The Feast of the Annunciation and the Total Solar Eclipse

Today marks a remarkable celestial event: an eclipse will grace much of North America. I am among the fortunate who, with merely a couple of hours’ drive, will find myself in the heart of totality, experiencing a total eclipse. For much of North America, another solar eclipse will not take place until 2044!

Remarkably, this celestial spectacle coincides with the feast of the Annunciation, which is traditionally observed on March 25. Due to its alignment with Holy Week this year, and the impossibility of its occurrence during the Octave of Easter, the feast has been rescheduled to today, April 8. The timing feels providential, especially considering the Virgin Mary’s frequent depiction as the moon in Catholic tradition, reflecting the light of Christ, the Sun, with unparalleled clarity.

This imagery finds its roots in Scripture and the teachings of the Church Fathers. Revelation 12:1 presents a woman "clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet," a passage often associated with Mary, emblematic of the fullness of grace she has received from God. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux expands on this Marian symbolism, portraying Mary as the "star of the sea," guiding us through life’s tumultuous waters by reflecting the light of Christ.

In Catholic tradition, the Blessed Virgin Mary is often depicted with the moon under her feet, an imagery rich with symbolism and drawn from the Book of Revelation (12:1). This portrayal signifies Mary's purity, her victory over sin and darkness, and her role as the Queen of Heaven. The moon, reflecting the light of the sun as Mary reflects the light of Christ, emphasizes her unique grace and her divine motherhood. This depiction not only highlights Mary's exalted status among the saints but also her role as a guiding light for the faithful, leading them closer to her Son with her virtues and obedience as a model for all.

Moreover, the analogy of Mary as the moon gains further depth during a solar eclipse. Just as the moon is "clothed" with the sun during this event, enveloped in its radiance, so too is Mary, in Revelation 12, depicted as being clothed with the sun’s glory. This celestial event mirrors the spiritual reality of Mary's unique role in salvation history, embodying her deep connection with both the divine and the cosmic order.

Thus, as we witness today's eclipse, let it also be a moment of reflection on Mary’s role as the immaculate reflector of Christ's light. In the breathtaking moment when the moon embraces the sun, we are reminded of Mary's enduring presence, guiding us toward her Son’s eternal light.

St. Thomas Aquinas: An Inspiring Doctor of the Church

I must apologize for the oversight, as yesterday was the feast day of the great St. Thomas Aquinas, a luminary whose life and teachings continue to inspire me deeply. Born in 1225 in Roccasecca, Italy, St. Thomas Aquinas was an exemplary figure in the Church, a true giant of theology and philosophy.

St. Thomas, a Dominican friar, theologian, and Doctor of the Church, is perhaps best known for his monumental work, the "Summa Theologica." This seminal text, a model of clarity and intellectual rigor, seeks to explain and defend the teachings of the Church. It covers a vast range of topics, from the existence of God to the nature of sin, and stands as a testament to the power of human reason informed by faith.

Educated at the University of Naples and later at the University of Paris, St. Thomas was a student of another great saint, Albert the Great. His writings, although deeply rooted in Christian doctrine, also drew extensively from the works of the ancient philosopher Aristotle. St. Thomas had a remarkable ability to harmonize reason and faith, showing that they are not in opposition but are complementary paths to understanding truth.

St. Thomas’s contributions were not confined to theology alone; he was also a master of metaphysics, ethics, and natural law. His concept of the 'law of nature' has profoundly influenced Western thought, emphasizing that certain rights and values are inherent and universally recognizable.

His life, marked by deep devotion and humility, was dedicated to the pursuit of truth. He experienced a mystical revelation towards the end of his life, after which he stopped writing, claiming that all he had written seemed like "straw" compared to the divine revelation he had experienced.

As we remember St. Thomas Aquinas, we are reminded of the depth and richness of our faith. His teachings encourage us to seek God not just with our hearts but also with our minds. St. Thomas Aquinas remains a beacon of intellectual and spiritual wisdom, guiding us in our quest to understand and live the truths of the Gospel.

January 18: Feast Day of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys

Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys was a French-Canadian religious leader and educator who lived in the 17th century. She is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church and is considered to be one of the founders of the colony of Montreal. Born in Troyes, France in 1620, she was drawn to the religious life from a young age, and at the age of 22, she decided to dedicate her life to the service of God.

She founded the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal, which was a religious community of women dedicated to the education of young girls. This was particularly important at the time, as the colony of Montreal was still in its infancy and there were very few educational institutions for young women. Her work in education was motivated by her belief in the importance of providing young women with the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe and nurturing environment.

