Category Archives: Saints: Stories & Symbols

27 Feb – St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows: Patron of seminarians, hand-gunners, marksmen

Today we celebrate a wonderful saint. 27 February is the feast of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, Gabriel Possenti, according to the calendar of the Novus Ordo. In the older, traditional Missal we find that 28 February was … Read More →

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8 February – St. Josephine Bakhita: catastrophe that soars

J.R.R. Tolkien’s concept of eucatastrophe runs strong with the Catholic “thing”.   We Catholics know that there are some catastrophic events which produce unexpected blessings.  Usually with a lot of pain along the way.   O Felix Culpa! I am trusting God … Read More →

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5 January: St. 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). However, it is also the Vigil of Epiphany and feast of St. Telesphorus (c. 137).  St. Irenaeus says … Read More →

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ASK FATHER: When can people begin to ask for Pope Benedict’s intercession?

This question comes from a comment under another post, but it stands on its own. From a reader… QUAERITUR: Father, quick question? I too believe that Benedict is a saint in heaven. Of course, when someone dies (including a pope), … Read More →

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The prayer book of St. Thomas Becket

Here is something from 2016 which remains fascinating to this day. The other day I read about St. Theresa of Avila’s book that had the famous poem written in the margin, perhaps by St. John of Avila.  And years ago … Read More →

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27 Dec – St. John Evangelist and St. Fabiola and Card. Wiseman about Protestantism and the Bible

Today, being the Feast of the Evangelist John, we have a special blessing for wine and other libations.  I wrote about that HERE.  We have this blessing because of an assassination attempt.    There was an attempt on the life … Read More →

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26 Dec: St. Stephen the Protomartyr, the Archconfraternity, of…

In addition to Boxing Day, and the day good King Wenceslaus went out, it is the feast of St Stephen. I hope all your snow is neat and crisp and even. For my part I am, at the time this … Read More →

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Old Testament Prophets in the Church’s calendar: Like the Lord on the road to a Christmasy Emamaus

Today is 21 December, the Winter Solstice and the Feast of the Old Testament Prophet St. Micah. Since the beginning of December, Holy Mother Church has been imitating the Lord on the Road to Emmaus. She has been reminding us … Read More →

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St. Thomas and the beating, living, healing, Heart of Love.

Here is something that I wrote a while back. Since today in the Vetus Ordo calendar is the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, I figured that it might be good to share for those who haven’t seen it. […] … Read More →

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Advent Ember Week and the pivotal Feast of St. Lucy, the “darkest day”

13 December was the darkest day – with the least sunlight – of the old Julian calendar. Today in the Gregorian calendar is the feast of St. Lucy, whose name from the Latin lux, for “light”, reminds us who dwell in … Read More →

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