Catholic Fire

Now that John Paul II and John XXIII have been canonized, it's business as usual for Pope Francis. He led  his weekly general audience, focusing his catechesis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He talked about the gift of understanding, which he described as a grace that allows people to better understand God. POPE FRANCIS "This is what the Holy Spirit does with us. The Spirit opens the mind, so we can better understand the Divine, humanity and situations.” Actually receiving the grace of understanding, he said, is not based on intellect, nor is it a special ability. POPE FRANCIS "One can understand a situation with human intelligence and wisely-this is good.  But understanding a situation in depth, as understood by God is the real effect of this gift.” It's also a grace that's key in understanding the Scriptures. To make this point, he referenced a  Gospel reading of Emmaus, which describes how the disciples were so filled with sorrow, they couldn&#

The saint of the day for April 30th is St. Pius V, pope. Michael Ghislieri was born near Alessandria in Italy in 1504. He was a poor shepherd boy, who entered the Dominican Order at the age of 14 and was ordained a priest at the age of 24. He taught theology and philosophy for sixteen years and developed a reputation as a gifted teacher and preacher. Michael led an austere and holy life in the monastery: he fasted, performed penance, spent long hours of the night in meditation and prayer, and traveled in silence on foot without a cloak. After being ordained a bishop and named a Cardinal, he became pope at the age of 62, taking the name of Pope Pius V. His holiness and austerity continued in the papacy. He refused to wear the ornate and flowing garments of previous popes, but insisted upon wearing his white Dominican habit even as head of the Church. To this day, the pope wears white, a custom begun by this Dominican pontiff. His reign, though short, was one of the most fru

In his daily morning Mass, the Pope talked about early Christians and the inner peace they received from the Holy Spirit. He said, measuring the life of a Christian community, is based on its harmony, witness, poverty be it spiritual or material, and its care for the poor. POPE FRANCIS "Because the only one who can do this is the Holy Spirit. This is the work of the Spirit. The Church is built up by the Spirit. The Spirit creates unity. The Spirit leads us to witness. The Spirit makes us poor, because He is our wealth and leads us to care for the poor.” The Pope said the most important element in a Christian community, be it a movement or a parish, is giving witness to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. SUMMARY OF POPE'S HOMILY (Source: Vatican Radio) "'They had one heart and mind'. Peace. A community in peace. This means that in this community there was no room for gossip, envy, calumnies, defamation. Peace. Forgiveness: 'Love covered everything&#

April 29th 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

Today is the feast of St. Louis de Montfort. Louis de Montfort's life is inseparable from his efforts to promote genuine devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus and mother of the church. Totus tuus ("I am all yours.") was Louis's personal motto; Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) chose it as his episcopal motto. Born to a poor family in 1673 in the Breton village of Montfort, as an adult, Louis identified himself by the place of his baptism instead of his family name, Grignion. After being educated by the Jesuits and the Sulpicians, he was ordained as a diocesan priest in 1700. He preached parish missions throughout western France, walking from city to city. His years of ministering to the poor prompted him to travel and live very simply, sometimes getting him into trouble with church authorities. In his preaching, which attracted thousands of people back to the faith, Father Louis recommended frequent, even daily, Holy Communion (not the custom then!) and imi

Chocolate, strawberry, lemon and hazelnut are typically top selling gelato flavors, but recently the new "Pope” flavor has been a major crowd pleaser. MARTINA Sublime gelato "We named the new flavor Holy Popes. It’s a combination of sweet milk, cream, and pieces of candy. It is a very sweet flavor in honor of the sweet character of these two popes, who we remember with fondness.” The gelateria is located in the Borgo neighborhood and this week, business is booming. The extra work has proven to be well worth the effort. MARTINA Sublime gelato "We made the gelato white to match the color of papal vestments, and the color of the Church in general.” There is nothing better than gelato to beat the heat in the Eternal City. The ‘Holy Popes’ gelato is only offered for a limited time and is a tasty way to celebrate the canonizations.

