Category Archives: Saints

Hildegard’s Dirty and Torn Church

Posted on 17 September 2020 by

Nearly ten years ago, Pope Benedict quoted a vision of Saint Hildegard. Saints do not revel in the sins of others. But they do not shy away from identifying grave evil when they see it. It is the prophetic office … Continue reading →

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Life Itself Has No End

Posted on 1 September 2020 by

I admit that Augustine has been a difficult swallow for me. Not sure why–maybe the bad-mouthing he’s gotten post-council. He did have issues. But he sure had a lovely way of writing. I was lured in reading his Confessions. Right, … Continue reading →

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Prayer From The Saint Of The Day

Posted on 18 August 2020 by

My friend John Donaghy shared this translation of a prayer by the Chilean Jesuit Saint Alberto Hurtado: Lord help me speak the truth before the strong And not to tell lies to win the applause of the weak. If you … Continue reading →

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A Brief Quiz On Today’s Feast

Posted on 31 July 2020 by

Today is the observance of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. I’m not feeling particularly philosophical or religious these days, so maybe a quiz is in order: Cite his baptismal name: Ignacio Loyola Iñigo Suscipe True or false: he once killed a … Continue reading →

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Down With Junipero?

Posted on 23 June 2020 by

I notice Californian statues of the saint are toppling. There is controversy connected with the man, as noted on the wiki here. Opposition to his ecclesiastical recognition was well-known as Junipero Serra was making his move up the ladder of … Continue reading →

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The Worker, Silent And Watchful

Posted on 1 May 2020 by

French painter James Tissot’s interpretation of Joseph, in a busy-looking workshop. Pope Francis’ thoughts on the saint: He helped (Jesus) grow and develop. So he looked for a place for the child to be born. He looked after him, helped … Continue reading →

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We Heart Feb 14

Posted on 14 February 2020 by

A few saints get secular recognition, at least by name. Subtract those associated with nations or ethnic groups, and perhaps Valentine, cleric and martyr is one of the very, very few left standing. While recognizing the importance of those brother-missionaries … Continue reading →

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Legacy

Posted on 22 October 2019 by

A social media friend posted on today’s saint. I noticed that Polish bishops have asked for him to be named a Doctor of the Church and a patron of Europe. One colleague in ministry met him and interacted with him … Continue reading →

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Doctor Newman, Presumed?

Posted on 12 October 2019 by

I caught this news note about Cardinal Ouellet’s proposal that Cardinal Newman be considered a Doctor of the Church. From his acquaintance with the Fathers of the Church, especially Athanasius, he discovered that, in order to keep its integrality, the … Continue reading →

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AMDG

Posted on 31 July 2019 by

On the website Jesuits in Britain, I noticed this remarkable painting of today’s saint. He looks up from his well-worn handbook, inviting his viewer and companion to something deeper. Going back to my experiences of the Spiritual Exercises, and the … Continue reading →

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Día de Santiago

Posted on 25 July 2019 by

If it’s the 25th, no December, it might be an apostle’s feast day. Today is a good one, my cathedral’s name saint and the patron of a very famous way, as my friend Fran blogs today here. It’s one of … Continue reading →

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Saint Benedict Welcomes Guests

Posted on 11 July 2019 by

Our nation is hardly a monastery, let alone many of our parishes. But on this feast of Benedict of Nursia, some thoughts on welcoming guests. I have never failed to be welcomed when visiting a Benedictine monastery as a pilgrim, … Continue reading →

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Reconciliation At The Heart Of Community

Posted on 22 May 2019 by

More from that short book of two Harvard Divinity School lectures, From Brokenness to Community, Jean Vanier has a thought on reconciliation. The jumping off part is where he discusses Jesus urging us to love our enemies. He identifies our … Continue reading →

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Giving Space vs Competition

Posted on 17 May 2019 by

In the short book of two Harvard Divinity School lectures, From Brokenness to Community, Jean Vanier explores community as a space of conflict. He gives four moments of conflict. I’ve experienced, seen, and alas, perpetrated, these over the years. He … Continue reading →

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Of Brokenness

Posted on 14 May 2019 by

I’ve been absent from online for a bit, but not from some enlightening reading. The death of Jean Vanier inspired me to recheck my libraries–home, work, parish, and county. Among others, I found the slim volume From Brokenness to Community, a … Continue reading →

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