6 years ago in Books

Manly Catholic Reads: Joseph’s Way

“Often a father believes that being married and having children hinders him, if it does not altogether disqualify him, from achieving great sanctity.” To dispel this incorrect notion, Devin Schadt, in his book, Joseph’s Way, the Call to Fatherly Greatness, lays out practical ways for fathers to become saints within the day-to-day life of the family. This eighty-day devotional walks...

7 years ago in Gentleman Saints, Work

An Everyman Saint: St. Isidore the Farmer

All you really need to know about St. Isidore the farmer (or “the laborer”) is that in the town of Pulilan in the Philippines, parishioners of San Isidro Labrador make their water buffalos kneel before a statue of the saint. This is a fitting veneration for a saint who was often accompanied by a team of heavenly oxen driven by angels....

7 years ago in Asceticism, Fasting

Spiritual Weapons: Fasting

Fasting gives birth to prophets and strengthens the powerful; fasting makes lawgivers wise. Fasting is a good safeguard for the soul, a steadfast companion for the body, a weapon for the valiant, and a gymnasium for athletes. Fasting repels temptations, anoints unto piety; it is the comrade of watchfulness and the artificer of chastity. In war it fights bravely, in...

7 years ago in Catholic in the Cubicle, Lifestyle, Work

Catholic in the Cubicle, Part 2: Interacting with Co-Workers

The following is a guest post by Bob Waruszewski. In my first post, I talked about three ways to be Catholic at the cubicle. As a follow up, let’s look at some ways to be a Catholic Gentleman when interacting with our co-workers. 1) Use Words to Build Up, Not to Tear Down – Most offices have a gathering place...

7 years ago in Catholic in the Cubicle, Virtue, Work

How to be Catholic in the Cubicle

The following is a guest post by Bob Waruszewski. It is the first in a series on sanctifying our work. A few weeks ago, I was reading an excerpt about how a man chose to serve as a missionary on a college campus following graduation. He said that he decided to become a missionary because he wanted to something meaningful...

7 years ago in Church History, Spiritual Weapons

Spiritual Weapons: The Name of Jesus

"Flog your enemies with the Name of Jesus, for there is no weapon more powerful in heaven or on earth." - St. John Climacus "Blessed be the Name of Jesus." - The Divine Praises Among the spiritual weapons in our arsenal, there are none as powerful as the Holy Name of Jesus. The saints have healed the sick, conquered temptation,...

7 years ago in Lent, Liturgical Year

Why is Lent 40 Days?

In the English language, the special season before Easter is called “Lent.” The word comes from the “lengthening” of daylight hours as we progress from the darkness of winter to the new light of spring. But other languages, such as Spanish, have a name for this season that is derived from the word for forty. It is the season of...

7 years ago in Habits, Lent, Prayer, Virtue

Preparing for a Good Lent: Prayer

Today, we continue our series on how to prepare for a good Lent by focusing on the first of the three pillars: prayer. "Virtues are formed by prayer. Prayer preserves temperance. Prayer suppresses anger. Prayer prevents emotions of pride and envy. Prayer draws into the soul the Holy Spirit, and raises man to Heaven." – St. Ephrem of Syria Other...

7 years ago in Humility, Lent, Liturgical Year

Preparing for a Good Lent

It's 20 days into Lent. Your firm resolve to give up dessert and be kind to your annoying neighbor is wearing thin. You've missed your prayers three days in a row, even though you firmly committed to pray for at least 30 minutes each day. You're invited to a dinner party where steak is served--- but it's on a Friday. As you walk...

7 years ago in Combat, Spiritual Weapons

Spiritual Weapons: The St. Benedict Medal

In Scripture, St. Peter tells us to be sober and watchful because, "your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). The devil is real, and he wants to destroy you and me through any means possible. That's why it's so important that we fight back with the spiritual weapons of prayer...

7 years ago in Habits, Prayer

Simplicity in Devotion

When I first converted to Catholicism, I was overwhelmed by the wealth of devotions Catholics practiced. There was devotion to the five wounds of Christ, the brown scapular, the green scapular, the Divine Mercy chaplet, devotion to the Holy Face, the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Rosary, devotion to the Sacred Heart, devotion to the seven sorrows of...

7 years ago in Mary, Prayer, Prayers, Purity, Spiritual Weapons

Spiritual Weapons: 3 Hail Marys for Purity

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty to God unto the pulling down of fortifications..." St. Paul Every day, we face various temptations to sin. These temptations take many forms. Some of us struggle with an explosive temper, others with selfishness, others...

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