Catholic Fire

In today's reflection, Father discusses one of my favorite actors of all time, Catholic convert, Gary Cooper.

The saint of the day for February 28 is Blessed Villana de’Botti, a wife and a Third Order Dominican. The daughter of a Florentine merchant, Villana was born in 1332. When she was thirteen she ran away from home to enter a convent but her attempts were unsuccessful and she was forced to return. To prevent her from running away again, her father gave her in marriage to Rosso di Piero. The rejection at the convent and the marriage seemed to change Villana. She became lazy and worldly, concerned only with pleasure. One day, as she was about to go out for entertainment, dressed in a gorgeous gown adorned with pearls and precious stones, she looked at herself in a mirror. To her dismay, the reflection that met her eyes was that of a hideous demon. A second and a third mirror showed the same ugly form. Thoroughly alarmed and recognizing in the reflection the image of herself as her sinful soul, she tore off her beautiful clothes and put on in the simplest clothes she could find. We...

 Which side has more joy? See Father Z's blog for the full story.

Planned Parenthood committed over 332,000 abortions in 2009. It's time to stop tax-payer funding of America's largest abortion chain.

Historically today is the feast of St. Walburga , sister of Sts. Willibald and Winebald. She became a nun at Wimborne in Dorset under St. Tatta and followed St. Lioba to Germany at the invitation of St. Boniface. She died abbess of Hiedenheim, whence her relics were translated to Eichstatt. St. Walburga was born in Devonshire England, around 710. She was the daughter of a West Saxon chieftain and the sister of St. Willibald and Winebald. Walburga was educated at Wimborne Monastery in Dorset, where she became a nun. In 748, she was sent with St. Lioba to Germany to help St. Boniface in his missionary work. She spent two years at Bishofsheim, after which she became Abbess of the double monastery at Heidenheim founded by her brother Winebald. At the death of Winebald, St. Walburga was appointed Abbess of both monasteries by her brother Willibald, who was then Bishop of Eichstadt. She remained the superior in charge of both men and women until her death in 779. She was buried first at He...

In this video, Father Corapi discusses Lent.

 A battle of epic proportions is being waged in the Philippines at this very moment and it looks eerily similar to the battle that was fought and lost in the west 35 years ago.  The Church CANNOT lose this battle.  

 The saint of the day is Blessed Thomas Mary Fusco . Blessed Thomas Mary Fusco was beatified in 2001 as a model of holiness for priests. He was dedicated to his priestly ministry, preaching spiritual retreats and missions, teaching catechism to youth and organizing prayer evenings for young people and adults at the parish. He had a deep devotion to the crucified Christ throughout his life and worked to build the devotion to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus among the faithful. He was born Dec. 1, 1831, in Pagani, Italy, the seventh of eight children. Orphaned by the age of 10, his uncle, a priest, took charge of his education. Since 1839, the year of the canonization of St. Alphonsus Liguori, Thomas Maria had dreamed of the priesthood. He entered the seminary in 1847 and was ordained in 1855. In 1862 he opened a school of moral theology in his home to train priests for the ministry of confession. That same year he founded the priestly Society of the Catholic Apostolate for mis...

 Kansas State Representative Randy Garber of Sabetha has confirmed plans to introduce an amendment to Section 1 of the Kansas Bill of Rights. Section 1 ensures the "equal and inalienable natural rights" including "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." The amendment language, recently approved by the Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes, will recognize the personhood of every human being by incorporating into the text a guarantee of "the inalienable rights, equal protection and due process of law of every human being from the beginning of the biological development of that human being, including fertilization." Garber's Personhood Amendment is the only proposal in the new legislature that would end the practice of abortion throughout the state and recognize "the right to life of every human being irrespective of age, race, gender, health, function, condition of dependency, including physical or mental dependency, or method of reproductio...

