Catholic Fire

Today is the feast of Blessed Hermann. Blessed Herman the Cripple was an 11th-century Benedictine monk from southern Germany. Born deformed with a cleft palate, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida, Herman was cared for from age 7 by the Benedictine monks of the Reichenau abbey of Germany. He was professed as a monk there at age 20. Although he was bedridden and a speech impediment made him nearly impossible to understand, Herman was a genius, who studied and wrote on astronomy, theology, math, history, poetry, Arabic, Greek, and Latin. He also built astonomical equipment and musical instruments and was the most famous religious poet of his day. When he eventually became blind, Herman began writing hymns. His "Salve Regina," or "Hail Holy Queen," is the best known. Blessed Herman died at the age of 40 of causes related to his afflictions in 1054. He was beatified in 1863. Lesson: Although Blessed Herman suffered much, he always smiled and was the joy of the mona...

San Barnabas Altarpiece - detail (Madonna Enthroned with Saints) Saint Barnabas with the Virgin and Child Sandro Botticelli1 490 Tempera on wood, 268 x 280 cm Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence Barnabas was not one of the original apostles, but was a Levite from Cyprus, originally named Joseph but renamed Barnabas, which means "Son of Encouragement" by them. It was Barnabas who presented St. Paul to the other Apostles when, after his long retreat in Arabia, he came to Jerusalem for the first time after his conversion to submit for Peter's approval the mission to the Gentiles entrusted to him by the Master Himself. He was present with Paul at the Council of Jerusalem (ca. 50). Barnabas was Paul's companion and helper on his first missionary journey and returned with him to Jerusalem, but left him when he set out on his second journey and went to Cyprus. After having converted many souls to Christ, Barnabas died in Cyprus during Nero's reign; tradition has it that he ...

Born in Florence on 2 April 1566 and baptized at the "beautiful St John" font with the name Caterina, St Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi showed a particular sensitivity to the supernatural from childhood and was attracted by intimate colloquy with God. As was the custom for children of noble families, her education was entrusted to the Dames of Malta, in whose monastery she received her First Holy Communion on 25 March 1576, and just some days later she consigned herself to the Lord for ever with a promise of virginity. Returning to her family, she deepened her prayer life with the help of the Jesuit Fathers, who used to come to the palace. She cleverly did not allow herself to be conditioned by the worldly demands of an environment that, although Christian, was not sufficient to satisfy her desire to become more similar to her crucified Spouse. In this context she reached the decision to leave the world and enter the Carmel of St Mary of the Angels at Borgo San Frediano, where ...

St. Augustine was the agent of a greater man than himself, Pope St Gregory the Great. In Gregory's time, except for the Irish monks, missionary activity was unknown in the western Church, and it is Gregory's glory to have revived it. Gregory decided to begin with a mission to the pagan English, for they had cut off the Christian Celts from the rest of Christendom. The time was favorable for a mission since the ruler of the whole of southern England, Ethelbert of Kent, had married a Christian wife and had received a Gaulish bishop at his court. Gregory himself wished to come to Britain, but his election as pope put an end to any such idea, and in 596 he decided to send an Italian monk following the comparatively new Rule of St Benedict. Augustine set out with some companions, but when they reached southern Gaul a crisis occurred and Augustine was sent back to the pope for help. In reply the pope made Augustine their abbot and subjected the rest of the party to him in all things,...

The Virgin Appearing to Saint Philip Neri Giovanni Battista Tiepolo 1740 Oil on canvas, 360 x 182 cm Museo Diocesano, Camerino Image Source St. Philip Neri was born in Florence, Italy on July 22, 1515. He was one of four children of the notary Francesco Neri. His mother died when he was very young, but a very capable and competent stepmother filled her place. Although they were related to Italian nobility, the family was quite poor. Philip was a cheerful and friendly boy, and was popular with all who knew him. At eighteen, Philip was sent to the town of San Germano, where he lived with a childless relative who had a business there to train as an apprentice and heir. Philip had a strong aptitude for business. Soon after his arrival, Philip began speaking of his conversion, which dramatically changed his life. He left his relative’s home and set out for Rome, as he had a vision that he had a mission to fulfill there. He left without money or a specific plan, trusting in God’s providence...

John was born in Voltaggio, diocese of Genoa, Italy, in 1698. He was one of four children of Carlo de Rossi and Francesca Anfosi, who were poor, but pious parents. At the age of ten, he was taken in by wealthy friends of the family who saw to it that he was well-educated. At the suggestion of his uncle, Lorenzo de Rossi, a Church Canon, John travelled to Rome to study at the Collegium Romanum, under the Jesuits. He entered the Roman College at 13 and completed the classical course of studies but began practicing severe mortification. This practice, combined with a heavy course load and a bout of epilepsy, led to a breakdown, and he was forced to leave the college. He recuperated and completed his training at Minerva but never fully regained his former strength. At the age of 23 he was ordained (with dispensation, due to his poor health),and celebrated his first Mass in the Roman College. He was assigned to Rome, where he worked with the poor and the sick. He concentrated especially on ...

