(1807-1870) St. Anthony Mary Claret is considered the “spiritual father of Cuba.” He was a missionary, religious founder, social reformer, queen’s chaplain, writer and publisher, archbishop and […]
Author: Editor
Father Jim: Life of priest challenging, but rewarding
Above: Father Jim blesses his parents, MaryAnn and Carmen Cesta, after his ordination on May 18, 1974. Brendan Foley is a seminarian preparing to be a priest in the Diocese of Syracuse. A graduate of Scranton University, he surrendered plans to be a physical therapist, and inspired by the example of clergy whose lives witness […]
OCT. 21: ST. GASPARE DEL BUFALO
(1786-1837) Gaspare was such a sickly child that his mother had him confirmed at the age of one and a half. Prayers were offered to St. Francis Xavier for his recovery from an incurable malady of the eyes, which threatened to leave him blind. In 1787, he was miraculously cured. Later in life he held […]
OCT. 20: ST. MARIA BERTILLA BOSCARDIN
(1888-1922) Maria Bertilla Boscardin gave witness to Christian stewardship through her simple living and caring for others as a nurse and consecrated religious. She was born in 1888 in a village near Vicenza, in northern Italy, to a poor farming family headed by a violently abusive and alcoholic father. She lacked a normal education and […]
OCT. 19: STS. ISAAC JOGUES, JEAN DE BRÉBEUF AND COMPANIONS
(Died 1642-1649) Isaac Jogues and his companions were the first martyrs of the North American continent officially recognized by the church. Jogues gave up a career as a teacher of literature in France to work among the Huron Indians in the New World, and in 1636, he and his companions, under the leadership of Jean […]
OCT. 18: ST. LUKE THE EVANGELIST
(Died circa 84 AD) Luke was born in Antioch and was a Gentile. We know this because, Paul always mentions first “those of the circumcision” (that is, the Jews), in the Letter to the Colossians, when speaking of his companions without including Luke among them (cf. Col 4:10-11). And in his Gospel, Luke shows a […]
BREAKING OPEN THE WORD
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; Psalm 96: 1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b; Matthew 22:15-21 All readings Catholic Women Preach 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time First reading Isaiah 45: 1-6 Isaiah Chapter 45 Cyrus The Great in Bible Prophesy The Book of Isaiah Second Reading Introduction to I Thessalonians Gospel […]