Catholic Fire

Vatican City, 31 October 2014 (VIS) – Pope Francis' universal prayer intention for November is: “That all who suffer loneliness may experience the closeness of God and the support of others”. His intention for evangelization is: “That young seminarians and religious may have wise and well-formed mentors”.

The restoration of the Sistine Chapel began in 1980 and ended in 1994. After this immense work, no one thought that Michelangelo's masterpiece could be seen any better, until now. With the new lighting system installed in the Chapel, visitors can enjoy the paintings in a whole new light. Before the installation, some details of the creation of Adam were barely recognizable. Now they can clearly be seen with vivid colors. Before, the blue color of the Final Judgement served merely as a background. Now, the celestial tone intensifies the scene portrayed. The light that emanates from Christ is another example. Thanks to the 7,000 LED light points, all the details and figures from this work of art gain life and expression. Michelangelo finished painting the Sistine Chapel on October 31st, 1541. Those who have visited the chapel for over 500 years can say that his masterpiece looks as if it was painted yesterday. -- Via Rome Reports.

Today we celebrate the eve of All Saints. Pope Sixtus IV in 1484 established November 1, the feast of All Saints, as a holy day of obligation and gave it both a vigil (known today as "All Hallows' Eve" or "Hallowe'en") and an eight-day period or octave to celebrate the feast. By 1955, the octave of All Saints was removed. All Hallows' Eve Halloween or All Hallows' Eve is not a liturgical feast on the Catholic calendar, but the celebration has deep ties to the Liturgical Year. These three consecutive days — Halloween, All Saints Day and All Souls Day — illustrate the Communion of Saints. The Church Militant (those on earth, striving to get to heaven) pray for the Church Suffering (those souls in Purgatory) especially on All Souls Day and the month of November. We also rejoice and honor the Church Triumphant (the saints, canonized and uncanonized) in heaven. We also ask the Saints to intercede for us, and for the souls in Purgatory. Since Vat...

Atheists, Agnostics, and believers alike appeal to philosophy to support their claims on the existence or non-existence of God. However, Thomas Aquinas' "Argument from Motion" offers a proof that cannot be easily refuted, as it appeals to the the concept of an "actus purus," or the unmoved mover that we call God.

The saint of the day for October 30 is St Alphonsus Rodriguez, a Jesuit, who was born at Segovia in Spain, on July 12, 1531. From childhood he was devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He loved her as his mother. This childlike devotion to her was the main reason for his sanctity. When he was a teenager, Alphonsus and his older brother were sent to study in a Jesuit college. On the death of his father in 1545, he was called home from his studies, by his mother, who was burdened with the care of eleven young children. Though only a boy of fourteen, he was placed in charge of the family business, which involved the buying and selling of wool. At the request of his mother, Alphonsus married the virtuous Maria Suarez. His married life of four years was marked with much suffering. His business suffered, and two of the couple’s three children died in infancy. He was widowed at the age of 32 and his mother died soon aftewards. He sold the business and moved in with his sisters; they hel...

Sarah Reinhard has written an absolutely awesome review of my new book, Seven Saints for Seven Virtues at the National Catholic Register today. You can read it HERE .

On October 29, we celebrate Helen Kafka, better known as Blessed Maria Restituta, martyr. Helen Kafka was born in 1894 to a shoemaker and grew up in Vienna, Austria. She initially worked as a salesgirl and then as an assistant caregiver at the Lainz public hospital, which brought her into contact with the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. At the age of 20, she decided to join the Order and took the name Restituta, after a 4th century Christian martyr. In 1919, she began working as a surgical nurse at the Moulding hospital in Austria. When the Germans took over the country, she became a local opponent of the Nazi regime. Her conflict with them escalated after they ordered her to remove all the crucifixes she had hung up in each room of a new hospital wing. Sister Maria Restitua refused and she was arrested by the Gestapo in 1942. She was sentenced to death for "aiding and abetting the enemy in the betrayal of the fatherland and for plotting high treason.” Martin ...

