Tree of Life

  Conclave  (Begins May 7th at 10:30 am EST watch Vatican News Media to watch for white smoke to announce the election of a new Pope.  Next to the Holy Spirit and Our Lady as Mother of the Church it is good to pray for the intercession for Saints Joseph and Michael as protectors of The Church as well as all canonized Popes and Cardinals and finally St. Catherine of Siena as she influenced the Pope during the Avignon Crisis.)   More about the Papal Conclave . The following times are in EST whereas the Vatican is in CEST.  On day one of the Conclave smoke is expected at 1 EST. The next day is 4:30am and 6am then 11am and 1pm. The first morning and afternoon slots are used if a pope is elected, the second if a pope is not elected. Movies to watch during Conclave (as well as those mentioned in the second link above) are ‘The Two Popes’, ‘Saving Grace’ and ‘The Shoes of the Fisherman’. During this time when the whole world is paying attention to The Catholic Church i...

  A plenary indulgence can be gained under  the usual conditions  by visiting a church named for the Saint of the day and praying the Our Father and Apostle’s Creed. Who is Saint Mark? The Feast of St. Mark  St. Mark Relics  April 25 Customs and Folklore  St. Mark’s Day in Italy  St. Gertrude and the Feast of St. Mark   St. Mark Iconography  More Iconography  St. Mark Artifact Vegan Lamb Recipes 

  Each month of the calendar year is dedicated to a Catholic Devotion. In April   it is  the Eucharist and the Holy Spirit .   This is because Easter is typically in April and when it is in March the season still continues through April and the Holy Eucharist and the Holy Spirit have a special role in the Easter mysteries. More information on Catholic belief about the Eucharist can be found Here and Here.  April 1st is also April Fools’ Day (see below). April 1st is also the beginning of Arab American Heritage Month , Autism Awareness Month and Earth Month . Finally, for those lovers of Halloween like myself, look for “Halfway to Halloween” events happening near you or on streaming services like Shudder. The themes of Halloween overlap with those of the Lenten season as well and thus spooky movies during Lent are most appropriate as  Lent continues into the month of April.  Daily Reads  Weather Lore Calendar Lunar Folklore  The Pink Moon F...

Happy March!  Each month of the calendar year is dedicated to a Catholic Devotion. In March it is St. Joseph . This is because his feast day falls on March 19th. Start off this month right by making a special prayer to St. Joseph! March 1st is also the beginning of Women’s History Month as well as Irish Americans Month . As we celebrate the Irish we celebrate all the great things they’ve brought to America most of all, Halloween . And as we celebrate women we ask Mary, Blessed among Women to intercede for justice and equality for women. March is filled with the color green for the feast of St. Patrick and the dawning of Spring. This month along with the aforementioned holds the celebration of the feast of the Annunciation, Christ’s Incarnation on March 25th. In March the season of Lent begun on February 18th continues. At February’s end the preparation for the 500th anniversary of Our Lady of Guadalupe began and continues through 2031. Daily Reads Icons of Women's History Weathe...

Each month of the calendar year is dedicated to a Catholic Devotion. In February it is the Holy Family . This is because the Feast of the Presentation falls on February 2nd and this feast honors the obedience of Jesus, Mary and Joseph to the Mosaic Law. February is also the bridge between the Christmas and Lenten seasons and honors the life of Christ in the care of Mary and Joseph. February 1st is also the feast of St. Brigid , the matriarch of Ireland. It is also the beginning of Black History Month . February is known as the month set aside for the Feast of St. Valentine. This month let us take time to share love throughout the world. Click here for the Cupid Crew initiative. This month continues the  Jubilee of St. Francis About St. Brigid St. Bridgid Images Vegan St. Brigid Cakes The grave of St. Brigid (and St. Patrick):  Daily Reads  Weather Lore Calendar February Dates of Importance: February 1st:  First of the Seven Sundays of St. Joseph   February 2...

  Each month of the calendar year is dedicated to a Catholic Devotion. In    January   it is  the  Holy Name of Jesus This is because the feast of the Holy Name falls on January 3rd. January 1st is also   N ew Year’s Day . January is also an opportunity for people to try a vegan diet and add a little bit more compassion to their day by observing Veganuary .  While January (like each month and day of the week) is named after different figures in Roman Mythology some people have “baptized” the meaning of January from the god Janus to be derived from “Janua Caeli”. This translates to Gate of Heaven which is a title for the Blessed Virgin Mary and is fitting as January is the gate to the new year. This month also begins the  Jubilee of St. Francis . Finally, Wicked For Good is released on Blu Ray on January 20th. Here’s a Wicked sponsored print out to make for a fun evening!  Pope Francis’ Prayer to Mary, Mother of God and Queen of Peace C...

    Each month of the calendar year is dedicated to a Catholic Devotion. In  December it is  the Immaculate Conception of Mary .This is because the Immaculate Conception falls on December 8th every year. It is important to note the Immaculate Conception is Mary’s conception in the womb of Her Mother, St. Anne. It does not refer to Jesus’ conception by the Holy Spirit in Mary’s womb. While both are conceived without sin, Jesus is God and therefore sinless and the privilege of His Birth is virginal and sinless. Mary’s unique as She is a creature, not the Creator but God preserved Her from sin, original and personal from the moment of Her conception. December 1st is also World Aids Awareness Day . In December we prepare all the more for Christmas Day. As we enter this festive time many networks offer Christmas programming . I typically go through this list and this one at the beginning of December and note what movies and tv specials I want to watch through the month ...

  Each month of the calendar year is dedicated to a Catholic Devotion. In  Novem ber it is the Holy Souls in Purgatory . This is because the Feast of All Souls falls on November 2nd every year. This month begins with the feast of All Saints . As Halloween has passed the secular world turns their eyes towards Christmas.  November 1st also marks the beginning of  Black Catholic History Month  as well as  Native American Heritage Month  and  Alaskan Heritage Month .  Daily Reads   Weather Lore Calendar Lunar Folklore  Full Moon   Full Moon Folklore   The Full Moon in Ireland The New Moon in Ireland For more about this months dedications click  Here  and   here . The picture above is the depiction of Our Lady of Kibeho, the first Vatican approved apparition of Our Lady in Africa. During Black Catholic History month we turn our gaze to Our Lady of Kibeho who celebrates Her feast on the 28th of November.  ...

  Saint Andrew (November 30th) A plenary indulgence can be gained under  the usual conditions  by visiting a church named for the Saint of the day and praying the Our Father and Apostle’s Creed. About St. Andrew  Tomb of St. Andrew  St. Andrew Customs  St. Andrew Christmas Novena  St. Andrew Iconography  St. Andrew Cartoon All About Scotland Vegan Haggis 

  A plenary indulgence can be gained under  the usual conditions  by visiting a church named for the Saint of the day and praying the Our Father and Apostle’s Creed. Saints Simon and Jude (October 28) About Saint Simon  About St. Jude  The Tombs of Our Saints  St. Simon Iconography  St. Jude Iconography  Why St. Jude is the Patron of the Impossible? The National Shrine of St. Jude

  Saint Luke (October 18)  A plenary indulgence can be gained under  the usual conditions  by visiting a church named for the Saint of the day and praying the Our Father and Apostle’s Creed. About St. Luke  The Tomb of St. Luke  St. Luke in Art See also the film “The Gospel of Luke”