OUR LADY OF LOURDES
As a Catholic girl of Irish descent who grew up in rural Ontario, I didn’t grow up with Disney princesses. I grew up with apparitions of the Blessed Virgin. When I was around six or seven years old, someone my…
Category Saints
ALL SAINTS DAY
When I was growing up, one of the books we had at home was both intriguing and somewhat macabre – The Lives of the Saints. What wonders could be found between its burgundy covers! These accounts started off nicely enough,…
REMEMBERING ST. JOHN XXIII
I sometimes wonder what went through Pope John XXIII’s mind before he announced the Second Vatican Council on January 25, 1959. What an amazing and bold step to take for a 77-year-old pope who was elected on the 12th ballot…
WHEN WE’RE MADE TO FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE…
In the 1200s, Francis of Assisi made people feel uncomfortable about their lavish lifestyles and disregard for the poor. He got into much trouble for his prophetic lifestyle. Eventually, he was lauded for his beautiful model of voluntary poverty and…
MAY ST. THÉRÈSE’S “LITTLE WAY” INSPIRE US TODAY
Have you seen the October cover of Living with Christ yet? It is graced with a beautiful image of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus (St. Thérèse of Lisieux) whose feast day we celebrate on October 1. Most Catholics are…
ST. MONICA AND THE POWER OF PERSISTENT PRAYER
As the mother of a son, I have always felt a connection with St. Monica. I mean, sometimes all you can do is pray! Her eldest son, Augustine (354–430), was a rather wayward lad who didn’t want his mother following…
WHAT SPARKS JOY IN YOUR LIFE?
Although not observed this year, August 11 is generally recognized as a feast day of St. Clare of Assisi (1194-1253). Born into a noble and wealthy Italian family, at 17 years of age, upon hearing a young man (Francis of…
“THAT WHICH MAKES YOU FEEL THE MOST ALIVE….THAT IS WHERE GOD IS.”
Faith development and spiritual growth almost always require change. We are called by God to be consistently a work in progress. It is important to remember that God speaks and we respond. Our response can be varied in how we…
St. Martha
Are you a Martha or a Mary? I ask myself this question from time to time. After all, both types are necessary: without the “doers,” no one would get fed and nothing would get done. And without people who focus…
ST. ANNE AND ST. JOACHIM
Being raised in Quebec, I knew early on who St. Joachim and St. Anne were. My grandfather was born in a town called St. Joachim in the Eastern Townships and my grandmother was born a bit further east in a…