The saint of the day for April 28 is St. Peter Chanel. On April 18, 1841, a band of native warriors entered the hut of Father Peter Chanel on the island of Futuna in the New Hebrides islands near New Zealand. They clubbed the missionary to death. St. Peter Chanel's death bears witness to the ancient axiom that "the blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians." He is the first martyr from Oceania, that part of the world spread over the south Pacific, and he came there as the fulfillment of a dream he had had as a boy. Peter was born in 1803 in the diocese of Belley, France. At the age of seven, he was a shepherd boy, but the local parish priest, recognizing something unusual in the boy, convinced his parents to let him study, in a little school the priest had started. From there Peter went on to the seminary, where it was said of him: "He had a heart of gold with the simple faith of a child, and he led the life of an angel." He was ordained a priest a

It was a unique day to say the least. The canonization of John Paul II and John XXIII will forever be recorded in the history of the Catholic Church. The setting itself was impressive. From the two giant tapestries of the two new saints, hanging from St. Peter's Basilica, to the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, dignitaries, presidents and leaders who made it a point to attend the ceremony. The day of four Popes, as its now being described, began with the arrival of Benedict XVI. Cardinals greeted him and then Pope Francis did the same. Then, on Sunday morning, before the Universal Church, the Pope read the decree, officially declaring John Paul II and John XXIII as saints. Applause quickly followed in the Square, as thousands payed their respects in Rome and throughout the world. Relatives of John XXIII and also the woman cured through the intercession of John Paul II carried the relics of the two new saints. In his homily, the Pope explained why they both exemplif

In this Word From Rome video series, Fr. Barron reports live during the 2014 canonizations of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII. Find more information at http://WordFromRome.com.

Blessed John Paul II is often credited with helping defeat Communism, but there is also another priest, who confronted Communism.  Blessed Father Jerzy Popieluszko, was the courageous chaplain of the Solidarity movement in Poland in the early 1980’s, and it was his strong faith, conviction and courage that mobilized a nation to stand against the communist regime there. The remarkable story of Father Jerzy, a 21st century hero of human rights who was murdered is 1984 by the Polish government, is told in the award-winning documentary Messenger of the Truth. Narrated by Catholic activist and actor Martin Sheen, Messenger of the Truth chronicles Father Jerzy’s opposition to Poland’s oppressive Communist leaders, who harassed, arrested, threatened, imprisoned and, eventually, murdered him for speaking the truth in a country full of propaganda, oppression and social injustice. At Fr. Jerzy’s funeral, an estimated 1 million people surrounded his church in Warsaw and promised to con

Today is the feast of St. Mark, the Evangelist. John Mark, later known simply as Mark, was a Jew by birth. He was the son of that Mary who was proprietress of the Cenacle or "upper room" which served as the meeting place for the first Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12). He was still a youth at the time of the Savior's death. In his description of the young man who was present when Jesus was seized and who fled from the rabble leaving behind his "linen cloth," the second Evangelist might possibly have stamped the mark of his own identity. During the years that followed, the rapidly maturing youth witnessed the growth of the infant Church in his mother's Upper Room and became acquainted with its traditions. This knowledge he put to excellent use when compiling his Gospel. Later, we find Mark acting as a companion to his cousin Barnabas and Saul on their return journey to Antioch and on their first missionary journey. But Mark was too immature for the

The saint of the day for April 24 is St. Fidelis of Sigmarengen. Known as Mark Rey and the "Poor Man's Lawyer," Fidelis was born in 1577 at Sigmaringen, Prussia. His studies took him to the University of Freiburg and eventually to the position of tutor for Wilhelm von Stotzingen. Fidelis traveled with Wilhelm extensively throughout France and Italy before returning to Freiburg and earning a doctorate in canon and civil law. He became a prominent lawyer. However, he felt that this career endangered the salvation of his soul and he abandoned law. Mark joined the Capuchin Friars Minor, changed his name to Fidelis (meaning Faithful) and gave away his worldly wealth to the poor. As a Franciscan priest, he served his friary as guardian, and worked in epidemics, especially healing soldiers. He had a strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Trusting in her intercession, he often begged God for the grace of sacrificing his life in vindication of the Catholic faith. Fi

The saint of the day for April 23 is St. George ,  a soldier of the Roman army who was tortured and beheaded for his Christian faith in the year 303, in Lydda (in modern day Palestine).  He was likely born in Cappadocia, of a Cappadocian father and a Palestinian mother of noble rank. At the death of his father (possibly martyrdom) he moved to Palestine with his mother where he joined the military and apparently served with some distinction, meriting several promotions in rank. One account of the martyrdom of St. George is Eusebius´ Ecclesiastical History, which relates that when the emperor Diocletian issued an edict "to tear down the churches to the foundations and to destroy the Sacred Scriptures by fire…a certain man, of no mean origin, but highly esteemed for his temporal dignities, stimulated by a divine zeal, and excited by an ardent faith, took it as it was openly placed and posted up for public inspection, and tore it to shreds as a most profane and wicked act."

John Paul II's pontificate broke many records. But, beyond the numbers, the leadership of the Polish Pope guided the Catholic Church through many rising challenges in modern times. FIGHT FOR FREEDOM "Don't be afraid!” One of the greatest challenges was the Cold War, and the two blocs that pitted the world against each other. John Paul II had suffered first hand from the oppression of Nazi and Communist regimes. His role was fundamental in the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe. One of his first trips was to his native Poland in 1979. It became a defining point that encouraged Poles to fight for freedom. GLOBAL PAPACY John Paul II was a seasoned traveler and reached all corners of the world. He made 104 international trips, and visited 130 countries. In terms of mileage, it's enough to go around the world 30 times. But there were two countries he was unable to visit, China and Russia DIALOGUE WITH MUSLIMS AND JEWS John Paul II referred to Jews as "

Today we honor Blessed Maria Gabriella, an Italian Trappist nun, who died at the age young age of 25, and was renowned  for her gift to heal divisions and unify the Church through her redemptive sufferings. She is the patron saint of bodily ills Sr. Maria Gabriella was beatified on January 25th, 1983 in the Basilica of St. Paul's outside the Walls. It was the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, Apostle of the Gentiles, and also the last day of the Church Unity Octave. In his homily, Pope John Paul II stated: "I am happy to note, and to point out particularly to the young who are so fond of athletics and sport, that the young Trappist whom we are honoring today for the first time with the title "Blessed", was able to make her own the Apostles exhortation to the faithful of Corinth (1 Cor. 9:25), to "run as to win". She succeeded in the span of a few years to set a number of records in the stadium of sanctity that would make the most qualified champio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis began his Regina Coeli address on Monday by saying Happy Easter !Christ is risen! He is truly risen ." The Holy Father told the faithful gathered in Saint Peter’s Square that the dominant feeling that shines in the Gospel accounts of the Resurrection is one of joy and wonder, and he went on to say that in the liturgy we relive the mood of the disciples with the news that the women had brought, Jesus is risen! The Pope said, “Let this experience imprinted in the Gospel, be imprinted in our hearts and in our lives. Let the joyous wonder of Easter Sunday radiate through our thoughts , looks, attitudes , gestures and words ..." But, he stressed, let this come from within us. When it comes from within, Pope Francis added , from a heart immersed in the source of this joy, it is like that of Mary Magdalene, who wept for the loss of her Lord and could not believe her eyes seeing him risen. The person who does this, said the Pope becomes a witne

Declaring someone a saint is a process that takes years. But what's actually involved? Each canonization includes a long process that's divided in several phases. The first one is carried out by the local diocese of the candidate. SILVIA CORREALE Postulator "This includes writing and gathering the testimonies of those who directly knew the person. So documents, letters and declarations that shed light on the candidate's grace.” The information is then sent to the Vatican, where it's reviewed by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. If approved, the candidate is declared a Servant of God. The next step is analyzing whether the candidate manifested heroic virtues that reflect the Gospel. If so, the person is recognized as 'Venerable.' CARD. JOSÉ SARAIVA MARTINS Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints "When someone is declared as having heroic virtues, it's based on the way he or she lived. For example, thos

Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! Exult, all creation around God’s throne! Jesus Christ, our King, is risen! Sound the trumpet of salvation! Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor, radiant in the brightness of your King! Christ has conquered! Glory fills you! Darkness vanishes for ever! Rejoice, O Mother Church! Exult in glory! The risen Savior shines upon you! Let this place resound with joy, echoing the mighty song of all God’s people! ~ from the Exsultet sung at the Easter Vigil May the joy of the risen Lord fill your hearts! Happy Easter, everyone!