A disciplinary hearing against former Kansas prosecutor Phill Kline kicked off yesterday with all the intensity expected when the matter of abortion is involved. Kline is being charged with ethics violations related to his investigation of abortion abuses during his tenures as State Attorney General and Johnson County District Attorney from 2003-2007. Disciplinary Administrator Stan Hazlett, who is prosecuting what promises to be the longest disciplinary hearing of its kind ever held in Kansas, revealed that the ethics case against Kline was initiated by complaints from political enemies of Kline’s including Dan Monnat, an attorney who was representing late-term abortionist George Tiller of Wichita, who was the one of the subjects of Kline’s investigations along with Planned Parenthood of Overland Park. Read the full story. And there's more... The state's disciplinary board for lawyers concealed for 20 months an internal investigative report concluding no probable cause...

On Tuesday, former Attorney General Phil Kline testified under oath that Planned Parenthood of Overland Park and George Tiller together aborted 166 girls 14 years and under and only reported one each to authorities. So 164 cases of underage rape or statutory rape went unreported and, therefore, uninvestigated by authorities. Jill Stanek has the scoop .

The total number of Catholics worldwide is up 1.3% from last year, bringing the total number to 1.181 billion. These figures were published in the 2011 Pontifical Yearbook. Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone and Subsitute for General Affairs Archbishop Fernando Filoni, two of the pope's principal collaborators, approached the Holy Father with the figures. The pope found that nearly half of world's Catholic population, 49.4%, is in the Americas, compared to 25% in Europe, 10.7% in Asia, 15.2% in Africa, and 0.8% in Oceania. The total number of priests has also increased. In the past ten years, it has risen from 405,178 to 410,593. There are also now more bishops in the world. The number has grown from 5,002 to 5,065 over the past year. The average age of a bishop is 68 and each bishop has an average of 81 priests in their charge. The number of men studying for the priesthood has been steadily increasing in recent years. The number increased from 117,024 in 2008 to 117,9...

According to experts, the encyclical 'Humanae Vitae' (On Human Life) was a document ahead of its time. Paul VI wrote it in 1968 in a historical period of time that was marked by the student revolution. The encyclical provoked a large response that we still hear about today. Msgr. Enrico dal Covolo Rector, Pontifical Lateran University (Rome) “This encyclical was published in 1968, in a time of global actions, of social revolution. Now we can appreciate the importance of the content in 'Humanae Vitae' and its current validity.” In the 'Humanae Vitae', Paul VI clearly and precisely explains the Church's position on sexuality, premarital sex and human dignity from the moment of conception. Issues that people continue to debate. Forty-three years after its publication, scientific advancements have brought new challenges, such as the Church's stance on in vitro fertilization or new methods of contraception. With this book, the Lateran Univers...

  A new billboard campaign has responded to the high abortion rate among black women in New York City by declaring “the most dangerous place for an African American is in the womb.” The billboard, which depicts a young black girl, is located in the Manhattan neighborhood of SoHo about half a mile from a Planned Parenthood abortion facility. The three Planned Parenthood abortion clinics in New York City altogether reported nearly 17,000 abortions in 2010 . Read the entire story. New Jersey Pastor Clenard Childress of BlackGenocide.org discusses how The Negro Project was the foundation of today's industrialized abortion industry and how its pioneer, Margaret Sanger (the founder of Planned Parenthood) who is still lauded by liberals as a human rights crusader, deliberately set out to sterilize blacks and encourage abortion of black babies in pursuit of a eugenicist drive to create a racially superior master race, a goal she shared with her close friend Adolf Hitler , ...

