Catholic Fire

The saint of the day for July 20 is St. Apollinaris, an illustrious second century bishop and a great apologist for his time. Born in Antioch, Turkey, he became the first bishop of Ravenna, in Italy, where he shepherded his flock for twenty-six years. He addressed a defense of the Christian religion to the emperor Marcus Aurelius, who, shortly before, had obtained a signal victory over the Quadi, a people inhabiting the country now called Moravia. One of his legions, the twelfth, was composed chiefly of Christians. When the army was perishing for want of water, the soldiers of this legion fell upon their knees and invoked the assistance of God. The result was sudden, for a copious rain fell, and, aided by the storm, they conquered the Germans. The emperor gave this legion the name "Thundering Legion" and mitigated his persecution. It was to protect his flock against persecution that St. Apollinaris, who was bishop of Hierapolis in Phrygia, addressed his apology to the...

Today, January 26, is the memorial of Sts. Timothy and Titus. Both men were close colleagues with St. Paul in his missionary journeys and perpetuated his work among the Gentiles. Timothy and Titus were converted to Christianity by Paul, and became his companions and helpers. Paul made both men bishops and assigned Timothy to the Church in Ephesus, and Titus to the Church in Crete. He wrote them “pastoral” epistles, giving advice for both pastors and parishioners. Timothy, “brother and co-worker for God in the gospel of Christ” (1 Thes 3:2) was young (Paul writes “Let no one have contempt for your youth” in 1 Timothy 4:12a), and somewhat shy, but had great zeal for spreading the faith. He has been viewed by some as the "angel of the church of Ephesus" (Rev 2:1-17). He joined Paul in the joy of the privilege of preaching the gospel, but also  suffered much because of it. St. Timothy was stoned to death thirty years after St. Paul's martyrdom for refusing to worship ...

April 21 is the optional memorial of St. Anselm, bishop and doctor of the Church. St. Anselm (1033-1109) was born in Aosta, Italy, and died in Canterbury, England. St. Anselm's contributions to the Church consist of the following: First, as Archbishop of Canterbury he protected the rights and freedoms of the Church against the violations of the English kings, who looted the Church's lands, obstructed the Archbishop's communications with the Holy See, and claimed the right to invest prelates with ring and crosier, symbols of the Church's spiritual authority. Second, as a philosopher and theologian he developed a method of cognition which prepared the way for the great thinkers of the Middle Ages. Third, he had a great devotion to Our Lady and was the first to establish the feast of the Immaculate Conception in the West. Favorite Quotes "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 l...

On January 2nd, the Church celebrates the memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, bishops and doctors. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen are linked in this feast day, as they were in life; they were schoolmates, co-defenders of the orthodox teaching on the Trinity, and dear friends. Both served as bishops and suffered hostility from the politically powerful Arians. Born in Cappadocia around 330, they studied together in Athens and then returned to their homeland where they led a monastic life for several years. Gregory lived with Saint Basil in the beautiful surroundings at the monastery at Pontus on the Iris River. Their temperaments were quite different. While Basil had the qualities of a leader and a gift for organization that made him a legislator for monks in the east, Gregory was a contemplative and a poet.  Saint Basil the Great  Saint Basil the Great In his native city of Caesarea, Basil was a courageous pastor. He fed the poor and f...

The cold and rain weren't an obstacle for the thousands of pilgrims who filled St. Peter's Square in his weekly General Audience. Pope Francis couldn't help but notice all the umbrellas covering the square. POPE FRANCIS "I can see that you're brave...under all this rain that wants to pull you back home. Thank You." As usual, he rode his Popemobile before the audience, blessing and waving at everybody. A music band welcomed him once he made his way across. As part of his catechesis on the Sacraments, Pope Francis talked about Holy Orders. He reminded that all bishops, priests, and deacons are called to serve, and that they should always stay in touch with Jesus through the Sacraments and the Bible. POPE FRANCIS "A bishop who doesn't pray, a bishop who doesn't listen to the Word of God, who doesn't celebrate Mass everyday, who doesn't go to Confession on a regular basis—and the same thing happens to a priest that doesn't do ...

