This Thursday (10/1) our parish will host the relics of St. Padre Pio at St. Cecilia Church. One of the great saints of the 20th century, Padre Pio is loved by countless people all over the world. In a way, he is reminiscent of medieval saints whose hagiography modern audiences treat with skepticism because itContinue reading “Padre Pio “
Category Archives: Saints
Church Organ
In Sacrosanctum Concilium, its document on sacred liturgy, the Second Vatican Council stated that the “pipe organ is to be held in high esteem in the Latin Church as the traditional musical instrument that adds splendor to ceremonies and lifts the mind to God.” On the eve of the Council, which he initiated, Pope St.Continue reading “Church Organ “
A Marian Summer
The great Marian feast of summer is the Assumption, August 15. Normally, the Assumption is a holy day of obligation. But because it falls on a Saturday this year, the obligation is lifted. Perhaps we can treat this as reason to use the next several weeks to give extra consideration to the Blessed Mother’s roleContinue reading “A Marian Summer “
Pilgrimage
Most Americans, when we think of Canada, imagine a great wintry wasteland, populated by polite people with hard-to-place accents, who spend their days eating jelly doughnuts, curling, and trading quotes from the film Strange Brew. But, in truth, not all of Canada is like that. This week, I will travel to the city of Montreal,Continue reading “Pilgrimage “
Our Beloved Home
As we celebrate the great occasion of the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding this weekend, it is good to think about why we should love and care for the country we call home. In 1938, a time in which various totalitarian ideologies were vying for political supremacy throughout the world, Msgr. Fulton Sheen gaveContinue reading “Our Beloved Home “
Apostles of Rome
This Monday, June 29, is the Solemnity of St. Peter and St. Paul. It might seem odd, given the importance of these two saints, that they share a feast day. But we also remember that each does have a feast day on which the Church honors them individually – The Feast of the Chair ofContinue reading “Apostles of Rome “
God’s Architect
During his recent trip to Spain, Pope Leo visited Barcelona to bless the newly completed “Tower of Jesus,” of the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia. The basilica was designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, who began working on it in 1883, and today it is the city’s most iconic building. Its exterior currently features facades that depict the birth of Christ and His crucifixion, with the final judgment facade still unfinished. Inside,Continue reading “God’s Architect “
What Gives Hope
About a week ago, I attended a fundraising gala for my elementary school alma mater, St. Theresa’s in Trumbull. The guest of honor was Fr. Mike Schmitz, who is the chaplain of the Catholic Center at the University of Minnesota in Duluth and a popular speaker whose talks and homilies have many millions of online views. At the gala, he spoke about how his workContinue reading “What Gives Hope “
The Green Desert
The next week and a half is kind of a “sweet spot” during the season of Lent. In the next ten days we get not just one but two solemnities – St. Joseph’s Day (3/19) and the Annunciation (3/25), both of which provide a welcome respite from the disciplines of Lent. It’s also a great time for the Irish, for those of Irish descent, and for the countless multitudes who wish they were. St.Continue reading “The Green Desert “
The Passion of Jimmy Lai
When he was 8 years old, Jimmy Lai got a job carrying luggage to earn money after his mother was arrested by Chinese Communist Party officials and sent to a labor camp. One day, a customer tipped him with a half-eaten chocolate bar. After tasting it, Lai was desperate to know where the man was from. “Hong Kong,” the man said. Three years later, in 1960, Lai escapedContinue reading “The Passion of Jimmy Lai “
