Category Archives: Saints: Stories & Symbols

7 March – Two Prayers of St. Thomas Aquinas (podcast) and a 1st class relic – 750th Anniversary of his death

Today is the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Angelic Doctor (+7 March 1274 – 750 years ago at 49 years of age), the only saint mentioned in Canon Law apart from feasts.  Canon Law requires that seminarians be formed … Read More

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ANNUS BISEXTILIS – Leap Year and You

The other day I had a text exchange with a priest friend asking about why, because it is a leap year, we didn’t celebrate St. Matthias. He wasn’t sure about why the leap year changed the date. I responded that … Read More

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20 Feb – Feast of Sts Francisco and Jacinta of Fatima – We need their intercession now more than ever.

Young Jacinta and Francisco, the seers of Fatima were canonized in 2017. They are, I believe, the youngest canonized non-martyr saints on the calendar. “On the calendar…”.  They aren’t on the traditional Roman calendar. However, perhaps there is a way … Read More

Posted in Saints: Stories & Symbols, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices | Tagged ,
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Happy Eleutherii Day in Prime Time!

It’s 19 February and time again – indeed prime time – to recall the three Eleutherii. In the Vetus Ordo office of Prime – straight up cancelled, like a priest, in the Novus Ordo – there are on this date … Read More

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News of the Church 09 – 12 February 2024

Welcome to the 9th edition of News of the Church. It’s 12 February 2024 and it is a Monday, the the day after Quinquagesima Sunday and two days before Ash Wednesday. Some time ago, I saw a movie called News … Read More

Posted in News of the Church, PODCAzT, Saints: Stories & Symbols |
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7 February: Bl. Pius IX, Pope – and a ramble

The Martyrologium Romanum has this entry for 7 February: 16*.  Romae, beati Pii papae Noni, qui, veritatem Christi, cui ab imo adhaesit, plane proclamans, multas instituit sedes episcopales, cultum beatae Mariae Virginis promovit et Concilium OEcumenicum Vaticanum Primum ascivit. You … Read More

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5 February: St. Agatha, Virgin and Martyr

Today is the feast of St. Agatha, a virgin martyr and saint of the Roman Canon. Agatha was martyred in Sicily in about 251 during the time of the Emperor Decius and her tomb is at Catania. In Rome there … Read More

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St. Ignatius and Bl. Ludovica – Beauty differently manifested

My Roman Curia calendar today shows that it is the Feast of Bl. Ludovica Albertoni (+31 Jan 1553).  My (Novus Ordo – 2005) Martyrologium Romanum listed her yesterday, the day of her death, otherwise known as her dies natalis, her birthday into heaven. … Read More

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Hearts and Vinegar – A sweet and sour taste of St. Francis de Sales in Benedict XVI’s Spe salvi

In the traditional Roman calendar, today is the Feast of St. Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor.   He was a great warrior for the Church in the face of the Protestant Revolt. According to the Louis de la Rivière in … Read More

Posted in Classic Posts, Saints: Stories & Symbols |
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22 January – St. Vincent Pallotti. God’s finger moves you around, digitus Dei.

Today, in addition to being the Feast of Sts. Vincent of Saragossa and Athanasius the Persian, it is the feast of another Vincent, St. Vincent Pallotti, founder of the Pious Society of Missions (the Pallottine Fathers). I have a connection … Read More

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20 Jan: St. Sebastian, invoked against plagues. There are more than disease plagues!  There more diseases than just physical!  

Today, 20 January, is the feast of early martyrs, St. Fabian, who became Pope and St. Sebastian, a soldier who had risen through the ranks at the time of Diocletian.  When the Emperor learned that Sebastian was a Christian, the … Read More

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What would they think about what’s going on in the Church?

As I look news items about this or that prelate doing whatever, bishops crushing people’s hearts by closing down traditional worship even as nutty stuff is not only tolerated but fostered, unheard of doctrinal propositions, priests and even bishops cancelled, … Read More

Posted in Modern Martyrs, Saints: Stories & Symbols |
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5 January: St. Pope Telesphorus and an old friend

In the Novus Ordo calendar it is the Feast of St. John Neumann (+1860) and also of St. Edward the Confessor (+1066).  It’s also a 1st Friday!   (GO TO CONFESSION!) However, it is also the Vigil of Epiphany and feast … Read More

Posted in Linking Back, Saints: Stories & Symbols, SESSIUNCULA |
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CHRISTMASCAzT 2023 – 27 – St. Thomas of Canterbury: A Sermon

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. It’s a 7 minute, rather than 5 minute podcast this time. Today, we hear the Christmas Day Sermon by Archbishop Thomas from T.S. Eliot’s Murder In The Cathedral. … Read More

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Old Testament Prophets are SAINTS in the Church’s calendar: A Christmasy Emamaus

Today is 18 December, the Feast of the Old Testament Prophet St. Malachi. Since the beginning of December, Holy Mother Church has been imitating the Lord on the Road to Emmaus. She has been reminding us of all the prophecies … Read More

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13 Dec – St. Lucy and the Advent Ember Days

13 December was the darkest day – with the least length of sunlight – of the old Julian calendar.  Hence, it was once the Winter Solstice. Today in the Gregorian calendar is the feast of St. Lucy, whose name from … Read More

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9 December – Feast of St. Juan Diego. ASTONISHING miracle story!

Remember… If we do not believe in miracles, we do not ask for them. If we do not ask for them, they will not be granted. We are not alone: the Church Militant and the Church Triumphant are closely knit, … Read More

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7 December: Some cool things about St. Ambrose

Today is the feast of St. Ambrose.  I have a 1st class relic in the Two Trinities Chapel, so he is, in a sense, a homie. St. Ambrose of Milan (+4 April 397), was a titanic figure of the late … Read More

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REMINDER : Visit of the Relics of Saint Jude the Apostle to these USA from September 2023 to May 2024

UPDATE 4 Dec: From a reader: I visited the St. Jude relic at Holy Trinity Church in Poughkeepsie NY. When Father said this arm hugged Jesus, I was overwhelmed!  I brought my grandson “Jude”.  Truly, an unforgettable experience.  It is … Read More

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23 October – St. Boethius, philosopher: “A man content to go to heaven alone will never go to heaven.”

“A man content to go to heaven alone will never go to Heaven” – Boethius What have you done, lately, to help someone get to Heaven? Today is the feast of St. Severinus Boethius (+525), the author of the Consolation … Read More

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