Christian Today

30th November - Saint Andrew - Independent Catholic News : Apostle and martyr. Patron saint of Scotland and Russia. Andrew was a brother of Simon Peter. A fisherman who lived at Capernaum, he was a follower of John the Baptist. When Jesus passed by the Sea of Galilee he saw Peter and Andrew fishing and told them: 'Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.' Andrew went to his brother Simon and said: 'We have found the Messiah.' So he was the first apostle and the first missionary.

Pope Francis: Faith is not a theory - it is an encounter with Jesus - Independent Catholic News : Christian faith is not a theory or a philosophy - it is the encounter with Jesus. That was the message of Pope Francis at the morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta on Monday morning. The Pope emphasized that in order to truly encounter Jesus we undertake the journey with three attitudes: to be vigilant in prayer, industrious in charity, exultant in praise. Pope Francis based the homily on the theme of the encounter with the Lord. He noted first that in this period of the year, the Liturgy shows us many encounters with Jesus: with His Mother in the womb, with Saint John the Baptist, with

Supremacy and Survival: The English Reformation: The Temptation of a Martyr: Blessed Alexander Crow... : Wikipedia has this brief entry for today's martyr: Alexander Crow (died 1586/7) was born in Yorkshire around 1550. He took up an earl...

Advent: Our Hope is Not in This World : In my experience, paring down the material side of Advent and Christmas greatly deepens the spiritual dimensions. I do not spend my Advent stuck in traffic, pushed around in stores, or struggling to maintain patience in the face of widespread rudeness. In paring back, and focusing on Christ in Advent, I am more prepared for the realities offered in the mystery of Christmas.

29th November - Saint Brendan of Birr - Independent Catholic News : Irish abbot. St Brendan was one of the early monastic Irish saints. He was a friend and disciple of St Columba. Brendan of Birr is said to have been of a noble Munster family. He studied at the Clonard monastery and it was here that he became a friend and companion of Ciarán of Saigir and Brendan of Clonfert. It is said that the average number of scholars under instruction at Clonard was 3,000.

29th November - Saint Brendan of Birr - Independent Catholic News : Irish abbot. St Brendan was one of the early monastic Irish saints. He was a friend and disciple of St Columba. Brendan of Birr is said to have been of a noble Munster family. He studied at the Clonard monastery and it was here that he became a friend and companion of Ciarán of Saigir and Brendan of Clonfert. It is said that the average number of scholars under instruction at Clonard was 3,000.

Supremacy and Survival: The English Reformation: Martyrs on November 29 in 1588 and 1596 : Blessed Edward Burden :  After studying at Oxford University’s Trinity College, Edward Burden, of County Durham, England, journeyed to the ...

St. Andrew Trong - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online St. Andrew Trong, Roman Catholic and Martyr of Vietnam. He was arrested in 1834 and in the presence of his mother he was beheaded. She knelt beside him at the execution site in Hué, receiving his head on her lap. Feastday Nov.28

Pope Francis: Advent calls us to enlarge our horizons - Independent Catholic News : Pope Francis marked the beginning of the new liturgical year during the Angelus on the First Sunday of Advent. On this day, the Pope said, the Gospel introduces us to one of the most 'evocative' themes of the Advent season: the visit of the Lord to humanity. Pope Francis pointed out three visits of the Lord: the first, in the past, with the Incarnation, and Birth of Jesus at Christmas; the second, in the present, as Jesus visits us continually, every day; and the final visit, in the future, when Jesus 'will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.' Advent encourages us to reflect on the contrast between

28th November - Saint Catherine Laboure - Independent Catholic News : Nun and visionary. Founder of the devotion of the Miraculous Medal. St Catherine came from a large farming family near Dijon in France. Born in 1806, she looked after her widowed father and later worked as a waitress in her uncle's cafe in Paris, before joining the Sisters of Charity at the age of 14. She lived in the community in Reuilly, caring for the elderly in a rest home and tending chickens. Her superiors wrote that she was a 'quiet and dull' person.

