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Category Archives: Saints
How Can We Disarm Saint Michael?
A deacon friend asked the question in social media today. I have another question: do we want to disarm him? I’m fine with asking the question, but keep in mind that in the endless eternity to come, the archangel won’t … Continue reading
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Verweigerung
It’s a great word. It’s from this little bit of wiki, “refusal,” for the martyr Franz Jägerstätter. One cool thing about this icon written by William Hart McNichols that I prefer not to reproduce here is the demon with the … Continue reading
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Ignatius in July, 30 & 31
Today concludes the the Ignatian Year, and above, a painting of the saint in his recovery I had not seen before. A cannonball seems to me to be a more effective weapon against a building. For Ignatius, it altered the … Continue reading
Ignatius in July, 29: Gratitude
Three more days in the Ignatian Year, and a look at gratitude and its opposite. St Ignatius was hyper-critical of ingratitude, thinking it “the cause, beginning, and origin of all evils and sins.” I was not raised with good schooling … Continue reading
Patris Corde: Conclusion and Final Intercession
Let’s wrap up Patris Corde starting with some Scripture: “Get up, take the child and his mother” (Matthew 2:13), God told Saint Joseph. The aim of this Apostolic Letter is to increase our love for this great saint, to encourage us … Continue reading
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Ignatius in July, 28: O Christ Jesus
A prayer from one of my favorite Jesuits, Pierre Favre, to help conclude the Ignatian Year: O Christ Jesus May your death be my life, Your labor my repose, Your human weakness my strength, Your confusion my glory.
Patris Corde 7c: Being A Father
More thoughts on a father in the shadows: When fathers refuse to live the lives of their children for them, new and unexpected vistas open up. Every child is the bearer of a unique mystery that can only be brought to … Continue reading
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Ignatius in July, 27: Modesty and Sin
Can you endure one more letter from Saint Ignatius as part of a conclusion to the Ignatian Year? I see often in right-leaning Catholic sites some consternation about modesty in dress. More men than women seem concerned about mostly all … Continue reading
Patris Corde 7b: Being A Chaste Father
More thoughts on a father in the shadows. Specifically, an expansion of what people consider as chastity. Would you agree? Let’s read: Being a father entails introducing children to life and reality. Not holding them back, being overprotective or possessive, but … Continue reading
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Ignatius in July, 26: Jesuits at Trent, 1546
As a conclusion to the Year, I looked again to some of Saint Ignatius’ writings as offered in this resource. Particular points from his letter to Jesuits who attended the Council of Trent seemed relevant for today’s overheated culture of … Continue reading
Patris Corde 7a: A Father in the Shadows
Section 7, the last major headed one in this document is titled, A father in the shadows. What does the Holy Father mean by this? The word has different meanings and connotations in the English language, influenced as always by … Continue reading
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Ignatius in July, 25: Stubbornness in Disputes
As a conclusion to the Ignatian Year, this morsel from one of the saint’s letters. We should not dispute stubbornly with anyone; rather we should patiently give our reasons with the purpose of declaring the truth lest our neighbor remain … Continue reading
Ignatius in July, 24: Spiritual Exercises
As a conclusion to the Ignatian Year, a daily look at aspects of the spirituality of Saint Ignatius Loyola and his tradition. Back in 1987, I remember having a long-distance conversation with someone at a Jesuit retreat house. I was … Continue reading
Ignatius in July, 23: Entering Into Retreat
As a conclusion to the Ignatian Year, I’ve been thinking about material to drop here (almost) daily. My first spiritual director (early 1980s) was steeped in the Ignatian tradition. I don’t think I recognized it at the time. My booklet, Orientations, … Continue reading
Ignatius in July, 22: Mary of Magdala
In the conclusion to the Ignatian Year, Mary of Magdala might help us with an important insight (or sight) of Jesus. It is her feast today, after all. I enjoyed this essay from Loretta Pehanich. The summit of her reflection, … Continue reading
Catholic Sensibility 