on a circle, a Celtic representation of the sun and the circle of life, and often features Celtic knotwork or other symbolism.
Tradition says that St. Patrick, desiring to evangelize the Celtic people, was inspired to use religious concepts they were familiar with, so as to explain the realities of the Faith in an accessible manner. In this tradition, it is said that St. Patrick combined the cross of Christianity with this circle to give the pagans an idea of the life-giving Cross of Christ.
By linking the Celtic circle, which evoked eternity and the life-giving properties of the sun, with the Christian cross, the Celtic cross helped the people of Ireland conceptualize the stunning reality of Christ’s life-giving gift of eternity, given to us through the Cross.
Other interpretations claim that placing the cross on top of the circle represents Christ’s supremacy over the pagan sun. The cross symbolizes the God-man’s death and Resurrection and therefore His power over all of creation.
Utilizing these striking symbols, already deeply rooted in Celtic culture, Christianity was able to spread rapidly throughout Ireland. Although there was not widespread literacy in Ireland at the time, these symbols told a powerful story to the Celtic people without the use of a single word. Through these symbols, stories of the Bible and the tenets of Christianity were communicated, making the Celtic cross a silent yet eloquent preacher of the Faith.
In contemporary times, the Celtic cross is far more than a relic of the past. It stands as a proud emblem of Irish heritage and the Catholic Faith. Whether in the form of jewelry, decor, or gravestones, the Celtic cross remains a popular symbol, a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the Faith through the ages.
Bring home your own piece of this incredible Irish tradition with a St. Benedict Garden Cross. Standing beautifully in your yard or garden, it will quietly communicate your Faith to your family, neighbors, and visitors. Featuring a striking St. Benedict Medal, this garden cross will also help bring the protective power of this sacramental medal to your home.
What is “St. Joseph’s Table”?
Invite the Holy Family into your home with this joyful tradition!
A “table” in honor of St. Joseph—whose Solemnity we celebrate in a week—is a delightful tradition that comes to us from Sicily. And guess what: you can re-create it in your own home!
According to legend, a terrible drought struck Sicily in medieval times. The people begged St. Joseph to intercede for them and, sure enough, rain fell and saved the people from starvation.
In thanksgiving, the people created a great table filled with delicious foods and treats and shared their abundance with the poor.
The tradition took off, and every year Sicilians—and eventually other regions and countries—would celebrate this feast day with a “St. Joseph’s Table” to be shared with friends, family, and, in a particular way, the less fortunate. Traditionally, food was specially set aside for giving to the poor. No one is turned away from the Table!
You can find this tradition today at many parishes right here in the United States.
Here’s how the traditional Table usually looks. Different places have their own regional specialities and you can add your own as well!
The table gives the impression of a little makeshift shrine or altar, with three tiers representing the Holy Trinity and steps leading to Heaven. A statue of St. Joseph stands on the topmost tier. Lilies and other flowers as well as candles and a basket of prayer intentions are often included.
Surrounding St. Joseph is a smorgasbord of beautiful foods, which are symbolic as well as delicious. Some of the most common ones include:
• Sardines and other fish. No meat is included, to commemorate the time of Lent.
• Sesame bread, which is formed into shapes such as St. Joseph’s staff, a sheaf of wheat, the Cross, and the Crown of Thorns.
• Bean dishes, especially lentils and fava beans (the hardy bean that is said to have sustained the Sicilians during the famine).
• Bread crumbs are used in the cooking of the foods, to represent the sawdust of St. Joseph’s workshop.
• Lots of sweets. A traditional Italian one is St. Joseph’s Sfinge, a puff pastry filled with ricotta and topped with a cherry.
• Citrus fruits and wine.
Many places begin the celebration with the “tupa-tupa” or “knock-knock.” Children dressed as the Holy Family move from one building or door to another, knocking and asking for shelter. They are refused until they get to the building containing the St. Joseph’s Table. They are then invited in with joy and served first as the guests of honor.
As a carpenter, St. Joseph appreciates beautiful woodwork, and he would certainly appreciate this Personalized Bless Us O Lord Cutting Board! The perfect addition to both your everyday Catholic kitchen and your St. Joseph’s Table.
Why you should be in Adoration at 3 A.M….
What is the 40 hours devotion and why is it important?
It is three in the morning. The adoration chapel is still as early-March snow falls, streaking white against the dark night.
This may not be the usual time one may expect to be in adoration, but there had never been a more important time.
For 40 hours, this small adoration chapel will, not even for a passing second, be empty. These will belong to Him.
What is going on in this quiet chapel?
It is the 40 Hours Devotion–and it is powerful.
The 40 Hours Devotion is a time of continuous Eucharistic adoration, usually spread over three days, is a parish or community-wide opportunity to pray before the Blessed Sacrament.
Why forty hours? The number recalls several key moments in salvation history: the Israelites’ forty years in the desert, Jesus’ forty days of fasting in the wilderness, and most especially, the forty hours between Christ’s death and Resurrection.
The devotion often begins with a solemn Mass and Eucharistic procession, followed by uninterrupted adoration—day and night—until a concluding Mass or Benediction.
Today, you can find 40 hour Devotions across the world during all different liturgical seasons.
However, this is not a new devotion! The practice gained popularity in the 16th century, particularly through the work of St. Philip Neri and St. Charles Borromeo, who promoted it as a way to encourage deeper faith and reparation for sin. So, yes, it is needed now more than ever!
At its core, the 40 Hours Devotion is about carving out time—real time—to be with Jesus.
It’s a response to His invitation in the Garden of Gethsemane: Could you not watch with me one hour? (Mt 26:40). In the quiet, in the waiting, in the middle of the night when the church is nearly empty, something happens: the world slows down, distractions fade, and we simply sit with Him.
It’s an invitation. The doors are open. The candles are lit. Stay with Him awhile.
Even if there is not a 40 Hours Devotion near you, you can always answer Christs’ call to keep watch with Him. Simply, stop by a Church the next time you pass one on your afternoon commute or weekend errand run. He loves your company.
Whether you are in a Holy Hour, just stopping by a Church on your commute, or trying to spend a few moments with Christ in your home as you start the day, He is always there with you!
Transform these ordinary moments into prayerful reflections on the Eucharist, and you will find that His Presence transforms you.
With Mysteries of the Altar: Daily Reflections on the Eucharist, you will no longer struggle to find the time to reflect in his Real Presence.
Written as short, daily reflections, this little book helps you take those previous few free minutes and transform them into prayerful moments of union of the Eucharist. A great Lenten and Easter practice.
Why do we put ashes on our heads every year?
Isn’t that a little bit…Old Testament-y?
Yes, it’s very much Old Testament-y!
The people of Nineveh performed penance in sackcloth and ashes after Jonah delivered God’s message to them.
Job scattered ash on his food when everything he possessed was taken from him.
The early Church adopted the Jewish custom of ash as an external symbol of penance or grief:
In the Old Law ashes were generally a symbolic expression of grief, mourning, or repentance. In the Early Church the use of ashes had a like signification and with sackcloth formed part of the public penances.
—The Roman Catholic Daily Missal, 1962
So why ash?
Ash represents our mortality; just as ashes are the remains of wood consumed by fire, so our bodies will be reduced to dust after we die. We recall our mortality to practice humility, reminding ourselves of our extreme lowliness and the brevity of earthly life.
Traditionally, the forty days of Lent represent Our Lord’s forty-day fast in the desert. For us, the forty days mark a period of penance and prayer as we accompany Our Lord on the road leading to His Passion.
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and the cross of ash upon our foreheads to remind us that we ought to repent of our sins, especially during the Lenten season.
Ash Wednesday is here. The season of penance has begun. How are you going to observe Lent this year? Do you need a practical, personal guide on how to have a fruitful Lenten season?
Our digital series, Journey to Easter, is just what you need to keep you focused and give you clear goals to attain each day. It’s a spiritual retreat that taps into the rich graces of the Lenten season with reflections, prayers, to-dos, and much more. Plus, you can sign up and begin it today on Ash Wednesday wihtout missing a beat! Sign up today at The Catholic Company!
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Who made the first Way of the Cross?
The Stations as we know them were born of tradition nearly as old as the Church. Who do we thank for this beautiful devotion? An Apostle? Or a saint?
Actually, we owe our thanks to the Blessed Mother. According to an ancient tradition, it was she who made the first Way of the Cross. Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, one of the Church’s modern mystics and visionaries, relates to us some of the details, as they were revealed to her, of how this devotion came about.
After the Ascension, Our Lady immersed herself in the contemplation and remembrance of the Passion. Blessed Anne tells us that she went out daily and traced the route of the Cross through Jerusalem.
The Blessed Mother, relates Bl. Anne, was grave and shed “tears of compassion” as she walked the Way.
When the Blessed Mother moved from Jerusalem to Ephesus, she quickly marked a space for replicating the Way. Blessed Anne Catherine describes the new Way, saying:
Soon after her arrival at her new home [in Ephesus] I saw her every day climbing part of the way up the hill behind her house to carry out this devotion. At first she went by herself, measuring the number of steps, so often counted by her, which separated the places of Our Lord’s different sufferings. At each of these places she put up a stone, or, if there was already a tree there, she made a mark upon it. The way led into a wood, and upon a hill in this wood she had marked the place of Calvary, and the grave of Christ in a little cave in another hill.
Bl. Anne goes on to explain that at first, the Blessed Mother made this Way alone. Later, she brought her maidservant with her to meditate on the Passion and praise Our Lord for it. After her Assumption, the site became well-known by Christians. They made access to the Way easier, beautifying it with both material and spiritual attentions.
Our Lady, in making the first Way, gave us a tremendous gift. The Stations of the Cross that are erected in every Catholic Church, and which are traditionally prayed by Christians on Fridays—especially during Lent—are a spiritual heritage given to us directly from Our Blessed Mother!
This Lent, consider joining Our Blessed Mother in her daily contemplation of the Passion.
This beautiful Full Color Stations of the Cross Chaplet is a wonderful way to pray the Stations of the Cross. With stunning colored beads and petite medals with vibrant images of Christ’s path of suffering, this bracelet will help you walk the Way of the Cross everyday this Lent.
What do the different liturgical colors mean?
Have you ever wondered why priests wear certain colors for each liturgical season? Find out here.
We associate different colors with different holidays. For instance, Christmas colors are red and green, while Halloween colors are black and orange.
Likewise, the Church uses colors to symbolize particular liturgical seasons. The four main colors are green, violet, red, and white, but priests also wear rose on the Third Sunday of Advent and the Fourth Sunday of Lent and black for funeral Masses.
We are now in Ordinary Time, so priests are wearing green. Priests wear green for much of the year; this color represents hope and perseverance, which we ought to practice all year round.
Clergy wear purple during Advent and Lent. This color symbolizes the virtues we practice during these two important seasons: penance, waiting, and mourning.
During the Christmas and Easter Seasons, priests wear white, the color for joy and purity. White also represents the Resurrection. This color’s symbolism is also why brides wear white on their wedding day: to represent their purity and joy.
Red is worn on Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Pentecost. Red is the color for Christ’s Passion and for martyrdom. On Pentecost Sunday, the Apostles went out into the world to proclaim the Good News, and most of them were martyred for their faith, which is one of the reasons why clergy wear red that day. Red also symbolizes the fire of the Holy Spirit for Pentecost and the Sacrament of Confirmation.
On the Third Sunday of Advent and on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, priests wear a shade of pink called rose, representing joy and hope, as we anticipate the approach of Christmas and Easter. For funerals, the priest often wears black to represent death and mourning—and to remind the congregation to pray for the soul of the person who has died.
Each liturgical color has significant meaning and helps us set our minds on the season we are currently in. During this Ordinary Time, we should follow the theme of this season and listen for the messages of hope and perseverance in the daily readings.
Living Liturgical is not reserved for clergy! We are all called to live the rhythms of the Church—it is a beautiful way to bring your faith into your daily life. In Living the Seasons: Simple Ways to Celebrate the Beauty of Your Faith, Erica Campbell creates an easy guide that inspires you to celebrate your faith through crafts, activities, and traditions. Lent is the perfect season to begin living liturgically.
5 Ideas for Lenten Penances
It’s time to move beyond just giving up chocolate!
“What are you giving up for Lent?”
It’s the question we are all asking each other right about now. And yes, giving up something we enjoy such as sweets, coffee, or our favorite TV show is a great start.
These external penances are a necessary part of the season—and should be a part of our lives in some way throughout the year.
But what else can we do to actively cultivate virtue and really target our faults this Lent? How can we take our penances to the next level?
Here are 5 ideas that might prove a bit challenging—but try ‘em out and you’ll be enjoying some sweet spiritual fruit soon!
1. Mortify your will through the practice of obedience. Obedience takes different forms depending on our state in life. Those in religious life must obey their religious superiors, and children their parents. As lay adults, we can do it by cheerfully serving our spouse and children, fulfilling our assigned tasks at work, or simply allowing others to go first in the buffet line!
2. Attend especially to the tasks you don’t like doing. Padre Pio was once visited by the soul of a young friar who had worked in the sacristy. The soul revealed that he suffered in purgatory because he’d been careless and negligent with his work. Complete every task meticulously, no matter how small and insignificant.
3. Embrace annoyances. Annoyances abound in this life. Little flaws in other people especially provoke us to fixate on our aggravation. Very often the flaws are faults that we also are guilty of, but which we tolerate in ourselves. Over the next few weeks, when something in another person annoys you, examine yourself and discern how you, too, act or feel or think in that way.
4. Impose a strict watch on your tongue. Innumerable, mundane complaints escape our mouths daily, fostering ingratitude—so guard your tongue and inspect what you want to say before speaking.
5. Check impulsive actions. Be intentional in all that you do, asking yourself, “Do I really need to shoot off this text? Will this comment help anyone? Will I benefit from thoughtlessly popping snacks in my mouth?”
Lent is a long season and it’s easy to grow weary—why not go through it as a family and help each other along? Our 40 Days of Lent Family Card Pack provides the whole family with tools for a fruitful Lent. For adults—40 prayer cards, each featuring a powerful Lenten quote. For kids—40 project cards, each suggesting a sacrifice or activity befitting the season. Prepare your family for Lent today at The Catholic Company!
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What is the Pope’s cathedral?
It’s the “Mother and Head” of all churches in the world.
Did you know?
Every bishop has a “cathedral”—that is, the church where he officially presides as the head of his diocese. The Pope too—both in his capacity as the Bishop of the diocese of Rome, and as the head of the entire Church—has a “cathedral.”
The Pope’s cathedral stands on the property of an ancient palace donated to the popes by Emperor Constantine in the early 4th century. In its 1,700 years of existence, it has suffered a Vandal raid, neglect, fires, and earthquakes, and been rebuilt four or five times. Dedicated a total of three times, its name is the Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior and of Sts. John the Baptist and the Evangelist at the Lateran.
We know it simply as St. John Lateran.
The basilica was built for the popes as their primary church, placed right next to the Lateran palace, which was the papal residence for 1,000 years. It was the first western church to be built and dedicated as a Catholic place of worship, and surpassed the beauty of all the pagan temples in Rome. It was so lavishly adorned that it gained the name “Basilica Aurea” or “Golden Church.”
When the Pope moved to Avignon in the 1320s, both palace and church were forgotten and slowly deteriorated over the next seventy years. They had to be restored when the Holy See finally returned to Rome. Then the papal residence was moved to Vatican Hill, but St. John Lateran remains the Pope’s cathedral.
While the Pope’s cathedral may not be the Vatican, the Vatican is still the center of the Catholic Church on earth! As Catholics, we should all feel connected to the Vatican. Honor your Catholic heritage with this Vatican City Mug. This unique mug will certainly be a great conversation starter and will help bring your faith into your home!
What is the “burial of the Alleluia”?
It’s an old Church practice that anticipates the solemnity of Lent.
“Alleluia” is the Church’s great song of joy and praise, used throughout most of the liturgical year.
However, the solemnity of the coming Lenten season brings a more somber, reflective atmosphere to her liturgies, which will culminate in the sorrowful mysteries of Our Lord’s Passion and Death.
The “burial of the Alleluia” refers to the ceremony surrounding the official liturgical end of the use of this word until the Easter Vigil, when it will be joyfully sung again in celebration of Our Lord’s Resurrection.
In the current calendar, the Alleluia goes silent after Shrove Tuesday. In former times, it ceased this coming Saturday, the eve of “Septuagesima” Sunday, or the Ninth Sunday before Easter. In those days, the season of Septuagesima was a “pre-Lent” which prepared us spiritually for the forty days that begin on Ash Wednesday.
The ceremonial dismissal of the Alleluia from the liturgy began as a simple ritual in the time of Pope Alexander II in the 11th century. However, different regions developed their own, often spectacular, variations.
