Liturgy & Church

"Pope John Paul II issued Laborem Exercens to mark the ninetieth anniversary of Rerum Novarum. It is also known by the English title On Human Labour. John Paul II’s own experience as a manual labourer and his personalist philosophical ethics shape this social encyclical. Unemployment and the impact of technology on work are major concerns of this encyclical. As… Read More »1981: Pope John Paul II’s encyclical Laborem Exercens (‘On Human Work’)

Robert Bellarmine was a Jesuit scholar who was eventually made a Cardinal. His major work Disputations on the Controversies of the Christian Faith, helped to discredit the divine right of kings theory. This paved the way for Catholic Social Teaching's contemporary understanding of the Pope's role in temporal affairs, and of the role of the… Read More »Saint Robert Bellarmine

“Love the poor. Honour them, my children, as you would honour Christ himself.” - St Vincent de Paul The St Vincent de Paul Society website explains that as a young man, "St Vincent de Paul ministered to the wealthy and powerful. However an appointment as chaplain to a poor parish, and to galley prisoners, inspired… Read More »Saint Vincent de Paul

The Franciscan Media Saint of the Day website notes that "angels—messengers from God—appear frequently in Scripture, but only Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are named." It goes on to explain that "each of the archangels performs a different mission in Scripture: Michael protects; Gabriel announces; Raphael guides". For reflection: What are the names of some of… Read More »Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels

"Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face is the youngest of all the "Doctors of the Church", but her ardent spiritual journey shows such maturity, and the insights of faith expressed in her writings are so vast and profound that they deserve a place among the great spiritual masters." - Pope John Paul… Read More »Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, Doctor of the Church

"The purpose of the rosary is to help us meditate on the great mysteries of our salvation. Pius XII called it a compendium of the gospel. The main focus is on Jesus — his birth, life, death, and resurrection. The Our Fathers remind us that Jesus’ Father is the initiator of salvation. The Hail Marys… Read More »Our Lady of the Rosary

"Teresa was a woman “for others.” Though a contemplative, she spent much of her time and energy seeking to reform herself and the Carmelites, to lead them back to the full observance of the primitive Rule. She founded over a half-dozen new monasteries. She traveled, wrote, fought—always to renew, to reform. In her self, in… Read More »Saint Teresa of Avila, Doctor of the Church

Born in Syria, Ignatius converted to Christianity and eventually became bishop of Antioch. Ignatius is well known for the seven letters he wrote on the long journey from Antioch to Rome. Ignatius’s great concern was for the unity and order of the Church. Even greater was his willingness to suffer martyrdom rather than deny his… Read More »Saint Ignatius of Antioch