Catholic Fire

Day 1: St. Jude, Patron of​ Impossible ​C​auses, ​​we thank you for your intercession with our elections. Day 2: St. Frances Cabrini, you who tirelessly built the Kingdom of God in America,​ thank you for your intercession with our elections. Day 3: St. Thomas More, martyred for your uncompromising faith, ​thank you for your intercession with our elections. ​Day 4: St. Jose Sanchez del Rio, martyred for your child-like, yet fearless faith in Christ the King, ​thank you for your intercession for our elections. Day 5: St. Kateri Tekakwitha, who fled to Canada in order to freely practice your faith, ​thank you for your intercession with our elections. Day 6: St. Damien de Veuster of Molokai, selfless servant of the lepers of Hawaii, ​thank you for your intercession for our elections. Day 7: St. John Neumann, Founder of the ​D​iocesan Catholic ​S​chool system in America, ​thank you for your intercession with our elections. Day 8: St. Rita, Patroness of ​H​opeless...

The saint of the day for September 28 is Saint Lorenzo (Lawrence) Ruiz (1600-1637), a husband and father, the first saint of the Philippines and the first Filipino martyred for the Christian Faith.  He and 15 others were martyred at Nagasaki, Japan in 1637. The group included two consecrated women, two other laymen, two brothers and nine priests. Lorenzo Ruiz was born at Binondo, Manila, Philippines to a Chinese Father and a Filipino mother who were both Catholic.  Educated by the Dominicans, he was a devoted and active Catholic, a member of the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary, and a third order Dominican.  He was a husband and father of two sons and a daughter. In 1636, while working as a clerk for the Church, Lorenzo was falsely accused of murder and forced to leave his country. The Dominican fathers who knew Lorenzo arranged to have him take a ship to Japan. Soon after arriving in Japan, Lorenzo was captured for being Catholic and brought to Nagasaki, where he...

Friday, May 13, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, marks the launch of my new book , Learning to Love with the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir . We will be giving away paperback books and sharing reviews from some very talented writers and bloggers. Here is the blog tour schedule: Friday, May 13 -- Ellen Gable Hrkach, Review , Plot, Line, and Sinker     Saturday, May 14 -- Rosemary Bogdan, Review, A Catholic Mother’s Thoughts    Book Giveaway! Sunday, May 15 -- Carolyn Astfalk, Review, My Scribbler’s Heart Blog   Book Giveaway! Monday, May 16 -- Lisa Mladinich, Interview,  Patheos  Tuesday, May 17—Nancy HC Ward, Review, Joy Alive in our Hearts   Book Giveaway! Wednesday, May 18 -- Esther Gefroh., Review, A Catholic Mom in Hawaii  Thursday, May 19 -- Barb Szyszkiewicz, Review, Franciscan Mom      Book Giveaway!  and Catholic Mom    Friday, May 20--Jeannie Ewing, Interview, Love Alone Creates ...

1.  The most important item on my Quick Takes List is this (drum roll): Coming May 13, on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, my new book, Learning to Love With the Saints a Spiritual Memoir.   Stay tuned for my Book Blog Tour which runs from May 13 - 23. 2. The second most important item on my agenda is a garage sale this coming week. I have a variety of items that I am getting ready for the sale.  I enjoy garage sales, even if they don't include the mystery that Hallmark adds to them. It's fun meeting new folks and sharing small "treasures" with them. 3. What have I been reading lately?  Some wonderful books, including: 33 Days to Merciful Love: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Divine Mercy by Fr. Michael E. Gaitley, MIC How To Be Holy: First Steps In Becoming A Saint by Peter Kreeft The Four Keys to Everlasting Love by Karee Santos and Manuel P. Santos, MD I highly recommend all three! 4. This past week we have celebrated the lives of so...

1. I love food, but need to consistently eat healthy food. Once in awhile, I sneak in some sweets, which puts weight on. Above are two dishes I made for supper tonight: my favorite tossed salad with Italian chicken vegetable soup. I used mostly organic or non-GMO ingredients in everything. My husband loved it! If you would like the recipes, just email me with "Recipes" in the subject line at jean.heimann@gmail.com and I will be happy to share them with you.  2. With winter in full force, I have been drinking more tea lately: Roobois, Ginger, and Cinnamon.  Here are some ideas for healthy hot, delicious drinks to warm you up.  3. What did you do for fun over the holidays? I celebrated with family at Christmas and several friends at a New Year's Eve Party. I also went to see  Star Wars: The Force Awakens . Who can resist a new episode of Star Wars ? I don't understand all the fuss about Carrie Fisher's appearance. Of course she no long...

I. What I am currently reading for Lent: 1. Thirsting for Prayer -- Jacques Philippe 2. The Magnificat Lenten Companion 3. The Word Among Us II. Best Catholic Books for Lent 2015 III. Best Catholic Films for Lent 2015 IV . Lenten Activities 2015 VI. St. Paula Montal Fornés: A Saint to Emulate this Lent  VII. Lenten Reflection -- Fr. James Kubicki Have a wonderful weekend! Jean For more Quick Takes, go here.            

Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at RAnn’s Place for Sunday Snippets , where we share posts from the previous week. Here are my posts from this past week: St. Peter Damian: Monk, Bishop, Cardinal, Reformer, and Doctor of the Church Seven Quick Takes St. Conrad of Piacenza, Holy Hermit and Healer Ash Wednesday Seven Holy Founders of the Order of Servites Book Review: From the Hub to the Heart St. Gilbert of Sempringham: Man of Charity, Humility, and Piety What are you doing for Lent? Lenten Activities 2015

1. January seems to be a popular month for catching a cold and it's my favorite month for cooking good old-fashioned homemade chicken soup. Here's my new stockpot for cooking soup. I just can't resist cooking when I get a new pot or pan. Here I made Lemon-Chicken Orzo Soup , but there was no orzo anywhere! What's a girl to do? I simply replaced it with brown rice pasta shells. 2. The aroma of the chicken broth / lemon mixture by itself is enough to clear out the sinuses and titillate the tastebuds, but we won't stop there. 3. We're not done until we've added the chicken, the carrots, onions, celery, garlic, pasta, and the baby spinach. Voilà! This is not only a cure for the common cold, but a nutritious and sumptuous meal! Fra Angelico's "Last Judgment" : "dancing with the saints" 4. Of course you have heard of the TV show Dancing with the Stars , but wouldn't you much rather be "dancing with the saint...

1. Mary of Nazareth: The Life of Our Lady in Pictures by Fr. Donald Calloway -- Ignatius Press, 2014 I have this book and love it! It is one of the most inspirational books I have read! Beautiful photos, uplifting quotes from the saints about Mary, all make this an ideal Christmas gift. 2.  Joy to the World: How Christ's Coming Changed Everything (and Still Does) by Scott Hahn -- Image, 2014 3. Practical Theology: 350+ Ways Your Mind Can Help you Become a Saint by Peter Kreeft -- Ignatius 2014  4. St. John Paul the Great: His Five Loves by Jason Everett -- Totus Tuus Press and Lighthouse Media, 2014 5. Bringing Lent Home with St. John Paul II: Prayers, Reflections, and Activities for Families   by Donna-Marie Cooper-O'Boyle -- Ave Maria Press, 2014 This is the perfect book for family communication and reflection! It is power-packed with great stories on Pope St. John Paul II that you will love reading! ...

The blog tour begins! Be sure to visit Ellen Gable's blog, Plot, Line, and Sinker , to check out the first post. Ellen is also giving away a free copy of Seven Saints for Seven Virtues , so don't miss out on your chance to win!

1.  Today, Friday, is the last day for my book giveaway Trusting God with St. Therese , the new book by popular spirituality writer Connie Rossini. Read my review and enter the drawing HERE before midnight tonight. 2. Speaking of books, this writer and author has a new fan page on FaceBook . Please "like" me HERE . 3.  The official release date for my new book, Seven Saints for Seven Virtues , is October 24, 2014. In the meantime, you can pre-order it online at Amazon or at Barnes and Noble. 4. This week I wrote about one of my favorite female Franciscan saints,  St. Clare of Assisi: Contemplative, Lover of the Eucharist, Miracle Worker. 5. St. Maximilian Kolbe is on the list of my favorite saints and I wrote about why he is so special to me. 6.  St. Jane Frances de Chantal was a charming, animated, energetic member of the aristocracy. Why would she leave that luxurious lifestyle and agree to found an order that served the poor? Learn more HER...

It's Sunday! It's time to share our posts and to answer the question of the week. You, too, can join in the fun at Catholic Carnival by linking up at Ryann's Place.  Question of the week:  Were there any religious sisters in your parish when you were growing up?  Are there any now?  Which community (ies)? Sister of the Congregation of Notre Dame When I was attending our parish parochial school, the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame (founded in Montreal in 1652 by St. Marguerite Bourgeoys) taught there and they continue to teach there today.  At that time, they wore full habits, with full length skirts (covering the ankles) and rosaries around their waists. You can view the older habit here . Today, they dress in modern, but conservative clothing -- shorter skirts, blouses, and blazers. Here is a sampling of my blog posts for this past week: Known as the "Lily of the Mohawks" and the “Geneviève of New France,” St. Kateri Tekakwitha's ...

This week, I’m joining up with other Catholic bloggers at RAnn’s place for Sunday Snippets where we share our posts from the previous week and answer a weekly question. Question of the Week :  Any nun (sister) stories to tell? My Answer : I attended Catholic schools for twelve years where I was taught by the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame. Our Sisters were formally addressed as "Mother." They were a wonderful community -- so dedicated to their work. I remember my freshman homeroom and religion teacher -- Mother St. Madeline -- who was so full of energy and enthusiasm and loved to do fun things. I should mention that the first year of high school, I attended an all-girls school, which became co-institutional the following year. One day, in homeroom, she decided to have a hairdo contest and asked the class to vote on who had the most improved hairdo in the classroom. I secretly thought she did this for my benefit, as I had just gone to the beauty parlor to...

