Hope he's right: " Amid all their wanderings and vicissitudes of life, though dismembered and dispersed, like sheep without a shepherd, over the surface of the globe, the children of Israel have never forgotten or neglected the sacred duty of praying for their deceased brethren."
‘Purgatory’ by J. Sadlier; 1886; Chapter I – ‘CARDINAL GIBBONS ON PURGATORY.…’; pages 51; part III [Saint Catherine of Genoa – XV-XVI Century AD; born: Genoa, Republic of Genoa/ died: Genoa, Republic of Genoa; Aged 62-63; mystic, known for her work among the sick and the poor] CARDINAL GIBBONS ON PURGATORY. I have already spoken of the devotion of the ancient Jewish Church to the souls of the departed. But perhaps you arc not aware that the Jews retain to this day, in their Litany, the pious practice of praying for the dead. Yet such in reality is the case. Amid all their wanderings and vicissitudes of life, though dismembered and dispersed, like sheep without a shepherd, over the surface of the globe, the children of Israel have never forgotten or neglected the sacred duty of praying for their deceased brethren. Unwilling to make this assertion without the strongest evidence, I procured from a Jewish convert an authorized Prayer-book of the Hebrew Church, from which I extract the …More
Why Iran Could Choose to Escalate the War nytimes.com/…/03/opinion/trump-empowers-iranian-e… Oct. 3, 2026 By Nicholas Kristof Opinion Columnist In early March, nine days after starting his war with Iran, President Trump held a news conference to crow about his “military success, the likes of which people haven’t seen.” “We’re winning very decisively,” he claimed, and “the result will be lower oil prices.” Peter Navarro, a White House senior counselor, wrote an essay in March explaining why: “Iran War Will Lower Energy Prices.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in April announced “a historic and overwhelming victory” that had rendered Iran “combat-ineffective for years to come.” Instead, Trump’s Iran war should be taught for decades as a model of how not to conduct either war or foreign policy. It’s an example of how hubris can swamp a presidency and lead it to military solutions for difficult global problems — and, in the process, make everything worse. Now Trump finds himself stuck in …More
In the New World Taking Shape, We’re All on Our Own nytimes.com/…/22/opinion/trump-deportation-third-… Costa Rica has become one of the biggest recipients of third-country nationals from the United States By Krista Mahr Photographs by Hope Mora Ms. Mahr is a senior international editor for Opinion. She reported from Costa Rica. Ms. Mora is a Mexican American photographer based in Texas. Sept. 22, 2026 Leer en español This essay is part of “The New World Disorder,” a series exploring the disintegration of the postwar international system and how countries are adjusting as America steps aside. Each month, tens of thousands of tourists arriving from the United States descend over the green mountains of Costa Rica to touch down at Juan Santamaría International Airport outside San José. They shuffle through immigration and then past images of sloths hawking 5G SIM cards, toucans selling rum distilled with renewable energy and someone doing yoga at sunset. Costa Rica is the happiest country …More
St. Catherine of Siena and the Reverence Due to Priests In this inspiring reflection, we explore the powerful messages God gave to Saint Catherine of Siena—a Doctor of the Church and one of the greatest mystics in Catholic history. Through her divine revelations, God reminded the faithful never to judge, criticize, or scorn His priests, no matter their human weaknesses. Saint Catherine’s writings in The Dialogue reveal a profound truth: the dignity of the priesthood comes not from the man himself, but from the sacred office he holds in Christ’s name. This video uncovers her heavenly conversations, where God speaks with tenderness yet firmness about the sacredness of His chosen servants, calling us to prayer, humility, and reverence for the priestly ministry. Join us as we reflect on Saint Catherine’s timeless message—a call to pray for priests, to trust in God’s justice, and to love His Church with purity of heart. @Boanerges Boanerges I am leaving a video or the dialogue of Saint …More
The part of the faithful, God tells St. Catherine, is to weep over the sins of clergy who do not follow God’s will, and to call upon His mercy for them.
