The Christmas Conversion of St. Thérèse

The Lord didn’t need to knock Thérèse down, beat her up, or have her shot in order to get her full attention. All he needed was to allow her to overhear a couple of stray comments from the father she loved so dearly.

God Bless Little Saints: St. Servulus

St. Servulus puts flesh on the words of St. Paul: “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions (Colossians 1:24).” 

Evermore and Evermore: “Of the Father’s Love Begotten.”

Sixty human generations or more have passed since Aurelius Prudentius first published hymn IX of his Liber Cathereminon. We still sing it today as the Christmas hymn "Of the Father's Love Begotten."

Lover or Fighter? St. Nicholas of Myra

    Lover or Fighter? Well, which is he, lover or fighter? St. Nicholas has the distinction of being one of those saints whose name is known to just about everybody, inside and outside the Church. At the same time, few, at least in the west, know his actual story today. I first published a version … Continue reading Lover or Fighter? St. Nicholas of Myra

Who Needs Adventure Stories? We Have St. Barbara

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).

What We Wish for, or Christ the King

Even those of us who really believe that God is our king, however, sometimes look to political figures, or political programs (and there are plenty of those, even in the Church) to bring about salvation.