Catholic Fire

                     Katharine Drexel at 16                                        Mother Drexel  On March 3, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Katharine Drexel, an American heiress and socialite who shocked the world when at age 31, she abandoned her family’s fortune to become a Roman Catholic nun and to found an order of sisters dedicated to serving the impoverished Blacks and American Indian populations of the United States. Using her inheritance of $7 million, she spent the next 60 years and an estimated $20 million building missions, schools and churches for Native Americans and Blacks. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 26, 1858, Katharine Drexel was the second daughter of Francis Anthony Drexel and Hannah Langstroth. Hannah died about a month after Katherine's birth. A few years later, Kath...

Happy New Year to all and a blessed feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God! Eight days after the feast of the birth of Christ, we remember Mary, Theotokus, which means God - bearer. Today, we look at and honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is the Mother of God, and also the Mother of the Church. "Mary, the all-holy ever-virgin Mother of God, is the masterwork of the mission of the Son and the Spirit in the fullness of time. For the first time in the plan of salvation and because his Spirit had prepared her, the Father found the dwelling place where his Son and his Spirit could dwell among men. In this sense the Church's Tradition has often read the most beautiful texts on wisdom in relation to Mary. Mary is acclaimed and represented in the liturgy as the "Seat of Wisdom." ~ Catechism of the Catholic Church 721 For Prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, go here. WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR PEACE The Church also takes time on this day, the first day of t...

Journey of Vincent : A recounting of the life of Vincent de Paul, narrated by John Freund, CM. Spiritual Insights from St. Vincent de Paul “No matter what others say or do, even if the wicked succeed, do not be troubled: commit everything to God and put your trust in him.” “Extend mercy towards others, so that there can be no one in need whom you meet without helping. For what hope is there for us if God should withdraw His mercy from us?” "But do you know what it is to labor in charity? It is to labor in God, for God is charity, and it is to labor for God purely and entirely; it is to do so in the grace of God." "Make it a practice to judge persons and things in the most favorable light at all times and under all circumstances." "We must love our neighbor as being made in the image of God and as an object of His love." "The most powerful weapon to conquer the devil is humility. For, as he does not know at all how to employ it, neither does he know h...

St. Casimir is the patron saint of Poland and Lithuania. He was born on October 3, 1458, the third of thirteen children of King Casimir IV and Elizabeth of Austria, daughter of Albert II of Habsburg. The young prince was trained in spirituality and displayed holiness at an early age. In contrast to the other members of the royal court, he was a shining example of faith, piety, humility, and chastity. He had a great love for the Eucharist and for the Blessed Virgin Mary. Hungarian nobles prevailed upon Casimir's father to send his 13-year-old son to be their king; Casimir obeyed, taking the crown, but refusing to exercise power. His army was outnumbered, his troops deserting because they were not paid. Casimir returned home, and was a conscientious objector from that time on. Casimir foretold the hour of his death, and chose to die a virgin, refusing the advice of physicians who told him to marry, suggesting that this would improve his health and possibly prolong his life. St. Casim...

Wichita, KS - Jan 24, 2007 Operation Rescue announces that it will hold another 4-day event on May 17-22, 2007, to continue to pray and call for the prosecution of George R. Tiller for committing criminal late-term abortions. Christians from across the nation will again be called to come to Wichita, Kansas, to “Pray In May” for justice to be served and abortion to end in what has become known as the nation’s “Abortion Capital.” “This is far from over,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. “Viable babies who should have the protection of Kansas law continue to be illegally killed at George R. Tiller’s infamous late-term abortion mill. We must continue to seek justice, as our Christian faith demands, as long as this gross injustice continues.” Tiller was charged in January with 30 criminal counts relating to illegal late-term abortions, but District Attorney Nola Foulston intervened in the case and persuaded a judge who had not read the complaint to drop the charges on jurisdicti...