CNA—After a long journey to the Catholic faith, Hilary (born in 310) was baptized in 345 and elected bishop of Poitiers in 353. His first work, “Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew,” (the link is to an English translation) is the oldest surviving Latin commentary on that Gospel. Pope Pius IX formally recognized him as…
I share an inherited appreciation for Fr. Flanagan thanks to my father. Boys Town and similar organizations were always close to my dad’s heart and among the top of his donation pile, next to our local parish church fund. The reason is that he was sent to spend the last few years of high school…
CNA—St. Francesca Romana, also known as St. Frances of Rome, is frequently called the “most Roman of the saints,” and is the co-patron of the city. She serves as a model for holiness in her vocation as wife and mother, and for her service to the poor of the city through the lay order she…
Crisis—“If there were only three like you in France, I would not be able to set foot there,” said Satan to a future saint serving as a parish priest. St. John Vianney (1786-1859), also known as the Curé of Ars, is the patron saint of parish priests, and his deep sanctity sheds light on what…
CNA, CBJ—In recent years, some Catholics have been concerned by pushes from governments in locations such as Louisiana and Australia, and now California, who challenge the secrecy of the sacrament of confession, asking that priests betray the solemnity of penitents’ confessions when they hear of serious crimes in the confessional. However, the words of Saint…
ACI Prensa and CNA—Matteo Pio Colella was just 7 years old when he contracted a deadly disease. Doctors believed there was no hope for the boy, but he made a full recovery. His cure was the miracle that paved the way for the canonization of St. Padre Pio by Pope John Paul II in June…
CNA—Below are brief biographies on the lives of each of the seven new saints canonized by Pope Francis Sunday, as well as photos of each saint’s banner currently on display at the Vatican. Blessed Pope Paul VI Born Giovanni Battista Montini in 1897 and ordained a priest in 1920, he did graduate studies in literature,…
