May 17, 2013, 3:41 pm
This is the continuation of the story of the life of the Mother Maria Kolumba BiaŁecka, foundress of the Dominican Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. In our last installment, new Sisters made their profession in the Order after a retreat led by Father Weber.
Because Mother Kolumba was growing older, the Sisters made a point to write down the stories and virtues of their beloved Reverend Mother, so they could pass them on to future members of the Congregation.
Mother Kolumba had many virtues, and her faith was alive and strong. She set an example for the Sisters in the Congregation in her prayer and worship of Jesus, particularly in the Blessed Sacrament. She spoke with much love and gratitude about the Mystery of Love which was the Eucharist. Every Mass on Thursday was celebrated in thanksgiving for the Sacrament of the Eucharist and in reparation for the offenses against the sacrament. The Reverend Mother spent many hours in prayer — marked with a visible love for Jesus. And as her biographer wrote, “The youngest Sisters testified that the very presence of Mother motivated them to pray even more enthusiastically.” Continue reading ‘All-night Chapel Vigils Were Part of Mother Kolumba’s Intense Devotion to the Eucharist’ »
May 9, 2013, 3:44 pm
The glorious Battle of Lepanto, in an ancient painting.
Pope Pius V’s feast day was recently celebrated on April 30.
Despite his tears and protests, Michele Ghisleri – better known as St. Pius V – was elected Pope in 1566. Born into a poor family, he was taken in by the Dominicans, who gave him his education, and eventually he joined the Order when he turned fifteen.
He was a virtuous and simple man, buying little for himself. Although he would travel from one town to another to hear confessions as a priest, he did not own a cloak. When asked about this he remarked, “Poor followers of the Gospel ought to be content with one tunic.” Continue reading ‘The Dominican Pope Pius V Showed Concern for Christendom and Zeal Against Heresy’ »
May 4, 2013, 2:55 pm
The feast of St. Catherine of Siena is April 29.
By modern measures, she would probably be considered a superhero. St. Catherine of Siena, a Third Order Dominican, gave instruction to the Pope, received the wounds of Christ, lived on little food but the Eucharist, and was granted mystical visions, including one where Christ claimed her as his bride.
A saint of the 14thcentury, St. Catherine was born in Siena, Italy, and joined the Dominican Tertiaries at the age of sixteen. She is famous for her letters to Pope Gregory XI, in which she urges him to return to Rome after he made his residency in Avignon, France. Continue reading ‘The Mystic, St. Catherine of Siena — A “Superhero” of Old’ »