These customs often included the physical removal of the “Alleluia” from the church: the word being written on a plaque or board, deposited in a box, carried in procession, and removed from view. In France, where these customs seem to have been especially splendid, the ceremony sometimes included placing the Alleluia in a coffin, burying it, and even burning a straw “Alleluia” outside the church!
Many parishes still continue some version of this tradition, either on the eve of Septuagesima or on a day leading up to Ash Wednesday. Even if a physical removal of the Alleluia isn’t included, we all participate in the silence that encourages us to gradually gather our thoughts and prepare ourselves to embark on the spiritual journey of Lent.
Sometimes it’s difficult to figure out just how to make the most of Lent, but a little guidance is usually all that’s necessary. A Holy Lent is a digital, simple, profound guide to navigating the forty days of this sacred season and imbibing all the myriad graces available during it. Delivered directly to your inbox, A Holy Lent makes a perfect Lenten guide for the busy Catholic.
Why is St. Peter wearing a sling in his statue at the Vatican?
A bronze statue of the first pope sits regally in his basilica in Rome. But why is his left arm in a sling?
On the right side of St. Peter’s Basilica, just before the main altar, a small but majestic statue of the first pontiff sits on an elevated throne. His eyes gaze into the distance; his bearing is upright and noble; a golden halo rests on his head; his right hand is raised in blessing. His feet have been worn smooth by the constant touches of countless pilgrims that have passed through the Basilica over the centuries.
In his left hand, he holds the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven—the keys that have been passed on in an unbroken line of succession since the day Christ gave them to him. But Peter’s left arm is encased in a sling, as though it were injured or needed support. What a strange detail!
Strange in appearance, but profound in meaning. The sling is a reminder of human weakness. The weight of the keys of Peter is far too great to be borne by mortal strength; the pope must rely on the divine aid that Christ promised to His Vicar on earth. It is the Holy Spirit that guides the hand that holds the keys, not any human ability.
This theme is re-echoed in the Altar of the Chair, beyond the main altar in the back of the Basilica, where we see the Chair of Peter borne aloft by clouds. The four Church Fathers at the four corners only guide it; they do not bear its weight. Again, the Holy Spirit, portrayed in the alabaster window above the altar, is the Church’s true strength and support.
St. Peter can’t support the entire weight of the Church, but he can support you through your morning slump!
Why are chalices made of gold?
These vessels are noble in more ways than one.
Gold chalices have been used in the Catholic liturgy for centuries and the reasons go beyond simple aesthetics.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the factors that helped shape this tradition…
In the early Church, chalices were sometimes made from wood, glass, or even clay. However, these materials had drawbacks—wood absorbed wine, glass was fragile, and clay could crack.
St. Jerome (c. 347–420 AD) once wrote about a priest using a glass chalice that broke mid-Mass, spilling the Precious Blood. By contrast, gold does not corrode, does not interact with wine, and is easy to clean, making it a reliable material for holding the Blood of Our Lord.
One of the earliest recorded gold chalices belonged to Pope Sylvester I, who lived during the early 4th century. According to tradition, Emperor Constantine, after legalizing Christianity, gifted the Church several golden vessels for use in worship. This set a precedent: if the Church could use the best materials for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, why settle for less?
Around that exact same time, St. John Chrysostom emphasized that if kings on earth drank from gold cups, how much more fitting was it to use gold for the chalice that held Christ’s Blood?
Today, Church law still requires that chalices be made of noble materials that do not absorb liquids, with gold or gold-plated interiors preferred (Canon 930).
The gold chalice should be a beautiful reminder to us: if we are to receive the Real Presence in the Eucharist, shouldn’t we also make ourselves noble vessels for Our Lord?
It’s important to remind ourselves of the beauty and richness of the faith we practice.
What is the Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin Mary?
This devotion is a wonderful way to honor our Queen.
The Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a beautiful chaplet which pays particular homage to Our Lady’s crown of 12 stars.
As recounted in the book of Revelation:
A great portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
—Revelation 12:1
Our Lady’s crown represents her role as Queen of Heaven and Earth as well as the 12 tribes of Israel, the 12 Apostles, and the many graces with which God adorned His Mother.
The chaplet consists of one Our Father and four Hail Marys prayed three times.
Since the 17th century in France, these three repetitions were seen as representing her “Three Crowns”: the Crown of Excellence, the Crown of Power, and the Crown of Goodness.
St. Louis de Montfort greatly promoted devotion to this chaplet, and gives a formula for it—along with his own prayers and praises—in his classic work True Devotion to Mary.
At The Catholic Company, we offer a stunning chaplet with which to honor Our Lady’s heavenly crown. Designed and made by us right here in Charlotte, NC, this chaplet is composed of blue agate gemstones with silver and milky-white accents. It includes a prayer card with instructions on how to pray the chaplet according to St. Louis de Montfort’s method.
What is the origin of the St. Michael prayer?
You might already pray it daily—but do you know where this powerful prayer comes from?
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle…
The prayer to St. Michael is part of the Leonine Prayers, which were once said at the end of Mass. They are called Leonine because Pope Leo XIII ordered them to be said after Low (simple) Mass for the liberty of the Church during an era when the temporal authorities were attempting to suppress the Church’s rights.
But the St. Michael prayer was not originally included in the Leonine Prayers. It was added a couple years after Pope Leo’s original instruction, following a mysterious and powerful vision that he is said to have experienced after celebrating Mass one day at the Vatican.
Though it is not certain exactly what happened that day, accounts say that—appearing pale and fearful as he stood near the altar—the Holy Father beheld a harrowing vision of demons gathering on Rome. He quickly went and composed the St. Michael prayer and added it to the Leonine Prayers.
Although it is no longer obligatory after Mass, pontiffs—especially John Paul II—and bishops have promoted the St. Michael prayer as a powerful defense against Satan’s forces. Many parishes recite it together after Mass, some even continuing the tradition of the whole set of Leonine Prayers.
Pray the St. Michael prayer! Pray it for the protection of the Church, for our country, for your family, for yourself. Pray it! Do it now! Here it is!
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into Hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
You can keep St. Michael’s protection handy with this 4″ St. Michael Statue! It’s small size makes it an easy addition to a work space, bedside table, or car. Don’t be mistaken by its size—this little statue will help you seek St. Michael’s intercession throughout your day and his companionship is powerful.
Remember, today isn’t Valentine’s Day—it’s Saint Valentine’s Day.
You have to wonder whether St. Valentine and St. Patrick commiserate in Heaven about their feast days being somewhat obscured by their popular celebrations.
Treating your sweetheart to a nice dinner or a box of chocolates on this day is certainly a nice thing to do. However, as a part of your celebrations, be sure to call to mind Saint Valentine, whose real story is usually forgotten on his feast day.
We actually don’t know a lot for sure about this saint. He was either a Roman priest or a bishop in central Italy who was martyred in the 3rd century. His remains are buried along the Via Flaminia in Rome.
The connection between him and romantic love is also a bit uncertain. One legend says that he secretly married Christian couples, a grave offense according to the persecuting government. Some versions say that this favor was done particularly for Roman soldiers, who were not allowed to marry since—the government thought—this would make them unwilling to risk their lives in war.
The customs we associate with St. Valentine’s Day are traceable to the Middle Ages. Based on the tradition that birds began to pair on St. Valentine’s Day, lovers exchanged letters and tokens of affection on this day. We see references to these customs in literature from 14th- and 15th-century France and England.
Whatever the veracity of the legends surrounding the life of St. Valentine, we know that this holy priest existed, and that he died for his faith during a time of bitter persecution. His very status as a martyr makes him an apt patron for love: he and his fellow-martyrs illustrate to us, through their sufferings, the depth of their love for Christ, Who is Love Himself.
As you enjoy your day with your sweetheart, remember the love of St. Valentine, which gave him the courage to suffer everything for the sake of his Beloved—and made him a saint.
Not all of us are called to prove our love by physical martyrdom, but we can live out the vocation to love by sacrificing ourselves in smaller, though still powerful, ways—that is what love is about! Remind yourself to love often and well with this Love Mug featuring the powerful biblical phrase: “The greatest of these is Love.”
How is fasting different from dieting?
They might sound the same, but they are quite different.
The critical difference between fasting and dieting is intention.
Both involve a limited intake of food, but they are utilized and implemented differently. Dieting is purely for the sake of physical health or even personal vanity, while fasting is a spiritual exercise.
What does this spiritual exercise do?
A few of the main benefits of fasting: it tames our bodily appetites, which can be sources of temptation for us; detaches us from physical comforts, which can weaken us and impede growth in virtue; and aids us in personal self-mastery, so that we can resist sin and choose the good even when it’s difficult to do so.
Fasting also purifies and liberates our prayer. The detachment it produces sharpens our focus on God and helps us to enter into prayer more freely. It quiets the demands of the body so that we can focus on God without hindrance.
In fact, fasting isn’t just helpful to prayer: it must be joined to prayer. It’s ineffective on its own.
As St. Peter Julian Eymard said:
“The two actions must be joined and never separated, filling our soul with love by prayer, and purifying ourselves exteriorly by mortification. It is easy to say, ‘I love God,’ but if this word is not followed by mortification, it is vain and unfounded. Self-love has quickly taken the place of the love of God.”
Fasting has physical benefits, as well, as the secular world has recently discovered. It goes to show that God takes care of all our needs, physical and spiritual—body and soul!
This ancient spiritual practice isn’t optional. Fasting combined with prayer is a crucial part of our progress towards God. The Church actually prescribes two obligatory fast days a year: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. In addition to these days, we should consider adding in a bit of extra fasting to our spiritual routines, according to our ability, health, and duties in life.
What better time to start a new routine than Lent, coming up in just a couple short weeks? Good Catholic’s fan-favorite Lenten series—A Holy Lent—will be your step-by-step guide through this holy season. Providing a combination of videos, written content, examens, and prompts—including a practical schedule of prayer and fasting—this daily series will help you pray the days of Lent like never before.
What is a “hospitaller”?
Which medieval character was a monk, a warrior, and a doctor—all in one?
Imagine you’re a Christian pilgrim in the Middle Ages, making the long and dangerous journey to the Holy Land. The roads are filled with bandits and injury and illness are constant threats.
You’re weary and sick from your journey, but it is not safe to stop, so you must journey on.
Then, as you near Jerusalem, you find a surprising refuge. There—despite frequent threats from Islamic forces—is a hospital, is a hospital run by men in black robes with a white cross.
These are the Hospitallers—warriors, caregivers, and protectors of the weak.
The Hospitallers, officially known as the Order of St. John, started as a group of monastics who cared for sick and injured pilgrims in Jerusalem around the 11th century. But as Muslim forces threatened Christian control of the Holy Land, they took up arms to defend both their hospitals and the travelers they served. They became warrior monks, similar to the better-known Templars, but with a special focus on medical care.
Even after the Crusaders lost Jerusalem, the Hospitallers didn’t disappear. They moved first to the island of Rhodes and later to Malta, where they built powerful fortresses and continued to provide medical aid while also fighting off attacks from the Ottoman Empire.
Today, the Hospitaller tradition lives on in the Order of Malta, which focuses on charity and medical missions worldwide. Their hospitals, emergency aid, and disaster relief efforts continue the spirit of those medieval monks who saw Christ in the sick and the suffering.
You don’t need to be a hospitaller to have hospitality—we can all embody the hospitallers’ warmth and generosity! Remind yourself to make your home a refuge with this Come Have Breakfast Dish Towel. Featuring a cute breakfast design and the Scripture passage from John 21:12, “Jesus said to them: ‘Come have breakfast,’” this dish towel will help make your kitchen a place of Christian hospitality.
Why didn’t Our Lady pray the full Rosary at Lourdes?
She only prayed the Glory Be with Bernadette. Why?
Bernadette knelt before this strange and beautiful Lady. The Lady was dressed in white, with a white veil, a blue girdle, and a golden rose on each foot. On her right arm she carried a white rosary with a golden chain.
Bernadette had her rosary in her hands and the Lady took hold of her own as well. Bernadette tried to begin the prayers, but couldn’t lift her hand to make the Sign of the Cross. Then, when the Lady signed herself, Bernadette was able to do the same.
They prayed the Rosary together, there in the little grotto of Massabielle. But Bernadette noticed that the Lady only prayed the Glory Be. She was silent during the Our Father and Hail Mary.
There is a very important reason why. Both the Our Father and Hail Mary presuppose that the reciter is a sinner: “Forgive us our tresspases.” “Pray for us sinners.”
Furthermore, it would have been odd for the Blessed Mother to salute herself in the Hail Mary—exalting herself is something this humble Virgin never did.
The Glory Be, however, is a prayer that Our Lady prayed—in word, thought, and action—at every moment of her life. She continues to proclaim it now as she reigns in Heaven.
Our Lady’s selective recitation of the Rosary prayers thus offered a clue as to her identity. She would reveal it in a later apparition, when she said, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” She was the Immaculate Virgin Mary, the only one of us creatures who was not a sinner, the one who committed no trespasses.
Significantly, the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception—though always believed as dogma by the Church—had been solemnly defined less than four years before the Lourdes apparitions. Pope Pius IX had promulgated the doctrine in 1854 in his apostolic constitution Ineffabilis Deus.
You can bring Lourdes into your home with the Immaculate Waters Rose Set, a 3-piece soap and lotion set crafted with Lourdes grotto water. A perfect gift for yourself or a loved one, bringing a touch of grace to your daily routine.
What is the Megiddo Mosaic?
The floor of an ancient church reminds the world that Christ is God.
The centurion stepped into the small hall. Dusty light from a few narrow windows fell in shafts upon the floor, where a man crouched among various tools and stacks of tiny stone chips.
The centurion paused to admire the geometric traceries that were growing chip by carefully-laid chip upon the wet mortar. This artist—Brutius—was indeed talented in his work.
As if he heard the centurion’s thoughts, Brutius looked up from his trowel and chips and greeted his visitor. “I am nearly finished with your inscription, Gaianus,” he said, gesturing to the centurion to draw near and look.
“It is exquisite,” said Gaianus. “I am glad you have not finished; I want you to put in your name—there, in that space at the end. ‘Brutius has carried out the work.’ It is fitting. Also, did you receive my message about the other inscriptions?”
Brutius nodded. “A commemoration of the four holy women, and a reminder that Akeptous gave the altar stone to Jesus Christ, our God. Can you imagine, Gaianus, how long these inscriptions will outlast us? Whatever will have happened 1,000 years from now, the floor of this church will still give glory to God.”
Megido Mosaic (photo: Vesafis Tzferris, CC BY-sA 4.0)
1,000 years passed. 780 more years passed. Builders in Megiddo, Israel, working on enlarging a prison, stumbled upon ancient remains. Immediately, the government sent out archeologists to uncover and save an exquisite mosaic.
They found inscriptions naming seven of the Christians involved in the mosaic’s creation and four panels of intricate decorations, the largest containing the symbol of the fish. The most impressive discovery, however, was the Megiddo Mosaic’s declaration of faith: that Jesus Christ is God.
The ancient Megiddo Mosaic links Catholics today with those early followers of Christ, just as this Bethlehem Stone Crucifix links us to the Holy Land where our salvation was obtained. A detailed bronze corpus hangs upon this polished cross crafted of beautiful stone quarried in Bethlehem. Its standing design allows for easy display on desk, nightstand, or countertop.
How can rest be holy?
And why must we rest on Sundays and holy days?
Nowadays, we think of rest as a sort of “mental health break,” a thing which we grasp at in our exhaustion from the helter-skelter of life but never quite catch. That’s a misrepresentation of this important aspect of the Christian life.
Think of the seventh day of Creation, when God rested from His labors. Genesis reckons six days of divine labor, which shows us the enormity of Creation. Then, on the seventh day—God rested.
Not only did God rest—an act totally unnecessary for Him—but He rendered sacred to Man the day on which He rested and gave it to Man as a gift he must keep.
The Jewish people called this day the Sabbath and kept it on what is now Saturday.
However, because Our Lord rose on a Sunday—completing a new creation—we Christians keep Sunday as our day of rest. This expands into important feasts whose solemnities approach that of a Sunday.
The Church considers rest so important that, in addition to attending Mass, she actually commands us to rest from work on Sundays and holydays!
The key to practicing rest as a virtue—as something we should actively, intentionally cultivate—is to see it as a visit with God, a time to rest in Him.
Now, you might ask, “Well, how do I rest?” Good question!
Put aside housework, chores, and errands. Mentally close up shifting thoughts about what needs to be done. Do something you enjoy—reading, getting outdoors, engaging in a hobby.
Consider turning off your phone and iPad for a while. Enjoy your time of rest with God and share it with Him.
Sunday’s in particular should be a day of rest and celebration. One of the best ways to celebrate Sunad is with a special family meal. In Sabbath Soup: Weekly Menus and Rhythms to Make Space for a Day of Rest, you’ll find an easy, practical guide to meal-planning and prep for the Sabbath. This cookbook will help you enjoy both a delicious meal and a true day of rest with God, family, and friends.