She also played a pivotal role in the establishment of the colony of Montreal, as she helped to establish the first school and hospital in the city. She also worked tirelessly to promote the welfare of the colony's inhabitants, particularly the poor and marginalized. Through her tireless efforts, she helped to establish a sense of community and social cohesion in the colony.

Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys was known for her deep spirituality, humility, and compassion. She was also known for her ability to connect with people from all walks of life, and for her ability to inspire others to work for the betterment of society. She passed away on January 12, 1700, and was canonized on April 3, 1982 by Pope John Paul II, as the first Canadian-born saint. Her feast day is celebrated on January 18th, in honor of her devotion to God, her contributions to education, and her tireless work on behalf of the poor and marginalized.

Saint of the Day: January 17, 2023: St. Anthony the Great

Saint Anthony, also known as Anthony of Egypt, Anthony the Great, or Anthony the Abbot, is a Christian saint and a prominent leader among the Desert Fathers. He is celebrated on January 17th in the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. He is also honored as a saint in the Anglican Communion and in some other Christian denominations. He is known for his deep spirituality and asceticism, and is considered to be the founder of Christian monasticism. He is also known for his many miracles and for his ability to communicate with animals. He lived in the 3rd century and was born in Egypt and died in 356 AD. He is the patron saint of gravediggers, travelers, and butchers, among others.

St. Augustine Commentary on Gospel for Today (Mark 2: 23-28)

Today's Gospel is from Mark 2:23-28 and is as follows:

23 One sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. 24And the Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?" 25And he said to them, "Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: 26how he entered the house of God, when Abi'athar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?" 27And he said to them, "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath; 28so the Son of man is lord even of the sabbath."

One commentary on this passage from a Catholic Church Father is from St. Augustine of Hippo, who lived in the 4th and 5th centuries. He wrote:

"The Lord, therefore, who is the Lord of the Sabbath, and who made man, and not the Sabbath for man, has power to do what He will with His own, and to dispense with the observance of the Sabbath, in order to do good to man. For He Himself is the true rest of the faithful, in whom we cease from our own works, as the Apostle says (Heb. 4:10), and are refreshed by the works of God."

In this commentary, St. Augustine emphasizes that Jesus, as the Son of Man and Lord of the Sabbath, has the authority to disregard the Sabbath laws in order to help people. He also references Hebrews 4:10, which states that the faithful will find rest in Jesus, rather than in the observance of the Sabbath.

Five Young Catholic Saints

These are not necessarily the youngest Catholic saints but they are saints who were very young when they died. Please let me know in the comments if there are any you believe should be included.

St. Maria Goretti: Maria Goretti was born in Italy in 1890 and was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 1950. She is one of the youngest saints in the Catholic Church, having died at the age of 11. Maria was murdered by a neighbor who attempted to rape her, and her story of forgiveness and mercy toward her attacker moved many people. Her canonization was largely due to her remarkable forgiveness and her unwavering faith in the face of death.

St. Francisco Marto: Francisco Marto was born in Portugal in 1908, and was canonized by the Catholic Church in 2017. He was one of the three children who received the Marian apparitions of Our Lady of Fátima in 1917. Francisco Marto passed away on April 4, 1919, at the age of 10. He died from pneumonia which he contracted after his health had been weakened by the harsh conditions of the apparitions and by the prolonged fasting that he and his siblings had undertaken at the request of Our Lady of Fatima. Francisco is remembered for his devotion to the Virgin Mary and his willingness to suffer in union with Jesus.

St. Jacinta Marto: Jacinta Marto was born in Portugal in 1910, and was canonized by the Catholic Church in 2017. She was also one of the three children who received the Marian apparitions of Our Lady of Fátima in 1917. The canonization process for Jacinta Marto began many years after her death, specifically it began in the 1940s. The Diocese of Leiria-Fátima opened the Cause for canonization of Jacinta Marto and her brother Francisco Marto in 1946, and it was later transferred to the Holy See in 1952. Jacinta Marto was beatified on 13 May 2000, and canonized on 13 May 2017 by Pope Francis.

Saint Agnes: Saint Agnes was a young Christian martyr who lived during the 4th century in Rome. According to tradition, she was martyred at the age of 12 or 13 for refusing to renounce her faith in Jesus Christ. She is considered one of the youngest saints in the Catholic Church and is a patron saint of young girls.

Saint Tarcisius: Saint Tarcisius was a young Roman martyr who lived during the 3rd century. He was a deacon and was martyred at the age of 12 or 13 while protecting the Eucharist from being desecrated by a group of Roman pagans. He is considered one of the youngest saints in the Catholic Church and is a patron saint of altar servers.

