Office of Faith Formation

Did You Know?

Who were Sts. Philip and James?
How much do we know about these important vicars, and why do they share a feast day?

Most of us barely know the names of all twelve Apostles, let alone their individual backgrounds and life stories. Today, we celebrate the feast of two of these foundational followers of Christ. Let’s start learning about the Apostles, beginning with Philip and James today:

Philip was from Bethsaida, a town on the northeastern tip of the Sea of Galilee. He was a married man, and his two daughters were highly revered in the early Church.

Philip was the third Apostle chosen by Our Lord before He began His public ministry. After Andrew and Peter asked to follow Jesus (Jn 1:38), Our Lord went up into Galilee and sought out Philip. The Gospels mention this Apostle a few times, most notably his part in the Multiplication of the Loaves and his declaration to Jesus that they would be satisfied if Our Lord showed them the Father.

Little is known about his actions after the Passion and Resurrection of Our Lord, although tradition recounts that his mission carried him to Hierapolis, in Phrygia, where he was martyred. By some accounts he was crucified upside down, and by others, stoned. His relics remained in Hierapolis for centuries—reportedly preserving the city from destruction on several occasions—until they were moved to Rome in the 6th century.

James the Less was a cousin of Our Lord’s—his mother was called the “sister” of the Virgin Mary, a term which meant any close relative. He is not often mentioned in the four Gospels, but in the Acts of the Apostles we find him playing a pivotal role in the councils of the early Church.

James was so holy that even the Jews called him “the Just.” He became the first bishop of Jerusalem and remained there to administer to the Church while the other Apostles carried the Light of Christ throughout the Roman empire.

In 62 A.D., in a scene similar to that of St. Stephen the Martyr, James was cast from the Temple wall and beaten to death. He was buried at the site of his martyrdom and his relics were removed to Rome in the 6th century. Since the two Apostles’ relics reached Rome on the same day and were interred in a basilica together, the Church celebrates their feasts jointly.

Why were these relics so significant to the Church? Why does she seem to have a fascination with relics in general? Relics: What They Are and Why They Matter provides the answers to every question about these revered bones of holy men and women, from their role in miracles to their presence in every altar. Carefully researched and masterfully written, this fascinating book will be an invaluable addition to your Catholic bookshelf.

Which famous bishop was exiled 5 times?
With this track record, no wonder he said, “Athanasius against the world”!

St. Athanasius of Alexandria was a bishop beloved by the people of his diocese. They knew he was their spiritual champion, always upholding the true teaching of the Church and never dabbling in political intrigues. The political powers of the time knew this, too, but they didn’t always like it as much as the Alexandrians.

In fact, three emperors and the greatest heretical faction of the time—the Arians—got him exiled on five different occasions.

1. 336 – 338: The heretic Arius and his followers had been exiled, but the emperor Constantine pardoned one heretic—Eusebius—and allowed him to live at the royal court. Eusebius slyly persuaded Constantine to pardon Arius as well. When Constantine lifted the heretic’s exile and asked Athansius to reinstate Arius as a priest in Alexandria—as he had been before propagating the heresy—Athanasius refused. This refusal so angered the Arians that they drew up false charges against Athanasius, put him on trial, and got him exiled. After Emperor Constantine died, the empire was divided amongst his sons. The eldest, Constans, invited Athanasius to return to Alexandria.

2. 340 – 346: Athanasius returned to his diocese, but soon afterward the Arians accused him of disobeying the Church’s decision to exile him, and the younger emperor—Constantius—backed them up. Sending in a heretic bishop, the Arians made Alexandria so perilous that Athanasius had to flee. With the support of Pope Julius I and Emperor Constans, Athanasius eventually returned to his diocese and spent ten years there in comparative peace.

3. 356 – 362: After Pope Julius I died, the Arians managed to exile his successor. Then Athanasius was arrested and again forced out of Alexandria. He spent the next six years in the desert. Constantius died, and his pro-pagan successor—Julian—lifted the exiles of all orthodox bishops. Athanasius joyfully returned to Alexandria and was received with jubilance by the Catholic faithful.

4. 362 – 363: Soon after this much-persecuted bishop commenced work in his diocese again, Julian turned on him and said he hadn’t been included in the invitation. Athanasius obediently left, but assured the faithful that the exile wouldn’t last long. It didn’t—Julian died soon afterward, and the new ruler asked Athanasius to return.

5. 364 – 365: Within the year, however, that ruler also died and was succeeded by a pro-Arian prince. Valens quickly ousted Athanasius—but this time the people of Alexandria had had enough. They were so enraged at the treatment of their bishop that Valens restored Athanasius to them to prevent an uprising. After this, the bishop lived and served in his diocese until his peaceful death.

Throughout his tumultuous, exhausting life, Athanasius never once stopped combatting the Arian heresy. His writings fittingly gave him a place among the Doctors of the Church. You can learn more about him—and the 34 others—in The 35 Doctors of the Church, containing the inspiring and timeless stories of these great saints.

Pius V’s memorable conversation with a…donkey?
People and animals alike listened to the wisdom of Pope St. Pius V.

One day as Pius V strolled through the Vatican gardens, deep in contemplation, he found that his way was blocked. The obstacle in his way wasn’t a closed path or a lost tourist. Rather, Pius V was stopped by a stray donkey.

Rather than growing irritated, the pontiff, with a twinkle in his eye, engaged in a whimsical exchange with the creature, gently coaxing it aside with a few choice words of encouragement.

The onlookers, astonished by the sight of the pope bantering with a donkey, erupted into laughter, their spirits lifted by the joy radiating from the Holy Father.

Later in his papacy, during an audience with a delegation of dignitaries, Pius V found himself interrupted by another stray Vatican City animal. As the solemn proceedings unfolded, a mischievous cat sauntered into the private chamber. With feline grace, the cat proceeded to weave its way through the assembly.

Rather than dismiss the intruder with a stern word or a wave of his hand, Pope Pius V welcomed the furry visitor into his presence. With gentle words and a reassuring pat, he bestowed upon the wayward cat a moment of unexpected dignity, much to the delight of all present.

Beyond the laughter and variety of animal encounters, Pius V’s papacy was marked by profound acts of spiritual fortitude. He stood as a stalwart defender of the Faith, defeated the Ottoman Empire, revised the Roman Missal, led the Church faithfully, and was canonized in 1712.

Let us all follow Pope St. Pius V’s example and serve the Lord with joy and laughter. This tumbled stone tile features the quote, “Serve the Lord with laughter” and will remind you of the joy to be found in serving the Lord. Order today from The Catholic Company and add this beautiful piece to your Catholic home!
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Which female saints has the Church declared “doctors”?

Throughout history, God has raised up extraordinary teachers—doctors—to guide and enlighten His Church. Did you know that four of these Doctors of the Church are women?

The word doctor comes from the Latin docere, “to teach.” In common parlance, “doctor” denotes the holder of a Ph.D., the highest level of education in a subject.

Similarly, a Doctor of the Church is someone whom God has chosen to be a learned teacher of His people—someone who has played a major role in the development of Catholic theology.

Four of the Doctors of the Church were women: St. Teresa of Ávila, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and St. Hildegard von Bingen. Their inclusion in the ranks of the Doctors and the value the Church places on their teachings reveal the esteem in which the Church has always held her female saints and thinkers.

St. Teresa of Ávila. The contributions of this 16th-century Spanish Carmelite are centered around her teachings on mental prayer. Her enduring works on the subject—The Interior Castle, The Way of Perfection, The Book of Her Foundations, and her autobiography, to name the most famous titles—are invaluable contributions to the Church’s teachings on prayer.

St. Catherine of Siena. This 14th-century Dominican was not particularly well-educated or prolific in terms of her spiritual writing. Nonetheless, her unity with Christ—illustrated by her innumerable visions and discourses with Him—places her among the masters of mystical theology. The Dialogue of Divine Providence, her main work, is written as a conversation between God and the soul and is a transcription of her own ecstatic experiences.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux. The humble little Thérèse decided that she couldn’t aspire to the celestial heights of sanctity that her namesake, St. Teresa of Ávila, ascended. So she created a “Little Way” of spiritual childhood, a universally beloved method of holiness that has made her one of the most popular saints of modern times. Her famous autobiography is The Story of a Soul.

St. Hildegard von Bingen. St. Hildegard, a 12th-century Benedictine, was an astonishingly talented woman with skills that included natural medicine and musical composition. Her preeminent works are those based on her extraordinary mystical visions, astounding in their vividness and the vast scope of their celestial subject matter. Topics covered include salvation history and the relationship between God and man. Her wisdom provides the perfect devotional.

Are you a bit intimidated? Does a whole book written by a Doctor seem too much right now? How about a book that introduces you to a Doctor’s thinking in bite-size pieces? I Believe in Love: A Personal Retreat Based on the Teaching of St. Therese of Lisieux offers short, daily meditations based on St. Thérèse’s Little Way.

 

Which saints were also wives and mothers?
In every century, God has raised up valiant women who achieved holiness through the vocation to marriage.

It’s easy to slip into the error that great holiness is only achievable for those in religious life. But married men and women are called to sanctity just as much as religious.

If you’re a wife and mother, it’s probably hard to stay focused on spiritual things and find time for prayer and spiritual reading. The obligations of caring for a family are constant and pressing.

But God is eminently just and does not expect those in the world to keep the same schedule as a monk or nun. Instead, He uses the duties of our state in life to perfect us. The very things that seem to “distract” a wife and mother from spiritual things are, in fact, God’s tools to bring her to holiness. God sanctifies us through our vocation, never in spite of it.

The saints are always our best role models on the path to holiness. Which ones found sanctity in the role of wife and mother? Here are a few of the countless women who did just that.

Our Lady. God Himself sanctified family life by coming to us in the context of a family. Mary, His Mother, ran a household, cared for a husband and a Son, did laundry, cooked meals, went to the market, and more. You can do all these things together with her.

St. Frances of Rome (15th c.). St. Frances was a devoted wife and mother in a marriage that lasted forty years. She and her husband Lorenzo welcomed six children into the world but mourned the childhood deaths of five of them. Frances perfectly harmonized a wife’s prayer life with her domestic duties. She said, “A married woman must leave all her devotions when the household demands it,” having still managed to cultivate a profound interior life.

St. Jane Frances de Chantal (17th c.). St. Jane was an embodiment of the “valiant woman” of the Book of Proverbs. She loved her husband dearly and ran his household competently during his frequent absences at the royal court. Jane endured the deaths of three of her six children, and the death of her husband after nine years of marriage. She went on to found the Order of the Visitation with St. Francis de Sales.

St. Gianna Molla (20th c.). St. Gianna was an Italian wife, mother, and medical doctor. During her fourth pregnancy, a tumor was discovered on her uterus that forced her to choose whether to have an immediate hysterectomy or to continue with the pregnancy. The first option would have ensured her personal welfare but caused the death of her child; the second gave the child the best chance but was very risky for the mother. Gianna’s choice, resulting in life for her child and death for herself in 1962, has made her a heroine to mothers everywhere.

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. Louis-Marie de Montfort’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.

What is the “Golden Arrow” prayer?
Who gave it to us? And why?

“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.

Francisco de Zurbarán’s portrayal of the Holy Face on Veronica’s veil

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. Devote yourself to His Holy Face with this beautiful Holy Shroud Rosary. By combining the spiritual weapon of the Rosary with the healing power of the Holy Face, this rosary becomes a profound tool for salvation.

What does the word “metanoia” mean?
And why might it challenge us?

From that time, Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

These lines from Matthew’s Gospel are immediately recognizable. Matthew marks this line as the beginning of Jesus’ public preaching. Opening up His public ministry, Christ calls us to repent.

However, although easy to recognize, these words are difficult to truly understand. A part of this difficulty lies in the use of the word repent.

For English-speakers, repentance has a connotation of sorrow accompanied by action. However, in the original Greek, the first spoken word of Christ’s public ministry is metanoia, which, when translated literally, means to go beyond the mind you have.

Metanoia is formed by combining two smaller Greek words: meta (beyond) and nous (mind or spirit).

Metanoia connotes something more than what we typically mean by the word repent. Metanoia hints at a change occurring on a deeper and more fundamental level of one’s being. Rather than urging us to a single instance of sorrow, Jesus is urging us to change our way of seeing and knowing, to go beyond ourselves.

Christ is calling us to go beyond our own mind, to see things from God’s perspective. Our mind is a human mind, a broken and weak mind. But with the advent of Christ, Who took on our nature and transformed it, everything is changed.

With Christ, we receive grace. Grace enables us to think and act beyond our fallen human mind and ways. With Christ, we can truly repent with a spirit that is beyond our own. This is true conversion. This is the way Christ called us from the start of His public ministry.

When we act in accordance with Christ, following His call to metanoia, we can be transformed, and transform the world along with us! This is the beautiful truth contained in the famous phrase, “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire,” inspired by the words of St. Catherine of Siena. Remind yourself of this powerful reality every day with a framed print of this galvanizing quote. Perfect for any home or office or as a Confirmation gift!

How long is the Easter season?
Much like Christmas, Easter is no “one-day” feast.

The Easter Octave concluded on Sunday April 7th.

But does our Easter celebration end there? Is it all over once the octave concludes?
The resounding answer is: No!

The season of Easter continues on for a full fifty days, up through the feast of Pentecost (which is May 19th this year). Easter is the most important feast in the liturgical calendar, and it only makes sense that the Church should celebrate not just a feast, not just an octave, but a whole season in honor of Our Lord’s Resurrection.

Within these fifty days we celebrate some important feasts: Divine Mercy Sunday, the Feast of the Ascension (in most places, the Sunday before Pentecost), and finally, Pentecost itself, the birthday of the Church!

So don’t wind down your celebrations yet. We’ve got five weeks of joy ahead of us.

Bring the joy of Easter into your home all year with this charming Joy Candle! With a sweet bible verse reminding you to “be joyful in hope,” this candle is perfect for every Catholic home.

That time St. Stanislaus resurrected a key witness in a case…
…days after the funeral took place!

Stanislaus was a humble man. He desired to live in poverty, like Our Lord, and to this end gave away all his wealth when he became a priest. Contrary to his desires, however, he was elected bishop of Krakow. He took up the see only after the pope explicitly ordered him to do so.

His holy office brought him into the sphere of the Polish king—Boleslaus, a corrupt and cruel man. King and bishop frequently fell into conflict as Stanislaus sought to convert the king or intercede on behalf of his subjects.

One day, Stanislaus purchased land for the church from a man named Piotr. When this man died soon afterward, his family tried to reclaim the land, and Boleslaus sided with them. When Stanislaus learned of this, he strode into the court and asked for three days to produce the witness of the purchase—none other than Piotr himself. The king, laughing at such an obviously impossible request, granted the three days to the bishop.

The saintly bishop spent that time fasting and praying. On the third day, he dressed in full episcopal regalia, went to the cemetery, and begged God to raise Piotr from his grave. Immediately, Piotr rose out of the earth.

