Browsing Archive: December, 2011

Saint of the Day for December 30, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Saturday, December 31, 2011, In : Saint of the Day

St. Egwin (8th century)
Egwin was a Benedictine monk and a bishop of Worcester. His zeal for ecclesiastical discipline aroused false accusations against him. He made a pilgrimage to Rome in order to vindicate himself with the pope. According to legend he locked shackles on his feet and threw the key into a river. On his arrival the key was found in the belly of a fish he bought in the market. Reinstated by the pope, he returned to England and founded an abbey.

Reflections from the Saints

We ...

My Daily Eucharist - Reflection for December 30, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Saturday, December 31, 2011, In : The Eucharist

As we consider the wonder of the Eucharist and the enormous value of the Mass in our lives, we must never forget that the Lord, in His extraordinary love for us, has not only given us the Eucharist, but has desired that this Eucharist be maintained as a living and lasting memorial in our tabernacles. In the document Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist outside Mass we read: "The celebration of the Eucharist in the Sacrifice of the Mass, moreover, is truly the origin and purpose of t...

One Bread, One Body - Reflection for December 30, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Saturday, December 31, 2011, In : Daily Meditations

THE PAIN AND PROMISE OF FAMILY

"The Child's father and mother were marveling at what was being said about Him." –Luke 2:33

Many people idealize the Holy Family. Because Jesus is God, Mary is immaculate, and Joseph is holy, their family relationships must have been almost perfect. However, that's not the picture the Bible gives us of the Holy Family. The only scene from Jesus' childhood that we are told about is when Mary and Joseph lost Jesus for three days. You can imagine the peasant co...

Saint of the Day for December 29, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Friday, December 30, 2011, In : Saint of the Day

St. Thomas Becket (1118-1170)
Thomas was a civil and canon lawyer, as well as an officer in the military. He was made the Archbishop of Canterbury the day after he was ordained a priest. For opposing the King's interference in ecclesiastical matters, he was exiled several times, then martyred.

Reflections from the Saints

For our sake Christ offered himself to the Father upon the altar for the cross. He now looks down from heaven on our actions and secret thoughts, and one day he will give ea...

My Daily Eucharist - Reflection for December 29, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Friday, December 30, 2011, In : The Eucharist

All my life I've been saying the Kyrie Eleison at Mass. Finally one day it dawned on me, many years after I was ordained into the priesthood, "Lord, have mercy!" I never heard it so deeply before. We are like sponges floating on an ocean of mercy, crying "Mercy." All we need is the capacity to receive, like the sponge. When a sponge has a capacity to receive, water rushes in and the sponge is filled. As we forgive, and receive His forgiveness, then we can soak up the mercy. Mercy means lov...

One Bread, One Body - Reflection for December 29, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Friday, December 30, 2011, In : Daily Meditations

CHRISTMAS AND DEATH

"It was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not experience death until he had seen the Anointed of the Lord." –Luke 2:26

At Christmas we remember loved ones who have died. These memories may be painful, but we can't help remembering. At Christmas we can experience accelerated growth in our relationship with the Lord. Because of our love for Him, the sting of death can be taken out of our lives (1 Cor 15:55). We no longer dread the memories of past Christma...

Saint of the Day for December 28, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Wednesday, December 28, 2011, In : Saint of the Day

The Holy Innocents (1st century)
The Holy Innocents were the children mentioned in Matthew 2:16-18. "When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refus...

My Daily Eucharist - Reflection for December 28, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Wednesday, December 28, 2011, In : The Eucharist

But just as He stood quietly among His apostles in the amazing beauty of His resurrection, and said, handle Me and see, so does He abide with us in the Blessed Sacrament, that we may get to know Him, to outlive our tremulous agitation, and the novelty of our surprise, and to grow familiar with Him, if we can, as our life-long Guest. There we can bring our sorrows and cares and necessities at all hours... We can choose our own time, and our visit can be as short or as long as duties permit ...

One Bread, One Body - Reflection for December 28, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Wednesday, December 28, 2011, In : Daily Meditations

HERODS CAN BECOME "HOLY INNOCENTS"

"...Rachel bewailing her children; no comfort for her, since they are no more." –Matthew 2:18

Why does the Lord permit evil? Why did He allow "the massacre of all the boys two years old and under in Bethlehem and its environs"? (Mt 2:16) One explanation is that He loves the Herods of the world so much and wants to save them all (see 1 Tm 2:4). The suffering of these innocents is the most powerful means in God's plan of salvation for changing the most har...