On Holy Saturday, the Church waits at the Lord's tomb in prayer, meditating on His Passion and Death and on His descent into Hell, awaiting His Resurrection. "Here we are, Your Church the Body from Your Body and from Your Blood. We are here, we are keeping watch. We are by Your sepulcher." ~ Pope John Paul II "Holy Saturday is the day of the 'death of God,' the day which expresses the unparalleled experience of our age, anticipating the fact that God is simply absent, that the grave hides him, that he no longer awakes, no longer speaks, so that one no longer needs to gainsay him but can simply overlook him…Christ strode through the gate of our final loneliness; in his Passion he went down into the abyss of our abandonment. Where no voice can reach us any longer, there is he. Hell is thereby overcome, or, to be more accurate, death, which was previously hell, is hell no longer. Neither is the same any longer because there is life in the midst of deat

Pope Francis celebrated one of the most important ceremonies of the year surrounded by the sick. His Holy Thursday Mass took place at the St. Mary of Providence Center, for the Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation. When he arrived, he greeted the families, workers and patients of this center, which takes care of people with special needs, as well as the elderly and sick. During his homily, he explained that in Jesus' times, slaves would wash the feet of their masters. He then added that when Jesus did the same for their disciples, he left them this tradition. POPE FRANCIS "We've listened to what Jesus said during the Last Supper: this gesture is a farewell. It is like a heritage he leaves us. He is God, and has made Himself servant, our servant. This is His heritage: you also must become servants of each other.” The Pope then asked everyone to compare this action to the personal attitude we have whens serving others. POPE FRANCIS "I will now wash their feet, bu

Today is Holy Thursday , or Maundy Thursday, which solemnly celebrates the institution of the Eucharist as the true body and blood of Jesus Christ and the institution of the sacrament of the priesthood. During the Last Supper, Jesus offers himself as the Passover sacrifice, the sacrificial lamb, and teaches that every ordained priest is to follow the same sacrifice in the exact same way. Christ also bids farewell to his followers and prophesies that one of them will betray him and hand him over to the Roman soldiers. Around the world, Bishops and priests come together at their local Cathedrals on Holy Thursday morning to celebrate the institution of the priesthood. During the Mass, the bishop blesses the Oil of Chrism that will be used for Baptism, Confirmation, and Anointing of the sick or dying. At this Mass, the bishop washes the feet of twelve priests to symbolize Christ’s washing of his twelve Apostles, our first bishops and priests. Later that night, after sund

The Community of St. John has initiated a new summer program, known as Ecclesia. The website describes the program as a place where the Saints of the Third Millenium are formed and the protagonists of a New Evangelization can come to pray, study, and live in the “deep waters” of Catholic Faith. In response to Pope John Paul II’s call to a New Evangelization, Ecclesia offers the opportunity to earn undergraduate, graduate, or continuing education credits, all while experiencing a summer of prayer, study, evangelization, and fellowship with other young people from across the country. Ecclesia seeks to especially serve those young people who are looking for a deeper and more intense experience of Christ and His Church. Persons of a variety of backgrounds and interests will join the Brothers and Apostolic Sisters of the Community of Saint John from June 30-August 4 . The Ecclesia program kicks off with four days of back-packing in the North Dakota Badlands. Its purpose is to form l

Wednesday of Holy Week is traditionally known as "Spy Wednesday" because on this day Judas made a bargain with the high priest to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. In other words, Judas was spying on Jesus. Readings for Wednesday of Holy Week Meditation We are healed by His bruises! O heavenly Physician, who takes upon Himself the sufferings of those He comes to cure! But not only was He bruised for our sins, He was also slaughtered as a lamb; and this not merely as a Victim submitting to the inflexible will of His Father who hath laid upon Him the iniquity of us all, but (as the prophet here assures us) because it was His own will. His love for us, as well as His submission to His Father, led Him to the great Sacrifice. Observe, too, how He refuses to defend Himself before Pilate, who could so easily deliver Him from His enemies: He shall be dumb as a lamb before his shearers, and He shall not open His mouth. Let us love and adore this divine silence, which