The Catholic roots of Groundhog Day…
Did you know that this fun American observance actually has Catholic origins?
Every year, the world watches as Punxsutawney Phil proclaims a long winter or a newly-arrived spring. If it’s a sunny day and he sees his shadow, bad luck for us; if he doesn’t see his shadow, spring has come.
Where did this entertaining annual event start?
It actually has its origins in today’s feast of Candlemas and European traditions about weather on this day.
An old English poem goes like this:
If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Come winter, have another flight.
If Candlemas bring clouds and rain,
Go winter, and come not again.
In Germany, ground-dwelling animals such as badgers were the traditional harbingers of winter or spring on Candlemas. German immigrants imported the idea to Pennsylvania, adopted the local groundhog as the weatherman, and the rest is history.
But what is Candlemas?
The feast of Candlemas is also called the Purification of Our Lady or the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple. It commemorates the coming of the Holy Family to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days after Our Lord’s birth. There Our Lady completed the sacrifices the Mosaic Law required of new mothers. Firstborn sons being traditionally dedicated to God’s service, she and St. Joseph presented the infant Jesus to His Father—a beautiful image of Christ taking on His mission in the world.
We read about this event in the second chapter of Luke. The holy elder Simeon, to whom the Holy Spirit revealed that he would see the Christ, recognizes the Child and prophesies about His future.
Because Jesus is the Light of the World Who, with His coming to earth, dispelled the darkness of sin, the Church blesses candles on this day for use in the liturgy and for home prayer. A candlelit procession is often included in the liturgy, recalling the entrance of this Light into His Temple.
You can recall the Light of the World in your own home with this beautiful Three Hearts Candle. With charming illustrations of the three Hearts of the Holy Family—the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Heart of Mary, and Most Chaste Heart of St. Joseph—this candle is a beautiful reminder to invoke the Holy Family’s intercession over your own home!
Which dynamic saint founded the Salesian order?
Don Bosco is nearly always depicted as a smiling, windblown priest surrounded by fun-loving boys in sunny fields.
Giovanni Bosco grew up fatherless, like many of the boys he later fostered. His father died when he was about two years old, and as soon as he was old enough to work, young Giovanni made a living as a shepherd.
He hungered for learning, and knew very early on that he wanted to be a priest. In 1835, when he was twenty years old, he was able to enter seminary and be ordained.
It was at his first parish that his mission among children began. He often accompanied the pastor of the parish to the dreadful prisons, where he saw many children who had been confined with their parents. Seeing this, Giovanni resolved to devote his life to loving and rescuing children in such conditions.
The path was not an easy one.
When Giovanni Bosco formed a school and oratory for cast-off or impoverished boys, he also founded an order of priests and brothers—the Society of St. Francis de Sales, called the Salesians—to care for and teach them; but he and his ever-increasing band of children often found themselves unwelcome, being forced to relocate the school several times.
Don Bosco (Don is the title for a diocesan priest in Italian), however, was an experienced and determined shepherd. When he and his sheep were refused pasture in one spot, he simply took them to another and better pasture. He relocated his boys until they found the future site of the first successful Salesian house: a shed in a field.
By the time of his passing in 1888, his order had established 250 houses to care for hundreds of thousands of children in Italy.
The story of Don Bosco is inspiring to as all but it is particularly inspiring to young children. His love and friendship for his students radiates from his whole life story. Bring this powerful story of Don Bosco’s sainthood to your own children with Saint John Bosco and Saint Dominic Savio, an illustrated book for children!
Did you know some saints had a miraculous sweet scent?
The “odor of sanctity” isn’t just a metaphor!
There’s a sweet miracle that you should know about…
Did you know some saints had a miraculously sweet-smelling fragrance?
Yes! It’s sometimes called the “odor of sanctity” that emanates from them, often even after death. It’s almost as if their holiness and friendship with God radiates from them through a sweet fragrance.
Let’s meet some of these sweet-smelling saints…
St. Therese of Lisieux: After her death in 1897, many reported that her grave and relics emitted a beautiful floral scent, even before her body was exhumed during her beatification process. This fragrance was experienced by those who prayed for her intercession and has been noted in connection with her relics to this day.
St. Padre Pio: Witnesses reported that he exuded a perfume-like smell, often described as a blend of flowers and incense. This occurred even during his lifetime and was experienced by people in his presence or praying to him from afar.
St. Rita of Cascia: Her incorrupt body, preserved in a glass coffin in Italy, is said to emit a subtle, sweet aroma. Visitors to her shrine often comment on this unexpected fragrance, which has persisted for centuries.
The Church views the odor of sanctity as a sign, not proof, of sainthood. It’s never the sole reason for canonization. For those saints whose lives bore the fragrance of virtue, it seems fitting that their earthly remains would bear the fragrance of heaven.
Although we may not possess this miraculous fragrance, we can use a sweet scent to help cultivate a holy and prayerful space with a Catholic candle! One of our favorites is this I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me Candle. With its elegant design, quote from St. Paul, and delightful citrus, jasmine, and musk scent, this candle is the perfect addition to any Catholic space.
What saint was kidnapped by his own family?
…and climbed out of a tower window to escape?
You have probably heard of St. Thomas Aquinas.
However, you may not have heard about his kidnapping ordeal…a plot that was orchestrated by his own family!
We’re going to need some backstory to get to the bottom of this…
St. Thomas Aquinas was born to a noble family in Aquino, Italy. The youngest of eight children, St. Thomas was expected to enter religious life.
This expectation shaped Thomas’s childhood. He received a thorough and rigorous education. He grew to be a devoted man and felt the call to religious life personally, not merely out of family duty.
However, Thomas’s vocational call differed from his family’s expectations that he become a Benedictine.
Thomas desired to join not the Benedictines but the Order of Preachers, the Dominicans. The Dominicans, though sharing in a deep love of theology and an appreciation for teaching, differed from the Benedictines in several notable ways.
Primarily, at least for Thomas’s family, the Dominicans were a very young order.
Founded in 1212, 13 years before Thomas’s birth, the Dominicans only received papal approval in 1216. Because of this, and their commitment to a vow of poverty, the Dominicans had very little power in their region.
When Thomas expressed his desire to become a Dominican, he met with great resistance from his family—so great, in fact, that his father had Thomas kidnapped by his older brothers and locked in their family tower!
Tradition says that, hoping to break some of his religious fervor and will, Thomas’s brothers attempted to tempt him by sending a prostitute into the tower where he was being kept. They hoped that if he fell into sin, he would abandon the commitment he had to entering this uncertain religious order.
But like his desire to become a Dominican, Thomas’s commitment to virtue was not a fleeting thing—it was a firm resolution based on a burning love.
Thomas, resolved in his faith and his vocation, remained sure in his vow of chastity. As included in the official records for his canonization, Thomas drove the prostitute away wielding a burning log—with which he inscribed a cross onto the wall—and fell into a mystical ecstasy.
Realizing her son’s decision to become a Dominican was a resolute one, his mother arranged for a window to be left open so that Thomas could escape. Climbing out of his window, Thomas left the comfort of his family’s money and power and began his life as a Dominican.
Even though we may not be destined to be great preachers or theologians, we are still called to the same extraordinary holiness as St. Thomas. However, we may need a little assistance in that call…
Yes, we certainly need prayer, and coffee helps too! Start your mornings off with a little extra help in the form of a caffeine boost and some saintly intercession. Our St. Thomas Aquinas Honey Blend Coffee is a delightful tribute to the Angelic Doctor himself, with a lemongrass honey flavor profile and beautiful bag imagery inspired by the Doctor of the Church.
You never know what’ll happen when you stop under a fig tree…
St. Angela Merici’s prayer bore much fruit!
It’s true, you can find inspiration almost anywhere! St. Angela Merici, for instance, was struck by a powerful vision while resting under a fig tree!
Angela was a teenager living in the quiet town of Desenzano, Italy, in the late 15th century. Orphaned at a young age, Angela found her favorite company in prayerful meditation amongst the beautiful trees of her homeland.
One afternoon, as the story goes, Angela rested beneath a fig tree, perhaps lost in thought or prayer. In that moment of stillness, she experienced a vision that would forever change her life.
She saw a ladder stretching from earth to heaven, with young women dressed in white ascending and descending it. At the top of the ladder stood Christ, calling them upward. Angela didn’t fully understand the vision at first, but it left an indelible mark on her heart.
Over the next few years, Angela prayed with this vision, asking the Lord to reveal the meaning to her.
As her faith deepened and her desire to serve grew, the Lord answered her prayer and the meaning became clear: she was being called to guide young women toward God.
Angela answered the Lord’s call and established the Company of St. Ursula, a group of women dedicated to the Christian education of girls—an extraordinary mission at a time when opportunities for women’s education were scarce.
Her story bears a beautiful resemblance to an incident in the Gospel of John, when Jesus sees Nathanael engaged in quiet reflection under a fig tree. Nathanael is amazed that Jesus knows him, having never met him, and Jesus responds:
“Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”
Our Lord sees and rewards our moments of peaceful prayer in His creation. During a moment of prayer under a fig tree, Our Lord planted in the heart of St. Angela, like He did with St. Nathanael, the seed of a mission that would grow to impact generations. Today, St. Angela Merici is remembered not only for her vision but for her practical response to God’s call.
It just goes to show that even the humblest beginnings—like a fig tree on a quiet afternoon—can lead to extraordinary things.
Today, January 27th, let us be inspired by Angela to see God’s presence in the little things!
The more enriched you are with prayer, the more in tune you will be with God’s presence. Strengthen your daily prayer practice with the beautifully simple Daily Companion for Women! This pocket-sized book will help you bring Scripture, reflections, and prayer with you even on the busiest days.
Which martyr asked her executioners to “not delay”?
Although barely a teenager, St. Agnes embraced her martyr’s crown.
St. Agnes was only 12 or 13 years old when she faced martyrdom.
It was the 4th century, and the Roman Empire was uneasy with the growing Christian population that challenged its pagan traditions.
Agnes was a beautiful girl from a wealthy Christian family. When she reached the age where suitors began to knock on her family’s door, many were eager to win her hand. But Agnes had pledged herself to Christ from a young age.
“He is my only spouse,” she would say, a declaration that mystified and frustrated those who sought her attention.
Among her rejected suitors was the son of a Roman prefect, a man of power and influence. Humiliated, he reported Agnes to the authorities, accusing her of being a Christian—a crime punishable by death.
The prefect gave her a chance to recant. He offered her riches and security if she would renounce her faith and sacrifice to the Roman gods.
Agnes refused.
She was dragged to a house of prostitution, a place meant to shame and break her. Yet even there, her faith shielded her. The men who approached her were said to be struck blind by the radiance of her purity.
Frustrated, the authorities condemned her to death. As she stood before the executioner, Agnes remained calm. When the executioner hesitated, overwhelmed by the gravity of killing such a young girl, she encouraged him: “Do not delay. What you are doing is the will of God.”
Although we may feel far from St. Agnes’s bravery and holiness, do not fret! God’s grace is sufficient for us and with a commitment to prayer, He will always give us the strength we’ll require to do His will. The Ave Treasury of Catholic Prayers is a beautiful collection of classic and contemporary Catholic prayers that will assist you on your journey to sainthood.
What do angels look like?
Are they really chubby infants with fluffy wings?
The truth is, angels don’t “look like” anything.
They are pure spirit and don’t have bodies, so there is nothing our physical senses could “perceive.”
But the Bible is full of visits from angels,” you say. “The Angel Gabriel came to Mary. And aren’t there saints who saw their guardian angels?”
Well, angels have indeed appeared to quite a few people. That doesn’t mean they have bodies. It’s just that the angel—by God’s power—has chosen to present a visible image of himself that is symbolic of the virtues he possesses or of an attribute of God. Angels do this to help us out, since we human beings are limited by our five senses.
Okay, so, when they “present themselves” in a way that human beings can see, what form do they take?
Angels appear so beautiful and awe-inspiring that the people who “see” them usually fall down with fear or are tempted to worship them. Their holiness and power shines from their faces, radiating a light unlike any in the physical world. Since they always see God and are continually in His presence, they reflect His goodness and holiness.
As the Bible and the saints reveal, angels always assume a masculine form, appearing either as a man or a young boy. It is believed that they do this to honor God, Who is our Father, and Jesus Christ, Who became man to save us from our sins.
As warriors, angels also exhibit virtues that are particularly associated with masculine traits.
Although most of us will never “see” an angel, they are always with us. Each of us has a guardian angel who never leaves our side and who is tireless in helping us attain salvation.
Learn more about our heavenly friends, the angels, in The Angels: In Catholic Teaching and Tradition. In these captivating pages, you’ll discover the nine choirs of angels, the role angels play at our death, how they assist us in the spiritual battles of life, and so much more. You won’t be able to put this one down! Order your copy at The Catholic Company today!
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Which martyr asked her executioners to “not delay”?
Although barely a teenager, St. Agnes embraced her martyr’s crown.
St. Agnes was only 12 or 13 years old when she faced martyrdom.
It was the 4th century, and the Roman Empire was uneasy with the growing Christian population that challenged its pagan traditions.
Agnes was a beautiful girl from a wealthy Christian family. When she reached the age where suitors began to knock on her family’s door, many were eager to win her hand. But Agnes had pledged herself to Christ from a young age.
“He is my only spouse,” she would say, a declaration that mystified and frustrated those who sought her attention.
Among her rejected suitors was the son of a Roman prefect, a man of power and influence. Humiliated, he reported Agnes to the authorities, accusing her of being a Christian—a crime punishable by death.
The prefect gave her a chance to recant. He offered her riches and security if she would renounce her faith and sacrifice to the Roman gods.
Agnes refused.
She was dragged to a house of prostitution, a place meant to shame and break her. Yet even there, her faith shielded her. The men who approached her were said to be struck blind by the radiance of her purity.
Frustrated, the authorities condemned her to death. As she stood before the executioner, Agnes remained calm. When the executioner hesitated, overwhelmed by the gravity of killing such a young girl, she encouraged him: “Do not delay. What you are doing is the will of God.”
Although we may feel far from St. Agnes’s bravery and holiness, do not fret! God’s grace is sufficient for us and with a commitment to prayer, He will always give us the strength we’ll require to do His will. The Ave Treasury of Catholic Prayers is a beautiful collection of classic and contemporary Catholic prayers that will assist you on your journey to sainthood.
How was St. Sebastian martyred? (Trick question.)
All the paintings of St. Sebastian depict him pierced with arrows. Weren’t the arrows the cause of his death?
Actually, it wasn’t the arrows that killed him.
“What! How did St. Sebastian survive that?” you may exclaim.
Well, he certainly did suffer the horrible death sentence to be shot full of arrows—but he didn’t die from it as the Emperor Diocletian had intended.
Here’s the full story.
Sebastian was a Roman citizen in the 4th century during a time of great hostility toward the Catholic faith.
Living in Rome itself under the dangerous rule of Diocletian, Sebastian not only dared to be a Christian—he dared to be a Christian right under the Emperor’s nose as a captain in the Emperor’s bodyguard! He also used his position in the Praetorian Guard to minister to the Christians suffering persecution.
Diocletian eventually found out about Captain Sebastian’s faith and ordered him to be shot with arrows.
Sebastian survived the ordeal and was nursed back to health by a generous Christian widow. Then—fearless and unflappable as ever—he marched straight back to Diocletian and rebuked him for his cruelty to the Christians.
The Emperor, shocked that Sebastian was still alive, had him beaten to death.
Sebastian’s astounding courage reminds us that we must never give up the fight, no matter what we suffer. His story is one that continues to inspire countless people to this day. Continue to pass on the story of this heroic saint with A Tale of Death and Glory: The Acts of St. Sebastian and His Companions.
How to keep Sundays holy—besides going to Mass!
Are your Sundays being taken over by the rest of the week?
The modern, technology-driven life is so busy. The week is barely long enough for all the mundane activities that must be done.
Sometimes, the work week even encroaches upon Sunday’s rights: a morning slot is set aside for Mass while the rest of Sunday whirls past like the other days in the week.
How can we stop the busyness and truly focus on Sunday—the Lord’s Day? How can we extend our God-oriented frame of mind beyond Sunday Mass? How can we “keep holy the Sabbath”?
Well, there are many ways of observing the Lord’s Day in a fitting manner. We know what we shouldn’t do; let’s look at what we should.
The Catechism says:
On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body.
—Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2185
Now, this looks like a “don’t”—but look closer. You’ll see that this passage tells us what we can (and ought to) do on Sundays: worship God, be joyful, perform works of mercy, and rest both mind and body.
Reclaiming Sundays, a practical and enjoyable guide to observing the Lord’s Day, expounds on this passage of the Catechism. It will answer all the questions you have about Sunday and what we are permitted and encouraged to do on that day as faithful Catholics.