The Saint of the day for December 18th is Saint Gaitian, bishop. Saint Gatian (also known as Gatianus) came from Rome with Saint Dionysius of Paris, about the middle of the third century, and preached the faith principally at Tours in Gaul, where he fixed his episcopal see. The Gauls in that part were extremely addicted to the worship of their idols. But no contradictions or sufferings were able to discourage or daunt this true apostle; and by perseverance he gained several to Christ. He assembled his little flock in grots and caves, and there celebrated the divine mysteries. For he was obliged often to lie hid in lurking holes a long time together in order to escape a cruel death, with which the pagans frequently threatened him, and which he was always ready to receive with joy if he had fallen into their hands. Having continued his labors with unwearied zeal, despite frequent sufferings and dangers for near the space of fifty years, he died in peace at Tours in 301, and was hon...

November 5, 2013 (Romereports.com) At the request of Pope Francis, the Vatican is getting ready for an extraordinary synod of bishops, where the challenges faced by the family will be discussed.     ARCH. LORENZO BALDISSERI General Secretary of the Synod “The last document we cited on the family is the 'Familiaris Consortio' from 1981 so it's something from 32 years ago.”  The purpose is to evaluate the pastoral approach of the Church on topics like sexuality, marriage and the family . To prepare for this meeting, the Vatican released a preparatory document for the Synod of Bishops. It includes a questionnaire with 38 questions on modern day issues like, divorced and civilly remarried couples, same sex couples, co-habitation before marriage and couple's openness to life and children. Based on the questionnaire, the Vatican is expecting a detailed summary from bishops, religious orders and Catholic groups by the end of January. In fact the Bishops Conference ...

This is the pilot episode of AMP News, an upbeat week-in-review of news, politics, and culture, along with commentary and interviews, all from a uniquely Catholic perspective. "AMP News, reporting the stories you can believe." Thomas Peters, M.A., is a young Catholic living in Washington DC. He has appeared on CNN, BBC World News, The Today Show & MSNBC.com. His widely-read blog, American Papist , has been mentioned in numerous print and radio outlets. He is also widely published, co-hosted a radio call-in show for Catholic Youth for Catholic Answers Live and has spoken at Theology on Tap. He specializes in all things Catholic, the relationship between Catholicism and politics, as well as youth topics. He certainly has done a great job in his discussion on the issue of abortion and voting on this video! Be sure to check out the headlines segment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZSuVm...

'Saving those Damned Catholics' the new book by Catholic American Life League President Judie Brown is out in print. I have been eagerly awaiting the publication of this book. LifesiteNews.Com has interviewed Mrs. Brown and here's how she describes her new book. LifeSiteNews.com: What is the book about and what is the general idea? Brown: The book is an expression of my concern, as a Catholic- that, after waiting for 30 some years for the Bishops to do something to end abortion - it has come to my attention that historically they will not do anything and millions of souls have been lost in the process - which is where the title came from. Nobody knows how many people have gone to their uncomfortable reward because of the lack of the bishops to stand up and teach and preach the truth which is what they are called to do. So, what I did is write a book based on case histories of people that I have encountered over the last 34 years and the various terrible experiences that th...

Via Roman Catholic Blog : Bishop Paul Coakley of Salina, in an interview with LifeSite News, has indicated that, in many cases, denying Holy Communion to pro-abortion politicians is "the right decision and the only choice". Here's the story: Bishop: Denying Communion to Obstinate Pro-Abortion Catholic Politicians "in many cases becomes the right decision and the only choice" [More from Roman Catholic Blog] However, another part of the interview was also interesting to me. It was about the notorious late-term abortionist George Tiller a.k.a. "Tiller the (baby) Killer". Here is what Bishop Coakley had to say about this abortionist who gets away with not only murdering babies but adults, too. LifeSiteNews: Kansas – is that where George Tiller (notorious late-term abortionist) is from - Wichita? How far is that from you? Bishop: Well, he’s in Wichita which is about 90 miles from Salina where I am bishop. I had been a priest in the Wichita diocese so I am ...

St. Paul was so influential and attractive a personality that he was able to draw such different types of men as Timothy and Titus and to make them his collaborators. Timothy and Titus were converted to Christianity by St Paul, and became his companions and helpers. They were were two of the most beloved and trusted disciples of St. Paul, whom they accompanied in many of his journeys. Paul made both men bishops and entrusted Timothy with the care of the Christians in Ephesus, and sent Titus to Crete to look after the Christians there. He wrote them “pastoral” epistles, giving advice for pastors and people alike.Timothy was St. Paul's confidant. St. Timothy has been regarded by some as the "angel of the church of Ephesus", Rev 2:1-17. Titus was the negotiator, the one St. Paul sent to clear up misunderstandings, reconcile differences, and the one who would organize a new Church. He received a letter from St. Paul which encouraged Christians to live temperate, just, and de...