At the same time, He laments the many sins of faithless clergy, including promiscuity, lying with prostitutes, selling graces, usury, gluttony, avarice toward the poor, vanity in seeking high offices, greed for worldly riches, and, as He tells St. Catherine, many more sins far worse than what He describes. He tells her how abominable these sins are in His sight, and how deeply these ministers offend Him. Yet He makes it clear to St. Catherine that His people must give reverence to His priests no matter how sinful the priests may be, and leave the judgment to God
" Millions of frightful little insects were seen in the water. These insects seemed to be always fighting, beating and trying to kill each other. They gave themselves no rest. It was always fighting, beating -- beating, fighting. Sometimes thousands would throw themselves on other thousands and swallow them up alive. Sometimes they tore away pieces from each others bodies, which still remained alive, only looking more frightful than before. Such is hell!"
‘The Sight of Hell’ by Rev. John Furniss, C.S.S.R.; 1882; Chapter XXX; Pages 15; ‘The Sixth Dungeon…’; ‘Two Vipers; part II The Sixth Dungeon XXX. No Peace ~ 1 Kings xxv. When Nabel heard the words of his wife, his heart died within him and he became as a stone. Two Vipers Did you ever see two deadly vipers fly at each other? Their eyes burn with rage. They shoot out their poisoned stings. They struggle to give each other the death-blow. They struggle till they have torn the flesh and blood from each other. You may see the like of this in hell. See that young man and young woman -- how changed they are! They loved each other so much on earth, that for this they broke the laws of God and man. But now they fight each other like two vipers, and so they will fight for all eternity. A Picture of Hell There was a glass which made things look three million times larger than they really are. A drop of dirty water was looked at through this glass. Millions of frightful little insects were seen …More
October 4th - Saint of the Day: Saint Petronius of Bologna, Bishop He traded imperial power for a barefoot desert pilgrimage… and became the saint of an entire city. In this Saint of the Day feature, meet Saint Petronius of Bologna: Born into one of Rome's most powerful families as the empire was collapsing Walked away from wealth to learn holiness from desert monks in Egypt and Palestine Rebuilt a city sacked 3 times by invading armies, restoring both its churches and its faith Fought the Arian heresy that denied Jesus is truly God Built a stunning "new Jerusalem" in Italy, the Santo Stefano complex, still standing today His relics were LOST for nearly 700 years before being rediscovered under a church floor His basilica became so legendary that an emperor was crowned inside it His story proves that no ruins, in a city or in a soul, are beyond God's rebuilding. Dive deeper into his full story, plus daily Mass readings, saints, and Catholic reflections at …More
Hl. Petronius - Gedenktag: am 4. Oktober Bischof von Bologna * in Italien † 450 in Bologna Petronius wurde 432 Bischof von Bologna. Er ließ die Basilika S. Stefano als Nachbildung der Grabeskirche in Jerusalem erbauen und errichtete das gleichnamige Kloster. Petronius' Gebeine ruhen in der von ihm erbauten Kirche, der größten Kirche der Stadt Bologna; sie trägt seinen Namen. Heilige, Namenstage, Patrone - Ökumenisches …
A friend and faithful reader, Bill Wendell, alerted me today that Fr. Benedict Groeschel died on this date in 2014. This is the last of three posts I wrote about him.
St. Maximus the Confessor ~ Do not say that faith in Christ alone can save you, for this is not possible if you do not attain love for Him, which is demonstrated by deeds.
