As we commemorate the First Martyrs on June 30, let us not forget that today, more than ever before, our brothers and sisters in Christ are going home to God because of their fidelity to the faith which saves.
Two converts, two Christians, two apostles, bishops, priests — two fathers of our faith, patrons of the Marian Congregation, whom we celebrate on June 29.
May 13 marks the 109th anniversary of Our Lady’s first apparition at Fatima. Our Lady continues to invite us to renewed hope, to deeper conversion of our hearts to Christ, and to remind us of her loving intercession before her Son for all our needs and prayers.
Saint John Eudes (1601-1680), whose feast we celebrate on Aug. 19, was one of the leading proponents of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He also discerned a close connection between the Heart of Jesus and Divine Mercy.
Here in Massachusetts, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord on Thursday, May 18, although most dioceses in the United States transfer the observance to Sunday, May 21.