Divided into liturgically, spiritually, and seasonally-themed Sundays, each chapter begins with a Scripture verse and includes activity suggestions, prayers, and reflections. This book is packed with concrete advice on how to reclaim Sunday as a day of prayer, rest, family time, and celebration.
Who is the “Foster Mother of Saints?”
Meet St. Ita, one of Ireland’s great saints!
Ireland is an island of saints.
Of course, there are the ones we all know about, such as St. Patrick and St. Brigid, but it’s time to get to know some of Ireland’s lesser known saints and their powerful witnesses!
Today, let’s journey back to the heart of 6th-century Ireland, where we’ll meet St. Ita.
St. Ita earned her place in history not only for her deep faith her deep faith, but also for her role in nurturing future saints. Ita was born into a noble family in County Waterford around the year 475. Though she had many opportunities for an easy life, she chose the narrow path, dedicating herself to God.
Against the wishes of her family, Ita turned down marriage and decided to pursue a life of prayer and service. She settled in Killeedy in what is now County Limerick and founded a small religious community.
It was here that her reputation as a wise and holy woman began to draw attention.
One day, a mother approached Ita, seeking her help. The woman’s young son, Brendan, was precocious and curious, full of questions about the mysteries of the world. Sensing a divine calling in the boy’s future, the mother entrusted him to Ita’s care, confident that her wisdom and faith could guide him.
Ita took Brendan under her wing, teaching him not only the essentials of faith but also the practical virtues of humility, courage, and trust in God. According to tradition, Ita believed three things were most pleasing to God: faith in the Trinity, a pure heart, and a spirit of charity. She instilled these values in Brendan, shaping his character and preparing him for the extraordinary life he would later lead.
Through Ita’s witness, Brendan grew in holiness–in fact, he is now known as St. Brendan the Navigator, one of Ireland’s most celebrated monastic missionaries.
The bond between Ita and Brendan became legendary. It is said that even after Brendan grew up and began his famous voyages across the seas, he often sought advice and prayer from his beloved foster mother.
This relationship between Ita and Brendan epitomizes her title as the “Foster Mother of Saints.” She didn’t just educate her students—she nurtured their souls, encouraging them to grow into the fullness of their callings.
St. Ita passed away on January 15, 570 and her feast day is celebrated on that date (today!).
Celebrate St. Ita, St. Brendan, and the many other saints of Ireland with this stunning Genuine Connemara Marble Irish Rosary. Its natural range of green marble beads, cut from marble from Ireland’s rugged coastlines, will inspire you to holiness–like many Irish men and women of history! Plus, one of the most important tools for your own journey to sainthood is the Rosary!
This saint had 3 saintly grandchildren…
St. Macrina the Elder left a saintly family legacy.
Grandmothers can fly under the radar, but it’s about time we recognized a very special grandmother…
Meet St. Macrina the Elder, a 4th-century grandmother who practically wrote the manual on shaping a faithful and loving family.
Macrina wasn’t just any grandmother. She was the powerhouse behind not one, not two, but three saintly grandkids—Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, and Macrina the Younger.
She didn’t come by all those grandmothering skills from an easy life. She lived through some of the toughest times of the early Church. She and her husband fled persecution during Emperor Diocletian’s reign, hiding in the forests of Pontus in order to keep practicing their faith.
What really makes Macrina so relatable, though, is her role as the glue of her family. Like so many other grandmothers, she planted seeds of faith in the hearts of her grandchildren that would grow and bear fruit for generations.
In Macrina’s case, this fruit was destined to benefit the entire Church. You see, in addition to her nurturing love, Macrina had an impressive understanding of theology that she worked to inspire in her family. It’s said she passed on the teachings of St. Gregory Thaumaturgus to her children and grandchildren, inspiring their deep theological work. Her influence turned her family into a dynasty of holiness.
Think about it: how many grandmothers today quietly shape the future by babysitting, sharing life lessons, and teaching their grandkids prayers? Macrina was doing all of that centuries ago, showing us that grandmothers don’t need to be flashy to leave a legacy—they just need to be steadfast in their faith and love.
So, if you’re a grandmother—or if you love one—consider calling on St. Macrina. She’s a reminder that the small, faithful things grandmothers do every day can ripple through history, just like her family’s legacy has. Plus, who wouldn’t want a saint in their corner who knows a thing or two about tough times and teaching the next generation to shine?
Honor the mothers and grandmothers in your life with this charming Heart of a Mother Quote Block. Featuring a lovely quote on motherhood by St. Thérèse—“The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother”—it’s a perfect tribute to a mother, grandmother, or godmother.
Yes, there is a patron saint for that…
Long ago, in 4th-century France, St. Hilary was known for his sharp mind and even sharper wit.
Before becoming a bishop, he spent much of his life studying philosophy, which led him to believe in the truth of Catholicism. Once he embraced the Church, he became a fearless defender of the Faith.
But what made him stand out wasn’t just his courage—it was his cleverness.
During a time when the Church faced a serious threat from the Arian heresy, St. Hilary had to be both a theologian and a strategist—and he did so without ever losing his wit.
He knew that arguments alone wouldn’t always win people over, so he used something unexpected: riddles and questions that made people think deeply about the truth.
One famous story goes like this: Hilary was debating an Arian bishop who insisted that Jesus was not equal to God the Father. Rather than launching into a long speech, Hilary asked him a seemingly simple question:
“Who do you think is wiser—God or man?”
The bishop scoffed. “God, of course.”
Hilary nodded. “Then tell me this: If God, who is wiser, tells us that the Son is equal to the Father, why do you, a man, argue otherwise?”
The bishop was stunned into silence. The crowd erupted in murmurs. Hilary’s clever question had exposed the flaw in the bishop’s reasoning without a single insult or harsh word.
So, yes—there is a patron saint of riddles! Our Church history is full of fun surprises and our Catholic Humor home decor line is an ode to that joyful Catholic spirit. Our personal favorite is the fun Moses Makes Coffee Mug which features a witty joke about Old Testament coffee habits: “How does Moses make coffee? Hebrews it!”
Why did Our Lord choose to be baptized?
He obviously wasn’t a sinner, so why be baptized?
When Our Lord came to the River Jordan to receive baptism at the hands of His cousin St. John the Baptist, John asked the question that any of us would have asked:
“I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
—Matthew 3:14
Our Lord answered:
“Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.”
—Matthew 3:15
So John obeyed and baptized Jesus, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world, yet Who was guilty of no sin Himself.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in his work Jesus of Nazareth has some profound insights into why Our Lord underwent baptism. One of the Holy Father’s central points is the identification of Jesus with sinners and the anticipation of His sacrifice on the Cross.
Although the baptism John offered to the people of Israel was not the same as the true Baptism Our Lord would bring, it was a prefigurement of it. Like the Sacrament it anticipated, John’s baptism involved a deep-seated conversion of heart, a confession of sins, and a rising out of the water to new life.
As Jesus goes into the waters of the Jordan to receive this baptism, He is identifying Himself with sinners, taking our sins upon Himself, and submerging Himself—in our place—into the waters of purification. His rising up shows the new life that He will gain for us.
This, of course, is directly related to His Passion, death, and Resurrection. In fact, as Pope Benedict points out, He refers to His Passion as His “baptism.” In His death, He fully shoulders our sins, washing them away in His own Blood.
Our Lord rises from the waters of the Jordan as He would rise from the tomb three years later, glorified and victorious. At the Baptism, we see the heavens opened and the Trinity manifested: the Father proclaims the identity of His Son—“This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased”—a proclamation which, Pope Benedict says, foreshadows the Resurrection.
His rising from the dead was the most definitive proclamation of His divinity and His power over all things, even sin and death. Because of Christ’s actions, the heavens are opened, and we—through our own Trinitarian Baptism and participation in Christ’s death—can pass through.
Meditating on the life of Christ is an essential part of our spiritual life. One way to encourage meditation is to incorporate sacred art into your home! Beautiful and serene images of Christ and the saints will provide rich inspiration for your prayer. Our favorite is this stunning framed print of Murillo’s Baptism of Christ.
Why do we call Our Lady “Star of the Sea”?
This ancient and beautiful title of Our Lady points to one of her chief roles.
Catholics have been addressing Our Lady as Stella Maris—Star of the Sea—for well over a thousand years. Ancient hymns (Ave Maris Stella and Alma Redemptoris Mater are just two examples) lovingly address her under this title.
The image of a star shining on the sea is certainly an inspiring and beautiful one—a fitting description for this majestic, celestial Lady that recalls her identity as the Queen of Heaven, crowned by twelve stars.
But the title Star of the Sea has an even deeper meaning.
Star navigation is an essential seafaring skill. The stars guide sailors through vast expanses of the ocean, where—with no landmarks and no sun—it is easy to become lost or get off-course. The stars are the perfect guides: bright and visible in the darkness, reliable in their movements, unshaken by the tumults of the world yet somehow firmly connected to it.
Our Lady, too, guides us on the tumultuous sea of life. She is never dimmed by clouds or storms, but shines bright no matter the weather. In times of difficulty—be it severe temptation, personal loss, physical suffering, or a time of spiritual aridity—she is our guiding star, lighting the way to a safe haven.
As one of Our Lady’s great devotees, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, said:
“If the winds of temptation arise, if you are driven upon the rocks of tribulation look to the star, call on Mary. If you are tossed upon the waves of pride, of ambition, of envy, of rivalry, look to the star, call on Mary. Should anger, or avarice, or fleshly desire violently assail the frail vessel of your soul, look to the star, call upon Mary.”
The Church as a whole is also referred to as a ship, the “barque of Peter,” navigating through the seas of the mortal world towards her heavenly home. Our Lady—the Mother of the Church—is Her constant guiding Star.
Our Lady seems to particularly resemble the North Star, Polaris, which is the only star in the Northern Hemisphere that doesn’t move. All the other stars appear to rotate around it. It might be beyond the skill of the average non-sailor to correctly trace the paths of moveable stars, but the North Star is simple to locate. Like the North Star, Our Lady is near us always, easy to find, steadfast and unmoving.
Here at The Catholic Company, we have created a Rosary to particularly honor Our Lady as the Star of the Sea. Our Stella Maris Brave Beads Tenner Rosary is made of stunning, sea-blue tiger-eye gemstones and sand-colored paracord. Outfitted with a handy carabiner clip, it’s ready to accompany you as you venture out on the high seas of life.
What is the Chartres Pilgrimage?
What do 20,000 (and more) Catholics do every year?
Every Pentecost, thousands of Catholics come together at the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris.
After hearing Mass, they set out on foot, exiting the city and walking through the countryside.
While the pilgrims walk, they sing, pray, listen, meditate, and confess. They engage in conversation. They drink in the peaceful silence of field and forest.
They will travel thus for the next three days, covering a distance of 62 miles. Halfway through the route, they will attend a special Pentecost Mass in the Extraordinary Form, celebrated in a field.
They are going to Notre Dame de Chartres, where they will venerate the veil of the Blessed Mother.
The Chartres Pilgrimage was once part of the longer Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage. For a few hundred years, the Chartres pilgrimage was a busy and popular route. When the Protestant Revolution reared its head, however, the route—and all other pilgrimages—suffered a rapid and steady decrease in pilgrims.
Over the next 400 years, wars and religious upheaval continued to discourage pilgrims. By the 20th century, the Chartres pilgrimage had almost died out.
The pilgrimage, however, was saved. In 1982, it was revived by a devoted group of Catholics. Since then, its attendance has grown exponentially—even non-Catholics walk with the pilgrims!
When the pilgrims catch sight of the cathedral’s ornate spires after three days in the field, they say they are filled with a sense of coming home. Even if we are unable to join them physically in this experience, we can unite ourselves to that moment in prayer. Throughout your day, the Chartres Cathedral Stained Glass Windows Candle will remind you of that lovely Marian cathedral. Evoking a sense of home and peace, this candle brings the detailed stained glass depictions to life.
What is Canon Law, anyway?
And why is it essential to the workings of the Church?
The Code of Canon Law is a set of regulations ensuring structure and discipline in the earthly workings of the Church.
The Code covers a huge variety of topics—from the Sacraments, to the Church’s temporal goods, to disciplinary regulations, to catechesis. If questions arise about what to do in a given situation or how an ecclesiastical function is to be done, Canon Law has the answers.
Canon Law was the result of centuries of slow growth. It was gradually compiled from the Apostles, tradition, and various decrees of Church councils. In the middle of the 12th century, a Benedictine monk and jurist named Gratian collected the various decrees, wrote a commentary on them, and endeavored to extract general principles from them.
The Church relied on his work until about the mid-13th century, when Pope Gregory IX asked St. Raymond of Peñafort—whose feast day is today!—to revise, organize, and clarify the collection of canons (canon = a rule or law found in Canon Law).
By this time, St. Raymond had studied both secular and ecclesiastical law for 25 years. He set to work condensing 1300 years of Church legislature into five basic categories: judge, judgment, clergy, marriages, and crime. The five categories could not contain all the canons, but they created a workable system that was used for nearly 700 years—right up until 1917, in fact, when Canon Law was codified into the form most similar to what we have today.
Canon Law is a solid buttress in the Church’s organization. Another crucial support is the Catechism of the Catholic Church—the complete guide to the Catholic Church’s teachings. This beautiful summary draws on Scripture and the Church’s Magisterium to explain every doctrine and answer any question.
“Catholics added seven books to the Bible.”
What’s the truth behind the “Deuterocanonical” books?
Your Protestant friend is having coffee with you again and he’s brought another big question with him.
He takes a sip of coffee, pauses, and says, “The Deuterocanonical books are really just apocrypha added by Catholics in 1546. The Bible has 66 books, not 73.”
Good question. But you don’t need to worry—you’re ready for this. You’ve been getting a steady diet of Get Fed and can answer this question easily!
The claim that the seven books of Tobias, Judith, Baruch, Ecclesiastes, Wisdom, and Maccabees I and II (sometimes called the “Deuterocanonical” books) were added in 1546 is a myth that arose after the Protestant Revolt.
These books were not added in 1546. The oldest complete form of the Old Testament, a Greek translation called the Septuagint, contained these seven books (which were originally in Greek).
When the Church finalized which books made up the Bible at the Council of Rome in 382 A.D., she declared the Septuagint to be the official Old Testament. This decision was ratified in subsequent Church councils, with the last ratification taking place at Trent in…1546. The Church was not adding any new books—she was simply affirming the books that had been there all along.
The truth is that Luther and other Protestant revolutionaries removed these seven books because they went against incorrect Protestant teachings. In reaffirming the proper canon, the Council of Trent was responding to this innovation.
Interestingly, the 73-book version of the Bible remained predominant through the Protestant Revolt. In fact, the King James Version of 1611 contained all seven of the Deuterocanonical books!
Do you want to read the Bible, but don’t know where to start? Over at Good Catholic, we have just the thing for you. Our digital course How To Read The Bible is your introduction to reading the Word of God. Through fascinating videos and articles and Scripture-reading assignments, you’ll not only be reading the Bible—you’ll be understanding and enjoying it!
Why did the Magi bring those strange gifts?
The Three Kings’ unusual offerings proclaim the truth about Christ.
The adoration of the Magi is a powerful, heartwarming part of Nativity history. But do you sometimes wonder…were the Magi well-meaning but clumsy gift-givers? After all, they were older, learned, wealthy men who probably didn’t spend a lot of time around children. Couldn’t someone have told them to bring swaddling clothes, a crib, and some money?
Actually, the Magi were the very best gift-givers. Their offerings of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were more than a nice gesture—they proclaimed the mystery of God Incarnate. Here’s why:
Gold has always been highly valued due to its scarcity, the difficulty of purifying it, and its lustrous color. The only people able to flaunt gold for millennia were the royalty—so naturally, it became a symbol of blue blood. Depositing gold at the feet of the Child in Bethlehem means that this Child is royalty—Son of David, King of Kings.
Frankincense is a type of hardened plant resin that creates aromatic smoke when burned. Nearly all cultures have reserved it as an offering to divinity. For the Jews, incense reminded them of the mystery of God, its smoke forming a spiritual link between heaven and earth. Its presence tells us that the Christ Child is God.
Myrrh is also plant resin, but its most common use was as a burial ointment. This gift of myrrh foretells Christ’s death—that is, it undeniably announces His humanity and proclaims the salvific sacrifice He will undergo.
With one seemingly small gesture, the Magi declare to us that here is the Word Incarnate, God made man, born to be our King and our Salvation. Their offerings proved their homage and belief—that is why they were the best gift-givers.
Bring the gifts of the Magi into your own home with our heirloom Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh Set. In this gorgeous trio, each gift is couched in an intricately-detailed resin box. A truly stunning reminder of Christ our King, God, and Savior, these gifts will make a beautiful addition to your prayer space or home decor all year round.
What is “St. Stephen’s Ride”?
Come on, it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you!
That’s what families in Scandinavia might have traditionally said to one another on St. Stephen’s Day!