Saint of the Day for December 27, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Wednesday, December 28, 2011, In : Saint of the Day

St. John the Apostle (1st century)
John was the younger brother of the Apostle St. James the Greater. A disciple of St. John the Baptist, when he was called by Christ he became His "beloved disciple." He was the only Apostle to remain faithful to the Master during His Passion. To him Christ entrusted the care of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He, along with St. Peter, was prominent in organizing the early Church. He wrote the fourth Gospel, three Epistles, and the Book of Revelation.

Reflections ...

My Daily Eucharist - Reflection for December 27, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Wednesday, December 28, 2011, In : The Eucharist

Although the beloved disciple John loved much, it was God who first loved him (cf. 1 Jn 4:10). The Father graced him with an unbreakable bond of friendship with his Son. Jesus loved the beloved disciple, called him, ate with him, held him in his gaze, died for him, and rose for him.

This friendship celebrated in Scripture excites a passion in us that causes us to wish that Jesus will rejoice in the Holy Spirit because of us "as he said to them privately, 'Blessed are the eyes that see wha...

One Bread, One Body - Reflection for December 27, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Wednesday, December 28, 2011, In : Daily Meditations

LOVE SUPREME

"This fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ." –1 John 1:3

Christmas is a special time to begin or deepen our personal relationship with Jesus. Like John, we are running to Jesus and hope to end this Christmas season with a deeper faith in Jesus than ever before (Jn 20:8). We want Jesus to become so real to us that by faith we have heard His voice, seen His face, and touched His nail-scarred hands (1 Jn 1:1). Our Christmas prayer is "to grasp ful...

Saint of the Day for December 26, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Tuesday, December 27, 2011, In : Saint of the Day

St. Stephen (1st century)
Stephen was a deacon, a preacher, and the first Christian martyr. While preaching in the streets of Jerusalem, angry Jews who believed he was a blasphemer dragged him outside the city and stoned him to death. Among the mob was the man who later became St. Paul.

Reflections from the Saints

Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.

– St. Stephen

My Daily Eucharist - Reflection for December 26, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Tuesday, December 27, 2011, In : The Eucharist

(During Communion)

My dear one, I am now within you. It is in the Eucharist that I am consecrated to you and you to Me.

Many of My people do not realize what it means to receive My Body. My people do not realize the power they receive when they receive the Eucharist.

It is My power... the power of Christ!

I, in you, shall grant your heart's desire. It is I, through Eucharist, Who makes your image one in the likeness of God, because you are receiving My Body. I grant you special graces, no...

One Bread, One Body - Reflection for December 26, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Tuesday, December 27, 2011, In : Daily Meditations

"IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD" (Jn 1:1)

"When they hand you over, do not worry about what you will say or how you will say it. When the hour comes, you will be given what you are to say." –Matthew 10:19

Christmas is a celebration of God's Word. On the first day of Christmas, the Church proclaims twelve readings at the various liturgies of the Christmas Masses. On the second day of Christmas we remember St. Stephen, who preached God's Word so powerfully he became the first martyr, and who...

Saint of the Day for December 25, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Monday, December 26, 2011, In : Saint of the Day

St. Anastasia (4th century)
Anastasia was the matron of a noble Roman pagan family. A spiritual student of St. Chrysogonus, she was martryed during he persecutions of Diocletian. Little else is known about her, but she is distinctly honored in the first Eucharistic prayer of the second Christmas Mass.

Reflections from the Saints

Celebrate the feast of Christmas every day, even every moment in the interior temple of your spirit, remaining like a baby in the bosom of the heavenly Father, where...

My Daily Eucharist - Reflection for December 25, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Monday, December 26, 2011, In : The Eucharist

What is Holy Mass? It is Christ, the God-Man, the Son of God and the Son of Mary, offering on the calvary of the altar the thanksgiving due to God His Father; making atonement for sin; the only perfect divine atonement and thanksgiving, with you and for you.

What is Holy Mass? It is Christ, the Judge of the living and the dead, the God-Man, Son of God and Son of Mary, imploring, with you and for you, a deluge of graces and blessings, through the power of His wounds, through the power of H...

One Bread, One Body - Reflection for December 25, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Monday, December 26, 2011, In : Daily Meditations

YOU'RE SUCH A BABY

"The Lord has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations." –Isaiah 52:10

As the father of six, I have been privileged to wake up on six Christmas mornings and hold my infant child. I would stare at my baby in wonder, knowing that the Lord Jesus came to earth looking just like the infant in my arms. Despite all this experience with infants and Christmas, I have never been able to fathom the truth that God came to earth as a Baby.

Before the first Christmas, no ...

