Jeanne La Pucelle, the Maid, Joan of Arc. This simple, French maiden whose life changed upon receiving a vision of St. Michael, would end up unbelievably bringing an army and a nation back from the brink near of destruction. I must admit that up until recently my only exposure to St. Joan of Arc was artwork of her, usually upon a horse, in full battle armor. Thanks to Father Michael Cerrone’s book For God and Country: The Heroic Life and... Read more
Jesus returns the favor to his mother Jesus was granted a great favor by his mother, St. Alphonsus observes, when she consented to allow him to take his flesh from her. Now the Son returns the favor by granting her intercessions for us. St. George of Nicomedia says that Jesus Christ grants all his mother asks, as if to satisfy an obligation under which he placed himself towards her when she consented to give him his human nature. “The Son,” he... Read more
Our Lady of Sorrows saves a youth from the Devil St. Alphonsus tells how a young man who had sold his soul to the Devil escaped from his clutches through wearing Our Lady’s scapular. A young man in Perugia, I am told, promised the Devil that if he would enable him to attain a sinful goal he had in mind, he would give him his soul. The man then gave the Devil a written contract to this effect, signed in... Read more
Call on Mary in temptation The most common activity of demonic powers is to lead us into temptation. St. Alphonsus reminds us that when we are tempted, we need only call on Mary to send the demons fleeing. “Glorious indeed, and admirable, is thy name, O Mary!” exclaims St. Bonaventure. “For those who pronounce it at death need not fear all the powers of hell. The demons, on hearing that name, instantly flee, and leave the soul in peace.” The same... Read more
Steven R. Hemler is President of the Catholic Apologetics Institute of North America (CAINA). Steve has a Master of Pastoral Studies degree from Loyola University of Chicago, as well as Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Civil/Structural Engineering from Virginia Tech. He also has a Certificate in the Catechism of the Catholic Church from Catholic Distance University (see www.cdu.edu) and a Certificate in Advanced Youth Ministry Studies from the Center for Ministry Development. Steve is certified as an Advanced Catechist by... Read more
Brought to confession by Mary St. Alphonsus recalls a story of a husband brought back to confession through a picture of our Blessed Lady. A woman came to a house of our little religious congregation in this kingdom to let one of the priests know that her husband had not been to Confession for many years. The poor creature could no longer figure how to bring him to his duty. If she mentioned Confession to him, he beat her. The... Read more
Miracles through Mary’s intercession St. Alphonsus challenges skeptics who categorically deny the possibility of miracles in the generations since the Scriptures were written. Many stories have been told of miracles accomplished through Mary’s intervention. But we must note that some people make it a boast that they are free of such notions. They pride themselves on believing that no other miracles have ever taken place than those recorded in the Sacred Scriptures, looking upon all others as tales and old... Read more
Mary helps us bear our crosses St. Alphonsus reminds us that in this world, consolations always come with a cross; but Mary can help us bear the burden. Our Savior one day appeared to Sister Diomira, a nun in Florence, and said, “Think of me, and love me, and I will think of you and love you.” At the same time he presented her with a bouquet of flowers and a cross, signifying through them that the consolations of the... Read more
This week Saint Benedict Press sponsors the giveaway. One lucky winner will receive one copy of The Reality of God: The Layman’s Guide to Scientific Evidence for the Creator by Steve Hemler (you can read my review here). I use Rafflecopter to run my giveaways which makes it simple for you and me! Enter below. The contest starts at midnight tonight EST and will end 12 AM EST 9/25 with a winner being announced later that day. a Rafflecopter giveaway Read more
The Devil wants Mary cast away from the soul Mary and Jesus are so close, St. Alphonsus insists, that the Devil can’t get rid of the Son in someone’s life unless he gets rid of the mother as well. The Devil does his utmost with sinners, so that, after they have lost the grace of God, they may also lose devotion to Mary. When Sarah saw Isaac in company with his half-brother Ishmael, who was teaching him evil habits, she... Read more
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