This year, one of the most austere observances on the liturgical calendar coincides with a holiday synonymous with fancy dinners, fine wine, expensive jewelry, and rich chocolates. Ash Wednesday falls on Feb. 14 - Valentine's Day.
Every few years, a new “Father Joseph, MIC,” is appointed, the titular head of the Association of Marian Helpers. This January, Fr. Mark Baron, MIC, took the reins from the Very Rev. Chris Alar, MIC, to become the 21st Fr. Joseph.
Martyred for his refusal to deny Christ, 14-year-old St. José Sánchez del Rio (feast day: Feb. 10) was a member of the Cristeros, a group of landowners, ranchers, and sharecroppers who revolted against the anti-Catholic government of Mexico in the 1920s. The first article in a new series on saints and future saints from Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
Brother Josh, MIC, is asked to speak in front of a parish congregation about his vocation and the charisms of the Marian Congregation. "When I got to our charisms, I made another mistake," he admits.
On Feb. 4, Catholics around the world unite to remember the "other" St. Joan of France, St. Joan de Valois, patroness of the Marian Congregation. Born into a world that despised her and reviled her appearance, this soul became a light in the world that longed for true beauty.
Brother Josh, MIC, responds personally to the message of Luke's Gospel: “Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh.”
A new weekly web series on Fridays by Fr. Thaddaeus Lancton, MIC, introduces us to the meditations for Sundays by the Marian Founder. The goal is to allow Jesus to gaze into your heart and teach you self-examination, leading you to a more fruitful reception of Holy Communion at Sunday Mass, where there is a true encounter of our hearts with His Sacred Heart.
If there is one person we can ask to help and accompany us on our Lenten journey, says Fr. Angelo Casimiro, MIC, it would be the one who was closest to Jesus, and that would be His mother, Mary.
Serve the Lord joyfully, as St. John Bosco did, as we celebrate his feast day on Jan. 31. God's will for our lives is filled with meaning and adventure.
Blessed George Matulaitis (1871-1927) was the "Renovator" of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, who envisioned religious working together with the laity for the good of the Church. We celebrate his feast day on Jan. 27. Learn more about this extraordinary priest and bishop and watch a short video, and join in the prayers for his canonization.
Brother Josh, MIC flings himself into full academic mode as the new semester begins, and a quiz in Epistemology – the theory of knowledge – looms.
Join us in our Novena to Blessed George Matulaitis, the "Renovator" of the Marians, as we pray for his canonization. Today is the ninth and final day. Blessed George's feast day is tomorrow, Jan. 27.
