Young Saints of the Holy Eucharist
As the anniversary of the death of St. Francisco Marto on April 4 approaches, one cannot help but recall his great love for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist and his desire to receive Holy Communion. Having lived just ten years, he only received Holy Communion twice – the first from the Angel of Peace in 1916; the second from the local priest who brought him viaticum at his deathbed.
St. Francisco: The Boy Who Died Smiling
by Barb Ernster – The holiness of St. Francisco is hidden in the stories of Fatima. Putting it together, one sees Francisco’s advancement in the spiritual life during his time on earth, primarily in his devotion to the “Hidden Jesus.” Francisco died the morning of April 4, 1919, after a six-month battle with the Spanish […]
The Pandemic of Godlessness – What St. Jacinta Teaches Us
by Barb Ernster – St. Jacinta and St. Francisco, whose feast day is Feb. 20, were heroic in their ability to turn to God with great confidence in His love. It did not matter that a world war and a pandemic were raging about them; their only concern was that they were doing God’s will […]
St. Simeon, Our Lady and the Light of Christ
by Donal Anthony Foley – The Feast of the Presentation commemorates the visit of the Holy Family to the Temple in Jerusalem, which took place 40 days after the birth of the Christ Child. Traditionally, this period of 40 days marked the season of Christmastide, which ended with the feast day. The presentation of the […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
