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What Saint was Nicknamed the "Dumb Ox"?
We’ll give you a hint – he was not dumb.
The other students at the University of Paris had given this unflattering nickname to one of their fellow-pupils, because he was shy, slow to speak, and rather heavyset.
And yet: he was anything but dumb. He was actually really smart. Few indeed have contributed so much to the mind of the Church. Few were so incredibly brilliant, insightful, and prolific in their teachings and writings.
In fact, the “Dumb Ox” became one of the most important Catholic thinkers of all time.
He is, of course, the one and only Thomas Aquinas, theologian and philosopher extraordinaire.
It’s an understatement to say that Thomas’ body of writings is important. His work so shaped the theological world that his system is now known as Thomism—a word always associated with rock-solid ideas. He possessed an illuminated understanding of the complementarity of divine faith and natural reason, his philosophical and theological ideas flowing together perfectly.
His preeminent work, the Summa Theologiae—a veritable britannica of Catholic theology—is staggering in its depth, scope, and significance. The Summa Contra Gentiles is another of his masterpieces. He also wrote various prayers and hymns that are now part of our liturgical life such as the Tantum Ergo, sung at every Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
You can’t help but wonder if Thomas’s teacher, St. Albert the Great, knew just how true his words would prove to be when he said:
“We call this young man a dumb ox, but his bellowing in doctrine will one day resound throughout the world!”
His voice certainly continues to be heard loud and clear. And we don’t call him the Dumb Ox anymore—we call him the “Angelic Doctor,” so clear and elevated was the understanding of God that he passed down to us, his most fortunate pupils.
If you’d like to dive into the thinking of St. Thomas but feel a bit intimidated by the Summa Theologiae, fear not. 12 Life Lessons From St. Thomas Aquinas is an approachable book that draws out a dozen essential nuggets of wisdom from the Angelic Doctor and explains how to integrate them into your everyday life. Available today at The Catholic Company!
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Who Converted 200 Americans in a POW Camp?
Abandoned by his own father, this heroic chaplain never left his flock.
The ship was sinking rapidly, mortally wounded by an American torpedo. Chaplain LaFleur knew he had to get the men out, but there was only one way out: through the hatch he had opened onto the deck.
So he boosted men, one after another, out of the hold and up on deck. 83 survived the attack, but no one ever saw Fr. Joseph LaFleur again. He died as he had lived—making a total gift of himself.
Born in 1912 near the Cajun country of Louisiana, Joseph was the youngest of seven children and didn’t have an easy childhood. His father abandoned the family when Joseph was a child. His mother worked where she could and grew a garden to support her family.
Joseph knew early on that he wanted to be a priest, and was ordained in 1938. He only had one parish assignment: St. Mary Magdalene Church in Abbeville. He was energetic and enthusiastic, coaching the parish boys in baseball and proving himself to be a spiritual father of the highest caliber.
He joined the Army Air Corps as a chaplain in 1941 and was assigned to Clark Field in the Philippines. When it was attacked soon after Pearl Harbor in December, he chose to stay with the men instead of escaping. He fearlessly cared for the wounded and absolved the dying, earning the Distinguished Service Cross, the Purple Heart, and the Bronze Star for his valor.
Captured by the Japanese, he was their prisoner for the next two and a half years. He dedicated himself tirelessly to the care of the men, celebrating Mass, taking the place of those who couldn’t do hard labor, visiting the sick though it was against the rules, and enduring beatings. He traded his possessions for food for the suffering and refused malaria medication so that others could have it.
Nearly 200 American POWs converted to the Faith because of the good chaplain’s example.
In September 1944, Fr. LaFleur and 700 other POWs were loaded onto a ship bound for Japan. Because they were not flying the white flag that indicated a prisoner ship, the vessel was torpedoed by an American submarine.
Once again refusing to save himself, Fr. LaFleur assisted as many men as he could before disappearing into the wreckage of the ship as it sank into the sea. He earned another Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart, and is on the path to receiving the title of saint.
Here at The Catholic Company, we are passionate about supporting our military men and women—and forming chaplains after the heart of Fr. Joseph LaFleur. With each purchase of our signature Catholic Coffee, we make a donation to the Archdiocese of the Military Services to assist them in seminary formation of new military chaplains. Purchase some delicious coffee (which has rave reviews) and join us in our mission!
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Why do we call Our Lady "Star of the Sea"?