October 28 is the feast of Sts. Simon and Jude, apostles and martyrs. The name of St. Simon usually appears eleventh in the list of the apostles. The first cousin of Jesus, he was born at Cana and is surnamed "The Zealot." He preached in Egypt, Spain, and Libya, leaving behind him the fertile hills of Galilee, where he had been engaged in the healthful cultivation of the vineyards and olive gardens. He later rejoined his brother, Saint Jude, in Persia, where they preached and died as martyrs together. Patronage : curriers; sawmen; sawyers; tanners St. Jude, also called Thaddeus or "Courageous", is the author of the short epistle in the New Testament. He was the apostle who asked the Lord at the Last Supper why he had manifested himself only to the disciples and not to the whole world (John 14:22). He was the son of Cleophas and the woman named Mary who stood with the Blessed Virgin Mary at the foot of the Cross as Our Lord was redeeming the world....

By Jean M. Heimann Blessed Bartholomew was born circa 1200 at Vicenza, Italy Vicenza in Northern Italy, and belonged to the noble family of Breganza. He received the habit of the order from Saint Dominic's own hands on occasion of the holy founder’s visit to Vicenza in 1220. He was a very virtuous man and within a short time, he became prior of the monastery, effectively overseeing several monasteries with great wisdom and fruitfulness. Seven years later, he became Master of the Sacred Palace, an office which had been first held by Saint Dominic himself. It was during this period that Blessed Bartholomew composed his scholarly commentary on the work of Saint Denis, entitled "From the Heavenly Hierarchy.”  In 1246, Pope Innocent IV appointed Blessed Bartholomew as Bishop of Cyprus, were he served for two years. He was then sent as Papal Legate to King Louis IX of France, who was then carrying on the Crusade against the infidels. The two saints became good friends and ...

Today is the feast of St. Anthony Mary Claret -- a favorite saint that my husband introduced me to about twenty years ago when he gave a teaching on this incredible man of God. I don't think I have ever heard of any saint who was filled with so much zeal for his apostolate. He was a monk and a mystic who exerted an unusual amount of influence over the laity by obeying the call of God. Born on Christmas eve, 1807, in the village of Sallent, in Catalonia, Spain, Anthony was a very pious child. When he was eleven years old, the bishop visited his school and asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. Without the least bit of hesitation, he replied: "A priest." As a young adult, Anthony Claret excelled as a maker of cloth and as a weaver in his father's textile factory. He then studied for the priesthood, desiring to be a Jesuit. Ill health prevented him from entering the Order, so he served as a diocesan priest. He was ordained at age 27 and busied himself ...

1. Last weekend, we had a bit of fun doing one of our most favorite activities: apple-picking and pumpkin picking. We drove a  considerable distance to find both this late in the season. It's our favorite orchard in Kansas -- Pome on the Range. 2, We visited the orchards and picked red delicious apples -- Bill's favorite -- and only 50 cents/lb. 3. Then we hitched a ride on the tractor pull -- a hayride without the hay -- to the pumpkin patch. 4.  As we rode back with our wares, a cute couple snapped our picture. Oh, no! I have hat hair! You can certainly tell we had a good time. Look at those smiles! We passed by the winesap orchard on the way back to the store, where we picked up some Jonalicious and Jonagold apples. 5. Riding back home, we enjoyed the beautiful Kansas landscape and the sunset. 6.  I saved the best for last. Today, my book, Seven Saints for Seven Virtues , is now available on Amazon! 7. If you m...

The saint of the day for October 23 is St. John of Capistrano, a great Franciscan priest, preacher, and theologian who promoted devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. John was born at Capistrano, Italy in 1385, the son of a former German knight of that city. He studied law at the University of Perugia and practiced as a lawyer in the courts of Naples. King Ladislas of Naples appointed him governor of Perugia. During a war with a neighboring town he was betrayed and imprisoned, where he experienced a deep conversion. Upon his release, he entered the Franciscan community at Perugia. There, he began his brilliant preaching ministry, while still a deacon in 1420. Following his ordination, he traveled to many European countries and Russia, preaching penance and founding numerous Franciscan communities. St. John of Capistrano was the student of St. Bernadine of Siena, who inspired him to promote devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. While preaching in Italy, they carried a monogram of t...

