Feast of St Stephen, Protomartyr – Fulgentius of Ruspe

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December 26, The Second Day of Christmas, has been observed as the Feast Day of Saint Stephen, Protomartyr, since at least the fifth century.  Fulgentius of Ruspe, a North African bishop, here notes how fitting it is that the birthday of love should be followed...

22 December, 2024 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']T[/dropcaps]raditions in art and literature and popular fable have quite sufficiently attested, as has been said, this particular paradox of the divine being in the cradle. Perhaps they have not so clearly emphasised the significance of the divine being in...

15 December, 2024 /

In this 13 minute podcast, Sonrise Morning Show host Anna Mitchell Interviews Dr. Italy on Advent as a season of Hope.  What precisely is Scripture talking about when it tells us that hope is one of the most important things a Christian needs?  And what...

08 December, 2024 /

This is an excerpt that recounts the famous apparition of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, to the Indian, Juan Diego, on Tepeyac hill outside of Mexico City in the year 1531. The annual Feast commemorating this marvelous event is celebrated on December 12. [dropcaps...

08 December, 2024 /

John the Baptist is often thought of as a stern, grim figure. But as a matter of fact, he could be the patron saint of joy! Maybe that's why is is the focal point of the gospel for Gaudete or Rejoice Sunday, the...

08 December, 2024 /

This excerpt from St. Augustine's Treatise on John's Gospel (Tract. 123, 5: CCL 36, 678-680) is read on the feast day of St. Nicholas, December 6. It focuses on the real meaning of the gift-giving for which St. Nicholas is famous--the self-giving love of a...

01 December, 2024 /

Advent is a season of joy & hope. Paul says to rejoice in hope. But what is hope, anyway? How does this theological virtue differ from faith and what does it have to do with rejoicing?...

01 December, 2024 /

This beautiful prayer is traditionally said 15 times a day, from the feast of St. Andrew through Christmas Eve.  While novenas are usually prayed for 9 days, this one lasts for 25, overlapping most if not all of the season of Advent. [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color=''...

25 November, 2024 /

Before thanksgiving was an American holiday, it was a way of life for Jews and Christians alike, indeed a hallmark of the Judeo-Christian tradition. All ancient peoples gave thanks for creation; only Jews and Christians believe that God acted decisively in history to secure...

24 November, 2024 /

Prayer & table blessing for Thanksgiving Day. In the United States, Thanksgiving Day is a holiday with special religious significance. Originally it was celebrated by the Pilgrims and the Native Americans to give thanks to God after the harvest of 1621. In 1863 President...

24 November, 2024 /

Here Faustinus shows how our Savior Jesus Christ was anointed with the Holy Spirit, the oil of gladness, as both priest and king. In this he is unlike all Old Testament figures except Melchizedek. It is used in the Roman Catholic Office of Readings for...

18 November, 2024 /

Augustine on the famous words of Jesus "anyone who does the will of my Father who sent me is my brother and sister and my mother." This indicates Mary's true greatness as a disciple, one who conceived not only in body, but in faith; Augustine...

18 November, 2024 /

Pope Pius XI on St. Josaphat, martyr and apostle of unity.  Born in the Ukraine to Orthodox parents in 1580, St. Josaphat embraced the Catholic faith and became a Basilian monk. Ordained to the priesthood and chosen bishop of Polock, he worked for the unity...

10 November, 2024 /

The Apocalypse -- What does the Bible really teach about the End of the World, Armageddon, the second coming of Jesus Christ and the final battle against the Antichrist? The gospels and the book of Revelation raise many apocalyptic questions for Christians.  For the 33rd...

10 November, 2024 /

Charles Borromeo, the bishop apostle of Northern Italy during the Catholic Reformation, on the primacy of prayer, read on his feast day, November 4. Though he is here addressing priests, his advice on meditation, distractions and recollection is valuable for all Christians....

03 November, 2024 /

Can a Christian celebrate Halloween? In this article, Church historian Fr. Augustine Thompson sifts through the evidence to see if it supports the common belief that All Hallows Eve and its various customs had their origin in a pagan feast dating back to the Druids...

27 October, 2024 /

A podcast in which host Sonrise Morning show host Anna Mitchell asks Dr. Italy some interesting questions raised by the Church's Solemn feast of All Saints on November 1 - what does All Saints Day teach us about who we are and who we are...

27 October, 2024 /

Hear O Israel!  Most have heard of the Great Commandment - to love God with your whole heart and your neighbor as yourself.  But if God is just and salvation depends upon perfect obedience to this command, who can be saved?...

27 October, 2024 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']S[/dropcaps]tatistics of the First 20 Years of Pope John Paul II's Pontificate John Paul II, Pope from 1978 to 2005, had the second longest reign of any of the Successors of St. Peter. Pope Pius IX had the longest tenure:...

