I’ve had some pretty intense conversations with friends on whether it’s harder to live for Christ or to die for him. Let’s just agree that both are extremely challenging, and that martyrdom goes on today, in more places and situations than we care to acknowledge. Perhaps Pope Francis said it best, recently calling Christian persecution… Continue reading On the Nightstand: December 2015
Category: Saints
Wednesday’s Woman: St. Catherine Laboure
The Basics: Born May 2, 1806, in France; died December 31, 1876, in France; canonized July 27, 1947, by Pope Pius XII; feast day, November 28. Woman religious; visionary. The Story: She was nobody special. Catherine would have told you that, just a girl in a large family who lost her mother when she was nine… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Catherine Laboure
Wednesday’s Woman: St. Elizabeth of Hungary
The Basics: Born July 7, 1207, in Slovakia; died November 17, 1231, in Germany; canonized May 27, 1235, by Pope Gregory IX; feast day, November 17. Wife, mother, princess, Franciscan tertiary. The Story: Elizabeth could have been bitter. After all, the Hungarian princess was taken away from her family as a young child to be raised… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Maria Crucified Satellico
The Basics: Born December 31, 1706, in Italy; died November 8, 1745, in Italy; beatified October 10, 1993, by John Paul II; feast day, November 8. Woman religious. The Story: Maria’s short life was full of both struggle and joy. From childhood, perhaps influenced by a priest uncle who lived with her family, Maria wanted to… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Maria Crucified Satellico