On this day, Irish men and women—and we who want to drink green milkshakes with them—around the world celebrate the Feast of St. Patrick. Some celebrate for religious reasons, some for cultural reasons, and some just because they enjoy the festivities. St. Patrick’s Day has become one of those Catholic holidays that has almost lost its Catholic character because it has become so engrained in the wider culture. But let’s take a moment to reflect on the life of St. Patrick and what he can teach us about making a gift of self.
Saints and Holy People
Holy Days of Obligation
Our parents give us so much. From our very first heartbeat, they sacrifice no small amount of sweat, blood, and treasure to bring us to full adulthood. They love us unconditionally, and work to give us a good life. We, in turn, trust our parents implicitly, and try to give them the respect and obedience due to them. No other relationships in our lives can compare to the importance of that with our parents.
Advent and the Body Part 4: Peace
The Prophet’s Candle represented the hope of Israel in the promise of the Messiah. The Bethlehem Candle represented the faith of Mary and Joseph when they obeyed God’s commands. The Shepherd’s Candle represents the joy of those who received the good news of the Messiah. Finally, the violet Angel’s Candle represents the peace that Christ brings with His heavenly kingdom.
St. Martin’s Day
Today marks the feast of a somewhat obscure saint in the minds of American Catholics: St. Martin of Tours. This particular feast used to hold particular importance in Medieval Europe, as it marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of Winter. The occasion, often called “Martinmas” or “Old Halloween,” saw feasting, the giving of small gifts to children, and even marked the beginning of St. Martin’s Lent.
Why JPII Gave Us TOB
On this the Feast Day of our beloved Pope St. John Paul II, we at TOBET continue to trust in his
intercession for the Church and for the first organization (TOBET!) established to promulgate the Theology of the Body (TOB), especially geared toward families, children, and youth.
Miracles of the Body
Pope John Paul II’s intercession after his death saved the lives and health of two women who prayed to him for help, thus securing his canonization in 2014.
Reflections for the Year Ahead
TOBET aims to educate children about Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, emphasizing human dignity and identity in a culture often confused about the body’s significance through various ideologies.
Beauty Will Save the World
Fyodor Dostoevsky, celebrated for emphasizing beauty’s role in spirituality, influenced Pope John Paul II, who promoted beauty as a means of hope against oppression, contributing to the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe.
Even Dead Bodies Matter
The Church has long venerated relics, reflecting deep reverence for holy figures. Relics serve to connect believers with the lives of saints, fostering hope in eternal life and inspiring holiness among the faithful.
Windows Into Heaven
Icons in the Catholic faith serve as powerful sacramentals, illustrating Biblical events and saints to foster prayer and spiritual awareness. They represent the divine and remind believers of their own reflection of God’s image through the body.