Today, Janet Moore at Entering into the Mystery hosts the final day of the Blog Tour for Seven Saints for Seven Virtues . She was written a beautiful review entitled, "Do you Want to Be a Saint? Seven Saints for Seven Virtues Book Review and Giveaway!" She is giving away TWO copies of Seven Saints for Seven Virtues ! Go there, read her review, and enter the drawing! Here is a recap of the blog tour: Monday, Oct. 13 -- Plot Line and Sinker  Ellen Gable   Book Review and Giveaway Tuesday, Oct. 14 -- Contemplative Homeschool  Connie Rossini Book Review Wednesday, Oct. 15 -- Franciscan Mom  Barb Szyszkiewicz Book Review and Giveaway Thursday, Oct. 16 -- Can we Cana?  Karee Santos Book Review and Giveaway Friday, Oct. 17 --   Bergers Book Reviews  Alice Berger Book Review Saturday, Oct. 18 -- Seven Angels Four Kids One Family Jane Lebak Book Review Sunday, Oct. 19 -- Spiritual Woman  Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur Book Review Mon...

"When the cross is embraced it becomes a sign of love and of total self-giving. To carry it behind Christ means to be united with him in offering the greatest proof of love … the choice is between a full life and an empty existence, between truth and falsehood." ~ Pope St. John Paul II in Pope John Paul II's MESSAGE TO THE YOUTH OF THE WORLD, THE XVI WORLD YOUTH DAY, 14 February 2001. Related Posts: POPE JOHN PAUL THE GREAT: MY FAVORITE MEMORIES -- April 2, 2006 The Miraculous Bond between Pope St. John Paul II and St. Padre Pio Novena to Pope St. John Paul II begins today Book Review -- Saint John Paul the Great: His Five Loves

Today, at View From the Domestic Church, Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle, EWTN TV host of "Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms," and "Catholic Mom's Cafe," journalist, speaker, and reviewer,  interviews me . Go there and check out her interview! There's only one more day left to the blog tour! Don't miss it! Tomorrow, Janet Moore at Entering into the Mystery  will host the blog tour. Here is a recap of the blog tour: Monday, Oct. 13 -- Plot Line and Sinker  Ellen Gable   Book Review and Giveaway Tuesday, Oct. 14 -- Contemplative Homeschool  Connie Rossini Book Review Wednesday, Oct. 15 -- Franciscan Mom  Barb Szyszkiewicz Book Review and Giveaway  Thursday, Oct. 16 -- Can we Cana?  Karee Santos Book Review Friday, Oct. 17 --   Bergers Book Reviews  Alice Berger Book Review Saturday, Oct. 18 -- Seven Angels Four Kids One Family Jane Lebak Book Review Sunday, Oct. 19 -- Spiritual Wo...

Catholic Fire is a part of the MARY of NAZARETH Blog Tour/Rosary Crawl, of which we are delighted to be a part of, along with many other inspiring bloggers. To learn more, visit the Rosary Crawl Itinerary HERE . Second Mystery of Light: The wedding feast of Cana. "On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples. When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, 'They have no wine.' And Jesus said to her, 'O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come.' His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you"' (Jn 2:1-5). "On the threshold of his public life Jesus performs his first sign ­at his mother's request - during a wedding feast: The Church attaches great importance to Jesus' presence at the wedding at Cana. She sees in it the confirmation of the goodness of marriage and the proclamation that th...

Today, Leticia Velasquez at Cause of our Joy reviews Seven Saints for Seven Virtues . You can read her review HERE. The remaining blogs in the tour are: Tuesday, Oct. 21 -- View from the Domestic Church Donna-Marie Cooper-O'Boyle Wednesday, Oct. 22 -- Entering into the Mystery Janet Moore

Today is the feast day of St. Paul of the Cross, priest, mystic, and founder of the Passionist Congregation. Paul was born in Ovada, in northern Italy as Paolo Francesco Danei in 1694, the second oldest of sixteen children, eleven of whom died in infancy. His father was from a noble family that had been reduced to poverty over the years. His parents were devout Catholics and their strong faith provided the grace they needed to accept their trials. Paul’s mother had a deep and lively faith, which she shared with her son. She often read to him, sharing the writings of the desert fathers.  Paul received his early education from a priest and was a very virtuous and pious youth, who spent much time in prayer, attended daily Mass, and visited the Blessed Sacrament, without neglecting his duties. He had a great love and devotion for Christ Crucified. As a young man, Paul enlisted in the Army, desiring to serve Christ in the Crusades; however, he abandoned soldiering to spend his l...

