Today is the feast day of a saint I would imagine many people have never heard of before – Saint Sharbel (Charbel) Makhluf. He was born in Northern Lebanon on May 8, […]
The Monk of Lebanon and Breathing With Two Lungs
“Mondays with Mary” – The Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Tradition tells us that the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary were a couple by the name of Joachim and Ann. We don’t hear of them in the Holy Scriptures, but some […]
Saint Lawrence of Brindisi – Priest and Doctor of the Church
Although today is the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, it is also the feast day for a saint that probably many people do not know – Saint Lawrence of Brindisi. He is […]
“Lily of the Mohawks”
Today is the feast day of St. Kateri Tekakwitha. It is the first year that we celebrate this young woman’s life as a recognized Saint of the Catholic Church. Pope Emeritus Benedict […]
The Father of Western Monasticism
Fast Facts about St. Benedict of Nursia: Lived during the time when the Roman Empire was in decline (late 5th-mid 6th centuries). Studied in Rome for a short period. After Rome, he […]
Fr. Thomas Roscia, C.S.B on the Pillars of the Church: Saints Peter and Paul
Tomorrow is the great Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. It’s the day we commemorate the martyrdom of these two great figures and pillars of the Christian Church. For an extensive explanation […]
Reading and Knowing the Church Fathers
Lately, I have been reading the book, Church Fathers – From Clement of Rome to Augustine, written by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. It’s a collection of his Wednesday Audiences that teach us […]
Saint Josemaría Escrivá and the Mission of a Priest
Yesterday I wrote about the film, Light of Love, which began production on Sunday, June 23. Focusing on Vocations to Religious Life and the Holy Priesthood is important to me, so for today’s […]
Saint Anthony of Padua – Hammer of the Heretics
Many people know of St. Anthony of Padua by the little “prayer” that is said for his intercession when they lose something and can’t find it – Tony, Tony, Come Around, Something […]
Saint Matthias – The Man Who Replaced A Traitor
During those days Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers (there was a group of about one hundred and twenty persons in the one place). He said, “My brothers, the scripture […]
Pope St. John Paul II on the Importance of Work
In 1955, Pope Pius XII instituted the feast day of Saint Joseph the Worker. This day corresponds with the day of labor that is commemorated in many countries across the world. In […]
The Saintly Life of St. Gianna Beretta Molla
On May 16, 2004, Pope St. John Paul II canonized six new saints of the Catholic Church. One of those saints was Saint Gianna Beretta Molla. The Holy Father said, “Gianna Beretta […]
Georgie Boy!
Today is the feast of St. George, he was martyred (beheaded) somewhere around 303 A.D. at Diospolis in Palestine. His feast day is celebrated today in both the Catholic Church and the […]
“Mondays with Mary” – Saint Bernadette and Our Lady of Lourdes
This coming Tuesday is the feast day for St. Bernadette. She is famous for receiving eighteen visions at the grotto of Massabiele, beside the River Gave in Lourdes, France. This Marian apparition […]
Thomas Sunday
In the Roman Rite, today many people are celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday. Blessed John Paul II confirmed the visions that St. Faustina reported having of our Lord Jesus Christ, which at first […]
“Mondays with Mary” – Saint Francis de Sales on the Annunciation
As we enter the Season of Easter and celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the historical and transcendent event, we will also commemorate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the […]
The Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The second greatest saint, next to the Blessed Virgin Mary, is Saint Joseph. His great humility and closeness to Jesus Christ, allows him to be such a saint. Saint Joseph is the […]
TOM PERNA 