This ancient and beautiful title of Our Lady points to one of her chief roles.
Catholics have been addressing Our Lady as Stella Maris—Star of the Sea—for well over a thousand years. Ancient hymns (Ave Maris Stella and Alma Redemptoris Mater are just two examples) lovingly address her under this title.
The image of a star shining on the sea is certainly an inspiring and beautiful one—a fitting description for this majestic, celestial Lady that recalls her identity as the Queen of Heaven, crowned by twelve stars.
But the title Star of the Sea has an even deeper meaning.
Star navigation is an essential seafaring skill. The stars guide sailors through vast expanses of the ocean, where—with no landmarks and no sun—it is easy to become lost or get off-course. The stars are the perfect guides: bright and visible in the darkness, reliable in their movements, unshaken by the tumults of the world yet somehow firmly connected to it.
Our Lady, too, guides us on the tumultuous sea of life. She is never dimmed by clouds or storms, but shines bright no matter the weather. In times of difficulty—be it severe temptation, personal loss, physical suffering, or a time of spiritual aridity—she is our guiding star, lighting the way to a safe haven.
As one of Our Lady’s great devotees, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, said:
“If the winds of temptation arise, if you are driven upon the rocks of tribulation look to the star, call on Mary. If you are tossed upon the waves of pride, of ambition, of envy, of rivalry, look to the star, call on Mary. Should anger, or avarice, or fleshly desire violently assail the frail vessel of your soul, look to the star, call upon Mary.”
The Church as a whole is also referred to as a ship, the “barque of Peter,” navigating through the seas of the mortal world towards her heavenly home. Our Lady—the Mother of the Church—is Her constant guiding Star.
Our Lady seems to particularly resemble the North Star, Polaris, which is the only star in the Northern Hemisphere that doesn’t move. All the other stars appear to rotate around it. It might be beyond the skill of the average non-sailor to correctly trace the paths of moveable stars, but the North Star is simple to locate. Like the North Star, Our Lady is near us always, easy to find, steadfast and unmoving.
Here at The Catholic Company we have created a Rosary to particularly honor Our Lady as the Star of the Sea. The Stella Maris Brave Beads Tenner Rosary is made of stunning, sea-blue tiger-eye gemstones and sand-colored paracord. Outfitted with a handy carabiner clip, it’s ready to accompany you as you venture out on the high seas of life. Available today at The Catholic Company!
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What treasure is Guarded by Tre Fontane Abbey?
It is a continual relic of a great saint.
In the south of Rome, far off the beaten path along the Via Laurentina, lies a habitation of the Cistercians of the Strict Observance—better known as “the Trappists.”
Yes, they make the famous Trappist beer. You may also recall from a recent Get Fed email that they raise the lambs whose wool is used for the pallia.
But these Trappists have an even more important role. One of the three churches found in this community is San Paolo alle Tre Fontane—St. Paul at the Three Fountains. Three fountains indeed are found within the sanctuary of this church. But what are they, and why build a church over them?
The church of San Paolo alle Tre Fontane
Well, in 67 A.D., St. Paul was martyred on this very spot by order of the Emperor Nero. Being a Roman citizen, Paul was given a more “dignified” method of death than non-Romans: he was simply beheaded. His head bounced on the ground three times, and three springs sprang up on those spots—the same three fountains that are preserved within the church today.
His famous conversion on the road to Damascus, his inexhaustible apostolic ministry, the Epistles that form such a large part of the New Testament—all of them are part of the incredible story of St. Paul. It almost seems impossible that a man could accomplish so much, especially when he started out as a persecutor of the Church.
But St. Paul knew the credit wasn’t due to him. “It is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me,” he wrote in Galatians 2:20. And in another Epistle: “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
Remember the words of St. Paul every day with a black leather bracelet featuring that powerful quote: “I can do all things.” A source of inspiration for big challenges and everyday tasks, and a wonderful gift. Order yours today!
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Are Priest ever allowed to Break the Seal of Confession?
Are there exceptions to the rule?
No.
Are you surprised at the brevity of the answer?
There’s really nothing more to the answer than a direct NO.
The Church takes the seal of the confessional with the utmost seriousness. Anything a priest is told in confession must remain secret. A priest cannot reveal it, no matter the circumstances and no matter the sin. The identity of the penitent—if the priest knows it—must also be kept confidential.