N.J. Congressman reads book during debate; Author Abby Johnson to discuss live on EWTN Congressman Chris Smith (R-N.J.) included an excerpt from Abby Johnson’s best-selling UnPlanned during his impassioned Feb. 17 speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in support of a bill that seeks an end to Federal funding of Planned Parenthood. The next day, the House voted 240-185 to pass the legislation and send it on to the Senate. UnPlanned author Abby Johnson will appear live this Thursday on EWTN’s “The World Over” to discuss this extraordinary event and talk about her conversion from abortion-clinic director to pro-life advocate. “The World Over” air lives at 8 p.m. ET. “This is a remarkable, historic development,” said Mark Brumley, president of Ignatius Press, which published the Catholic edition of UnPlanned. “This bill, which clearly represents the will of the American people, still faces debate and a vote in the U.S. Senate. But the Congressional Record of the H...

I had the wonderful opportunity to attend an advance showing of THE GRACE CARD and it is truly a powerful film that will move you both spiritually and emotionally. It takes you on a spiritual journey that will open your heart and mind to new discoveries about the power of love and forgiveness. This is an amazing film you won't want to miss! Here is the press release: THE GRACE CARD , a story of forgiveness and reconciliation that Catholic leaders are calling a “must see,” launches in theaters nationwide Friday, Feb. 25 . Shot on location in Memphis and featuring Academy Award-winner Louis Gossett Jr., THE GRACE CARD tells the moving story of two Memphis cops, one bitter at life, the other questioning his calling, who learn the only way they’ll make a difference is to overcome their differences. “’The Grace Card’ is a life changing challenge,” says Fr. Maurice Nutt, C.Ss.R., pastor of Holy Names of Jesus and Mary Catholic Church in Memphis. “’The Grace Card’ carries you on a...

Today is the memorial of St. Polycarp of Smyrna (- 155), a disciple of the Apostles, bishop of Smyrna, and a friend of St Ignatius of Antioch. He is one of the earliest Christians whose writings still survive. St. Polycarp was one of the immediate disciples of the Apostles, in particular St. John the Evangelist. He embraced Christianity very young and was named bishop of Smyrna. He was greatly respected by the faithful, wrote many letters and formed many holy disciples. His epistle to the Philippians - the only one to be preserved - demonstrates his apostolic spirit, his profound humility and meekness, and his great charity. St. Polycarp fought against heresy. He also taught that Christians must walk in truth, do God’s will, keep all of His commandments, and love whatever He loved. Christians must refrain from all fraud, avarice, detraction, and rash judgment. They must repay evil with forgiveness and mercy. He taught that one must pray all the time, so as not to be led into temp...

Check out Aggie Catholics for the full story on this talented young Catholic musician whose video has gone viral.

Today is the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, so I have included a photo from my pilgrimage to Rome (Vatican City) in February 2006. The above photo is the beautiful bronze statue of St. Peter created by Arnolfo di Cambio, c.1300 which is located in the northwestern nave of St. Peter's Basilica. Pilgrims who come to the Basilica traditionally touch and kiss its foot, so that it is literally worn thin. View some beautiful photos of the Chair of Peter. The feast of the Chair of St. Peter commemorates the teaching authority - the Magesterium of the Vicar of Christ who occupies the throne of St. Peter. The Catechism teaches that "it is the Magesterium's task to preserve God's people from deviations and defections and to guarantee them the objective possibility of possibility of professing the true faith without error" so that "the People of God abides in the truth that liberates. (CCC 890). The exercise of the authority of the Chair of Peter gives rise to th...

Rest in Peace, Dr. Nathanson! Bernard Nathanson, the former abortionist turned top pro-life activist who is perhaps best known for his role in creating the pro-life video The Silent Scream, died at the age of 84 this morning after a lengthy battle with cancer, reports the National Catholic Register. At one time Nathanson was deeply entrenched in the American pro-abortion movement, having co-founded the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) and overseen 75,000 abortions as director of an abortion clinic. Nathanson’s high-profile conversion to the pro-life movement was sparked by the advent of the ultrasound machine in the early 1970s. He has related how he was moved to acknowledge the humanity of the unborn child after he watched an unborn baby recoil from a vacuum abortion device before being sucked from its mother’s womb. Continue Reading

Fr. Z. at What Does the Prayer Really Say is sponsoring a Spiritual Bouquet for Pope Benedict with a ending date of 19 March, the Feast of St. Joseph, which is the Holy Father’s baptismal “name day”. If you are interested in participating, go here.

