Catholic Fire

Saint Teresa of Avila is one of the most influential women in the history of the Catholic Church. Her revolution began in 17 convents of the Carmelite Order spread throughout Spain in the 16th century. MIGUEL ÁNGEL GARCÍA NIETO President, "Footsteps of Teresa” Foundation "She wrote a book, called "The Foundations”. In it, she describes the 17 places in Spain where,  little by little, she installed what she called "bird houses”. She would call her nuns "doves”. To commemorate the 500th anniversary of Saint Teresa of Avila's birth, these 17 Spanish cities came together to promote a pilgrimage where religion and culture go hand in hand. The initiative is called "Footsteps of Teresa” and among the cities participating are Ávila, Burgos, Valladolid, Sevilla and Granada. MIGUEL ÁNGEL GARCÍA NIETO President, "Footsteps of Teresa” Foundation "The first goal is to come closer to Saint Teresa. To look for her. The second, logically,...

WASHINGTON (CNS)- For the second year in a row, the U.S. Catholic bishops are sponsoring “Nine Days for Life: Prayer, Penance and Pilgrimage,” planned for Jan. 18-26 this year, as part of several events marking the 41st anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion virtually on demand in the U.S. “Since that tragic decision, more than 55 million children’s lives have been lost to abortion, and many suffer that loss - often in silence,” says a posting on the website www.9daysforlife.com . Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston, chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, said Jan. 15 that the number of abortions since the 1973 decision reflects “with heartbreaking magnitude” what Pope Francis means by a “throwaway culture.” “Yet our society relegates abortion to a matter of personal choice, often denying the integrity and even the recognition of the personhood of unborn children,” he said in a statement. “However, we have great trust in God’s ...

I am blessed to have personally met Pope Benedict on my pilgrimage to Rome in February, 2006 . If you asked him if he remembered me, I would be amazed, as there were approximately 1800 people in his audience that day – although it was considered to be a “private” audience with the Community of St. John. As an oblate with the Community, I was part of that large “private” audience, who were also celebrating the 30 th anniversary of the founder of the Community of St. John – Fr. Marie-Dominique Philippe. While this day may be a blur in the mind of Pope Benedict today, it is a day that I will remember for the rest of my life. We were up at the crack of dawn and entered St. Peter’s Basilica three hours early to get the best possible view of the Holy Father. However, my view seemed to be slightly hindered by a pillar. I tilted my head from side to side as I stretched my upper body, hoping just to catch a glimpse of our new pope. I could see the papal chair, but that darn pillar wa...

The Hermitage: Home of St. Francis The photos here are from my Rome pilgrimage (with the exception of the following photo.) Image source The church of St. Clare of Assisi was built in Italian gothic style between 1257 and 1265, along the road connecting Porta Nuova to St. Francesco. The basilica was realized with the typical pink stone extracted from the quarry of the Subasio mountain, contains precious frescos dating back to the period from the XIIth to the XIVth century. Assisi: enchanting Assisi - St. Francis Basilica - PAX The Blessed Virgin Mary on peak of St Mary of the Angels Basilica near Assisi Facade at St. Mary of the Angels, near Assisi This basilica stands in the plain at the feet of the hills of Assisi, protecting the Porziuncola, where St. Francis is said to have founded the first group of the Order of the Minor Friars in 1209, and the Chapel of the "Transito" where the saint died on October 3rd 1226. Dome of St. Mary of the Angels, near Assisi Leaving Ass...