The History of Advent : The liturgical season of Advent marks the time of spiritual preparation by the faithful before Christmas. Advent begins on the Sunday closest to the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle (November 30). It spans four Sundays and four weeks of preparation, although the last week of Advent is usually truncated because of when Christmas falls. …

Bl. James Thompson - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online Bl. James Thompson, Roman Catholic Priest and English Martyr. He was hanged at York. Feastday Nov.28

Lord, I Am Not Worthy : I’d like to continue our examination of the forthcoming changes to the English translation of the Roman Missal, resuming at the Ecce Agnus Dei where the priest will elevate the Eucharist and say: “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper …

27th November - Saint Francesco Antonio Fasani - Independent Catholic News : Franciscan priest. Born in Lucera, southeast Italy, in 1681, Francesco entered the Conventual Franciscans when he was just 14. After his ordination 10 years later, he taught philosophy to younger friars, served as guardian of his friary and later became provincial. When his term of office ended, Francesco became master of novices and finally parish priest in his hometown. In his various ministries, he was loving, devout and humble.

Bl. Thomas Kotenda and Companions - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online Bl. Thomas Kotenda and Companions, Roman Catholics and Martyrs of Japan. He lived at Nagasaki until his condemnation and beheading, He was martyred along with ten companions.Feastday Nov27

26th November: Saint Leonard of Port Maurizio - Independent Catholic News : Franciscan priest, writer, preacher and patron of popular missionaries. St Leonard was an Italian, born in Port Maurizio in 1676. After training in Rome, he became a Franciscan and restored the Florentian Friary of San Francesco del Monte. Many friars joined the community. They walked around the country preaching and went on solitary retreat twice a year.

Supremacy and Survival: The English Reformation: "Silence" and Apostasy : The trailer for Martin Scorsese's film adaptation of Shusaku Endo's Silence is available here . Silence tells the story of Jesuit ...

Scripture Speaks: Stay Awake! : On this first Sunday in the new liturgical year, Jesus warns His followers to “stay awake!”  Why do we need to hear this today? Gospel (Read Mt 24:37-44) St. Matthew records for us an extended conversation Jesus had with His disciples about “the coming of the Son of Man.”  We know this prophecy had two …

25th November - Blessed Luigi and Maria Beltrame Quattrocchi - Independent Catholic News : Married couple. Luigi and Maria Beltrame Quattrocchi were beatified on October 21, 2001 by Pope John Paul II. The couple lived in Rome. Maria was an academic and educationalist and worked for several Catholic organisations. She died in 1965. Luigi was a lawyer involved in the reconstruction of Italy after the Second World War. He died in 1951. Three of

St. Flora & Mary - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online St. Flora & Mary, Roman Catholic women and Martyrs at Cordoba, Spain. They surrendered to Muslim authorities and were placed in a brothel. Still clinging to the faith, Flora and Mary were beheaded. Feastday Nov.24

Martyrs of Vietnam - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online Martyrs of Vietnam, Several Roman Catholic groups of martyrs also called the Martyrs of Annam who were slain for the faith in Vietnam from 1798 until 1861. Feastday Nov.24

24th November - Saint Colman of Cloyne - Independent Catholic News : Irish Bishop. Born in Munster in 530, St Colman was a royal bard at Cashel. He was about 50 when he became a Christian and could be described as having an early 'late vocation'. In his mid 50s he was ordained and from that time, worked as a priest and then a bishop in Limerick and Cork. Colman was known as a great poet. His surviving verses date from the period 565 and 604, and are among the earliest examples of Irish writing in the Latin alphabet.

Entering the Narrow Gate : We are among the remnant, friends. This does not imply superiority, quite the contrary actually. It involves extreme humility in the form of “bearing wrongs patiently” and submitting ourselves to whatever abasement may occur from others who spit fire and hatred with their words and actions.

23rd November - Saint Columban - Independent Catholic News : Monk. Ireland's sixth century missionary to Europe. Born in Leimster in Ireland around 543, St Columban was a monk at Bangor in County Down under St Comgall, before he left for Europe with several companions. Passing through England and Brittany he founded the great monastery of Luxeuil in Burgundy in 591 and was abbot there for twenty years. Columban's rule there became very influential for a time among the rural Frankish nobility.

Bl. Baldji Oghlou Ohannes - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online Bl. Baldji Oghlou Ohannes, Roman Catholic Monk and Martyr. A group of eight Franciscan martyred in the region of Mujuk-Dersi, Armenia by invading Islamic Turks who tortured them, demanded they convert to Islam, and murdered them when they did not convert. Feastday Nov 22

22nd November - Saint Cecilia - Independent Catholic News : Roman martyr, patron saint of music. According to legend, St Cecilia was a Roman Christian from a patrician family who lived in the 2nd or 3rd century. She had decided to remain single and devote her life to God, but was forced into an arranged marriage. While the wedding guests danced at her wedding, she sat apart singing only the psalms. Valerian, her husband, turned out to be very understanding and respected her vow of virginity.