Here are some AI Images of St. Tarcisius:

I hope you enjoyed this article! I would love to hear your comments!

The only known child of a Doctor of the Church

From my research, I could only find one instance of one of the 36 Doctors of the Church who had a child. The Doctor is St. Augustine of Hippo, one of the 4 original doctors and he had a son named Adeodatus.

St. Augustine of Hippo, one of the most well-known and influential Church Fathers, had a son named Adeodatus, who was born to Augustine's partner before Augustine converted to Christianity. Adeodatus was born in 372 AD and died young, around the age of 17.

Augustine wrote about Adeodatus in his Confessions, which is an autobiography that covers Augustine's spiritual journey from his youth to his conversion to Christianity. In the book, Augustine talks about the love he had for his son and how he struggled to reconcile his love for Adeodatus with his desire to follow the celibate life of a Christian priest. He said that Adeodatus was a source of joy for him, and that his birth had been a sign of God's grace.

Adeodatus was highly intelligent and well-educated, and Augustine took great pains to provide him with the best education available. According to some accounts, Adeodatus may have been considered a prodigy, and Augustine mentions that his son was able to read and write at a very young age and was highly interested in philosophy.

Although Adeodatus died young, he made a lasting impression on Augustine, who wrote fondly of him in his Confessions, and considered him a reminder of the beauty of God's grace in his life.

Is anything known of Adeodatus's mother?

The identity of Adeodatus's mother is not entirely clear. Augustine never mentions her by name in his writings and what little is known about her comes from a few passing references in his works. According to his own writings in his Confessions, Augustine had a relationship with a woman, who is not named, before his conversion to Christianity and Adeodatus was born from this union. It is not clear whether the woman was a wife, a concubine or a partner in a informal union. But it is believed that she was not a Christian and Augustine did not live with her after his conversion.

Why aren't there more children of Doctors of the Church?

The title "Doctor of the Church" is a recognition given by the Catholic Church to certain saints who have made significant contributions to the development of theology and doctrine. Typically, these individuals have been priests, bishops, or monks who were actively involved in the Church and made important contributions to theology through their writings, teachings, or leadership.

There are 4 female doctors of the Church including St. Catherine of Siena, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Teresa of Lisieux, and St. Hildegard of Bingen. Obviously none of them were clergy. The two Teresas were nuns, St. Hildegard was an abbess, and St. Catherine was a lay person who was a member of the 3rd order Dominicans.

Other than the women, it seems all the Doctors of the Church have been clergy: priests, bishops, or popes.

Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

I just returned from our cathedral where the archbishop, along with the Pope in Rome at 5pm Rome time consecrated Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It was very well attended. Every second pew is off-limits and with this limitation the large cathedral-basilica was full of people.

It was a holy and blessed time and showed that all bishops from around the world are joining together along with the Holy Father to pray for peace in that troubled part of the world.

The archbishop spoke about how we must live out peace in our own daily lives and that this was our real way of contributing peace to the world as a whole. This is better than vaguely "hoping" for peace in the world. We must be instruments of peace.

To that end, we invoked the intercession primarily of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well as sung the prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi asking that we be instruments of God's peace in the world.

Let us all pray that these prayers may deliver Russia and Ukraine from war and the world in general.

Happy Feast of the Annunciation - March 25, 2021

Feast of the Annunciation pic.twitter.com/xR0QcRavLo

— Church Militant (Text 'CATHOLIC' to 877-690-1105) (@Church_Militant) March 25, 2021

Did Pope Francis Causes More Confusion Regarding Mary as Co-Redemptrix?

Pope Francis has once again created controversy and possible division with Catholics today with his off-the-cuff remarks regarding the Blessed Virgin Mary.

When seeking information on this subject, I found out that the pope has several times negatively commented on Mary's titled of Co-Redemptrix. There is an article from December 2019 from Crux, a Catholic publication, titled "Pope calls idea of declaring Mary co-redemptrix ‘foolishness’"

That was over a year ago. Now Pope Francis has made another comment on the subject saying: "Jesus entrusted the entire Church and all the faithful to Mary, but “as a mother. Not as a goddess. Not as a co-redemptrix. As a mother.” (Source: Crux Now)

So, what are we to make of all of this? In doing my research I found that Pope John Paul II spoke favorably of the title "Co-redemptrix", as did some other previous popes. However, Pope Benedict XVI cautioned against its use saying:

"...the formula “Co-redemptrix” departs to too great an extent from the language of Scripture and of the Fathers and therefore gives rise to misunderstandings. ...Everything comes from Him [Christ], as the Letter to the Ephesians and the Letter to the Colossians, in particular, tell us; Mary, too, is everything she is through Him. The word “Co-redemptrix” would obscure this origin. A correct intention being expressed in the wrong way." (Source: Wikipedia)

Interesting. I get where the nay-sayers are coming from. To many, the term co-redemptrix sounds like Mary and Jesus are equally responsible for our salvation, like they are working together. This is absolutely not Catholic teaching. Catholic theology states that we are saved through Jesus Christ alone, 100%. As Taylor Marshall pointed out today, even saying Jesus did 99.9% and Mary did 0.1% would be heretical.

