Tag: Bert Ghezzi

The Feast of St. John Bosco

Today is the feast day of St. John Bosco (1815-1888), a man of great faith, thrust into a century of unbelief.  The gifted saint, did not let that stop him and he used his gifts to guide others and bring them to the Catholic faith. In 1841, shortly after his ordination, St. John Bosco arrived... Read more »
By Pam Spano,
January 31, 2013 at 8:19 am • 

The Commitment of Saint Thomas Aquinas

“We remember Thomas Aquinas most as a high-powered theologian, whose stature we could never equal.  But Aquinas is a saint, not because of his accomplishments, but because he lived a committed Christian life of humble prayer and service.  That we can imitate, no matter what we do for work.” – Bert Ghezzi, Voices of the... Read more »
By Pam Spano,
January 28, 2013 at 6:26 am • 

The Feast of St. Nicholas

If you have little ones still had home, did you have them put their shoes out this morning so St. Nicholas could put candy in them?  My kids used to put out their Christmas stockings.  And, since we have a “Nicholas,” it’s been a long running tradition in our family. Most of us know that... Read more »
By Pam Spano,
December 6, 2012 at 8:37 am • 
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Will the Catholic Church be Unified?

In October of 1623, Josaphat’s enemies condemned him to Leo Sapieha, a Catholic and chancellor of Lithuania.  Due to their influence, Leo charged Josaphat with resorting to violence on behalf of union with Rome. This was Josaphat’s response: God witnesses to my character.  He sees into my heart and knows the purpose of my actions.... Read more »
By Pam Spano,
November 12, 2012 at 7:44 am • 

The Feast of Saint Luke

Not much is known about St. Luke.  According to Bert Ghezzi’s Voices of the Saints, “Luke lived a long life without marrying and that he died at age eight-four,” but those “facts” appeared centuries after his death. Luke was a great story teller and meticulous about his facts.  The Gospel of St. Luke, was the one... Read more »
By Pam Spano,
October 18, 2012 at 6:21 am • 

Voice of a Saint: Francis of Assisi

Yesterday was the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.  St. Francis’ most famous prayer, of course, is the “Prayer of Saint Francis,” (which may or may not have been written by him). I found this prayer from him in Voices of the Saints by Bert Ghezzi. You are holy, Lord, the only God, and your... Read more »
By Pam Spano,
October 5, 2012 at 8:03 am • 
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St. Vincent de Paul's Guidelines for Facebook and Comment Boxes

Do you think St. Vincent had Facebook and comment boxes in mind? Jesus, the Lord, expects us to have the simplicity of a dove (see Matthew 10:16).  This means giving a straightforward opinion about things in the way we honestly see them, without needless reservations.  It also means doing things without double-dealing or manipulation, our... Read more »
By Pam Spano,
September 27, 2012 at 8:12 am • 

Chicago Teachers Could Learn a Lesson From the Saints

“The school of Christ is the school of charity.  On the last day, when the great general examination takes place, there will be no question at all on the text of Aristotle, the aphorisms of Hippocrates, or the paragraphs of Justinian.  Charity will be the whole syllabus.” – St. Robert Bellarmine The saints are our... Read more »
By Pam Spano,
September 17, 2012 at 8:14 am • 

Voice of a Saint: John Vianney

To content his love, God must give himself to us separately, one by one. A pure soul is with God, as a child with its mother.  The child caresses and embraces her, and its mother returns all its endearments.” We have nothing of our own but our will.  It is the only thing that God... Read more »
By Pam Spano,
August 4, 2012 at 7:19 am • 
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A Sobering Reflection by St. Alphonsus Liguori

We are now at the end of 1761.  Today the New Year of 1762 had begun.  How many saw the beginning of the year that has just gone but did not live to see its end!  We should give thanks to God that we are allowed to see its conclusion.  But do we know whether... Read more »
By Pam Spano,
August 1, 2012 at 7:49 am •