When I was a young girl, my mother would often tell us stories of the saints. I loved it, and today’s saint, St. Maria Goretti, was one of my favorites. Perhaps it was that she was young, like me, and I felt closer to her than the adult saints. Maybe it was that her holiness
Luke, Chapter 1 tells us the whole, exciting and miraculous story of the Birth of John the Baptist, which we celebrate today. First, we read of the announcement–by an angel, no less–of the very unexpected conception and later birth of the baby who would grow up to become John the Baptist. His parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah,
Why do we need Lourdes? Of all of the Marian shrines in the world, Notre Dame de Lourdes in France is most associated with healing. Bernadette Soubirous and the Lady On February 11, 1858, 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous went to Massabielle on the banks of the river and saw a lady dressed in white in a grotto. She saw her
Today is the memorial of St John Nepomucene Neumann, Philadelphia’s fourth bishop and our country’s first male saint. In celebration of his memorial, I’d like to introduce you to the National Shrine of St John Nepomucene Neumann, one of Philadelphia’s five shrines, and one of my favorites (they’re on Facebook, too!). The Life of St John Nepomucene Neumann
Notre Dame de Paris As the Liturgical Calendar brings us closer to the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, I thought that I would introduce you all to one of the most beautiful and visited cathedrals dedicated to Our Lady, the Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris, literally translated as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris.
FATIMA AND THE MIRACLE OF THE SUN Today is the 97th anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun, which occurred at Fatima in Portugal at the culmination of the Virgin Mary’s apparitions at the Cova da Iria to three little shepherd children–Lucia dos Santos and her cousins, Francisco and Jacinta Marto. For those not familiar
ST JEROME AND BETHLEHEM’S CHURCH OF ST CATHERINE Did you know that St. Jerome is the patron saint of librarians and of translators? In Latin, his name is Hieronymus–which I love–and every September 30th, on the memorial of his death, translators around the world celebrate International Translation Day! How awesome is that? Today, I’d like
In honor of the Feast of the Transfiguration today, let’s visit Mount Tabor and the Church of the Transfiguration in Galilee, Israel. Jesus’ Transfiguration occurs shortly before He enters Jerusalem to begin his Passion, and is encountered in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. On this occasion, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up
It’s been a few months since I last wrote. Those who saw me recently on EWTN’s Life on the Rock or who read my blog know that my husband David suffered a heart attack on Mother’s Day, just nine days before we were supposed to fly to the Holy Land to document Pope Francis’ Holy
With the beginning of Holy Week, we all turn our attention to Jesus’ Passion. In Jerusalem, the events of this week are commemorated throughout the Old City. Today, we’re going to explore the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built atop Calvary and Jesus’ tomb. For a great online virtual tour, check out this amazing site.
