At the end of the fourth century, a woman named Etheria made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Her journal, discovered in 1887, gives an unprecedented glimpse of liturgical life there. Among the celebrations she describes is the Epiphany (January 6), the observance of Christ’s birth, and the gala procession in honor …

JACOB SCHMIESING “I was six years old when I first wrote, ‘I want to be a priest,’ in the same sentence as ‘I want to be a fighter pilot or a dump truck driver,’” said II Theology seminarian Jacob Schmiesing. It wasn’t until years later, after experiencing the liturgy and …

February 2023 For parishes We pray that parishes, placing communion at the center, may increasingly become communities of faith, fraternity and welcome towards those most in need.

On Feb. 1 Catholics in Ireland and elsewhere will honor Saint Brigid of Kildare, a monastic foundress who is – together with Saint Patrick and Saint Columcille – one of the country’s three patron saints. St. Brigid directly influenced several other future saints of Ireland, and her many religious communities …

On Jan. 31, the Roman Catholic Church honors St. John Bosco (or “Don Bosco”), a 19th century Italian priest who reached out to young people to remedy their lack of education, opportunities, and faith. John Bosco was born in August of 1815 into a family of peasant farmers in Castelnuovo …

PDF File: St John Bosco

by Kary Ellen Berger When studying to become a doctor, medical students might make an oath to practice medicine with integrity, honesty and compassion to best meet the patients’ needs. With this in mind, mastering both the academics and compassion for others made Kristin (Reeve) Renner the doctor she is …

Though I never strayed too far from my faith, I began to take it more seriously in college and explore my childhood faith as an adult. This renewal led to exciting changes: I transferred to a new school, made new friends, and got involved with retreats and other faith-based programs. …

On Jan. 28, the Roman Catholic Church celebrates Saint Thomas Aquinas, the 13th century theologian who showed that the Catholic faith is in harmony with philosophy and all other branches of knowledge. Blessed John Paul II, in his 1998 letter “Fides et Ratio,” said St. Thomas “had the great merit …

PDF: Making Catholic Memories January 23 St. Thomas Aquinas Write Like a Saint   Supplies:  1 plastic drinking straw Scissors Speedball Calligraphy Ink Large feather St. Thomas Aquinas Copy Work Template  Instructions:  If using a large feather, measure the length of the feather’s shaft then cut the straw about an inch …