Always remain close to the Catholic Church, because it alone can give you true peace, since it alone possesses Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, the true Prince of Peace. (Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, +1968)
Month: September 2025
Homily of Pope John Paul II on Padre Pio’s Canonization
CANONIZATION OF ST PIO OF PIETRELCINA, CAPUCHIN PRIEST HOMILY OF JOHN PAUL II Sunday, 16 June 2002 1. “For my yoke is easy and my burden light” (Mt 11,30). Jesus’ words to his disciples, which we just heard, help us to understand the most important message of this solemn celebration. Indeed, in a certain sense,[…]
It is not true, as is sometimes said, that man cannot organize the world without God. What is true is that, without God, he can only organize it against man (Henri Cardinal de Lubac, +1991)
Saint Thomas of Villanova
This Saint Thomas (1488 – 1555), of noble Spanish lineage, and had it all, as the saying goes, taking as his ‘last name’ the place from which he came, Villanueva. Like Christ, although rich, he became poor, even as a child giving his clothes to those less fortunate, and would be found walking around (nearly?)[…]
International Hobbit Day
In the midst of all the bad news swirling around us – about which more anon – it may provide some small comfort to commemorate in some way International Hobbit Day, which falls on September 22nd, the traditional ‘birthdays’ of both Frodo and Bilbo Baggins, nephew and uncle respectively. The Hobbit itself – as a[…]
Twenty-Fifth Sunday and Using Wealth Wisely
You cannot serve God and mammon (Lk. 16:13). ⧾ At face value, it would seem that that the Gospel text of the Mass appears to be in favour of dishonesty in business dealing. Yet, like all of Our Lord’s parables, there is a deeper meaning that can only be accessed by faith. At the theological level,[…]
Pope Benedict and Saint Matthew
BENEDICT XVI GENERAL AUDIENCE Paul VI Audience Hall Wednesday, 30 August 2006 Matthew Dear Brothers and Sisters, Continuing the series of portraits of the Twelve Apostles that we began a few weeks ago, let us reflect today on Matthew. To tell the truth, it is almost impossible to paint a complete picture of him because[…]
Saint Andrew Kim-Taegon and the Martyrs of Korea
Today we commemorate the feast of the countless martyrs of Korea, led by the indomitable convert priest, Father Andrew Kim Taegon, who was eventually tortured and beheaded by the shores of the Han River in 1846 at the tender age of 25. Thousands more were likewise killed for their faith, 103 of whom were canonized[…]
Charlie Kirk: A Poem, In Memoriam
Father, when we step into the night, guide us with Your precious light. To this land of the free and brave Please come to hallow and to save. When dark Night comes to often kill, Stop him with Your awesome will. If Satan moves to bend and break us Let Your[…]
Saint Januarius’ Blood
Saint Januarius was bishop of Benevuento, in the south-west of Italy, about whom a number of legends are told – that he survived unscathed being burnt in a furnace, that wild bears refused to touch him in the amphitheatre – but all we know for relative certainty is that he was put to death in[…]