From an old Slavonic life of Constantine
Constantine, already burdened by many hardships, became ill. At one point during his extended illness, he experienced a vision of God and began to sing this verse: “My spirit rejoiced…
From an explanation of Paul’s letter to the Galatians by Saint Augustine, bishop
The Apostle says, Be like me, for though born a Jew, by reason of spiritual discernment I now consider carnal things of small importance. And he adds, For I am as you are, that…
From a letter by Saint Ambrose, bishop
The person who puts to death by the spirit the deeds of our sinful nature will live, says the Apostle. This is most surprising since one who has the Spirit…
From a homily on Genesis by Origen, priest
Christ is the Word of God, but the Word became flesh. Christ therefore suffered and died, but in the flesh. In this respect, the ram is the type, just as John…
From the books of Dialogues by Saint Gregory the Great, pope
Scholastica, the sister of Saint Benedict, had been consecrated to God from her earliest years. She was accustomed to visiting her brother once a year. He would come down to…
From an explanation of Paul’s letter to the Galatians by Saint Augustine, bishop
Paul writes to the Galatians to make them understand that by God’s grace they are no longer under the law. When the Gospel was preached to them, there were some…
From the pastoral constitution on the Church in the modern world of the Second Vatican Council
The activity of man, as it has its origin in man, has man also as its end. Man through his work not only introduces change into things and into society;…
From a homily by a spiritual writer of the fourth century
Those who have been considered worthy to go forth as the sons of God and to be born again of the Holy Spirit from on high, and who hold within…
From an account of the martyrdom of Saint Paul Miki and his companions, by a contemporary writer
Our brother, Paul Miki, saw himself standing now in the noblest pulpit he had ever filled. To his “congregation” he began by proclaiming himself a Japanese and a Jesuit. He…