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St. Gelasius - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online St. Pope Gelasius I (died 19 November 496) was the head of The Holy Roman Catholic Church from March 492 to his death in 496. He was probably the third and last Bishop of Rome of North African origin in the Catholic Church. Feastday Nov 21

Supremacy and Survival: The English Reformation: England and the Blessed Virgin Mary : Today is the memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in both the Catholic and the Orthodox Churches (it's called The...

St. Edmund the Martyr - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online St. Edmund, Roman Catholic English King and Martyr, he refused the Danes' demand that he renounce Christ: the Danes beat him, shot him with arrows and then beheaded him. Feastday Nov.20

St. Edmund Rich - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online

St. Felix of Valois - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online St. Felix of Valois, Hermit and co-founder of the Trinitarians with St. John of Matha. He lived as a recluse at Cerfroid, France, and in 1198 received approval from the Holy See for the Order of the Most Holy Trinity to ransoms captives from the Moors. Felix founded St. Mathburn Convent in Paris while in his seventies. He died in Cerfroid on November 4.Feastday: Nov. 20

19th November - Saint Nerses - Independent Catholic News : Bishop and martyr. Nerses lived in fourth-century Armenia. He was an official in the court of King Arshak. After the death of his wife, Nerses was ordained a priest. He became chief bishop of Armenia in 363 and worked with St Basil to evangelise the people of Armenia. During his life Nerses built many monasteries and hospitals and encouraged the rich to be honest and

Bl. Salvatore Lilli - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online Bl. Salvatore Lilli, Roman Catholic Fransican Monk and Martyr. Missionary to Mujuk-Deresa, Armenia in 1894. In 1895 the area was occupied by Islamic Turks who captured Salvatore and fellow Franciscans Baldji Oghlou Ohannes, David Oghlou David, Dimbalac Oghlou Wartavar, Geremia Oghlou Boghos, Khodianin Oghlou Kadir, Kouradji Oghlou Tzeroum, and Toros Oghlou David. They were tortured and ordered to convert; they refused. One of the Martyrs of Armenia. Feastday Nov 19

Pope: Have the courage to embrace Christian poverty - Independent Catholic News : During Mass at Casa Santa Marta on Friday, Pope Francis appealed for God to grant believers the courage to embrace Christian poverty, saying people cannot forgive a priest who is attached to money. Reflecting on the day's Gospel in which where Jesus drove out the traders from the temple, accusing them of transforming it into a den of thieves, the Pope spoke of the power and allure of money. He said Jesus's action helps us to understand where the seed of the antichrist is contained, the seed of the enemy that ruins his Kingdom: attachment to money.

Turkey removes the country's only Christian co-mayor - Independent Catho : A massive purge by the Turkish government of politicians and officials accused of being supporters of the network of Fethullah Gulen - the Turkish Islamic preacher, continued this week with the sacking of Februniye Akyol, the first Assyrian Christian to be elected co-mayor in Turkey, in the city of Merdin. Both she and her co-mayor, the Kurdish Ahmet Turk, were removed and replaced with a 'Qayyum' appointed by the central government. The two were elected co-mayors of Mardin in 2014.

18th November - Saint Mawes - Independent Catholic News : Bishop. According to tradition, St Mawes was the 5th century founder and patron of the fishing village near Falmouth in Cornwall which bears his name. He is also associated with St Budoc. Legend says they were both Welsh monks and founded monasteries in Cornwall and Brittany. St Mawes had a reputation for being a fine teacher. He was invoked against headaches, snakebite and worms.

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne: American Missionary : November 18 is the feast day of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne. Mother Duchesne persevered through all the obstacles placed in the path of her vocation. She entered religious life despite her father’s vehement objection and she returned to it after nine years of absence caused by the French Revolution. She humbly accepted Saint Madeline Sophie …

New Scorsese film 'Silence' tells story of Jesuits in Japan - Independent Catholic News : For Christians across the world, faith is a source of hope and comfort. Jesus's triumph over death offers a reason for joy whatever the circumstances, and a promise that light will ultimately overcome darkness. But if we only talk about victory, we risk denying the reality of the other half of life. Where is God in our doubt, in our defeat - and even in our despair? These thorny questions are at the heart of Silence, a new historical epic film from master director Martin Scorsese.