20 October, 2024 /

Ioannes Paulus PP. II Veritatis splendor Splendor of Truth Pope John Paul II 1993.08.06 [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']B[/dropcaps]lessing Venerable Brothers in the Episcopate, Health and the Apostolic Blessing! The splendour of truth shines forth in all the works of the Creator and, in a special way, in man, created in the...

20 October, 2024 /

Between the years 1642 and 1649 eight members of the Society of Jesus were killed in North America after brutal torture. These Jesuits had worked diligently to bring the native Americans of the region of what is now Upper New York and Canada to the...

13 October, 2024 /

In this podcast Dr. Italy describes the great Carmelite mystic, Teresa of Avila, pointing out how she combined practical wisdom, mysticism and a sense of  humor in an extraordinary way. St. Teresa of Avila is rightly known as a towering figure in the history of the...

13 October, 2024 /

Brothers John and James, the sons of Zebedee, had ambition. When they make their famous request for places of honor In Mark's gospel, Jesus takes the opportunity to give them a lesson on the nature of true greatness as loving and serving, even to the...

13 October, 2024 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']A[/dropcaps]nnunciation of the Angel to Mary This is the brightest point which links Heaven and earth; the greatest event of the centuries. The Son of God, the Word of the Father, by Whom all was made that was made in the...

06 October, 2024 /

A 16 minute podcast in which Sonrise Morning show host Ryan Lopez asks Dr. Italy some insightful questions about the rosary as a contemplative and Christ-centered prayer, Mary as the first contemplative, fruitful meditation on the mysteries, and practical tips on unlocking the power of...

06 October, 2024 /

Both the Rich Young Man in Mark's Gospel and King Solomon had a very difficult choice to make. In a similar moment of decision, what would be the desire of your heart? Wisdom and adventure, or comfort and convenience? Where do true riches...

06 October, 2024 /

14 minute podcast in which Sonrise Morning show guest host Ryan Lopez quizzes Dr. Italy about the life and impact of Jerome, bible scholar, father and Doctor of the Church and warrior for Christ.  On the occasion of his feast day, September 30....

29 September, 2024 /

This brief description the little way of love of St. Therese of Lisieux, commonly known as the Little Flower, so perfectly captures the saint's personality that they are read every year on her feast day, October 1....

29 September, 2024 /

Timeline and biographical highlights of the great 20th century Capuchin Franciscan Saint, Padre Pio of Pietralcina whose feast day is September 23.  Comments and bio by Dr. Italy....

23 September, 2024 /

Dr. Italy discusses the Capuchin friar Padre Pio who in his lifetime was first famous in Italy and then the whole world for his stigmata and miracles worked through his intercession.  How Christ's power is made perfect in weakness. The first thing people think about when...

23 September, 2024 /

We so often condemn the Pharisees that we totally miss a sneaky way that we are often like them. The hard saying of Jesus "if you hand causes you to sin, cut it off" is a kind of shock therapy to wake us up...

22 September, 2024 /

An excerpt written to Cornelius, bishop of Rome condemned to exile and death for his faith, from his brother bishop Cyprian of Carthage, who was to be martyred a few years later. Read on the feasts of Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian on September 16....

15 September, 2024 /

St. Bede the Venerable on the call of Matthew, Tax Collector turned disciple, apostle & evangelist. Matthew, originally called Levi, was, as a publican, excommunicated from the life of the synagogue and shunned in Jewish society....

15 September, 2024 /

In this 14 minute podcast, Dr. Italy discusses the inspiring life of the great friend of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Claire.  Her name means light or clarity, and the way she lived up to her name shows us the way to illumine our corner...

15 September, 2024 /

Envy, one of the seven deadly sins, is different from mere jealousy - it is darker and much more dangerous.  Yet its cunning can be - and has been - defeated....

15 September, 2024 /

St. Andrew of Crete (8th Century) proclaims the victory, glory, and triumph of Christ crucified forr the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on September 14, the day that the stolen relics of the true cross were returned to Jerusalem in the early...

08 September, 2024 /

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text]Dr.Italy, in this 14 minute podcast with Anna Mitchell, remembers the tragedy of 9/11 and shows the connection between the horror of terrorism, illustrated by the destruction of the twin towers,  and the victory of the cross. 9/11 and...

08 September, 2024 /

Mother Teresa was a legend even in her lifetime. Quotes attributed to her and stories about her circulate constantly, some of them inaccurate and mistakenly attributed to her. We've tried to vet these quotes and stories to assure their authenticity....

01 September, 2024 /

Saint Andrew of Crete on the nativity of Mary as a turning point between old and new covenant, the frontier where types and symbols give way to reality. This reading shows that September 8th was celebrated as the birthday of Mary, daughter of Joachim and...

01 September, 2024 /

"Ephphatha!" The miracles of Jesus, particularly the story of Jesus' healing of the deaf - mute in the Gospel of Mark, raise a big questions -- did Jesus Christ truly work miracles and if so, was his motivation compassion or glory? For the 23rd Sunday...

01 September, 2024 /

The Beheading and Martyrdom of John the Baptist is remembered on August 29. Saint Bede here emphasizes that John died for Christ since he was killed for speaking the truth and Christ is the truth. He who baptized Christ was baptized in his own blood,...

25 August, 2024 /

What does the term Tradition really mean? Is it opposed to the Bible? The sola scriptura principle of the Protestant Reformation assumed it was -- here we examine this assumption in the light of a few key scriptures....

25 August, 2024 /

Bernard of Clairvaux extols wisdom as a hidden treasure and prudence as honey which delights the heart. Bernard himself came to be known as the “Mellifluous Doctor,” meaning the one from whose lips the wisdom of God flowed like honey....

18 August, 2024 /

St. Pope Pius X on the psalms which play a central role in the continual sacrifice of praise which is the divine liturgy of the Church. Singing the psalms is the best way to praise and bless God due to their inspiration by the Holy...

18 August, 2024 /

Belief that God exists is not quite what Scripture means by faith.  The faith spoken of by Jesus, Paul, and John is a gift that is like a spiritual muscle - to be strong, it must be exercised. To LISTEN to this post read by Dr....

18 August, 2024 /

A Saint's Advice to His Son St. Stephen of Hungary [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='65' color='' background_color='' border_color='']M[/dropcaps]y dearest son, if you desire to honour the royal crown, I advise, I counsel, I urge you above all things to maintain the Catholic and apostolic faith with such diligence and...

11 August, 2024 /

Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish Franciscan priest, offered his life in exchange for the life of a family man doomed to execution by the Nazis at Auschwitz. The following excerpt from his writings contrasts religious indifferentism with the path of obedience to God's will and...

11 August, 2024 /

In this 15 minute podcast, Anna Mitchell, host of the Sonrise Morning show, asks Marcellino D'Ambrosio (aka "Dr. Italy") about the origins and meaning of the dogma and feast of the Assumption of Mary, celebrated since ancient times on August 15th by the Catholic  Church...

11 August, 2024 /

Some do the minimum in order to survive.  But we are called to seize every opportunity so we can truly thrive.  Proverbs says Wisdom has set a table for us.  Christ, Divine Wisdom incarnate, actually feeds us with two abundant tables - the feast of...

11 August, 2024 /

Podcast discussing the beauty of Mount Tabor and the glory and meaning of the Transfiguration, a pivotal event in the life of Jesus that Catholics celebrate every August 6.  14 minute interview of Dr. Italy by Sonrise Morning Show radio host Anna Mitchell. The Transfiguration was...

04 August, 2024 /

Somehow, we can all relate to the discouragement and exhaustion of Elijah.  So we need to learn from the solution proposed by God to revitalize and energize him for the long journey he needed to make and the important work he was going to do. ...

04 August, 2024 /

Luke's story of Mary and Martha of Bethany, sisters of Lazarus, teaches us about hospitality, service, action and contemplation, and distraction in pursuit of the Catholic Fullness....

28 July, 2024 /

Here, an early biographer tells the story of the conversion of St. Ignatius of Loyola and what it taught him about the discernment of spirits.  Ignatius is remember by the Catholic Church on July 31....

28 July, 2024 /

The only miracle recorded in all four gospels was the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. Could this be to emphasize the central importance of the spiritual nutrition that Jesus, the Bread of Life, provides for us through the Eucharist? And could it be that...

28 July, 2024 /

In this 14 minute podcast, Dr. Italy discusses with Anna Mitchell the various misconceptions people have about Mary Magdalene, and corrects them based on the gospels.  He also looks at the woman of Magdala in the wider context of Jesus' remarkable ministry to women, and...

21 July, 2024 /

The multiplication of the loaves and fishes is the only miracle of Jesus recorded in all four gospels. John calls it a sign, a symbolic event with many hidden meanings. It points beyond itself back to Old Testament persons and events and forward...

21 July, 2024 /

In this podcast, an excerpt from a radio interview, Dr. Italy discusses Mount Carmel, Elijah, and why Mary is known by the title Our Lady of Mount Carmel.  In the Northwestern part of what is now the state of Israel is a long ridge known as...

14 July, 2024 /

The story of the feeding of the 5,000 teaches us much about leadership in the Kingdom of God.  The King is a shepherd who puts the sheep's needs before his own, and feeds them with truth, the nourishment they need most....

