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Spirituality
KEY FIGURES OF THE REFORMATION — ST. FRANCIS DE SALES
Five hundred years ago, the Church and the world plummeted into crisis. The Protestant Revolution split Europe into warring factions. In the wake of Martin Luther’s preaching, Germany erupted in a revolt among the peasants that…
Redeeming the Time
When is New Year’s Day? Everybody assumes it is Jan.1, but for centuries Catholics observed March 25 as the start of the new year. March 25 is around the beginning of spring, but in the Church’s calendar it is the Solemnity of the…
The ‘Secret Code of Catholic’
What’s the name of that screwball comedy? The one with the two desperados? That one. Anyway, they’re in mortal danger. One guy makes a quick Sign of the Cross in a desperate plea for heavenly aid. The other guy looks at him, thinks for a…
The Little Way at Home
I first met Thérèse of Lisieux when I was an Anglican priest. I had three months free between jobs and decided to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem from England. One of my first stops was in the French town of Lisieux. I knew of St. Thérèse,…
Five facts about St. Padre Pio
St. Padre Pio (Francesco Forgione) was a priest and friar in the Capuchin order. An Italian, he was beatified and canonized by St. John Paul II and is widely known for various supernatural phenomena such as exhibiting the stigmata, being a…
How Our Lady of Sorrows Helped Me to Overcome Fear
By Christina Mayeux Anxiety and depression are on the rise. Even people who are faith-filled, devoted Christians often face difficulties with anxiety, fear, and sadness. However, we are not alone when we experience the inner anguish of…
Public penance: History offers examples when those in power repented
These days we are used to our confessions being entirely private matters between only ourselves and our priests. Any penance we perform we usually keep to ourselves. Seldom do we directly tell others about the sins we needed to have…
Waters of New Life
All it takes is a few years or even months of dry weather before we realize how dependent all of us are on fresh water for life. When California was hit by drought conditions, the whole nation was affected. Because California grows a huge…
Five facts about St. Kateri Tekakwitha
St. Kateri Tekakwitha’s feast day is July 14. Here are five quick facts about her. St. Kateri, pray for us! 1. St. Kateri Tekakwitha was the first Native American saint in the United States and Canada St. Kateri Tekakwitha was a Mohawk…
A good father clings to Our Lady
When my wife and I moved to the Bay Area from southern California, we were stressed. I was starting a brand new job, our first child was less than 18 months old and not sleeping at all, and we were staying at my wife’s parents’ home while…