April 16th marks Benedict XVI's 87th birthday. It will be the first time he will celebrate the big day as Pope Emeritus at the Vatican. Since last year, for his birthday he was just a few miles away at Castel Gandolfo. Even though a public celebration is unlikely this year, Joseph Ratzinger has had a full list of unforgettable birthdays, with music being the one common denominator. He's seen it all...From Germany's Stuttgart Radio Symphonic Orchestra performing for him at the Vatican. Then all the way to the White House, where he celebrated his birthday with president George W. Bush and the first lady. But sometimes there's no better company than family. Whenever possible Benedict XVI has made it a point to celebrate his birthday with his older brother Georg.  Back in 2012, for his 85th birthday the two brothers celebrated the Pope's birthday with traditional folk music from their native Bavaria, complete with costumes and dancing. This was actually the

1. PRAY  Incorporate prayer breaks into your daily schedule. Pray short ejaculations throughout the day. 2. FAST  Eat smaller portions of food for meals or eat food without salt or pepper this week. 3. REPENT  Go to Confession. 4. ADORE  Spend time with the Lord in Eucharistic Adoration this week, even if you only have 15 minutes. 5. PRAY the rosary slowly, contemplatively, meditating on the sorrowful mysteries. 6. ATTEND all of the Triduum liturgies. 7 . PRAY the Stations of the Cross. 8. MEDITATE on Christ's Passion daily as you read the various accounts of the Passion in the Gospels. 9. SACRIFICE Offer up any pain or difficulties you are experiencing and unite them with Christ's sufferings. 10. INVITE  family members, friends, neighbors, or co-workers to come to Church with you, especially those who have been away from the faith for some time. 11. GIVE of yourself -- your time, talent, and treasure-- to assist your parish in a special way th

The saint of the   day for April 12 is St. Julius, a Roman who was chosen Pope on February 6, 337.  Julius succeeded Pope Saint Mark, who had only reigned as pope for nine months. Immediately after taking office, Julius was involved with the Arian controversy. When Arians removed Anthanius of Alexandria from office and exiled him, Julius defended him and gave him refuge in Rome. He called a synod in 340 to clear him of charges brought against him and to affirm the right of bishops to appeal to the pope for redress. Eusebius of Nicomedia was against the return of Anthanasius so he and his followers elected George for the see of Alexandria. However, the Arians in Egypt wanted another man, named Pistus, to be bishop. They pleaded with Julius to bring Pistus into communion with Rome. In a letter to the Eusebian bishops, Julius declared Athanasius the rightful bishop of Alexandria and reinstated him. Julius, who died on April 12, 352, is credited with the reorganizing of the papa

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday reiterated human life is sacred and inviolable during a meeting with Italy’s Pro-Life Movement (Movimento per la Vita), adding every civil right is based on the “first and most fundamental right,” the right to life: which is not subordinate to any condition, neither qualitative, nor economic, much less ideological. The Holy Father said one of the most serious risks of the present age is the divorce between economics and morality, so that as the market gives us every technical innovation, it neglects more and more elementary ethical standards. “It is must be therefore reiterated the strongest opposition to any direct attack on life, especially innocent and defenseless life, and the unborn child in the womb is the most concrete example of innocence,” said Pope Francis. “Let us remember the words of the Second Vatican Council: From the moment of its conception, life must be guarded with the greatest care while abortion and infanticide are unsp

Dozens of families and wailing children welcomed Pope Francis as he addressed Italy's Movement for Life at the Clementine Hall. In his remarks, the Pope once again brought up the "throw-away” culture, and the threat it poses to life, in all its stages. POPE FRANCIS "One of the greatest risks we are exposed to today, is the divorce between economy and morality; between the possibilities offered by a market, stocked with each technological advancement, and the elementary ethical norms of human nature, increasingly neglected. It is then necessary to reiterate our strongest opposition to each direct attack on life, especially the innocent and defenseless.” The Pope concluded that each Christian has the responsibility to protect life. He asked that they do it with attentiveness and proximity to women, so they don't feel neglected or alone.