In that region, families would bring their horses to the church on St. Stephen’s Day to be blessed by the priest before riding them around the church triumphantly. The day might then be crowned with a sleigh ride!
But what, you ask, does this have to do with St. Stephen, the Church’s first martyr, whose feast we celebrate today? How did he traditionally come to be venerated as the patron of horses?
According to a legend related in an ancient poem, Stephen was an able horseman, and when his steed fell ill, Christ Himself healed the ailing animal. Others say that medieval farmers generally gave their animals a time of rest during the 12 days of Christmas, so horses were blessed and celebrated on Stephen’s Day.
In Sweden, St. Stephen’s story became intertwined with that of a different Stephen (Staffan) who they say was martyred in that country in the 11th century. According to various legends, he was a stable boy and an unbroken foal carried his body to its final resting place. So both Stephens are traditionally celebrated in that country on December 26th and are commemorated with equine activities!
Why should we have Masses said for our intentions?
We can pray for anyone at any time. So why do Catholics talk about having Masses said?
When a priest offers the Holy Mass, he prays that the graces which come from the Mass be bestowed on someone in particular, such as a parishioner, family member, or departed soul.
The intention he prays for is usually one that has been requested by a parishioner. That’s right!
We, the laity, can ask a priest to offer Mass for someone we are praying for, whether that person is someone who has passed away or who is still living. The intentions can vary: for conversion, for health, on birthdays or anniversaries…
But why ask a priest to offer Mass? Why not just pray for them ourselves?
It is good to do this because of the multitude of spiritual fruits gained from the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is the greatest and most efficacious of all prayers, because in it, we are offering Christ Himself to His Father: the perfect Lamb of God, the supreme and most pleasing Sacrifice.
As St. Leonard of Port Maurice says:
Let us be diligent in hearing Mass as often as possible, and with all possible devotion; and furthermore, let us endeavor to have as many Masses as possible celebrated for our intention. By this means, be our debts weighty as they may, and countless beyond numbering, there can be no doubt that we will be able to discharge them all completely and entirely by the treasure which is derivable from the holy Mass.
There you have it—from a saint! His words are a good reminder not to take the Mass for granted, for it is more powerful than we know.
Though the Mass is the holiest event on earth and the greatest prayer, it sometimes becomes routine for us. Distractions plague us and our minds wander. But fear not—Meditations Before Mass is here to help. Based on 32 talks given by Msgr. Romano Guardini to his parishioners before Sunday Mass to help them hear the Mass more fruitfully, this little book will become your constant companion as you attend the Holy Sacrifice.
What is the Feast of the Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary?
We owe this beautiful feast to Spain.
The Feast of the Annunciation falls in a tough spot on the liturgical calendar. Due to its position in late March, it often falls during Lent, when the Church is focused on approaching the Passion and death of Our Lord with repentance, sorrow, and penance.
At other times, the Annunciation falls during the jubilance of the Easter cycle and is postponed until the Church’s main celebration of the Resurrection is completed.
Hoping to get around these difficulties, some Spanish bishops petitioned for a different feast day at the tenth Council of Toledo in 656. They were allowed to place the feast on December 18, eight days before Christmas, and attach an octave to it.
That way, since they were already preparing for the coming of the Savior, the Annunciation would fit right in with the liturgical cycle.
Spain observed this feast for decades, but the bishops eventually decided to return to the date kept by the rest of the Church. They encouraged the faithful, however, to keep December 18 as a feast, meditating on the Blessed Mother’s expectation of giving birth to the Christ Child.
After a time, this practice spread through the Church and the day became known as the Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The feast invites us to look upon the birth of our Savior as the Blessed Mother would have done: longing to see Him after His hidden sojourn in her womb, eager for the glorification of God on earth, and desiring to throw open the doors of our hearts to receive Him.
Contemplate Our Lady’s motherhood at Christmas and throughout the year with this Our Lady of Hope Musical Figurine. Depicting the Blessed Mother standing near the manger—ready with swaddling clothes—and lovingly touching her womb, this figurine doubles as a devotional and a Brahms’s lullaby musical box.
What does the name Lazarus mean in Hebrew?
And what can Lazarus’s story teach us on a spiritual level?
The story of Lazarus is one of the best known in Scripture: Our Lord and His Apostles are away from Jerusalem; the brother of Martha and Mary falls ill; they send word to Our Lord about this fact; He remains away two more days; when He arrives at Lazarus’s house, he has been entombed for four days. After Martha and Mary express their faith in Christ, He goes to the tomb and commands the dead man to come out, which he does.
The meaning of Lazarus’s name is the finishing touch to this remarkable event. It is the Hellenized version of Eleazar, which is directly from the Hebrew for “God” (‘el) and “help” (azar). The combination of words translates roughly to “God is my Helper” or “God has helped.” Clearly, God did help Lazarus at his darkest hour.
Like all tales from Scripture, though, there is more to this one than meets the eye. It was indeed a historical event, but there are many ways to interpret it.
In his sermon on the resurrection of Lazarus, for example, St. Augustine of Hippo took this historical event and applied it to the soul.
The four days Lazarus spent in the tomb he represented as four types of sin: 1) the original sin that resulted in the Fall; 2) the sin of ignoring the natural law engraved in our hearts; 3) the sin of ignoring the written law of the Ten Commandments; and 4) the sin of ignoring Christ, God Himself made Incarnate.
Our Lord’s coming to Lazarus in the tomb represents God’s grace entering our souls. Like Lazarus responding to Christ’s call despite the tight bands of his shroud, our souls repent despite the bondage of sin and are cleansed through the graces of contrition and absolution.
And, like Lazarus, our souls proclaim that “God has helped” us cast off spiritual death and enter into a new life.
This is especially meaningful at Christmas, when we most miss those who have passed. Remember that Our Lord holds them in His Heart when you hang our Merry Christmas From Heaven Ornament on your tree. Made of silver plate, this ornament is inscribed with a beautiful verse from the Merry Christmas From Heaven poem and accompanied with a bookmark containing the full poem.
What are the “O Antiphons”?
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel.”
The beloved Advent hymn O Come, O Come Emmanuel is a musical rendering of the Greater Advent Antiphons, also called the “O” Antiphons based on the initial letter of each. They are sung at the Magnificat during Vespers (Evening Prayer) from December 17th through December 23rd.
These verses are a heart-rending plea for the Messiah to appear and save His people. They address Him by the titles He is given in Sacred Scripture and encapsulate the profound longing of God’s people for their Savior.
Thousands of years of salvation history, thousands of years of waiting—of aching—for the Messiah find expression in these short, simple, yet intensely moving words.
The great liturgical commentator Dom Prosper Guéranger notes that these Antiphons are sung at Vespers because Our Lord came at the “evening of the world,” and are placed at the Magnificat to illustrate that He came to us through Our Lady.
A fascinating fact about these antiphons is that Our Lord’s answer is rendered within them as an acronym. If you take the first letters of each Latin title, beginning with the last (Emmanuel) and working backward to the first (Sapientia), it spells ERO CRAS, which means “Tomorrow I will come” in Latin!
Here are all seven antiphons. Make them a part of your prayer over the next seven days as you make your final preparations for our long-awaited Savior.
December 17 – O Sapientia
O Wisdom, that comest out of the mouth of the Most High, that reachest from one end to another, and orderest all things mightily and sweetly, come to teach us the way of prudence!
December 18 – O Adonai
O Adonai, and Ruler of the house of Israel, Who didst appear unto Moses in the burning bush, and gavest him the law in Sinai, come to redeem us with an outstretched arm!
December 19 – O Radix Jesse
O Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the people, at Whom the kings shall shut their mouths, Whom the Gentiles shall seek, come to deliver us, do not tarry.
December 20 – O Clavis David
O Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel, that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth, come to liberate the prisoner from the prison, and them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death.
December 21 – O Oriens
O Dayspring, Brightness of the everlasting light, Sun of justice, come to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death!
December 22 – O Rex Gentium
O King of the Gentiles, yea, and desire thereof! O Cornerstone, that makest of two one, come to save man, whom Thou hast made out of the dust of the earth!
December 23 – O Emmanuel
O Emmanuel, our King and our Law-giver, Longing of the Gentiles, yea, and salvation thereof, come to save us, O Lord our God!
Who was called the “Snowshoe Priest”?
Meet the astounding first bishop of the Mitten’s icy Upper Peninsula.
In the vast tracts of Upper Michigan, in thick-drifted midwinter, in wind or flake or stillness, the bent and burdened figure of a man could be seen trudging across the scudded snow.
He carried bundles on his back—medicines, linens, precious Viaticum—and tramped on worn snowshoes. He had no companions, no beast of burden, no means of communication, but angels watched his steps.
This is how Venerable Bishop Frederic Baraga ministered to his vast diocese of Michigan for fifteen years.
He would travel as far as 250 miles on his snowshoes, just because he’d heard rumors of stranded settlers in need of Holy Communion or of a child at death’s door. He always brought as many gifts as he could carry.
Bishop Baraga had originally come from Carniola, present-day Slovenia. He lost both parents by the time he was fifteen years old, but before their deaths he had witnessed their strong example of virtue and piety.
At first Baraga studied law, but upon graduation he entered the seminary. He was ordained just two years later, in 1823.
After seven years among his native parishes, he was sent to the United States as a missionary. His work among Germans and Indians bore great fruit. (Fun fact: Baraga wrote the first rules of grammar and a dictionary for the Chippewa language! He is holding his Chippewa dictionary in the image above.)
1853 saw him appointed the first bishop of Upper Michigan. Here he toiled among his loving flock until his death fifteen years later.
Bishop Baraga was joined in his missionary work by countless others. They established hundreds of Catholic churches and communities throughout the United States. Travel in the footsteps of these Catholic pioneers when you open up Monuments, Marvels, And Miracles:
What image is hidden in the eyes of Our Lady of Guadalupe?
This miraculous image holds marvelous secrets.
Michelangelo once said, “Only God creates. The rest of us just copy.”
Certainly the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe illustrates the divine artistry of God.
The viewer can be deeply moved simply by gazing upon the graceful composition of the image: Our Lady’s gentle expression, the radiant colors, the intricate details.
But the beauty and symbolism of this portrait go far deeper than what we can see with unaided eyes. In 1929 and again in the 1950s, the image of a human figure was discovered within Our Lady’s eyes. Further studies revealed that this image was tripled and somewhat distorted, just as a reflection in a live human eye would be.
More recently, an engineer named Dr. José Aste Tonsmann, who began his studies on Our Lady of Guadalupe’s eyes in 1979, said there are many more figures reflected in her gaze.
Tonsmann magnified Our Lady’s eyes x2500 and found a scene depicted in them: the very moment when Juan Diego unfolded his tilma to reveal the miraculous image to Bishop Juan de Zumárraga. Other witnesses to that famous scene are visible, too.
But Dr. Tonsmann’s studies revealed even more. Another group is visible at the center of Our Lady’s eyes: a family, with a father, mother, and several children. Two more figures are apparent behind the mother, which Tonsmann thinks are grandparents. Tonsmann conjectures that perhaps this image of a family remained undiscovered until modern techniques could reveal it, so that we would see this image at a time when the family was under attack.
The incredible images found within Our Lady’s eyes add to the miraculous features of this divinely-imprinted portrait. Studies have repeatedly shown that no paint, pigment, undersketching, or brush strokes were used to create it. Moreover, the plant fiber of the tilma should have disintegrated after twenty years. 500 years later, it survives in beautiful condition.
The beautiful truth of Our Lord’s humanity is not something reserved for Christmas Mass. We should prayerfully consider it all throughout Advent. As we prepare for the coming of Our Lord, it is important to remember how God prepared for the coming of His Son through generations of men and women unknowingly aiding in His divine plan.
This is the beauty of a Jesse Tree! A traditional Advent practice, a Jesse Tree is a special tree (usually an actual tree or a paper tree) that visually recreates the genealogy of Jesus as presented in the Catholic Bible, beginning with Adam and Eve from Genesis through to the birth of the Baby Jesus in Bethlehem.
Each ancestor of Jesus featured on the Jesse Tree is represented by an easily-recognizable symbol. For example, Jacob is represented with a ladder ornament that recalls his vision of a ladder descending from heaven to earth. Each ornament is hung on the Jesse Tree.
The Jesse Tree is a great way for kids to learn their Bible stories and to help them understand how important every individual is and how they each have a role to play in salvation history.
However, it is also a beautiful reminder for Catholics of all ages to consider the gift of Our Lord’s humanity.
If you don’t have a Jesse Tree, it’s not too late! Get creative and use a small Christmas tree, a sturdy branch from outside, or craft one out of paper or felt!
This Advent, introduce the Jesse Tree as a new family tradition. You’ll find that, on Christmas morning, your family will have a greater love for our incarnate Lord and a deeper understanding of His nativity. The Jesse Tree for Families will guide you through every step of this tradition!
Which Irish saint wandered the woods in a shirt made of animal hair?
Born into wealth, St. Lawrence O’Toole chose to suffer with Christ.
That would be none other than St. Lawrence O’Toole—a man whose life was as rugged as his wardrobe! Born in 1128 into a noble Irish family, Lawrence had every opportunity for comfort and wealth. But rather than ascend to his family’s noble position and lifestyle, Lawrence was drawn to another path, one that would completely reject the wealth he was born into.
Lawrence felt God pull him into the life of a wandering mystic. He would walk through the rugged Irish countryside deep in prayer, preaching to the people he would encounter. While his work as a wandering missionary did much good, God then called him to a different kind of service: Church leadership. Lawrence became a priest and shortly after was promoted to Archbishop of Dublin, a powerful position of leadership.
This new authority did not change Lawrence’s commitment to humility and poverty. In fact, it didn’t even change his wandering habits! As Archbishop of Dublin, Lawrence adopted a practice he became famous for: roaming the countryside in a hairshirt—a rough, scratchy garment made of animal hair, worn against the skin as a form of self-discipline.
Despite his lone wanderings, Lawrence never shied away from his calling to Church leadership. He was a peacemaker during times of political upheaval, even mediating between warring factions in Ireland and England. And while some thought his lifestyle extreme, the people of Dublin saw him as a beacon of compassion, humility, and strength. He lived among them, serving the poor, healing the sick, and advocating for the oppressed.
This Advent and Christmas season, bring the humility of St. Lawrence and the beauty of Irish Catholicism into your home! This lovely Irish Christmas Blessing Candle will fill your home with warmth and faith all season long. Plus, it makes a perfect gift!
Can you name the twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit?
You’ve learned about the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. But did you know there are also twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit?
You probably had to memorize the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit as part of your Confirmation preparation. You may have accidentally thrown in a few fruits of the Holy Spirit on a Confirmation class quiz: wisdom, fortitude, knowledge…peace…or was it piety?…generosity…is that a gift or a fruit…?
Let’s have a refresher.
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are seven specific graces He gives us, particularly in the Sacrament of Confirmation. According to the Catechism, they are permanent dispositions that help us respond to the promptings of the Spirit:
Wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.
The fruits of the Holy Spirit are the result of a life lived according to the Spirit. They are the natural outcroppings of a branch closely united to the Vine, Who is Christ. In the True Vine discourse in the Gospel of John, Christ said that those who abide in Him will bear much fruit and glorify the Father.
St. Paul lists the twelve fruits in his letter to the Galatians, and this number has been confirmed by the tradition of the Church:
Charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and chastity.
Ever notice how someone who strives after holiness just glows with these attributes? Like fire producing light and heat, a soul on fire with the Holy Spirit naturally emits these traits. Not that we are always patient, kind, and good every moment of every day, but if we keep working to remove the barriers of sin, these fruits will surely shine.
Beloved author and retreatmaster Fr. Jacques Philippe wrote In the School of the Holy Spirit to help souls acquaint themselves with the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity. Get to know the Holy Spirit and learn how to recognize and respond to His workings in your life with this remarkable book.
Who are the patron saints of each military branch?
Be sure to ask these saints to protect your friends and family serving in the military!
Did you know there are quite a few saints associated with the military? Some saints are general military patrons, some are specific to a branch, and some have even gained associations with a particular job within the military.
St. Michael the Archangel is patron of the military in general. Being an archangel, he is particularly honored by the Air Force and airborne divisions of the ground troops. Army paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, NC, complete the “St. Michael’s Jump” every year in honor of their patron saint.
Army
St. Sebastian, a Roman soldier, was particularly courageous, tough, and hard to kill. This Christian soldier became a captain in the Praetorian Guard, the emperor’s personal bodyguard. When Emperor Diocletian discovered Sebastian’s faith, he ordered him to be pierced with arrows, but incredibly, this didn’t kill him! Sebastian returned to challenge the Emperor for his cruelty to the Christians, at which point he was cudgeled to death.