Bishop and resurrected man went to the court, where Piotr gave his evidence and rebuked his greedy family. The king quickly declared that Stanislaus did indeed own the land. Bishop and resurrected man returned to the cemetery, where Stanislaus asked Piotr if he would like to continue living. Piotr, however, declined, preferring to return to his eternal rest.

Despite this demonstration of the bishop’s holiness and communion with God—or perhaps because of it—Boleslaus continued to clash with him. Finally, in 1079, the king murdered Stanislaus with his own hands as the saint stood at the altar.

Like the Poland of St. Stanislaus’s day, the current political scene is perilous for the devout Catholic. Evangelization and Ideology provides inspiration as it breaks down the four prominent secular ideologies of our day and shows how our broken society is a chance to evangelize and uphold Truth with Stanislaus-like courage and hope.

What happened to the True Cross?
How did the Church find the relics from Jesus’ crucifixion?

Have you ever wondered what happened to Jesus’ cross? Known as the “True Cross,” for hundreds of years this highly-venerated relic was thought to be lost.

Anti-Christian Romans sought to stifle any effort to spread the Good News; that included destroying objects from Jesus’ crucifixion. According to tradition, the True Cross was buried in the ground with the crosses of the two thieves who were crucified with Jesus.

Almost 300 years later, after the Roman Emperor Constantine’s conversion to Christianity, he sent his mother, St. Helena, to the Holy Land in search of the True Cross. According to legend, St. Helena followed in Jesus’ footsteps by performing corporal works of mercy—such as feeding the hungry and visiting the sick—on her way to Jerusalem. Once in the Holy Land, some legends say a commoner led her to the True Cross, while others believe that St. Judas Cyriacus helped her find it.

St. Helena found all three crosses buried in the ground, but wasn’t sure which one belonged to Jesus. There are many different legends about how St. Helena and the bishop of Jerusalem confirmed which one was the True Cross. One account claims the bishop of Jerusalem had an ill woman touch all three crosses. As soon as the woman touched the True Cross, she was healed.

Upon discovering the True Cross, St. Helena ordered a church to be constructed on the site where she found it. This church is known as the Church of the Resurrection, or the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. St. Helena brought a piece of the True Cross back to the empire’s capital city, Constantinople, and left another part at the Church of the Resurrection, where Christians made a yearly pilgrimage to see the relic.

Relic of the True Cross (Photo: Díez Martín, Fransisco/CC BY-SA 2.5)

Throughout the next thousand years, the piece of the True Cross at the Church of the Resurrection changed hands many times. It was captured in 614 by the Sassanid emperor, and then restored to Jerusalem by the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius.

Later, when the Islamic rulers took Jerusalem at the beginning of the 11th century, Greek Orthodox Christians protected and hid the relic of the True Cross, a small piece of wood embedded in a gold cross.

This relic was restored to the Church of the Resurrection when Europeans in the First Crusade captured Jerusalem. Finally, in 1187, it was captured by Saladin, the leader of the Muslim military campaign against the Crusader states in Levant. This piece of the True Cross has never returned and was last seen in the city of Damascus.

The piece of the True Cross that was preserved in Constantinople was shared among the Venetians and the new Eastern Roman Empire. However, threatened with bankruptcy, this new empire decided to sell the relics. St. Louis, King of France, obtained several pieces of the True Cross and preserved them in Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. Most of these relics disappeared during the French Revolution. All that remain are a few fragments and a Holy Nail; these are preserved with the other relics in the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris.

What did the Upper Room look like?
Do we have our own spiritual Upper Room?

Like all holy sites surrounding Jerusalem, the Upper Room has undergone construction, devastation, reconstruction, and renovation over and over again as wars raged in the Middle East and Jerusalem changed hands among Jews, Muslims, and Catholics repeatedly. All that is left to us of this holy spot is the floor—buried beneath three more ancient floors.

The Upper Room as seen today was chiefly built by the Crusaders in the 12th century. It is an airy, squarish room. Large, branching columns support the vaulted ceiling. It is very different from ancient Jewish architecture, yet it still recalls to our hearts all the scenes which took place in that spot—the Last Supper, the apparitions of the Risen Lord to His Apostles, Pentecost, and perhaps even the first several Masses of the early Church.

The Upper Room also reminds us that the Apostles’ work as disciples of Christ began only when they received the courage to leave that haven.

We, too, are disciples. We heard and accepted Our Lord’s call to follow Him when we were baptized. Are we hiding in our own spiritual Upper Room? Are we living as disciples of Christ, embodying Our Lord in our daily lives? Or are we uncertain how to be a disciple?

Thinking Like Jesus is our guidebook in learning how to be a disciple—how to view all things as Our Lord would view them. In this work, Dr. Ray Guarendi draws on his lengthy experience as a Catholic psychologist, offering sound advice for soul and mind in our common daily struggles. Frank, engaging, and thought-provoking, Thinking Like Jesus gives you the tools to live like a true disciple of Christ. r

 

Why is Divine Mercy Sunday a big deal?
Divine Mercy Sunday is a relatively new feast. How did it come to be a major feast day?

Divine Mercy Sunday is the Second Sunday of Easter. This feast day is highly regarded in the Catholic Church, even though it has only been celebrated for 24 years—a short time compared to other feasts that have long been a part of our Catholic tradition.

Why is Divine Mercy Sunday so important?

Most of us recognize the Divine Mercy image, which is based on St. Faustina’s visions of Jesus. In this picture, Jesus is wearing a white garment, His left hand is touching His heart, and His right hand is raised in blessing. Red and pale blue rays pour out of Jesus’ heart. At the bottom of the image are the words, “Jesus, I Trust In You.”

In the 1930s, when Faustina’s vision occurred, the world was facing the rise of fascism, communism, and a major World War. Devotion to Divine Mercy was desperately needed to restore a proper understanding of the sanctity and dignity of the human person.

Not only was St. Faustina asked to have an image made of her vision of Jesus, she also recorded her encounters with Christ in her diary. According to her entries, in one appearance, Jesus said:
My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the Fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. (Diary, no. 699)
Jesus then requested that His mercy be celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Five days after St. Faustina was canonized, the Vatican decreed that the Second Sunday of Easter would be known as Divine Mercy Sunday.

The image of Divine Mercy reminds us of Christ’s infinite love and His desire for all of us to be close to Him. In times of trouble and despair, we remember that Christ’s Divine Mercy will lead us to heaven.

Invite God’s merciful love into your heart and life with this breathtaking, handcrafted Divine Mercy Rosary Bracelet. An heirloom devotional you can use to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the rosary for years to come.

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!

Who exactly saw Christ after His Resurrection?
During the 40 days before the Ascension, who knew that Christ walked among us again?

The Gospel accounts of the Resurrection and the following 40 days can be difficult to sort out. While they all agree that Our Lord revealed Himself to Mary Magdalene and the eleven Apostles, they vary as to who else saw Him and when the revelations occurred.

It gets confusing quickly, so let’s look at each account:

Matthew lists the holy women—Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome—and the eleven Apostles.

Mark records that Mary Magdalene, the two disciples at Emmaus, and the Eleven saw Him.

Luke lists the holy women—Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Joanna, and others with them—the disciples at Emmaus, and the Eleven.

John writes about Mary Magdalene and the Eleven seeing Him.

In addition to the Gospels, Paul writes in 1 Corinthians that “more than 500 brethren at once” saw the Resurrected Christ.

The Church has always piously believed that the Blessed Mother was the first to see her Son. She did not accompany the holy women to the tomb on Easter morning because she knew the tomb was empty. The Gospels are silent on this point because Our Lord’s visit to His beloved Mother was private and for her alone.

So, before the Ascension, the Resurrected Christ revealed Himself to the Blessed Mother, Mary Magdalene and the holy women, the Apostles, and over 500 disciples.

What is an “octave”?
And why are we celebrating one this week?

The Church knows that one day of rejoicing just isn’t enough.

Easter is the “Solemnity of Solemnities”—the biggest feast day of the year. It’s so big, in fact, that the Church celebrates it for not one, but eight full days!

For her most important feast days, the Church assigns “octaves”: eight days of rejoicing in which we celebrate each day as though it were the feast day itself.

The tradition of octaves goes back to the 4th century and is possibly connected to one or both of two events.

During the week after Easter and Pentecost, the newly-baptized neophytes would continue to wear the white garments they received at their baptism, rejoicing for eight days in the joyful celebration of their new life in Christ. In the older calendar, the Sunday after Easter is called “Dominica in Albis”—the “Sunday in White”—to commemorate the laying aside of the white garments.

The other event is the dedication of the churches of Tyre and Jerusalem by the Emperor Constantine. This was the first “octave” properly-speaking that we know of, and was done in emulation of the Jewish custom of an eight-day feast in dedicating the Temple.

Octaves underwent many other additions, deletions, and developments over the course of history. The older calendar of the Church also retains the octave of Pentecost.

So, rejoice! As St. Paul would say: “Again, I say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).

There is much cause for rejoicing during this week. Not only are we in the octave for Easter but we are anticipating the great feast of Divine Mercy this Sunday (April 7th) on Divine Mercy Sunday! Prepare your family for this beautiful feast with this beautiful Divine Mercy Prayer Rosary Hanger! Featuring the beautiful Divine Mercy image and the words of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, this rosary rack will inspire your family to keep Christ and His infinite mercy close throughout the year.

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 gently guides the soul to place its trust and confidence in the God who loves infinitely. 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.

For anxiety, restlessness, or doubt, or simply as a daily renewal of your faith in Jesus, this prayer invites you to contemplate the roots of your negative emotions and consider in what ways you need to grow in trust. Jesus I Trust in You: A 30-Day Personal Retreat with the Litany of Trust couples this consoling prayer with reflection-inspiring meditations written by Sr. Faustina Maria Pia. Brief, engaging, and solid, these meditations will enrich your contemplation of the Litany.

Are you “keeping watch” with Jesus tonight?
Why do parishes hold a special time of Eucharistic adoration on Holy Thursday?

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. You will find in it an indispensable adoration guide.

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. In part, this is why the Church celebrates Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday so close together! This Divine Mercy Standing Cross beautifully 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 help bring Christ’s love to the forefront of your life.

It’s Holy Monday, but where is Jesus?
After his triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, where does Christ go?

Yesterday Jesus rode into Jerusalem. The crowds hailed Him as the Son of David and exalted Him with palms and shouts of joy.

Now Monday of Holy Week dawns. Where is He? What happened after the crowds dispersed?

The Gospels shed light on this. On the evening of Palm Sunday, Jesus went to spend the night in Bethany, where He would have stayed with friends (Matthew 21:17).

Monday morning, He returned to Jerusalem. According to the Synoptic Gospels, it is on this day that Jesus walked with firm purpose into the Temple and drove out the moneylenders, castigating them for making His Father’s house a “den of robbers” (Matthew 21:12–17, Mark 11:15–19, Luke 19:45-48).

Jesus also began His final days of teaching, giving the people a holy torrent of parables and warnings. Many of His most famous teachings and parables—such as the widow who gave two pennies, the parable of the wicked tenants, and the dispute over paying taxes to Caesar—happened during Christ’s ministry in Jerusalem.

Then—as biblical clues suggest—He returned again to Bethany.

Note, here, the importance of Jesus’ friends: He spends time with them in these last days of His life on earth.

In these early days of Holy Week, we feel Christ’s Passion looming out before us. The weight of Good Friday seems to permeate into each moment. Yet, despite our growing awareness of Our Lord’s Passion, we also feel the reality of His Resurrection. Although we know the incoming darkness of Golgotha, we can walk towards it because we know the tomb will be empty next Sunday.

The beautiful duality of Holy Week is the same tension we embrace whenever we look upon a crucifix. This is why crucifixes are such beautiful images in our faith and why every Catholic should have one. Wearing a crucifix is a great way of keeping it close and ready to share with others. If you or a loved one does not have a crucifix, you can order one from The Catholic Company as a thoughtful Easter gift! Our favorite is this beautiful Gold Petite Crucifix & Miraculous Medal.

Why is Easter also called “Pascha”?
The real Passover took place during the feast of the symbolic Passover.

You might have heard Easter referred to as the “Paschal Mystery.” In fact, in some Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church, Easter is referred to as “Pascha.” Why is that?

“Pascha” means “Passover”—it is the Aramaic form of Hebrew’s Pesach, the feast commemorating Israel’s release from bondage in Egypt. Calling Easter “Pascha” brings home the reality of Christ as the Paschal Lamb.

At Passover, God commanded the Israelites to sacrifice a pure lamb and mark their doorposts with its blood. Seeing the lamb’s blood, the angel of death would skip their homes as he went throughout Egypt slaying every firstborn male among man and beast.

At Easter, Christ allowed Himself to be crucified and His Blood poured out. His Blood redeems us from eternal death, setting us apart from those who reject Him. It’s no coincidence that this event occurred during the Passover feast.
The connection between the Jewish Passover and the Christian feast of Easter is real and ideal. Real, since Christ died on the first Jewish Easter Day; ideal…because Christ’s death and Resurrection had its figures and types in the Old Law, particularly in the paschal lamb, which was eaten towards evening of the 14th of Nisan.
—The Catholic Encyclopedia
Easter, prefigured by the Passover, becomes a reality. Passover is fulfilled. Christ is the Paschal Lamb. We are the Israelites. His triumph over death releases us from the slavery of sin. We are freed to set out for the Promised Land—for heaven.

Easter is the Church’s most glorious feast and the entire Easter season is filled with rich traditions and liturgies. Celebrating a Holy Catholic Easter is an accessible guide to the Easter season and it’s on sale now! Don’t let this Easter go by without truly celebrating its beauty!

 

Which Irish saint had a “green thumb”?
As you tend your garden this spring, invite a wise saint to accompany you.

Gardening was St. Fiacre’s thing.

Passing through the mists of time to where he lived in the 7th century, we find that his original abode was in Kilkenny, Ireland. Some say he was raised in a monastery and there learned about gardening and herbal medicine.

He was ordained and eventually retired to his own hermitage, but his peaceful seclusion was not to last. Drawn by his knowledge and holiness, disciples and crowds streamed to him. So he left for France in search of the solitude that he loved.

He found it in Meaux in the northern part of the country, where he built himself a hermitage, a garden, an oratory to Our Lady, and a hospice for travelers. But attracted by the scent of the garden’s flowers—or more likely, by Fiacre’s holiness and his reputation for miracles—disciples and sick pilgrims besieged his solitude once more. He built a monastery for his followers and welcomed the sick, miraculously curing them by laying his hands upon them.

St. Fiacre’s Miraculous Monastery and Hospice of Healing (as we imagine they were called) eventually evolved into the village of Saint-Fiacre, a town that is still extant in the Île-de-France region of the country. He is buried in the nearby cathedral of Meaux, and is revered as the patron saint of gardeners today.

Celebrate the beautiful faith of Ireland with this Irish Catholic Collegiate Sweatshirt! With a classic fit and style, this sweatshirt will confidently show off your faith while working with every outfit!

Do you know the profound symbolism of St. John Paul II’s famous crucifix?
We all know this crucifix well—but do you know what it means?

