“I want to reawaken in others and in myself a greater fervour so that the Catholic deposit of faith, which the Apostle did not entrust to us without reason and which is preferable to all the riches of this world, is kept treasured, intact and authentic, because on it depend Christian wisdom, overall peace and human holiness.” – St. Peter CanisiusJohn of the Cross is known as the Mystical Doctor. He was a Carmelite priest, mystic, and reformer who lived in Spain in the 16th century. It was St. Teresa of Avila who persuaded him to lead a reform movement which brought new energy to the Carmelite Order. His poems and mystical writings are considered among the greatest in all Spanish literature. His most famous ones, Spiritual Canticle, Ascent of Mt. Carmel, and Dark Night of the Soul, are considered masterpieces.
“Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent.” – St. John of the CrossRobert Bellarmine was also a Jesuit priest. He was the Cardinal Archbishop of Capua (in present-day Italy) from 1602 to 1621. Bellarmine also lived during the Counter-Reformation. He was a professor of theology and rector of the Roman College (now the Gregorian University). He supported many reforms from the Council of Trent. He wrote Disputationes de Controversiis Christianae Fidei, which covers the main disputes between Catholics and Protestants. He also published a Catechism, in two versions, on which the famous Baltimore Catechism is based. He also wrote The Mind’s Ascent to God, The Art of Dying Well, and The Seven Words on the Cross.
“Prosperity and adversity, wealth and poverty, health and sickness, honours and humiliations, life and death, in the mind of the wise man, are not to be sought for their own sake, nor avoided for their own sake. But if they contribute to the glory of God and your eternal happiness, then they are good and should be sought. If they detract from this, they are evil and must be avoided.” – St. Robert BellarmineAlbert the Great is known as the Universal Doctor. He was a Dominican friar, Bishop of Regensburg, Germany, and a contemporary of Thomas Aquinas. He has been called the greatest German philosopher and theologian of the Middle Ages. As well as being a theologian and spiritual writer, he was a scientist, philosopher, astrologer, and diplomat and wrote on many subjects including botany, geography, astronomy, zoology, physiology, justice, law, and music.
“Mary is the Divine Page on which the Father wrote the Word of God, His Son.” – St. Albert the GreatAnthony of Padua was a Portuguese Franciscan who is known as the Evangelical Doctor. He lived in the 13th century. One of his greatest successes was preaching in France and Italy and converting heretics. He was the first member of the Franciscans to teach theology to his brothers. He is venerated all over the world as the patron of finding lost things. He is most well known for his collection of Sermons.
“Do you want to have God always in your mind? Be just as he made you to be. Do not go seeking another ‘you’.” – St. Anthony of PaduaLawrence of Brindisi was a Franciscan priest and superior and diplomat, known as the Apostolic Doctor, who lived in the 16th century. He taught theology and was an accomplished linguist, being fluent in seven languages, and he became famous as a forceful preacher. He wrote many works explaining the Faith. Among them Mariale, Lutheranismi Hypothesis, Adventus, Dominicalia, and Sermones de Tempore.
“All things are possible for him who believes, more to him who hopes, even more to him who loves.” – St. Lawrence of BrindisiCome back next week for the last six doctors: the ones most recently named doctors, including the four women Doctors of the Church. Do you know who they are?
Deacon Pedro explores the ins and outs of a modern Conclave, and asks, "Where is the Holy Spirit in all this?"
Carlo Acutis was ahead of his time, and a part of our time. He inspires us to present the faith in creative ways, as well as to seek holiness in the joys and struggles of every day life.
Raising your child in the Christian faith is a beautiful challenge, but also a real trial in a world where digital distractions are all over. Carlo Acutis offers us and our children an inspiring example.
In his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis continued this cycle of catechesis on "Jesus Christ our Hope," as part of the Jubilee 2025. This week he reflected on the Magnificat, the Virgin Mary's Song of Praise after she is greeted by her cousin Elizabeth.
Reflecting on the vision given to St. Joseph in the Gospel of Matthew, Pope Francis said that "He dreams of the miracle that God fulfils in Mary’s life, and also the miracle that he works in his own life: to take on a fatherhood capable of guarding, protecting, and passing on a material and spiritual inheritance."