St. Maurice was a Roman soldier from Egypt who eventually led the entire Theban Legion. He and his men were all Christians, and were martyred together when they refused to worship the Roman gods. St. Maurice is particularly honored by infantry units.
Servant of God Emil Kapaun was a U.S. Army chaplain who gave his life in the service of his fellow-soldiers when they were captured by Chinese forces in the Korean War. He died in a prison camp in 1951 and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His body was just identified a few years ago and returned to his home state of Kansas.
Other soldier saints include St. Martin of Tours—whose feast just happens to be today!—St. Joan of Arc, St. George, St. Ignatius of Loyola, and St. John of Capistrano.
Marine Corps
The virgin-martyr St. Barbara is the patroness of both Army and Marine artillerymen. Her own father martyred her out of hatred for her Christian faith, and legend says that lightning struck him as divine punishment—hence the connection to artillery.
Another Medal of Honor recipient, Servant of God Vincent Capodanno, was a Marine chaplain who was killed in action in the Vietnam War.
Air Force
St. Joseph of Cupertino is a patron saint of aviators because of his habit of levitating during prayer! Our Lady of Loreto is also the patroness of aviation and air travelers, since it is said that the Holy House of Loreto—the Holy Family’s home—was carried by angels to Italy.
Navy
St. Brendan the Navigator was a 5th-6th century Irish monk who traveled by sea to spread the Faith and monasticism in other lands. He is the hero of the early medieval legend The Voyage of St. Brendan, in which he and his companions embark on an epic sea adventure to find a promised land of the saints.
These are just a few of the great saints who take care of our men and women in the military. The Catholic Company has many gifts geared toward service members, such as this St. Michael Visor Clip that comes with the insignia of any military branch. We also have a wide selection of saints’ medals if your servicemember has a particular patron.
What does “memento mori” mean?
As Catholics we are urged to “remember our death,” but why?
We are all going to die.
Every single one of us.
And, over time, so will all those we know and love.
This reality can strike fear in the heart of even the most faithful Christian. Yet, if we are pursuing holiness and conformity to God’s will, we need not fear death. Heaven—that final union with the Lord Who is the source of our joy—is the reward of those who have been faithful on earth. And death is simply the path we must take to get there.
Knowing this means we can live freely in the light of God’s love for us. We can spend our lives seeking His will and aspiring only for His will to be done. We can let go of our fear of death and embrace the unique mission He asks of us in our finite time on earth.
Instead of focusing on the uncontrollable aspects of death, God calls us to rejoice in the gift of our immortal souls, and to embrace the hope and the promise implicit in bodily death. Christ conquered sin and death with His own death and Resurrection, and so, though we must go through bodily death, the salvation of our souls and the resurrection of our bodies await us.
Reframing the normally-scary concept of death is one of the many fruits of the practice of memento mori, which is Latin for “Remember your death.”
To take memento mori to heart is to remember our own deaths, and to live each day so that we are prepared to see the face of God. The practice of memento mori is essential, as it keeps the reality of our mortality present in our minds so that we may best live in a manner that will grant us heaven upon our death, which may come unexpectedly.
How powerful to ready ourselves in the here and now, which we know is fleeting, for the gift of eternity with Christ Jesus!
This life is precious. Every moment is gift and mystery. One day, at the hand of death, we will look upon the One Who we know loves us. His kingdom and our relationship with Him will endure into eternity, when we have left all we know of this world behind us.
So, until that day, memento mori!
Remember your death more fruitfully, joyfully, and prayerfully with Memento Mori: Prayers on the Last Things, a beautiful prayerbook that helps you pray and meditate on death and the afterlife. Encouraged by Scripture and the saints, this ancient tradition can help you manage the chaos of this world, grow closer to God, and focus on heaven.
Did you know van Gogh painted a biblical scene?
Amid personal turmoil, the painter turned to Scripture for consolation.
You probably know Vincent van Gogh. His paintings, such as Starry Night, Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers, and his self-portraits, are instantly recognizable.
But did you know he painted a beautiful biblical scene?
In the final year of his life, while struggling with mental illness at
the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum, Vincent van Gogh painted The Good Samaritan. In this colorful and vivid painting, van Gogh brings Jesus’ parable to life. With his signature swirling brushstrokes and movement, he depicts the Samaritan lifting a wounded traveler onto his donkey.
Van Gogh’s own life, with intense experiences of isolation and rejection, makes his choice of this story all the more powerful. Here was a man who knew suffering and loneliness, yet he chose to paint a scene of mercy. It is a moving depiction of compassion, tenderness, and Christian charity, three things Vincent himself needed at the time.
Religious art like this serves a unique purpose. It does more than illustrate; it draws us into prayer and reflection. We are comforted by visually encountering the tenderness of Christ’s love for us through sacred art. Maybe this is why van Gogh turned to religious art at this point in his life, even when it was a departure from his usual artistic subjects.
Bring home van Gogh’s The Good Samaritan in a beautiful ornate frame and you’ll have an extremely unique piece of religious art that brings color and consolation into any room! Let this masterpiece be a quiet reminder in your home to “go and do likewise.”
Five ways to help the poor souls in purgatory
And one way to receive a plenary indulgence!
Even though All Souls Day has passed, we should continue to pray for the Holy Souls in purgatory.
In fact, the Church dedicates the entire month of November to these suffering souls, urging us to remember them in our prayers.
Here are 5 ways to pray for the Holy Souls this month:
1. Visit a Cemetery (and Gain a Plenary Indulgence!)
One of the most impactful acts of prayer for the Holy Souls is visiting a cemetery, where a plenary indulgence, applicable only to the Holy Souls, is available each day from November 1st – November 8th. A plenary indulgence removes all temporal punishment due to sin, so it is a wonderful gift to give to the Holy Souls. To gain the indulgence, follow these steps:
• Visit a cemetery and pray for the deceased.
• Fulfill the usual conditions for a plenary indulgence: go to Confession, receive Holy Communion, pray for the intentions of the pope (for example, an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be), and be free from all attachment to sin, even venial sin.
The confession may be completed within a few weeks before or after the indulgenced work and can count for a number of plenary indulgences.
Holy Communion and the prayers for the Holy Father must be done for each work (preferably on the day of the work, but they can be done several days before or after).
2. Pray the Rosary or Chaplet of Divine Mercy
Both the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy are powerful ways to intercede for the souls in purgatory. The Rosary brings the consolation of our loving Blessed Mother to souls in need. Similarly, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, especially when prayed at 3 p.m. (the Hour of Mercy), is a plea for God’s mercy on all souls, especially those suffering purification.
3. Offer the Sacrifice of the Mass
Attending Mass is one of the greatest acts of charity we can perform for the deceased. The Holy Mass is the most powerful prayer because it is Christ offering Himself, the most perfect Sacrifice, to the Father. You can even arrange for Masses to be offered specifically for deceased loved ones or for the forgotten souls in purgatory. You can also offer your reception of Holy Communion up for a soul in need.
4. Perform Acts of Sacrifice and Charity
We can also aid the Holy Souls by offering up sacrifices and acts of charity, such as fasting, abstaining from favorite foods, or giving alms. Any small sacrifice can become a source of grace for these souls when we offer it with love.
5. Pray the “Eternal Rest” Prayer
The “Eternal Rest” prayer is a traditional and simple way to remember the Holy Souls. You can pray it anytime, especially when passing by a cemetery or in moments of quiet:
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
In this month of November, let’s remember our connection to the Holy Souls and dedicate our prayers, sacrifices, and Masses for them. Our prayers can truly make a difference, hastening their entrance into the eternal joy of heaven, where they will surely intercede for us in turn.
Remind yourself to pray for these suffering souls this month and throughout the year with this Holy Souls Rosary Bracelet. Inspired by Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich’s vision of purgatory, where she saw souls moving from darkness into light as she prayed for them, this rosary bracelet features stunning agate, Swarovski crystal, and silver beads. Additionally, with its St. Michael medal, this bracelet will help you fight your own spiritual battles during your life so that you arrive at your death prepared!
Which Catholic queen went herself to quell a rebellion—and succeeded?
Isabella of Castile must have laughed in the face of danger more than once in her life.
The 1469 marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella—respective heirs of Aragon and Castile—had ensured the union of the two kingdoms.
But trouble began when Isabella’s half-brother, King Henry IV of Castile, died in 1474. Rebels challenged the legitimacy of Isabella’s claim to the throne, even though Henry had named Isabella his successor. The rebels supported Henry’s daughter Joan, and the result was the War of the Castilian Succession from 1475 to 1479. What a way to start a reign.
In the midst of this conflict, a particular rebellion popped up in August of 1476 in the city of Segovia. The stakes were amplified by the fact that Ferdinand and Isabella’s infant daughter was in the city at the time. Never one to waste a moment, and accompanied only by a few friends, Isabella rode out to the city to negotiate with the rebels. She succeeded in putting an end to the unrest.
It would hardly be her only victory—under her hand and that of her husband, their united kingdom would flourish as never before.
To name just a few of Isabella’s accomplishments in Castile: she decreased the high crime rate, established a police force, did tremendous work to restore the Crown’s ailing finances, and was a great patroness of education and the arts.
The King and Queen finished the work of the Reconquista—the taking-back of Spain from the Muslim invaders who had conquered it—when they regained the Kingdom of Granada. Fearless as always, Isabella was continually involved in this war, organizing supplies and medical equipment, mustering troops, and visiting camps.
In 1492, Christopher Columbus famously appeared before Queen Isabella to request support for his proposed expedition to the New World. Isabella agreed to sponsor the voyage and later sponsored other Spanish expeditions.
The Queen also harbored a deep concern for the welfare of the natives of the New World, forbidding their enslavement and insisting that their rights and property be respected as subjects of the Crown. She even enumerated these wishes in her will.
Isabella’s accomplishments are far too numerous to recount here. But her greatest attributes were her faith, devotion, and piety, which guided her life and rule. Her reputation for sanctity even earned her the title of Servant of God in 1974.
Long live the Queen—may she join the ranks of canonized Catholic monarchs soon!
Knowledge of—and pride in—our Catholic history is more important than ever before. Pick up a copy of Timeless: A History of the Catholic Church and dive in. Available today at The Catholic Company!
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Do we know anything about Mary’s early life?
Let’s learn more about Our Lady’s childhood.
This month, on November 21st, the Church celebrates the feast of the Presentation of Our Lady, when her parents, St. Ann and St. Joachim, took her to the Temple to offer her in service to the Lord—just as Our Lady and St. Joseph would do with the Child Jesus years later.
The day of her presentation was a day of immense joy for Mary. Her soul, immaculate and filled with grace from the first moment of her conception, desired nothing more than to love and serve her God. This day brought her more fully into his service and allowed her to assist day and night in His house. She said to her angels:
“Messengers of the Almighty, faithful friends, I beseech you to remain with me in this holy Temple of my Lord and to remind me of all that I should do. Please instruct me and direct me so that in all things I may fulfill the Will of God.”
But Our Lady’s Presentation is not mentioned in the Bible—actually, nothing about her life prior to the Annunciation is mentioned at all. How do we know what she said to the angels? Do we know any details about this part of her life?
While we do not read about Mary’s childhood in Scripture, God has given some privileged souls private revelations concerning her hidden life. While these revelations do not carry the weight of public revelation contained in the deposit of faith—nor do they constitute historical sources—and while we are not obliged to believe them, those that have met with the approbation of the Church are a wonderful way to illuminate our contemplation of these mysteries.
The quotation above is taken from The Life of Mary as Seen by the Mystics, a compilation of the visions of several saints—Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, St. Bridget of Sweden, Ven. Mother Mary of Agreda, and St. Elizabeth of Schoenau—concerning Our Lady’s hidden life, arranged into a chronological, easy-to-read narrative.
Devotion to Our Lady is an essential aspect of our Catholic faith. As such, it is incredibly important that we introduce our children to Our Lady intercession—she longs to receive them into the fold of her mantel! With the Mary on the Mantel Book and Mary Doll Set, you can introduce Marian devotion to your children while engaging them with fun spiritual activity for Advent! It includes a board book about Mary, daily activity cards with messages from Mary, an Advent coloring sheet, and a plush Mary doll.
Who established All Saints Day?
Well, it depends…
On November 1st, the Church celebrates All Saints Day, a glorious feast and a holy day of obligation.
However, the Church hasn’t always celebrated this holiday in November…
The feast we now know as All Saints Day was originally celebrated on May 13th, 609 A.D., when Pope Boniface IV dedicated the Pantheon in Rome to the Blessed Virgin Mary and all martyrs, known and unknown.
So, why don’t we celebrate All Saints Day on May 13th? The short answer is because of Pope Gregory III.
On November 1st, 731 A.D., a century after the first celebration of All Saints Day, Pope Gregory III dedicated a chapel in the Vatican to the relics of all the holy Apostles, saints, and martyrs. Since then, the Church has celebrated All Saints Day on November 1st.
A century after that, in 853 A.D., Pope Gregory IV established All Saints Day as a holy day of obligation.
So, who established All Saints Day? Well, we have three popes to thank for that! Thank you, Pope Boniface IV, Pope Gregory III, and Pope Gregory IV for helping establish this glorious feast we celebrate today!
Happy All Saints Day! Get to Mass today and celebrate by reading a story from the lives of the saints, dressing as your favorite saint, or by wearing this beautiful All Saints Bracelet! This sturdy corded bracelet features the medals of beloved saints such as St. Padre Pio, Pope St. John Paul II, St. Benedict, and many more! With these powerful intercessors with you always, you’ll have great help on your path to joining all the saints in heaven!
The Church, however, wished both the clergy and laity to always remember what a priest is: Christ’s representative on earth, who is consecrated to God, and who embraces material poverty as did Our Lord. For a priest to wear collars of expensive materials was incongruous with this aspect of his calling. So Pope Urban VIII forbade ornamentation or lace and the Church regulated the fashionable collars to simple ones.
Today, we are familiar with the most common form of this simple collar: the “Roman collar,” with its simple white square.
The Roman collar is an immediately recognizable Catholic symbol. Pass on the rich tradition of Catholicism to your children with this adorable Saintly Snacker Priestly Baby Bib! Keep your kids clean with this charming black silicone bib featuring a front pocket to catch leftovers and a white “priestly collar” design at the top.
What are the 10 principal virtues of Mary?
True devotion to Mary, says St. Louis de Montfort, leads us to imitate these virtues.
In his classic work True Devotion to Mary, St. Louis de Montfort explains that this devotion to Mary “leads the soul to avoid sin and to imitate the virtues of the Blessed Virgin,” especially her ten principal virtues.
He lists them as:
• Profound humility
• Lively faith
• Blind obedience
• Continual prayer
• Universal mortification
• Divine purity
• Ardent charity
• Heroic patience
• Angelic sweetness
• Divine wisdom
Today, let’s dive into the first five and we’ll go into the next five tomorrow.
Profound humility. Our Lady was the most exalted of all creatures, yet also the most humble. “My soul doth magnify the Lord…” she said during her Visitation to St. Elizabeth, recorded in the Gospel of Luke. Not only did Mary attribute everything good to God and see herself as His creature, totally dependent on Him, but she also saw her life’s very purpose as glorifying the Almighty.
Lively faith. Our Lady believed everything God revealed and in all His promises, without faltering. And she did it with eagerness and joy, not with timidity or skepticism. She trusted in Him completely, He Who can neither deceive nor be deceived. “Blessed is she who believed that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled,” said St. Elizabeth to her at that same Visitation.
Blind obedience. Our Lady was perfectly obedient to God, as exemplified by her fiat at the Annunciation. Even at those times when the way ahead seemed uncertain or fraught with danger—such as when the Holy Family had to flee to Egypt—she always obeyed, trusting in God.
Continual prayer. Mary never stopped praying. She certainly set aside specific time in her day for prayer, to be alone with God and to converse with Him, but this prayer continued even amidst her other duties. Whether she was baking bread, preparing dinner, cleaning her house, or visiting a neighbor, all was done in union with God.
Universal mortification. Mortification is the denial of one’s own will and inclinations. Our Lady never followed after her own will, but continually united it to God’s will in every circumstance. She accepted patiently all contradictions, sufferings, and hardships with love, offering all things to God with perfect resignation and charity.
We should mimic our Blessed Mother in all things, but especially in these ten virtues! Remind yourself of these virtues and their beauty with this Virtues of Mary Vintage Floral Poster! This unique way of displaying Mary’s virtues makes a wonderful accent in your home. It also makes a perfect gift for the young woman in your life. Order yours today from The Catholic Company!
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Farmer-saints to help you in your work
Who are the patrons of those who “labor and toil in the sweat of their brows”?
Whether you work for your daily bread on arable property of your own or you simply care for a handful of chickens and a postage-stamp garden, you know the anxious labor that goes into producing healthy stock and vibrant crops. Among the saints in heaven, a countless number have experienced the same and would be delighted if you brought them your prayers.
