Catholic Fire

Today is the feast of my Confirmation saint, St. Catherine of Siena, Caterina di Giacomo di Benicasa (1347 - 1380). As a mystic, activist, reformer, contemplative, and Doctor of the Church, she is one of the most prominent figures in Christian history. Catherine, the youngest of twenty-six children, was born in Siena on March 25, 1347. During her youth she had to contend with great difficulties on the part of her parents. They were planning marriage for their favorite daughter; but Catherine, who at the age of seven had already taken a vow of virginity, refused. To break her resistance, her beautiful golden brown tresses were shorn to the very skin and she was forced to do the most menial tasks. Undone by her patience, her mother and father finally relented and their child entered the Third Order of St. Dominic -- a lay order. Catherine managed a large household of followers, all of whom called her "Mama". She served as spiritual director to royalty and religious. She li...

This is an inspiring story from the Wichita Eagle about a brave military man from Wichita whose life was spared through the intercession of Father Emil Kaupan.  I was recently introduced to Major Chris Shaner by his  parents, who have been actively involved in the RCIA program in the Catholic Diocese of Wichita. War veteran finds a path to faith BY ROY WENZL Before he helps nieces and nephews hunt Easter eggs today, Maj. Chris Shaner of the U.S. Army Reserve will go to Easter Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in west Wichita. Getting to that place in life, where he will actually worship God, is the end of a story about a journey that nearly killed him several times over. Read more Related Posts: The Miracle of Father Kaupan  Fr. Kaupan Documentary Coming Soon...   A Miracle in Colwich, Kansas?   Father Emil Kapaun’s cause for sainthood to be officially opened this month  Servant of God Father Emil Kaupan

Today, the Kansas Senate voted 24-15 in favor of the abortion licensure bill , H sub SB 36, aptly carried by Sen. Mary Pilcher-Cook (R-Shawnee). KFL State Executive Director Mary Kay Culp said: “Every excuse abortion supporters gave to stop this bill was either lame or a lie. They accuse us of passing the bill solely to limit access to abortion, when what it actually does is limit access to dangerous abortion clinics that cut corners for profit because the inherent shame of abortion prevents women from filing lawsuits or clamoring for state corrective action. And we are proud indeed to deny access to dangerous chemical abortions via webcam at the numerous sites across Kansas that were being eyed by Planned Parenthood." Under the new licensure, ultrasound use is now mandated for all abortions, and under the 2009 Kansas Woman's Right to Know and See provision, the mother must be asked if she wishes to see the ultrasound and receive a hard copy. Abortionists will now...

For more information: CHRISTIANS: WITNESSES OF EASTER'S NEW PATH

 He's a man who has every right to enter the Guinness Book of World Records. During his pontificate, John Paul II, quickly broke all the records set by his predecessors. In fact, just a few months after being elected Pope, he was nicknamed Hurricane Wojtyla. He visited 129 countries. He made 104 trips abroad and another 146 within Italy. He traveled over 1,200,000 kilometers, which is more than three times the distance from Earth to the Moon or the equivalent of going around the world 30 times. ~ Via Rome Reports.

Today's saint is St Zita (1212-72), the patron saint of domestic servants and housekeepers. She was born in Tuscany, Italy in the village of Monsagrati. Zita came from a poor, but deeply devotional family. To help support the family, she became a maid of a wealthy family, Fatinelli, in the nearby Tuscan city of Lucca, serving them loyally for 48 years. Zita considered her work as an employment assigned to her by God and obeyed her master and mistress in all things as being placed over her by God. She always rose several hours before the rest of the family and spent time in prayer while they slept. She started each day with Holy Mass before she began performing her duties. Zita visited the sick and those in prison, giving them hope and spreading the gospel message. She was well - known for all her works of charity and her sweet, joyful disposition. Zita had a great love for the poor and donated her own food or that of her master to the poor. At first, her employers were ups...

Today is the feast day of Our Lady of Good Counsel. On the Feast of Saint Mark, the Evangelist, April 25 1467, the people of Genazzano, Italy witnessed a marvelous sight. A cloud descended upon an ancient church dedicated to Our Lady of Good Counsel. When the cloud disappeared, an image of Our Lady and the Child Jesus was revealed which had not been there before. The image, on a paper-thin sheet, was suspended miraculously. Soon after the image's appearance many miracles were attributed to the intercession of Our Lady of Good Counsel. Because of this, Pope Paul II ordered an investigation and the results have been preserved. It was later discovered that the very same image had been seen in a church dedicated to the Annunciation in Scutari, Albania. The image in this church was said to have arrived there in a miraculous manner. Now, the image had been transported from Albania miraculously to avoid sacrilege from Moslem invasion. A commission of inquiry determined that a por...

