Peter Damian on St. George. The veneration of Saint George, the courageous soldier of Christ and martyr, began as early as the fourth century at Lydda in Palestine, where a church was built in his honor. From antiquity this veneration has spread throughout both the...
7 minute podcast in which Dr. Italy describes the two major basilicas of Assisi which he visits on his Italy pilgrimage - San Francesco (St. Francis) and Santa Chiara (St. Clare). Image of the Basilica of San Francesco and the town of Assisi by Roberto Ferrari....
Saul of Tarsus the Pharisee to Paul, the apostle - both life and fruit were transformed. The story tells us where the bitter fruit of egoism and violence comes from, and how can it be changed into the fruit of the Spirit....
Gregory the Great here reflects on Jesus words in John 10 that he is the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep....
The image of Jesus as the Good shepherd is a comforting one in the minds of many. But many of those who first heard Jesus describe himself in this way were deeply disturbed. For it seems that Jesus is setting himself up as only true...
The Solemnity or Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord is celebrated on March 25. Here, in his typically lyrical language and powerful imagery, Leo the Great ponders the unfathomable mystery of God becoming man in the womb of a Virgin who had the...
Easter is not a day but a season: the octave which is eight days of high celebration beginning on Easter Sunday followed by 42 more days of rejoicing concluding on Pentecost. Here are some ideas for a fitting and fruitful celebration of the...
Divine Mercy Sunday or the Octave of Easter presents us with one of the most famous of gospel stories -- the story of Doubting Thomas. But it shows us how and when the sacrament of penance and reconciliation (aka "Confession") was instituted by the Lord...
Eight days after Easter, Thomas the Doubter has an encounter with the Risen Christ that makes him a believer and even more, an apostle or ambassador who will bring the gospel to an unbelieving world. That should give us hope that he will do...
"Exultet"is the opening word in Latin of The Easter Proclamation, an ancient hymn sung by the deacon over the Easter candle which is lit at the start of the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday evening which celebrates the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The...