St. Hilda of Whitby - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online St. Hilda of Whitby or Hild of Whitby (c. 614–680) is a Roman Catholic saint and the founding abbess of the monastery at Whitby, which was chosen as the venue for the Synod of Whitby. An important figure in the conversion of England to The Holy Roman Catholic Church, she was abbess at several monasteries and recognized for the wisdom that drew kings to her for advice. Feastday: November 17

Love the Stranger as Yourself : A lawyer – that is, a scholar of Torah – asks Jesus what he has to do to live forever (Luke 10:25). Life forever is what Jesus offers, so how do we get it? It’s a fair question. Well Jesus says to the man, you already know. Really he says, “What does it say in …

The End of Mercy : During my novitiate year, I visited residents in an assisted living facility every week. Sometimes the interactions were whimsical (once, a resident advised me on cheap places to take a girl on a first date—I don’t think he quite understood the meaning of the habit). But one particular resident left a lasting impression on me. …

17th November - St Hugh of Lincoln; Martyrs of Paraguay - Independent Catholic News : Bishop. Born at Avalon in Burgundy, in 1135, St Hugh came to England at the request of King Henry II, who wanted him to found a Carthusian monastery at Witham in Somerset as part of his reparations for the murder of St Thomas Becket.... Missionaries. These were three Jesuits: Roque Gonzalez, Alonozo Rodriguez and Juan de Castillo who were involved in the 'Reductions' of Paraguay - depicted in the film The Mission.

You are Called: Lessons from a Demoniac : As the Year of Mercy draws to its close, these words of Jesus might be seen as our mission. If Christ called the Gentile demoniac, be assured He is calling you too!

15th November - Saint Fintan - Independent Catholic News : Hermit. Born in Leinster, in the 9th century, St Fintan was captured and made a slave by Vikings who took him to the Orkneys. Fintan escaped and was protected by a Scottish bishop whose name has been lost. To give thanks for his rescue, Fintan made a pilgrimage to Rome. On his way back he joined a group of hermits on an island in the Rhine near Schaffhausen, where he spent the rest of his life.

Pope Francis: God will never abandon us - Independent Catholic News : Our only certainty is that our life is in the hands of the Lord, and that God will never abandon us, Pope Francis saidin his address to pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square for the Angelus on Sunday. Even the most sacred human constructions are 'transitory' he said, warning them not to place their faith in them or in 'false messiahs' who speculate on people's needs. Nothing can be lost if we place our lives in the hands of the Lord, Pope Francis said, as he reflected on the Gospel reading of the day which tells of the destruction of the Temple and the signs of the end of times.

16th November - Saint Margaret of Scotland - Independent Catholic News : Queen and patron of Scotland. Born in 1046, St Margaret was educated mainly in Hungary, where her family were exiled during the rule of the Viking kings in England. As one of the last members of the Anglo Saxon royal family, she was in danger after the Norman Conquest and took refuge at the court of Malcolm II of Scotland. Intelligent, beautiful and devout, she married Malcolm in 1069 and the union was exceptionally happy and fruitful for Scotland. The present royal family can trace their descent to Margaret and her daughter Matilda.

Supremacy and Survival: The English Reformation: Blessed Edward Osbaldeston : Another November martyr, Blessed Edward Osbaldeston; according to the Catholic Encyclopedia , he was born about 1560; hanged, drawn, and q...

Steps to Prepare for a Happy & Holy Death : The great woman Doctor of the Church who lived with an invisible stigma, who was spiritual director to priests, Bishops, even the Pope, Saint Catherine of Siena made this powerful assertion: “The two most important moments in our life are: Now and at the hour of our death.”  Sound familiar?  Of course—the last part of the …

Yes, the Church Still Believes in Indulgences : These examples of indulgences hint at one of the purposes behind the practice—and it’s not just the remission of the temporal penalty of sin. Indulgences also are one way the Church helps the faithful prioritize just what prayers and devotional practices are most important.

