Saint Barnabas: A Good Man
It is fitting that we celebrate the Apostle Barnabas, the ‘son of consolation’, or the ‘son of encouragement’, in this season of the Holy...
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...
Father Francis Caracciolo’s Burning Heart of Zeal
Saint Francis Caracciolo (1563 - 1608) was a near contemporary of Saint Philip Neri, whom he resembles in some ways, and with whom the...
William of Gellone and the Implacability of Islam
William of Gellone (ca. 755 - 812) had two phases to his life: He began as a warrior knight of the Carolingian era in...
Blessed Joseph of Igualada, OFM Cap
This 27th of May is the feast day of the Capuchin Blessed Joseph of Igualada, a beardless Capuchin, which for some of us in...
Our Lady Help of Christians and of Sheshan
On the 24th of May 2024 the Church celebrates the feast of Mary, the Help of Christians. Its latin name is Sancta Maria Auxilium...
Blessed Louis-Zepherin, a Model Bishop for Canada
Today in Canada we celebrate Blessed Louis-Zepherin Moreau, (1824 - 1901) an exemplary bishop of Saint-Hyacinthe in Quebec. Born rather sickly and undersized to...
Saint Margaret of Cortona and Ongoing Conversion
On May 16th, the Franciscan family within the Universal Church celebrates the feast of St Margaret of Cortona. Her life was not at all...
Nereus, Achilleus, and Pancras: Choosing Our Path
Today we commemorate the early martyrs Nereus and Achilleus, eunuchs and chamberlains of the court, and eventual converts to Christianity, who were put to...
The Other Saint Ignatius – of Laconi
Saint Ignatius of Laconi (1701- 1781) - not to be confused with the more famous Ignatius of Loyala - was a Franciscan friar, whom...
