The Basics: Born in what today is Israel, sometime near the birth of Christ; death location not known with any precision; canonized pre-congregation; feast day, July 29. Friend of Jesus. The Story: Martha; her brother, Lazarus; and her younger sister, Mary were friends of Jesus’s. Most often we think of Martha as a bit of a… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Martha
Month: July 2014
Returning Catholics FAQs: About Purgatory
On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics, a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this ministry.… Continue reading Returning Catholics FAQs: About Purgatory
Of Discernment and Altars
Note: On Fridays, you can find me at Your Daily Tripod, owned by my friend TonyD. A longer version of the post below appears there. It was on this day in 1968 that Humanae Vitae was released, the papal encyclical that affirmed traditional Catholic teachings on human sexuality, including the prohibition of artificial birth control. Some… Continue reading Of Discernment and Altars
Wednesday’s Woman: St. Bridget of Sweden
The Basics: Born circa 1303 in Sweden; died July 23, 1373, in Italy; canonized in 1391, by Boniface IX; feast day, July 23. Mystic; adviser; monastery founder. The Story: Bridget was a world traveler and outspoken woman. By turns she was a wife and mother; a lady in waiting to the Swedish king’s wife; a pilgrim to… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Bridget of Sweden