No one—not even public officials, law enforcement, judges, nor a superior—no one can legitimately demand information about a person’s confession from a priest. The priest is obliged to keep the seal, even if he is threatened with prison, torture, or death.
Indeed, history tells us of priests who have gone to their deaths rather than break the seal. In the 14th century, the king of Bohemia, suspecting his wife of adultery, tried to force her confessor to reveal her sins. The confessor—St. John Nepomucene—refused to say a word, and was eventually thrown into a river and drowned.
Martyrdom of St. John Nepomuk by Szymon Czechowicz
He remains one of the most famous defenders of the confessional, a priest who illustrated in the fullest way just how serious his obligation is.
When a man chooses to become a priest, he knowingly takes on the obligation to die rather than break the seal. Knowing about this obligation can teach us to appreciate a good priest even more than we did before.
Show a priest you know just how much you appreciate what he does. A sturdy, insulated tumbler in priestly black with a “collar” of silver and his name etched on it, will encourage him at his many daily duties, whether he’s at the parish or on the go. Available today at The Catholic Company!
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"Rome had a Little Lamb..." Well, Two, Actually...
Every January 21st, two little lambs are blessed with a very special job.
St. Agnes—whose name means “lamb”—is nearly always depicted with a lamb in her arms as a symbol of her innocence. She was a virgin-martyr who was only about thirteen years old when she laid down her life for her faith and her purity in the 4th century.
Each year, the Basilica of St. Agnes-Outside-the-Walls welcomes two honored (and adorable) guests on the feast day of their patroness.
Two lambs, donated by the Trappist monastery of Tre Fontane elsewhere in Rome, are brought to the Basilica. They are carried in two baskets: one decorated with red flowers, symbolizing Agnes’ martyrdom, and the other with white flowers, symbolizing her purity.
These lambs are blessed, then sent to the Holy Father at the Vatican. He also blesses them, then entrusts them to the Benedictine Sisters at the Basilica of St. Cecilia in Trastevere. The Sisters care for them until just before Easter, when they are shorn of their wool.
The wool is then used to make the pallia. A pallium is the insignia of a metropolitan archbishop—that is, an archbishop with authority over his own diocese as well as others under its umbrella. The pallium is a circle of white wool that goes loosely around the neck, with a length hanging down in the front and the back. Six black crosses and three spinulae—pins—adorn it.
The wool represents the archbishop’s role as shepherd and his call to imitate the Good Shepherd, Christ Himself, Who carries the lost sheep on His shoulders. The crosses remind him of the weight of his responsibility and the weight of the Cross that Christ bore. The three spinulae represent the nails that pierced the hands and feet of Our Lord. The pallium also represents the unity of the archbishops with the Holy Father.
After the pallia are made, they are kept in a silver box under the high altar of St. Peter’s Basilica, near St. Peter’s tomb. On the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul on June 29th, the pope blesses the pallia and gives them to all the new metropolitan archbishops.
You can discover more about the sites, traditions, and holy places of Catholic Rome in 101 Surprising Facts About St. Peter’s and the Vatican. Replete with color photographs and fascinating infobytes about the Church’s capital city, this handy guide will have you making a list of Roman sites you just have to visit. Pick yours up at The Catholic Company today!
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Who is the Patron Saint of Athletes?
…and how did he gain this patronage?
Every year, on January 20th, we celebrate the feast of that great warrior of the Faith: St. Sebastian.
Living in Rome under the dangerous rule of Diocletian, he not only dared to be a Christian—he dared to be a Christian right under the Emperor’s nose as a captain in the Emperor’s bodyguard.
He also used his position in the Praetorian Guard to minister to the Christians suffering under persecution.
Diocletian eventually found out about Captain Sebastian’s faith, and ordered him to be shot with arrows. It is in this condition that we always see him depicted.
But it would take more than a few arrows to bring down the gritty Sebastian.
He survived the ordeal and was nursed back to health by a generous Christian widow.
Then—fearless and unflappable as ever—he marched straight back to Diocletian and upbraided him for his cruelty to the Christians.
The Emperor, shocked that Sebastian was still alive, had him beaten to death.
Because of his status as a soldier, his bravery, and his hard-as-nails fortitude, St. Sebastian has become one of the patron saints of soldiers.
But his incredible endurance gained him another patronage: that of athletes! Catholic athletes the world over now call on Sebastian when they need a bit of that same endurance to get through a tough race or push themselves just a little farther.