Daily Scripture Readings | 4 October 2026 | 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) Book of Isaiah 5,1-7. Let me now sing of my friend, my friend's song concerning his vineyard. My friend had a vineyard on a fertile hillside; He spaded it, cleared it of stones, and planted the choicest vines; Within it he built a watchtower, and hewed out a wine press. Then he looked for the crop of grapes, but what it yielded was wild grapes. Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard: What more was there to do for my vineyard that I had not done? Why, when I looked for the crop of grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes? Now, I will let you know what I mean to do to my vineyard: Take away its hedge, give it to grazing, break through its wall, let it be trampled! Yes, I will make it a ruin: it shall not be pruned or hoed, but overgrown with thorns and briers; I will command the clouds not to send rain upon it. The vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel …More
27. Sonntag im Jahreskreis - Erntedanksonntag Buch Jesaja 5,1-7. Ich will singen von meinem Freund, das Lied meines Liebsten von seinem Weinberg. Mein Freund hatte einen Weinberg auf einer fruchtbaren Höhe. Er grub ihn um und entfernte die Steine und bepflanzte ihn mit edlen Reben. Er baute in seiner Mitte einen Turm und hieb zudem eine Kelter in ihm aus. Dann hoffte er, dass der Weinberg Trauben brächte, doch er brachte nur faule Beeren. Und nun, Bewohner Jerusalems und Männer von Juda, richtet zwischen mir und meinem Weinberg! Was hätte es für meinen Weinberg noch zu tun gegeben, das ich ihm nicht getan hätte? Warum hoffte ich, dass er Trauben brächte? Und er brachte nur faule Beeren! Jetzt aber will ich euch kundtun, was ich mit meinem Weinberg mache: seine Hecke entfernen, sodass er abgeweidet wird; einreißen seine Mauer, sodass er zertrampelt wird. Zu Ödland will ich ihn machen. Nicht werde er beschnitten, nicht behackt, sodass Dornen und Disteln hochkommen. Und den Wolken gebiete …More
Reluctant Saint - Francis of Assisi. Andi on Jul 29, 2015 Saint Francis, the son of a merchant of Assisi, was born in the year 1182 in a poor stable, his birth already prophesying the Saint who would preach poverty to a world seduced by luxury. Though chosen by God to be for the world a living manifestation of Christ's poor and suffering life on earth, in his youth he was generous, always of equal humor, and much appreciated by his friends; he was fond of splendors, fine clothing, and good company, and easily won the affection of all who knew him. More than once various holy persons foretold for him a future of glory, but in veiled terms. Francis did not understand these predictions, and supposed he would become the leader of a large militia. The military life he had adopted ended when Jesus told him he was destined to fight another kind of combat, one against the demon and sin; that the grandeurs predicted were spiritual, not temporal — and to return home. He became inspired with a …More
ST. FRANCIS PATH: CHOOSING CHRIST OVER COMFORT - October 4 SGNEWS-SG Francis Bernardone il Poverello Memorial 4 October Profile Son of Pietro Bernadone, a rich cloth merchant. Though he had a good education and became part of his father‘s business, he also had a somewhat misspentyouth. Street brawler and some-time soldier. Captured during a conflict between Assisi and Perugia, Italy, he spent over a year as a prisoner of war. During this time he had a conversion experience, including a reported message from Christ calling him to leave this worldly life. Upon release, Francis began taking his faith seriously. He took the Gospels as the rule of his life, Jesus Christ as his literal example. He dressed in rough clothes, begged for his sustenance, and preachedpurity and peace. His family disapproved, and his father disinherited him; Francis formally renounced his wealth and inheritance. He visited hospitals, served the sick, preached in the streets, and took all men and …More
ANCHOR OF FAITH Welcome to ANCHOR OF FAITH, a space to strengthen your faith in God through biblical stories, daily prayer, Bible teachings, and messages of hope. Here you'll find content that will help you draw closer to God, experience inner peace, overcome difficult times, and live with purpose by following the example of Jesus, based on the Word of God. On this channel you will discover: Stories that reveal the wisdom of the Bible. Powerful prayers to find comfort and guidance from God. Practical biblical teachings to apply faith in your daily life, following the words and teachings of Jesus. Reflections on faith that strengthen your relationship with God and help you walk with confidence and hope. ANCHOR OF FAITH is a place to grow spiritually, delve deeper into the Scriptures, and learn to live each day with the guidance of Jesus and the presence of God. You can find the Anchor of Faith YouTube link here. Ancla de fe For each of their videos, you can configure the audio …More