The second Gospel was written by St. Mark, who, in the New Testament, is also called John Mark. St. Mark and his mother, Mary, were highly regarded in the early Church, and his mother's house in Jerusalem served as a meeting place for Christians there. It was to her house that St. Peter fled following his miraculous escape from prison. St. Mark is believed to be the young man who ran away when Jesus was arrested (Mark 14:51-52), and the "John whose other name was Mark" (Acts 12:25). St. Mark, a cousin of Barnabas, accompanied Saint Paul on his first missionary journey and later went with him to Rome. He was a disciple of Saint Peter whose teaching was the basis for Mark's gospel. Mark is said to be the founder of the church of Alexandria. St. Mark is the patron saint of attorneys and notaries. "Go out into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature." ~Mark 16:15 Prayer Lord, help me to follow in the footsteps of St. Mark and to fa...

Glory and kingship be His forever and ever. ~ Entrance Antiphon, cf Luke 24:34, cf Rev 1:6 Wishing you and your loved ones a glorious Easter! May you be reminded of His great love for you and may your hearts be filled with joy.

Holy Saturday Mary Mother of God, receiving the dead body of Jesus Christ your Son taken down from the cross and laid in your arms, receive us, to whom He had given His life, and lay us with Him and in Him upon Your sinless heart. We are sinners, but save us from the despondency and despair. Save us from morbidity which kills the soul. Save us from dwelling on the past. Take our heads into your hands and turn them gently to look upon the light of God. Let us feel the warmth and radiance of that healing sun, although we are still too weak to bear the blaze of its glory. By the dead body of Christ laid in your arms, save us from the death of sin. Ask our Heavenly Father, whose will is your will to restore us to life, to Christ's life in our souls, so that in each one of us you may see your only child, the Child Jesus, and give us the heaven of your tender love. By the passion and death of your only Son, give us His life. Make us new, give us the trust of children, give us the ...

Benedict XVI washed the feet of twelve Roman priests imitating the gesture of Jesus towards the Apostles. It was during the Mass of the Lord's Supper that he presided in the Basilica of St. John Lateran. During the celebration, he was given alms collected for the victims of earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

English Translation Sing, my tongue, the Savior's glory, of His flesh the mystery sing; of the Blood, all price exceeding, shed by our immortal King, destined, for the world's redemption, from a noble womb to spring. Of a pure and spotless Virgin born for us on earth below, He, as Man, with man conversing, stayed, the seeds of truth to sow; then He closed in solemn order wondrously His life of woe. On the night of that Last Supper, seated with His chosen band, He the Pascal victim eating, first fulfills the Law's command; then as Food to His Apostles gives Himself with His own hand. Word-made-Flesh, the bread of nature by His word to Flesh He turns; wine into His Blood He changes; what though sense no change discerns? Only be the heart in earnest, faith her lesson quickly learns. Down in adoration falling, This great Sacrament we hail, Over ancient forms of worship Newer rites of grace prevail; Faith will tell us Christ is present, When ...

Holy Thursday is also known as "Maundy Thursday." The word maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum (commandment) which is the first word of the Gospel acclamation: Mandátum novum do vobis dicit Dóminus, ut diligátis ínvicem, sicut diléxi vos: "I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you." (John 13:34) These are the words spoken by our Lord to His apostles at the Last Supper, after he completed the washing of the feet. We should imitate Christ's humility in the washing of the feet. By meditating on the Gospels (cf. Matt 26:1 ff.; Mark 14:1 ff.; Luke 22:1 ff.; John 13:1 ff.), we can recall to mind Jesus' actions of that day. Father Bernard Strasser summarizes all the events of that first Holy Thursday: ...They included: (1) the eating of the Easter lamb or the paschal meal; (2) the washing of the disciple's feet; (3) the institution of the Most Holy Eucharist (the first Mass at which Jesus Christ, the eternal high prie...