Incense is required for Benediction and may be used at certain points in the Mass, including during the entrance procession, at the proclamation of the Gospel, at the Offertory, and at the Consecration. Priests may also burn incense at funerals around the coffin to represent our prayers to heaven for the deceased person, and also to commemorate that this person’s body was holy as a temple of the Holy Spirit.
Incense powerfully represents what really happens at Mass, Adoration, and Benediction. The next time you see incense in church, think about how, in this moment, your prayers are rising to God and He is descending to earth to make His presence real before you in the Eucharist.
Although we don’t often use incense at home, a beautiful candle can serve as a similar reminder of Our Lord’s presence. One of our personal favorites is this Fiat Scented Candle! Along with it’s lovely mandarin vanilla scent, this candle displays the beautiful words of Our Lady from the Gospel of Luke: “May it be done unto me according to your word.” Remind yourself to say yes to Our Lord daily with this stunning candle!
How many countries did JPII visit as pope?
The total number isn’t in the single digits. It’s not even in the double digits.
It’s in the triple digits.
History’s most well-traveled pope visited a total of 129 countries during his 26-year pontificate.
Of these, the top most-visited country was his native Poland, with nine visits (also where he literally helped topple Communism); then France, with eight visits; and our own United States comes in third place, with seven.
Some folks on the internet actually put together a fun map of all the places he went. The different shades of blue represent the number of times he visited each place:
The darkest blue means 9+ trips; the lightest blue, 1 trip; each shade in between represents a digit, with grey representing zero.
This translates to around 721,000 miles of travel. That’s like circumnavigating the earth 29 times!
Start each morning off with a good laugh while remembering this beloved saint with our JPII Stupidity Quote Mug. Featuring a great line of this witty pontiff, “Stupidity is also a gift from God, but one mustn’t misuse it”, this mug will bring a smile to your face even while making you think. Pair it with a cup of delicious Pope Saint John Paul II Peruvian Roast Coffee!
Did you know that the last emperor of Austria was a saint?
“I must suffer like this so my people will come together again.”
These were the words of Blessed Karl von Habsburg, last emperor of Austria-Hungary, as he lay dying in exile.
Karl had ascended to the throne in 1916, in the middle of World War I. The assassination of his uncle, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, had ostensibly precipitated the war, and the death of Franz’s father, Franz Joseph, Karl’s great-uncle, meant that Karl was the heir.
Emperor Karl was one of the only voices of peace in the midst of a senseless war. He tried to negotiate Austria-Hungary’s exit from the conflict, supporting Pope Benedict XV’s seven-point peace plan, but their efforts were rejected.
With the end of the war, the secular powers-that-be had no interest in a Catholic monarchy. The land of Austria-Hungary was broken up into smaller entities, the emperor and his family were exiled, and the monarchy and aristocracy of Austria were abolished.
After attempting to restore the throne of Hungary, Blessed Karl was sent to his final exile on the island of Madeira, Portugal. There he died of pneumonia at the age of thirty-four, leaving behind the Empress and eight children.
Blessed Karl’s legacy is one of holiness, self-sacrifice, and loyalty to God, family, and his people. He was intensely devoted to Our Lord and Our Lady. His entire concept of duty centered around following God’s will and serving the people placed under his care. He was a devoted husband and father whose wife, the Empress Zita, is also on the path to sainthood.
He was everything a ruler should be. The tragedy of his reign is not in his failure, but in the failure of the world to see what they had in him.
Pope St. John Paul II beatified Blessed Karl on October 3, 2004. He is a saint for our times, standing as a contradiction to the modern-day evils of family breakdown, secularism, and government tyranny. Let us pray for his canonization and pray that he would intercede for our troubled and sinful world.
What are the three holy oils we use in the sacraments?
And when do we use these little-seen sacramentals?
Let’s say you’re visiting a church and you notice a tiny door in the wall of the sanctuary or the vestibule. You ask someone what it is and they reply, “Oh! That’s the ambry.”
“Sorry, come again?” you ask quizzically. “The ambry?”
“Yes, the place where the holy oils are kept.”
Ah, yes, the place where the holy oils are kept. You move away and are exiting the church when you suddenly think, “Wait, I forget what exactly the holy oils are.” By now, it’s too late to find your knowledgeable friend again, so you go home and consult your other knowledgeable friend—Get Fed!
You search “holy oils” and discover that these oils are blessed by the bishop at the Chrism Mass during Holy Week. There are three, each with a special sacramental use:
The Oil of the Sick is used during the Anointing of the Sick. The priest applies it to a sick person while invoking the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ. This oil is the vehicle through which Our Lord sends a person the graces and strength to bear illness. While it is in no way medicinal, it has been known to work spiritual, emotional, and even physical healing. It is made of pure olive oil.
The Oil of Catechumens is applied during the Baptism ceremony, right before the actual baptism with water. This oil is like a closed door between the soul and the devil, shutting out the latter in order that the soon-to-be-baptized soul may better prepare for life with and in Christ. It is also pure olive oil.
The Oil of Chrism is used in multiple sacraments. Most commonly, it is applied after Baptism and at Confirmation. It signifies the Holy Ghost and consecrates a person to God’s service. Priests at their ordination are also anointed with this oil. It is used at the consecration of bishops and churches, the blessing of new altars and holy vessels, and—now rare—at the coronation of royalty. It is made of olive oil and balsam, which gives it that distinct, incense-like aroma.
There is so much to learn about each sacrament—so why not start early? Give your children Light of the Sacraments, an interactive book that teaches children about each of the sacraments through Scripture, art, and rhyme. Kids will love the hidden images revealed with the aid of a flashlight! An excellent way to reveal the sacred mysteries to the children in your life—and, incidentally, why not refresh your own knowledge at the same time?
Why do priests burn incense at Mass and Adoration?
Love the scent or hate it, incense is a valuable part of Catholic worship.
Love the scent or hate it, incense is a valuable part of Catholic worship.
So why do Catholics use it so often?
We derive our use of incense from Scripture. Psalm 141:2 reads, “Let my prayer be incense before you; my uplifted hands an evening offering.” Also, in Revelation, John describes incense as a symbol of the prayers of the saints in heaven.
Incense has long been a part of Judeo-Christian worship. In the Old Testament, incense was used for worship, and Catholics used incense even in the early Church.
We use incense at Mass and Adoration to symbolize our prayers rising to heaven, and how the grace of the Mass purifies and sanctifies us. Also, when the burning incense rises into the air, representing our prayers going to heaven, we’re reminded of the spiritual connection as earth and heaven meet in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Incense is required for Benediction and may be used at certain points in the Mass, including during the entrance procession, at the proclamation of the Gospel, at the Offertory, and at the Consecration. Priests may also burn incense at funerals around the coffin to represent our prayers to heaven for the deceased person, and also to commemorate that this person’s body was holy as a temple of the Holy Spirit.
Incense powerfully represents what really happens at Mass, Adoration, and Benediction. The next time you see incense in church, think about how, in this moment, your prayers are rising to God and He is descending to earth to make His presence real before you in the Eucharist.
Although we don’t often use incense at home, a beautiful candle can serve as a similar reminder of Our Lord’s presence. One of our personal favorites is this Fiat Scented Candle! Along with it’s lovely mandarin vanilla scent, this candle displays the beautiful words of Our Lady from the Gospel of Luke: “May it be done unto me according to your word.” Remind yourself to say yes to Our Lord daily with this stunning candle!
Which saint saw her special place in hell?
Behind every great saint, there is a great conversion.
Most of us know St. Teresa of Ávila as a mystic, visionary, author, reformer, and foundress. She was all of these things, but she was also something more: she was a convert.
Born into Spanish nobility in the 16th century, Teresa entered the Carmelite Order at the age of 20. For nearly two decades, Teresa’s life as a Carmelite was marked with inconsistency: she often suffered from ill health and grew in the spiritual life during her illnesses, but when she regained her health, she returned to indifference toward prayer.
Despite her own indifference, however, she frequently told other sisters within the monastery how they ought to pray and live the Carmelite life. Before long, they began pointing out her hypocrisy to her.
Finally, Our Lord Himself stepped in. One day, He took Teresa to a horrible place—a place so awful that words fail to describe it, but which she likened to a slimy, dark tunnel filled with an inexpressible stench.
This place, He told Teresa, was her very own place in hell. This was the spot reserved particularly for her, Teresa of Ávila, and which awaited her in the next life. He showed it to her that she might understand her danger, humble herself, and start to take her religious life more seriously.
Teresa did just that. From that day until her entrance into heaven, she clung to Christ as her Savior and Spouse, throughout all the heavy crosses and trials of her life. She not only grew consistent in prayer and her observance of the Carmelite Rule—she reached immense heights of mystical prayer and became the great reformer of the Carmelite Order. She is one of the Church’s greatest teachers on prayer and a Doctor of the Church.
This great saint knew what truly matters in life and she is eager to teach us. Bring her greatest lesson home in the form of our St. Teresa of Ávila Parchment Print. Illustrated with the complexity and richness of a medieval manuscript, this print features Teresa’s most powerful quote. Take it from a saint who saw hell—these words of confidence and comfort are concrete and sincere!
Which Marian apparition was scheduled in advance…
…and had to be pushed back?
When Our Lady first appeared to the three children of Fatima on May 13th, 1917, she told them she would return to the same spot on that day for the next six months.
She did indeed come on the 13th of every month—but one day, the children were unable to keep their appointment with the Blessed Mother.
Here’s why.
It was August 13th, 1917. By now, enough people had heard of the apparitions at Fatima that the children were famous, and many people went to the site with them.
The governor, a staunch anti-Catholic, was very displeased and concerned about the crowds these children were drawing. So, he got in his carriage, and drove toward the apparition site.
On the way there, he encountered the children, and offered them a ride to the site in his carriage. Once they got in, however, he drove them to his house and locked them up.
The next day he subjected them to relentless interrogation, threw them in jail, and even threatened their lives—but all to no avail. The next day he finally released them, having gained nothing.
On August 19th, nearly a week after the arranged date, Our Lady appeared to the children in a different spot. After that, the apparitions continued as originally planned.
Today, Our Lady of Fatima is one of the most famous apparitions of the Blessed Mother. “We would be mistaken,” said Pope Benedict XVI, “to think that Fatima’s prophetic mission is complete.” Do you know the truth about this miraculous apparition? Fatima for Today: The Urgent Marian Message of Hope carefully analyzes the events that took place in Fatima and clears up lingering questions and doubts about their meaning. This important book will deepen your understanding of this important Marian apparition!
What is the Litany of Trust?
Your SOS in spiritual distress.
Fear is arguably the greatest and most powerful emotion in our lives. There’s a lot we might be disturbed and anxious about—relationships, politics, health, our vocation, our job, even severe weather. We can become fixated on the fear and inner turmoil, unknowingly trying to draw on our strength alone to fix everything.
In times like this, what should we do? What can we do?
The answer is simple: pray the Litany of Trust.
“What?” you think. “What does trust have to do with my anxiety?”
Actually, trust is the remedy for fear. We fear because we do not trust in God. The Litany of Trust is a prayer which flings the soul wholly upon God. It asks Jesus to grant us the sweet grace of complete faith in Him, Who is our security and support. It helps us to face and renounce our reluctance to rely on Jesus.
The Litany was written by Sr. Faustina Maria Pia, a member of the Sisters of Life. During a time of inner turmoil and anxiety, she contemplated the root of her distress and discovered it to be a lack of trust. After she consciously placed all her trust in Jesus, relinquishing her desire to control everything herself, peace returned to her soul. This experience inspired her to compose a prayer that anyone can repeat in times of need, or on a regular basis.
Right now, in the midst of natural disasters and the election season, we need to trust God’s Providence more than ever! This St. Michael America Rosary is a beautiful way to prayerfully entrust our country to Jesus through Mary.
What does a day in the life of a saint look like?
Let’s tag along on a day in St. John Vianney’s life.
Well, of course, they’re all different, but one thing that is shared amongst all the lives of the saints is a commitment to prayer and the Holy Mass.
Let’s take a closer look at how prayer and Mass formed the cornerstone of St. John Vianney’s life.
Often, St. John Vianney would begin his day around 1 or 2 a.m., spending hours in silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. He once said, “Private prayer is like straw scattered here and there: if you set it on fire, it makes a lot of little flames. But join these straws together in a bundle and light them, and you get a mighty fire, rising like a column into the sky.”
Unlike most of us, 6 in the morning was the highlight of St. John Vianney’s day. It was at this early morning hour that he would celebrate Mass. His love and intense reverence during the liturgy often moved people to tears.
We are only at breakfast time and St. John Vianney’s day has already been filled with more prayer than most of us get in throughout a whole week. And it doesn’t even stop there!
After Mass, St. John Vianney would spend up to 16 hours in the confessional. It was during these long, difficult hours that he gained a reputation as a powerful confessor. Fueled by the Mass and hours in prayer, his confessions were incredibly healing. Pilgrims from across France sought his counsel and absolution. He encouraged penitents with a reminder: “The good God will forgive you if you do not despair of His mercy.”
One can only imagine a weary St. John Vianney exiting the confessional after one of these long days spent bringing God’s mercy and absolution to hundreds. A normal person would take the night off after a day like his, but not St. John Vianney…he simply would turn his eyes up to heaven in gratitude for another day in the confessional and begin his additional ministries.
His evenings were filled with catechesis, teaching children and adults about the Faith, and visiting the sick.
Finally, as the sun dipped below the horizon and day began to close, St. John Vianney was ready to wind down his evening. He would end his day just as he began it: in peaceful prayer. He would pray the Rosary and reflect on the lives of the saints. As he closed his eyes at the end of his day, he would lay his head down on a hard bed, or even on the floor.
Whew, what a day.
Now, while we should all be inspired after reading about how St. John Vianney spent his days, we should not be discouraged if ours do not look like his! We all have different vocations, and our prayers and penances will look different depending on our roles and responsibilities. We can draw inspiration from St. John’s life and, according to our own abilities, apply his dedication, prayerfulness, and love to our own busy days.
You don’t need to wake up at 1 a.m. or spend hours in a confessional in order to fully give your day to God—but you do need discipline and a plan. The Saintmaker: 90 Planner and Journal is the perfect way to start modeling your life after the saints. Combining the science of positive psychology with ancient Catholic mystical tradition, The Saintmaker is a one-of-a-kind guided spiritual journal and life planning system to help you create the life you dream of, become a more fulfilled person, and deepen your faith.
Did you know that there are also black scapulars, green ones, even red and blue ones?
Many of the scapulars with which we are familiar actually have their origins in religious orders, being a miniature version of the much larger scapulars worn as part of the religious habit. The smaller “lay” scapular is usually a sign of a person’s membership in an order’s confraternity: an association of faithful who are not members but partake in the spirituality and benefits of the order.
Let’s look at some examples. The Brown Scapular is one of the best-known Marian sacramentals. In 1251, Our Lady appeared to the English Carmelite St. Simon Stock and, giving him a brown scapular, said that anyone who wore this habit “would not suffer eternal fire.” The promise extends to the Confraternity, who wear a miniature version of the original brown Carmelite garment which covers the entire front and back of the religious habit.
The Passionist order, founded by St. Paul of the Cross in the 18th century and devoted to the Passion of Jesus Christ, has an all-black habit with a distinctive badge: a heart with a cross and the words Jesu XPI Passio—“The Passion of Jesus Christ.” The Confraternity’s scapular has a replica of this heart along with the words sit semper in cordibus nostris, meaning, “The Passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts,” a favorite saying of the Order.
An interesting example of a scapular that is not connected to a religious order is the Green Scapular, which was given by Our Lady in the 19th century to Sister Justine Bisqueyburu of the Daughters of Charity (the same order as St. Catherine Labouré, who had received the Miraculous Medal ten years earlier).
Through this scapular, Our Lady promised the grace of spiritual conversion to unbelievers and lapsed Catholics who would wear it and recite a short ejaculation to her Immaculate Heart. If an individual in need of conversion refuses to wear it, the giver can slip it into their belongings or under their pillow and recite the prayer on their behalf.
The fascinating world of scapulars is vast; we’ve only touched on a few of them here. The Brown Scapular is certainly the best known and loved and is certainly a highly-recommended devotion for every Catholic. If you do not currently wear it, we encourage you to order this beautiful Premium Our Lady of Mount Carmel Brown Scapular and ask your parish priest to enroll you in the Confraternity.
The day the Blessed Mother saved the Christian West
With Christian Europe under threat, Our Lady came to the rescue.
By the mid-16th century, Christian Europe was in shambles. The Protestant Revolt had caused a spiritual and political earthquake throughout the West. Europe’s leaders were occupied with internal wars and colonial expeditions in the New World.
All this disunity and distraction was not lost on the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Turks had been a powerful threat to Christendom since the 1300s and were ramming the doors of the West once again, trying to gain a foothold through the Mediterranean.