14 July, 2024 /

In this 40 minute podcast, Dr. Italy joins hosts Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle on Ascension Media’s evangelization podcast show Every Knee Shall Bow, to discuss his new study series: What We Believe, the Beauty of the Catholic Faith. Sharing the Catholic Faith What do we believe...

07 July, 2024 /

The story of Doubting Thomas shows us that even apostles live, not by justice, but by Divine Mercy. That's why this story is always the subject of the gospel on Divine Mercy Sunday, the Octave of Easter....

30 June, 2024 /

The story about Jesus' disappointing reception in his hometown of Nazareth addresses a question asked by many - if God is omnipotent, can it be said that there are some miracles that he cannot perform?  The surprising answer tells us a lot about unbelief, faith,...

30 June, 2024 /

Did Jesus really perform miracles & raise the daughter of Jairus from the dead? Deists, including several American founding fathers like Thomas Jefferson, said no, and their Enlightenment skepticism still influences us today...

23 June, 2024 /

St. Romuald was born in Ravenna, Italy in the middle of the tenth century.  He was a mystic who led the life of a hermit, traveling through various regions seeking solitude and establishing small monasteries.  Here St. Peter Damian gives us some insight into the...

16 June, 2024 /

Prayer written by Saint Thomas More while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London, awaiting execution by King Henry VIII....

16 June, 2024 /

One of the most famous bible stories of all time is Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee.  Mark, the evangelist, uses the story to ask the reader a question that elicits a clear answer on the identity of Christ.  This approach is...

16 June, 2024 /

A podcast in which host Sonrise Morning show host Anna Mitchell asks Dr. Italy some interesting questions raised by the observance of Father's Day, whether it is still legitimate, in this day and age, to call God "Father."  Isn't the "fatherhood" of God politically incorrect? Father's...

09 June, 2024 /

One of the Parables of the Kingdom of God is that of the tiny mustard seed that grows into the largest of shrubs.  What can this parable mean for growth in our church today which appears to be contracting, not growing, at least in the...

09 June, 2024 /

[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']T[/dropcaps]he African martyrs add another page to the martyrology – the Church’s roll of honor – an occasion both of mourning and of joy. This is a page worthy in every way to be added to the annals of that Africa of...

02 June, 2024 /

7 minute podcast by Dr. Italy focusing on the true meaning of the Sacred Heart of Jesus based on the chief scriptural text connected with this feast and devotion. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus can be found throughout the ages but became particularly widespread...

02 June, 2024 /

Ambrose reflects on the Virgin Mary's Visitation of her cousin Elizabeth as recounted by the evangelist Luke in the first chapter of his Gospel. The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the second joyful mystery of the rosary....

27 May, 2024 /

Jesus did not arrive on the scene to patch up an old system.  He is the bridegroom who turns water into wine and makes all things new....

24 May, 2024 /

The following is from a letter that St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) wrote to the religious sisters in the community she founded, the Missionaries of Charity. [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']I[/dropcaps] worry some of you still have not really met Jesus—one-to-one— you and Jesus...

23 May, 2024 /

An explanation of the spiritual gifts and charisms of the Holy Spirit and how they relate to Pentecost and the sacraments. [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']O[/dropcaps]ne of the achievements of Vatican II was a renewed appreciation of the Holy Spirit’s activity in all aspects of Christian...

12 May, 2024 /

6 minute podcast in which Dr. Italy explains why Jesus called the Holy Spirit "the Promise of the Father" and how God's promises are fulfilled in the gift of Pentecost which is repeated in every baptism and confirmation. In the time of Jesus, people treasured all...

12 May, 2024 /

REDEMPTORIS MATER (Mary, Mother of the Redeemer) John Paul II Encyclical Letter of John Paul II on the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Life of the Pilgrim Church promulgated on 25 March 1987 [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']T[/dropcaps]he Mother of the Redeemer (Redemptoris Mater) has a precise...

05 May, 2024 /

14 minute podcast in which Dr. Italy discusses St. Joseph as an often overlooked hero of the Advent - Christmas story.  He shows how St. Matthew's gospel presents him as a model of faith....

28 April, 2024 /

Some view the Catholic Church as multi-national corporation.  If so, its DBA should be love unlimited.  In contrast to ever natural love, the love that should categorize the life of the church is charity, agape, God's love which is, like God, universal, infinite,  without limits...

28 April, 2024 /

Peter Damian on St. George.  The veneration of Saint George, the courageous soldier of Christ and martyr,  began as early as the fourth century at Lydda in Palestine, where a church was built in his honor.  From antiquity this veneration has spread throughout both the...

21 April, 2024 /
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