Saint of the Day for December 24, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Sunday, December 25, 2011, In : Saint of the Day

St. Charbel (1828-1898)
Charbel was raised by an uncle who opposed his youthful piety. At 23, he snuck away to join a monastery, where he was soon ordained. He lived as a model monk, but eventually left his monastery to become a hermit. He had a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, and was known to levitate while praying.

Reflections from the Saints

For this is why the Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that man, by entering into communion with the Word and thu...

My Daily Eucharist - Reflection for December 24, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Sunday, December 25, 2011, In : The Eucharist

Sister Faustina recounts the joy of her total union with God, uninterrupted in spite of the busy preparations for the Feast of Christmas; and the added joy of being allowed to spend the three hours preceding Christmas Midnight Mass in adoration: "I was allowed to stay up and wait for the Midnight Mass. I was delighted to have free time from nine until midnight. From nine to ten o'clock I offered my adoration for my parents and my whole family. From ten to eleven, I offered it for the inten...

One Bread, One Body - Reflection for December 24, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Sunday, December 25, 2011, In : Daily Meditations

'TWAS THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS

"Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, uttered this prophecy: 'Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel because He has visited and ransomed His people.' " –Luke 1:67-68

Today may literally be one of the most important days of your life. This is Christmas Eve. The Lord in His love has planned this day for you before He created the world. Today you may be on the threshold of the fulfillment of ancient prophecies in your life. Today is probably a very...

Pope Asks: How Do we Proclaim the Gospel today? How Can Faith Become a Reality?

Posted by Site Webmaster on Friday, December 23, 2011, In : OLP Newsline

VATICAN CITY (Catholic Online) - Since he ascended to the Chair of Peter, Pope Benedict XVI has met with Cardinals, Bishops and other the members of the Roman Curia on December 22. This group includes the leaders of Dicasteries and Institutes who work closely with him in his pastoral care of the whole Church. In these addresses he expresses his gratitude, shares what is in his heart, and offers an alaysis of the state of the Church and the world. He also gives a glimpse into his spirituality ...

Week Four of the New Translation of the Mass - So How Are We Doing?

Posted by Site Webmaster on Friday, December 23, 2011, In : OLP Newsline

WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - On Sunday, we'll celebrate Mass for the fourth week using the new translation. There was a lot of conjecture ahead of time and a lot of response after the historic launch of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal on November 27, 2011.

In talking with one priest in my diocese told me, "I am a big fan of the new translation and had been a champion of it for many months. But the first Sunday was probably the worst day of my priesthood!"

"I felt like a newly ordain...
Continue reading ...

Saint of the Day for December 23, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Friday, December 23, 2011, In : Saint of the Day

St. John Cantius (1390-1473)
John was a highly educated priest and the chair of theology at the Academy of Krakow, Poland. He made one pilgrimage to Jerusalem and four to Rome on foot. Admired for his humility and charity and the practice of mortification, many miracles are attributed to him.

Reflections from the Saints

Fight all error, but do it with good humor, patience, kindness, and love. Harshness will damage your own soul and spoil the best cause.

– St. John Cantius

My Daily Eucharist - Reflection for December 23, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Friday, December 23, 2011, In : The Eucharist

I am the lover of purity and giver of all holiness. I seek a pure heart, and there will I dwell (Acts 7:49; Isa 66:1). Prepare and make ready for Me a large upper room, and there will I and My disciples eat the Passover (Mark 14:15; Luke 22:12) with you. If you wish Me to come and dwell with you, purify the old leaven (1 Cor 5:7), and cleanse the dwelling of your heart. Exclude the whole world and its sinful clamour; sit there alone, like a sparrow on the roof-top (Ps 52:7), and consider y...

One Bread, One Body - Reflection for December 23, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Friday, December 23, 2011, In : Daily Meditations

A DUMB CHRISTMAS?

"At that moment his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God." –Luke 1:64

Are you spiritually dumb? This Christmas, will you talk about your love for Jesus freely and openly? Or are you tongue-tied like Zechariah?

Zechariah's tongue was loosed to praise the Lord when he obeyed the archangel Gabriel by naming his son "John" (Lk 1:63). If you want your tongue loosed, go back to a point in your life where you disobeyed the Lord. You m...

Saint of the Day for December 22, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Thursday, December 22, 2011, In : Saint of the Day

St. Adam of Saxony (13th century)
Adam was a Cistercian priest in Germany. He was known for his strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom he saw in several visions, and was great miracle worker.

Reflections from the Saints

The state of marriage is one that requires more virtue and constancy than any other: it is a perpetual exercise of mortification.