So what does co-redemptrix mean? In my own terms, it means that Mary participated in a unique way to bring about salvation. In order for Jesus Christ to come into the world, we needed Mary's "yes" or "fiat". She maintained free will and God had specially selected Mary to be the Mother of God. It wasn't as if God would just go from one young woman to another until one said yes. Mary played a pivotal role in Jesus's life, and she is the closest person to Him in heaven. She is the Queen of Heaven.

To be fair to Pope Francis, I think what he is doing is trying to be very clear. I can see this whole issue being a sticking point with non-Catholic Christians and frankly some Catholics as well. Upon first hearing the term "co-redemptrix", it's natural to think of words such as "co-founder" or "co-operation" and see some kind of equality between the parties. So I can see the confusion.

However, I think the pope could do a better job of explaining what the term actually means when traditional and observant Catholics use it. The pope instead made it seem like they were just plain wrong. This is not the right way to treat faithful believers who perhaps use that term. He makes it seem like people who use "co-redemptrix" think that Mary is some kind of divine co-equal goddess, which would the heights of heresy.

I don't like how many of Pope Francis's comments seem to throw traditional Catholics under the bus. As if to say they can defend themselves. It always, to me, comes across as though Pope Francis wants to be liked by everyone except traditionalists.

Dr. Taylor Marshall has a pretty thorough treatment of this subject today. Worth checking out:

Great Explanatory Video about St. Joseph

This is a great video about St. Joseph. It's a homily given on the saint, and it clears up many questions and perhaps misconceptions people have about the saint.

Happy Feast Day of St. Joseph: Friday, March 19, 2021!

Feast Day of St. Joseph

March 19

Today, March 19, is the feast day of St. Joseph, the most-chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the father of Jesus on Earth. I was listening to a talk from Sensus Fidelium a couple of months ago where he explained the significant role of St. Joseph and that Jesus, although Our Lord and Savior, listened to and obeyed his father Joseph in all things.

I also heard that St. Joseph's contemplation as to what he should do about Mary when she told him she would be the mother of God wasn't about him saving face or fleeing from embarrassment, rather, he felt it was such a serious responsibility, that he didn't know if he was up for it, but an Angel appeared to let him know God trusted him.

On a side note, consumption of meat is permitted in the Catholic Church today since it is a solemnity.

Happy Sts Cyril and Methodius Day!

I know the spotlight is on St. Valentine today, but don't forget Sts. Cyril and Methodius! It's their feast day today. The Cyrillic alphabet, used in Russian and other languages was invented by Slavic Macedonian brothers! Imagine INVENTING an alphabet and written language. Great for one's resume!

But far more important than creating a new alphabet, is that these brothers were instrumental in the conversion of the Slavic people!

Let's remember these two great saints today.

Prayer to Sts Cyril and Methodius (found on Catholic.org):

Saints Cyril and Methodius, watch over all missionaries but especially those in Slavic countries. Help those that are in danger in the troubled areas. Watch over the people you dedicated your lives to. Amen.

What is the difference between Christians and Catholics?

As a Catholic, I really dislike this question. Unfortunately it's a very common one. I am assuming that 99% of people who ask this question are not doing so maliciously or with any ill-will whatsoever. It actually makes sense. When someone says they are "Christian" generally it means a non-Catholic / non-Orthodox Christian, especially if said by someone in the United States or Canada.

I remember one time when I and my now wife were in Europe doing a tour and someone asked me this very question. I have heard it in other instances in various different ways. But this isn't just a blog about why I dislike this question, I will also attempt to the best of my ability to actually answer it!

But first, why do I dislike it? As you can probably tell, I primarily dislike this question because of the question implied within it. If you ask the "difference" between two things, it automatically implies they are, in fact, different. If I said what is the difference between an apple and an orange, it would imply those are two separate entities. If, however, one entity subsumed the other within its definition, the question would seem odd at best.