The symbol of the Cross is always striking and distinct. It immediately communicates a profound reality, even to those unaware of its meaning.

While there are different styles and depictions of Christ’s cross, each variation ultimately helps emphasize something distinct about the Passion of Our Lord.

Some of these variations have become instantly recognizable—such as the papal crucifix of St. John Paul II. Chosen upon his election in 1978, this crucifix stands as a distinct symbol in Catholic history.

Although it has become iconic, JPII’s crucifix is subtle and simple.

The cross, a dull-toned silver without any ornamentation, reflected JPII’s humility. It also was an obvious departure from the more ornate papal crosses of the past.

Rather than emphasizing ornamentation, JPII’s unembellished crucifix focused on the physical nature of the cross. Featuring hyper-realistic beams and the corpus of an obviously fatigued and suffering Christ, this crucifix highlights the physically demanding nature of Christ’s sacrifice for us.

This departure from a more decorated crucifix to an unadorned crucifix mirrors the way St. John Paul II’s election was also a departure. As the first non-Italian pope in 455 years, the shift in style of St. John Paul II’s cross was a visual representation of this important historical shift.

Its unadorned style echoed his commitment to a Church dedicated to service and solidarity with the less fortunate. This crucifix was more than an accessory; it was a testament to John Paul II’s theological vision. It represented the strength and steadfastness he brought to his role as pope during a time of global change and challenges.

As we approach Good Friday, the image of Christ’s Cross and Passion should bear more heavily upon our minds. Embrace Our Lord’s humility and unconditional love with this Sterling Silver St. John Paul II Papal Crucifix. A beautiful replica of JPII’s famous crucifix, it will serve as a symbol of faith and a call to humility for you and for all who see it.

We don’t know a word he said…
…but his actions spoke louder than words.

We don’t know when he was born. We don’t know when he died. We don’t know what he looked like. We don’t know a single word that he said.

He is accurately called the “hidden saint.”

Yep, we’re talking about St. Joseph.

But even though we may not know much about him, we do know some of what he did, and as they say, actions speak louder than words. St. Joseph’s actions certainly speak volumes!

St. Joseph shows us that near-perfection is possible for us original-sin-stained mortals. After all, we’re talking about the man God Himself selected as His foster father! St. Joseph’s virtues are second only to our Blessed Mother’s spotless perfections.

The Scriptures mention St. Joseph pretty minimally, but even from that little bit we can draw abundant examples of his many virtues. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to delve into all those virtues, but let’s look at a few of the most apparent:

1. Obedience: St. Joseph is called a “righteous man”: he lived the spirit as well as the letter of the Law of Moses. In everything he did, he sought to accomplish God’s will. Even when he felt unworthy or did not understand, he performed God’s will without question.

2. Purity: At a young age, St. Joseph made a vow of chastity. Tradition tells us that when the priests were choosing a fit spouse for the Blessed Mother, they gave several eligible young men wooden rods to hold. God made St. Joseph’s rod bloom into fragrant lilies, the ancient symbol of purity.

3. Silence: Silence? That’s a virtue? Yes! St. Joseph is the perfect Martha-Mary combo: he worked hard (carpentry is demanding, and so are trips around the Middle East) yet silence enveloped him. Joseph’s silence reveals his deep prayer life. God would not have subjected Himself to the authority and care of someone who was not seeking to know Him in holiness.

Want to get to know St. Joseph better? Want to learn more about his virtues? Understand his role in the Holy Family better? Develop a deeper devotion to him? This is just what you need: Fr. Matthew Kauth’s The Imitation of St. Joseph, the book that explains clearly and beautifully all you need to know about this amazing saint. We’ve paired it with Prayers to St. Joseph, your go-to for prayers, novenas, and traditions specially dedicated to St. Joseph.

The Seven Last Words of Christ—Part V
Today we meditate upon Christ’s fifth word: “I thirst.”

After this Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfil the scripture), “I thirst.” —John 19:28

So much is contained in these two short words, which constitute the fifth of the Seven Last Words of Christ.

Physical thirst isn’t the type of thirst He is referring to here. Rather, He is expressing a longing of His Heart—a thirst of the spirit.

On the Cross, Jesus thirsted for love, for human love, for our love.

It seems impossible for God to thirst in such a way—after all, He does not need our love. He is Love Itself, existing eternally in a Trinitarian relationship of love. He has no need of anything His creatures could give Him.

And yet, in a certain mysterious sense, the God who is in need of nothing chose to “need” us. Our Lord, in His human nature, chose to experience human needs, chief among which is the need for love. But His thirst is immeasurably greater than ours, because His love is infinitely greater.

And what is more, this thirst is not for human love in general, but for the love of every soul in particular—for your love, for mine. What an infinite wonder—that the God of all abundance should make Himself needy for the love of His creatures! That He should call out to your heart and to mine in His last agony, beseeching us for our love!

And who has done more to earn it than He? We owe Him love as His creatures, but in order to win our love He became one of us, lived our toilsome life on earth, and offered Himself up to the justice of God so that we didn’t have to face it. He said, “I thirst” at the moment in which He had given everything that He could give—all for our love.

On Calvary, those who stood near heard His physical cry, and rushed to give Him a drink—not of cool water, but of vinegar, a bitter and unpleasant draught. Far more bitter to Him, though, was the silence His true thirst would meet in the hearts of such a vast majority of human souls.

As the Psalmist foretold:
They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
—Psalm 69:21
As we approach Holy Week and the solemn commemoration of Good Friday, let us meditate a while on these words of Our Lord, upon the incomprehensible thirst of God—and our response to it.

Our Lord’s Sacred Heart, always portrayed with flames of love emanating from it, is the very image of His burning love for us. This Sacred Heart Candle, with a beautiful hand-drawn depiction of the Sacred Heart, will remind you daily of this love—and remind you to offer Him acts of love in return.

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.

Bring home your own piece of Irish tradition with an Irish Blessing Box! Engraved with the traditional Irish Blessing, a beautiful Celtic Cross, and your family name, this box will be a powerful reminder of your own family’s tradition of faith.

Who was Nicodemus?
Meet the mysterious character who “came to Jesus by night.”

If you follow the Church’s readings, today you would have read about Nicodemus. Who was this mysterious character—and what profound lessons can we learn from his journey of faith?

Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council, first appears in John 3:1-21. His initial approach to Jesus under the cover of night signifies both caution and curiosity.

This meeting sets the stage for one of the most profound dialogues in the New Testament.

Jesus introduces the concept of being “born again,” a spiritual rebirth that Nicodemus struggles to comprehend. His honest admission of confusion, “How can someone be born when they are old?” (John 3:4), reflects a genuine, humble pursuit of understanding.

Nicodemus’s second appearance in John 7:45-52 showcases his courage and commitment to fairness. Amidst a heated debate among the Jewish leaders about arresting Jesus, Nicodemus advocates for a fair hearing, stating, “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?” (John 7:51).

The final mention of Nicodemus in John 19:38-42 reveals his full transformation. After the crucifixion of Jesus, Nicodemus assists Joseph of Arimathea in preparing Jesus’ Body for burial. This act, performed in daylight, contrasts sharply with his first secretive meeting with Jesus. Nicodemus brings a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds in weight, a significant and costly contribution. His public honoring of Jesus’ Body indicates a profound shift from curiosity to true faith.

This shift, far from being merely a small development of friendship, shows a total conversion of a person. Going from a hidden and fearful interest to a brave public act of faith, Nicodemus allowed his encounter with the person of Christ to change his entire life. This is true conversion, one that we can emulate in our own encounters with Christ.

Although we may not encounter Christ physically teaching in a temple as Nicodemus did, He still desires to be with us personally. One way we can encounter the person of Christ is by diving into Scripture and reading these stories about those who met Christ during His life.

In the remaining weeks of Lent, let us recommit ourselves to the study of Scripture, letting our hearts be open to a true encounter with Christ, Who waits there to meet us. This beautiful contemplative edition of the Gospel of John is a new and immersive way to deepen your relationship with Christ in the Scriptures. Filled with gorgeous photography, this edition will bring the Gospel stories to life in your mind and heart like never before.

Who spread the Stations of the Cross throughout the world?
St. Leonard promoted the Stations in a way no one else had before.

Jerusalem was a long way away. It took months for a healthy, lucky pilgrim to reach its walls and reverently follow the Stations of the Cross. And healthy, lucky pilgrims were comparatively few.

St. Leonard of Port Maurice mused over this, casting his mind’s eye over the miles and miles of land and sea between Italy—where he lived—and Jerusalem. How he wished that he and all Catholics might venerate the Stations! Not in a distant, unfamiliar fashion, but with a devotion that was very vibrant and close to their hearts—and close to their homes.

Well, there was only one thing to be done. And Leonard did it.

The saintly Franciscan was a missionary, as were most Franciscans. From 1708 until his death forty-three years later, he traveled Italy, preaching. Everywhere he went, Leonard promoted special devotion to the Stations of the Cross. Many of his fellow Franciscans assisted him in this work.

That is not all he did, however.

As he traveled, Leonard built replicas of the Stations so that Catholics could physically follow Our Lord’s path to Golgotha.

Leonard erected 572 Stations of the Cross throughout Italy. The most famous of these are the Stations in the Colosseum, where the Vatican’s Good Friday service has been held for nearly 300 years.

You can carry on in your own home the work which St. Leonard and his Franciscan brothers began in the world. Cultivate your children’s devotion to the Stations of the Cross with our Stations of the Cross Cards and Easel Set. Featuring a sketch and a meditation for each Station, this set will guide the whole family through a prayerful contemplation of Our Lord’s Passion.

What is the Chaplet of 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 of stunning white howlite and amethyst gemstones complemented by a silver crucifix and St. Joseph medal.

Is St. Michael really a saint?
Why does the Church call the archangels “saints”?

Typically, those we honor with the formal title of “Saint” are humans who have undergone the canonization process.

The Church looks at a potential saint’s life, examines his virtues, and reviews his miracles, relying on the Holy Spirit to guide the process of discernment. Usually, a holy person will first be declared Servant of God, then Venerable, then Blessed, then finally, Saint. We know that canonized saints are in heaven, capable of interceding for us on Earth.

But we also call St. Michael and the other archangels “saints.” Why? How can the Church consider St. Michael a saint if he does not have a human life to review?

Angels are spiritual beings created by God, distinct from humans. Their sainthood does not derive from a canonization process but from their role as messengers and servants of God and the choice they made to be faithful to Him in the face of Satan’s rebellion. They exemplify the virtues of obedience, love, and humility in their faithful service to God.

As regards St. Michael in particular, his role in the protection of God’s Church is presented to us throughout Sacred Scripture. St. Michael is one of the few angels recognized by name in the Bible and is honored as the preeminent warrior against evil, the protector of the Church, and the guide for souls to heaven. He is venerated as a powerful intercessor, reflecting the Church’s understanding of sainthood as a declaration of holy intercession.

In the Book of Revelation, he leads God’s armies against Satan’s forces and casts the rebels out of heaven. This battle highlights the virtues of courage, fidelity, and steadfastness, which align with the Church’s understanding of saintly qualities.

Moreover, we also inherit our veneration of St. Michael from the tradition of the Church. This veneration predates many formal canonizations, having a prominent place in Catholic prayer and liturgy since the early Church.

St. Michael is always ready at hand to help us fight our spiritual battles. Remind yourself of his loving protection every day with this stunning St. Michael Crucifix and Freshwater Pearl Necklace! A beautiful statement of femininity and faith.

What feature of the Vatican was originally a symbol of Christian persecution?
This famous landmark witnessed the deaths of many holy martyrs.

At the heart of St. Peter’s Square in Rome, Italy, embraced by iconic colonnades and beautiful Italian architecture, there stands an obelisk from…Egypt?

Yes, the Vatican Obelisk, a quintessential landmark at the Vatican, has a surprising history. Once used in pagan Egypt and then as a symbol of Christian persecution, this obelisk now stands as a testament to the eternal nature of the Catholic Church.

This obelisk was originally erected by an unknown pharaoh in Heliopolis, Egypt, in 37 A.D., at the height of the Roman Empire. Emperor Caligula transported it to Rome to adorn a circus—a chariot-racing arena—he was building. Under Nero, the obelisk stood as a representation of the emperor’s power, a power used at the time to persecute the early Church. This site bore witness to the martyrdom of many Christians, including, according to tradition, St. Peter himself.

By God’s loving providence, the Church prevailed against persecution and eventually Rome became the center of the Church. Yet this obelisk still stood, reminding those who saw it of the long and difficult history of the Faith.

In 1586, in a feat of engineering led by the architect Domenico Fontana under the direction of Pope Sixtus V, the obelisk was moved to its current location. This relocation was more than a mere architectural endeavor; it symbolized the reclamation and Christianization of a monument that had stood witness to the blood of early Christian martyrs.

Beyond its fascinating history, the obelisk itself bears much significance. Unique among Rome’s obelisks, it has never been capped with a pyramidion (a pyramid-shaped stone), a feature typical of ancient Egyptian obelisks. It’s now topped with a bronze emblem of a cross containing a fragment of the True Cross.

This powerful Christian symbol transforms the obelisk into a monumental sundial, its shadow moving across St. Peter’s Square, marking time.

The obelisk’s presence in front of St. Peter’s Basilica is highly symbolic, connecting the Church’s past with her present and future. It serves as a visual metaphor for the Church’s foundation upon the Apostles and martyrs, her unwavering faith standing tall amidst the changing shadows of time.

On its base, the following inscriptions in Latin honor the obelisk’s relocation and its Christian significance:
• On the east side: Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat (Christ conquers, Christ reigns, Christ commands).
• On the west side: Ecce Crux Domini, fugite partes adversae, vicit Leo de tribu Juda, Radix David (Behold the Cross of the Lord, flee hostile powers, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David has conquered).
• The north and south sides bear dedications to Pope Sixtus V.
Even if you are unable to get to Rome to see the Vatican Obelisk yourself, you can still participate in the rich traditions of the Vatican right at home! Our favorite fun way to transport ourselves to the Eternal City is by cooking up delicious traditional recipes from The Vatican Cookbook, authored by former Swiss Guard and master chef David Geisser. Along with classic recipes that have been served at the Vatican table for centuries, this cookbook dives deep behind the scenes to secret and special places of Vatican City.

Why do we hear Perpetua and Felicity’s names at Mass?
Far from being mere names, these women were powerful witnesses to the Faith.

“To us, also, your servants, who, though sinners, hope in your abundant mercies, graciously grant some share and fellowship with your holy Apostles and Martyrs: with John the Baptist, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia…”

We hear this Eucharistic Prayer almost every Sunday, yet many of us don’t know who these saints are and why they’re included in this principal moment in the Mass.
Today, March 7th, is the feast day of both Sts. Perpetua and Felicity. The legacy of their lives and martyrdoms have been passed onto us by St. Perpetua’s very own diary, which provides a deeply personal account of their final days.