In Benedict XVI's general audience, he explained the meaning of the Easter Triduum, the three days when the Church celebrates the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. The pope invited Catholics to make a thorough confession to prepare for these days. He explained Holy Thursday is when oils are blessed for baptism, confirmation, and the ordination of priests as well as anointing the sick and commemorating the institution of the Eucharist. Continue reading

  Today is known as Spy Wednesday because on this day Judas made a bargain with the high priest to betray Jesus for 30 silver pieces. Today's Mass Readings Today's Spiritual Meditation Jesus carries this betrayal in love so that we too may be able to carry in love all the struggles the Church is now living, all the struggles of humanity. We know that these battles are terrible and sometimes they make us lose hope. Well, no! They should not make us lose hope! The stronger the battle, the more Jesus is present and the more He wants to be glorified in our heart. And Jesus is glorified in our heart to the extent that love triumphs. This is truly what the glory of Christ is: love victorious over betrayal, victorious over all lies. ~ Excerpted from Return to me ... Daily Meditations for Lent By Father Philippe, O.P., Philosopher and Founder of The Community of St. John compiled by the Sisters of St. John

This is an honest look at what a couple are really saying to one another when they decide to cohabitate.

Jesus and John at the Last Supper Valentin de Boulogne Readings for Tuesday of Holy Week We understand the suffering of Jesus' heart, His sadness over one of His disciples, one of those He had chosen and therefore one of those whom He loves: "One of you will betray me." Here we see the two extremes: the disciple whom Jesus loves, John close to Jesus' heart, and Judas, who draws further and further away, who turns in on himself and closes himself in on his evil will. A division arose among those whom Jesus had chosen and loved and the cause of this division is Judas' jealousy towards John. Judas did not directly will Jesus' death, but he could not stand Jesus' love for John. Judas did not go to the end in his first love and he rejected this first love because he saw that another was first passing ahead of him. Let us ask Jesus for the grace to be faithful to the end in our love for Him and that nothing, absolutely nothing, make us stray from Him. May He ...

Read Mark Shea's reflection at the National Catholic Register.

Jim Sedlak, Vice President of American Life League, appears on CBN News Morning to discuss the future of Planned Parenthood's federal funding and what affect it will have on the 2012 elections.

O vos omnes -- Tenebrae Responsories -- (Tomás Luis de Victoria) Latin: O vos omnes qui transitis per viam: attendite et videte si est dolor sicut dolor meus. Attendite, universi populi, et videte dolorem meum.Si est dolor similis sicut dolor meus. English Translation: O all ye that pass by the way, attend and see: If there be any sorrow like to my sorrow. V. Attend, all ye people, and see my sorrow: If there be any sorrow like to my sorrow.

Scripture readings for Palm Sunday Mass are here. Read Fr. Tom Hoisington's Reflection here. Today we commemorate Christ's entry into Jerusalem for the completion of the Paschal Mystery . In the old calendar before Vatican II, the Church celebrated Passion Sunday two Sundays before Easter, and then Palm Sunday was the beginning of Holy Week. The Church has combined the two to reinforce the solemnity of Holy Week. The Palm Sunday procession is formed of Christians who, in the "fullness of faith," make their own the gesture of the Jews and endow it with its full significance. Following the Jews' example we proclaim Christ as a Victor... Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. But by our faith we know, as they did not, all that His triumph stands for. He is the Messiah, the Son of David and the Son of God. He is the sign of contradiction, acclaimed by some and reviled by others. Sent into this world to wrest us from sin ...

Due to my graduate studies in theology (mid-term exam time) and other commitments, I will be taking a brief blogging break, but should return soon. Don't go away now... I shall return.

Please pray for a Catholic family who face repossession of their only car (which is used for work) and eviction from their home. Pray that the Lord will rescue them from this situation and provide an income to sustain them. Pray also for peace of mind and heart. Thank you and God bless you! I will keep you posted on this family.

Today is the optional memorial of St. Stanislaus, the Bishop of Cracow, Poland. A champion of the liberty of the Church and of the dignity of man, he defended the lonely and the poor. When he reproached King Boleslaus II for his immoral life, the king himself killed him during Mass. Stanislaus was born in 1030 and was educated at Gnesen and at Paris. After his ordination to the priesthood he was made a canon of the cathedral at Cracow as well as archdeacon and preacher. Upon the death of the bishop of Cracow, he was nominated bishop of the diocese by Pope Alexander II. The king at the time, Boleslaus II, trying to strengthen his own power, led an expedition against the grand duchy of Kiev, making himself very unpopular with the nobles of the country, who opposed his policies. St. Stanislaus of Cracow sided with the nobles, led by the king's brother, Ladislaus, and this brought him into conflict with the king. Stanislaus had opposed the king before for his tyrannical ways and...

