Saint Raymond of Penafort, Patron Saint of Canonists (c.1180-1275). Born in Spain, St. Raymond was a relative of the King of Aragon. From childhood he had a tender love and devotion to the Blessed Mother. He finished his studies at an early age, and became a famous teacher. He then gave up all his honors and entered the Order of the Dominicans.

St. Raymond was very humble and very close to God. He did much penance and was so good and kind that he won many sinners to God. With King James of Aragon and St. Peter Nolasco he founded the Order of Our Lady of Ransom. The brave religious of this Order devoted themselves to saving poor Christians captured by the Moors.

Once he went with King James to the Island of Majorca to preach about Jesus. King James was a man of great qualities, but he let himself be ruled by passions. There on the Island, too, he was giving bad example. The Saint commanded him to send the woman away. The King said he would, but he did not keep his promise. So St. Raymond decided to leave the Island. The King declared he would punish any ship captain who brought the Saint back to Barcelona.

Putting all his trust in God, Saint Raymond spread his cloak upon the water, tied up one corner of it to a stick for a sail, made the Sign of the Cross, stepped onto the cloak, and sailed along for six hours until he reached Barcelona. This miracle moved the King. He was sorry for what he had done, and he became a true follower of St. Raymond. St. Raymond was one hundred years old at the time of his death.

Photo credit: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

Love uCATHOLIC?
Get our inspiring content delivered to your inbox every morning – FREE!







The post Saint Raymond of Penafort appeared first on uCatholic.

Daily Reading

 

Daily Meditation

 

More...

The Word Among Us

Regnum Christi

One Bread, One Body

Evangeli

Living Faith

Reading 1 1 John 3:22–4:6

Beloved:
We receive from him whatever we ask,
because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
And his commandment is this:
we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,
and love one another just as he commanded us.
Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them,
and the way we know that he remains in us
is from the Spirit whom he gave us.

Beloved, do not trust every spirit
but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God,
because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
This is how you can know the Spirit of God:
every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh
belongs to God,
and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus
does not belong to God.
This is the spirit of the antichrist
who, as you heard, is to come,
but in fact is already in the world.
You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them,
for the one who is in you
is greater than the one who is in the world.
They belong to the world;
accordingly, their teaching belongs to the world,
and the world listens to them.
We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us,
while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us.
This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 2:7bc-8, 10-12a

R. (8ab)  I will give you all the nations for an inheritance.
The LORD said to me, “”You are my Son;
this day I have begotten you.
Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.””
R. I will give you all the nations for an inheritance.
And now, O kings, give heed;
take warning, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice before him;
with trembling rejoice.
R. I will give you all the nations for an inheritance.

Alleluia See Matthew 4:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom
and cured every disease among the people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested,
he withdrew to Galilee.
He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea,
in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,
that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet
might be fulfilled:

Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles,
the people who sit in darkness
have seen a great light,
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death
light has arisen.

From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,
“Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

He went around all of Galilee,
teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness among the people.
His fame spread to all of Syria,
and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases
and racked with pain,
those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics,
and he cured them.
And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea,
and from beyond the Jordan followed him.

 

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Daily Meditation

 

Saint of the Day

 

More...

The Word Among Us

Regnum Christi

One Bread, One Body

Evangeli

Living Faith

Click here for daily readings

It is a little strange being a parent of two little boys. There are so many moments that I look back and remember myself as a child and I start to slip into the same verbiage my parents would use on me. One of those classic parent examples is when we bribe our kids. Please just go to bed and I will give you anything you want tomorrow. Bribing is a last ditch effort after we have exhausted every other possibility and it shows us concretely that we are not perfect. 

But then we come to the first reading today. We hear about a God who will give us everything we ask as long as we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. Doesn’t it sound like God is bribing us? As if we are those little children fighting sleep, God is simply asking us to obey His commandments and we will get whatever we want. 

If you are anything like me, this verse is a little troubling at first glance. It doesn’t seem like a loving God should be bribing us. Maybe another thought you are having is that you have followed God’s commandments and asked for something and did not receive it in the exact way that you wanted. So we have two “issues” that I want to address today. 

Both of these can be addressed with a simple reality. The reality is that we are made by God and our hearts long for Him. If God has created us then it is in living by His laws that we will be most perfectly happy and fulfilled. With this principle in mind, I think it opens up the beauty of this verse and destroys the questions. God asks us to obey his commandments. He doesn’t do this as a bribe, but rather because as a loving father. He knows that if we follow his ways we will be living our lives to the fullest. If we disobey Him we start to lose a part of who we are. 

Further, God is not a magic genie. He is not here to grant us three wishes. God desires more than anything that we become united fully with Him in heaven. If we are living in accord with our Creator then our deepest desire will be union with Him. In this sense, God answers our deepest desire when we follow His commandments. Notice that it is not out of duty or expectation, but we follow Him out of love because we desire unity with Him. 

