I arrived to the neonatal unit of the hospital after receiving a phone call requesting a possible emergency baptism. I rang the bell of the unit and a few seconds later a voice asked through a small speaker, “how may I help you?” I introduced myself and shared with the nurse the information of the family I wished to see. She informed me the baby was not there, and recommended I check the children’s hospital instead. I walked away from... Read more
“Weep for lost memories that never were. Weep for that which never was. Mourn the memories you do not possess. Mourn the present moment that was not willed to be.” I wrote these words in 2010 while sitting on the back pew of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Washington, Georgia. The last time I had entered that small, rural parish was late December, 1995, a few days before my brother was diagnosed with cancer. I was scheduled to play the... Read more
When I made my first communion I received many gifts from friends and family members. Among them was a rectangular, light brown ceramic plaque with praying hands on one corner and the following words, “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Since then, this prayer has hung in my bedroom at home. This was a strange first communion gift because... Read more
Mientras estudiaba italiano en la hermosa ciudad de Siena en la Toscana hace varios años, entré en la pequeña biblioteca de la escuela de idiomas y encontré un libro sobre el arte italiano. Ojeando el libro que estaba bien pesado hallé la obra maestra de Fra Angelico, la Anunciación. Después de haberme encontrado con esta pintura varias veces pensé que sería bueno verla en persona. Luego de regresar el libro a su lugar agarré a una guía turística de Florencia... Read more
Some time ago while studying Italian in the beautiful Tuscan town of Siena, I went into the language school’s small library and found a book about Italian art. As I browsed through the significantly heavy book I came across Fra Angelico’s masterpiece of the Annunciation. Having seen it many times before I thought it would be amazing to see it in person. After placing the book back into its place I grabbed a sightseeing guide of Florence and opened it... Read more
When I was a child we lived in the country side about 20 miles south of the city of Lima. We would attend Sunday Mass at any one of many chapels around our house, but occasionally we would drive into town to the beautiful, old, colonial church built in 1703. I clearly recall one time asking my mother right before communion while at Mass in this beautiful church: “Does the priest ever run out of hosts?” She gave me a... Read more
Various news outlets are reporting that the historic Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris is on fire. Pictures circulated online show a tremendous and uncontrolled blaze in the transept of the building. The steeple collapsed just few minutes ago. Many Catholic churches have been damaged by fire throughout the past few months in France. This fire however appears to have been caused by renovation work happening at the cathedral. For many years now Notre Dame has been raising money for much needed... Read more
La parábola del hijo pródigo es quizás la más conocida de toda la Biblia, en competencia solamente con la Parábola del Buen Samaritano. Es una historia simple pero duradera que ha cautivado a generaciones de cristianos y no cristianos por igual. Lo que hace tan atractiva esta parábola es la esperanza que transmite. Generaciones de hombres y mujeres han encontrado esperanza y aliento en la conversión del joven que insultó a su padre al pedir su herencia, malgastó sus dones... Read more
The Parable of the Prodigal Son is perhaps the best known story of the whole Bible, rivaled only by the Parable of the Good Samaritan. It is a simple yet timeless story that has captivated generations of Christians and non-Christians alike. What makes this parable so appealing is the hope that it transmits. Generations of men and women have found hope and encouragement in the conversion experience of the young man who insulted his father by asking for his inheritance,... Read more
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Franciscan Chaplain Killed on D-Day
Father Ignatius Maternowski, OFM Conv, a native of Holyoke, Massachusetts, was the only Catholic chaplain to die on D-Day, 75 years ago today in Normandy. He was 32 years old, having served five years as a Franciscan Conventual priest. Father Maternowski enlisted in July, 1942 in the U.S. Army, and became a member of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division. After his dead body lay on the road for three days, it was recovered and four... Read more