Today is the optional memorial of St. Peter Damian, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, who was one of the Church's greatest reformers in the Middle Ages. Peter was the youngest child born to a large family in Ravenna, Italy in 1007. His parents both died when he was young and he was placed in the care of one of his brothers, who treated him like a slave. His oldest brother, a priest in Ravenna, rescued him and sent him away to study. Peter was brilliant and excelled in his studies (theology and cannon law), later returning to Ravena as a professor. Unable to endure the scandals and distractions of university life, he joined a group of Benedictine monks living in northern Italy. There he became a prior at the young age of 36: a position he held unto his death. While at the hermitage, Peter performed austere penances to the extent that he developed near permanent insomnia and was forced to modify them. Although living in the cloister, Peter kept close watch on the Church and worked...

Abby Johnson appeared on The O'Reilly Factor last night and explained why Planned Parenthood shouldn't receive federal funds. As former director of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas, she knows the secrets. The House of Representatives have voted overwhelmingly to no longer subsidize Planned Parenthood with federal tax dollars. H/T: Jill

Historically today is the feast of St. Conrad of Piacenza , a friar and hermit celebrated for piety and miraculous cures at Noto in Sicily. St. Conrad was a Franciscan tertiary and hermit. He was a noble, born at Piacenza, Italy. While hunting, Conrad made a fire that quickly engulfed a neighboring cornfield. A poor man was arrested as an arsonist and condemned to death, but Conrad stepped forward to admit his guilt in the matter. As a result, he had to sell his possessions to pay for the damages. Conrad and his wife decided to enter the religious life. She became a Poor Clare, and he entered the Franciscan Third Order as a hermit. Conrad went to Noto, on Sicily, where he lived the next three decades at St. Martin's Hospital and in a hermitage built by a wealthy friend. During his last years, he lived and prayed in the grotto of Pizzone outside of Noto. His cult was approved by Pope Paul III. ~ Excerpted from Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints

This is a must see video. Lila Rose is an amazing woman and her true character shines forth in the following video:

A Victory for Life! In a historic vote Friday afternoon, the US House voted to strike all federal funding for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Every year the abortion giant receives hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer funding. The congressional body voted 240-185 in favor of the amendment, introduced by Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), to the 2011 Federal Spending Bill. Immediately after the vote Rep. Pence released a statement saying: “This afternoon’s vote is a victory for taxpayers and a victory for life. By banning federal funding to Planned Parenthood, Congress has taken a stand for millions of Americans who believe their tax dollars should not be used to subsidize the largest abortion provider in America. “I commend my colleagues in both parties for taking a stand for taxpayers and a stand for life.” Continue reading.

  What is Lent? "Lent is a retreat that the Church gives us in order to re-focus on what should be first in our lives. The purpose of Jesus' life was to glorify the Father and save the world. ..Lent is not first a time of giving up but a time to re-choose to be the victim of Christ, the Lamb. It is a time to live the Beatitudes.” (Fr. Dominique, OSJ) Lenten Ideas for Adults Fasting Fast from watching TV one night a week so that you can spend time on a Lenten practice, such as praying, reading the Bible, and serving others. Fast from watching one movie during Lent and give the money and the time on service to others. Fast from using foul language and put-downs and begin affirming others with positive speech; use your speech to encourage, rather than discourage others Fast from purchasing new things like clothing, music, and magazines; instead make a donation to a charitable cause Fast from holding resentments and learn to practice forgiveness Fast from gossipi...