Speaking of athletics and such, a sturdy water bottle is essential, whether you’re an avid sportster or a casual jogger. Our personalized, fiery-red insulated water bottle, featuring a quote from Isaiah, will give you both hydration and inspiration: “They will run and not grow weary.” A perfect gift for yourself or a special athlete in your life. Available today at The Catholic Company!
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The Secretive Life of Carthusian Monks...
What do the monks of this reclusive order do all day?
The Carthusians—founded by St. Bruno in the 11th century—are one of the Church’s most mysterious orders.
Hidden behind the walls of ultra-secluded monasteries, these religious live a solitary life reminiscent of the early Desert Fathers. Like stars in the daytime, we never see or hear them, but we know they’re out there, somewhere.
Headquartered at their original location in the Valley of Chartreuse, France, the Carthusians exist in just 21 houses throughout the world, only one of which is in the United States.
Like other cloistered religious, the Carthusians live a life focused on prayer and contemplation, as distinguished from active orders that have a special job in the world (such as caring for the sick or missionary work).
But what makes Carthusians unique is their particular charism of solitude. They speak of three levels of this solitude: 1) separation from the world—achieved by the enclosure of the monastery; 2) keeping of the cell—where a monk spends most of his time; and 3) interior solitude or solitude of the heart—the ultimate goal of the external means of solitude.
Saint Bruno by Philippe de Champaigne
So what’s it like to live this solitary life?
The cloister monk’s daily schedule includes Mass in common (and another private Mass if he is a priest), the Divine Office (some of which he says alone, some in common), study, reading of the Scriptures, manual work, a bit of recreation, and of course, contemplative prayer.
His work can be gardening, icon-painting, carpentry, etc., all done within his own cell (which includes a little cottage with a garden and space to work). He eats alone, just one main meal at midday and a light supper at night. Bread and water is normally his only fare on Fridays, and he never eats meat.
Sundays and solemnities allow for more communal time: almost all church services are in common, and the monks enjoy a meal and recreation together.
As you can see, the cell is really the heart of a Carthusian’s life. For us it might seem like a prison cell, but for him, it’s a little piece of Paradise. He loves to be in this place, where he can be alone with God, Who is the entire focus of his life and the Love of his soul. It is here that he cultivates the interior silence that unites him to God. As the Carthusians themselves say, “Our vocation is union with God,” and it is in the solitude of the cell that he is able to live this vocation to the fullest.
Few of us are called to be consecrated Carthusians, but their spirit of silence is something we should all strive for. The Doors of Silence: Profound and Brief Meditations By an Anonymous Carthusian Monk shows us how these monks approach challenges to silence such as disordinate attachments, interior noise, and painful memories. These are lessons we can all apply according to our own state in life. Discover your inner Carthusian—pick up your copy today!
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How did St. Junipero Serra Really Treat the Natives?
When the dust of cancel-culture settles, this indomitable saint will always stand tall.
In 1773, a sixty-year-old Franciscan friar made a 2,400 mile journey from the central coast of California to Mexico City. Why would an older man—with a leg injury—make such a journey?
Difficulties with the military commander and governor at Monterey had motivated the trip. Friar Junipero Serra wanted stronger protections for the missions and the Native Americans they served. He drew up a kind of “bill of rights” for the missions and natives and presented it to the Spanish Viceroy, who adopted most of it.
Wait, Friar Junipero Serra protected the natives?
Yes, he did. He loved them and dedicated his life to them. First serving in Mexico, then in California, he founded nine of twenty-one missions that would become some of California’s most famous cities. These missions brought the Faith to the natives, as well as protection, instruction in agriculture, and better living conditions.
Fearless and inexhaustible, this humble but well-educated friar had left an easy life as an academic in Spain at the age of thirty-five to answer the call of mission work. He walked thousands and thousands of miles serving the missions during his thirty-five-year missionary journey—with a leg injury he sustained early in that journey—and baptized, confirmed, and shepherded thousands and thousands of souls for Christ.
Unstoppable in life, St. Junipero Serra still holds his ground against the destructive winds of ignorance and bad history long after his death. True history will always vindicate the heroic deeds and virtues of the saintly Apostle of California.
Even if they take away every statue of St. Junipero from the public square, you can honor this great saint with your own statue to be displayed in your home or office. 9” tall with a bronzed finish, this beautiful representation of St. Junipero will keep your devotion strong. Order yours from The Catholic Company today!
