(Feast Day ~ March 17) Has there ever been another saint so enmeshed in folklore, popular tradition, and ethnic pride as St. Patrick? And is it possible to peel away the layers of shamrocks, snake-herding and green beer to get a glimpse of the truly remarkable missionary to the people of Ireland? Let us look […]

(Feast Day ~ March 11) As Christians, we are called to proclaim, with St. Peter, that there is no other name than Jesus by which we may be saved [Acts 4:12]; with the Holy Apostles, we are commissioned to go and make disciples of all the nations [Matthew 28:19]; we are to take to heart […]

(Feast Day ~ March 12) Our holy father in God, St. Gregory, has many appellations – “the Great”, the “Dialogist”, “Apostle to the English”; Patriarch (Pope) of Rome; “Servant of the servants of God”; Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church. Each of these titles represents a facet of the saint’s life and brings with […]

(Feast Day ~ March 11) Christian literature – from Holy Scriptures, the teachings of the Fathers of the Church, and the lives of the saints to the writings of present-day theologians – is full of “the journey” as a metaphor for the spiritual life. The liturgical year and the ceremonies and rituals of the Church use […]

(Feast day ~ March 10) We have heard the term “martyr” used often in the news lately. Many cultures and religions have a definition of this term – and many of these are completely foreign to the Christian understanding of martyrdom. From the witness of the Holy Innocents, who were martyred for being in the […]

(Feast Day ~ March 9) It is wonderful to see how, in so may families, physical characteristics are shared by members of the family. The mother’s blue eyes are reflected in each of her children; the father’s red hair has been inherited by several of his offspring; and a prominent nose appears in all the […]

(Feast Day ~ March 8) The Apostles of our Lord took literally His command to “go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” [Matt. 28:19]. And their disciples did the same and the bishops, priest, monks, and […]

(Feast day – March 6) Autobiographies provide a wonderful “inside” story that mere biographies cannot match. Diaries offer the reader not just the external facts but also the thoughts and feelings of the writer. Eye witness reports give more detailed information than can be gathered later by someone who was not there. We are blessed […]

(Feast Day ~ March 4) In the lives of the saints, we frequently encounter the phenomenon of affinity with wild animals: we read of St. Kevin of Glendalough, holding a bird in her nest on his outstretched arm while in prayer; and of St. Kenneth, who stilled the chattering of the birds during the Liturgy […]