Today the Church celebrates St. Gemma Galgani, virgin, mystic, and patron of pharmacists. Gemma Galgani was born in Lucca, Italy on March 12, 1878, the fourth of eight children. Her mother, who had been a very caring woman, died at the age of thirty - five when Gemma was only seven. For the next eighteen years the family experienced much grief and misfortune. Gemma looked after her brother who had tuberculosis and who died when he was eighteen. Her father was a prosperous pharmacist but the prolonged illness of others in the family was a drain on his resources and the family was reduced to poverty. To add to this, Gemma's father developed cancer of the throat and Gemma nursed him with great care until his death. Gemma had an immense love for the poor, and helped them in any way she could. After her father's death, the nineteen - year -old Gemma became the mother of her seven brothers and sisters. At age 20, Gemma, who from an early age had known loss and bereavement, de...

For further reflection on today's readings, see Fr. Tom Hoisington's The Fifth Sunday of Lent [A] .

During Lent, I have been trying to avoid blogging much about politics in favor of focusing on religious and spiritual topics, but now I can no longer keep silent. Our government is shutting down in order to ensure that taxpayer funding to Planned Parenthood is protected. As a result, our military will suffer. In order to ensure that Planned Parenthood is funded and that abortion is protected in this country, the government is shutting down, which will result in our military seeing less money in their paychecks or no paychecks at all. How utterly absurd and immoral! Our government has reached the climax of its imbecility. I agree with Sarah Palin, who so eloquently expresses my feelings on Facebook : "It’s about time the President step up to the plate and lead responsibly. Our troops who are putting themselves in harm’s way deserve a Commander in Chief who is not AWOL from the debt debate. The American people deserve a president who will take on the tough challenges and underst...

The saint of the day for April 8 is St. Julie Billart. Saint Julie was born in Cuvilly, France, on July 12, 1751 to a loving family. She was a woman of serenity, despite the great personal suffering she endured. The Billiart family survived many hardships, including the deaths of several children. When Julie was 16, she went to work as a teacher to help support her family. One night, robbers invaded her home and shot her father as she stood by helplessly. He recovered from the incident, but the trauma caused Julie, who was then 23, to become paralyzed and a complete invalid. Besides her physical and emotional distress, Julie suffered religious persecution. During the French Revolution, Julie opened her home as a hiding place for loyal priests, which forced her to flee and hide from danger. Throughout her suffering and trials, she steadfastly trusted in God’s goodness. Her motto was: “Oh, how good God is!” At the age of 53, Julie and her very good friend, Françoise Blin de Bourdon...

American Life League explains how Planned Parenthood is an enemy of the Catholic Church and proposes a new approach to how the Church may deal with Catholics who support America's largest abortion chain. For the list of Catholic Representatives voting "NO" on defunding Planned Parenthood click here. Citizens can identify and find the contact information for U.S. Representatives here.

My candid views: Lila is very articulate and very gracious here, explaining her views and her work extremely well. She is confident and poised. Bill tries to be the devil's advocate, but he needs to be quiet and stop interrupting Lila so much and let her make her point. Leslie needs to wear a blouse that fits her. She is about ready to pop a button.

On the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's historic prayer gathering with religious leaders, Pope Benedict XVI will again address the faiths of the world in the small Italian town of Assisi, the hometown of St. Francis. The pope has invited leaders of other faiths, scientists, and cultural leaders to the event. The event will be a day of “reflection, dialogue, and prayer for peace and justice in the world.” ~ Via Rome Reports.

These ads are part of a campaign launched by the Chilean government earlier this month to support and strengthen families called “Chile Crece Contigo,” or “Chili Grows with You.” H/T:  Jill Stanek

The saint of the day for April 7 is St. John Baptist de la Salle, father of modern education and the patron saint of teachers . He is known for promoting and reforming Christian education, especially among the poor. John Baptist de la Salle was born at Rheims in France in 1651 . After ordination to the priesthood, he devoted himself to the education of boys and the founding of schools for the poor. He liquidated his personal fortune (about $400,000) and donated it to the poor in the form of bread during the great famine of 1683-1684. He Instituted the process of dividing students into grades and established the first teacher's school. He started high schools and trade schools. John brought his companions together as a religious congregation , founding the order known today as Christian Brothers. He suffered from asthma and rheumatism in his later years and died at Rouen in 1719 on Good Friday. He was canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1900 and named patron of teachers by Pope Piu...