Bl. John Eynon - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online Bl. John Eynon, Roman Catholic Benedictine Priest and English Martyr. John served as the pastor of the local parish in St. Giles. He refused to surrender the parish to the authorities and was taken to Reading Abbey. He was executed at the abbey gateway with Blessed Hugh Farington and Blessed John Rugg Feastday Nov 15

Bl. Hugh Green - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online Bl. Hugh Green, Roman Catholic Priest and English Martyr. His executioner was quite unskilled and could not find Green's heart; the butchery, with appalling cruelty, was prolonged for nearly half an hour. After his execution, the mob played football with his head. Feastday Nov 15

Bl. John Thorne - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online Bl. Roger James, Roman Catholic Benedictine Martyr of England. Monk of Glastonbury Abbey, when the monks opposed the royal decree, Roger was hanged, drawn, and quartered on Tor Hill, over looking Glastonbury, with his abbot, Blessed Richard Whiting, and with Blessed John Thome. Feastday Nov 15

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14th November - Saint Laurence O'Toole (Lorchan Ua Tuathail) - Independent Catholic News : Archbishop of Dublin. St Laurence was born about 1128 in Co Kildare of a marriage between the chieftain families O'Toole and O'Byrne. He spent most of his childhood as a hostage of Dermot McMurrogh, King of Leinster. Laurence became a monk at Glendalough and was elected abbot at the age of 25. Besides leading a life of prayer, the community was very involved in famine relief and preaching against brigandage.

12th November - St Machar & St Josaphat - Independent Catholic News : St Machar - Bishop. This Sixth century saint was an Irish nobleman who was baptised by St Colman. Later he became a monk and disciple of St Columba on Iona. He is said to have evangelised Mull and Aberdeen. For centuries, water from his well was used for baptisms in Aberdeen cathedral. A few dedications to him survive in this part of Scotland.

Scripture Speaks: Giving Testimony in the Last Days : Jesus once overheard a conversation about the glory of the Temple in Jerusalem.  He then made a startling prediction.  What was it? Gospel (Read Lk 21:5-19) St. Luke tells us Jesus had a conversation with His disciples about the Temple in Jerusalem.  It began when “some people were speaking about how the Temple was adorned …

11th November - Saint Martin of Tours - Independent Catholic News : Born in 316 in Hungary, St Martin was one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages. His father was a pagan officer in the army and, as a young man, Martin joined up as a conscript. However, he had already come under the influence of Christianity, and realised that the military life was not compatible with his faith. St Martin was probably one of the earliest conscientious objectors.

Pope encourages all Christians to journey together towards unity - Independent Catholic News : Pope Francis said on Thursday that the search for Christian unity is one of his principle concerns, one that he prays may be shared by every baptized person. The Pope's words came in his address to ecumenical representatives from around the world at a plenary session of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. The meeting, from November 8th to 11th is exploring the theme 'What model of full communion?' The Pope recalled the many important encounters he has had this year with leaders of other Christian communities.

Pope warns against religion as short-lived entertainment - Independent Catholic News : In his homily during Mass at Casa Santa Marta on Thursday, Pope Francis warned Christians against the temptation of a show or entertainment religion that constantly seeks novelty and revelations. He compared that to fireworks that provide us with a fleeting brightness. The Holy Father was reflecting on the day's reading about Jesus' reply to the Pharisees' question on when the Kingdom of God would come, where He stresses how Christians must guard hope every day whilst waiting for the fullness of the Kingdom. Noting that Jesus told the Pharisees 'the Kingdom of God is among you,'

10th November - Saint Leo the Great - Independent Catholic News : Pope. Born in Rome probably, in the 5th century, of Tuscan parents, little is known of Pope Leo's early life. As a young man he was a deacon and was employed as a peacemaker between two generals in Gaul. He was elected Pope in 440 and during his 20 years pontificate devoted himself to unity and peace in the church. He fought against the teachings of Euryches, a monk who insisted that Jesus had only one nature.

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9th November - Saint Theodore - Independent Catholic News : One of the most famous Roman soldier-martyrs, almost nothing is known of his life except his martyrdom in the 4th century. Theodore was called a wonder worker. As a young recruit, while his legion was wintering at Amasea near Pontus, he was ordered to worship idols. He refused. When he was called before the governor he said: 'Jesus Christ is my one God. There is no limb I would not sacrifice if God demanded it.'

Pope: 'If we hunger after power and wealth we cannot serve God well' - Independent Catholic News : If we hunger after power and wealth, we cannot serve God well, Pope Francis said during Mass at Casa Santa Marta on Tuesday. The Holy Father began his homily saying, if we want to be good and faithful servants of the Lord, we must guard against dishonestly and the pursuit of power. But how often, do we see or hear ourselves saying, even in our own homes, that 'I'm in charge here?' Jesus taught us that leaders are those who serve others, and if we want to be first, we must become the servant of all.

We Rest in Hope, Come What May : In a Fallen world where suffering abounds: What is the Christian answer to suffering and uncertainty? What is it we have been given in the face of pain, sorrow, uncertainty, and agony in our lives and the world? The answer is the supernatural virtue of hope. The Christian life is one lived in hope, no …

Supremacy and Survival: The English Reformation: A Catholic Oxford Martyr : This parish website posts the story of Blessed George Napper (or Napier) as told by Father Robert F. McNamara: George Napper (or Napier)...

Ten Reasons to Rejoice : St. Paul exhorts us in his letter to the Philippians to rejoice, not just once but twice:  “Rejoice in the Lord; I say it again: rejoice in the Lord.” (Phil. 4:4).  Pope Francis’ Apostolic exhortation reiterates the same theme—“The Joy of the Gospel”.  St. Francis de Sales remarks on spiritual progress commenting that after sin the worse thing is …

And the Word Was Made Flesh : “To all who received him, who believe in his name, he gave power to become children of God” (John 1:12). To believe in the name of Jesus Christ is to recognize him as the Christ, as the Son of God, as the Word who was before all time and who became man. To be ready …

8th November: St Cybi - Independent Catholic News : Abbot. This 6th century saint was founder of a monastery in Holyhead, Anglesey. Together with his friend Seiriol, St Cybi is regarded as the most important saint from the island. There are numerous dedications to Cybi throughout Wales and in Cornwall too - including a well at Llangybi near Gwynedd and a half-ruined beehive cell. St Cybi's well is still used for baptism and healing to this day.

7th November - Saint Willibrord - Independent Catholic News : Missionary archbishop. Born in Northumbria in 658, Willibrord studied at Ripon monastery under St Wilfrid and spent twelve years studying in Ireland at the abbey of Rathmelsigi under Saints Egbert and Wigbert. After his ordination he set out about 690 with a dozen companions for Frisia, or Friesland. These men covered extraordinary distances on foot, by boat and probably horseback in the course of their work. In 693, Willibrord went to Rome to seek papal approval for their mission.

Pope Francis warns against 'politics of fear' - Independent Catholic News : Pope Francis warned against 'the politics of fear' on Saturday evening during his address to the Third World Meeting of Popular Movements at the Vatican. The event brings together organizations of people on the margins of society, including the poor, the unemployed and those who have lost their agricultural land. ... this fear 'is fed and manipulated... Because fear - as well as being a good deal for the merchants of arms and death - weakens and destabilizes us, destroys our psychological and spiritual defenses, numbs us to the suffering of others, and in the end it makes us cruel.'

Po : Pope Francis celebrated Mass on Sunday for the Jubilee for Prisoners in Saint Peter's Basilica, during which he reminded prison detainees to never lose hope, or fall into the temptation that they can never be forgiven. Around 1,000 prisoners from 12 countries took part in the weekend celebrations, along with their families, prison chaplains and staff, and various associations. The Jubilee for Prisoners is one of the final major events of the Jubilee of Mercy, which ends on November 20. In his homily Pope Francis focussed on the theme of hope.

Pope calls for better prison conditions, more humane criminal justice system - Independent Catholic News : After the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis appealed for the improvement of living conditions in prisons all over the world, in order to fully respect the 'human dignity of detainees.' He also said there was a need for a criminal justice system that is not only punitive, but is open to hope and the prospect of reintegrating offenders into society. 'In a special way, I submit for the consideration of the competent civilian authorities in all countries the opportunity to make, in this Holy Year of Mercy, an act of clemency towards those prisoners who will be considered eligible to benefit from this

The Deeper Meaning of the Communion of Saints : Have you ever noticed how God is never depicted as alone in heaven? Take the vision in Isaiah 6, where the prophet glimpses God seated on his throne, flanked by a chorus of seraphim singing of His holiness. Then there is the majestic vision of Daniel 7: As I watched, Thrones were set up and …

We, the Church, are the Maccabees of the 21st Century : The Church receives encouragement by those who have gone before her, witnessing what it means to stand up for truth when a gospel of convenience and tolerance is preached by society. The story of the Maccabees today encourages us to stand up for what we believe in. It is easy to do so when we face no challenges to truth. But when our beliefs are consistently challenged, will we stand up? One of the Maccabees said, “It is my choice to die at the hands of men with the hope God gives of being raised up by him.” He echoes St. Paul, if I remain faithful to the Lord, He will remain faithful to me.

Bl. Martyrs of Astoria during Spanish Civil War - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online Roman Catholic Martyrs of the Spanish Civil War, the people who were killed by Republicans during the war because of their faith. As of July 2008, almost one thousand Spanish martyrs have been beatified or canonized. For some two thousand additional martyrs, the beatification process is underway. Feastday Nov.6

November 5th - Saints Zachariah and Elizabeth - Independent Catholic News : Parents of St John the Baptist. Both were old when the Angel Gabriel came to tell them they were going to have a son. Zachariah was so shocked he lost the power of speech. When Elizabeth went to meet Mary, who was expecting Jesus, the child leapt up in her womb. When the baby was born, Zachariah wrote the name John on a tablet. His speech returned in the Temple, according to the Gospel of Luke,

4th : ��Archbishop of Milan. St Charles was born in 1528 to an aristocratic family, who lived in a castle on the shore of Lake Maggiore. He suffered a speech impediment but was a very bright student. By the age of 22 he had his doctor's degree. His uncle Pope Pius IV heaped honours on him, including the administration of the diocese of Milan and appointment as Cardinal. Charles would have preferred to leave the court and be a monk, but there was work he had to do in Rome.�� Charles supported Pius IV at the Council of Trent.

Pope calls for peaceful encounter of religions and true religious freedom - Independent Catholic News : Pope Francis today urged representatives of different religions to foster a peaceful encounter of believers and genuine religious freedom. Speaking to some 200 people gathered in the Vatican for an interreligious audience, Pope Francis reflected on the soon-to-end Year of Mercy saying that mercy extends also to the world around us, 'to our common home, which we are called to protect and preserve from unbridled and rapacious consumption.' He pointed out that in today's hectic and forgetful world we need the oxygen of gratuitous and life-giving love: 'We thirst for mercy and no technology

Supremacy and Survival: The English Reformation: The English Martyrs Chapel on the Feast of Simon a... : The Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Cardinal Nichols, preached at the blessing of the newly decorated chapel dedicated to the Forty Marty...

In the Beginning Was the Word : Can Jesus Christ, as he was before all ages, be an object of our knowledge? He can, for it is to us that the Gospel has been addressed. Let us follow the eagle of the Evangelists, the beloved among the disciples, another John than John the Baptist. Let us follow John the Son of Thunder, …

Holiness: How We Transform the Social Order : By now most of the world knows that this is an election year for the United States. It’s hard to miss the constant reporting at an international level. This piece isn’t about the election. It was inspired by the election, but it is meant to be about something deeper and more long-term than a single …

3rd November - Saint Martin de Porres - Independent Catholic News : Dominican lay brother. Patron saint of race relations. Born in 1579, in Lima, Peru, St Martin was the illegitimate son of a Spanish knight, John de Porres, and a free black woman, Anna Velasquez. As a boy he was apprenticed to a barber-surgeon. He spent his free time helping the Dominicans in their work with the poor. Eventually he became a lay brother, working during the day with the sick as a barber, gardener and counsellor. At night he prayed. St Martin soon earned a reputation as a healer. He also had tremendous skill with animals.

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2nd November - All Souls Day - Independent Catholic News : Today we pray for all those who have died. Although prayers for the dead are inscribed in some of the early Roman catacombs, it wasn't until about 636 that the Church began keeping this day officially. At first only dead monks were specially commemorated. Odilo, Abbot of Cluny (d 1049) extended the commemoration for 'all the dead who have existed from the beginning of time to the end of time.'

Supremacy and Survival: The English Reformation: And in Post-Reformation England, Even More True : Amy Welborn writes for The Catholic Herald on how the Reformation did not so much help but hindered the influence of women in religious ...

Supremacy and Survival: The English Reformation: Blesseds John Slade and Bodey, Lay Martyrs : John Slade was executed on October 30 and John Bodey or Body (as Challoner names him) executed on All Souls Day, November 2, 1583 for bein...