Today, October 4, is the fiesta of Saint Francis of Assisi. Francis was the son of a rich cloth merchant, enjoyed a good education, and worked in his father’s business. The downside was, he had a rather wayward youth. He engaged in street fighting and even became a soldier. When he became a prisoner of …
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:“Hear another parable.There was a landowner who planted a vineyard,put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower.Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey.When vintage time drew near,he sent his servants to the tenants …
Today, October 3, is the memorial of Blessed Columba Marmion. Born Joseph Marion in Dublin of an Irish father and a French mother, he completed his preparation for the priesthood in Rome. He was ordained priest in the Eternal City in 1881 and afterwards was appointed professor of philosophy at Clonliffe Seminary. Returning from Italy, …
The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus,“Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.”Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky.Behold, I have given you the power‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpionsand upon the full force of the enemyand nothing will harm you.Nevertheless, do not …
Today, October 2, is the memorial of the Guardian Angels. This celebration started in many local calendars centuries ago, and was widely known by the 16th century. Pope Paul V placed a feast venerating the angels on the general calendar on 27 September 1608. Ferdinand of Austria requested that it be extended to all areas …
The disciples approached Jesus and said,“Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?”He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.Whoever humbles himself like this childis the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.And …
Today, October 1, is the feast of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face. Carmelite virgin and Doctor of the Church. Patron saint of missionaries. Thérèse was the daughter of St. Louis Martin and St. Marie-Azelie Guérin Martin. She had four sisters, all of whom became nuns. Marie-Azelie died of …
Jesus appointed seventy-two other discipleswhom he sent ahead of him in pairsto every town and place he intended to visit.He said to them,“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;so ask the master of the harvestto send out laborers for his harvest.Go on your way;behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.Carry no …
Today, September 30, is the memorial of Saint Jerome. Doctor of the Church. Born to a rich pagan family, Jerome led a wild youth. He studied in Rome and became a lawyer. He converted and joined the Church in theory, and was baptized in 365, but it was only when he began his study of …
As Jesus and his disciples were proceedingon their journey, someone said to him,“I will follow you wherever you go.”Jesus answered him,“Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”And to another he said, “Follow me.”But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury …