After Pope Leo XIV proclaimed the Jubilee Year of St. Francis from Jan. 10, 2026, to Jan. 10, 2027, the Vatican’s Apostolic Penitentiary also issued a decree granting a plenary indulgence to mark the 800th anniversary year of the popular saint’s death.
The great themes–the annual catechumenate by which all the people of the Church are renewed in the baptismal promises they repeat at the Easter Vigil; the adventure of God in salvation history and in the coming of the Kingdom in the person of Jesus; and the invitation to deeper friendship with Christ through a more … Read more
UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Ted Chaiban recounts his visit to Sudan in the midst of the devastating conflict and warns of the millions of children suffering from acute malnutrition, lack of safety, and enduring harassment. Read all
I. Scripture Reading — Philippians 2:3–8 (RSV-CE) Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves.Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus,who, though he was in the form of God,did … Read more
St. Basil the Great Feast date: Jan 02 St. Basil, one of the most distinguished Doctors of the Church and Bishop of Caesarea, was likely born in 329 and died on January 1, 379. He ranks after Athanasius as a defender of the Oriental Church against the heresies of the fourth century, especially Arianism, which … Read more
From the Gospel for the First Sunday of Lent, Year A: At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of … Read more
Having examined St. Francis de Sales’s exhortation to perseverance (in Part Four of the Introduction), which is helpful at the beginning of Lent, it is right to turn and examine the pilgrimage along which he guided “Philothea”—the soul interested in growing in devotion. The bishop and spiritual director aimed to move souls from initial desire … Read more
All Saints of the Seraphic Order (Feast) Feast date: Nov 29 On November 29, the Church celebrates the many Franciscan saints who followed in the footsteps of St. Francis. It is a special day for all Franciscans to celebrate the feast of ‘All the Saints of the Seraphic Order.’ According to tradition, St. Francis of … Read more
Quotes Worth Contemplating for the Feast of St. Alphonsus de Liguori St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696–1787) knew all about spiritual vertigo. He had lived with it. He had lived through it. For those of us who struggle with an ordered … Continue reading → The post St. Alphonsus de Liguori and the Dispelling of Spiritual … Read more