Weekly Insight
Novena Prayers to Saint Francis of Assisi
This October 4th marks the 800 anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi in 1226. In preparation for that day of grace, here is a collection of a few prayers written by...
Good King Wenceslaus and Lorenzo Ruiz, Incidental Martyrs
This is not the stuff of which martyrs are made - So purportedly said Thomas More, who loved all the good things of life, his home at Chelsea, filled with his family, his books,...
Saint Vincent de Paul and Giving our All
The life of Saint Vincent de Paul (1581 - 1660) - he always signed his name 'Depaul', perhaps so people would not think of him as noble - spans a fractious time in France, with...
The Canadian Martyrs’ 100th and 400th Anniversaries
I just returned from Martyrs' Shrine in Midland with our Schola from Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College - and a blessed feast to one and all. We pilgrimaged the 3.5 hour trip to...
The Indomitable Courage of the Canadian Martyrs
Today in Canada we celebrate the Canadian Martyrs, who are commemorated on October 19th in the rest of the world. They are fitting examples and intercessors for our times, unhinged as we are from...
Blessed Hermanus Contractus
Hermanus of Reinchenau (1013 â 1054) called âContractusâ due to the deformity purportedly caused by spina bifida and a cleft palate (as well as suffering from cystic fibrosis) â was a remarkable figure in...
Saints Cosmas and Damian, Patrons of Physicians
Cosmas and Damian, according to our tradition, were twin brothers, both Syrian physicians and converts to Christianity, who dedicated themselves wholly to their noble vocation, offering their services free of charge. (This may be...
Saint Pacificus of San Severino, Patron of Those in Chronic Pain
We should mention the hidden life of Saint Pacificus (1653 - 1721), a Catholic priest in Italy who lived a hidden and mortified life, in part since he is the patron saint of those...
Beatification of Bishop Fulton Sheen
Today, September 24th, will soon welcome the newest beatus in the panoply of saints in the Catholic Church, as Bishop Fulton Sheen is beatified later this afternoon (2 pm), Eastern time, in Saint Louis,...
Blessed Emilie Tavernier-Gamelin and Walsingham
The Church in Canada venerates a number of Canadian saints and blesseds, almost all of them from Quebec, which was the only Catholic part of Canada for many years, and now, sadly, is in...
Danuta Siedzik: A Polish National Heroine and a Model of Courage
Polling shows a disturbing trend: each successive generation is less likely than the previous one to express strong national pride. Fewer than half of Gen Z Americans say they are extremely or very proud...
Homily of Pope John Paul II on Padre Pio’s Canonization
CANONIZATION OF ST PIO OF PIETRELCINA, CAPUCHIN PRIEST
HOMILY OF JOHN PAUL II
Sunday, 16 June 2002
1. "For my yoke is easy and my burden light" (Mt 11,30).
Jesus' words to his disciples, which we just heard,...
The Miraculous Friar, Pio of Pietrelcina
On this 23rd day of September in 1968, at the age of 81, the long life of the Capuchin friar, Padre Pio of Pietrelcino ended. The Capuchin friar, holding his Rosary (rarely ever out...
Saint Thomas of Villanova
Saint Thomas of Villanova (1488 - 1555) is in some regions still a very popular saint, with novenas preceding his traditional feast day on September 22nd. A large town and university is named after...
International Hobbit Day
In the midst of all the bad news swirling around us, it may provide some small comfort to commemorate in some way International Hobbit Day, which falls on this 22nd day of September, the...
