Category Archives: Saints: Stories & Symbols

Learn more about Pope Francis and about Saint Francis

Posted on 3 April 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Do you want to know a little more about Pope Francis?  Publishers are getting up to speed. We know so much about Pope Benedict before his election.  In comparison, we don’t really know much about this new fellow.
(Readers in UK … Continue reading →

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ARMENIA: Islamic rebels demand $250,000 for kidnapped Catholic priest

Posted on 26 March 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From Public Radio of Armenia:
Rebels demand $250,000 for the kidnapped Armenian Catholic Priest
A world wide appeal has been initiated by the Bishop Marayati, Armenian Catholic, of Aleppo for the release of Fr Michael Kayyal who was kidnapped on 9th February … Continue reading →

Posted in Mail from priests, Modern Martyrs, Priests and Priesthood, Religious Liberty, The Last Acceptable Prejudice | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

25 March: The Good Thief, St. Dismas

Posted on 25 March 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

You may have noticed that today is not the Feast of the Annunciation (9 months before Christmas).  Annunciation has been bumped to the first available day after the Easter Octave, this year 8 April.
However, today is the feast day of … Continue reading →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Saints: Stories & Symbols | 18 Comments

What Did St. Francis Really Say? 02

Posted on 16 March 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

On matters liturgical, St. Francis of Assisi.
Epistola ad clericos
Let us all consider, O clerics, the great sin and ignorance of which some are guilty regarding the most holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ and His most holy … Continue reading →

Posted in Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Pope Francis, Saints: Stories & Symbols | Tagged | 67 Comments

Who was St. Francis of Assisi? Check out a great new biography.

Posted on 15 March 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Augustine Thompson, OP, who posts here now and then, fairly recently published a new biography about St. Francis of Assisi.  This might be a good book for your parish priest or for seminarians or for yourself, as we watch … Continue reading →

Posted in Pope Francis, Saints: Stories & Symbols | Tagged , | 19 Comments

LENTCAzT 03: Friday after Ash Wednesday – getting ready for short trips but not the long trip

Posted on 15 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Today is Friday after Ash Wednesday. Lent is underway but we are still within its narthex.
GO TO CONFESSION!
Today we hear about packing for short trips, illegal burials, and renewing filial abandonment.

Augustine of Hippo:
We prepare ourselves spectacularly for a short trip, … Continue reading →

LENTCAzT 03: Friday after Ash Wednesday [ 6:58 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1667)
Posted in Benedict XVI, GO TO CONFESSION, LENTCAzT, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Patristiblogging, PODCAzT, Saints: Stories & Symbols | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Plus ça change…

Posted on 10 January 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From the Martyrologium Romanum for today, 10 January, for the predecessor of Pope Sylvester:
1. Romae in coemeterio Callisti via Appia, santi Miltiadis, papae, qui, ex Africa oriundus, pacem Ecclesiae a Constantino imperatore redditam expertus est, sed a sectatoribus Donati acriter … Continue reading →

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Faithful Chinese Bishops dies – forgave his enemies

Posted on 8 January 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From Fides:
The death of Mgr. Chen Shizhong: during forced labor he had received the gift of forgiving his enemies
Yibin (Agenzia Fides) – On December 16, 2012, His Exc. Mgr. John Chen Shizhong, Bishop of the Diocese of Yibin (Suifu), in … Continue reading →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Cri de Coeur, Modern Martyrs, Pò sì jiù, Religious Liberty, The future and our choices | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Will 2013 bring some relief for Chinese Catholics?

Posted on 5 January 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I regularly think about times when the Church has been persecuted.  Has been? Nay, rather… is being persecuted.  I think it is a good idea to reflect on these matters frequently and even try to get your head around the real … Continue reading →

Posted in Modern Martyrs, Our Catholic Identity, Religious Liberty, The future and our choices, The Last Acceptable Prejudice | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

26 December: The Protomartyr and The Octave

Posted on 26 December 2012 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

In addition to Boxing Day it is the feast of St Stephen. His feast has been celebrated this day since the earliest centuries of the Church’s life.
We are also in the Octave of Christmas. Octaves are mysterious. For Holy Church … Continue reading →

Posted in Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Saints: Stories & Symbols | Tagged , | 9 Comments