May 13 marks the 108th anniversary of Our Lady’s first apparition at Fatima. Our Lady continues to invite us to renewed hope, to deeper conversion of our hearts to Christ, and to remind us of her loving intercession before her Son for all our needs and prayers.
The Most Rev. Joseph Roesch, MIC, Superior General of the Marians, reflects on the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, the first Pope from the United States.
He “gave his life for the ransom of many” (Mk 10:45). This verse describes our Lord Jesus Christ, of course, but could also well be said of St. Damien de Veuster of Molokai (feast day: May 10), a priest who served on the leper colony of Molokai in the Hawaiian Islands during the 19th century.
It’s so fitting that May is the month of Mother’s Day, celebrated this year on May 11. Every good mother is a good mother insofar as she is a shadow, an imitation of Our Lady, Mother of God, Mother of Mercy, and Mother of All the Living.
Hailed by many, including Pope St. John Paul II, as one of the “founders” of the Catholic Church in Canada, Bl. Catherine of St. Augustine (feast day: May 8) made a promise “to live and die in Canada if God would open its door.”
A humble nun from the great state of New Jersey is on the road to sainthood: Blessed Sr. Miriam Teresa Demjanovich (feast day: May 8).
“She was always ready with a hearty, open laugh, welcoming each person as if they were God Himself.” This was Bl. Mother Marie-Léonie Paradis (feast day: May 4), founder of the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family.
"Those who maintain 'There was a time when the Son was not' rob God of His Word, like plunderers." So said St. Athanasius of Alexandria (feast day: May 2), considered the “Father of Orthodoxy” in both the Eastern and Western Churches.
On the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, Chris Sparks says it’s worth taking some time to count our blessings, espcially given the big news in Wisconsin (following Louisiana) and the Philippines!
As the earthly father of Jesus and the chaste spouse of Mary, St. Joseph the Worker (feast day: May 1) teaches men how to be faithful stewards of their time, talent, and treasure through self-mastery, discipline, and hard work, says Fr. Angelo Casimiro, MIC.
Why is Mary so important? Because she was important to Jesus, to the very beginnings of His Church, and to the authors of Holy Scripture, who knew her personally as they knew her Son, says Fr. Timothy Childers, MIC
The Church dedicates the whole month of May to Our Lady and the first day of the month to St. Joseph the Worker, so May is also a great month to ponder their most exemplary marriage, says Caitrin Bennett.