The journey of Perpetua and Felicity to sainthood began in an era when embracing Christianity was a defiance of Roman pagan norms. These two young mothers—Perpetua a noblewoman and Felicity a slave—chose to follow Christ in a time of rampant persecution.

Their commitment to their Faith led to their arrest and imprisonment. Despite the grim reality of their impending execution and the emotional pleas of their families, Perpetua and Felicity remained resolute, ready to die as martyrs rather than live without faith.

In this pagan culture, the simple faith of these young women was enough to condemn them to the most cruel punishment: execution in the Roman arena, facing wild beasts and gladiators. They met their end on March 7th, 203.

When faced with a frightful death in an arena filled with spectators cheering for your blood, it seems reasonable that one might be filled with anxiety and despair. But Felicity and Perpetua were at peace. In a diary she kept in her last days awaiting execution, Perpetua writes of the renewal of faith she and Felicity experienced, even as they anticipated death by gladiators or lions. In her writings, Perpetua describes vivid dreams that strengthened her faith and resolve.

Perpetua’s diary is a rare and invaluable historical document. Written from her prison cell, it is one of the earliest surviving texts of its kind. It’s also a unique spiritual treasure, providing insight into the mindset of a martyr.

Eucharistic Prayers I and II commemorate Sts. Perpetua and Felicity, underscoring their significance in the Catholic Faith. Their presence in the prayers links the congregation with the early Church’s sacrifices and embodies the continuity and unity of the Christian Faith, a unity of sacrifice that we are meant to embrace every day.

It is unlikely—praise be to God—that we will have to suffer execution in a pagan arena. However, we are still meant to unite our own daily sacrifices with the sufferings of all the saints, facing our own trials, big or small, with the same resolute faith they exemplified.

Who knows, maybe your own dairy will be held as a testament of faith to future generations! By using the Ave Catholic Notetaking Bible, you can keep a journal right alongside the inspiring Word of God, jotting down your thoughts, questions, and prayers as you read. There is no better source of strength and inspiration than the Bible and its countless stories of men and women whose lives were transformed by the presence of God.

Which saint was called the “Daredevil of the Tatras”?
This adventurous Pole was known for his love of the ski slopes.

“It’s unbecoming for a cardinal to ski badly.”

So said Karol Wojtyla when someone asked if skiing was a “fitting pastime” for a cardinal.

It’s a well-known fact that Pope John Paul II loved the outdoors—hiking and skiing in the mountains were particularly beloved hobbies of his.

As a young priest, he often took groups of young Catholics on outdoor excursions for hiking, kayaking, Mass, prayer, and catechesis, far from the communist authorities then in charge of Poland’s political order.

One of his favorite skiing spots in Poland was the highest range in the Carpathian Mountains: the Tatra Mountains, which lie on the border between southern Poland and northern Slovakia. During the winters of his years as Bishop of Kraków and then Cardinal, JPII would make regular winter visits to the town of Zakopane to ski the Tatras.

At some point he was dubbed the “Daredevil of the Tatras” due to his fearlessness on the ski slopes, which he navigated with expert skill.

Although he had to stop skiing a few years into his pontificate, he still escaped to the mountains of Italy whenever he could for the serenity and closeness to God that the mountains always seemed to bring him.

These stories of St. John Paul II and his love for sport and the outdoors help us understand the beloved saint as a living person, no different from you and me. Thinking of holy men and women like St. John Paul II as real living people is an essential tool in our own path to holiness. In Lessons in Hope: My Unexpected Life with St. John Paul II, Catholic author and thinker George Weigel tells the story of his unique friendship with St. John Paul II. A deeply human portrait of the pontiff, this book will be sure to inspire every reader to pursue holiness just as he did.

This 400-mile trail takes you in the footsteps of Moses, John the Baptist, and Christ Himself.
The Jordan Trail winds through some of the most important landmarks of our Faith.

Let’s take a journey on the Jordan Trail…

The terrain is at times rocky and rough, with steep inclines and unsteady footholds. In other places, it is flat and dry, a desert spanning miles.

If we went on this ancient path, we’d begin in the lush hills of Umm Qais and cross through this varied and challenging terrain using a 400-mile walking path that would eventually take us to the shimmering waters of Aqaba.

When we finish this long journey, not only would we have passed over the ruggedly beautiful landscape but we would have journeyed through some of the most important landmarks in Christianity.

Those who journey along the Jordan Trail walk a path not just of earth and stone, but of faith and history.

The trail and its travelers traverse the same ground as the old fathers of our Faith.
On our pilgrimage, we could stand atop Mount Nebo, just as Moses did, gazing upon the Promised Land, a vista of hope and fulfillment. Peacefully, we could look upon the serene waters of Bethany, beyond the Jordan, where the ripples tell the tale of Jesus’ baptism, a moment of divine revelation and transformation.

For the pilgrim who comes to journey on the Jordan Trail, these locations are not mere sightseeing opportunities, but rather, a living reminder of the reality of our Faith. The riches of our Faith do not simply reside in the pages of our bibles, but are real events that occurred in real places.

And these locations are not just historical sites; they are sacred spaces where pivotal moments in the Christian narrative unfolded. The Jordan Trail offers a unique opportunity for Catholics to walk in the footsteps of biblical figures, bringing to life the stories that form the bedrock of their Faith.

Although this 400-mile walk may not be in everyone’s plans for 2024, we can all participate in the deep beauty of our biblical Faith. This stunning Bethlehem Stone Standing Crucifix is crafted from authentic Bethlehem stone from the Holy Land and is a powerful way to keep the reality of our Faith present in our homes.

The Catholic Faith is just like…baseball?!
They have more in common than you might think!

Ok, hear me out.

In Catholicism, we have the endless Communion of Saints—holy men and women whose excellence in life we honor. One can collect holy cards and sacramentals of their most beloved patrons.

In baseball, there’s the famous Hall of Fame, filled with names of players whose abilities have marked them as the best of the best, worthy of remembrance and honor. Baseball fans collect the player cards and jerseys of their favorite players and teams.

There’s a sense of ritual in both. Both follow strict rules, place a strong emphasis on seasons and time, and hold to a real belief in the importance of history and tradition.

Both Catholicism and baseball have millions of devoted followers, the most devoted of which generate oceans of statistics, facts, and lore. For instance, ask any dedicated baseball fan who has the highest lifetime batting average, with a minimum of 1,000 at-bats, and they’ll quickly respond with Ty Cobb. Next, ask a devoted Catholic which pope had the longest reign (after St. Peter) and the shortest reign and they’ll know to respond with Pius IX and Urban VII.

Although these are lighthearted comparisons, and there are obvious and important differences between Catholicism and baseball, it is a fun practice to note the ways things in our culture mirror the deep riches of our Faith. The Church’s profound impact has touched so many aspects of our culture.

Moreover, there are even more genuine parallels between baseball and Catholicism, some of which can help us understand our Faith more deeply! Author and baseball fan Gary Graf explores the surprising relationship between our Faith and baseball in his beloved book And God Said, “Play Ball!” This fun, faithful book makes the Bible more approachable by relating it to a game loved by both children and adults. It also shows that baseball is not only a game but a never-ending series of lessons about life as well.
Why is St. Joseph known as the “Terror of Demons”?
Among St. Joseph’s many powerful titles, this one stands out.

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.

St. Joseph’s feast day is March 19th and the Church devotes all of March to his honor. Celebrate St. Joseph this month with this beautiful
! A striking reminder to pray for the powerful intercession of St. Joseph, this print will help protect and sanctify your home or workspace.

Did you know that “leap” years have a Catholic origin?
Pope Gregory XIII is to blame for this extra day in February!

Happy February 29th!

We’ve waited four years to say that!

Every four years, we encounter a peculiar anomaly in our calendar—the elusive “leap year,” a funny extra day tacked onto the month of February.

While you may know that this additional day helps us keep our calendars aligned with the solar year, you may not know that leap years have a Catholic origin!

The concept of leap years traces back to Julius Caesar’s introduction of the Julian calendar, but it was Pope Gregory XIII who refined and implemented the Gregorian calendar in 1582. This calendar adjustment, overseen by the Catholic Church, aimed to rectify discrepancies that had accrued over centuries and ensure greater accuracy in tracking time.

It may seem random that the Catholic Church would be the institution overseeing changes in the calendar. But it makes sense when we realize that the Church’s greatest feast was being affected by the inaccuracies of the system.

The Council of Nicaea set the date of Easter for the Sunday after the first full moon of spring, which began on March 21st. Noticing that the current calendar was out of sync with the spring equinox, Pope Gregory quickly realized that Easter was slowly being pushed out later into spring and that it would eventually move into summer.
In his papal bull, issued on February 24th, 1582, Inter gravissimas, Pope Gregory introduced his plans to rectify the current calendar. In Inter gravissimas, he laid out the new calendar, later named the Gregorian calendar, which introduced an additional day to February every four years.

If this already seems a little complicated and funny, just wait. To provide greater accuracy, years divisible by 100 wouldn’t have a leap year unless they were divisible by 400. So, while 1900 skipped the leap year, 2000 joyously celebrated it.

As we navigate through another leap year, let us not only marvel at the intricacies of our calendar but also acknowledge the profound impact of Pope Gregory’s
intervention. In the leap year, we find a tangible reminder of the enduring legacy of the Catholic Church—a legacy that extends far beyond the confines of the ecclesiastical realm into the very fabric of our culture. As Catholics, we’ve got a history to be proud of. As we recognize some of the Catholic Church’s impact on our culture this leap year, let us take this opportunity to dive even deeper into our own marvelous heritage. Oremus: A Treasury of Latin Prayers allows Catholics to experience anew—or for the first time—the beauty and rich spiritual heritage of the language used for almost 2,000 years in the Scriptures, liturgy, and prayers of the Church.

What are the seven corporal works of mercy?
These works are the perfect guide for imitating Jesus.

The Catholic Church has always preserved the teaching of Christ that both faith and works are important in living out our faith. We prove our faith by imitating Jesus’ good works and His command to serve one another—and by living out our values in real, practical ways.

When He told the story of separating the sheep from the goats on the day of judgement, He said to the sheep, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40). The goats were those who did not perform these works of mercy.

Thankfully, the Catholic Church provides us with a summary of the works of mercy to help us serve the least of Christ’s brethren. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines these works of mercy as “charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities.”

We can do corporal works of mercy in both small and large ways. Sometimes our daily lives get so busy that we can’t spend the day volunteering at a homeless shelter, or we can’t afford large donations to alleviate many people in poverty.

That’s when we find small ways to administer the corporal works of mercy. We can stop by a hospital or nursing home to say hello to a lonely patient or buy a meal for a homeless person on the street. Even giving just five dollars to a local charity counts!

These simple acts can make a great difference. St. Catherine of Siena’s famous quote is a great reminder of the good God can do through you; “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” Hang up a framed print of this powerful quote in your home or office and be inspired to serve throughout the day!

The Seven Last Words of Christ—Part III
“Behold your son…behold your Mother.”

As we approach the Third Sunday of Lent, we contemplate the beautiful words our dying Lord spoke to His Mother and to St. John the beloved disciple, in whose Gospel these words are found.
When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
—John 19:26-27
Let’s examine each of these words carefully.

“Woman…”

It might seem strange that Jesus calls His Mother “Woman,” which, to our ears, sounds rather disrespectful. But in Jewish culture at the time, “woman” was actually a dignified form of address, conveying honor and respect.

Moreover, let’s think about where else in Scripture we’ve heard someone called “woman.” Genesis 3:15 springs instantly to mind, where God curses the serpent for his deception:
“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed…”
God is proximately referring to Eve, whom the serpent deceived; but more importantly, He is referencing Our Lady, whose seed—Jesus Christ—will destroy the power of the serpent. So when Christ calls His Mother “Woman,” He is evoking her role as the new Eve, through whom the promise of a Redeemer is fulfilled.

“Behold your son.”

With these words, Jesus is referring not only to St. John, but to all of us.

The timing of this address is critical. Remember that Our Lord is dying. He says these words as He is literally being sacrificed for our redemption. He speaks as He is opening the doors of the Kingdom, as He is making us sons of God again.
It is as though He is saying to His Mother:
“Now at last is the moment of redemption. Behold, I bring you mankind, cleansed and redeemed. Behold your son, fit once again to be called such.”
In a concurrent way, He is also referencing mankind’s newfound unity with Himself. The Church is His Mystical Body, made so through His suffering and death; and just as Our Lady is His Mother, so is she the Mother of His members.

“Behold your mother.”

By addressing both His Mother and St. John (that is, us) Jesus is not just assigning titles. He is establishing a relationship. We are Mary’s children now. She is truly our Mother. She will care for us, teach us, and protect us as we grow spiritually and journey towards Heaven.

But a relationship goes two ways. We can’t call Mary our Mother and then treat her as an afterthought. Rather, we are called to love and honor her. Bring her your joys, sorrows, and problems. Ask her for guidance and wisdom in every path you take. Thank her for her unending “yes” to God. And now and then, just tell her you love her.

A wonderful way to honor our Sorrowful Mother—especially during this time of Lent—is to pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. Light this Sorrow Mysteries Candle to aid you as you journey with Our Blessed Mother through her Son’s Passion.

The Seven Last Words of Christ—Part II
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Today, we reflect on the second of Our Lord’s final words from the Cross. They were spoken to St. Dismas, the Good Thief, as he and Jesus hung dying side by side on Good Friday. We find these words only in the Gospel of Luke.

Dismas and his fellow-thief had, like Christ, been condemned to death by crucifixion. Unlike them, Jesus was innocent, suffering His punishment due to others.

The bad thief reviled Christ and demanded that He save Himself and them, if He be truly the Son of God. Dismas rebuked him for his impiety, proclaiming that they—as criminals—deserved their punishment, but that Christ had done no wrong.

A statue of St. Dismas in the Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan, Mexico (photo: Nheyob/CC BY-SA 4.0)

Dismas then made a rather strange request of Jesus:
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
He did not ask to be saved from the cross. He did not ask to escape the punishment for his crimes. He did not even ask for mercy. He simply asked to be remembered. The request is stunning in its simplicity and its profound humility.

Even more stunning is the response of Our Lord, Who does far more than simply remember the repentant.
“Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Dismas will not only be remembered. He will be forgiven, and the gates of Paradise will be open to him, once his (and Our Lord’s) agonies are complete. The Just Man hanging beside Dismas has taken the crimes of Dismas and all of humanity upon Himself, so that we can escape the punishment we deserve.

Dismas’ reaction is left to the imagination of the reader, but one can surmise that he died filled with joy and hope. Perhaps he offered up his suffering—in union with Christ—in reparation for his sins and those of humanity. What a beautiful and extraordinary thing, to suffer in such perfect imitation of Christ! What a grace—to rise from being a common thief to being the chosen companion of Jesus in His final hours! How superabundant is the mercy of God!

The last words of Christ are powerful and worth meditating on throughout Lent. Keep tuning in on Friday’s in Lent as we prayerfully reflect on each word. You can continue your own personal prayer and reflections with The Last Hours of Jesus: From Gethsemane to Golgotha, a striking account account that brings to vivid life the powerful events that transpired between Jesus’ Agony in the Garden and His death on the Cross.