Tonight Lila Rose, President of Live Action, will be sharing the need for undercover work and the latest evidence of Planned Parenthood's abuses and corruption on the O'Reilly Factor. Tune in at 5pm PST/ 8pm EST on Fox News to see Lila discussing Live Action's undercover investigations and the power of visual evidence to expose the truth about the abortion industry. Let's say a prayer for her!

In his general audience in St. Peter's Square today, attended by more than 10,000 people, Benedict XVI dedicated his catechesis to St. Therese of Lisieux, or St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face , "who lived in this world for only twenty-four years at the end of the nineteenth century, leading a very simple and hidden life, but who, after her death and the publication of her writings, became one of the best-known and loved saints". "Little Therese", the Pope continued , "never failed to help the most simple souls, the little ones, the poor and the suffering who prayed to her, but also illuminated all the Church with her profound spiritual doctrine, to the point that the Venerable John Paul II, in 1997, granted her the title of Doctor of the Church ... and described her as an 'expert in scientia amoris'. Therese expressed this science, in which all the truth of the faith is revealed in love, in her autobiography 'The Story of a S...

This is the official anthem for the beatification of John Paul II. It's called "Totus Tuus" and was composed for the 50th anniversary of the ordination of John Paul II. The choir will perform the song for the diocese of Rome on Saturday, April 30 during the prayer vigil to be held in Circus Maximus and will be the musical theme of this historic event. ~ Via Rome Reports

April 6, 2011. ( Romereports.com ) During the general audience, Benedict XVI called for peace in Libya and the Ivory Coast saying that all channels of peaceful dialogue should be opened to avoid more deaths. Benedict XVI “Violence and hate is always a lost cause! I therefore make a renewed and heartfelt appeal to all parties to the cause to initiate a process of peacemaking and dialogue, and to avoid further bloodshed.” The Pope expressed his hopes for Cardinal Peter Turkson, whom he appointed as papal envoy to Ivory Coast, for his safe entry to the country in order to help rebuild the peace. Benedict XVI “I follow with great apprehension the dramatic events that the populations of the Ivory Coast and Libya are experiencing in these days. Furthermore, I hope that Cardinal Turkson, whom I have commissioned to visit the Ivory Coast to demonstrate my solidarity, may soon be able to enter the country.” The Pope said he is praying for the victims and expressed his closeness to a...

Today's saint of the the day is Blessed Pierina Morosini , virgin and martyr (1931 - 1957), patron of rape victims and martyr of purity. Martyr for Purity and Dignity of the Woman Pierina Morosini, daughter of Roque Morosini and Sara Norris, was born on January 7, 1931 in Fiobbio di Albino, Bergamo, Italy. Pierina was the eldest of nine children in this impoverished family. She was a young, devout woman, known as to be deeply in love with God and a faithful Catholic. Pierina received the Sacrament of Confirmation at age 6 and began attending daily mass, rising at 5 am in order to attend mass at 6 am. After mass, she would return home and then travel ½ hour to the village to go to school. Pierina was very talented and was the best student in her class but her family was poor and at the age of 11 she had to leave her studies in order to go to learn the trade of tailoring. At age 15, she began working at a cotton spinning mill in Albino. Still attending daily mass, she joined the...

On February 26, a pro-life flash mob surprised a pro-abort “Walk for Choice” rally in Chicago. Now officially calling themselves a “Life Mob,” the youthful group has done it again, this time merrily descending upon the pro-aborts protesting the tribute to Joe Scheidler on April 2. Read more at Jill Stanek's blog .

Here’s the latest exclusive preview of the CATHOLICISM project, coming out this Fall 2011. This clip is from episode 5, “The Indispensable Men: Peter, Paul and the Missionary Adventure. “Paul’s message was indeed designed to turn the world upside down. Precisely because it was the proclamation of a new King and, therefore, of an entirely new way of organizing things. If our teaching of the faith is too often tepid and uninspiring, authentic Christian proclamation is as subversive and explosive as the earthquake that shook the prison walls in Philippi.” – Fr. Barron, Episode 5, CATHOLICISM H/T: Matthew Warner

