The Seven Sorrows and Joys of St. Joseph
by Catherine Moran, Ph.D. – The origin of the practice of meditating on St. Joseph’s Seven Sorrows and Joys comes from a miraculous event involving two Franciscan Fathers. “Two fathers of the Franciscan order were sailing along the coast of Flanders, when a terrible tempest arose, which sank the vessel and its 300 passengers. The two […]
Sister Lucia’s assessment of her character defects is one we can all use
by Barb Ernster – It’s always refreshing to know that the saints or saintly people had a human side. Some, like St. Louis de Montfort and St. Damien of Molokai, both had angry temperaments that they had to conquer. Sister Lucia was known for her “rough” temperament and tendency towards impatience with others. As a […]
The Rosary and the Holy Trinity – A letter from Sister Lucia
by Barb Ernster – Many documents exist from Sister Lucia, who wrote thousands of letters to people and clergy around the world, to her superiors, spiritual directors, bishops and popes. When Our Lady told her at age 10 that she had to learn to read and write, it was good, and she happily used these […]
The need for everyday heroes
by David M. Carollo – Good Friday is the day when Jesus Christ reconciled us to Almighty God. The culmination of His bitter Passion and the sacrifices that led up to it made satisfaction to the Father and bore the fruit of our salvation. The doubts and fears that overwhelmed His followers during and after […]
The history of Lent and fasting in the Church
by Donal Anthony Foley – We have once again entered the season of Lent, a season of the Church calendar that is difficult for many Catholics. We have the feeling that we should be doing more, but under the pressure of modern life, and perhaps a degree of selfishness, we are reluctant to take on […]
The 33-day St. Louis de Montfort Marian Consecration
by Donal Anthony Foley – Saint Louis de Montfort (1673 – 1716) was a French priest noted for his promotion of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. His most well-known books are The Secret of the Rosary, The Secret of Mary, and True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin. He built on the work of his […]
Fatima and the new errors of Russia
by Donal Anthony Foley – The new book by author and commentator Rod Dreher, Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents, has attracted a lot of interest. In this, he puts forward the idea that what Western, and particularly American, society is now experiencing is an anticipation of a coming “soft totalitarianism.” He […]
Expect rivers of grace and mercy with Fatima devotions
by Barb Ernster – Sister Lucia had numerous moments in prayer and contemplation in which she would discern Our Lord’s authentic voice and words to her. These were not locutions or audible voices, but she learned to hear His voice in her prayers and communion with Him, and was able to discern His will in […]
Icon commissioned for Year of St. Joseph highlights Holy Family and Joseph’s role
by Barb Ernster – The mystery of St. Joseph’s role at Fatima is unveiled in the vision during the miracle of the sun on Oct. 13, 1917, when St. Joseph and the Child Jesus simultaneously blessed the world while Mary stood nearby. The World Apostolate of Fatima USA commissioned a special icon for its Year […]
The sacrifice of those who follow Him
By David M. Carollo – In the liturgies following Christmas we commemorate the feast days of some who gave all for the Faith. We remember St. Stephen, the first person martyred for preaching the word, the Holy Innocents, slaughtered by Herod in hopes to kill the newborn Savior, and later in the week, St. Thomas […]
