This Sunday, November 14,
WGN America: Word on Fire with Father Robert Barron features the second segment of Father's exposition on the 7 Deadly Sins and 7 Lively Virtues. Specifically, Father will expound upon the sins of pride and envy. In addition, this episode will feature commentary from Marjorie Weeke, one of the first women professionals on the Vatican staff who facilitated media coverage during the papacies of Paul VI, John Paul I and John Paul II. Finally, a clip from the episode of CATHOLICISM on Peter & Paul will be aired during the duration of the show, which airs on Sunday morning at 9:30 am EST (9:30 am on the Chicago affiliate). Be sure to tune in!
Today, Father Steve calls our attention to the horrifying events facing Christians in Iraq and the Middle East, exacerbated by the recent massacre which took place at the Cathedral of the Syriac Catholic Church in Baghdad. Read Father Steve's assessment of this atrocity here.
“Christians are slaughtered in Iraq, in their homes and churches, and the so-called free world is watching in complete indifference, interested in responding in a way that is politically correct and economically opportune, but in reality is hypocritical.” Patriarch Ignace Joseph III Younan.
On October 31st the faithful assembled for evening Mass at the cathedral of the Syriac Catholic Church in Baghdad were brutally attacked by Islamic Jihadists. After the smoke cleared from volleys of bullets and grenades at least 50 people were dead, including three priests. Reports from witnesses identified that the priest presiding at Mass was the first to be killed. One priest, who survived the assault, was wounded by shrapnel as he used his own body to shield parishioners who were trapped inside the church..
November 11th is the Feast of St. Martin of Tours. Below, Father Steve offers a reflection on the legendary encounter that converted Martin from a celebrated soldier to a priest, bishop, and a saint.
Today the Church celebrates the holiness and witness of Saint Martin of Tours.
Martin was born in the year 316 AD and was a convert to the Faith of the Church. The story of his conversion is one of the great tales of the Faith.
Martin, a dashing young soldier, was confronted by a poor beggar who pleaded for Martin's assistance. Martin's heart was moved with compassion for the frail, sickly man, shivering in the cold and clothed only in tattered rags. He removed his magnificent military cloak from his broad shoulders, drew his sword and divided the garment in two, placing half of his cloak around the impoverished beggar...
Today is the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome, the "Mother Church" of Catholicism and the first of the four great "patriarchal" Basilicas of Rome. It is also the "seat church" of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope.
Read today's post to see photos taken at St. John Lateran during the
Catholicism filming trip to Rome. In addition, listen to a homily from Father Barron that goes into depth on the theological significance of this great Basilica and its dedication, which provides the occasion to speak of the importance of all church buildings, images of the Temple in Jerusalem.