Catholic Fire

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 ...

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...

"When we know that the way of love–this exodus, this going out of oneself–is the true way by which man becomes human, then we also understand that suffering is the process through which we mature. Anyone who has inwardly accepted suffering becomes more mature and more understanding of others, becomes more human. Anyone who has consistently avoided suffering does not understand other people; he becomes hard and selfish." ~ Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, God and the World: A Conversation with Peter Seewald (Ignatius Press, 2002) Via Milites Veritatis.

The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great things. But when it ceases to act, it ceases to exist. ~Pope St. Gregory the Great Via Sr. Patricia Proctor .

is being hosted by Ebeth at A Catholic Mom Climbing the Pillars this week and it's just beautiful! With tomorrow marking her and her husband's 15th wedding anniversary, Ebeth was excited to have a Valentine's Day carnival. However, it was not to be. Not one Valentine-themed post was submitted. They are all on Lent , which is really a great Valentine in itself. Lent is the time we become intimate with the Lord, who gave His love for us that we might share it with one another. However, I do feel for Ebeth, so let's all send her and her dear knight - in - shining armour a special Valentine's anniversary card to let her know we're thinking of them on their fifteenth anniversary and to encourage and support them in their love for one another. Happy 15th anniversary, Doug and Ebeth!

My director, Jesus, does not teach me to count my acts, but to do everything for love, to refuse Him nothing, to be pleased when He gives me a chance to prove to Him that I love Him - but all this in peace - in abandonment." ~ Letter to Celine, July 6, 1893

"Bless those who persecute you: never curse them, bless them. Rejoice with those who rejoice and be sad with those in sorrow. Treat everyone with equal kindness; never be condescending but make real friends with the poor." Romans 12:14 - 16 "If we really want to love we must learn how to forgive." “People ask me what advice I have for a married couple struggling in their relationship. I always answer: pray and forgive. And to young people from violent homes, I say pray and forgive. And again even to the single mother with no family support: pray and forgive.” "You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It never was between you and them anyway." "People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered. Love them anyway. If you do good, people may accuse you of selfish motives. Do good anyway. If you are successful, you may win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway....