priest

“In a world of expanding barns, we are invited to become rich toward God.” Today is Monday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time. The Church also offers the optional memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests, and their companions, the North American Martyrs, or of Saint Paul of the Cross, priest and founder of the Passionists. The readings remain those of the weekday, yet the lives of these saints illuminate the Gospel’s call to radical detachment. The First Reading from Ephesians 2:1-10 proclaims the sheer gift of grace. Once we were dead in our transgressions, following the ruler of the power of the air and the desires of the flesh. But God, rich in mercy, made us alive together with Christ, raised us up, and seated us with him in the heavenly places. Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works, lest anyone boast. We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works prepared beforehand. The Responsorial Psalm answers with joyful recognitio...

Cats were loved by quite a few saints: 1. St. Gertrude of Nivelles (626-659) - The patron saint of cats. She is the official patroness of cats and cat lovers. People prayed to her to keep mice away, and her image is always with cats. 2. St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) - Patron of all animals. He called all animals his brothers and sisters and is often pictured with birds, dogs, and cats around him. 3. St. Julian of Norwich (1343-1416) - English mystic and anchoress. Records say she lived in a small cell with a cat as her only companion to keep her company and keep mice away. 4. St. Martin de Porres (1579-1639) - Loved all animals, especially cats and dogs. Famous story where he made a cat, a dog, and a mouse eat from the same plate peacefully. 5. St. Jerome (347-420) - Famous for his lion, but in his monastery he was known to keep cats to protect his manuscripts from mice. 6. St. Philip Neri (1515-1595) - Known for his humor and kindness to animals. He would rescue stray cat...