– St. Francis de Sales

My Daily Eucharist - Reflection for December 22, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Thursday, December 22, 2011, In : The Eucharist

The Holy Eucharist is the continuation of Christ's incarnation on earth. The mystery of the Eucharist gives us the joy of having Christmas everyday. When we come to the Blessed Sacrament we come to Bethlehem, a name which means "house of bread." Jesus chose to be born in Bethlehem because He would dwell with us forever as the "Living Bread" come down from heaven. When the shepherds and Magi came to adore Him, they brought Him so much joy with their humble visit to Bethlehem that their visi...

One Bread, One Body - Reflection for December 22, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Thursday, December 22, 2011, In : Daily Meditations

FAITH-PRAISING

"My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit finds joy in God my Savior." –Luke 1:46-47

Mary's Magnificat (Lk 1:46-55) should be compared with the songs of praise by Hannah (1 Sm 2:1-10) and Zechariah (Lk 1:68-79). While Mary's prophetic praises stand out in many ways, the greatest difference is in their contexts. Hannah praised the Lord at the presentation of Samuel. She had been through the shame of barrenness (1 Sm 1:7). The birth of Samuel had changed all th...

Saint of the Day for December 21, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, In : Saint of the Day

St. Peter Canisius (1521-1597)
Peter was a theologian and leader of the Counter-Reformation in Germany. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1543 and studied under St. Ignatius of Loyola at Rome. With his doctorate in theology, he was regularly sent on important missions by the Holy See. A prolific writer, his catechism appeared in over 200 editions during his lifetime and was translated into twelve languages.

Reflections from the Saints

If you have too much to do, with God's help you will fin...

My Daily Eucharist - Reflection for December 21, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, In : The Eucharist

Clare was too ill to go to Midnight Mass services with her Sisters... She lay there, her heart breaking as she was to be deprived of our Lord Jesus in the Eucharist on this special night. Her thoughts brought her back to the time in Gubbio, when Francis made the first Nativity Scene, after which all Nativity scenes in the future would be fashioned. Christmas had always been a joyous time for both Clare and Francis...

She looked about the bare room that served as the sleeping quarters for ...

One Bread, One Body - Reflection for December 21, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, In : Daily Meditations

"ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS _____"

"Arise, My beloved, My beautiful one, and come!" –Song of Songs 2:10, 13

Despite the constant hype the world gives to Christmas, the world only wants a minimal Christmas. People are programmed to be happy with "two front teeth," a new PlayStation, fur coat, diamond ring, Barbie doll, power tool, or even a new car. The world proclaims that getting this for Christmas is a maximum Christmas. When you focus on the gifts instead of the Giver of the gifts, yo...

Saint of the Day for December 20, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, In : Saint of the Day

St. Dominic of Silos (1000-1073)
Dominic was an eleventh century Spanish shepherd boy. He learned to love to pray while tending to sheep. Soon he became a monk, and restored an old run-down monastery to glory. He cured the sick, and raised funds to ransom Christian prisoners from the Moors.

Reflections from the Saints

My Lord and my God, take from me everything that distances me from you. My Lord and my God, give me everything that brings me closer to you. My Lord and my God, detach me from ...

My Daily Eucharist - Reflection for December 20, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, In : The Eucharist

From the Consecration to the Communion of the Midnight Mass of 1927 Therese saw the glorified Christ Child, though she was at home and abed because of the extreme weakness following Passion ecstasies. She became ecstatic now when the church bells were heard announcing the Consecration. The infant Saviour as she saw Him measured about 40 centimeters and was dressed in a shirt of dazzling whiteness. He stood on a bright cloud and held out His arms and smiled. His hair was fair and curly, his...

One Bread, One Body - Reflection for December 20, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, In : Daily Meditations

SIGN LANGUAGE

"Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God." –Isaiah 7:11

When we want a sign from the Lord, He often says: "This is an evil age. It seeks a sign. But no sign will be given it" (Lk 11:29). However, when we don't want a sign because we already have our minds made up, the Lord often commands: "Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky!" (Is 7:11)

We may already have our Christmas made up. We've planned it to go a certain way....

Saint of the Day for December 19, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Tuesday, December 20, 2011, In : Saint of the Day

Pope St. Anastasius I (4th century)
Anastasius, a friend of St. Augustine, St. Jerome, and St. Paulinus, was known for his condemnation of the heretical writings of Origen. He convened a synod to condemn his works. He also fought the heresy of Donatism.

Reflections from the Saints

Occupy your minds with good thoughts, or the enemy will fill them with bad ones. Unoccupied, they cannot be.

