Three Saintly Guys
There are two saints commemorated on this June 12th named Guy, and I know not whether this was planned. Certainly, there are no coincidences in God’s providence, and we may beg both their intercession: Come on, Guys! The first was a martyr during the persecution of Diocletian in the early fourth century; he had tried to convert the son of the governor, and was beheaded for his noble efforts.
The other was one of the early companions of Saint Francis of Assisi. Born in 1185, he was renowned for his humility and simplicity of life, who was inspired by Francis’ ideal to live out the Gospel in the most radical and literal way. He died in 1250, and was canonized by Pope Gregory XIII, whose spiritual director was Saint Philip Neri, who also loved the Franciscan ideal.
(As an aside, see here for the evolution of the term ‘guy’, from its initial reference to those who dressed like Guy Fawkes, the Catholic revolutionary against the Protestant King James I; then to a generic male, and ‘guys’ to a group of them; then broadening even further to include women (even before the transgender insanity), before which the fairer sex were colloquially called ‘dolls’, as in ‘Guys and Dolls’. But that does not seem quite appropriate in our current milieu. But, then, customs do come and go, even if this writer wishes they were more stable and traditional – more on that, anon).
The other saint to mention is Saint John of Saint Facundo (+1470), also called John of Sahagún, a Spanish Augustinian. He was born into a prominent family, and could have had it all, as the saying goes, but gave it all up for God. Educated by the Benedictines he was ordained a priest in 1445. On August 28th, 1463 – the feast of Saint Augustine – he joined the Order of Hermits named after the great bishop, and which had adopted the rule he had written. From then on, Father John was known simply as ‘Brother John’, taking his spiritual life to another level. It was said he could read hearts, and not much could be hidden from him. What made him stand out was his unfeigned fearlessness, preaching even to the rich and powerful, warning them of the bitterness of their end, should they not mend their ways. He would be mocked and ridiculed and even threatened for his efforts, as well as pelted with mud and sticks for his efforts, and neither broke his bones, nor his spirit.
He fell ill in 1479 – with some suggesting he had been secretly poisoned by an woman aggrieved by his words – and died on June 11th that year. He was canonized by Pope Benedict XIII in 1729, but his feast removed from the calendar in the revisions of 1969. We should not forget him, though, and pray to the great saint, that pastors and shepherds in our own day find the courage to rebuke those in temporal power who need reminding, even if they die in the doing. Nay, especially so.
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→
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→
An Ancient Homily for Holy Saturday
The time between Good Friday and Easter Sunday is one of waiting, in silence, as the world wonders – anticipates – what will happen, after the death of Christ. We re-live this time each year in the anamnesis of our liturgy, and in turn look forward to the glorious re-creation of all things at the[…]Continue reading→