by Theresa Cavicchio, OFSEach year, the October 4th feast of Saint Francis of Assisi (1182 - 1226 A.D.), is celebrated by Christians, non-Christians, and non-believers alike; not only in Franciscan circles but all over the world. The beloved “Little Poor Man” of Assisi -- gentle, humble, and joyful -- has gathered quite a diverse following indeed!
After ICE protestors in St. Paul shocked the nation by invading and disrupting anongoing church service earlier this year, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle – and in both Houses of Congress - have introduced a new bill to enact heavy fines on any such behavior in the future.
"It was my privilege to participate in such a well thought and laid out course. As a Catholic school teacher I have participated in many seminars. This one is far more inspired than the others. May God bless this mission and help it grow!" -Bridgit
We all grapple with spiritual discernment - how to tell if an inspiration is coming from God, ourselves, or the devil. But the spiritual masters claim it's not as difficult as it sounds. In fact, it all comes down to learning how to decipher a few telltale footprints.
"I would like to thank Women of Grace and my first two Women of Grace Foundational Study groups for the opportunity to be their facilitator and for it to have been such a wonderful experience. The study program itself is phenomenal and the women who took the time to participate and share of themselves during these past nine weeks made it all the more enriching and fruitful.
Johnnette Benkovic Williams gives her presentation on “Healing the Wounds of the Heart; Journey to Joy” at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola May 30, 2026.
Fourteen women eagerly joined the "Women of Grace Full of Grace Foundational Study" at the Newman Center at the University of New Mexico in the fall of 2025. This is the first time it has been offered because Aquinas Newman Center was requested to offer more studies for women. The class met for seventeen weeks and once finished the women desired more spiritual growth and will begin Moments with Mary in mid-May! Our Blessed Mother is bringing them closer to her Son.
For fifteen years, I was broken and living my life in darkness. I went through my day-to-day life for the sake of my family, but on the inside, I was hopeless and alone. Then, a couple of years ago, something began to change.
Although I was a baptized Catholic I did not stay the course as regards church teaching and obedient living.
St. Joseph Oratory at Mount Royal (Image courtesy of Wikicommons Images, Dpalma01, CC-BY-SA 4.0)by Theresa Cavicchio
Each year, two million visitors travel to Montreal to visit the Oratory of Saint Joseph at Mount Royal. The massive basilica and shrine occupy a place of prominence – the highest point, in fact – above the bustling Canadian metropolis below. It is the largest church and shrine dedicated to Saint Joseph in the world.
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