Category Archives: Saints

The “Little Way”of St. Therese a Cure for OCD?

What does a Carmelite nun who lived during the late 1800s in France have to do with overcoming the obsession thoughts and/or compulsions that are symptomatic of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?  St. Therese (1873-1897), whose writings composed the beautiful autobiography … Continue reading

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Reflections on Over the Hill + One Year

Another date crossed out on the calendar as I approach another year of my journey. Over a half of a century is definitely in my rear view mirror. I do know that in many ways my “inside self” still feels … Continue reading

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Kateri Tekakwitha to Become the First Native American Saint on October 21, 2012

Kateri Tekakwitha, known as the Lily of the Mohawks, will become the first Native American saint. She will be canonized along with six others at the Vatican this Sunday on October 21, 2012. Disfigured and blinded by smallpox Kateri Tekakwitha was a Native … Continue reading

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For All Who Have Difficulty Praying

A saint who had a tough time in prayer Today’s saint sympathizes with all of those who have difficulty in prayer.  Because like most of us, she experienced the distractions of everyday life, a wandering mind, hardships, boredom, challenges, and … Continue reading

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My Favorite Little Friar: St. Francis of Assisi

Of big beautiful basilicas My art professor flashed an image of a big beautiful Church on the overheads.  It was a class in my undergraduate program at a Southern Baptist college where I was required to give the name, date, … Continue reading

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Pray, Hope, and Don’t Worry: Advice on Coping from a Saint

Tractor trailers bear his image. In Italy, it is not uncommon to see semi-tractor trailers zipping down the highway boasting an image of an infamous Capuchin friar.  On my own visits to Rome, I have seen this on more than one … Continue reading

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For Every Mother with a Child Who is “Out of Control”

For every mother that has ever had a kid that was out of control. Today (August 27) is the Feast Day of St. Monica, the Mother of St. Augustine. She lived during the very early years of the Church (333-387).  She … Continue reading

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A Holy Day of Opportunity: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

What is it about the Holy Days of Obligation? In the Catholic Church there is what is known as Holy Days of Obligation.  A lot of people really don’t like the word, obligation. The word conjures up images of having to do something … Continue reading

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Lives That Speak Love for God and Others: Two Saints from Auschwitz

This week has two different feast days of saints who had died in the Nazi Concentration Camp at Auschwitz. One on August 9, is for St. Benedicta of the Cross, a Carmelite; and the other on August 14 is for St. … Continue reading

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A Saint for Those Thought To Be Unable to Amount to Anything

St. John Vianney: Having difficulty learning and being labeled as slow There are saints for poor students, and especially for those who are perceived to be unable to ever amount to anything during their lifetime. St. John Vianney, or St. … Continue reading

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