Articles

Suffering — What for?

The Catholic Church celebrates the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on Sept. 14. As Christians, says Br. Eliott, MIC, we can unite our suffering to Christ’s suffering on the Cross. We can ask the Lord to save souls through the sufferings we endure (even small things, like doing our daily tasks well).

Lift High the Cross – and make the Stations

Today, the Church marks the Feast of the Exaltation (“Triumph”) of the Holy Cross. It’s a good day to make a Lenten devotion a year-round habit: making the Stations of the Cross. And this year marks the 10th anniversary of the dedication of the magnificent outdoor, life-size Stations of the Cross at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy.

Golden, Not Silent: St. John Chrysostom

He was the “golden-mouthed” preacher, “seen as a second Paul” and “a Doctor of the Universe,” said Pope Benedict XVI, describing St. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, whose feast day we celebrate on Sept. 13

Hail, Mary! A Mighty Name

Where Our Lady goes, there God triumphs. Where her name (feast day: Sept. 12) is pronounced with love and trust, there the Body of Christ wins the victory.

The Morocco Earthquake: A Spiritual Emergency

How can we comfort the grieving families, bewildered and sorrowing over their tremendous personal loss in the earthquake in Morocco so far away from us? We are not helpless; we have the power of prayer. 

Loving the Least: St. Peter Claver

Saint Peter Claver (feast day: Sept. 9) is one of those humbling saints who does in an extraordinary way what all Christians should be doing: find the most despised, neglected, abused population of his day and give them all the love he can, according to the duties of his state in life. 

Happy Birthday, Mary!

On Sept. 8, the Catholic Church celebrates the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God! This feast day is celebrated exactly nine months after the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8. Hear Fr. David Gunter, MIC, tell about this important feast.

Calling all souls for the Holy Souls!

The 13th annual Mercy for Souls Conference will be held on Saturday, Sept. 9. More than a decade of conferences is a big commitment, but, says Fr. Dan Cambra, MIC, it’s all been worth it. 

Marian brother ready for the diaconate

This Saturday, Sept. 2, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., Br. Stephen Castellano, MIC, will be ordained to the transitional diaconate for the Marian Fathers of the Immaculste Conception.

The ultimate conversion: St. Augustine of Hippo

One of the world’s best-known sinners turned saint is St. Augustine of Hippo, whose feast we celebrate on Aug. 28. Famously, his mother, St. Monica, prayed for him for 17 years before his conversion, and his is the famous prayer, “Lord, give me chastity and continence, but not yet!”

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