Pope Saint John Paul II was born Karol Wojtyla in the small Polish town of Wadowice. During World War II, when the Nazis invaded Poland, Karol secretly studied for the priesthood in an underground seminary established by the archbishop of Krakow. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1946. In 1964, Father Karol was appointed archbishop of Krakow; just three years later he was made a cardinal. In 1978, Cardinal Wojtyla was elected Pope, the 264th in the Church’s history. He took the name John Paul II. He began his papacy on Oct. 22 by telling the world, “Be not afraid”; his life showed everyone that to change the world, we must “cast into the deep for a great catch.”
St. Ignatius of Antioch: ‘I am God’s wheat’
St. Ignatius of Antioch was also called Ignatius Theophoros (in Greek, that means “God bearer”). His principal claim to historical fame comes from his martyrdom. Arrested by Roman authorities, he […]
Celebrate the holiness of St. Teresa of Avila
On October 15, we celebrate the feast of St. Teresa of Avila, Doctor of the Church and founder of the Discalced Carmelites. (Extra credit: Who knows what “discalced” means?) Teresa […]
Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos: A guiding light for missionaries
Like so many others in the litany of America’s saints and blesseds, Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos (1819-67) was filled with missionary zeal. His boyhood desire to follow in the footsteps […]
7 ways to Celebrate the Feasts of the Angels
With the feasts of the archangels and the guardian angels only four days apart, it’s a great time to celebrate the angels with your kids. Here are seven ideas for what to do.