The saint of the day for February 18 is St. Simeon , also known as St. Simon. A blood relative of Christ, he was martyred in early apostolic times. Succeeding the apostle James, Simeon, the son of Cleophas, was, it may be said, the first bishop of Jerusalem. Under the Emperor Trajan he was arraigned before Atticus, the governor, on charges of being a Christian and a relative of Jesus. For at a certain period, all descendants of David were apprehended. After enduring all types of torture, he was affixed to a cross, even as His Savior. Those present marveled how a man of such advanced age (he was 120 years old) could so steadfastly and joyously bear the excruciating pains of crucifixion. He died on the 18th of February, 106 A.D. The siege and the destruction of Jerusalem took place during his episcopacy. He accompanied the Christian community to Pella. ~ Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch

Freshman pro-life Rep. Martha Roby (R-AL) makes a speech to defund Planned Parenthood, outlining some of PP’s outrageous activities that have been exposed lately: H/T: Jill Stanek

  Today is the optional memorial of the Seven Holy Founders of the Order of Servites. These seven men were born at Florence and led lives as hermits on Monte Senario, especially venerating the Blessed Virgin Mary. On Friday, April 13, 1240, the hermits received a vision of Our Lady. She held in her hand the black habit, and a nearby angel bore a scroll reading Servants of Mary Mary told them, You will found a new order, and you will be my witnesses throughout the world. This is your name: Servants of Mary. This is your rule: that of Saint Augustine. And here is your distinctive sign: the black scapular, in memory of my sufferings. They accepted the wisdom of Our Lady, wrote a Rule based on Saint Augustine and the Dominican Constitutions, adopted the black habit of an Augustinian monk, and lived as mendicant friars. The men founded the Order of Servites which in 1304 received the approval of the Holy See. They are venerated on this day which is said to be the day on which Saint...

Today's saint of the day is Saint Juliana , a Christian virgin of Cumae, Italy, martyred for the faith when she refused to marry a Roman prefect. St. Juliana suffered martyrdom during the Diocletian persecution. Both the Latin and Greek Churches mention a holy martyr Juliana in their lists of saints. The oldest historical notice of her is found in the "Martryologium Hieronymianum" for 16 February, the place of birth being given as Cumae in Campania (In Campania Cumbas, natale Julianae). It is true that the notice is contained only in the one chief manuscript of the above-named martyrology (the Codex Epternacensis), but that this notice is certainly authentic is clear from a letter of St. Gregory the Great, which testifies to the special veneration of St. Juliana in the neighbourhood of Naples. A pious matron named Januaria built a church on one of her estates, for the consecration of which she desired relics (sanctuaria, that is to say, objects which had been brought i...

"Love is the most necessary of all virtues. Love in the person who preaches the word of God is like fire in a musket. If a person were to throw a bullet with his hands, he would hardly make a dent in anything; but if the person takes the same bullet and ignites some gunpowder behind it, it can kill. It is much the same with the word of God. If it is spoken by someone who is filled with the fire of charity- the fire of love of God and neighbor- it will work wonders." ~St. Anthony Mary Claret (from his autobiography). "Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor... Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting." ~Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta "The proof of love is in the works. Where love exi...

February 14 is Valentine's Day, a day we often celebrate with flowers and gifts. It is also a time to reflect on the relationship with our loved ones, because of this the Diocese of Sydney has launched a kit for Valentine's Day. It is a handbook that offers a different way to celebrate Valentine's as well as how to keep the love alive for the other 364 days a year. St. Valentine's Day Kit Putting the Saint Back into St. Valentine's Day

Saints Cyril and Methodius were brothers who were born in Greece and educated in Constantinople. They were the great apostles of the Faith to the Slavs in southern Russia, in Bohemia and Poland during the ninth century. Though Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius died sixteen years apart, their feasts are celebrated together. They are responsible for the Slav alphabet and for the Slav language. Pope John Paul II made Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius patrons of Europe, along with St. Benedict. They are also patrons of ecumenism and patrons of unity between the Eastern and Western Churches. Learn more about them here.

