Seasons of Grace

He was not wealthy. He was not educated. He was not well known. He was an alcoholic. But Matthew Talbot is on his way to becoming a saint. * * * * * Matthew Talbot was born in 1856 to a poor family in the North Strand area of Dublin, Ireland—the second of twelve children. […]

What a wonderful world this is! (Grrrr….) I was meditating today on the inherent value of living things. That is, I was taking a deep breath, clearing my head, refocusing my attention on the wonders of creation—especially the little animals who are my neighbors, like the squirrels who build their nests in our trees. […]

Over the past few years, it has been my privilege to travel frequently to Rochester, Minnesota. I’ve come to love the noble, good-hearted people I meet there, people who help me in my work and keep me in their prayers. And the tunnels! I have wandered the downtown skyways and tunnels which link the parking […]

On February 14, Americans will remember their sweethearts with candy and roses and cards, collectively spending more than $17 million as a sign of their fidelity. Meanwhile on February 13, World Marriage Day, the Catholic Church calls our attention to the sacramentality of marital love, reminding us that marriage is between a man and a woman, is both procreative and unitive, and is an integral part of God’s perfect plan.

Today we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Catholics remember that on February 11, 1858, Mary appeared to a young peasant girl in a cave at Massabielle, just a mile from the French town of Lourdes. Young Bernadette Soubirous called her simply “the Lady.” In all, “the Lady” appeared to Bernadette 18 times that […]