Friday, 3rd October 1913 May Use Jurors To Deny Charges, The Atlanta Constitution The Atlanta Constitution, Friday, 3rd October 1913, PAGE 5, COLUMN 1. Dorsey Expected to Produce Affidavits, Denying Jurors' Alleged Bias Against Frank. Postponement Seen. The hearing of the motion for a new trial made by attorneys for Leo M. Frank, convicted slayer of Mary Phagan, which is scheduled to come up Saturday, will likely be postponed two weeks. The delay will probably come following a request of Solicitor Hugh M. Dorsey, who, although struggling through the defense's brief as rapidly as possible, will not be ready to proceed at that time, as he is now in the midst of digesting and answering the 115 objections made by the convicted man's lawyers. It will take me from now oh until the first of next week, said Mr. Dorsey Thursday, to get through with my end of this petition. There are nine volumes of evidence to digest and answer. It is a superhuman task to have this mass of evidence in any shape to …More
Saint Francis of Assisi: logic, calm, firmness, contemplation, purity, chivalrous spirit by Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira Francis of Assisi died on October 3, 1226, centuries after Saint Benedict (480-547), of whom he was a great admirer and fervent devotee. One day, he decided to visit the monastery of Subiaco to venerate Saint Benedict. This fresco, the work of an anonymous 13th-century painter, is the oldest representation of the "Poverello of Assisi" and is in the Chapel of Saint Gregory, in the cave of Subiaco. It was painted during the saint's lifetime, before he received the stigmata. This portrait of Saint Francis of Assisi is found in one of the caves of Subiaco. It seems marvelous to me! It depicts a man of about 30 years old. Assisi is in central Italy (Umbria), but in this depiction, he looks more like a Nordic human type; his physiognomy reveals something Germanic, slightly blond, with light eyes, and a slightly pinkish mustache and beard. His right hand lightly touches his left …More
Thursday, 2nd October 1913: Solicitor At Work Preparing Answer To Frank Motion, The Atlanta Journal The Atlanta Journal, Thursday, 2nd October 1913, PAGE 1, COLUMN 7. Dorsey Has Dropped All Other Business and Will Devote His Time Exclusively to New Trial Fight JUROR JOHENNING SAYS HE WAS UNPREJUDICED He Declares He, Henslee and All the Others Served Only Through a Sense of Duty Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey has dropped all other business and is devoting his exclusive attention to the preparation of his answer to the defense's motion for a new trial for Leo M. Frank. The case is set for argument before Judge L. S. Roan on Saturday, but there is little chance of it being heard then. The amended motion is a voluminous document containing 115 different counts upon which a new trial is asked, and by devoting all of his time to it, the solicitor will scarcely be able to get his answer in shape in less than two weeks, and it is extremely probable that he will ask a postponement until at …More
Join us as we reflect on Saint Catherine’s timeless message—a call to pray for priests, to trust in God’s justice, and to love His Church with purity of heart.
October 4th - Saint of the Day: Saint Petronius of Bologna, Bishop
In this Saint of the Day feature, meet Saint Petronius of Bologna: 
Born into one of Rome's most powerful families as the empire was collapsing 
Walked away from wealth to learn holiness from desert monks in Egypt and Palestine 
Rebuilt a city sacked 3 times by invading armies, restoring both its churches and its faith 
Built a stunning "new Jerusalem" in Italy, the Santo Stefano complex, still standing today 
His relics were LOST for nearly 700 years before being rediscovered under a church floor 
His basilica became so legendary that an emperor was crowned inside it His story proves that no ruins, in a city or in a soul, are beyond God's rebuilding. 
Dive deeper into his full story, plus daily Mass readings, saints, and Catholic reflections at …More
Stories that reveal the wisdom of the Bible.
Practical biblical teachings to apply faith in your daily life, following the words and teachings of Jesus.
Reflections on faith that strengthen your relationship with God and help you walk with confidence and hope.