Book Review: Saints Preserved
Thomas J. Craughwell has written a very interesting book: Saints Preserved: An Encyclopedia of Relics. It consists of entries on various saints with a little history of their relics: the saints’ possessions or body parts that have been preserved. In the early Church, the mortal remains of martyrs were taken for burial, and Masses were celebrated at their tombs on the anniversaries of their deaths. Over time great churches were built on these spots (St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome is a good example) and soon even non-martyrs recognized for their virtue and holiness were honored in...
Read MoreConfirmation Candidates Reflect Unity in Our Diversity
This past Sunday, on Pentecost, our bishop confirmed 44 adults from around our diocese at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. As the diocesan director of catechetical ministries I had the privilege of being the “behinds-the-scenes” guy sending out directions, checking in the candidates, and handing out nametags. Witnessing the Rite of Confirmation is always profound, but I found myself especially moved this time by the diversity of candidates who came forward – in ethnicity, age, and geography. Some were barely out of high school, others had grandchildren. Some were born in...
Read MoreOn the Feast of St. Patrick
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Patrick. In our secular culture, St. Patrick (and his feast day) is remembered simply for his connection to shamrocks, leprechauns and green beer. In fact, St. Patrick was a native of Britain. While still a teen Patrick was captured and taken to Ireland; he spent six years there as a slave. After escaping and returning home, Patrick had a vision. As he later wrote: I saw a man coming, as it were from Ireland. His name was Victoricus, and he carried many letters, and he gave me one of them. I read the heading: “The Voice of the Irish.” As I began...
Read MoreCan't… Avert… Eyes!
In what can only be the final culmination of internets and religion (and a sign that surely presages the eschaton) Jeff Geerling has produced LOLSaints. I, for one, welcome our new hagiographic overloards.
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