The Seven Last Words of Christ—Part I
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

The seven last words of Christ—the final phrases that Our Lord spoke during His Passion—have been the subject of Christian meditation since His death, particularly on Good Friday. Bishop Fulton Sheen preached on these seven sacred words every Good Friday for over half a century.

We invite you to join us each Friday of Lent as we meditate on each of these seven words.

Today, the first Friday of Lent, we consider the first word:
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
The words are stunning upon impact.

It wasn’t enough for Jesus to say to us, “Love your enemies.” He showed us how to do it.

He forgave the friend who betrayed Him, the chief priests who falsely accused Him, the cowardly judge who condemned Him, the vicious crowd that called for His crucifixion, the callous soldiers who scourged Him nearly to death, nailed Him to a cross, and left Him to asphyxiate. All when He was perfectly and clearly innocent.

It doesn’t make forgiving our enemies seem so difficult. Though we, too, suffer hurt, betrayal, and other wounds from those who challenge our charity in this life, Christ has gone before us in all these sufferings—and we have His grace to assist us.

But there’s something else.

Jesus wasn’t just addressing the individuals responsible for His death. He was asking His Father to have mercy on all of us. On you and me. Sure, we can say that we aren’t the historical Judas, or the soldiers that nailed Him to the Cross. But our sins were the reason for His Passion—it was our sin that He atoned for with His precious Blood. Our sin tormented Him far more than any physical torture.

And strangely, paradoxically, mysteriously—the very Blood that our sins shed was the cause of their forgiveness. The Blood of Christ, which, as St. Paul says, “speaks more eloquently than that of Abel” (Hebrews 12:24), cries out to His Father for mercy, rather than for the justice that Abel’s demanded. Not only His words, but His Blood, His whole being, supplicate His Father on our behalf.

It makes sense that these words would be the first of His seven last words. They encapsulate the entire purpose of His Passion. They are, as it were, the opening words of the final act of His Passion, His death upon the Cross.

One of the Church’s most beloved devotions in honor of Our Lord’s Passion is the Stations of the Cross, which many parishes pray together on the Fridays of Lent like today. Even at those times when you are not physically at church, you can still keep the Stations near your heart and hands. The Stations of the Cross Rosary—with images of each Station and beads for the traditional Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be—fits in your pocket and will help you pray the Stations wherever you go.

How can I stay focused during my Holy Hour?
Do you finally get to adoration, only to fidget the entire time and think too much about earthly troubles instead of focusing on our Lord? Find out here how to have a good holy hour.

We know that spending an hour with Jesus in perpetual adoration is certainly good for our souls and minds.

Do you ever wonder how you can make the most out of that small time with Jesus?
There is no single, specific approach to make a good holy hour. Some people prefer to say a rosary or read Scripture, some like to write in a journal, and some just enjoy sitting in the peace that comes in adoration.

However, in an age where we are constantly glued to our phones and instant communication is constant, it’s easy to spend our entire holy hour thinking about everything we have to do at school or work, all the texts we need to respond to, and more.

If you struggle to make a good holy hour devoted to God, Mike Aquilina and Regis J. Flaherty provide some tips in their book The How-To Book of Catholic Devotions.

Aquilina and Flaherty suggest that you divide your hour into four fifteen-minute segments. Your first fifteen minutes can be spent in meditation. Meditate on Jesus and His presence before you.

The next fifteen minutes can be spent in thanksgiving. Thank God for all that He has bestowed upon you, especially through the sacraments.

In the third segment, you can recite prayers of petition. Pray that God’s will be done for all as you make your requests known to Him. Pray for the needs of yourself, your friends and family, and the Church. You can also pray for the sick, the poor, and the lonely.

Finally, you can use your last fifteen minutes in adoration. Reflect on the areas in your spiritual life where you can improve and express sorrow for your sins.
Most of all, as Mike Aquilina and Regis J. Flaherty emphasize, the most important part of a holy hour is to listen throughout your time with Jesus and to allow Him to speak to your heart.

In your Holy Hour, God desires to speak to you. Learn how to hear his voice more clearly in the powerful book How to Listen When God is Speaking. This book will help you listen to God’s powerful voice and hear him speaking lovingly, even when you are suffering in some way.

What is the Pope’s cathedral?
It’s the “Mother and Head” of all churches in the world.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.

Whether or not you’re able to get over to Rome any time soon, you can still participate in the great beauty and tradition of the Vatican! This lovely St. Peter’s Basilica Ink & Watercolor Tile is a great way to bring the immense treasury of the Catholic Church right into your home!

This Lent, walk with Mary on the road to Calvary…
Accompany Our Lady in her grief for her crucified Son.

The beautiful woman watched with incomprehensible pain as her Son’s flesh was torn, His hands pierced, and His Body offered as a living sacrifice.

The Man upon the cross was once the young boy she nurtured and raised, His wounded Body the same one that grew within her womb, and His anguished Face that of her beloved only Son.

On the road to Calvary, she is Our Lady of Sorrows, bearing an unbearable pain.
This Lent, we are called to mourn with her.

Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows is heightened during the season of Lent. In this devotion, we accompany the Blessed Virgin Mary in her grief as she walks with her Son through His Passion and death, offered for the sins of the world.

There are many ways to partake in this devotion. One beautiful way to unite our own sorrows with Our Lady’s is through St. Bonaventure’s beautiful prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows:

O most holy Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, by the overwhelming grief you experienced when you witnessed the martyrdom, the crucifixion, and the death of your divine Son, look upon me with eyes of compassion, and awaken in my heart a tender commiseration for those sufferings, as well as a sincere detestation of my sins, in order that, being disengaged from all undue affection for the passing joys of this earth, I may sigh after the eternal Jerusalem, and that henceforward all my thoughts and all my actions may be directed towards this one most desirable object: Honor, glory, and love to our divine Lord Jesus, and to the holy and immaculate Mother of God. Amen.

Another way to honor Our Lady of Sorrows is by praying the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, traditionally prayed on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays during Lent.

Enter more prayerfully into these powerful Mysteries with this beautiful Sorrowful Mysteries Candle. As you walk with Our Lady through the pain and sorrow of her Son’s Passion, the warm glow of the candle and refreshing Cotton Clean scent help you focus on the heartbreaking, yet saving, sufferings of Jesus.

Did you know there’s a copy of the Shroud of Turin in New Jersey?
…and it’s been there for 100 years!

The Shroud of Turin, the most fascinating relic preserved by the Church, was widely venerated by the start of the 17th century. It has a mysterious history, one that has been studied intensely for many, many years.

Sketch of the Shroud by St. Thérèse’s sister, Sr. Geneviève of the Holy Face

Little-known fact: the Shroud has been copied for devotional purposes, and in miraculous circumstances.

Here are the facts.

Maria Maddelena, the Grand Duchess of Tuscany, commissioned a copy of the Holy Shroud in 1624.

After the copy was made, it was laid right on top of the actual Shroud, so that it could be venerated as a third class relic.

What happened next astonished everyone.

The copy was lifted off the original, and a damp mark—like blood—was found on the Shroud’s side wound.

The dark fluid had seeped into the copy lying on top.

300 years later, the scientists who examined the Holy Shroud analyzed its copy. The test results awed them: the dark patch was blood. The same blood as that on the original Shroud.

The rest, as they say, is history.

The Dominicans of St. Clare’s Monastery in Rome received the shroud copy as a gift from Maddelena. Keeping it in their care for 300 years, they gave it to the Dominican monastery in Summit, New Jersey after World War I.

Want to learn more about the Holy Shroud and whether it’s the real shroud of Jesus or a fraud? Catholic scientist Dr. Gerard Verschuuren has collected the various studies made on the Shroud into one book: A Catholic Scientist Champions the Shroud of Turin. In it you’ll find the storied history of the Holy Shroud, analyses of the in-depth studies, and more!

Why is Lent forty days long?
Forty is a number with ancient biblical significance.

Lent is forty days long because Jesus fasted in the wilderness forty days and forty nights before embarking on His public ministry.

Man of Sorrows by William Dyce
Man of Sorrows by William Dyce

But Jesus did not select the length of His fast at random. Throughout the Old Testament, a stretch of forty days (or years) has always carried a deep meaning often related to punishment, penance, and/or preparation.

Here are a few examples:

During Noah’s time, God sent rain for forty days and forty nights to punish the earth with flood
In consequence of their lack of faith, the Israelites wandered in the desert forty years before reaching the Promised Land
The people of Nineveh fasted and repented to avert the wrath of God which the prophet Jonah predicted would come upon them in forty days
Both Moses and Elijah fasted forty days before or during important conversations with God
When the time came for Jesus to begin His public mission, He utilized this tradition. His mission was of an all-encompassing nature that taps into—and fulfills—all the biblical reasons for forty day events.

As the God-Man, He was embarking on His mission to be our Mediator—to converse with God on our behalf, as Moses and Elijah did in a prefigurative way.

As the one Man Who came to bear the punishment due to all men, He evokes the repentance of Nineveh that averted the punishment of God.

His time in the desert—reminiscent of the Israelites’ forty year sojourn—proffers the idea that He is deliberately taking on the punishment due to our faithlessness, which otherwise would keep us away from the Promised Land of Heaven.

The season of Lent is our great opportunity to enter into the desert with Christ. Do you have a plan for how to approach these days and gain the incredible graces they offer us?

One way to enter into the desert with Christ is by meditating on our own death. Lent is a time when we remember the death of Christ and the sacrifice he made to give us eternal life.

 

Why is St. Christopher the patron saint of travel?
This saint brought every traveler to safety, even when the task seemed impossible.

Christopher sat under a shady tree on the banks of a river, watching the foam piling up against the rocks and then dispersing into white eddies on the stream. He had lain there almost all day, waiting and waiting for travelers to make their appearance. It was a good season and a good day for traveling, but as yet no one had arrived to ask for his help in crossing the river.

Suddenly he blinked in surprise. Had he slept without knowing it? A child—who had not been there a moment before—was standing before him.

He sat up and said gruffly, “Yes—what?”

“Can you carry me across the river?” asked the child. “Have you the strength?”
Christopher laughed. What a question! Why, he had the strength of ten men! Without answering, he swung the child up onto his shoulders and stepped into the swirling water.

Ten paces. The child was heavier than he expected. Ten more paces. Was the child growing into a man, up there on his shoulders? Ten more. Christopher’s muscles began to shake. Ten more. He was nearly bent double. Ten more. Would the child crush him?

At last, Christopher struggled up the bank and set the child on the ground. He was so exhausted he couldn’t speak. That child felt as heavy as the whole world, by thunder! A touch roused him. It was the child.

“Thank you, Christopher,” said the child. “Rightly have you been named, for you have borne Christ, your Creator and Redeemer.”

Because of that day nearly 2,000 years ago, Christians have prayed to the mighty Christopher (whose name means “Christ-bearer”) to grant them safe passage, as he once did for his Creator. Whether you’re going on a long trip or the short commute to work, invoke St. Christopher’s protection with our sturdy St. Christopher Visor Clip every time you get behind the wheel.

Catholics have put ashes on their foreheads for how long?
Hundreds and hundreds—actually, thousands—of years.

One of the fun parts of Ash Wednesday is comparing your ashes to everyone else’s.

“Did you get a good cross?”

“I got a big one!”

“Mine’s just a smudge…”

It’s also energizing to see total strangers walking down the street and knowing—by their dusty forehead—that they are united with you in the observance of this holy day and season.

Catholics first started putting ashes on their foreheads on Ash Wednesday at least as early as the 8th century, when the practice can be found in the Gregorian Sacramentary (a book with directives for the liturgy). That’s simply the earliest recorded date for doing so—it’s likely a much earlier tradition.

Long before that, donning sackcloth (a coarse animal hair shirt) and ashes was a Jewish penitential practice. We see it many times in the Old Testament.

For example, in the book of Jonah, the King of Nineveh puts on sackcloth and sits in ashes when Jonah prophesies the destruction of the city.

Our Lord refers to this practice in the Gospel of Matthew:
“Woe to you, Chora′zin! woe to you, Beth-sa′ida! for if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.”
—Matthew 11:21
So the practice of wearing ashes really goes back thousands of years. The words that the priest says as he marks our forehead go back even further than that:
“Remember man that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return.”
This phrase is almost a direct quote from the Book of Genesis, when God pronounces the punishment for the sin of Adam:
“…In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
—Genesis 3:19
Here at the beginning of Lent, it is most fitting that we should recall the origin of our sinfulness. These forty days are a preparation for the holiest time of the year, the Sacred Triduum, wherein we commemorate the sacrifice of the New Adam, Who came to wash away the mark of our sin in His own Blood, and Who went down to the dust to raise us up from it.

If, like many of us, you’ve been caught unawares by Lent, don’t worry! You still have time to order a powerful Lenten devotional to help structure and transform your Lent. Our favorite is The Power of the Cross: Good Friday Sermons from the Papal Teacher! A collection of powerful sermons, given by Father Raniero Cantalamessa, in his role as Preacher to the Papal Household, these Good Friday meditations illuminate the mystery of Christ’s Paschal Sacrifice.

What is a traditional treat on Shrove Tuesday?
Break out the griddle, because it’s time for pancakes!

Well, folks, it’s upon us. The last day before Lent.

Some people call it Fat Tuesday, some call it Mardi Gras, and some people just call it the “last day to get rid of all those sweets” before the midnight hour hits on Ash Wednesday.

In Great Britain, it’s traditionally known as Shrove Tuesday, from the word “shrive” or “absolve.” The faithful would traditionally go to Confession on this day and be “shriven” of their sins in preparation for Lent.

The Brits also have another fun title for this day—Pancake Day!

Back in the good old days, Britain and many other regions in the Church abstained not only from meat during Lent, but from dairy products and eggs, too. Pancakes were a good way to use up those foods before Lent started.

The bell calling people to Confession on this day was accordingly known as the “Pancake Bell.”

Some fabulous traditions still exist across the pond for Pancake Day. One of the most famous is the Olney pancake race, which originates with the tale of a 15th-century housewife who heard the “Pancake Bell” while cooking pancakes. She was in such a hurry to get to the church for Confession, that she ran there with her frying pan still in her hand!

To this day, the housewives of Olney gather on Shrove Tuesday to reenact their predecessor’s famous race to the church. Carrying frying pans with a pancake inside, the wives have to flip the pancake three times whilst running from the town square to the church.

While the rules of fasting and abstinence no longer require the forfeiture of dairy products, pancakes are still a fun and delicious way to ring out the old and ring in the new, spiritually speaking.

If you’re still looking for a transformative Lenten prayer practice, consider praying the powerful Marian Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows! This devotion was originated in the thirteenth century. It recalls the Sorrows of the Virgin Mother of God endured in compassion for the suffering and death of her Divine Son. Beautifully enabling you to meditate on both Our Lady and her Son’s suffering, this chaplet is the perfect Lenten prayer practice.

Why are there stars around the back of the Miraculous Medal?
Did you know the Church is represented on the Medal?