Pope St. Pius V was one of the only rulers to recognize the growing threat. He desperately tried to get Europe’s monarchs to do something. But they were caught up in their own affairs, and few responded to his pleas.
However, Philip II of Spain did send his half-brother, Don Juan of Austria, with dozens of ships. Other volunteers joined, and a force—called the Holy League—consisting of ships and men from Spain, Venice, the Papal States, and other parts of Italy was cobbled together. Included among the ships were vessels called galleasses with innovative side-mounted guns, which would prove invaluable to the fight.
But the greatest contributions were not in troops or weapons. Hearing of the situation overseas, the Archbishop of Mexico commissioned a copy of the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and touched it to the original. He sent it to Philip II with instructions to mount it on one of the ships. This was done.
Pius V then asked all of Christian Europe to pray the Rosary for the success of the offensive. The men of the Holy League prayed it, too, each man being given a set of rosary beads before they set sail from Sicily.
The Christian fleet met the Ottomans near the Gulf of Corinth on October 7th, 1571. The wind was against the Christians at first, but it switched direction somehow, and blew them right where they needed to be.
It was a bloody and costly battle for both sides, but in the early afternoon, the Holy League claimed victory for Our Lady. It was the last time that the Turks would seriously threaten Christian Europe from the Mediterranean.
On October 7th of the following year, Pope Pius V instituted the feast of Our Lady of Victory in thanksgiving for her intercession. His successor, Gregory XIII, renamed it the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary—the same feast that we celebrate today.
The Rosary is a weapon that wins battles and commands winds. It is one of the most powerful things you can have in your home. With this beautiful Praying Madonna Family Rosary Hanger, you can keep your family’s rosaries ready-at-hand! This rosary hanger will not only keep your family rosaries untangled and ready to use, it also beautifully displays Our Blessed Mother, the Hail Mary, and your family name for all in your home to see. Order yours today from The Catholic Company!
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Can Catholics believe in ghosts?
Supernatural visitors may not be what you expect…
It’s October which means that all around us our culture has begun its month-long celebration of Halloween. In every yard and supermarket aisle, you’ll see plastic skulls, gravestones, and ghosts.
There’s a lot we could talk about when it comes to Halloween (Halloween is traditionally a deeply holiday!) but today let’s focus on those pesky ghosts you may see hanging off trees in your neighborhood.
Can Catholics believe in ghosts? Well, the word “ghost” has so many connotations that we need to strip it down to its original meaning before we can answer that question. It comes from an Old English word, geist, which means “spirit.”
Ghosts, properly understood, are disembodied souls, and disembodied souls belong to human beings who have died—since death results when the soul separates from the body.
The Catholic Church has not offered an official teaching on the subject of ghosts, although her theologians have discussed the matter for centuries. St. Thomas Aquinas had this to say:
“…according to the disposition of divine providence, separated souls sometimes come forth from their abode and appear to men . . . It is also credible that this may occur sometimes to the [souls of the] damned, and that for man’s instruction and intimidation they be permitted to appear to the living.”
So yes, it seems that what people call “ghosts” are departed souls.
Of course, not every claim of ghostly activity is genuine. Most paranormal reports can be attributed to natural causes.
Furthermore, demons are capable of pretending to be departed souls; so not all “ghosts” are from purgatory.
This quote from the popular Catholic book Hungry Souls is helpful to understanding the distinction between departed souls and demons:
“Some apparitions that present themselves as souls of the dead may indeed turn out to be demons in disguise, seeking to deceive the credulous…[S]o-called manifestations of the dead during…magic or occult sessions…are by no means the departed persons they pretend to be, but hoaxes or demonic imposters.” -Gerard J. M. van den Aardweg, Ph.D., Hungry Souls
So, now that we understand a little bit more about what ‘ghosts’ actually are, do you want to hear a ghost story?
Real ghost stories are not things to be afraid of but can actually be beautiful examples of the Body of Christ and the Communion of Saints in action!
Let’s take a look at one such example that can be found in Hungry Souls. The life of Eugenie von der Leyen (1867–1929). Eugenie was a holy woman chosen by God to be a source of grace for those in purgatory. She had many encounters with the faithful departed, all of whom were in varying stages of purification.
The souls that appeared to her were not clearly visible at first; but as prayers and sacrifices were offered, and their purification advanced, the features of their faces became more recognizable.
Here is an example from her diary, recounting an experience with the soul of a Dominican religious who came to her. It was several days before she recognized him.
September, 5. …face was still wholly unrecognizable, a grey lump. He is rather quiet, but mutters incomprehensible words, it seems Latin.
September, 10. The Dominican is not frightening, but very often around.
September, 13. The Dominican is a father I have known well, a Frenchman. Was a long time with me, nodded assent when I started praying.
September, 17. I was very sad about something this night and cried. Then a hand was laid on my head. I looked up, it was the Dominican. He said: “Why do you weep?” I: “Because I am not content with myself.” …He: “Have confidence and be humble!” I: “How can I help you then?” He: “By mortification.”
Eventually, Eugenie stopped receiving visits from her Dominican as he joined the ranks of the Saints in Heaven! You see, ghost stories can be joyful things filled with hope!
You can read more about supernatural visits and how we can all do our part in praying for the souls in Purgatory in Hungry Souls. More than just a collection of “Catholic ghost stories,” Hungry Souls also discerns from these accounts important truths about the afterlife, God’s mercy, and ultimately, the urgent need to pray and perform sacrifices for our brothers and sisters in purgatory.
Which saint’s father tried to take away his inheritance?
Francesco Bernardone was not bothered when his father—taking him before the authorities of the town—threatened to disinherit him.
Francesco Bernardone was in big trouble. He had sold some family possessions to pay for the restoration of the Church of San Damiano, which he believed the Lord Himself had asked him to rebuild.
But Francesco’s father was furious at his son for disposing of family possessions without permission. Despite having his money restored to him, Signore Bernardone was so angry that he wanted to take away his son’s entire inheritance.
But Francis of Assisi—as we now know him—had never been an indecisive man and he gladly forsook the inheritance, declaring that he now had “but one Father in Heaven.”
Having once been the star of Assisi, leader of youth, a popular, fun-loving young man with no plans for the religious life, Francis still possessed a natural spirit of magnanimity toward the poor. He had wanted to be a knight, to win glory and fame in battle. But God worked on his heart and called him to a different kind of knighthood.
Praying one day in the Church of San Damiano, Francis heard a voice from the crucifix say to him, “Francis, go and build up My house, which, as thou seest, is falling into ruin.” Francis— taking the Lord at His literal word—set about restoring San Damiano, until it was clear that God’s plans for “rebuilding” related to more than just a building.
He then became the founder of a new order of mendicants who owned nothing yet possessed everything in Christ. Francis’s natural joie de vivre found its full flowering in this way of life, detached from materialism and worldly distractions and totally dedicated to the work of God.
Men of all ranks and stations were drawn to this life. These new friars dedicated themselves to preaching, the care of the poor, and prayer. We know them now as the Franciscans.
St. Francis’s life is full of lessons for all of us—no matter our age! Give the little ones in your life a saintly friend with this beautiful board book The Canticle of the Sun! Written by St. Francis of Assisi in 1225, this beautiful song of praise to God has touched hearts for centuries and is now brought to life for little readers with beautiful illustrations!
Can Catholics believe in ghosts?
Supernatural visitors may not be what you expect…
It’s October which means that all around us our culture has begun its month-long celebration of Halloween. In every yard and supermarket aisle, you’ll see plastic skulls, gravestones, and ghosts.
There’s a lot we could talk about when it comes to Halloween (Halloween is traditionally a deeply holiday!) but today let’s focus on those pesky ghosts you may see hanging off trees in your neighborhood.
Can Catholics believe in ghosts? Well, the word “ghost” has so many connotations that we need to strip it down to its original meaning before we can answer that question. It comes from an Old English word, geist, which means “spirit.”
Ghosts, properly understood, are disembodied souls, and disembodied souls belong to human beings who have died—since death results when the soul separates from the body.
The Catholic Church has not offered an official teaching on the subject of ghosts, although her theologians have discussed the matter for centuries. St. Thomas Aquinas had this to say:
“…according to the disposition of divine providence, separated souls sometimes come forth from their abode and appear to men . . . It is also credible that this may occur sometimes to the [souls of the] damned, and that for man’s instruction and intimidation they be permitted to appear to the living.”
So yes, it seems that what people call “ghosts” are departed souls.
Of course, not every claim of ghostly activity is genuine. Most paranormal reports can be attributed to natural causes.
Furthermore, demons are capable of pretending to be departed souls; so not all “ghosts” are from purgatory.
This quote from the popular Catholic book Hungry Souls is helpful to understanding the distinction between departed souls and demons:
“Some apparitions that present themselves as souls of the dead may indeed turn out to be demons in disguise, seeking to deceive the credulous…[S]o-called manifestations of the dead during…magic or occult sessions…are by no means the departed persons they pretend to be, but hoaxes or demonic imposters.” -Gerard J. M. van den Aardweg, Ph.D., Hungry Souls
So, now that we understand a little bit more about what ‘ghosts’ actually are, do you want to hear a ghost story?
Real ghost stories are not things to be afraid of but can actually be beautiful examples of the Body of Christ and the Communion of Saints in action!
Let’s take a look at one such example that can be found in Hungry Souls. The life of Eugenie von der Leyen (1867–1929). Eugenie was a holy woman chosen by God to be a source of grace for those in purgatory. She had many encounters with the faithful departed, all of whom were in varying stages of purification.
The souls that appeared to her were not clearly visible at first; but as prayers and sacrifices were offered, and their purification advanced, the features of their faces became more recognizable.
Here is an example from her diary, recounting an experience with the soul of a Dominican religious who came to her. It was several days before she recognized him.
September, 5. …face was still wholly unrecognizable, a grey lump. He is rather quiet, but mutters incomprehensible words, it seems Latin.
September, 10. The Dominican is not frightening, but very often around.
September, 13. The Dominican is a father I have known well, a Frenchman. Was a long time with me, nodded assent when I started praying.
September, 17. I was very sad about something this night and cried. Then a hand was laid on my head. I looked up, it was the Dominican. He said: “Why do you weep?” I: “Because I am not content with myself.” …He: “Have confidence and be humble!” I: “How can I help you then?” He: “By mortification.”
Eventually, Eugenie stopped receiving visits from her Dominican as he joined the ranks of the Saints in Heaven! You see, ghost stories can be joyful things filled with hope!
You can read more about supernatural visits and how we can all do our part in praying for the souls in Purgatory in Hungry Souls. More than just a collection of “Catholic ghost stories,” Hungry Souls also discerns from these accounts important truths about the afterlife, God’s mercy, and ultimately, the urgent need to pray and perform sacrifices for our brothers and sisters in purgatory.
Which saints spoke to their guardian angels?
Did you know that some saints actually saw and spoke with their guardian angels?
Today is the feast of the Guardian Angels!
God has given each one of us the incredible gift of our own angel. We rarely see or hear them with our senses, but they are always at our side—encouraging us toward good actions and away from bad ones, assisting us at Mass and prayer, and acting as our battle-buddy in the daily struggle with temptation. They guard us from danger and help us with everyday tasks.
Padre Pio was in regular communication not only with his own guardian angel, but also with other guardian angels, who informed him when their humans were in need of prayer.
Once, when a spiritual child of Pio’s named Cecil was injured in a car accident, Cecil’s friend decided to send a telegram to Padre Pio to ask for his prayers. But when this friend went to the telegram desk to send the message, a telegram was given to him. Padre Pio already knew about the accident and promised his prayers for Cecil. When later asked how he had known, the good Padre said, “Do you think the angels go as slowly as the planes?”
He said to another of his spiritual children:
Develop the beautiful habit of always thinking of him [your guardian angel]; that near us is a celestial spirit, who, from the cradle to the tomb, does not leave us for an instant, guides us, protects us as a friend, a brother; will always be a consolation to us especially in our saddest moments.
St. Gemma Galgani, a contemporary of Padre Pio, also had a wonderful friendship with her angel. In his biography of her, her spiritual director writes:
The visible presence of her Angel Guardian, with which Gemma was singularly favored by God, was for her one of the most natural experiences. Her Angel used to talk to her as ordinary mortals talk to their friends.
Gemma even gave her angel letters to take to God, Our Lady, her patron saints, and to her spiritual director!
Never forget your guardian angel. He is your Heaven-sent guide through all the paths of your life, ready to help you in all your difficulties, great or small. Entrust your children, grandchildren, and godchildren to their guardian angels—they will be sure protectors over them as they grow! This charming Guardian Angel Prayer Print is a perfect angelic touch to a child’s room or nursery!
St. Thérèse’s adventure at the Colosseum…
What did St. Thérèse do at this famous site during her pilgrimage to Rome?
St. Thérèse Martin and her sisters grew up in a home atmosphere of deep devotion to Our Lord and His saints. Devotions, penances, and pilgrimages were important to them.
Shortly before Thérèse entered Carmel, the Martin family made a pilgrimage to Rome. (This was the same trip on which Thérèse cast herself at the feet of an astonished Pope Leo XIII to ask permission to enter Carmel!)
During their Rome pilgrimage, Thérèse’s group made a visit to the Colosseum. Thérèse and her sister Celine were thrilled—they wanted to kneel and pray on the sand that had received the blood of so many holy martyrs.
However…when they entered the famous, hallowed building, they found that the main portion of the arena was roped off.
That didn’t stop the two Martin girls! The group followed their guide around the public areas—while Thérèse and Celine slipped under the ropes and ran into the arena.
Kneeling on the arena floor, they prayed to the holy martyrs, gathered some gravel as relics, and ran back to their father. No one else had noticed their brief disappearance, but St. Louis probably gave his daughters a loving, piercing look!
Want to know more about this spunky saint? Learn more about her in her own words in the spiritual classic Story of a Soul. Not only will this beautiful autobiography bring you closer to this wonderful intercessor, but it will guide you along St. Thérèse’s “Little Way of Love” that leads right to Heaven!
What is the “Sword of St. Michael”?
Besides being the fatal instrument that the archangel uses against the devil……the “Sword of St. Michael” is an invisible line that links seven of the world’s most significant sites dedicated to him.
The line begins in Ireland and stretches all the way to Israel. It’s an incredibly straight, tidy line and measures somewhere in the neighborhood of 3,000 miles.
Let’s take a quick tour of its holy sites.
1. County Kerry, Ireland – Skellig Michael. Yes, this is the Irish island you see in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The real Jedi (i.e. contemplative Irish monks) established their habitation here in the 6th century.
2. Cornwall, UK – St. Michael’s Mount. The holy Anglo-Saxon King St. Edward the Confessor gave this place on the tail-tip of Cornwall to the monks of Mont Saint-Michel Abbey in Normandy, who sent a band to establish the new community. Like the French original, it is regularly cut off from the mainland by tides.
3. Normandy, France – Mont-Saint-Michel. Speaking of the French original, that’s our next stop! According to legend, St. Michael instructed a local bishop to build a monastery on this rocky mount in the 8th century. Today, 3 million people visit this instantly-recognizable site every year.
4. Turin, Italy – Sacra di San Michele. A stop for pilgrims on their way to stop #5, this shrine was founded about the year 1000 A.D. by the Benedictines in the breathtaking Italian Alps. (Their website has some incredible videos and images! https://sacradisanmichele.com/)
5. Monte Sant’Angelo, Italy – Sanctuary of St. Michael. This famous shrine is located underground, in a cave where the Archangel appeared in the 5th century—his earliest appearance in the western world. Revered by saints, popes, and countless pilgrims through the ages, it is located close to San Giovanni Rotondo, whose great saint—Padre Pio—was among its devotees.
6. Panormitis, Greece – Monastery of Taxiarchis Mihail Panormitis (“Michael the Commander of the Bodiless Armies”). Located on the island of Symi, this sanctuary was founded in the 5th century and contains a giant (two meters high!) icon of the saint. They say this icon was moved several times but always miraculously came back to its original location.
7. Mount Carmel, Israel – Stella Maris Monastery. The Carmelite Order began on Mount Carmel in the 13th century, but prayer warriors resided there long before that. It has been a holy place since biblical times (Elijah performed his famous contest with the pagan priests here back in the 9th century B.C. See 1 Kings 18:20-40). It does not have a sanctuary specifically dedicated to St. Michael, but its profound sanctity, holy history, and connection to Elijah (another great warrior of God, who is represented by a flaming sword in the Carmelite coat of arms) make it a fitting finale to this transcontinental pilgrimage.
Can you imagine visiting ALL SEVEN in a row? Now that would be one epic journey! They really should have an award for that. Do you think you could do it?
Even if you can’t travel the world honoring St. Michael, you can still honor St. Michael in your own home with this beautiful St. Michael Bronze Statue! Bring the intercession of this powerful archangel into your home today and order your statue from The Catholic Company!
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