The feast of St. Lucy is celebrated today, December 13th. In 2006 we discovered that we were pregnant with our first child. We began praying about what name we’d like to give this beautiful gift that God had given to us. We had chosen a girl’s name and a boy’s name...
Agapè Catholic Ministries Blog
Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mother to Mankind
"Son behold your mother!" As He died on the cross, Jesus spoke these words to John the Apostle. Not only did Jesus give Mary to John’s care, but he gave His mother to mankind, giving her dominion over us all. Over the centuries, Mary has reached to every corner of the...
Immaculate Conception: Central to Catholicism
“I am the Immaculate Conception” ~ Our Lady to Bernadette Soubirous. In 1858, in a small town in France, Our Lady appeared to a young girl named Bernadette Soubirous. After months of seeing “the lady” at the grotto, Bernadette dared ask her name. Thus, the Heavenly...
St Nicholas: The Joyful Giver
“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.” December 6th is the feast of St. Nicholas. We all know him as Santa Claus, but do we know him as the Bishop of Myra? Nicholas is far from a fictitious character from...
Advent: Preparing Our Families for Christmas
Advent: the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. December is here and that means it’s Christmas season, but first...Advent! Advent can be celebrated with warm cookies, bright trees, beautiful stockings…However, for many Catholics, the Advent wreath on the...
St. Andrew: We Have Found the Messiah
“Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John has said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was run to his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah.’ And he brought him to Jesus” ~John 1: 40-42. November 30th is...
Giving Thanks with Rejoicing Hearts
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. With rejoicing hearts, give thanks! In 1789, President George Washington declared November 26th as a national day of...
Christ the King: Lord of the World
In 1925, Pope Pius XI instituted the feast of Christ the King. Celebrated on the last Sunday before Advent, this feast concludes our liturgical year. Pius explained his reasoning for this feast in his encyclical Quas Primas “In the first”. He must reign in our minds,...
St. Cecilia: Clothed with Strength and Dignity
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future” Proverbs 31:25. When I hear this proverb, St. Cecilia of Rome immediately comes to mind. She was a young Christian in the late 200s, during a time of fierce persecution. As a...
Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul
On November 18th, we celebrate the dedication of the basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul. Peter and Paul are tremendous saint of our Catholic Church. We know Jesus said, “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church. The gates of the...
Achievements Through Prayer: St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
“Prayer is powerful! It fills the earth with mercy, it makes the Divine clemency pass from generation to generation. Right along the course of the centuries wonderful works have been achieved through prayer.” ~St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. November 13th is the feast of...
Peace in Conflict: Pope St. Leo the Great
"Peace is the first thing the angels sang. Peace is the mark of the children of God. Peace is the nurse of love. Peace is the mother of unity. Peace is the rest of the blessed souls. Peace is the dwelling place of eternity" ~ Pope Leo the Great. The pope of peace! On...