Catholic Fire

The saint of the day for April 11 is St. Stanislaus, the Bishop of Cracow, and patron saint of Crakow and Poland. A champion of religious liberty and of the dignity of every human being, he vehemently opposed the evils of an unjust government. In fact, speaking the truth cost him his life. Stanislaus was born of noble parents in Szczepanow near Kraków on July 26, 1030. He was educated at Gnesen and at Paris. Following his ordination to the priesthood, he was made a canon of the cathedral at Cracow.  He was appointed preacher and archdeacon to the bishop of Kraków, where his eloquent preaching and virtuous example resulted in a great spiritual renewal among both clergy and the laity. He was also distinguished for being an excellent spiritual director. In 1072, he became bishop of Kraków. The king of Poland, King Boleslaus II, led an expedition against the grand duchy of Kiev, making him very unpopular with the nobles of the country, who opposed his corrupt policies. St. Stan...

During his daily morning Mass, the Pope talked about the tug of war between the good and the bad. He says both never cease to exist, but the difference is that good Christians, he explained, learn to steer away from the evil path. POPE FRANCIS "Let's reflect on the temptations Jesus faced out in the desert. The three things the devil tempts Jesus with are proposals to steer Him away from this path, the path of service, humility, humiliation and charity.” To follow the path of Jesus, the Pope recommends praying for the grace of wisdom so that Christians may learn to understand their heart and how to make it follow the path of Jesus. SUMMARY OF POPE'S HOMILY (Source: Vatican Radio) The Christian knows to guard his heart in order to distinguish what comes from God and what comes from the false prophets. That was the message of Pope Francis in the morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta, the first after the holiday season. The Pope said the way of Jesus is that of service...