Rely on the prayers of the saints Responding to one Vigilantius, who opposed praying to the saints, St. Jerome insists that the saints and martyrs are still alive, and still linked with us in love. You say, in your pamphlet, that as long as we are alive we can pray for one another; but once we die, the prayer of no person for another can be heard, and all the more because the martyrs, though they cry for the avenging... Read more
You likely know my guest this week here at The Catholic Book Blogger for his numerous shows on EWTN and as being host of EWTN Live. Father Mitch Pacwa has recently released a new book titled Praying the Gospels with Father Mitch Pacwa: Jesus Launches His Ministry. You can find my review of that book here. I had an opportunity to conduct an interview with Father Mitch about this book, Ignatian spirituality and future book plans. Here is what he... Read more
Show reverence to what is sacred St. Jerome says that when he is angry (which happened to him often enough) or has evil thoughts, he is afraid to enter the basilicas of the martyrs. Is he being superstitious? Perhaps. Or perhaps he has a real sense of the reverence due those sacred places. I confess my own fear, for possibly it may be thought to spring from superstition when I have been angry, or have had evil thoughts in my... Read more
Remember the martyrs Marble statues don’t commemorate the deeds of the martyrs, says the historian Eusebius of Caesarea in his introduction to a book about the martyrs of Palestine, but the faith they died for does. Marble statues are lifeless, whereas the martyrs live forever in heaven. The holy Martyrs of God loved our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, and God supreme and sovereign of all, more than themselves and their own lives. They were dragged forward to the conflict... Read more
Find the best models to imitate A bit of practical advice for monks, but also for anyone else, from St. John Cassian: if you’re looking for virtues to imitate, don’t expect to find all the virtues in one model. We all have different strengths. It is an ancient and excellent saying of the blessed Anthony that when a monk is trying through the monastic life to reach the heights of a more advanced perfection, and, having learned the consideration of... Read more
This week publisher The Word Among Us Press sponsors the giveaway. One lucky winner will receive a copy of Praying the Gospels with Mitch Pacwa: Jesus Launches His Ministry (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 12AM EST 7/17 with a winner being announced later that day. a Rafflecopter giveaway Read more
Fear nothing: the Lord is with you In his life of St. Martin, Sulpitius Severus tells the story of Martin’s encounter with a gang of robbers. The example of his courage is so persuasive that one of the robbers is converted. The robber, having led him to a private place apart from the rest, began to ask him who he was. To this Martin replied that he was a Christian. Next the robber asked him whether he was afraid. At... Read more
Bible studies and Father Mitch Pacwa go together like a hand a glove. Father Mitch has released a number of studies including Mercy: A Bible Study for Catholics, Mary-Virgin, Mother, and Queen: A Bible Study Guide for Catholics and Winning the Battle Against Sin: Hope-Filled Lessons from the Bible. He adds to this list of solid Bible study resources with his latest, Praying the Gospels with Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ: Jesus Launches His Ministry. As the title suggests this book... Read more
Don’t be surprised when evil enters the Church The earthly city and the city of God are all mixed up in this world, says St. Augustine. Yes, you will find wicked people in the Church—and yes, you will find good people outside it. These things are to be expected until the last judgment. As long as she is a foreigner in the world, the City of God has in her communion, and bound to her by the sacraments, some who... Read more
Be gentlest with the most abrasive people Writing as bishop to bishop to St. Polycarp of Smyrna, St. Ignatius of Antioch advises him to win over the troublemakers with his mildness. The worse the wound, the gentler you have to be in treating it. If you love the good disciples, no one owes you any thanks on that account. But instead, try to subdue the more troublesome ones with your meekness. Not every kind of wound is healed by the... Read more
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