Let’s pray for the grace today and every day that we would be able to follow God’s commandments so that we can ultimately have our deepest desire filled, the desire of unity with Him. 

Contact the author

Daily Reading

 

Saint of the Day

 

More...

The Word Among Us

Regnum Christi

One Bread, One Body

Evangeli

Living Faith

Saint André Bessette, known for his profound faith and devotion to St. Joseph, overcame a life marked by frailty and adversity. Born as the eighth child in a French Canadian family near Montreal, André faced hardship early on, losing both parents by the age of 12 and being adopted soon after. His journey through various occupations, including shoemaking, baking, and blacksmithing, was riddled with failures. He even ventured to the United States for factory work during the Civil War era.

At 25, André sought to join the Congregation of the Holy Cross. His weak health initially barred him from acceptance, but with perseverance and the support of Bishop Bourget, he was finally admitted. His role was modest but essential — he served as a doorkeeper at Notre Dame College in Montreal, juggling additional responsibilities as a sacristan, laundry worker, and messenger.

André’s dedication to his faith was unwavering. He spent nights in prayer in his small room by the college entrance, always with a statue of St. Joseph, his childhood patron, gazing towards Mount Royal. He believed strongly in St. Joseph’s impending special honor on the hill.

Renowned for his compassion, André often visited the sick, bringing hope and prayers, and anointing them with oil from a chapel lamp. His reputation as a healer grew, especially after his successful care for the sick during an epidemic at a nearby college. Despite skepticism and criticism from various quarters, André remained humble, attributing all cures to St. Joseph.

His dream to honor St. Joseph on Mount Royal began to materialize when, after planting medals of St. Joseph on the hillside, land was miraculously acquired. With minimal funds, André built a small chapel, dedicating his time to listening to and praying for visitors, using St. Joseph’s oil. The chapel, adorned with abandoned crutches and braces, evolved into a magnificent oratory, completed over 50 years.

André’s humble beginnings and challenges didn’t hinder his profound impact. He passed away at 92, a far cry from the sickly boy who struggled to find his place. Buried at the Oratory he helped build, he was beatified in 1982 and canonized in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI, who highlighted his embodiment of the beatitude of the pure of heart.

Photo credit: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

Love uCATHOLIC?
Get our inspiring content delivered to your inbox every morning – FREE!







The post Saint André Bessette appeared first on uCatholic.

Daily Reading

 

Daily Meditation

 

More...

The Word Among Us

Regnum Christi

One Bread, One Body

Evangeli

Living Faith

Reading I Isaiah 60:1-6

Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem!  Your light has come,
the glory of the Lord shines upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth,
and thick clouds cover the peoples;
but upon you the LORD shines,
and over you appears his glory.
Nations shall walk by your light,
and kings by your shining radiance.
Raise your eyes and look about;
they all gather and come to you:
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.

Then you shall be radiant at what you see,
your heart shall throb and overflow,
for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you,
the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.
Caravans of camels shall fill you,
dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;
all from Sheba shall come
bearing gold and frankincense,
and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13.

R. (cf. 11)  Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king’s son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts;
the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute.
All kings shall pay him homage,
all nations shall serve him.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Reading II Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6

Brothers and sisters:
You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace 
that was given to me for your benefit, 
namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation.
It was not made known to people in other generations 
as it has now been revealed
to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 
that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body,
and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Alleluia Matthew 2:2

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,
in the days of King Herod, 
behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.”
When King Herod heard this,
he was greatly troubled, 
and all Jerusalem with him.
Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, 
he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, 
for thus it has been written through the prophet:
And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
since from you shall come a ruler,
who is to shepherd my people Israel.”
Then Herod called the magi secretly 
and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.
He sent them to Bethlehem and said, 
“Go and search diligently for the child.
When you have found him, bring me word, 
that I too may go and do him homage.”
After their audience with the king they set out.
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, 
until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
They were overjoyed at seeing the star, 
and on entering the house
they saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
Then they opened their treasures 
and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, 
they departed for their country by another way.

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Daily Meditation

 

Saint of the Day

 

More...

The Word Among Us

Regnum Christi

One Bread, One Body

Evangeli

Living Faith

Click here for daily readings

The journey of our lives to Christ is rarely a straight path. Especially for those who were baptized into the Catholic faith as babies, we often need to find our own way by winding roads and paths until we arrive at and embrace faith as our own. Merriam-Webster defines “epiphany” as “a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something.” Almost always, this entails a “Aha!” moment, which changes the course of the story. 

I experienced this in my own life in the middle of the Covid pandemic. When the world began to shut down, I finally knew that I was not alone, and that I never had been. You see, I found myself newly pregnant for the fifth time with no living children, after having experienced loss after loss. In my pain and struggle, I had turned from God the previous fall when it seemed door after door had closed for the opportunity to have a child. 

