Sunday, December 7, 2025

The Liminal and Luminous Birth of John the Baptist

A blessed Solemnity! We celebrate the birthdays of three ‘saints’ in our liturgical calendar: Christ Himself, the Son of God, of course, on Christmas...

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 Brendan’s Fantastic Voyage

Saint Brendan (+577) the sixth century Irish monk, called the 'Navigator', is reputed to have discovered Canada a full millennium before the Italian John...

The Great Dominican Dream

August 8th is the feast of St Dominic Guzman, founder of the Dominican Order. This year St Dominic’s feast is special because we are...

Pope Benedict and Martin of Tours

BENEDICT XVI ANGELUS St Peter's Square Sunday, 11 November 2007 Dear Brothers and Sisters, Today, 11 November, the Church remembers St Martin, Bishop of Tours, one of the most...

Pope Benedict and Saint Lawrence

PASTORAL VISIT TO THE BASILICA OF SAINT LAWRENCE OUTSIDE THE WALLS ON THE OCCASION OF THE 1750th ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARTYRDOM OF THE HOLY DEACON HOMILY OF HIS...

Saint John, Theologian of Love

BENEDICT XVI GENERAL AUDIENCE Paul VI Audience Hall Wednesday, 9 August 2006 John, the theologian Dear Brothers and Sisters, Before the holidays I had begun sketching small portraits of the...

Pope Damasus: The Faith, the Bible and the Mass of All Time

We owe quite a lot to Pope Saint Damasus (305 - 384), who oversaw the universal Church during the tumultuous era of the lingering...

Saint Ignazio da Santhià, A Wise Companion for Holiness

September 22nd is the feast day of Saint Ignazio da Santhià. Who was this Capuchin saint? Ignazio Bevisotti was born in Santhià (Vercelli) on 5...

A Hidden Friar and a Popular Pope

This April the second marks the memorial of Saint Francis of Paola (1417-1507), founder of the 'Minim' friars, so called for their humility and...