Monthly Archives: June 2019

“You are the ‘now’ of God.” This theme introduces Chapter Three of Pope Francis’ Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation. You can access the full document on this link at the Vatican site. A common meme in the 80s and 90s was to hear … Continue reading →

Pope Francis offers a final intercession after his brief survey of twelve young saints: 63. May these and so many other young people who perhaps in silence and hiddenness lived the Gospel to the full, intercede for the Church, so … Continue reading →

One final holy person to admire is this young member of the Focolare movement who died of cancer before her teenage years were over. Her nickname in the organization can be understood as “clear light” in English. We indeed need … Continue reading →

Another young layperson cited by Pope Francis died as a martyr at the hands of the Nazis. 61. Blessed Marcel Callo was a young French man who died in 1945. Marcel was imprisoned in a concentration camp in Austria, where … Continue reading →

Another young person, well-regarded by Pope John Paul II, is on the way to sainthood, as a US website promotes, and especially in his biography. A refreshing change from many young saints who landed in religious life or were on … Continue reading →

Pope Francis looks to sub-Saharan Africa for an example of saintliness in the young: 59. Blessed Isidore Bakanja was a layman from the Congo who bore witness to his faith. He was tortured at length for having proposed Christianity to … Continue reading →

The eighth of the Holy Father’s youthful saints is a fellow countryman. Other connections: the boy studied with the Salesians and adopted Dominic Savio as a role model. Like Dominic, he also died of illness in his teens while aspiring … Continue reading →

Pope Francis profiles not just another saint, but a Doctor of the Church. To get to know her, read her autobiography. If you prefer a listening experience, hear what Bishop Sheen said of her. 57. Saint Thérèse of the Child … Continue reading →

Another saint, an associate of St John Bosco, and revered by the Salesians, which is enough of an endorsement for me: 56. Saint Dominic Savio offered all his sufferings to Mary. When Saint John Bosco taught him that holiness involves … Continue reading →

Another saint, well known to many in North America. 55. In that same century, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, a young native of North America, was persecuted for her faith and, to escape, walked over three hundred kilometers in the wilderness. Kateri … Continue reading →