Some months ago, this picture of a Spanish soccer fan made the front pages. It shows a girl wearing the flag of her soccer team, Atletico de Madrid, praying that they would win final game of a competition. And so they did. It's normal to see soccer fans and players praying. Most of them make the sign of the cross before entering the soccer field. But, who can you pray to so that your team wins? The patron saint of sports is Italian Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati. He was a brilliant student who was an avid hiker. Every time he organized a trip to the mountain, playing a soccer game was part of the plan. Another Italian is the patron saint of soccer: Luigi Scrisoppi. He is usually depicted with a ball in his hand. He was known for his dedication to youth through sport. Saint John Bosco was also proposed to be the patron saint of soccer players. The character of this famous Italian educator had everything needed to enjoy soccer: youth, joy and friendship. Pope John Paul II i...

All Halows Eve and All Saints Day are days to celebrate our Catholic faith and the Communion of Saints. Here are some great films to watch on those days (my favorites): Restless Heart: The Confessions of St. Augustine The Song of Bernadette St. John Bosco: Mission to Love Pope John Paul II Saint Anthony Molokai: The Story of Father Damien Francis and Clare Edith Stein: The Seventh Chamber Brother Andre  Pius XII: Under the Roman Sky   A Man for All Seasons Miracle of St. Therese Padre Pio Miracle Man  Peter and Paul St. Patrick: The Irish Legend

Catholic Culture has recently reviewed one of my favorite websites, which I think you will also find fascinating, if you enjoy reading about the saints. I concur with their evaluation of the website, Miracles of the Saints . Here is an excerpt from that review: Description The Miracles of the Saints website explores the extraordinary graces that God has wrought in the lives of the Saints. While God reveals Himself in all the marvels of creation, His has chosen to manifest Himself and His love for humanity in very special manner in the lives of His Saints. Includes examples of stigmata, prophecy, remarkable cures, bilocation, heavenly voices from the afterlife, levitation, prolonged fasts, mystical knowledge, scourging and the crown of thorns, speaking in tongues, incorrupt bodies, and miracles over nature along with many others. The author endeavors always to be faithful to the Catholic Church and its teachings. First Evaluated: 08/03/2013 Fidelity:  Excellent Resource...

March 25, 2013, (Romereports.com) It was during a consistory with cardinals that Benedict XVI announced his resignation in Latin. The news spread like wildfire, eclipsing everything else happening inside. As a result, few know that in the consistory, Benedict XVI set the date for the canonization of three new saints. It will take place May 12, and will be led instead by Pope Francis. The new saints are: Antonio Primaldo and 800 fellow martyrs of Otranto, Italy; Mother Laura, of Colombia, founder of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculate and St. Catherine of Siena; and Maria Guadalupe Garcia Zavala, a Mexican nun known as Mother Lupita, co-founder of the Congregation of the Servants of Saint Margaret Mary and the Poor. Antonio Primaldo and his 800 fellow martyrs were executed in the 15th Century for refusing to convert to Islam. Mother Laura will be Colombia's first saint, who dedicated her life to working with indigenous people. Mo...

(Romereports.com) Benedict XVI will announce on Monday the date for the canonization of over 800 new saints for the Catholic Church, during a consistory with cardinals. Among the soon to be saints are Mother Laura, the first Colombian saint, and Mother Lupita, the second female Mexican saint.   Mother Lupita co-founded the religious congregation of the Handmaids of Saint Margaret Mary and of the Poor in Jalisco, Mexico. Mother Laura Montoya founded the Missionaries of St. Mary Immaculate and St. Catherine of Siena to help local indigenous people. The rest of the large group are the 813 martyrs of Otranto (Italy), killed by the Turks in the Fifteenth Century for not renouncing their faith. The ceremony will likely take place in October. Once it happens, Benedict XVI will have canonized more saints that his predecessor John Paul II, who elevated “only” 482 people to sainthood.

St. Justin (100 - 165) was a martyr, philosopher, and defender of Christianity. He was born into a pagan family at Flavia Neopolis, or Nablus, in Palestine. At the age of thirty, he became a Christian and traveled to debate pagan philosophers, eventually going to Rome. There he was denounced and tried with Charita, Chariton, Euelpistus, Hierox, Liberianus, and Paeon. They were scourged and beheaded. Jus­tin, also called “the Philosopher,” was the first layman to serve as an apologist. His works include Apologies for the Christian Religion and Dialogue with the Jew Trypho.   He is the patron saint of: apologists, lecturers, orators, philosophers, and speakers.  Prayer   Dear Savior, Saint Justin struggled with his intellect in order to find You. He had studied various philosophies, filling his mind with many ideas that were contrary to Christianity, and this made it difficult for him to accept the Faith. But once converted, he wrote strong defenses of Ch...

Saints from Cory Heimann on Vimeo . Cory is a student at Franciscan University of Steubenville, and filmed this there. H/T: Dom