St. Joseph was a 1st century Jewish man of Nazareth who was married to Mary, the mother of Jesus and was the legal father of Jesus.

Laetare Sunday, the 4th Sunday of Lent, is so called because of the 1st words of the Introit of the Mass, “Laetare, Jerusalem,” Rejoice, O Jerusalem (Is. 66:10). It has been celebrated since at least the 5th century.

by Cardinal Orlando Beltran Quevedo, O.M.I, Archbishop-Emeritus of Cotabato Liturgy of the Word Genesis 12:1-4 Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22 2 Timothy 1:8-10 Matthew 17:1-9 First Reading: Gn. 12:1-4. Abram’s Call and Migration. The Lord tells Abram to go forth from Haran with all his family to a place God will show him. God will bless him and make him a great nation. All the families of the earth will find him a blessing (vv. 1-3). Abram was 75 yrs old when he left Haran (v.

Three temptations: the need to satisfy hunger, comfort, and desires - the temptation of the flesh; the temptation of pride, forcing God’s hand to prove oneself and the temptation of power and control.

Scholastica was born in Nursia, Umbria, of wealthy parents. Scholastica was dedicated to God from a young age. At the age of 12, she and her brother were sent to Rome . But they were deeply disturbed by the dissolute lifestyle of the city. Therefore, Benedict decided to retire to a hermitage.

Today an intention for victims of human trafficking is included in the Prayers of the Faithful.

He is called the Angelic Doctor, "Doctor Angelicus," for his theological brilliance and clarity and for his purity of life. One of the Church's greatest theologians and philosophers, St. Thomas Aquinas is the Patron Saint of all Catholic educational institutions.

Born in Assisi, Italy, St. Francis of Assisi, a mystic, poet, and stigmatist, was canonized on 16 July 1228. He founded the Franciscan religious orders of the Ordo Fratrum Minorum (OFM) and, with St. Clare of Assisi, the Order of St. Clare (the Poor Clares), as well as a lay Third Order.

Padre Pio, as St. Pius is popularly known, was born, Francesco Forgione, on 25 May 1887 in Pietrelcina, a small town in the province of Benevento.

by Cardinal Orlando Beltran Quevedo, O.M.I, Archbishop-Emeritus of Cotabato Amos 8:4-7 Psalm 113:1-2, 4-6, 7-8 1 Timothy 2:1-8 Luke...

The Biblical Canon does not record Mary's birth. The earliest document that commemorates the feast comes from the 6th century.

Discipleship requires readiness to accept persecution, no matter the cost (vv. 27-32).

Today's Liturgy of the Word revolves around the theme of persevering Faith in Christ and Fidelity to Christ.

The over-all theme of today's Liturgy of the Word is Faith and Trust in God.

by Cardinal Orlando Beltran Quevedo, O.M.I, Archbishop-Emeritus of Cotabato   Some Notes on Sts. Joachim and Anne -- 1. There is no...

Bonaventure was born in 1221, although some accounts say 1217, in Bagnoregio, Tuscany, the Papal States. His parents were Giovanni di Fidanza, a physician, and Maria di Ritella. He fell ill while a boy, and, as he said, was saved from death by the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi.

As early as the year 258 AD, there is evidence of an already lengthy tradition of celebrating the solemnities of both St. Peter and St. Paul on the same day.

One of the popular images of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus depicts a wounded heart, with a flame and a cross atop it. The heart is encircled by a crown of thorns and is radiating brilliant light.

Some Notes on the Feast of Jesus, the Eternal High Priest

The end of the last Sunday Mass today marks the end of the Easter season.