Wednesday’s Woman: St. Bathild

The Basics: Birthdate and place unknown; died 680 in France; canonized in the ninth century by Nicholas I; feast day, January 30. Queen, slave, philanthropist. The Story: Bathild (also known as Balthilde and other spellings) came to the attention of King Clovis II when she was a slave in a friend’s palace. Bathild’s intelligence and other virtues… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Bathild

We Are Family

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.  Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him.  A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, “Your mother and… Continue reading We Are Family

Returning Catholics FAQs: About Women and the Church

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: About Women and the Church

Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Laura Vicuna

The Basics: Born April 5, 1891, in Chile; died January 22, 1904, in Argentina; beatified September 3, 1988, by John Paul II; feast day, January 22. Daughter. The Story: Laura’s mother must have felt she had few options. Her husband had died after the family’s move to Argentina from Chile, leaving her with two daughters under the… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Laura Vicuna