The Basics: Born about 383 in what is now Italy; died 439 in what is now Israel; canonized pre-congregation; feast day, December 31. Philanthropist. The Story: Some call Melania (not to be confused with her saintly grandmother, Melania the Elder) the greatest religious philanthropist of all time. The child of a Roman senator, Melania was married off… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Melania the Younger
Month: December 2014
The Private Life of the Child Jesus
Note: On Tuesdays, you can find me at Your Daily Tripod, owned by my friend TonyD. A longer version of the post below appears there. And so, the Presentation in the Temple complete, Luke draws a curtain over the life of the child Jesus, other than to say in today’s Gospel reading that the family returned… Continue reading The Private Life of the Child Jesus
Returning Catholics FAQs: Celibacy
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… Continue reading Returning Catholics FAQs: Celibacy
Wednesday’s Woman: St. Vicentia Maria Lopez y Vicuna
The Basics: Born March 24, 1847, in Spain; died December 26, 1896 in Spain; canonized May 25, 1975, by Paul VI; feast day, December 26. Social worker; woman religious. The Story: When she was ten, Vicentia was sent to Madrid to live with her aunt Eulalia. Eulalia had already begun working with young girls who found themselves in… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Vicentia Maria Lopez y Vicuna