Category Archives: Saints: Stories & Symbols

10 August: Wonderful Collect for St. Lawrence

St. Lawrence the deacon and martyr is beloved of the Romans. He has many churches in the City, which is a sign of how deeply he was venerated in centuries past. Today in the traditional form of the Roman Rite … Read More

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

26 July: Fr. Jacques Hamel, martyred 6 years ago in France

Today is the 6th anniversary of the martyrdom of Fr. Jacques Hamel in France. And there is this… HERE. Sts. Nunilo and Alodia, pray for us. St. Lawrence of Brindisi, pray for us. St. Pius V, pray for us. Martyrs … Read More

Posted in Modern Martyrs | Tagged
2 Comments

“Forward!” he cried, showing them the crucifix, “Victory is ours.” – St. Lawrence of Brindisi

Today on both sides of the Roman Rite we celebrate a Bishop and Doctor of the Church, St. Lawrence of Brindisi. Know much about him? I like this story about him from the Catholic Encyclopedia: It was on the occasion … Read More

Posted in Saints: Stories & Symbols |
9 Comments

“Terror is nothing more than speedy, severe and inflexible justice; it is thus an emanation of virtue.”

Happy Feast of Blessed Teresa of St. Augustine and Companions, the Martyrs of Compiègne.  Carmelites. In 1794, the Place de la Nation on the east side of Paris was called the Place du Trône-Renversé… Toppled Throne Square. In 1792 a … Read More

Posted in Modern Martyrs, Saints: Stories & Symbols | Tagged
10 Comments

14 July: St. Bonaventure, Doctor of the Church. “What should I do with my life?”

Today is the Feast of St. Bonaventure, Doctor of the Church. Back in the happier year of 2010, Pope Benedict XVI gave a General Audience talk about St. Bonaventure, about whom he had written as a younger theologian dealing with … Read More

Posted in Saints: Stories & Symbols | Tagged
1 Comment

9 July: St. Veronica Giuliani – amazing saint – MOVIE

Today is the Feast of a saint about whom, when Padre Pio learned of her and her writings, said, “Someone who understands me.” This is in Italian with subtitles. You will be riveted, so that’s okay. This is super hard … Read More

Posted in Saints: Stories & Symbols | Tagged
2 Comments

9 May: St. Isaiah, Old Testament Prophet, with other, martyrs

Many people don’t realize that Holy Church considers some Old Testament figures to be saints with their own feast days. We don’t celebrate them at the altar, but they have their day. Actually, if there were no other saint in … Read More

Posted in Saints: Stories & Symbols | Tagged
1 Comment

5 May: “O God, who deigned to choose blessed Pius to be Pontifex Maximus in order to smash the enemies of Thy Church to tiny bits” – UPDATED

In the traditional Roman calendar, used with the 1962 Missale Romanum, the Vetus Ordo, today is the feast of St. Pope Pius V (+1572). I made a PODCAzT about him some years ago, and about his famous document Quo primum. … Read More

Posted in Hard-Identity Catholicism, Saints: Stories & Symbols, SESSIUNCULA | Tagged
3 Comments

St. Monica, her incipient alcoholism, the intervention that saved her, some Latin

From Serge Lancel’s Augustine, the best biography I know of the great Bishop of Hippo (p. 8 ff – emphases mine): Before devoting himself entirely to Mother Church, as he approached the age of forty, Augustine had had a concubine … Read More

Posted in Patristiblogging, Saints: Stories & Symbols | Tagged , ,
2 Comments

4 May – St. Monica: Intercessor for children who who have fallen away from the Faith

In the older, traditional Roman calendar today is the feast of the mother of St. Augustine, St. Monnica, widow.  She died in Ostia (Rome’s port) in 387, when she and her family were heading back to North Africa after Augustine’s … Read More

Posted in Saints: Stories & Symbols | Tagged ,
2 Comments