Alphonsus of Ligouri, A Moral Teacher for All Ages

Saint Alphonsus Ligouri (1696 - 1787) was a renaissance man, whose kind was a rarity in his era, centuries after the renaissance, and even...

Ignatius and His Companions of Jesus

When we read the life of Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), perhaps to our surprise, he seems to belong more to the early days...

Saint Peter Chrysologous: How To Preach a Homily

Saint Peter Chrysologous (+450) was, as the traditional account has it, chosen bishop of Ravenna in 433 after the then-reigning pontiff, Pope, Sixtus III,...

Pope Benedict and Martha’s Way

BENEDICT XVI ANGELUS Courtyard of the Papal Residence, Castel Gandolfo Sunday, 18 July 2010   Dear Brothers and Sisters, We are now in the heart of summer, at least in...

Pope Benedict Reflects on Saints Anne and Joachim

On this day in 2009, at the end of his Angelus message, Pope Benedict had these brief words to say on Saints Joachim and...

Saints Joachim and Anne: Grandparents of Jesus

(From our archives:) Let us sing praises to Joachim and Anna, The couple honoured by God (as they are His kinsmen) They have borne for us the...

James the Greater, Matamoros and Humanae Vitae: Signs of Contradiction

Today we celebrate the great feast of Saint James 'the Greater', not because of any intrinsic superior quality to the other apostle James, 'the...

Pope Benedict and Saint James the Greater

BENEDICT XVI GENERAL AUDIENCE Wednesday, 21 June 2006 James, the Greater Dear Brothers and Sisters, We are continuing the series of portraits of the Apostles chosen directly by Jesus...

Saint Charbel’s Holy Hidden Life

God often works through hidden ways, and those who live a hidden life. Amare nesciri, Saint Philip Neri was wont to say, 'love to...

Pope Benedict and Bridget of Sweden

BENEDICT XVI GENERAL AUDIENCE Saint Peter's Square Wednesday, 27 October 2010   Saint Bridget of Sweden Dear Brothers and Sisters, On the eve of the Great Jubilee in anticipation of the...