Almost six years after the death of Saint Athanasius, in the pontificate of the glorious Pope, Saint Damasus - the patron of Saint Jerome in his biblical studies — there came to the imperial throne in the East, the great … Continue reading
Category: Lives of the Saints
Saint Louis Marie de Montfort
In all the annals of human endeavor there are no examples more inspiring, more worthy of remembrance and esteem in every age, than those of saints like Louis Marie. This in itself, we think, would be sufficient reason for presenting … Continue reading
The Life of Saint Gregory the Great
Pope Saint Gregory the Great not only saved the Church, in times so frightful that the men who lived in them were sure that the end of the world was come, but he founded the great civilization which has lasted … Continue reading
Saint Clement Maria Hofbauer — Apostle of Vienna
Born in Tasswitz, Austria, on December 26, 1751 — the eve of the feast of the Apostle who Jesus loved — he was christened John. But he would become known to the Catholic world by the names he would adopt … Continue reading
Saint Ephrem
In connection with the widespread revival of interest in Catholic theology during the current century, many of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, all but forgotten just a generation ago, are being studied and appreciated anew. Among the Fourth … Continue reading
Bishop John Nepomucene Neumann: An American Saint
On March 28, 1811 — Good Friday, according to the family tradition — our beloved saint was born and baptized in the obscure mountain village of Prachatitz in Bohemia. He was named after the holy Bohemian martyr and patron of … Continue reading
A Saint from New York: Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton
It was Father Leonard Feeney, one of Mother Seton’s earliest biographers, who asked this important question in a 1937 sermon given at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. In 1975 his hope was realized, and we now have a … Continue reading
The Eight North American Martyrs
Precious to God are His missionaries, those heroic souls who in imitation of the Twelve Apostles “go forth and teach all nations” the way of salvation. Yet, in this present age of religious tolerance and laxity it is unfortunate, but … Continue reading
I believe in the Holy, Catholic Church: An Explanation of the Ninth Article of the Apostles Creed
(taken from The Catechism Explained ) When we say, “I believe in the Holy Catholic Church,” we are not speaking of the material church, the place in which we faithful unite to pay God that tribute of love, honor, and … Continue reading
Pope Saint Pius X
Father Antonio Costantini was a devoted priest to his flock. He was not so old a priest, but his health was badly failing, causing his parish work in Tombolo, Italy, to suffer neglect. In the fall of 1858, a newly … Continue reading
Is Faith a Gift?
When Our Lord was asked: “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? He replied: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind.” The triumphant answer … Continue reading
Emperor Charles
No ruler has experienced a fate so ill as that which befell the Emperor Karl. He accepted his fate with dignity, and the way he bore himself in a crucial test did him honor as man and Hapsburg. . . … Continue reading
Two Patrons for True Ecumenism
Two great saints, Josaphat (martyred, 1623) and Andrew Bobola (martyred, 1657), who shed their blood in the same century and for the same cause, we propose as patrons for true ecumenism. The “ecumenism” we hear so much about since Vatican … Continue reading
The Good Will Be Martyred: Portraits of Sanctity from the Spanish Civil War
“If my requests are heard, Russia will be converted, there will be peace. If not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, promoting wars and persecutions of the Church; the good will be martyred, the Holy Father will have … Continue reading
Saint Dominic de Guzman
“O happy mother, Spain rejoices in giving to the world the joy of new offspring! But, rejoice still more, Bologna, because you are favored with the glory of so great a father…” 1 High upon the Plateau of Old Castile, … Continue reading