Pope Benedict took some time yesterday to recall St. Lawrence, 1,750 years after his martyrdom. The Advent-related theme was about the importance of being watchful, and vigilant: “Vigilance means spending every instant of our time within the horizon of His love without allowing ourselves to be cast down by the inevitable difficulties and daily problems.…

Archbishop Fulton Sheen isn’t the only gifted Catholic communicator in line for canonization. USA TODAY has the latest on the fabled and much-beloved Fr. Patrick Peyton: Recognized widely for his catchphrase — “the family that prays together stays together” — the late Rev. Patrick Peyton spread his message to millions by radio and later television,…

“The men from the Bowery were there, ragged, dirty, jobless, most of them Longshore workers, teamsters, gandy dancers, sand hogs, restaurant workers, men who had led hard and dangerous lives. There were Irish, Italian, mostly, but other nationalities, too. Poles, Croatians, Hungarians. There were young and old, men and women, single and married. Tonight and…

The striking icon above is by Nicholas Brian Tsai, and the open book of scripture contains this quote: He raises the poor from the dustand lifts the needy from the ash heapto make them sit with princes,with the princes of his people. He gives the barren woman a home,making her the joyous mother of children.…

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