Today's Mass Readings Saint of the Day: Sts. Christopher Magallanes, priest, and companions, martyrs Today in Catholic History: 996 Pope Gregory V (ca. 970–999; reigned 996–999) crowned Otto III (980–1002) as emperor. 1864 Joseph de Veuster (better known as Father Damien , 1840–1889) was ordained priest in Honolulu. In 1873 at his own request he was sent to a settlement of lepers on the island of Molokai, where he later contracted the disease and died. 1972 Wielding a hammer, Laszlo Toth damaged one of the world's most celebrated sculptures, Michelangelo's Piet à , in the Vatican at Rome. Birthday: Giuseppe Mercalli , an Italian volcanologist, was born on May 21, 1850 in the Italian city of Milan. He was ordained a Roman Catholic priest and soon became a professor of the Natural Sciences at the seminary of Milan. He is best remembered today for his Mercalli scale for measuring earthquakes which is still used today. Today's Prayer Intentions/Requests

St. Bernardine was born in 1380 in Tuscany. His parents died when he was seven years old and he was taken in by relatives who raised him as if he were their own. As a youth, he possessed a strong love for the Blessed Virgin Mary and spoke to her as a child speaks to his mother. She kept him chaste and pure. He had a special devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and later wrote that the Immaculate Heart of Mary was "a fiery furnace of Holy Love." While still a student at the University of Siena, he took charge of the hospital there when an epidemic killed most of the staff. Later he looked after a bedridden aunt until her death. At the age of 22, he became a Franciscan. He was an energetic and popular preacher who spent years travelling on foot throughout Italy preaching to huge audiences. As a priest, he promoted peace among the warring Italian cities, and worked hard for the reform of the Franciscan order and for church unity. He encouraged devotion to the Holy Name of J...

Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time Mass Readings Saint of the Day: St. Peter Morrone (Pope Celestine V) The Divine Office via Universalis. On This Day in Catholic History 715 - St. Gregory II began his reign as Catholic Pope. 1296 Pietro di Murrone, former Pope Celestine V, died in the castle of Fumone, where he was imprisoned by his successor, Boniface VIII. 1998 Bandits stole three of Rome's most important paintings, two by van Gogh and one by Cezanne, from the National Gallery of Modern Art. US History Highlights on This Day: 1994 Former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis died in New York at age 64. 2005 "Revenge of the Sith," the final chapter of the "Star Wars" saga, opened in movie theaters.

St. Isidore was born at Madrid, Spain, in the latter half of the twelfth century. His parents were pious Catholics, but were very poor. Consequently, Isidore was sent to work for a wealthy landowner, John de Vergas. (whom he remained with for the rest of his life.) He married a holy woman named Maria Torribia (also known as Maria de la Cabeza) who, like Isidore, became a saint. They had one son who died as a child. They believed their son's death to be a sign from God and consequently vowed to live a life of perfect continence. Isidore attended Holy Mass every morning which caused him to come to work late. Late, though he was, his plowing was nevertheless accomplished by angels that resulted in three times more productivity. His co-workers and his boss witnessed such miraculous events and showed him great respect. He often spent holidays on pilgrimage to local shrines. Isidore was caring toward animals and generous to the poor. The miracle of the multiplication of food occurred wh...

St. Matthias was the one chosen to replace Judas to make up the number of apostles to twelve once more.Matthias was one of the first followers of Jesus -- one of his seventy-two disciples; but not one of the original apostles. And yet, he was to have this great glory, for it was of him that David spoke, when he prophesied that another would fill the vacancy left by Judas the traitor. The apostles held a democratic election in which two apostles were nominated and a vote was taken. From today's first reading: So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed,“You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.” Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles. (Acts 1: 23 - 26) St. Matthias received the Holy Spirit with the rest of the Apostle...

"Among the founders of the Church of Canada in its spiritual springtime can be numbered Marie Catherine, this Augustinian whose hand, as well as her heart, was nothing other than charity." ~ Pope John Paul II Catherine of Saint Augustine (1632-1668) was an Augustinian Hospitaller Sister of the Mercy of Jesus who cared for the poor and sick in Quebec. Marie Catherine Simon de Longpré was born May 3, 1632 at Saint-Saveur, France. Following the advice of Saint John Eudes, she entered the Augustinian Hospitaller Sisters of the Mercy of Jesus in 1644. At the age of 16, she volunteered for the community's mission in Quebec, Canada, much to the displeasure of her parents. Her father was so strongly opposed, that he even petitioned the French courts to stop her. But Catherine was adamant in her mission to serve the poor and sick of Quebec. She arrived there in 1648. Her father later experienced a change of heart. On her voyage to Quebec, Catherine contracted the plague. She recov...

