Thursday, January 15, 2026

Blessed Maria Maddalena Martinengo, a Great Imitator of the Humble and Poor Christ

On July 27th the Church celebrates the feast of Blessed Maria Maddalena Martinengo. The Northern Italian Capuchin nun teaches us how to love Christ...

Pope Benedict and Saint Ambrose

BENEDICT XVI GENERAL AUDIENCE Saint Peter's Square Wednesday, 24 October 2007   Saint Ambrose of Milan Dear Brothers and Sisters, Holy Bishop Ambrose - about whom I shall speak to you...

Saint Crispin, Agincourt and the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales

This day, October the 25th, is Saint Crispin's Day - or, rather, the feast of Saint Crispin and Crispianus, for let us not forget...

Pope Benedict and Saint Anselm

BENEDICT XVI GENERAL AUDIENCE Paul VI Audience Hall Wednesday, 23 September 2009 Saint Anselm Dear Brothers and Sisters, The Benedictine Abbey of Sant'Anselmo is located on the Aventine Hill...

Saint Leonard of Noblac – or Limoges

Not much is known about today's saint, who, by what accounts we have, died in 559 A.D. And those accounts date only from the...

The Repentance and Return of Saint Peter

In a previous essay I dealt with the stages in St. Peter's fall from grace. In this essay, I would like to examine his...

The oil of consolation and the wine of hope

On 11 February 2013, Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation from the papacy. The full text is reprinted here. Dear Brothers, I have convoked you to...

Mary, Conceived Without Sin

Que soy era immaculada Concepciou - I am the Immaculate Conception These are the words with which Our Lady replied to Saint Bernadette Sobirous, in...

Saint Josaphat, Martyr for Unity

Our Lord seems to have been speaking of our modern crisis when he warns in yesterday's Gospel that scandals are sure to come, and...

Dedication of Santa Maria Maggiore and Our Lady of the Snows

On August 5th, we celebrate the dedication of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the highest church in the hierarchy of churches dedicated to...