Imagine for example asking "What is the difference between a Canadian and a person?" or "What is the difference between a cell phone and technology?"

Those would seem like strange, almost unanswerable questions. It reminds me of the court room question of "Do you still beat your wife?" If answered with either "yes" or "no", it would imply the person being questioned was at some point guilty. So, the question's baseline premise must be rejected. That's exactly what I am saying with the above question. I reject the initial premise upon which it is based.

A properly phrased question in this case would be "What is the difference between non-Catholic Christians and Catholic Christians?" I know that's a bit bulky, but it maintains an important point: that Catholics are Christians. This is something which must be emphasized. Catholics are 100% Christians. In fact, we would say we are the truest and most complete form of Christianity. It would make more sense to ask "What is the difference between a Christian and a Protestant?" Even though it would make more sense, I'm not saying it does make sense. Most Protestants, in my estimation, would meet the criteria for being called Christian.

So, having said that enormous pre-amble, let's get into what actually sets Catholics apart from others who call themselves Christians?

I cannot really offer a complete and exhaustive list of differences between the two, but I can offer some observations and some of my own personal knowledge on the subject. To list every single difference would take volumes. These are just some that I thought of. If there are others you think are important, please feel free to list them in the comments. Again, this isn't meant to be an exhaustive list. Also, I may not explain everything perfectly in precise theological language.

One thing I find great about the Catholic Church is that it is very open and transparent on its teachings. If you want to know what the Church believes, you just have to look it up. One of the best sources it the Catechism. There are different versions, and not everything has the same level of authority in its teaching, but it gives you a great idea. Many people accuse Catholics of believing certain things even when they don't. There doesn't need to be any confusion. What we teach is available and knowable by anyone.

Not everything I mention here will differentiate the Catholic Church from all other Christian communities in every way. With thousands of denominations, it would be hard to find a particular doctrine not shared by one or more of them.

Sacraments
The Catholic Church has seven sacraments.

The sacraments are “efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us” (CCC 1131). In other words, a sacrament is a sacred and visible sign that is instituted by Jesus to give us grace, an undeserved gift from God. (See also CCC 1084).

These seven sacraments are the following:

Sacraments of initiation

• Baptism
• Confirmation
• Eucharist

Sacraments of healing

• Penance
• Anointing of the Sick

Sacraments of service

• Holy Orders
• Matrimony 

In Catholic theology, these sacraments impart grace, which is a free gift from God. The efficacy of the sacraments do not depend on the disposition of the person receiving them. Some of the sacraments are necessary for salvation, such as baptism, and in the case of committing a mortal sin, penance. All of the sacraments bring us closer to God. These are not merely symbolic gesture or symbols, but truly bring God's grace to us.

In some Christian denominations, there are only 2 sacraments instead of 7, and they are not considered necessary for salvation. In some cases, they are seen as merely symbolic.

Priesthood
In order to have the sacraments, the Catholic Church must have a priesthood. Although all Christians, in a certain sense, are priests, prophets, and kings, there is also a special clergy designated by God to perform various sacraments, primarily the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Priests are seen as the spiritual helpers of bishops who are spiritual successors of the Apostles. In theory, each bishop can trace his lineage all the way back to one of the original 12 apostles.

Priests take a vow of celibacy which is a matter of discipline rather than doctrine. On top of this, they make a vow of obedience and in some cases (particularly with religious priests) a vow of poverty. By "religious" priest, I mean a priest belonging to a particular religious order, as opposed to a diocesan priest.

Other Christians do not have the priesthood, especially not a ministerial one. This is a huge difference. Although, for example, both Catholics and Protestants celebrate a form of service or liturgy, Protestants view what is happening in a completely different way. The primary purpose of the Mass is to consecrate the Eucharist, which is an unbloody re-presentation of the eternal sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. It makes present his perfect atonement and allows us to do as he commanded when he said "do this in memory of me".

Most Protestant Christians do not believe in the Real Presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament (the Eucharist) and therefore they may infrequently or never have a communion service which they see as symbolic. The primary purpose of a Protestant service is to pray and hear a sermon.

This is an important distinction. As mentioned, even though many families, both Protestant and Catholic, go to their respective churches on Sunday for a service, the intention and idea behind both is dramatically different. There are, however, commonalities, such as Bible readings and a sermon, although Protestant sermons, being the central aspect of a Sunday service, can be much longer than a Catholic homily which generally lasts between 5 to 15 minutes.

Scripture and Tradition
Another big differentiator between non-Catholic and Catholic Christians is their views on Scripture and Tradition. Within Catholicism, both are seen as equal sources of belief and doctrine. However, there is some misunderstanding which must be clarified.

