Lent with St. Francisco: “Blessed are those who are persecuted”
In this 6th week of Lent with St. Francisco, we are focusing on the beatitude, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus stated clearly that we will be persecuted if we follow Him. He told us, “If the world hates you, realize it hated me […]
How St. John Bosco handled an epidemic
by Donal Anthony Foley – The COVID-19 coronavirus is a new threat to our society, but mankind has faced even more serious ones in the past, including the Black Death in the 14th century, when between 30-60 percent of Europe’s population fell victim to the Bubonic plague. Later, in the 19th century, a cholera epidemic […]
Lent with St. Francisco: Blessed are the peacemakers
In this 5th week of Lent with St. Francisco, we are focusing on the beatitude, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” Jesus demonstrated this beatitude whenever He confronted sin or conflict with a gentle and peaceful heart. Rather than shame the woman caught in adultery, He approached her with […]
The practice of the First Saturday Devotion during the corona pandemic
As we are receiving many questions about the upcoming First Saturday in April and its devotions, here is a quick synopsis from our National Coordinator, Deacon Bob Ellis. For further information, please do not hesitate to email [email protected] or 920-371-1931. How are we to practice the First Saturday Devotion if there are no Masses on […]
Lent with St. Francisco: Blessed are the pure in heart
In this fourth week of Lent with St. Francisco, we are focusing on the beatitude: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” On this notion, St. Irenaeus of Lyon said, “The Glory of God is a human being fully alive.” When you are pure in heart, God’s glory emanates from your […]
Lent with St. Francisco: Blessed are the merciful
In this third week of our Lenten series on St. Francisco and the Beatitudes, Jesus told the crowds, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” In His message of Divine Mercy, Jesus demanded acts of mercy toward our neighbor – by deed, word and prayer. In this way, we show our unquestionable […]
St. Joseph at Fatima was providential
by Joseph Pronechen The day the Miracle of the Sun took place at Fatima, there was an additional essential message for us during the apparition. That message comes from the appearance of St. Joseph, who with the Child Jesus, blessed the world; Our Lady was standing near. Focusing on the Miracle of the Sun, we […]
Lent with St. Francisco: Blessed are those who mourn
Jesus told the crowds, “Blessed are you who mourn, for you will be comforted.” Do we not all mourn with our brothers and sisters when there is suffering? We mourn because of the miseries of poverty, oppression and depression within ourselves and in others. But the pious person mourns most of all from the tremendous […]
Masculinity is not ‘toxic’ – it is a gift!
by Michaelyn Hein – The family room television flashed from commercial to commercial as my son lounged in front of it, exhausted from the heat of the summer day he’d just been out running around in. From the kitchen, I half listened to it as I bustled about, preparing dinner. The next commercial that came […]
First Saturday is an individual invitation to know Mary
By Deacon Bob Ellis – The most common disappointment I hear about the First Saturday Devotion is that someone is unable to practice it because it is not done communally in their parish or anywhere nearby. The familiar phrase, “Our parish doesn’t offer First Saturdays,” reveals a misconception about the devotion itself in need of […]
