-
Book Review: Brother Andre
Brother Andre: Friend of the Suffering, Apostle of Saint Joseph by Jean-Guy Dubac Notre Dame: Ave Maria Press, 2010 On February 19, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI announced that Blessed Brother Andre Bessette of Canada is scheduled to be canonized on October 17, 2010. Brother Andre was a humble porter at Notre Dame College in Quebec, […]
-
Sisters of the Visitation Celebrate 400 Years
The Sisters of the Visitation were the fruit of the spiritual relationship between two great saints – St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantal. In 1601, Jane was a twenty-eight year old widow and mother of four small children. She took a vow of chastity and began a search for a spiritual […]
-
St. Gerard – Patron Saint of Expectant Mothers
Born April 6, 1726 in Italy, Gerard Majella was the youngest son of a tailor and his wife. His mother often brought Gerard and his three older sisters to daily Mass with her. Even as a child, God blessed him in extraordinary ways. At four years old, he ran to his mother after Mass and […]
-
St. Jude, Prayer for Advent
Lord Jesus, your power is infinite, your glory, everlasting. Quietly you come, as a tiny baby. Ready my heart for the miracle of your birth. Bring light to this dark world, waiting silently for your warmth in the coldness of the night. Waiting is itself your gift, animating my heart with anticipation. Bless me with […]
-
Blessed Dina Belanger – A Lesser-Known Voice of Divine Mercy
I have been blessed this week to read Divine Mercy: A Guide from Genesis to Benedict XVI by Robert Stackpole, STD. Stackpole has done an admirable job of tracing the “theological history” of Divine Mercy through scripture and personal revelations to individuals throughout the centuries. As one might expect, he explores the writings of St. […]
-
Lord, Help Me to See You
Jesus said to [Bartimaeus] in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus said to him “Go; your faith has saved you.” And at once his sight returned and he followed him along the road.” Mark 10:51 This week’s Gospel is […]
-
Novena Prayer to St. Joseph
St. Joseph, you are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. I have special confidence in you. You are powerful with God and will never abandon your faithful servants. I humbly invoke you and commend myself with all who are dear to me to your intercession. By the love you […]
-
St. Teresa of Avila on Prayer
October 15th is the feast of St. Teresa of Avila, Doctor of the Church. A 16th century Carmelite who worked to bring reform to that religious order, she is a well-known mystic who was blessed with intimate union with God. In 1577, she was encouraged by a superior to pen a book on prayer in […]
-
St. Monica – Offering Hope for Mothers
As a woman who persevered in a difficult marriage, dealt with a cantankerous mother-in-law who shared her home, and prayed unceasingly for a wayward son, St. Monica serves as a wonderful role model for wives and mothers who are struggling in their vocation. St. Monica was born to Christian parents in 333. She was married […]
-
St. Dymphna – The Lily of Fire
St. Dymphna, sometimes known as “The Lily of Fire,” is the patroness of those suffering from nervous and mental disorders. Her story is rooted in legend and cannot be verified, but the general story is as follows. She was born in 7th century Ireland. By this time, Ireland was almost fully Christian, but her father […]