1. Make a homemade Valentine for your loved one. Be sure to mention on your card some specific ways they are special to you, i.e., "You always laugh at my corny jokes" or "You always compliment me on my cooking even though boiling hot water is a challenge for me." 2. Write a love letter to your Valentine on pretty pink stationary and tell him/her exactly why you love him/her and what makes them special. 3. Prepare a special meal and get dressed up. Use your best china, candles, and your linen napkins. Take out your best wine or open a bottle of champagne, or favorite non-alcoholic drink. (Chill the glasses beforehand.) 4. Purchase one long-stemmed red rose for your partner and compose a love poem to accompany it. Present it in an envelope sealed with a red foil heart. 5. Take a walk together, hold hands, and reminisce about romantic times in the past - such as the day you first met and fell in love, your wedding day or another special time for the two of yo...

Today's Saint of the day is St. Julian the Hospitallier, also known as the "Poor Man". Born of noble parents, Julian was a friend and counselor to the king. Legend has it that once while hunting, he caught a stag, who foretold that he would kill his parents. Horrified Julian left his parents’ house. In another land he married a rich widow. Julian’s parents, not knowing the reason of their son’s disappearance searched for him everywhere and made an unexpected visit to his castle. His wife gave them her and Julian's bed and Julian killed them, thinking they were his wife and another man. As penance, he and his wife traveled to Rome as pilgrims seeking absolution. On his way home, to continue his penance, he built a hospice beside a river, cared for the poor and sick, and rowed travellers across the river for free. Once a pilgrim leper nearly froze to death. Julian gave him hospitality, fed him and warmed him. After that the traveler, who was an angel, told him th...

Jesus is God who entered into our human suffering and pain. He shared it and transformed it into a great act of love and we can do the same. We can make an offering of our daily challenges and pains and sufferings, uniting them to the cross of Jesus so that they become part of His prayer for the salvation of the world.

The number of Catholic priests has increased for the first time since 1999. At the same time, the number of those leaving the priesthood has decreased. According to the latest figures released by the Vatican, the total number of priests has grown by 1.4% over the last decade.

  As my readers know, today is a special day for me, as it marks the anniversary of my Marian consecration. Today is the feast of  Our Lady of of Lourdes -- the anniversary of the first apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1858 to St. Bernadette Soubirous. Between February 11 and July 16, 1858, the Blessed Mother appeared to a poor, uneducated, sickly fourteen-year-old Marie Bernade (St. Bernadette) 18 times in the hollow of the rock at Lourdes, called “de Massabielle”. On March 25, the feast of the Immaculate Conception in 1858, she said to the little shepherdess who was only fourteen years of age: "I am the Immaculate Conception." Because the dogma of the Immaculate Conception had been officially proclaimed less than four years earlier, and Bernadette could not have even known of its existence, when Bernadette repeated the words, it gave credibility to her apparitions. It was confirmation from heaven that the dogma of the Immaculate Conception was indeed true. Dur...

Live Action has done it again. They have just launched a new video showing Planned Parenthood DC willing to assist a self-identified sex trafficker seek abortion and other services for underage girls. More details from the press release: Excerpt 1: Underage? No insurance? No problem. PP: Yeah and we’ll waive like a $5 or $10 donation with them. PP: Um, but I would recommend them come in all alone with this I mean, it doesn’t matter if it’s on the same day, their slots- Prostitute: Oh, ok Prostitute: Ok. PP: just make them appointments, and if they don’t have insurance- Prostitute: M’hm. PP: Because they’re teens, we’ll put them under the teen thing – Prostitute: Ok, teen years have teen servi-services Excerpt 2: “If they need an abortion.” Prostitute: And then the same thing maybe if they need an abortion or something? Well, what’s the process for that? PP: For that, we don’t do it but we give referrals to the other ones –so on the card - Prostitute: ...

