Princess Mae of Teck came from a branch of the English royal family who lived under reduced circumstances. Although she was indeed a great granddaughter of George III, her family once had to move to Florence, Italy to save money. more

The English word hermit comes from the Greek meaning desert or uninhabited. St. Paul of Thebes, St. Anthony of the Desert and St. Mary of Egypt were among the first Christians to embrace life as … more

In the front vestibule of St. Joseph Church in Pascoag there is a small stained glass window depicting a bishop in liturgical attire, staff in hand, attended by servers. Perhaps unique in stained glass artistry, his Excellency is wearing eye-glasses. The episcopal motto featured below his likeness reveals the historical accuracy of the bespeckled prelate’s unusual portrait. more

Sometime in the 1960s, a news item appeared indicating that in the event of nuclear war in Europe, Pope Paul VI would take refuge in Quebec City, Canada, assured of a welcome and warm reception in … more

“I pray for you every day, Father Kiley,” St. Joseph of Springfield Sister Charles Joseph Carr, who recently passed away, would remind me quite often. more

Believers are well aware that the Old Testament has its familiar Books of Psalms consisting of 150 songs, hymns and works of poetry often ascribed to the musical King David but certainly derived from many sources. The Hebrew Scriptures of course have many other “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs,” as St. Paul recalled, scattered throughout the 45 books. more

The nurse at the head desk at an area hospital said that there was a young lady who wanted to see a priest should one pass by. The young woman was not seriously ill, but rather somewhat apprehensive about a procedure that she was to undergo the following day. more

A speeding car hops the guard rail and tumbles down the grassy embankment. No one thankfully is hurt. “It was a miracle,” friends of the hapless driver and passengers celebrate. CT scans and MRIs … more

A man walked into a pet store and inquired about purchasing a hunting dog. “This dog is great hunter,” the owner remarked. “We call him Napoleon. And this is another great hunting dog, we call him Julius Caesar.” “What about the dog over there,” the customer inquired gesturing toward a canine across the room, “what’s his name?” “Oh, we call him ‘the pastor,’ the salesman replied. “The pastor?” the customer inquired, “why do you call him ‘the pastor?’” The salesman quickly responded, “Oh, he just sits around all day and barks and nobody pays any attention to him, so we call him ‘the pastor.’” more

The Jewish nation has been challenged to settle the land of Canaan several times both in ancient times and in modern history. The land originally donated by God to Abraham and his descendants, … more

For about 120 years, roughly 1850 until 1970, the feast of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ was celebrated on or about July 1 each year. While the feast had been celebrated in various dioceses … more

Modern mankind is clearly scandalized by suffering. The distressingly high abortion rate in this country and throughout the Western world is sure testimony to the contemporary world’s abhorrence of … more

The movie Ben-Hur, the last of the summer’s epic releases, cost $100,000,000 to produce but earned only $10,000,000 on its opening weekend. And the critics were no kinder. “Amateurish … more

Very early in the Judaeo-Christian tradition the number 40 begins to take on a significance that will broaden and deepen as God continues to reveal his plans for mankind through celebrated Biblical … more

As the church’s calendar begins Ordinary Time, i.e, the ordered or numbered weeks of the calendar, the public life of Jesus Christ as recorded by St. Matthew is proclaimed as well. more

“I came so that they might have life,” Jesus benevolently declares in this coming Sunday’s Gospel passage. “…And have it more abundantly,” the Master continues with even greater generosity. Modern believers hearing this bountiful promise might well ask the question posed by St. Peter’s first hearers cited in this Sunday’s first reading from Acts: “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other apostles, “What are we to do, my brothers?” Yes, indeed, that is the question of the ages: “What are we to do?” How does the contemporary believer lay hold of the abundant life promised by Jesus Christ? How is it seized? How is it appreciated? How is it made effective in each succeeding generation? more

Many consider the pre-eminent effect of the Second Vatican Council to be the introduction of the Age of the Laity. More lay participation in the liturgy, more lay persons on parish boards, as well as … more

A couple of Sundays ago, page two of the Providence Journal featured photographs of seven personalities highlighted during the week. more

A public television channel recently featured a presentation on the Woodstock Folk Festival, undoubtedly the iconic event of the late 1960s. more

The Diocese of Providence has more than 30 churches dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The diocese’s two oldest parishes, St. Mary’s in Newport and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in … more