* * *** “Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him, ‘It is not lawful for you to have her.’ Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet.” (Mt 14:3-5)

— Today the Church commemorates the Passion of St. John the Baptist. According to Matthew’s Gospel, St. John’s fearless condemnation of King Herod’s unlawful marriage incurred the hatred of Herod’s bride, resulting in his imprisonment and execution.

* * *** “Late have I loved You!” (St. Augustine)

— Augustine of Hippo (354-430) is considered one of the most influential theologians in the history of Western Christianity. He was a gifted intellectual; even during his dark days he was a fervent seeker of the Truth. His many works include Confessions, De Trinitate, and The City of God.

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— St. Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Apostles as mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and also in Acts. According to tradition, he preached the Gospel as far as India and was martyred in Armenia for having converted the king. The saint may have been flayed alive which is widely depicted […]

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— “The Blessed Virgin Mary should be called Queen, not only because of her Divine Motherhood, but also because God has willed her to have an exceptional role in the work of our eternal salvation… with complete justice St. John Damascene could write: ‘When she became Mother of the Creator, she truly became Queen of […]

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— St. Pius X (1835-1914) defended traditional Catholic doctrine against modernist interpretations and was deeply devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He encouraged frequent reception of the Holy Eucharist, lowered the age for First Holy Communion, and initiated the codification of the Code of Canon Law.

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— “Mary taken up to Heaven, ‘By her maternal charity, she cares for the brethren of her Son, who still journey on earth surrounded by dangers and difficulties, until they are led into the happiness of their blessed home’ (Lumen Gentium, n. 62). Let us invoke the Holy Virgin, that she may be the star […]

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— Known as the Apostle of Consecration to Mary, St. Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941) saved the life of fellow prisoner Sgt. Gajowniczek, by offering to take his place in a starvation bunker at Auschwitz. A witness noted, “Despite the inhumane and savage atrocities, Fr. Kolbe maintained deep faith and dignity… he prayed and tried to encourage […]

* * *** “They say that we are too poor, but can a heart which possesses the infinite God be truly called poor?” (St. Clare of Assisi)

— St. Clare (1194-1253) was 18 when she first heard St. Francis preach during a service; he would become her close friend and spiritual guide. Under his direction, Clare founded the Order of Poor Ladies and in 1216, became the abbess. Clare continued to promote their simple and austere way of life, refusing to allow […]

* * *** “When you seek truth, you seek God whether you know it or not.” (Edith Stein)

— Born into an observant Jewish family, Edith Stein (1891–1942) was a philosopher, brilliant writer, and nurse. She was drawn to the Catholic faith after reading the writings of St. Teresa of Avila, eventually joining the Carmelites and taking the name “Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.” In 1942, St. Teresa was arrested by the Gestapo […]

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“A man who governs his passions is master of the world. We must either command them or be enslaved to them. It is better to be the hammer than the anvil.” – St. Dominic — Born of wealthy Spanish nobility, St. Dominic (1170-1221) founded the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) and worked to eradicate the Albigensian […]

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