Bless the Beasts

The wildly popular blessing of animals has put the feast of St. Francis of Assisi on a par with Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, and the St. Blaise blessing of throats. Some might even consider missing the October 4th blessing as worthy of confession, penance, and absolution. Truly, there is no...

Return to Sender

Estrangement by a defiant daughter puts the strength of hope to the test. It was late afternoon, and Hattie knew Michael would arrive soon. He and his friend, Dave, had delivered the few furniture pieces she would need at her small apartment at Comfort Care Lodge. Hattie sighed as she...

Hail, Finder of Grace

I enjoy shopping for gifts. However, I wouldn’t say I like buying any readily available, reasonably priced gift or a standard item on every gift list, like a pen, book, or a popular CD. I prefer to take my time, looking for something I believe the recipient would need or...

September-October 2023 The Lighter Side

School Daze  On the first day of school, a new second-grade student entered the classroom and handed the teacher a note that read: “Dear Teacher, the opinions expressed by this child are not necessarily those of his exasperated parents. Thank you in advance for your patience.” To read more, subscribe...

The Yellow Bus of Life

Remember when we were learning how to drive and how enthusiastically we prepared for the exams we had to pass in order to obtain a license? The road test was nerve-racking, to be sure. But before that, the written examination meant studying a book of rules and regulations that all...

God’s in the Details

I was recently pondering in quiet prayer time—and struggling with—the words on loss and grief from Thomas à Kempis’ Imitation of Christ: “If you can be still and suffer awhile, you shall without doubt see the help of God come in your need.” A short time later, I heard the...

Angels Amid Our Needs

I suspect I am not alone in associating September with attack. Even after twenty-two years, 9/11 is burned in my mind as a slow-motion unraveling of a horror-filled day. But the recollection always ends at our candlelit church, filled all night with people at prayer. We got a bitter taste...

The Merits of Modesty

Modesty means to refrain from bragging, and it carries other definitions of value. “Today I will speak about the virtue of modesty,” a sophomore announced to his classmates from the podium during a public-speaking class at a Catholic college. Some of his peers looked quizzical, as if they had never...

May-June 2023 Featured Advertisers

Liguorian magazine collaborates with third-party advertisers in each issue. We value the contributions of advertisers who have partnered with us in the May-June 2023 edition of Liguorian. Ignatius Press Journey Health and Lifestyle The Redemptorists of the Denver Province Liguori Publications Download a PDF to see ads from our Featured...

“Yes” to Protest

To say “no” is instinctual, self-determining, and self-actualizing. To say “no” is to protest, and it is as natural as eating, sleeping, and breathing. It’s how we defend ourselves, survive, and thrive. Take Descartes’, “I think, therefore I am” and adapt it based on what we have all seen from...

Our Mother Is “All Eyes”

My reflection is based on a portion of John’s Gospel. Mary, the sorrowful mother, stands beneath the cross of her Son as the dying Jesus calls to her: “Woman!” Of course, this is not the first time that Scripture quotes him speaking to his mother. When the wine runs out...

A Return to “Rockwell”

In May, we celebrate Mother’s Day. In June, Father’s Day. So, across both months, why not celebrate Catholic Family Day? A family of ten once lived near the constant sea breeze sweeping in from the Atlantic. Occasionally a long weekend away from work allowed the father to indulge in his...

A Time to Reset and Repurpose

As we make our way through Lent and prepare for Easter, our Lord gives us a glorious opportunity to reset and repurpose our lives. Now is the time to cleanse and renew. Now is the time to revive ourselves in the holy Eucharist. We are in the midst of a...

“The Other” Is Jesus

The Palm Sunday and Good Friday proclamations of Jesus’ passion can feel overwhelming. There is so much for our souls and our liturgy to take in. The arrest of Jesus, his interrogation, scourging, crowning with thorns, condemnation, the carrying of the cross, and his crucifixion can overload our liturgy and...

St. Joseph the Mentor

The Catholic Church recognizes the crucial role St. Joseph assumed in the lives of Jesus and Mary. We celebrate his feast on March 20 this year and honor his many virtues by addressing him with several illustrious titles. In fact, we have an entire “litany” of more than twenty distinct...

Broken and Healed: An Easter Message

Let Easter be the day you break open a new way to see the Real Presence of Christ. Many Easters ago, my family drove to the city where I ministered to attend Mass and allow us to spend the holiday together. To spare my mom from preparing a big meal...

Ride-On-St-Louis

The Healers Wear Saddles

Horses Help Clients Hurdle Struggles Ride On St. Louis uses equine-assisted services to help people with disabilities. Cofounder Marita Wassman explains. Q. Please provide a brief history and the mission of Ride On St. Louis.  A. Ride On St. Louis promotes health and enriches lives through love, joy, and holistic...

Urban Plight

Over the past few decades, many dioceses have taken on the hard task of closing and merging parishes in urban areas. Too many buildings and not enough people have led to right-sizing, downsizing, renewal, planning, restructuring, or reimagining. As well-intentioned as efforts may be, they are often met with mistrust,...

Mary, Cause of Our Joy

In the Old Testament’s Second Book of Maccabees, there is an account of high priest Eleazar’s final words before his death. In his bold profession of faith, he reveals the mystery at work in the heart of every martyr: “I am not only enduring terrible pain in my body…but also...