Saints Ita and Maurus
Saint Ita was an early Irish nun, Íte ingen Chinn Fhalad in Gaelic (+ ca. 480 – 577). Descended from royalty (the King of Fara was an ancestor), she was baptized not long after the missionary work of Saint Patrick had evangelized good old Erin’s Isle and was known for her steadfast virtue. I did not know of the ‘six virtues of Irish womanhood’ that she displayed so well, but here they be for those looking for a good wife: “wisdom, purity, beauty, musical ability, gentle speech and needle skills”. When she founded her convent in Cluain Credhail – led there by three heavenly lights, and now called Killeedy or the ‘church of Saint Ita’ – she was offered many acres of land, but accepted only four, which she considered enough, and made it bear plenty.
Saint Ita also started a school, and one of her first pupils was a little lad named Brendan, who grew up to become the great ‘Navigator’ saint. Numerous other saints were given their start in the classroom of Saint Ita.
Ita died sometime in 570, or perhaps 577, and numerous miracles attributed to her intercession ever since. May she pray for poor Ireland, that she recover her Faith of yesteryear, without which all is lost, but with which all is gained.
We also commemorate on this day Saint Maurus, (512 – 584) the first disciple – or ‘oblate’ – of Saint Benedict at the great abbe of Monte Cassino, mentioned in Saint Gregory’s life of the monastic founder. Born in Africa of a Roman official, Equitius, Maurus was brought to Italy as a young lad, and joined Benedict at the Biblical age of twelve in his quest to devote his life completely to God – ora et labora – in prayer and work, and never left that service, his offering complete. One miracle recounted is when a fellow young oblate, Placidus, fell into the river while drawing water, fell in and was swept away. Benedict asked Maurus to go rescue him, which Maurus did, apparently walking on the water and pulling the lad to safety. Maurus attributed the miracle to Benedict’s prayers, but Benedict to Maurus’ obedience. Both are likely true. Devotion to Maurus spread throughout Europe, including the ‘blessing of Saint Maur’ with a medal of Saint Benedict. We should bring such things back. I did not know the name ‘Seymour’ means ‘son of Maur’, but we should all be spiritual children of Maur, Benedict and the rest of the saints.
A Closed, Unsustainable, Descending Loop
As a follow-up to my thoughts on Payette’s payout, here be a stark image of where are here in Canada. As the graph shows in, well, graphic terms, since 2025, the public sector has contributed to 95.5% of economic growth. The private sector – which funds the public sector, or is supposed to – has[…]Continue reading→
Remembering Father Alphonse de Valk
(Today marks the sixth anniversary of the death of Father Alphonse de Valk, C.S.B., a faithful, courageous and indefatigable Basilian priest, pro-life-and-family apostle, and the founder of Catholic Insight magazine. Here is what we wrote those on his entering into eternity five years ago, as we continue to remember him in our prayers and thoughts)[…]Continue reading→
Presidential Pardon of Weronika Krawczyk
As a good news, follow-up to our story from Poland, of the persecution of Weronika Krawczyk for her pro-life views, we heard that she has been granted a presidential pardon. One might still wonder why one needs a presidential pardon for simply holding the long-held belief that the child within the womb is a child,[…]Continue reading→
Pope Leo and a Rosary for Peace
Pope Leo XIV has asked Catholics across the world to join him in a Rosary for peace today, at 18:00 Rome time (6 pm), which would be noon from where I write (EST). If you are able, whether at that time or another, and in whatever way you pray, to join in intercession with the[…]Continue reading→
Payette’s Payout
I was glancing through some headlines, and noticed a mention of Julie Payette – engineer and astronaut and sometime the Queen’s representative in Canada – which brought back vague memories. She was appointed Governor-General by Justin Trudeau in 2017. Ms. Payette resigned in 2021, amidst claims that she created a ‘toxic work environment’, with allegations[…]Continue reading→
Saint Stanislaus of Szczepanów
We celebrate Saint Stanislaus today (+ April 11, 1079), in light of this Easter Octave, a bishop and martyr who accepted the episcopacy only at the direct order of Pope Alexander II. He proved a wise and courageous leader of his flock, put to death by his own king, Boleslaus, for rebuking the monarch’s ‘immoral[…]Continue reading→
Weronika Krawczyk and Injustice in Poland
Catholic Action in Poland has issued a formal statement appealing to the President of the Republic of Poland to pardon Weronika Krawczyk—convicted for warning other women against an abortion-performing gynaecologist. Catholic Action (AK) emphasizes that no apology is owed to a doctor who has performed numerous abortions and proposed others; furthermore, the organization considers the[…]Continue reading→
Three Easter Musical Gems: Bach, Palestrina and Byrd
A very blessed and glorious Easter! Christus surrexit vere, alleluia! As we begin this Easter Octave with the great Solemnity of Easter, music to lift the soul would be one of Bach’s Easter cantatas, composed during his time at Leipzig in the early 1700’s, for the six Sundays of this festive season, leading up to[…]Continue reading→
Your Easter Prayer
Happy Easter Lord Jesus Christ. It’s Easter day and we smile In the Lord’s in gentle light and His tomb is bare the stone is rolled A story new that must be told And Lord Jesus Christ We love you it’s so true and Lord Jesus Christ has risen From his sleep and the Promises[…]Continue reading→
Saint Isidore of Seville, the Internet and Industriousness
Today, April 4th, muted this year by Holy Saturday, is the commemoration of Saint Isidore of Seville (560-636) a bishop and doctor of the Church during a tumultuous age, when civilization was crumbling, coming apart at its very seams, which may sound sort of au courant. Then again, the form of this world has always[…]Continue reading→