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

Prayer for the Intercession of John Paul II O Blessed Trinity, We thank You for having graced the Church with Pope John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of your Fatherly care, the glory of the cross of Christ, and the splendor of the Holy Spirit, to shine through him. Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd and has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with you. Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your will, the graces we implore, hoping that he will soon be numbered among your saints. Amen. Litany to the Venerable Blessed John Paul II Kyrie eleison Christe eleison Kyrie eleison Christ hear us, Christ graciously hear us God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us Holy Trinity,

During his daily morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis was crystal clear: he said the Devil exists and that he doesn't want anyone to follow Christ. POPE FRANCIS "Some of you might say: ‘But Father, you really are old fashioned, talking about the devil in the 21st century!’ But watch out because the Devil exists! The Devil exists…Even in the 21st Century! And we mustn't be naive, eh? We must learn from the Gospel how to fight against him.” Pope Francis added that temptation always tends to grow. He highlighted that it is key to know how to stop it, so that it does not become "a flood of water.” EXCERPT OF THE POPE'S HOMILY Source: Vatican Radio "We too are tempted, we too are the target of attacks by the devil because the spirit of Evil does not want our holiness, he does not want our Christian witness, he does not want us to be disciples of Christ. And what does the Spirit of Evil do, through his temptations, to distance us from the pat

Polish priest Slawomir Oder is one of the people that best knows John Paul II. As the postulator for his sainthood cause, Fr. Oder has been in charge of presenting the facts proving Karol Wojtyla led a holy life. FR. SLAWOMIR ODER Postulator, Sainthood Cause of John Paul II "We find ourselves before a giant that has impacted us. He was the Church's shepherd for almost 30 years, sowing with generosity.” The postulator said that John Paul II thought he would be remembered for a topic close to home in people's everyday lives. FR. SLAWOMIR ODER Postulator, Sainthood Cause of John Paul II "During the long years of his pontificate, he touched on many topics, many issues. However, he himself said that he would liked to be remembered, if ever the Church remembered him, he wanted to be thought of as the Pope of Life and the Family.” In fact, the two miracles that cleared the path of his beatification and canonization dealt with life and the family. For his

The saint of the day for April 11, is 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 w

Dr. Marie Anderson, Chief Medical Officer of Tepeyac Family Center, explains the method of hormonal contraception's abortifacient effects.

Lena Allen-Shore, a Polish-Jewish poet who was a personal friend of Blessed John Paul II, discusses the upcoming canonization of the man with whom she traveled to Jerusalem.

The Synod on the Family is still about six months away, but organizers are already hard at work. In November, the Vatican issued a 38-question survey to all bishops' conferences around the world-all 114 of them. At this point, organizers say, 84 percent have sent in their results. CARD. LORENZO BALDISSERI Secretary-General, Synod of Bishops "This is a record number. It's truly exceptional. In the past, or in other circumstances, it's never happened before. One week after January 31, we had already received 70 percent. For us, that was enough to start working, and to give us a base to put things together.” The purpose of the survey is to gather information on the modern day challenges families face and how the Church can address them. Everything from the knowledge Catholics have on Church doctrine to their country's laws and personal opinions on same sex unions. The Cardinal says the goal is for Catholics to express their views, arguments and plausibl

The saint of the day for April 10 is St. Fulbert . St. Fulbert was a scholar, philosopher and bishop of Chartres, France, who defended monasticism and orthodoxy. He was born in Italy in the 10th century and studied at Rheims, France, under the celebrated philosopher Gerbert, who later became Pope Sylvester II. Gerbert took Fulbert to Rome with him. After the Pope’s death, the bishop of Chartres made Fulbert the chancellor of the cathedral, and soon Chartres became one of the best learning centers in France. He wrote a number of poems and hymns, many of them about the Blessed Virgin Mary, to whom he was greatly devoted. He was eventually named bishop of Chartres in 1007 and had the cathedral rebuilt after a fire destroyed it. He died in 1029. Learn more about St. Fulbert here.

For about 25 minutes, Pope Francis made several rounds along St. Peter's Square to greet all the people in his general audience. In fact, the Pope recognized an old friend. He stopped the popemobile, waited for him to jump the fence and had a quick chat with him in Spanish, while his team waited. Afterward, once the friend got off, he continued his rounds on the popemobile, and he even told this to a pilgrim. "Francis, you're one of a kind” POPE FRANCIS "So are you. There's no other person like you.” The Pope began his catechesis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He explained the difference between wisdom and knowledge. Between seeing things through the eyes of mankind, and seeing it through the eyes of God. POPE FRANCIS "Sometimes we value things depending on our pleasure or depending on the mood of our hearts, with love or even with hate, or envy. No! This is not seeing things through the eyes of God.” He said the gifts of the Holy