Ite Ad Joseph. “Go to Joseph.” These were the words of Pharaoh to the people of Egypt during the years of famine (Gen 41:55). These are the words inscribed at the base of the statue of St. Joseph in front … Continue reading
Saints
What Love Looks Like
To read about the life of a saint is to glimpse a world illuminated by a hidden light. The saint’s actions seem wild yet effective, spontaneous yet motivated by deep insight. As a dog responds to a whistle pitched far … Continue reading
Hitting the Mark
When I first saw curling I was confused: what are they doing sweeping brooms in front of a giant hockey puck? Why do they start barking out calls as soon as it is released? What are they even trying to … Continue reading
Youth, Beauty, and Promise
A few years ago, my father “was a young man, strong, virile, athletic, handsome, chaste, and disciplined; the kind of man one sees sometimes shepherding sheep, or piloting a plane, or working at a carpenter’s bench.” Even today, he is … Continue reading
Stopping in Smyrna
My family are beach people. Growing up in coastal New England, our summers always involved lengthy days on sandy shores and in cool waters. But occasionally, we would trade the chilly waters of the Northeast for the warmer waves of … Continue reading
Rock Solid
Today is the feast of the Chair of St. Peter, a celebration of the teaching authority of the Vicar of Christ. We don’t usually think of authority as a blessing, but instead as a cost worth paying for the security … Continue reading
My Good Friend
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10) Though I could not see the face … Continue reading
Forgotten Ananias
The account of Paul’s conversion turns our eye to great figures. Of course, there is Saint Paul, going from sinner to saint, from persecutor to preacher, from murderer to martyr. Also eye-catching is the role of Jesus, blinding Paul with … Continue reading
Finding a Friend in the Folio
Until recently, I thought that I was the only person to have written a quirky, pious, ukulele song for St. Isidore the Farmer. Perhaps I still am. However, while searching through some medieval manuscripts I found that even in this, … Continue reading
Why Saint Nicholas Matters
In our shared human experience, we frequently find ourselves carrying other people’s burdens, seeking, if we can, to alleviate them, with others doing the same for us. This is mercy. By showing mercy, we take another’s misery and seek to … Continue reading
Sibling Rivalry
When we’re with our families, we can’t pretend to be someone we’re not. They know our quirks and tastes, talents and difficulties. They tend to know us even better than we know ourselves, in fact. And we know them in … Continue reading
An Image of Sanctity
“Why isn’t she a saint yet?” This was the reaction a classmate of mine had to seeing an image of Mother Teresa. And it makes sense. This was a woman known around the world for her charity, compassion, and love … Continue reading
Seeds from Reading
“Pick up and read, pick up and read.” While in a garden, St. Augustine heard these words spoken by a child and was inspired to pick up Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Reading, he received the grace of conversion which … Continue reading
In the Fisherman’s Net
Not ours the wounds, the bloodied flesh, of those fire-tested ancient souls;Theirs the bones for grinding lion’s teeth to gnaw to living breadOr the blood to spell their credo, a sanguine testament witnessed boldlyAs fisherman’s inverted across the sea from … Continue reading
The Paradox of Willfulness
Lent is more than half over, a good time to remember why we carry our cross. We do it to be disciples of Christ, to do His will in our life and not our own. But surrendering our own willfulness … Continue reading
Nails
Nails Now place the nail, my lovely lad and grip your hammer low;Now raise it high above your head, and firmly strike your blow.Once more raise up your arm again once more hit hard your steel,But mind your hand, let … Continue reading
5 Ways St. Joseph Can Help Your Lent
Editor’s note: This post was originally published on March 19, 2015. How can St. Joseph help you this Lent? I propose five ways. Simplicity In John 6, when Jesus boldly declares, “I am the bread of life,” his hearers murmur … Continue reading
Lenten Conference Audio: On Christian Purgation
Dominicana is happy to offer this audio recording of “On Christian Purgation: Following in the Footsteps of the Beloved.” It was given by Br. Augustine Marogi, O.P. as the first installment of the 2017 Lenten Conferences at the Dominican House … Continue reading
St. Patrick’s Slavery
Similar to the Irish people, St. Patrick moved from slavery to slavery. Looking at the life of today’s celebrated saint, we see three modes of slavery which are emblematic of the people he helped save. St. Patrick and his flock … Continue reading
Don’t Look Gloomy, Smile!
Today we are just a week into Lent, with five weeks to go before the holy Triduum and the glories of Easter. In the meantime, we Christians are praying, fasting, and giving alms in reparation to God for our sins … Continue reading
Blood Red Love
The love of St. Valentine goes unrequited on Valentine’s Day. The cities are painted red with roses, lips, young love, and small chalky candies with audacious imperatives: “be true,” “hug me,” “be mine.” Yet, the true red of St. Valentine’s … Continue reading
St. Agnes and the Women’s March
“Jesus Christ was recklessly charitable,” a wise friar told me after hundreds of people lined up to use the restroom at a Dominican priory. There were not enough restrooms set up for the Women’s March that took place in Washington, … Continue reading
Your Saint Too
On Saturday, we Dominicans celebrated the feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas with special solemnity. For us, the feast is always accompanied by a certain sense of fraternal pride. After all, this great saint and Doctor of the Church, held … Continue reading
The “Secret” Catholic Weapon
As Mother Teresa passed through the airport security checkpoint, she had to endure that embarrassing procedure that is part and parcel of our troubled times: “Any weapons on your person?” Unexpectedly, the childlike yet remarkably bold sari-clad woman replied in … Continue reading
5 Tips on Prayer with St. Thomas Aquinas
Throwback Thursday Editor’s note: This post was originally published on November 25, 2014. Fr. John Sica, O.P. was ordained to the priesthood in May 2016. Prayer, St. John Damascene says, is the unveiling of the mind before God. When we … Continue reading