It’s encouraging to know that the saints and other holy people struggled with many of the same things that we do. Sometimes I fall into the trap of placing very holy people on a pedestal, envisioning that they somehow remain untouched and protected from the trials and tribulations we face in everyday life....
The title of this blog is also the title of a children’s edition of a book, distributed by Franciscan Media, I wrote recently dealing with the question of whether we will see our pets again in the next life. In my experience, children are more ready than most adults to accept the hints and clues we find...
Was the sin of Adam and Eve the main reason Christ came to save the world? Not really, says Blessed John Duns Scotus, a Franciscan theologian of the 13th century.
John Duns Scotus was born in Scotland in 1266 and educated at England’s Oxford University. He was ordained a priest in 1291. Scotus also studied...
Near the end of his life, Anthony of Padua composed a collection of sermons or “sermon notes.” Having been an outstanding theology teacher and preacher for much of his life, Anthony wanted to help his Franciscan confreres in their preaching ministry. He wrote these so-called “sermon notes” for the...
From our popular Saint of the Day!
In a world of fiercely guarded corporate names and logos, it should be easy to understand this feast. The letters IHS are an abbreviation of Jesous, the Greek name for Jesus.
Although St. Paul might claim credit for promoting devotion to the Holy Name because Paul wrote in...
In 1970 I was studying for the priesthood when I attended an ecumenical program for seminary students. We began by introducing ourselves. Many Protestant seminarians introduced themselves as ministers or sons of ministers. When it was my turn I stated my name. Then I added: “I am neither a priest, nor the...
