* * *** Saint Pius V (1504– 1572) was one of the most notable popes of the sixteenth century. A principal leader of the Catholic Reformation, he enforced the decrees of the historic Council of Trent.

~ The pontiff lived an ascetic lifestyle, and expected others in the papal court to also live a simpler life, which did not gain him favor. Instead of partaking in extravagant luxuries, which were the norm, he used resources to help provide food for the hungry. Saint Pius V published the Roman Catechism, revised the […]

* * *** St. Catherine (1347– 1380) was a Third Order Dominican, mystic, political activist, and author.

~ St. Catherine wrote letters to rulers and clergy in defense of the Church and her influence proved to be significant. She was instrumental in the return of Pope Gregory XI from Avignon to Rome, ending the “Avignon Papacy.” Her short life is an example of courage; in word and deed, St. Catherine displayed her […]

* * *** St. Louis (1673-1716) was born in Montfort, France, and is remembered for encouraging devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and also his love and ministry to the poor.

~ The influential saint composed several books, including his notable classics, “The Secret of the Rosary” and “True Devotion to Mary”. St. Louis founded the Missionaries of the Company of Mary and the Daughters of Wisdom, a religious institute of women devoted to the poor and the sick.

* * *** We honor the French priest who was martyred in 1841 for his mission work on the island of Futuna.

~ St. Peter’s strong desire to serve in the foreign missions drew him to the Society of Mary (Marists). In 1837, St. Peter would be assigned to Futuna to proclaim the Faith, and at first he was received well by the king and pagans. The king eventually grew angry when seeing the fruits of St. […]

* * *** As a Roman soldier under Diocletian, St. George (d. 303) refused to follow the Emperor’s edict against Christians, nor would he renounce his own faith.

~ The story of St. George is quite similar to that of his fellow Christians martyred under Diocletian’s notorious rule, but for one famous tale… that of St. George courageously slaying a dragon to protect the village people and a princess from being sacrificed. ‘The dragon’ would not appear though until many centuries after his […]

* * *** We honor Saint Anselm (1033-1109) as one of the Church’s greatest theologians. Born in Aosta, he would spend about 30 years of his life in the Benedictine monastery of Le Bec in Normandy. In 1093, he was consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury and named Primate of England, yet, in his defense of the Church, St. Anselm would suffer persecution and exile.

~ Known as the Father of Scholastic Theology, St. Anselm’s doctrinal works are among the most noteworthy examples of theology. His popular writings include “Cur Deus Homo” (Why God Became Man) and “De Veritate” (On Truth).

– Born near Todi, Umbria, and elected Pope in 649, Saint Martin I suffered persecution for his condemnation of “Monothelitism,” a heresy promoted during the seventh century by authorities within the Byzantine Church and empire. This teaching, strongly supported in the East, acknowledged that Christ had two natures – human and divine – but only one will: the divine. Pope Martin disputed this belief, insisting that to refuse to acknowledge that Christ had both a divine and human will, was to deny biblical teaching that Christ was like humanity in everything other than sin.

~ “Grant, almighty God, that we may withstand the trials of this world with invincible firmness of purpose, just as you did not allow your Martyr Pope Saint Martin the First to be daunted by threats or broken by suffering. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ from the Proper of Saints, Daily Roman Missal

* * *** We wish you and your family a Blessed Easter!

~ from all of us at Midwest Theological Forum

* * *** “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (1 Cor 11:24)

The Sacred Triduum begins with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. It commemorates the principal events that took place during the final meal Jesus shared with his disciples prior to his arrest: Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist and the Priesthood, and also gave us the New Commandment. ~ “I give you a new commandment: love […]

* * *** Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphant entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. The townspeople welcomed Jesus by placing palms and tree branches on the road in front of him, a customary practice reserved for people of great honor and respect.

~ “Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out: ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to […]

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