– St. Thomas More

My Daily Eucharist - Reflection for December 19, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Tuesday, December 20, 2011, In : The Eucharist

Another healing involving the Eucharist happened in Sydney, Australia. A woman came to a place where Father Kevin and I were speaking. She came up to me in a hallway to ask me to pray with her. She was desperate because she was suffering from stomach cancer. She had a tumor which caused great swelling. The doctors had told her there was little point in operating because it had spread too extensively. I knew there was a Mass that afternoon, so I told her I'd pray with her, but I also told h...

One Bread, One Body - Reflection for December 19, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Tuesday, December 20, 2011, In : Daily Meditations

A COMMON FAITH?

"But now you will be mute – unable to speak – until the day these things take place, because you have not trusted my words. They will all come true in due season." –Luke 1:20

Both Manoah and Zechariah had wives who were "barren and had borne no children" (Jgs 13:2; Lk 1:7). In a message from an angel, God promised each of these men that he would miraculously become a father of a son (Jgs 13:7; Lk 1:13). God also revealed to these men that their sons would be lifelong n...

Saint of the Day for December 18, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Monday, December 19, 2011, In : Saint of the Day

St. Winebald (8th century)
Winebald was the son of St. Richard the King, and the brother of St. Willibald and St. Walburga. During a pilgrimage to the Holy Lands, he became very ill. He spent the next seven years in Rome recovering and studying before finally returning to England. He was a missionary with St. Boniface to Germany, where he founded a monastery.

Reflections from the Saints

I should willingly give every drop of my blood to please Him and to prevent sinners offending Him. I shall...

My Daily Eucharist - Reflection for December 18, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Monday, December 19, 2011, In : The Eucharist

"Standing in front of the congregation holding the wine cup was not a difficult job, nor did it make me nervous. However, as I held the cup during communion at one Saturday evening Mass, I was given an insight as to what it contained. That little glass cup held the blood of Jesus Christ. Not wine and water, but the same Blood that dripped from Jesus' wounds and crown of thorns some 2,000 years ago. Although it has a different form now, it is, to Catholics, the same Blood that fell from His...

One Bread, One Body - Reflection for December 18, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Monday, December 19, 2011, In : Daily Meditations

"MAN-IFESTED" (Rm 16:26)

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you." –Luke 1:35

King David wanted to build a temple for God so the Lord could have a house on earth in which to dwell (2 Sm 7:2ff). God told King David that He never asked for a house on earth (2 Sm 7:7), and besides, no house or temple on earth could contain Him anyway (see 1 Kgs 8:27). In fact, the earth isn't big enough to hold even the books which would have to be written about...

Saint of the Day for December 17, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Saturday, December 17, 2011, In : Saint of the Day

St. Begga (7th century)
Begga was an example of keeping good company. She was the daughter of Blessed Pepin and Saint Ida of Nevilles, her sister was St. Gertrude of Nevilles, and her husband was the son of St. Arnulf of Metz. When her husband died in a hunting accident, she made a vow of celibacy, founded seven churches, and built a convent where she lived as the abbess for the rest of her life.

Reflections from the Saints

May our lives may show forth the virtue of self denial and thereby a...

My Daily Eucharist - Reflection for December 17, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Saturday, December 17, 2011, In : The Eucharist

Many priests owe their vocation to a saintly mother's prayers. There can be little doubt that Herbert Cardinal Vaughan (Archbishop of Westminster, England) owed his vocation to the Priesthood to his mother's prayers before the Blessed Sacrament. When he was a young man of twenty-one, he wrote: "During the day my mother was often before the Blessed Sacrament. Every morning before breakfast she was in the chapel for half an hour or three-quarters of an hour. After breakfast an hour in the mo...

One Bread, One Body - Reflection for December 17, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Saturday, December 17, 2011, In : Daily Meditations

PROPHET-ABLE

"Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary. It was of her that Jesus Who is called the Messiah was born." –Matthew 1:16

The coming of Jesus the Messiah was the fulfillment of hundreds of prophecies over hundreds of years. For example, it was prophesied centuries before Christ that the Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah and the line of David. The coming of Jesus into the world this Christmas is also preceded by prophecy.

We find many "dry bones" in this worl...

Saint of the Day for December 16, 2011

Posted by Site Webmaster on Saturday, December 17, 2011, In : Saint of the Day

Bl. Mary Fontanella (1661-1717)
Mary joined the Cistercians at the age of twelve. Soon after, her father died and she was forced to return home to help with the family. Four years later, she joined the Carmelites despite opposition from her family. A mystic and visionary, she was frequently the victim of diabolical attacks. She was known for her strong devotion to St. Joseph.

Reflections from the Saints

Go to Jesus. He loves you and is waiting for you to give you many graces. He is on the al...