The back of the Miraculous Medal is engraved with the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts and the initial “M” topped with a cross. These symbols are surrounded by a garland of twelve stars.

The twelve stars go far back in the Church’s history. The Book of Genesis relates the first dream of Joseph, in which twelve stars, the sun, and the moon bow down to him. The stars were understood to refer to his brothers and have since then symbolized the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

Later, Our Lord called the Apostles to follow Him and fulfill the Twelve Tribes, so they also are present in the symbol of twelve stars.

In addition to this, twelve stars have been associated with the Blessed Mother since the first century, when John the Apostle received the vision related in Revelation 12: “And a great sign appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.”

Theologians have understood these twelve stars to symbolize both the Tribes and the Apostles, as discussed above. The Tribes and Apostles together represent the whole Church, and therefore when the stars surround the Blessed Mother—such as when they appear on the back of the Miraculous Medal—they represent the Church as we surround Mary as our Queen.

The Blessed Mother promised special graces to those who wear her Medal, and these graces have been so obvious that the Medal, originally called the Medal of the Immaculate Conception, became known as Miraculous in no time. Our bestselling Rose Gold & Sterling Miraculous Medal Necklace is a beautiful way to honor Our Mother’s request to wear her medal with confidence.

How do you offer a Mass for someone?

At Mass, we typically hear, “This Mass is being offered for the intentions of [someone].” What does this mean, and how do we offer a Mass for a friend or family member?

The Mass is the most powerful of all prayers, so it is a very effective way to pray for loved ones. Praying for loved ones through the Mass is an ancient tradition. While you can personally offer your prayers at Mass for a special intention, requesting that a priest say a Mass for your intention can be even more powerful because the priest himself has offered the Mass for that intention.

Requesting a Mass for your special intention is easier than you might think. It’s often as simple as calling your local parish and putting in a request. There are also many religious orders and shrines with online Mass intention request forms which you can submit. It is customary to give a very small monetary gift when you request a Mass for a special intention. This money helps support the priest, parish facilities, or missions. In previous eras, for example, candles were expensive, and the monetary offering helped a poor priest buy those candles for saying your Mass.

You can offer a Mass for family members, friends, or any special intention, but Masses offered for the dead are particularly powerful. In fact, many souls have actually appeared to loved ones to ask for Masses to be said for them so that they will be released from Purgatory. Since the souls in Purgatory are no longer able to pray for themselves, they rely on the prayers and good works of those still on earth to help them enter heaven sooner. Jesus loves them so much that He will often release a soul sooner when such prayers as the Mass are offered.

With the Mass, we are invited to participate in the glories of Heaven. Although having a Mass offered for your intentions is powerful, the gift of the Mass alone is powerful and transformative. Yet, so often we find ourselves distracted and unprepared. Meditations Before Mass is a beloved treasury of prayerful wisdom to help prepare for the profound reality of the Sacrifice of the Mass. Practical, straightforward, and full of wisdom, these talks will help you to quiet your soul, concentrate your mind, and grow receptive to God’s grace during Mass.

Who is the patron saint of florists?
Legend tells us that this saint arranged celestial flowers minutes before her martyrdom.

Another boring winter day in the early-4th-century courtroom. The lawyer Theophilus was nearly falling asleep, he was so bored.

He roused himself enough, however, to look at a Christian woman who was led in. Her name was Dorothy. She said she was the bride of Jesus Christ. She calmly refused all sorts of enticing bribes to give up her Faith.

Beautiful, he decided. And brave. She didn’t flinch when the inevitable sentence came: torture and death. She actually looked happy about it. A pity she was one of those crazy Christians.

As she was escorted from the room, Theophilus called out with a laugh, “Bride of Christ! Send me some fruits from your bridegroom’s garden!”

Legend has it that an angel appeared to Dorothy just before her death with fruits from heaven. With her own hands, Dorothy arranged them in her veil and sent them to Theophilus.

The lawyer was dining with friends; he’d forgotten all about the incident. But in the middle of the meal, a boy entered and went straight up to him, presenting him with a cloth. A lady had sent this to Theophilus, the boy said.

Slowly, Theophilus unwrapped the cloth. It was filled with surpassingly lovely flowers and perfectly formed fruits. A pure, unearthly aroma dispelled the dank air in the room. After that, Theophilus had to admit that Dorothy’s bridegroom was none other than the one, true God.

Our Lord called Dorothy to declare her love for Him in the most beautiful way. Let the timeless beauty of the Sacred Heart Framed Wall Plaque inspire you to tell Him that, like Dorothy, you also return the ardent love of His Sacred Heart.

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 Violet Crystal Stations of the Cross Bracelet is a wonderful way to pray the Stations of the Cross. With stunning violet beads, the color of penance and repentance, and 14 medals featuring each of the stations, this bracelet will help you walk the Way of the Cross everyday this Lent.

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.

What is the love of God like?
It’s complete, total, selfless, and it’s directed towards you.

St. Augustine wrote that, “God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us.”

St. Augustine’s words are both simple and profound. God’s love is desirous of each one of us completely.

This is a beautiful thought by itself, but it becomes even more astounding when we consider the radical nature of God’s love.

His profound and total love is best captured in the Greek word agape. Agape is a completely selfless love for another in which one seeks nothing back in return—a total gift of self.

In Greek, there are several words for love: phillia, eros, storge, and agape. Each of these words emphasizes a different type of love: phillia is brotherly or friendly love; eros, romantic love; storge, a family-oriented love; and agape—the highest type of love—a total, selfless, and unconditional love.

Each of these words for love can be found in the New Testament. However, whenever the New Testament authors speak of God’s love, they specifically use agape.

This agape love is the love that unites the Trinity, it is the love by which God spoke Creation into existence, and it is the love that God has for you, a love that overcomes any fault or failing.

As we begin the month of February, we begin to see symbols of love all around us—but the love our culture promotes is often far from agape love. Especially during this time, it is important to meditate on the truth of God’s love. Father Jacques Philippe’s book, The Way of Trust and Love, is a transformative meditation on the love of God through an examination of the life of St. Therese of Lisieux. Whether for St. Valentine’s Day, as a Lenten practice, or as a personal devotion, this book is a beautiful reminder of the complete love God has for you

 

Which saint was a talented juggler as a youth?
The gifts and talents of Don Bosco rescued thousands.

When he was a boy, the young John Bosco would put on juggling shows for his friends.

But it wasn’t just for fun. He combined these performances with prayer and discussions on the Faith. Even as a kid, he was already embarking on his life’s work.
Later on, John was ordained a priest amidst massive societal shifts resulting from the Industrial Revolution, which drove families en masse into the cities looking for work. The young priest noticed the terrible conditions of the inner city boys who often ended up in prison as teenagers.

So, he did something about it.

He began gathering the neighborhood boys for instruction. Don Bosco celebrated Mass for them, heard confessions, and taught them the Catechism.

Excursions, games, musical instruments, and other recreation were all part of the plan. He ran technical classes and workshops to improve the boys’ prospects in life, often at night so that those who worked in factories could join.

This was the first house of the Salesian Order, dedicated to St. Francis de Sales, which Don Bosco would found some years later. Attracted to the fatherly kindness of the good priest—who is still fondly known as Don (“Father”) Bosco—the boys soon numbered in the hundreds.

Then, they numbered in the thousands. By the time Don Bosco went to his eternal reward on January 31, 1888, 250 Salesian houses were serving 130,000 children throughout the world. One of the boys he taught, Dominic Savio, would himself become a saint.

Don Bosco’s devotion still resonates today. His joyful intercession is powerful and his example remains necessary. May we all strive to be playful, yet virtues, just as Don Bosco! Our favorite St. John Bosco Adult Socks are a perfect way to keep his intercession close. Inspire by Don Bosco’s playfulness, these socks feature one of his most beloved quotes: “Run, jump, shout, but do not sin.” Available today from

What’s the incredible story of Élisabeth and Felix Leseur?

He was a staunch atheist and she was a devout Catholic, but Élisabeth never ceased praying for union with her husband in God and His Church.

Élisabeth and Felix were young and very much in love—more in love with each other than with their faith. When Felix told his soon-to-be-bride that he was practicing the Faith only to keep up appearances, she didn’t mind in the least. Neither of them expected any tension to arise from the situation.

After their marriage in 1889, however, the young couple gradually grew apart in their spiritual lives. Felix became increasingly atheistic; Élisabeth, after great confusion, was inspired to learn about her faith. The more she learned, the more devout she became. Meanwhile, Felix filled the house with atheistic books.

Husband and wife soon clashed.

Finally Élisabeth decided that the only argument that could win Felix back to the Church was intense and undistracted prayer.

For the next fifteen years, she dedicated her life to prayer for her husband’s conversion. She recorded her spiritual journey secretly in a diary. Around the same time, her health crumbled and she lived in intense physical suffering.

Just before her death, she wrote a note to Felix, saying, “In 1905 I begged Almighty God to send me sufferings with which to pay the price of your soul. The day I die, that price will be paid. There is no greater love to be found in a woman than when she gives her life for her husband.”

Élisabeth passed away in 1914 at the age of forty-eight.

When Felix found her diary, his own spiritual journey began. In 1917 he returned to the Faith. Six years later, he was ordained a Dominican priest.

Élisabeth persevered in her faith with humility and fervent devotion despite hostility and ridicule from her beloved husband. Living the Faith well can be difficult even among those who share the same beliefs: so let Élisabeth’s example be an encouragement to you in your everyday struggle towards a deep and purposeful spiritual life. The Secret Diary of Élisabeth Leseur contains the spiritual writings of this holy woman as she navigated the difficult waters of adhering to God while maintaining a harmonious marriage. Available today at The Catholic Company!

My loved one has left the Church. What do I do?
The answer is simpler than you may expect!

We’ve all seen it before.

Whether it’s your child, sibling, or friend, we all know someone who has left the Catholic Faith.

No matter your relationship with the person, it is always painful to see the treasury and graces of the Catholic Church left abandoned by one who needs them the most.
When a loved one leaves the Church, you may understandably feel frustrated or confused. You may fear for their soul, mourn the loss of their companionship in the Faith, or be hurt by their rejection of something you hold so dear.

However you feel, we all understand the importance of praying for their return back to the truth of the Catholic Church. But we can feel overwhelmed…What are we supposed to say to them?

How can we help them see what they have lost?

Each person is different. Each walk of faith will vary. However, there is one thing that will be certain to help: letting love fill your heart.

In his beloved book, Search and Rescue: How to Bring Your Family and Friends into–or Back into–the Catholic Church, Patrick Madrid recognizes the absolute necessity of love when helping a loved one return to the Church.

Drawing from the wisdom of the saints, Patrick Madrid writes:

“The key to success in your own search-and-rescue mission lies in the quiet recesses of your own heart: love. To win your family and friends to the Faith, you must develop the heart of an apostle (one who is sent) – a heart full of love for Christ and for souls.”

Recognizing that this is easier said than done, Madrid goes on to give helpful guidance on how to achieve this heart of an apostle:
1. Prayer
2. Absolute trust in God
3. Humility
4. Perseverance
5. Love

So, if you are longing for a loved one to return to the Catholic Church, do not despair! Remember that Christ is longing for their return right alongside you and that He will fight for their love! In the meantime, focus on cultivating a heart of love that will help draw them towards the profound reality of Christ’s Love.

Where does the Memorare come from?
The powerful Memorare’s miraculous reputation precedes it.

“Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided…”

The Memorare is one of the most powerful prayers in our Catholic treasury. As seen in its opening line, the Memorare begins with the simple acknowledgment of Our Blessed Mother’s constant presence in our lives.

By emphasizing the simple fact that Our Lady is our steadfast companion and help, the Memorare becomes a prayer of confidence and consolation…and it has a miraculous reputation that precedes it.

The Memorare is sometimes attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux, who lived in the 12th century, but its original author is actually unknown. It appears in a longer 15th-century prayer, Ad sanctitatis tuae pedes, dulcissima Virgo Maria (“At your holy feet, sweetest Virgin Mary”).

Despite its most likely being composed some centuries before, the Memorare was not popularized until the 17th century when another Bernard, Fr. Claude Bernard, was miraculously healed through the prayer.

Amazed by his healing, Fr. Claude knew that the Lord wanted him to propagate this powerful prayer. He printed over 200,000 leaflets with the prayer on it. From France to England to Germany, Fr. Claude printed and distributed the miraculous prayer in as many languages as he could.

Through his dedication to this prayer, Fr. Claude helped carry the miraculous healing intercession of Our Lady throughout the world. It eventually became the favorite prayer of many powerful saints such as St. Francis de Sales and St. Teresa of Calcutta. Mother Teresa insisted upon the Memorare’s power, saying that it never once failed her in times of great need.

Here is the full Memorare:

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.

“Life is so busy. How can I find time to pray?”
With all the obligations in our lives, it’s tempting to leave prayer till tomorrow. And then forget about it. How can we make time for prayer?

If we don’t take time to pray, we could not do this work.
—Mother Teresa
If anyone in the world might have seemed to have an excuse for “not having time to pray,” it was Mother Teresa and her tireless sisters in the Missionaries of Charity.
But Mother Teresa never allowed any amount of work to encroach on her prayer time or that of her sisters. The good Mother knew that, without prayer, everything else failed.

Prayer is the heart of every Christian life—not just that of religious orders. If you take the heart out, the body will die. If you make the heart stronger, the body will be stronger. If you make greater demands on the body, the heart needs to be extra-strong.

It’s easy to sideline prayer amidst the constant demands of work, family, school, and other practical things, but if we aren’t praying, every aspect of our lives suffers.
One way to make prayer a consistent practice is to schedule regular prayer time for yourself at home. A holy hour at home—perhaps weekly, perhaps biweekly—can keep you centered and spiritually strong, even if the pace of life seems overwhelming at times. It’ll help you to keep praying even if you can’t make a holy hour in church as often as you’d like to.

What is the first word of the Rule of St. Benedict?
St. Benedict urges us to do something we’re not used to…listen.

“Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father…”
Listen.

From the outset of his rule, St. Benedict urges us to do something uncomfortable: to listen, to truly listen.

Constantly inundated with noise through the news, social media, TV, podcasts, and music, we can mistakenly believe that we are always listening to something or other.
However, in his urgent plea to listen, St. Benedict suggests a more radical approach to listening, not merely passive consumption of noise and words but “inclining the ear of thy heart.” This is an active listening that can only happen in the silence of prayer.

Because of the drastic difference between these two modes of listening, one noisy and busy, the other quiet and still, they can counteract one another. When we fill our ears and minds with a constant stream of noise, we lose the ability to truly listen with the ear of the heart. Likewise, when we listen with the ear of the heart, the Word of God finds us, calms us, and guides us closer to Him—and we find that we do not want the noise of the world to interrupt!

“Rome had a little lamb…” Well, two, actually…
Every January 21st, two little lambs are blessed with a very special job.

St. Agnes—whose name means “lamb”—is nearly always depicted with a lamb in her arms as a symbol of her innocence. She was a virgin-martyr who was only about thirteen years old when she laid down her life for her faith and her purity in the 4th century.