But while the world was radically changing, I had an incredible moment which can only be described as an epiphany from the Holy Spirit: I became acutely aware that I was not alone, nor had I ever been alone. Struggling with feeling alone was something that had plagued me throughout my life. And now, suddenly, in the middle of a world that was radically shifting toward being apart, I came to believe that I was not alone, had never been alone, and will never be alone. How radical! 

It is also radical that, in the course of human history – of salvation history – God would reveal Himself to all of humanity. After all, God was the God of Israel. And yet, God planned to reveal Himself in the form of a helpless baby to all nations. Juxtapositions abound with God, and somehow they all make sense. Today, as we celebrate the Solemnity of The Epiphany of the Lord, may we always be open to the seeming contradictions that God places in our lives and be willing to learn from them.

Contact the author

Daily Reading

 

Saint of the Day

 

More...

The Word Among Us

Regnum Christi

One Bread, One Body

Evangeli

Living Faith

Epiphany, an ancient Christian feast, is traditionally celebrated on January 6 in both Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches, where it is known as Theophany, signifying God’s revelation to mankind. However, in the United States, it is observed on the Sunday between January 1 and January 6; in 2018, it fell on January 6.

Originally, Epiphany commemorated four major events, each symbolizing a different aspect of God’s revelation to humans. These are, in order of their initial significance: the Baptism of Jesus, where God the Father’s voice and the Holy Spirit’s descent affirm Jesus as God’s Son; Christ’s miracle at the Cana wedding, showcasing His divinity; the Nativity of Christ, where angels and shepherds acknowledge Jesus; and the visit of the Magi, representing the Gentile nations recognizing Christ’s divinity.

The feast evolved over time. In the West, the Nativity’s celebration eventually became Christmas, distinct from Epiphany, which continued to honor the Baptism, first miracle, and Magi’s visit. Thus, Epiphany concludes the twelve-day Christmastide, starting with Christ’s birth revelation to Israel and ending with His revelation to the Gentiles.

With further developments, Western traditions now separate the celebrations: the Baptism of the Lord occurs on the Sunday following January 6, and the Cana wedding is remembered on the subsequent Sunday.

In Europe, Epiphany’s significance rivals, and sometimes surpasses, Christmas. In Mediterranean countries like Italy, gift-exchanging occurs on Epiphany, echoing the Magi’s offerings to Jesus. Conversely, in Northern Europe, it’s common to exchange gifts on both Christmas and Epiphany, sometimes including smaller gifts during the intervening twelve days.

Editorial credit: jorisvo / Shutterstock.com

Love uCATHOLIC?
Get our inspiring content delivered to your inbox every morning – FREE!







The post Solemnity of the Epiphany of Our Lord appeared first on uCatholic.

Daily Reading

 

Daily Meditation

 

More...

The Word Among Us

Regnum Christi

One Bread, One Body

Evangeli

Living Faith

Click here for daily readings

Credited with establishing Catholic Schools in the United States of America, we owe much to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. As a young wife and mother of five, she didn’t set out to head up a religious order. She wasn’t looking to launch a system of education. Rather, like Andrew in today’s Gospel, she simply pointed others to Jesus Christ. 

The child of an Episcopalian physician, as a young woman, Elizabeth helped found the Society for Relief of Poor Widows with Children, one of the first charitable institutions in New York City. She married William Seton in 1794 and by 1803 had 5 children. When William became ill, she traveled with William and their oldest child to Italy for William’s health. Unfortunately, William passed away from tuberculosis in Italy. 

However, Elizabeth’s experiences with the people and the Church in Italy prompted her to convert to Catholicism upon her return to New York City. This was a time of strong anti-Catholic sentiment in the United States. Finding herself ostracized for her faith and in financial difficulty as a widow with children, she founded a school for boys. Her school caught the attention of the president of St. Mary’s College in Baltimore, a priest, who would later become a bishop. Joined in her work by other young women, in 1809, they took vows before Archbishop John Carroll and became the Sisters of St. Joseph, the first American-based religious community for women in the United States. 

Mother Seton, as she was known, and the Sisters of St. Joseph moved their home to Emmitsburg, Maryland where they opened a school for poor girls. This parish school is considered to be the first parochial school in the United States. 

Her desire to live out her faith by serving others drew people to her, first the women who formed the Order of the Sisters of St. Joseph and then her parish students and families. By reaching out to the poor of their parish, the Sisters of St. Joseph echoed Andrew’s actions in today’s Gospel. Without Andrew listening to John the Baptist and pointing the way for his brother, there would have been no Peter. 

