The Archangels – Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael – are familiar figures for most of us. But there are some places that they turn up in the Bible that might surprise you. St. Michael The name Michael means, in Hebrew who is like unto God? and he’s most commonly known for the way Read more…
The Catholic Church celebrates the Assumption of Mary annually on August 15. But there are no relics to venerate. Why?
The Rosary is indeed a perfect prayer, highlighting the lives of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and reminding us of the truths of our Catholic faith. Some, sadly, think of it as tedious and therefore say the Rosary only on special occasions or not at all.
A person who is dying doesn’t waste words on frivolous things. They don’t have the time and often not the strength, either. There are many things Jacinta could have said at that moment, but she chose what was most critical for others to know. The apparitions had made Jacinta wise beyond her years and she understood that her parting words to Lucia must bear fruit long after her death.
For most of my life, I’ve understood St. Joseph only in relation to Mary and Jesus. He’s Mary’s husband, our Lord’s foster father. I honored him but didn’t directly relate to him. I didn’t necessarily look to him as a model for my own behavior. That’s changing.
She didn’t flinch. She didn’t get angry. She didn’t scold her for being disrespectful. She smiled because Bernadette was her child. She knew her child’s heart and so she also knew that Bernadette’s holy water antic was the product of fear and not mischief.
Whenever I’m tempted toward doubt, I think of Mary as Our Lady of Sorrows, whose feast we celebrate in commemoration of her faithful and courageous acceptance of Simeon’s prophecy.