Each year, the Basilica of St. Agnes-Outside-the-Walls welcomes two honored (and adorable) guests on the feast day of their patroness.

Two lambs, donated by the Trappist monastery of Tre Fontane elsewhere in Rome, are brought to the Basilica. They are carried in two baskets: one decorated with red flowers, symbolizing Agnes’ martyrdom, and the other with white flowers, symbolizing her purity.

These lambs are blessed, then sent to the Holy Father at the Vatican. He also blesses them, then entrusts them to the Benedictine Sisters at the Basilica of St. Cecilia in Trastevere. The Sisters care for them until just before Easter, when they are shorn of their wool.

The wool is then used to make the pallia. A pallium is the insignia of a metropolitan archbishop—that is, an archbishop with authority over his own diocese as well as others under its umbrella. The pallium is a circle of white wool that goes loosely around the neck, with a length hanging down in the front and the back. Six black crosses and three spinulae—pins—adorn it.

The wool represents the archbishop’s role as shepherd and his call to imitate the Good Shepherd, Christ Himself, Who carries the lost sheep on His shoulders. The crosses remind him of the weight of his responsibility and the weight of the Cross that Christ bore. The three spinulae represent the nails that pierced the hands and feet of Our Lord. The pallium also represents the unity of the archbishops with the Holy Father.

After the pallia are made, they are kept in a silver box under the high altar of St. Peter’s Basilica, near St. Peter’s tomb. On the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul on June 29th, the pope blesses the pallia and gives them to all the new metropolitan archbishops.

Who was the founder of Christian monasticism?
St. Anthony of the Desert took the Gospel of Matthew quite literally….

Born of wealthy parents into a life of easy luxury, St. Anthony of the Desert could have lived a life of leisure.

Instead, he chose a life of radical poverty and paved the way for thousands of Christians who would follow his footsteps into the monastic life.

Born in 251 A.D., Anthony saw firsthand the heroic lives and martyrdoms of the early Christians. Inspired by their piety, Anthony desired to live as they did: wholly devoted to Christ.

He heard these words from the Gospel of Matthew in church: “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” After that, he left everything behind to live a life of prayer, fasting, self-denial, and labor.

St. Anthony began to look for spiritual mentors to help guide him in the Christian way. Trusting in God and relying on the power of prayer, St. Anthony wandered the desert, looking for people living out a similar vocation and learning from their virtue.

He eventually felt called to unite himself with God entirely through private silence. He removed himself from all society and became the first Christian to live a life of consecrated solitude. He occasionally left his hermitage for pressing matters, once to encourage persecuted Christians and another time to support Pope Athanasius against the heresy of Arius.

Despite the intensity of his fasting and harsh lifestyle, St. Anthony lived until the age of 105!

What is the Angelus?
These two minutes can spiritually transform your day.

Chances are you’ve seen this famous painting.

It’s called L’Angelus (The Angelus) and was painted by Jean-François Millet in the mid-19th century.

It depicts a peasant couple in a potato field, farm tools set aside, their heads bent in prayer.

Amid a physically demanding work day, this man and woman are taking time to pause, direct their thoughts to God, and humbly receive His grace.

The name of the prayer they’re saying is the painting’s title: the Angelus.

So, what is the Angelus?

It’s a set of three antiphons that reflect on the Incarnation of Christ at the Annunciation—that profoundly holy moment in which the Angel Gabriel announced God’s invitation to Mary to be the Mother of the Messiah, and she said yes.

That’s how the Angelus prayer got its name: the prayer was originally said in Latin, of course, and the word angelus is Latin for angel.

Each of the Angelus’s antiphons are taken from Sacred Scripture. Each is followed by a Hail Mary.

When the Angelus is prayed by more than one person, a leader says the first part, with everyone else reciting the responses.

Here is the complete Angelus:

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary…
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.
Hail Mary. . .
V. And the Word was made flesh.
R. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary. . .
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Traditionally, the Angelus is prayed three times throughout the day: 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m. Of course, no one who wants to pray the Angelus is required to say it three times a day.

Many people pray it once a day—often at the noon hour. Noon is the hour at which Catholics particularly reflect upon Our Lord’s Passion, since Jesus mounted the Cross at noon on Good Friday. As the midpoint of the day, noon is also a particularly powerful moment to take a pause and recollect ourselves in prayer.

What is the story behind the Infant of Prague?
This famous Czech devotion has its roots in…Spain.

It was a little painted statue. It stood a foot and a half high, was dressed in exquisite court dress, and cherished as an heirloom wedding gift. It came from Spain during an early spread of devotion to the Christ Child.

In the 17th century, a Spanish noblewoman named Isabel Manrique gave this little statue to her daughter Marie when Marie married a Czech noble. Marie gave it, in turn, to her own daughter Polyxena when the latter married.

Polyxena treasured it for many years, but at last gifted it to the Carmelite monastery of Our Lady of Victory.

Shortly afterward the Czech kingdom was invaded by the Saxons, forcing the Carmelites to flee their monastery. The statue of the Christ Child, damaged and tattered, was left behind in the ruins of the church.

Ten years later in 1638, a Carmelite priest found it. He took it to his church in Prague and displayed it by the altar.

Suddenly, as he knelt in prayer before it, the statue spoke, saying:
“Have mercy on Me and I will have mercy on you. Give Me My hands and I will give you peace. The more you honor Me the more I will bless you.”
The priest, who did not know how to repair such a statue, prayed for help. One day, a man came to the sacristy and offered to fix the statue’s hands.

After this, many miracles were reported to have been wrought through the statue, and devotion to the Christ Child increased all the more.

Many saints, such as Thérèse of Lisieux, had great devotion to the Infant of Prague.

What is the virtue of recollection?
Amid the noise and busy-ness of our culture, the virtue of recollection tethers us to the serenity of God.

On the way to work, traffic is backed up for miles, cars honk angrily as you merge, a podcast or playlist noisily plays from your car speakers, and messages flood your phone.

Does this scene sound familiar? For many of us, this is a staple of our morning routine. While we may try to carve out time for prayer and silence, there is little we can do about the noise we are immersed in daily: the lanes of traffic, loud advertisements on billboards, and hundreds of marketing emails flooding our inboxes.

Yet God does not abandon us to the stress and noise of the world. Rather, He has given us direct access to His infinite peace and comfort through prayer and the little-known virtue of recollection.

Recollection, understood as a spiritual virtue, means attention to the presence of God in the soul. It includes the withdrawal of the mind from external and earthly affairs to attend to God and divine things. Recollection can be deployed anywhere, at any time, even amid great external noise, when we immerse ourselves in that profound interior solitude in which the soul is alone with God.

Active recollection is acquired by our own ordinary efforts aided by the grace of God. It is available to any devout soul and can be cultivated through the habit of thinking of God’s presence and the discipline of directing our attention to Him.

Although God desires us to be joined to His perfect peace always, recollection can be difficult for a modern soul. Constantly surrounded by noise and stimulation, we have grown so accustomed to the presence of distractions that we struggle to desire the quiet solitude of recollection.

However, there are some simple ways we can grow in the virtue of recollection. By avoiding unnecessary distractions (such as excess media), cultivating a strong prayer life, and deliberately seeking solitude and silence throughout your day, you will become more comfortable with withdrawing from the noise of the outside world.

Do Catholics really pray “to” statues?
Many people outside the Church misunderstand the Catholic use of (and love for) statues.

No, Catholics don’t worship statues or pray to them.

That would be either idolatry at worst or, at best, just a silly thing to do.

Catholics use statues and images as visual reminders of the people they represent.

It’s similar to keeping a picture of our family in our wallet or on the wall. None of us actually treat the photo as being the actual people depicted: it’s simply valuable as a reminder of them. We may touch the image fondly, or even kiss it—but that touch or kiss is for the absent person, not the image itself.

We likewise use statues as reminders of God, Our Lady, and the saints when we pray. Since we are creatures of sense, physical representations help us to focus our thoughts and prayers on God or the person to whom we are praying.

Images also convey for us critical aspects of the Faith. For example, an image of Our Lady and her Child illustrates for us their closeness and love. Michelangelo’s magnificent Pietá pulls us into the sorrow of this Mother and the awful concept of the dead Son of God. Crucifixes help us to meditate in a profound way on Our Lord’s terrible sufferings.

Additionally, beautiful depictions of holy people and events are good for our imaginations which, in this age, are constantly besieged by ugly and sinful images. Sacred art fortifies our imaginations with holiness and beauty, providing a crucial antidote to the assaults of the world.

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.

Tips for picking a patron saint for 2024
It’s time to select a heavenly helper for the year!

Each year, January comes with a flood of resolutions and self-help guides. While some of these things are good and can be very beneficial, they can sometimes lead us to individualism, pressure, and pride.

Part of what makes our Faith so beautiful is that it reminds us that we can do nothing alone. We need God to heal us and act in us.

Beyond that, Our Lord has given us hosts of heavenly helpers: our friends, the saints!

Rather than insisting on a regimen of self-improvement this year, rely on the saints, those closest to Christ. Having a patron saint for the year can be a powerful way to invite heavenly friendship and intercession into your year.

However, because the Church has many wonderful saints, choosing one can be difficult! But with some guidance and prayer, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming to find a great patron saint this year!

1. Think of specific virtues you hope to develop this year. Find saints that exemplified or spoke on those virtues. For patience, think of St. Monica and St. Bernadette. For honesty, consider Sts. Peter and Paul. If you want to be more disciplined, consider St. John Vianney and St. Josemaría Escrivá.

2. Look for saints who faced similar circumstances as you. Some wonderful married saints are Sts. Zélie and Louis Martin, St. Gianna Beretta Molla, and Sts. Ann and Joachim. If you’re looking for a patron saint for single people, consider St. Andrew, St. Christopher, St. Agnes, and St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

3. Pray! Our Lord longs for us to join His saints in heaven! Through prayer and discernment, He will help us come to know saints who will powerfully intercede for us.

4. Ask a priest or spiritual mentor. Many people have had powerful and unique experiences with saints and can provide personal insights into finding a patron saint!

What can the Epiphany can teach us?
With its few simple traditions, the Epiphany is a beautiful and powerful feast!

Christmas is not over yet! In fact, one of the most glorious feasts of Christmastide is right around the corner. The Epiphany is one of the Church’s major and spectacular feasts. It occurs on January 6th, the final day of the 12 days of Christmas.

This is the day the Church commemorates the Magi arriving to give homage to the newborn King of Kings with their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

However, as we celebrate the Magi’s arrival, we are not merely celebrating a past event.

Rather, we are celebrating a current reality: the coming of all the Gentile nations, those not initially a part of Our Lord’s chosen people, into the Kingdom of God. On the Epiphany, we are celebrating God’s invitation to us to come worship at the feet of Our Lord.

That is why the Epiphany is such a glorious feast and worth celebrating each year!
From our Eastern brothers and sisters, we can learn much about celebrating the Epiphany.

For the Eastern Church, Epiphany is the celebration of not one, not two, but three ‘epiphanies,’ or revelations of Christ: the arrival of the Magi with their kingly gifts, the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, and Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding feast of Cana. These three biblical events are theophanies, or visible manifestations of Who Jesus really is—God Incarnate.

The Eastern Church also has several beautiful traditions to help commemorate this wonderful day. Here is a helpful guide to a few of these traditions for your family to partake in this year:

Blessing of the Homes: The Epiphany is the traditional time to have your home blessed by a priest for the New Year. If it isn’t possible for a priest to come, the head of the household can preside over the ceremony, which includes prayers and sprinkling the rooms with holy water specially blessed for Epiphany. After the ritual, mark the entryway of the home with chalk (see further explanation below). For suggested prayers for the blessing, see the USCCB’s Blessing of the Home and Household on Epiphany.

Blessing of Chalk: In the blessing of the homes, you use blessed chalk to mark the doorways. (Your parish should be able to provide Epiphany water and blessed chalk to perform these blessings.) The long-standing Epiphany tradition of marking churches, homes, schools, and other buildings with a special “holy formula” over the entryway follows a formula similar to the blessing of the Paschal Candle at Easter. This formula for Epiphany includes the current year along with the initials C, M, and B in the order shown below.
20 + C + M + B + 24

The C, M, and B are placed in between the numbers of the current year, with crosses in between each symbol. The three letters have two significations: the invocation Christus Mansionem Benedicat (“Christ bless this house”), as well as the first initial of the names of the three Magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar.

You can use unblessed chalk if necessary for this aspect of the ritual. You can also use regular holy water for the blessing of the home if you can’t obtain Epiphany water.

Blessing of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh: There is also a special Epiphany blessing in honor of the original Christmas gifts. The faithful can have their parish priest bless items of gold (such as wedding rings and rosaries), myrrh for medicinal use, and frankincense that can be used during the Epiphany home blessing and other liturgical feasts (such as Easter).

Why do we call Mary our Blessed Mother?
Do you ever wonder why Mary is called “the Blessed Mother”?

Today, is the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God!

Have you ever wondered why we call her the Blessed Mother?

In Sacred Scripture, after the angel Gabriel visits Mary in her home to tell her that she will bear the Savior of the world at the Annunciation, Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who calls Mary “the mother of my Lord” (Luke 1:43).

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that because Mary is the mother of Jesus—and Jesus is God—she has the beautiful privilege of being called “the Mother of God.” She is not just the mother of His human nature; she is the mother of the whole Person of Christ, and Christ has two natures: human and divine. The Catechism explains:
“In fact, the One whom [Mary] conceived as man by the Holy Spirit, who truly became her son according to the flesh, was none other than the Father’s eternal Son, the second person of the Holy Trinity. Hence the Church confesses that Mary is truly the ‘Mother of God’ (Theo-tokos)” (CCC 495).
We call Mary the Blessed Mother because of Sacred Scripture. When Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Luke 1:42). And in her Song of Praise, popularly known as the Magnificat, Mary replied, “Behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed” (Luke 1:48).

And why do we call Mary our Mother, even though she is not our biological mother?
Since Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is the Head of the Mystical Body of Christ, and we are all members of His Body, she therefore brought us spiritually into being as sons and daughters of God. This fundamental truth is also why we have high regard for Mary. Before she said “yes” to God, we were not able to enter heaven. Her role in salvation history is crucial.

Mothers guide, nurture, and teach their children. The Blessed Mother guides, nurtures, and teaches us to become faithful followers of her Son, Jesus Christ.
Today on this glorious Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, let honor our Blessed Mother for her yes to God, and for giving us our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Saved Germany’s faith
Who led the charge against the errors of Luther?

Quick! Name a “Doctor of the Church.” Any Doctor.

We’ll venture a guess as to who you thought of: St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Jerome, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Ávila, maybe?

You probably didn’t think of St. Peter Canisius, whose feast we celebrate today—though if you did, we’re impressed, and please tell us in the comments below!
St. Peter is one of the lesser-known Doctors, but his influence upon the Church was mighty. In fact, southern Germany—known as the Catholic part of Germany—owes its faith largely to him.