When the Church speaks of "Tradition", it does not simply mean things that are traditional.

The catechism really says it best, so I will quote it here:

The Tradition here in question comes from the apostles and hands on what they received from Jesus' teaching and example and what they learned from the Holy Spirit. The first generation of Christians did not yet have a written New Testament, and the New Testament itself demonstrates the process of living Tradition.

Tradition is to be distinguished from the various theological, disciplinary, liturgical or devotional traditions, born in the local churches over time. These are the particular forms, adapted to different places and times, in which the great Tradition is expressed. In the light of Tradition, these traditions can be retained, modified or even abandoned under the guidance of the Church's Magisterium.

Of note, Tradition is not something that is just simply "made up", it comes from the apostles and is transmitted through time. As the catechism explains, the apostles didn't yet have the Bible as we know it today. That didn't come about until the mid-300s or so. There was much debate about which books were in the Bible and so on. Therefore, one could say the Bible came from the Church and not the other way around.

Of course, this is not the view of non-Catholic Christians. Most of them would describe themselves as Bible-alone Christians or Sola Scriptura. This belief, in my opinion, seems to stem from the idea that the Church is not a visible structure with a hierarchy, but rather more a collection of believers. Because of this, it would be impossible to identify the true "Tradition" or the handing down of doctrine and belief from a particular source. It is also a Protestant belief that each individual Christian has the ability to interpret Scripture on his or her own, there is no Magisterium, which is the teaching authority of the Church in Catholicism. The "Tradition" of Catholic teaching simply could not exist in Protestantism. 

Saints
Of course, all Christians believe in saints. Saints are quite simply those who are in heaven. The difference in belief comes from our approach to them. Catholics believe we can ask Saints in heaven to intercede for us, which means we ask them to pray for us. It's important to note, we always ask them to pray to God on our behalf. We are not praying to them as a substitution for God, as if we are deciding: Should I pray to God or to a saint today?

That's important to know. Many people ask why Catholics don't just "go straight to God"? Why have all these middlemen? First, I would say we often DO go straight to God and this is not discouraged in any way. Secondly, asking others to pray for us is something everyone does. We may ask a relative or friend to keep us in their prayers. This goes for Catholics and non-Catholics. The difference is Catholics will ask not only relatives and friends but also saints in heaven.

There are a couple of reasons for this. First of all, we believe in the communion of saints, meaning we are all kind of in this together. Saints are close to God and are virtuous, holy and filled with grace. They are currently experiencing the beatific vision. Their intercessory prayer is powerful. As Catholics, we believe that saints can hear our prayers and bring them to God.

Purgatory and Indulgences

Purgatory in Catholic theology is a place of purification which those who are saved must spend time in order to purge or cleanse vice or attachment to sin before entering Heaven. We are told that nothing impure can enter heaven. Purgatory are for those who die in a state of grace, meaning in friendship with God, but must first be purified before entering into the beatific vision.

To me, purgatory is congruent with God's mercy. Instead of saying a person must have absolutely no attachment to sin or any disordered desires, God says a person must be in friendship with him at the time of death and that he will cleanse them of any leftover vices before they can enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Protestants do not explicitly believe in any form of purgatory for the most part. I did, however, discover that many Protestants believe in a sort of cleansing prior to entering Heaven, the difference is that it takes place instantaneously unlike in Catholic theology.

Because of our beliefs surrounding purgatory, we have other beliefs which correspond as well, such as indulgences. An indulgence is the remission of the temporal punishment due to sin. This is best explained with an example. If you steal $1000 from someone and then God forgives you for doing so, you must still, to the best of your ability, repay the amount to that person. You must make restitution. It would not be sufficient to say "well God has forgiven me, no further action necessary." This type of "repayment" cannot always take place. How could one repay gluttony, lust, sloth, etc. It's not always clear the exact "value" of these things. That's where indulgences come in. Indulgences can be granted for various actions such as prayers and fasting. Special indulgences are granted by the Church for various specific tasks such as praying at a cemetery during All Souls Day or participating in a Novena. These actions purify us and detach us from sin.

Indulgences get a little more complicated. There are some which are partial and others which are complete or plenary, meaning they either remit some or all of the temporal punishment due to sin (temporal indicating the effects of sin other than eternal consequences). One of the conditions to receive a plenary indulgence is detachment from sin, meaning we are not drawn to a particular sin. That's a big ask. If these cannot be achieved, and a person dies in God's favor, he may have to spend time in Purgatory.

