Category Archives: Liturgical Feast Days & Saints Reflections

Today the church recalls that Mary, as the Theotokos or God bearer, was free from the stain of original sin. Many Christians may question such a dogma declared by the church in 1854 by Pope Pius IX in his Ineffabilis Deus. However, it seems only natural that God’s grace would keep Mary free from sinContinue reading “Immaculate Conception”

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day be at my side to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

A Sermon by Pope St Gregory the Great You should be aware that the word “angel” denotes a function rather than a nature. Those holy spirits of heaven have indeed always been spirits. They can only be called angels when they deliver some message. You should be aware that the word “angel” denotes a functionContinue reading “Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels”

About Padre Pio: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/padre-pio-his-biography-13815 Letter from Padre Pio To Raffaelina Cerase, May 19, 1914 Stones of the eternal dwelling The divine craftsman gets ready to prepare stones to build an eternal temple; he cuts these stones by repeated blows of his hammer and carefully polishes them by removing any excess.  This is what the holyContinue reading “St. Pio of Pietrelcina O.F.M. Cap., Pray for Us”

Mt. 9:9-13 As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw thisContinue reading “St. Matthew, Apostle, & Gospel Writer”

From the office of daily readings for September 13, Memorial of St. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor. An excerpt of a homily by St John Chrysostom: The waters have risen and severe storms are upon us, but we do not fear of drowning, for we stand firmly upon a rock. Let the sea rage, itContinue reading “St John Chrysostom – Whom Shall I Fear?”

The two times a Pope has spoken ex cathedra or from the chair of Peter are when the Immaculate Conception was declared under Pope Pius IX in 1854. This tenet of papal infallibility was solidified with the first Vatican Council in 1870. The second time occurred in 1950 under Pope Pius XII with the dogmaContinue reading “The Assumption of Mary”

Today the Church recalls the memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. This soldier turned saint portrays a remarkable story for us as at any time, the Holy Spirit can turn our life around to do His will. Injured from a cannonball at the battle of Pampolona and bedridden for nearly a year, Saint Ignatius eventuallyContinue reading “Saint Ignatius Loyola, Pray For Us”

Today the Roman Church remembers the life of St. Mary Magdalene, formerly a person whose title was associated with the “penitent.” It is reported that St. Thomas Aquinas gave Mary the title of “Apostle of the Apostles.” On July 22 of 2016, Pope Francis elevated the day to a Feast to “stress the importance ofContinue reading “St. Mary Magdalen: Pray For Us”

Today in the Catholic church’s calendar, St. Mark the Evangelist is recalled in prayer. History indicates that his gospel may have been one of the earliest writings completed sometime around 70 ad (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Gospel-According-to-Mark). When I was to be confirmed and had to choose a saint name, it was Mark that I chose. Some attribute hisContinue reading “St Mark the Evangelist”

What can Saint Joseph teach us as we commemorate this worthy and humble saint? Today, the Church honors Joseph, the husband of Mary. First and foremost, Saint Joseph serves as a role model for husbands everywhere. He took Mary as his wife without hesitation, trusting the message delivered to him in a dream. We alsoContinue reading “Saint Joseph, Pray for Us”

Today the church recalls St. Andrew, the first apostle and humble fisherman and brother of Simon Peter. St. Andrew, a follower of John the Baptist, led a bunch of followers to Christ Jesus as a strong witness of the Holy Spirit & ventured out to Greece and Asia Minor spreading the good news of theContinue reading “St. Andrew, Pray for Us”

John Paul II is a beloved servant of God and saint that many will not forget as we reflect upon the many achievements from this great & holy man. Pope John Paul II was the most traveled pope, having paved the way for the church’s mission to go forth and bring Christ’s light to othersContinue reading “St. John Paul II, Pray For Us”

Today the church commemorates the memorial of St. Luke, the gospel writer and author of the Gospel and book of Acts. He was most likely trained as a physician and healer and was a Greek gentile being associated with St. Paul & Barnabas per the Acts of the Apostles account. St. Luke is the patronContinue reading “Memorial of St. Luke the Evangelist”

Saint Jerome, the 4th century saint born in Stridon in the historic region of Dalmatia (present day Croatia) was responsible for translating the Bible into the Latin vulgate. After a vision and conversion experience that asked him why he appreciated the words of Cicero more than Christ, Jerome became a hermit and learned Hebrew soContinue reading “Saint Jerome, Pray For Us”

Saint Peter, Bishop of Ravenna, Italy, until 433 in the year of Our Lord was nicknamed Chrysologus or golden words for his rich homilies and is known as patron of homilies. As Bishop he was responsible for converting many of the last pagans in his diocese and winning souls to Christ Jesus! St. Peter onceContinue reading “Saint Peter Chrysologus, Bishop & Doctor, Pray For Us”

Today the Church recalls the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saints Joachim and Anne. Not much is known about Joachim and Anne other than from folklore and apocryphal writings. What we do know is that God’s plan of salvation history and the ability for all of us to become saints one day is shapedContinue reading “St. Joachim & Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

We are all made for a purpose. St. John the Baptist’s purpose was to testify to the light of the world, preparing others for Christ Jesus to enter. How do we imitate this saintly figure in leading others to Jesus? What is our purpose? As St. John the Baptist said about Jesus, “He must increase,Continue reading “Solemnity of The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist”

Lk. 1:39-556 Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “MostContinue reading “The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

From a sermon by Saint Leo the Great, pope (Sermo 4 de natali ipsius, 2-3: PL 54, 149-151) from the office of readings The Church of Christ rises on the firm foundation of Peter’s faith Out of the whole world one man, Peter, is chosen to preside at the calling of all nations, and toContinue reading “Chair of St Peter”

From the Collect at Mass: Almighty ever-living God, we humbly implore your majesty that, just as your Only Begotten Son was presented on this day in the Temple in the substance of our flesh, so, by your grace, we may be presented to you with minds made pure. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,Continue reading “Presentation of Jesus in the Temple”

Saint Angela Merici’s story Angela Merici has the double distinction of founding the first of what are now called “secular institutes” and the first … SAINT OF TODAY ~SAINT ANGELA MERICI 27TH JANUARY 2024