Weekly Insight
Blessed Hermanus Contractus
Hermanus of Reinchenau (1013 – 1054) called ‘Contractus’ due to the deformity purportedly caused by spina bifida and a cleft palate (as well as suffering from cystic fibrosis) – 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...
Matthew’s Marvelous Metanoia
Saint Matthew, also known as Levi, presents Christ as the new Moses, leading His people from the darkness and slavery of sin into the light and freedom of salvation. Matthew was of the same...
Pope Benedict and Saint Matthew
BENEDICT XVI
GENERAL AUDIENCE
Paul VI Audience Hall
Wednesday, 30 August 2006
Matthew
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Continuing the series of portraits of the Twelve Apostles that we began a few weeks ago, let us reflect today on Matthew. To...
The Indomitable Faith of Saint Andrew Kim-Taegon and the Martyrs of Korea
Today - in muted form, since this year it falls on a Sunday - we commemorate the feast of the countless martyrs of Korea, led by the indomitable convert priest, Father Andrew Kim Taegon,...
25th Sunday: Laboring in the Lord’s Vineyard for the Kingdom of God
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. (Is 55:9)
The parable of the workers in the vineyard which the sacred liturgy presents to us for our instruction...
Saint Januarius’ Blood
Saint Januarius was bishop of Benevuento, in the south-west of Italy, about whom a number of legends are told - that he survived unscathed being burnt in a furnace, that wild bears refused to...