Like Andrew, our actions speak louder than our words. It is by serving our community, by reaching out to those most in need that we too point others to Jesus Christ. May this continue to be the mission for every Catholic School today. May we never forget the example of St. Andrew or of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, that through our words and actions, may we always point to the Lamb of God.

Contact the author

Daily Reading

 

Saint of the Day

 

More...

The Word Among Us

Regnum Christi

One Bread, One Body

Evangeli

Living Faith

Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American-born canonized saint in the Catholic Church, experienced a life marked by deep faith and profound challenges. Born into New York’s elite during the pre-Revolution era, she was an avid reader, immersing herself in everything from the Bible to contemporary literature.

Elizabeth’s early life, despite her societal standing, was characterized by simplicity and solitude. The Bible, her constant source of guidance and solace, remained a lifelong passion. In 1794, she married the affluent William Seton, entering a period of initial happiness and prosperity. Her early married life, as she reflected in her diary, felt like a blend of earthly and heavenly bliss.

However, this happiness was short-lived. William’s father’s death left the couple responsible for his half-siblings and the family business. Rapid and severe challenges followed: William’s failing business and health led to bankruptcy and a desperate journey to Italy for recovery. Tragically, William succumbed to tuberculosis in Italy, a loss mitigated only by his renewed faith in God.

These painful separations deepened Elizabeth’s reliance on God and acceptance of His will, a central theme in her spiritual journey. Her growing concern for her family’s spiritual well-being eventually led her to the Catholic Church, influenced by her Italian acquaintances’ kindness and her fervent desire for the Eucharist.

Having lost her mother early, Elizabeth found solace in the Blessed Virgin Mary, seeing her as a spiritual mother and guide to the True Faith. She embraced Catholicism in 1805.

Elizabeth’s educational endeavors began in Baltimore, Maryland, where she founded a school and later formed a Sisterhood, establishing America’s first free Catholic school. Her vows in 1809 marked the start of her religious leadership as Mother Seton.

Despite battling tuberculosis herself, Mother Seton’s influence grew. Her Sisterhood, following a rule inspired by St. Vincent de Paul, expanded to include schools and orphanages. Her legacy continues through various sister groups originating from her foundation.

In her final years, Elizabeth embraced her impending death with joy, believing in her divine calling. She passed away in 1821, just sixteen years after converting to Catholicism, and was canonized in 1975, leaving an indelible mark on American Catholic religious history.

Editorial credit: Nancy Bauer / Shutterstock.com

Love uCATHOLIC?
Get our inspiring content delivered to your inbox every morning – FREE!







The post Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton appeared first on uCatholic.

Daily Reading

 

Daily Meditation

 

More...

The Word Among Us

Regnum Christi

One Bread, One Body

Evangeli

Living Faith

Click here for daily readings

Today’s reading evokes excitement, curiosity, and anticipation for what is to come. How many of us are waiting to be saved from something? From the financial stresses of life, illness, an exhausting season of work and parenting, boredom, or even a trip to the DMV; we’re all waiting to be saved from something. 

My ever efficient husband had to go to the DMV and expected to pay a hefty fee for a necessary service. Dreading the possibility of a slow and expensive affair, I asked God to intervene on his behalf. To my surprise, my prayer was heard! The clerk was not only speedy but also provided an alternative which cut the fee in half. This DMV clerk saved the day! 

I’m not sure why I was surprised by an answered prayer. Hasn’t God answered so many prayers? Are not the Scriptures full of promises that our Father hears our prayers (Prov 15:29)? Doesn’t today’s Gospel explicitly testify that the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” our Savior, has come? I suppose I was shocked because I felt that my prayer was insignificant compared to prayers for eternal salvation. Apparently, God sees things differently. 

This Gospel reading was intentionally chosen for today’s feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. The name that Gabriel gave to Joseph for the blessed Child means, “God saves”. How and from what does God save? St. Bernadine tells us:

“Glorious name [Jesus],  gracious name, name of love and of power! Through you sins are forgiven, through you enemies are vanquished, through you the sick are freed from their illness, through you those suffering in trials are made strong and cheerful. You bring honor to those who believe, you teach those who preach, you give strength to the toiler, you sustain the weary.”

Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, doesn’t only care about our eternal salvation but chooses to bring it about through the very things in this life that wear us down. That summer day, He chose to step into the mundane chore of a trip to the DMV. Being the understanding and compassionate Savior that He is, he most often shows us His love and power through the “little” trials of daily life. 

The moments in life that seem insignificant to us are not trivial for God, for, they are precisely how He saves us through Jesus Christ. He enters our spaces, stresses, sickbeds, our daily grind, even the DMV to prove, “I am here. I am here for you. I am here right now and always.” That is what Jesus did for my husband, and that is what He wants to do for you today. 

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

Contact the author

Daily Reading

 

Saint of the Day

 

More...

The Word Among Us

Regnum Christi

One Bread, One Body

Evangeli

Living Faith