🙏

There are dozens of other differences between Catholicism and non-Catholic Christianity. We could go on and on, but the above at least gives an idea. I did not provide proof, either Biblical or other, for the above, but they are certainly there. I just wanted to provide the differences, not necessarily prove them.

Hope this helps answer the question many people have asked over the years. If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to put them in the comments section.

Have a great day and God Bless You.

Happy Feast Day of one of my Favorite Saints - Thomas Aquinas!

St. Thomas Aquinas is definitely one of my favorite saints, if not my favorite. I don't like being too committal on something like that! Aquinas isn't just another saint (as if there is such a thing). He is a pre-eminent saint. He is a doctor of the Church but in my opinion, easily one of the top. His Summa Theologiae is definitely the most used extra-biblical source within Catholicism when it comes to issues of morality, theology, and various other Catholic topics.

I went to Mass today and the priest mentioned something about Aquinas which I think we sometimes forget. We know he had a towering intellect (I'll get into that more later), but he was also an extremely holy and devout mystic. Yes, a mystic. We rarely think of him in those terms. In fact, all too often we implicitly seem to categorize saints as either mystical or intellectual. Both of these characteristics are wonderful and important, but we shouldn't always make such black and white distinctions.

It's actually quite an amazing thing when one thinks about it. There isn't a dichotomy between faith and reason in any way. In fact, as we can see from the example of Thomas Aquinas, one only strengthens the other. A false dichotomy often put forth by secular society is between "spiritual" and "religious", implying that to be spiritual means to not be preoccupied by all the "rules". I explained in a previous blog why this is a false dichotomy. An example of this is the common expression among traditional Catholics of Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, which essentially translates to the way we pray is the way we believe.

Perhaps it doesn't fit perfectly but I think that expression does tell us something. To know God is to love God. I think that's the point from which St. Thomas comes. He helps us to better understand God and his will so that we can love him ever more fully.

To me, this comes up when understanding various concepts within the faith. If we do not have a good grasp of these concepts, we can be easily led astray. For example, knowing what true humility or true patience entail will lead us to be holier and better people. If we operate under a false idea of what these terms mean, then we can be led into bad areas without even knowing it.

The same goes for the nature of God Himself. If we have an insufficient, incorrect, or outright heretical viewpoint of God and His Nature, we can easily fall into sin and error. Ultimately we cannot be happy in this state.

St. Thomas Aquinas lived from 1225 to 1274, around 800 years ago, yet his teachings have stood the test of time ever since then. This further bolsters the fact that his ideas are perennial, and not shifting as with the current moral relativism. Truth is truth and it doesn't change. Over all the centuries and through all the various peoples of the Earth, these truths speak to us. St. Thomas has stood the test of time and we can fully trust in what he is saying.

I mention this because I feel that we as fallible human beings can easily fall into error. Often this is not deliberate, it is just a sort of dulling of the sword. We inadvertently fall into sin through many small, poor decisions. Because of faulty philosophy and theology, people can be led astray. This is why we need teachers (or "doctors" in Latin) to guide us. We know that by listening to such men and women, we are listening to God through them and not to our own fallen desires.

On an intellectual level, I find St. Thomas to be an unparalleled resource. He speaks on so many different subjects, and yet there is consistency. This is impressive given the fact that his Magnus Opus, The Summa Theologiae (sometimes written as Summa Theologica) is 3x bigger than the entire Holy Bible! It would be difficult to write even a few pages without having some inconsistencies, but St. Thomas was able to achieve this in such a large tome - obviously with God's help.

I am not suggesting that St. Thomas was infallible in everything he said. He is probably the most complete theologian in the Church's history, but he did make some small errors. Only the Church is guaranteed the charism of infallibility by Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Despite the fact that Thomas had one of the greatest intellects of all time, he was one of the most humble men as well. There are many stories of his humility. I will attempt to recount one of them. As a child in school, he spoke so infrequently that people assumed he was dumb, both literally (unable to speak) and in the modern-day meaning of being stupid. His nickname, in fact, was the "Dumb Ox". The idea that he wasn't the best student was so widely believed, that his teacher St. Albert hired a tutor to help out this poor, dumb, child Thomas. Yet, soon after beginning to teach the young Thomas, the tutor, astounded by the boy's brilliance, did something spectacular: he asked, in his own humility, if St. Thomas would switch roles with him and become his tutor.

Later in life, St. Thomas (who is said to have never committed a mortal sin) was praying when he had a profound mystical experience which caused him to declare that all his magnificent writings were but straw. This is not to be misinterpreted to mean that his writings were false or unimportant. Rather, compared to a direct experience of union with God, his writings were infinitely less significant. This shows his holiness and humility.

