Fr. Simplicius

The modern world has embraced the foolish notion that a "name" is just a random grouping of letters used to refer to someone easily. Yet our ancestors knew that a name is meant to be the very definition of the person, an essential description, that can even point to one's past and future. Thus, God reveals His Name to Moses as "I AM WHO AM." In days past, all Catholics were named after a saint and thereby had heavenly patrons. The holy Name of Jesus reveals His redemptive mission, honors Him greatly, and embraces all His divinity. All creation shall forever adore [...]

The cathedra in St. Peter’s Basilica holds the relics of the chair (throne) from which St. Peter taught. In antiquity, the formal position for official teachers was to sit. The Church formerly celebrated the Chair of Unity Octave from today’s feast of St. Peter’s Chair to the Conversion of St. Paul. These were days specifically marked my prayer for the conversion of various non-Christians and the return of lapsed Catholics, schismatics and heretics. The Church is always ONE, this is one of her essential marks; a property given to her by God which can never be taken from her. Pope Boniface VIII analogously described it [...]

St. Rose of Viterbo is a great Italian saint of the 13th century. She lived prayerful solitude, compassionated our suffering Savior, converted a witch, and even raised the dead. The Poor Clares rejected her admission for lack of a dowry but she accurately prophesied her posthumous entrance into their convent. Her town rebelled against the pope and joined Emperor Frederick II. The pope called him a precursor of Antichrist. St. Rose serves as type for the faithful remnant in the End Times. She opposed Frederick and prophesied his untimely death. Antichrist is a lawless man of sin who will be accepted [...]

St. Nicholas is one of the great saints of the early Church. He performed many acts of charity and miracles. He is the patron saint of Russia, Greece, and all children. As one of the most popular saints, many traditions have developed around his feast day. At the Council of Nicea (325 AD), he firmly withstood the arch heretic Arius. He was in turn persecuted for defending Christ. Pray that our bishops will love Christ and defend the faith in the example of St. Nicholas.