The saint of the day for April 5 is St. Vincent Ferrer. St. Vincent Ferrer was a famous Dominican missionary, credited with having converted thousands of Europeans to Catholicism. He was born in Valencia, Spain, in 1350 and entered the Dominican Order at the age of 17. After years of study in Toulouse, in 1379, he was retained by Cardinal Pedro de Luna, legate of the Court of Aragon, who was trying to win the king to the obedience of the Avignon pontiff. When France withdrew from the obedience of Avignon in September 1398 and the troops of Charles VI laid siege to the city, St. Vincent was struck by a fever that nearly killed him. He was miraculously cured after having an apparition of Christ, accompanied by St. Dominic and St. Francis. He began his preaching ministry again in November 1399, and for 20 years was a missionary in Western Europe. He was responsible for the conversion of thousands in the different regions of France, Switzerland, Spain and Italy, including an estim...

Related Post:   Martyred monks film nabs second prize at Cannes festival More Information:  National Catholic Register - How Catholic is Of Gods and Men? BY STEVEN D. GREYDANUS

Mondays are the best days during the campaign. Monday means that it’s time to report the number of saves. So here’s some good news to start your week. Thus far in the current 40 Days for Life campaign, there have been 253 babies saved from abortion — that we know of! It’s the “that we know of” part that gives me the greatest hope. Who knows but the Lord Himself how many lives have been saved because Planned Parenthood can’t find an abortionist in Columbia, Missouri, where a 40 Days for Life vigil is going on? Abortions have not taken place there since January! Continue reading.

This week, the Susan B. Anthony List contacted Republican presidential hopefuls to ask them where they stand on defunding Planned Parenthood. Several potential candidates, including Gov. Haley Barbour, former Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Gov. Sarah Palin, and Gov. Tim Pawlenty provided statements directly to the SBA List that were lengthy and clearly advocated revoking the tens of millions of dollars the abortion business receives annually from the federal government. Read their responses here. It looks like we have some wonderful potential choices for the 2012 presidential election -- let's pray that one of them will win this election. I have been praying for a strong Catholic pro-life candidate who lives out his/her faith to be elected in the upcoming presidential election; however, I believe that any one of these candidates would be a major improvement over what we have now.

Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for April is: "That through its compelling preaching of the Gospel, the Church may give young people new reasons for life and hope". His mission intention is: "That by proclamation of the Gospel and the witness of their lives, missionaries may bring Christ to those who do not yet know Him".

Rome is finalizing preparations for the beatification of John Paul II. According to official sources 300,000 people are coming so far. But there is still room in the Eternal City for more. The city's hotel occupancy is currently at 80%. There are two camping areas just outside of Rome, available at very low price. Given the increase in room rates, hotels have pledged to ensure "high quality and no speculation on room rates." Read more

Italy, France, Canada, Kuwait, Argentina, U.S.A., Malta, South Africa, and Germany are some of the nations from which people have registered for the May 6th - 8th ONE MILLION ROSARIES FOR UNBORN BABIES. The Saint Michael the Archangel Organization, coordinator of the prayer event, has also received one or more registration forms from Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Portugal, New Zealand, Philippines, India, Romania, Poland, Spain, Australia, Columbia, Northern Ireland, Singapore, and England. Each person participating in the ONE MILLION ROSARIES FOR UNBORN BABIES prayer event will pray at least one Rosary for an end to the surgical and non-surgical killing of unborn human persons. With less than five weeks before the start of the prayer event, about 8,000 Rosaries have been registered. (The count is being kept at the homepage of the website www.SaintMichaelTheArchangelOrganization.org.) A selection of some of the communications received by the Saint Michael the Archangel Organiza...

 Today is the optional memorial of St. Isidore of Seville ,  the patron saint of the Internet and the author of the first encyclopedia. A Confessor, Doctor of the Church, and Bishop of Seville , Isidore was born in Cartagena, Spain, 560 and died in Seville, Spain in 636. He was younger brother to Saint Fulgentius of Astigi and Saint Florentina and succeeded his brother, Leander, a monk, to the See of Seville in 599. He began as a poor student , but he turned his problem over to God and became one of the most learned men of his time. During his episcopacy he devoted his time and energy to promoting science and establishing schools and convents. He presided over the synod of Seville, 619, and the synod of Toledo, 633. He was a prolific writer whose literary works included: a dictionary, an encyclopedia, a history of Goths, and a history of the world beginning with creation. He is the patron saint of computers, computer technicians, computer programmers, and the Internet. H...