St. Jude, also called Thaddeus or "Courageous", is the author of the short epistle in the New Testament. He was the apostle who asked the Lord at the Last Supper why he had manifested himself only to the disciples and not to the whole world (John 14:22). He was the son of Cleophas and the woman named Mary who stood with the Blessed Virgin Mary at the foot of the Cross as Our Lord was redeeming the world. He is remembered as a Healer. St. Jude is the patron saint of lost or impossible causes and his novena is often prayed in desperate cases. Below are: (1) a novena for any intention, followed by (2) novena prayers for someone who is critically ill. Both are prayed for nine days. Novena Prayers Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus,  the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of difficult  cases, of things almost despaired of, Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone. Intercede with God for me that He bring visible an...

Today, Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur at Spiritual Woman is our hostess for the blog tour. You can read her review of Seven Saints for Seven Virtues HERE . You can follow the rest of the tour by visiting these blogs on their scheduled days: Monday, Oct. 20 -- Cause of our Joy  Leticia Velasquez Tuesday, Oct. 21 -- View from the Domestic Church Donna-Marie Cooper-O'Boyle Wednesday, Oct. 22 -- Entering into the Mystery Janet Moore

Today, Jane Lebak at Seven Angels Four Kids One Family is our hostess for the blog tour. You can read her review of Seven Saints for Seven Virtues HERE. Here is the blog tour schedule: Sunday, Oct. 19 -- Spiritual Woman  Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur Monday, Oct. 20 -- Cause of our Joy  Leticia Velasquez Tuesday, Oct. 21 -- View from the Domestic Church Donna-Marie Cooper-O'Boyle Wednesday, Oct. 22 -- Entering into the Mystery Janet Moore

Today is the feast of St. Luke the Evangelist. It is believed that St. Luke was born a Greek and a gentile. A physician at Antioch, and a painter, St. Luke became a convert of Saint Paul and afterwards his fellow-laborer. Luke was the writer of the Gospel and its "companion volume," the Acts of the Apostles and has been identified with St. Paul's "Luke, the beloved physician" (Colossians 4:14). Saint Luke shared the shipwreck and perils of Saint Paul's voyage to Rome, and was with him in his last days. He later died a martyr's death in Achaia. After St. John, St. Luke's writings (both his Gospel and Acts of the Apostles) are my favorite part of the New Testament. Although Luke was not an eye witness, he was a historian who carefully researched his material and obtained details from eye witnesses. As a physician, Luke emphasizes the miracles and the merciful love of Jesus, which heals his children and welcomes all into his arms -- especially the...

Today, Alice Berger at Berger's Book Reviews is our hostess for the blog tour. You can read her review of Seven Saints for Seven Virtues HERE. Here is the blog tour schedule: Saturday, Oct. 18 -- Seven Angels Four Kids One Family Jane Lebak Sunday, Oct. 19 -- Spiritual Woman   Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur Monday, Oct. 20 -- Cause of our Joy  Leticia Velasquez Tuesday, Oct. 21 -- View from the Domestic Church Donna-Marie Cooper-O'Boyle Wednesday, Oct. 22 -- Entering into the Mystery Janet Moore

By Jean M. Heimann St. Ignatius of Antioch ( c. 50 - c.107), whose feast we celebrate today, was an early Church Father, bishop, and martyr.  Tradition tells us that he was a convert and a disciple of the Apostle Saint John. Ignatius was born in Syria during the 1st century and was surnamed Theophorus, which means “the God-Bearer.” When he became the Bishop of Antioch around the year 70, he assumed authority of a local church, which was first led by Saint Peter prior to his move to Rome. Antioch was known as “the place where the disciples of Jesus Christ were first called Christians” (St. Alphonsus Liguori in “Martyrs of the First Ages”). Ignatius served as the third Bishop of Antioch, where he led his flock for nearly forty years. Ignatius led the Christians of Antioch during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian, the first of the emperors to declare his divinity by assuming the title “Lord and God.” Citizens who refused to pay him homage under this title were subject ...