Peter was born in the Netherlands only a few years after Luther’s erroneous doctrines caused an earthquake in central Europe. Peter joined the newly-founded Jesuits while a young man, earned a doctorate in theology, became a priest, founded the first Jesuit house in Germany, helped out at the Council of Trent, and worked directly under St. Ignatius of Loyola. He taught at (and founded!) several universities and worked tirelessly as a pastor, catechist, and preacher.

A man who gave many gifts to the Church, St. Peter perhaps gave us his greatest when he published his Summary of Christian Doctrine, a masterful catechism that was used for hundreds of years and became the basis for many thereafter.

It would actually fill several pages if we listed all the things St. Peter Canisius did. When asked once how he kept up his high level of activity, he simply said: “If you have too much to do, with God’s help you will find time to do it all.”

Because of St. Peter’s unfailing devotion to the Truth and his zeal for the salvation of souls, the tide of Protestantism was stemmed in southern Germany and this region held on to the Catholic Faith that was failing so terribly in other parts of northern Europe.

Who are the Fourteen Holy Helpers?
These heavenly companions have been helping mankind since the Middle Ages.

The Fourteen Holy Helpers are fourteen saints that are collectively invoked against various ailments and dangers.

Devotion to the Fourteen Holy Helpers began in 14th-century Germany, which was suffering under bubonic plague. Called the “Nothelfer”—“Helpers in Need” —in German, devotion to them eventually spread to other countries. Their feast is kept in some places on August 8th.

A depiction of the 14 Holy Helpers with Sts. Peter and Paul

These saints are mostly drawn from the ranks of the early Church martyrs. Each one is invoked against a particular affliction, often related to the means of their martyrdom.

Here they are:
1. St. Acatius – 4th c. Greek captain in the Roman army. Some say he was crowned with thorns. Eventually beheaded. Invoked against headaches.
2. St. Barbara – 3rd c. Virgin-martyr killed by her own father. Lightning struck him as punishment. Invoked against lightning and fire.
3. St. Blaise – 4th c. Armenian martyr-bishop. Cured a child choking on a fishbone. Invoked against throat ailments.
4. St. Catherine of Alexandria – 4th c. Egyptian virgin-martyr famous for her learning. Invoked by lawyers and against diseases of the tongue.
5. St. Christopher – “Christ-bearer.” 3rd c. Martyr who carried the Christ Child across a stream. Invoked against travel dangers and sudden death.
6. St. Cyriacus – 4th c. Roman deacon-martyr. Cured Diocletian’s daughter, possibly of blindness. Invoked against eye diseases.
7. St. Denis – 3rd c. Missionary to France. Bishop of Paris. Martyred by beheading. According to legend, at his martyrdom he picked up his head and walked; hence he is often pictured with his head in his hands. Invoked against demonic attacks and headaches.
8. St. Erasmus (Elmo) – 4th c. Italian martyr-bishop. Tortured by having his intestines pulled out. Namesake of “St. Elmo’s Fire,” electric phenomenon that precedes a storm at sea. Invoked against stomach ailments (and a favorite of sailors).
9. St. Eustace – 2nd c. General in Trajan’s army. Saw a stag with a cross between its antlers. Converted with wife and kids. Burned alive in an oven. Invoked against fires.
10. St. George – 4th c. Soldier under Diocletian. Killed a dragon. Saved a princess. Died a martyr. Invoked against skin diseases and palsy.
11. St. Giles – 7th c. Athenian monk. Founded a Benedictine community in France. Told Charles Martel to go to confession. Invoked against crippling diseases.
12. St. Margaret of Antioch – 4th c. Virgin-martyr. Converted by her holy nurse. Shepherdess. Invoked by women in childbirth and against kidney diseases.
13. St. Pantaleon – 4th c. Doctor employed by the emperor. Nailed to a tree then beheaded. Blood, preserved in Ravello, Italy, liquefies every year. Invoked by doctors and midwives, and against lung diseases.
14. St. Vitus – 4th c. Sicilian. Converted by his Christian nurse and her husband. All three martyred together. Invoked against paralysis, nervous diseases, and epilepsy.

Have you ever seen a priest wear a “maniple”?
This odd-looking article carries deep significance.

You’ve definitely seen it if you’ve attended the older form of the Mass, the Latin Mass.

It seems to serve no practical function, and even comes off as a bit in-the-way. The priest takes it off when he leaves the altar to preach the day’s homily.

What is a maniple, and why do priests wear it?

A maniple is a short length of cloth that is looped over the left arm of the priest. While we don’t commonly see this anymore, it was once a normal part of the priest’s Mass vestments, and is still used in the Latin Mass, where older styles of vestments are often worn. Technically, it was never abrogated, so the priest can still wear it with the current vestments!

As a piece of clothing, the maniple goes all the way back to ancient Rome. It was simply a handkerchief used either to wipe away perspiration or as a decorative piece—uses that the handkerchief still serves today!

As a liturgical vestment, the maniple goes back to at least the 6th century, with its original purpose possibly being to simply wipe the face during Mass. It is worn by clerics from the subdeacon rank (the rank just before deacon) on upward. As part of the subdiaconate ceremony, the bishop places the maniple over the new subdeacon’s left arm.

But the maniple isn’t just a curiosity left over from a bygone era. It bears profound spiritual meaning. Various interpretations of it developed over time, eventually coalescing into the meaning we glean if we read the beautiful prayer that the priest prays while putting it on, referencing Psalm 125:

Merear, Domine, portare manipulum fletus et doloris; ut cum exsultatione recipiam mercedem laboris.

May I deserve, O Lord, to bear the maniple of weeping and sorrow in order that I may joyfully reap the reward of my labors.

The maniple illustrates the priest’s role as a laborer in Christ’s vineyard, the Holy Mass being his chief work. It’s a life that entails a great deal of blood, sweat, toil, and tears, but which has as its reward the salvation of eternal souls.

For us laymen, the maniple is an encouragement to do our own appointed work with fortitude and hope, and a reminder that God’s grace, given in the Holy Mass and the Sacraments through the hands of the priest, will always enliven and sustain us. It’s also a good reminder to pray for our priests, who need our prayers so much in order to carry out their crucial work.

Why do priests wear violet during Advent?
It is a reminder for us all to embrace penance and preparation!

Violet is a liturgical color symbolizing penance, sacrifice, and prayer.
Throughout Advent (as well as Lent and other penitential days), priests clothe themselves in violet vestments, literally garbing themselves in a reminder of penance and sacrifice.

As the world around us bursts with festive colors of green and red throughout December, our churches and clergy remain in the austere violet color, reminding us to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ through acts of prayer, penance, and charity.

We see a different color appear on the Third Sunday of Advent (that’s tomorrow!), which is called Gaudete (“Rejoice”) Sunday.

Tomorrow we will celebrate that our wait is almost over. The priests will clothe themselves in a subtle, yet beautiful shade of rose, the liturgical color used to signify joy. We will also participate in this joyful anticipation by lighting the rose candle on the Advent wreath.

For now, in this Second Week of Advent, let us imitate the violet worn on vestments and adorning our Advent candles and embrace the penitential preparation necessary for the coming of the Christ Child at Christmas.

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.

This saint was kidnapped by brothers in his own religious order…
St. John took the name “of the Cross,” and of the Cross he would be.

St. John’s crosses began before he took the name of John of the Cross as a religious brother.

Born into deep poverty in 1542, St. John lost both his brother and his father while still a youth.

After receiving a religious education in his childhood, John entered the Carmelites in 1563, at the age of 21. Slowly, he began to desire a more simple and austere life (the Carmelites had not yet regained many of the sacrificial practices for which the order is well-known today). He became a priest and then considered joining the Carthusians, but an encounter with Teresa of Ávila, and her vision of reforming the Carmelites, changed his mind. John decided to join the future saint in her efforts.

While some friars did embrace St. John’s leadership, others opposed him adamantly, and at times even violently.

In 1577, disgruntled members of John’s community kidnapped and imprisoned him. For nine long months, John was kept in a cell so small that he could barely lie down. He was fed only bread and water and was lashed on a weekly basis. The only possessions in the cell were a prayer book and an oil lamp…well, and the secret writing materials smuggled to him by the frightened but sympathetic friar who guarded his cell.

It was during these long, dark, painful months that St. John of the Cross composed and recorded some of the most beautiful Spanish mystical poetry the world has ever known. On scraps of smuggled paper, he wrote incredibly moving stanzas based on the biblical book the Song of Songs and his own experience with physical, mental, and spiritual darkness.

Eventually, John escaped his captors and rejoined St. Teresa to continue the Carmelite reforms, traveling around Spain to establish new monasteries. His feast is celebrated today, December 14th.

St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Ávila’s work to reform the Carmelite order bore much fruit, both for the order and for the whole world. Their spiritual writings have earned them both titles as Doctors of the Church and have transformed the souls of thousands.

Who is the patron saint of the blind?
She is often depicted holding eyes in her hands.

St. Lucy is instantly recognizable in sacred art. It is hard to miss a lovely young woman holding a set of eyeballs in her hands.

St. Lucy is also notable for being one of seven holy women who, along with the Blessed Virgin Mary, are commemorated in the Canon of the Mass.

But who was St. Lucy, and how did she end up commonly depicted holding eyeballs?
According to the stories handed down to us about St. Lucy, she was born to wealthy Christian parents and lost her father when she was very young. Her mother then fell ill, and fearing that there would be no one to take care of her daughter if she died, she promised Lucy’s hand in marriage to a young pagan nobleman. St. Lucy prayed that her mother would be healed and then had a dream where St. Agatha appeared to her and told her that her mother would survive because of her great faith.

In gratitude to God for healing, Lucy and her mother decided to give all their fortune to the poor and dedicate their lives to serving Christ. Lucy also refused to marry.

Upon hearing this, Lucy’s fiancé became furious and denounced her to the Sicilian governor as a Christian.

When the governor came to see for himself, Lucy looked at him and announced that he and Diocletian would be removed from power and dead within three years.
They say this angered the governor so much that he had her eyeballs gouged out and handed to her before her execution.

When Lucy’s body was presented for burial, all of her wounds had been miraculously healed and all that she had predicted came to pass.

Today, December 13th, is St. Lucy’s feast day! A favorite tradition for St. Lucy’s Day is to make St. Lucy’s Bread, a saffron-flavored sweet roll (or loaf) shaped like an S. A raisin or two is often added to the center of each furl to look like eyeballs!

Why is Our Lady of Guadalupe wearing a black girdle?
Hint: It has to do with her royal motherhood!

The woman appears kind and gentle. Her eyes are cast downwards and her hands are met softly in prayer. She is eclipsing a glowing, radiant sun and standing atop a crescent moon. While her gown is earth-toned and humble, it is adorned with beautiful gold stars.

This is the stunning depiction of Our Lady of Guadalupe given to Juan Diego, an image now instantly recognizable.

Although we have seen this image innumerable times, there is always more to notice, pray with, and learn from.

One of the details you may not have noticed is the black tie that sits upon her waist. This is a traditional Aztec maternity belt, worn by pregnant noblewomen to indicate their revered work in continuing the Aztec lineage. For the Aztecs, the trapezoid-shaped ends of the ribbons signified the end of one cycle of time and the birth of a new era.

Our Lady’s appearance with this notable black belt would instantly reveal to the pagan Aztec people that she is an honorable noblewoman preparing to give birth to a child of honor. Moreover, by utilizing Aztec cultural symbols, Our Lady indicates that it is the end of the cycle of Aztec practices and the beginning of a new reign of Christianity in Mexico.

Well, what DID Mary know?
The popular Christmas song, “Mary, Did You Know?” gets a few things wrong…

You probably know the song, or at least one of its many covers. “Mary, Did You Know?” has been a constant Christmas classic since its release in 1984. You can’t turn on the Christmas radio station or shuffle a Christmas playlist without it coming on.

As beloved as this song is, it may surprise you that it is not unconditionally accepted by Catholics…and for good reason! Some have recognized that, despite its focus on Mary, this song employs some revisionist history on Mary’s role in salvation history.

Let’s take a closer look:

“Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you.”

Firstly, Mary did know much of what the song speculates about. Through her familiarity with Scripture, Mary knew a great deal about the identity of the Messiah, particularly His miracles, His deity, and His offer of salvation. Moreover, through the Annunciation, Mary was made aware that the Child she would bear would be the Savior of the world. Knowing what she did of the prophecies of the Messiah, Mary largely understood what the role of mother to the Messiah would require.

This is why her fiat, her willful and complete “yes” to Our Lord, is so striking. Knowing what would be asked of her—including the great suffering she would endure—Mary willingly showed herself the perfect handmaid of the Lord.

Secondly, the song speaks of Mary’s salvation as though it hadn’t happened yet. However, unlike us, Mary was preserved from all sin at the moment of her Immaculate Conception, in view of her Son’s future sufferings. Through the merits of her Son, applied to her in advance, Mary was created perfect so as to be the perfect vessel for the Christ Child.

While the song is erroneous in its speculation, it is not wrong for you to enjoy “Mary, Did You Know?” Just keep in mind the powerful reality of Mary’s foreknowledge and Immaculate Conception!

Why is it important that Mary was immaculately conceived in her mother’s womb?
The answer lies in the identity of Christ.

Why is it important that Mary was immaculately conceived in her mother’s womb?

The answer lies in the identity of Christ. The Immaculate Conception is, in part, a clarification of how Mary—a humble human being—could be the Mother of the all-holy God.

After all, mankind is fallen. Each person inherits original sin from parent to child, going back to the sin of Adam and Eve.

Wouldn’t Mary, then, also inherit original sin? And if she did, how could she give birth to the Son of God? For God is holiness itself, and cannot coexist with sinfulness.

This question has led some to reject Christ’s humanity; others His divinity. But rejecting either one of these fails to understand God’s identity and cheapens His loving generosity.

Yes, the Word became Flesh. Yes, God was born of a woman. But to keep the purity of God unsullied, the woman who conceived Him could not be stained by any sin.

How was this done?

The answer is that Mary was spared from original sin because God applied the graces of Her Son’s suffering to her preemptively (in other words, in advance—knowing that these graces would come to fruition) at the moment of her conception.
Just as the redemptive power of Christ’s suffering is transported over time and space to each of us in Baptism, so too was this salvific power miraculously transported to Mary at the moment of her conception.

Therefore, she was conceived immaculate, able to give birth to the Second Person of the Trinity and be a pure tabernacle for Him.

That is why the Immaculate Conception is an essential part of Christian belief: it reveals the identity of Christ

To reject this dogma is to have an incomplete, and incorrect, idea about God. Likewise, to know Our Lady is to know Our Lord.

Bring the beautiful reality of the Immaculate Conception into your home with this stunning Immaculate Conception Framed Print. As we said above, to know Our Lady is to know Our Lord and this beautiful framed print inspires deep and prayerful meditation on the Blessed Mother and her Immaculate Conception.

Who is known as the “boy bishop”?
This famous saint 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!

Saint Nicholas by Uroš Predić

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.

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.