 I am so happy to hear that John Michael Talbot is recording a new album! Top liturgical publisher OCP has partnered with renowned Catholic recording artist, John Michael Talbot to create the CD Worship and Bow Down, a rich collection of modern-chant style songs for personal and communal prayer. "John Michael Talbot continues to write songs that speak to the heart of our worship life," says Tom Tomaszek, director of artists and repertoire for OCP. "He truly has served as a troubadour for the Lord and OCP is honored to collaborate with him in publishing these new songs of hope and faith." The album, currently in production at the Tracking Room in Nashville, Tenn. is a lush mix of contemplative tracks and a contemporary-chant Mass setting that features a chamber orchestra and choral arrangements alongside John Michael's unmistakable vocals and solo guitar. Worship and Bow Down will be the latest edition to John Michael Talbot's collections currently...

In 1858 the Virgin appeared 18 times to Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, a small town in the French Pyrénées. There the Virgin Mary recalled the importance of prayer, the rosary, penance and humility. She also recalled God's mercy toward sinners and the importance of taking good care of the sick.

Today is the memorial of St. Scholastica (480 - 543), the twin sister of St. Benedict , founder of the Benedictine order. Scholastica was born into a wealthy Catholic family in Nursia, Italy and was consecrated to God at a very early age. She was very close to her twin brother. When Benedict established his monastery at Monte Cassino, Scholastica founded a convent in nearby Plombariola, about five miles away. The monastery was under Benedict's direction, so she is considered to be the first Benedictine nun. The two met annually at a house near the Monte Cassino monastery to discuss spiritual matters. Saint Gregory tells the charming story of their last meeting. The saints had spent their time together in the mutual comfort of "heavenly talk" and with nightfall approaching, Benedict prepared to leave. Scholastica believed that it would be their last opportunity to see each other alive, so she asked Benedict to spend the evening in conversation. Benedict sternly refu...

The sainthood process is a lengthy procedure. It's even longer and more complicated when you are dealing with the sainthood of a couple, like these two French intellectuals. Born into a Protestant family, Jacques Maritain and his wife, Raissa, a Russian Jewish émigré, converted to Catholicism, after studying the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas. Their sainthood would serve as an enduring example of a holy marriage.

Here is the new website for the cause of John Paul II's canonization.

Today the Church commemorates Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774 - 1824), an Augustinian nun, stigmatic, mystic, visionary and ecstatic. Anne was born in the small farming community of Flamsche, near Coesfeld, in the Diocese of Münster, Westphalia, Germany. Her family was poor, but pious and virtuous. As a child, she suffered with poor health and received visions and prophesies so often that she thought all children had them. She was a gifted healer and was able to diagnose illness and to prescribe cures. At age 28, she entered the Augustinian convent. Here, her great enthusiasm for the faith, as well as her strange and unusual ways, disturbed and puzzled the other sisters. When the convent was closed by government order in 1812, Anne found refuge in a poor widow's home. She became very ill and in 1813, at the age of 38, was bedridden. From that time on, her visions increased and she she began manifesting the wounds of Christ: first, a circle of bleeding wounds around her...

Local, National Pro-Life Leaders Call on Government to End $363 Million in Tax Funding News Release: WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2011  -- Today, new undercover footage was released showing a New York City Planned Parenthood clinic supervisor and medical practitioner aiding and abetting the sexual exploitation of minors, even giving the undercover "pimp" advice on how to pose as a legal guardian and get the taxpayer funded discount for his sex workers, some as young as 13 years old. Local and national pro-life group leaders cited outrage over the steady stream of recorded violations released over the past week as evidence of a system-wide crisis within Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Expose Planned Parenthood coalition, an alliance of pro-life groups including Live Action, Susan B. Anthony List, Manhattan Declaration, 40 Days for Life, RedState, LifeNews, Students for Life of America, Concerned Women for America, Catholic Advocate, Catholic Vote, Family Research C...