Need a break from all the Synod news? Karee Santos at Can We Cana? A Community to Support Catholic Marriages has written a brilliant review of my new book, Seven Saints for Seven Virtue s, entitled  "How Sinner-Turned-Saint Augustine Can Teach You Temperance."  Take a look and please share her post with your friends and followers. Thank you!

By Jean M. Heimann Today’s saint, Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647 – 1690), was selected by God to be a witness to the world of the passionate love He has for each one of us, as symbolized by the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Through visions and private revelations, God used her, as His instrument, to spread His love throughout the world.  Growing up in the town of Janots in the Burgundy region of France, Margaret Mary’s childhood was marked by sickness and family problems. Her father died of pneumonia when she was only eight years old and his death left the family in a state of poverty. Relatives took control of the family home, treating both Margaret Mary and her mother cruelly. She stated: “The heaviest of my crosses was that I could do nothing to lighten the cross my mother was suffering."  Margaret Mary developed a painful rheumatic condition at 12 and was bedridden until she was 15. After considering marriage for a period of time, she decided to dedicate her life to...

This is the third day of the Blog Tour for Seven Saints for Seven Sinners . Today, Barb Szyszkiewicz  at Franciscan Mom  will be hosting the tour, where she will be reviewing the book and giving away a copy. Here is a schedule for the rest of the tour: Thursday, Oct. 16 -- Can we Cana? A Community to Support Catholic Marriages  Karee Santos Friday, Oct. 17 --   Bergers Book Reviews  Alice Berger Saturday, Oct. 18 -- Seven Angels Four Kids One Family Jane Lebak Sunday, Oct. 19 -- Spiritual Woman  Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur Monday, Oct. 20 -- Cause of our Joy  Leticia Velasquez Tuesday, Oct. 21 -- View from the Domestic Church  Donna-Marie Cooper-O'Boyle Wednesday, Oct. 22 -- Entering into the Mystery Janet Moore Bookmark and Share

Today is the feast of St. Teresa of Avila , the first woman doctor of the Church. Here are her top twenty quotes: 1. “Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you, all things are passing: God never changes.     Patience obtains all things. He who possesses God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.”  2. “It is foolish to think that we will enter heaven without entering into ourselves.”  3. “It is love alone that gives worth to all things” 4. “Thank God for the things that I do not own.”  5. “You pay God a compliment by asking great things of Him.”  6. “From sour-faced saints, good Lord, deliver us!”  7. “Love turns work into rest.”  8. “Be gentle to all, and stern with yourself.”  9. “God calls to us in countless little ways all the time. Through illnesses and suffering and through sorrow he calls to us. Through a truth glimpsed fleetingly in a state of prayer he calls to us. ...

Today is the second day of the Blog Tour for Seven Saints for Seven Sinners. Today, Connie Rossini  at Contemplative Homeschool will be hosting the tour, where she will be reviewing the book and giving away two copies! While you're there, be sure to check out her new book, Trusting God with St. Therese. Here is a schedule for the rest of the tour: Wednesday, Oct. 15 -- Franciscan Mom  Barb Szyszkiewicz Thursday, Oct. 16 -- Can we Cana?  Karee Santos Friday, Oct. 17 --   Bergers Book Reviews  Alice Berger Saturday, Oct. 18 -- Seven Angels Four Kids One Family Jane Lebak Sunday, Oct. 19 -- Spiritual Woman   Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur Monday, Oct. 20 -- Cause of our Joy  Leticia Velasquez Tuesday, Oct. 21 -- View from the Domestic Church  Donna-Marie Cooper-O'Boyle Wednesday, Oct. 22 -- Entering into the Mystery Janet Moore