While the basic story of a young woman who accepts martyrdom because she defied her father seems likely enough, some of the miracles associated with her seem to stretch credulity a little too much. Although, who knows? With God all things are possible (Matthew, 19:26).
St. Joseph: Steward of the King
St. Joseph and Joseph Son of Jacob . . . He had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. His feet were hurt with fetters, his neck was put in a collar of iron; until what he had said came to pass the word of the LORD tested him. … Continue reading St. Joseph: Steward of the King
Panis Angelicus: Friar Alessandro Sings St. Thomas Aquinas’ Eucharistic Hymn
"The Temptation of St. Thomas" by Diego Velazquez, 1632 St. Thomas Aquinas was a Dominican, one of the greatest of all philosophers, and arguably the greatest of Catholic theologians; we tend to think of him as a pretty cerebral fellow. And so he was. At the same time, he did have his poetic side, which … Continue reading Panis Angelicus: Friar Alessandro Sings St. Thomas Aquinas’ Eucharistic Hymn
A Martyr for Marriage (Bl. Margaret Pole)
At least for those who aren't heavily invested in the so-called "sexual revolution", it is clear that the societal endorsement of sexual license directly undermines the institution of marriage, and the breakdown of marriage in turn has a profound negative impact on children most immediately, but from there on everything and everyone else.
The Church’s First Decision and The First Successor to the Apostles: St. Mathias
Not everyone, it would seem, is pleased with the current Roman Pontiff. If that hadn't been clear to me already, it would certainly be apparent in many of the comments some of my recent posts (this one and this one, for instance) have received in various online venues. Who would have thought it? Happily, I'm not writing … Continue reading The Church’s First Decision and The First Successor to the Apostles: St. Mathias
Why did Jesus ‘Take the Form of a Slave’?
Christ has broken our chains, but here's the catch: we need to be willing to shake them off, get up, and follow him. "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24) . . .
The Bigger They Come, The Harder They Fall: The Conversion of Saint Paul
“The bigger they come, the harder they fall.” How many times have we seen that the more formidable the opponent, the more dramatic the impact when he comes crashing down?