Today we celebrate the "Martyrdom" of St. John. (The feast of St. John before the Latin Gate was on the General Calendar of the Roman Rite before 1962.) According to a tradition mentioned by St. Jerome, which goes back to the second century, when St. John the Apostle was about 80 years old, he was taken to Rome under the Emperor Domitian and plunged into a cauldron of boiling oil; by a striking miracle he came out safe and sound from this torture. A church dedicated in honor of St. John was built near the Latin Gate, the spot referred to by the tradition. In the year 95, John appeared before the tribunal of pagan Rome. He was convicted of having propagated, in a vast province of the Empire, the worship of a Jew who had been crucified under Pontius Pilate. He was considered a superstitious and rebellious old man, and it was time to rid Asia of his presence. He was, therefore, sentenced to an ignominious and cruel death. A huge cauldron of boiling oil was prepared in front of ...

St. Athanasius (296 - 373) was the Church's greatest hero in the battle against Arianism (a heresy that denied Christ's divinity),which, in his lifetime, earned him the title "Father of Orthodoxy". Anthanasius was born into a Christian family in Alexandria, Egypt, where he received a classical education. He was ordained a deacon and later became a priest. Anthanasius served as secretary to Bishop Alexander and accompanied him to the Council of Nicea, which officially condemned Arianism. When Bishop Alexander died, Athanasius succeeded him. The next 46 years were filled with constant conflict. Anthanasius was exiled on five different occasions under five different emperors. However, his loyalty to the Church never wavered, his courage never weakened even in the face of cruel persecution. For five years he hid in a deep, dry cistern to be safe from their wrath of the Arians and their attempts to assassinate him. The place was known only to one trusted friend who secre...

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 fruitful of the sixteenth century. During his six year pontificate, Pius ...

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. “I, CATHERINE, … write to strengthen you in the precious blood of the Son of God, desiring to see you consumed in the fire of his charity ….” That is the way Catherine of Siena, the fiery young lay Dominican of the mid-14th century, might well have chosen to introduce herself to today's 21st century readers. It was typical of this Dominican saint always to think and speak of herself only in connection with Christ and to present herself that way to others. She was a mystic (who had visions beginning at the age of seven) and a doctor of the Church -- a gifted, powerful and highly influential woman of her time. We celebrate Catherine of Siena as an international political figure and a feminist hero. We think of her as Eleanor Roosevelt...

Today is the optional memorial of St. Anslem of Canterbury, Benedictine Monk, Bishop, Theologian, Philosopher, and Doctor of the Church. St. Anslem (b. 1033, Aosta, Lombardy; d. 1109, Canterbury, Kent) is generally considered to be the founder of the philosophical school of Scholasticism, for his attempt to analyze and illumine the truths of faith through the aid of reason. He was a major figure in the intellectual life of the Middle Ages, and a major political and ecclesiastical force as well. To learn more about him, go here. Here are a few of his gems: "O God, let me know you and love you so that I may find joy in you; and if I cannot do so fully in this life, let me at least make some progress every day, until at last that knowledge, love and joy come to me in all their plenitude. While I am here on earth let me know you fully; let my love for you grow deeper here, so that there I may love you fully. On earth then I shall have great joy in hope, and in heaven complete joy in t...

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter Pope Benedict XVI's Apostolic Journey to the United States - 2008 The Holy Father's Schedule Today: 10:00 a.m. - The pope will offer Mass at the new Nationals Park in Washington. 5 p.m. - Pope Benedict XVI will give an address on the importance of Catholic education on the campus of The Catholic University of America. 6:30 p.m. - Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, Jews and representatives of other religions will meet the Holy Father at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, next door to Catholic University. For complete information see: Christ Our Hope and USCCB’s Papal Visit Blog . Today's Mass Readings Saint of the Day: St. Stephen Harding , Abbott Gospel Meditation of the Day : Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897), Carmelite, Doctor of the Church Manuscript B, 2vo-3vo "Whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me." To be your Spouse, O Jesus, to be a Carmelite, and b...

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter Today's Mass Readings "I have told you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father's name are my witness; but you do not believe, because you are no sheep of mine. The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life; they will never be lost and not one will ever steal them from me. The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone, and no one can steal from the Father. The Father and I are one (John 10:25-30)." Reflection The Work of the Holy Spirit Meditation for April 15, Angels of the Agony Via †Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam† Saint of the Day St. Paturnus On This Day in Catholic History 2008 -- Pope Benedict XVI arrives in the USA for his apostolic visit. Historical Birthday 1452 - Leonardo da Vinci , Italian Renaissance polymath: a scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, painter, sculptor, architect, botanist, musician and writer (d. 1519) Today's...

Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter Today's Mass Readings "I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep.I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd." (John 10: 14 - 16) Today's Saints: Sts. Tiburtius, Valerian and Maximus, Martyrs On This Day in Catholic History 1191 - Giacinto Bobo became Pope Coelestinus III. 1434 - The foundation stone of Cathedral St. Peter and St. Paul in Nantes, France was laid. Famous Birthday 1866 - Anne Sullivan Macy , Helen Keller 's teacher (d. 1936)