I could go on and on in writing about this great saint. In this day and age of confusion and relativity, we need St. Thomas Aquinas all the more!

Happy Feast Day of Brother André Bessette January 6

 

Who was the Oldest Apostle when he died? (Plus, when and how the other apostles died)

The oldest apostle of Jesus Christ at the time of his death was St. John the Apostle who is said to have died in the year 100 AD. He was born around 6AD and therefore he would have been 93 or 94 years old. This is a very old age even today, but back them all the more. So how did St. John live to such an old age?

St. John is famous among the apostles for not being martyred as all the others were. It wasn't for a lack of trying though! In the year 95, he was taken prisoner at Ephesus and sent to trial in Rome. He was sentenced to death and was put in boiling oil, however he miraculously survived. Apparently though he felt the pain. Because of the miracle, the emperor commuted his sentence to exile on the island of Patmos. This is where he died.

The 10 other apostles plus St. Matthias who replaced Judas were all martyred in the folllowing ways:

St. James the Greater was beheaded by King Herod Agrippa in the year 42 - the first apostle to be martyred.

St. Philip was crucified upside down in Persia in the year 62.

St. James the Lesser was martyred in the year 62 by being thrown from a building in Jerusalem and having his head bashed in with a club.

St. Matthew was martyred in Ethiopia while saying Mass in the year 65.

St. Matthias was killed in Asia Minor near the Caspian Sea in the year 65, either by crucifixion of by being hacked to death.

St. Andrew was crucified in an X shape after being scourged in the year 67.

St. Peter was crucified upside down near the Vatican by Nero in the year 67.

St. Jude (also known as Thaddeus) was clubbed to death in Persia in the year 67.

St. Simon the Zealot was crucified at Edessa in the year 67.

St. Bartholomew was skinned alive in Armenia in the year 72.

St. Thomas was stabbed to death in Mylapore, India in the year 74.

Finally, in the year 100, 26 years after the death of all the other apostles, St. John passed away. St. Robert Bellarmine, a doctor of the Church, indicates St. John was assumed into heaven body and soul which accounts for the fact that we do not have his relics.

I found much of this information here.

Feast Day of the Martyrdom of St. Thomas Becket

Today, December 29, is the feast day of St. Thomas Becket who was killed by knights of King Henry II after the king uttered his famous words "Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?" There are other translations as well.

To summarize, very basically, the king wanted to remove some of the privileges enjoyed by the Church in England. St. Thomas objected to these changes. Although Thomas and the king had been friends for some time, and the king assumed Thomas would support his ambitions, Thomas remained steadfast in supporting the Catholic Church.

After St. Thomas was killed in the cathedral of Canterbury, the king expressed remorse and did public penance. He confessed publicly and then monks and others whipped him.

I found a really good summation of the whole thing here: https://epicpew.com/st-thomas-becket/

Unfortunately the Canterbury Cathedral is no longer under Catholic control. Also, part of the public contrition of King Henry II was to build a shrine to St. Thomas a Becket. In his insane lust for power, Henry VIII, several hundred years later, destroyed the shrine and then put the deceased Becket on trial. What an absolute mockery and sacrilege to such a great man of God.

December 28: Feast of the Holy Innocents in the Catholic Church

Today is the feast day of the Holy Innocents, the boys under the age of 2 killed by King Herod in his attempt to murder the Messiah as a young child. It is recounted in the Book of Matthew. Here is the verse (Matthew Chapter 2: 16-18):

The Massacre of the Infants.

16

When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.

17

Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:

18

“A voice was heard in Ramah,

sobbing and loud lamentation;

Rachel weeping for her children,

and she would not be consoled,

since they were no more.”

There is debate as to the exact number of children killed during this massacre. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the estimate ranges from a handful of children killed to several thousand. The important part is that the king was desperate to kill a child who could threaten his reign. This is important because many Jews expected the Messiah to be a great military leader who would vanquish the enemies of the Jews.

It is believed that the relics of the bodies of some of the Innocents are located in the major basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome.

These children are considered martyrs in deed but not in will, as obviously a child under the age of 2 cannot consent in any way to martyrdom.

“The Gospel notes that ‘there was no place for them at the inn’ (Luke 2:7). This statement. Recalling the text in John’s Prologue: ‘His own people received him not’ (John 1:11), foretells as it were the many refusals Jesus will meet during his earthly life. The phrase ‘for them’ joins the Son and the Mother in this rejections and shows how Mary is already associated with her Son’s destiny of suffering and shares his redeeming mission.”