Spirituality Archives

The Mother of the Poor, Mother Teresa, born 100 years ago today!

Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu – (pronounced [aɡˈnɛs ˈɡɔndʒe bɔjaˈdʒiu] uuuhhh, I don’t think that helps?), (Gonxhe meaning “rosebud” in Albanian) was born August 26, 1910.

She was the youngest of the children of a family from Shkodër, Albania, born to Nikollë and Drana Bojaxhiu. Her father, who was involved in Albanian politics, died in 1919 when she was eight years old.After her father’s death, her mother raised her as a Roman Catholic. Her father’s origin was possibly from Prizren, Kosovo while her mother’s origin was possibly from a village near Gjakova, Kosovo.

According to a biography by Joan Graff Clucas, in her early years Agnes was fascinated by stories of the lives of missionaries and their service, and by age 12 was convinced that she should commit herself to a religious life. She left home at age 18 to join the Sisters of Loreto as a missionary. She never again saw her mother or sister.^{– Wikipedia}

And so begins the 100 year celebration of the life of one the 20th centuries greatest saints, Mother Teresa. We will have more on her teachings and her life over the coming days and months.

Check out the movie I just love on her life, “Mother Teresa” starring the wonderful Olivia Hussy. Bruce and I had a chance to talk with Olivia…what a blessing.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 18:19 — 16.8MB) | Embed

Bruce, kind of, sort of, had a crush on her since he was a teenage boy (Romeo and Juliet days for Olivia) and I, of course, loved her as Mary in “Jesus of Nazareth”. We both thought she was fantastic in this film, and a delight to speak with. Olivia had much to share about Mother Teresa and the making of the film…it’s one of our favorite interviews!

You can find it on Amazon.com

St. Rose of Lima – 1st canonized saint of the Americas…what true beauty is, true beauty does

St. Rose of Lima, is the 1st person canonized a saint in the Americas and is considered the patron of Latin America and the Philippines.

Her story is really as lovely as her name. Born Isabel (which in itself means Beauty) in 1586, she was so beautiful that they simply called her Rose. She felt a special relationship with Jesus in her heart at very young age; and felt a close tie to St. Catherine of Siena. Undoubtedly a she experienced deep mystical experiences in prayer. Like many who have those types of graces, she felt called to extraordinary acts of penance not only for herself but for all mankind. It is said that she would place a pepper/lye-based oil on her skin in order to marr her complexion so as not to be a source of temptation for others and to eliminate the potential for vanity in herself. Ok, so that may seem extreme today, but don’t forget it was an act not unlike that of St. Clare, who cut her hair in order to become unmarriageable…St. Rose’s motivation may have shared some of that intention. She had a great devotion to and relationship with the child Jesus; you will see him with her in many of the paintings depicting her life. She died in 1617 and was canonized 1671.

The video is a wonderful one; the images tell the story. For those of you who do not speak Spanish don’t sweat it…remember it was her native language (her father was Spanish, her mother part Spanish and Inca), and well…well allow yourself to stretch a little, it’s so worth viewing, if only to get to know St. Rose and her people better.

IP#17 Patrick Coffin – “Sex au Naturel” on Inside the Pages

Patrick Coffin does a fantastic job breaking open “Humane Vitae”, Natural Family Planning, and the beauty of marital love in his book “Sex au Naturel: What It Is and Why It’s Good for Your Marriage”. Listeners of “Catholic Answers Live” know Patrick Coffin is well-learned in many areas of Catholic life, and that he brings to all those discussions the right degree of good humor and joy about the Catholic faith. He does the same in this book. Pick up a copy for yourselves, your pastor, and any couple you know preparing for marriage…it’s a good thing.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:52 — 25.5MB) | Embed

Patrick’s book can be found at emmausroad.org

Patrick’s website is located at patrickcoffin.net

IP#16 Fr. Donald Calloway – No Turning Back on Inside the Pages

The story of a modern day St. Augustine. Fr. Donald Calloway would blush at the comparison, but the power found in his story of conversion and transformation is life changing for many who hear or read about it. And add in the influence of Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary and watch out, you to may be drawn deeper into the heart of Christ and His Divine Mercy. A great read and a wonderful interview, with Fr. Calloway there is “No Turning Back”!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:02 — 25.7MB) | Embed

Find Fr. Donald Calloway’s book or for more information go to www.fathercalloway.com

Here is another interview we had with Fr. Calloway concerning “Blessed Virgin Mary and the Theology of the Body”

The Feast of St. Philomena

Despite the “lack of historical evidence” surrounding St. Philomena, the heart just “knows”. The relationships that this lovely little saint has had with us in the temporal order from her seat in the Cloud of Witnesses is the greatest evidence of all for her presence there. The great Cure de Ars, St. John Vianney, had a great devotion to St. Philomena, along with many, many others. Beloved St. Philomena, pray for us!

IP#13 Mike Aquilina discusses Why Me – When Bad Things Happen on Inside the Pages

Why me? Who hasn’t asked them self that question over and over again throughout the course of their life. With a smile of joy in his voice and compassion in his heart, Mike Aquilina attempts to answer the age old question…Why Me? With Mike’s help, we look toward the saints, and ultimately to Our Blessed Lord, for the answer. Mike tackles this tough subject with love and grace. After all, isn’t that exactly how God attempts to break through to us in our suffering with His answer? On a personal note: Mike Aquilina is one of the finest men I know. It is a joy to talk with him about any subject, but when it comes to matters of the Church and God, watch out…your heart will swell up with faith, hope and love. He’s like your pal on the road to Emmaus.

Click here to find Mike’s gift to us all
–

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:00 — 25.6MB) | Embed

–

IP#11 Joan Wester Anderson – Where Miracles Happen on Inside the Pages

Sometimes you just smile through an entire interview wishing it wouldn’t end…that’s what it is like talking with Joan Wester Anderson. What a truly lovely woman! She seems to have a very special mission for the Father in Heaven – to make known the glory of those special messangers of the Lord, the Holy Angels of God, and to relate the heavenly miraculous moments which occur in the everyday around the world. Joan is a beautiful story teller both in print and on the air. I know you will enjoy our conversation….

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:58 — 25.6MB) | Embed

Visit Joan’s website at http://joanwanderson.com/
It’s really inspirational!

–

Here is another conversation with Joan on the Angels

IP#10 Mark Brumley – Ignatius Press and The Catholic Truth Society on Inside the Pages

Have you ever heard of “The Catholic Truth Society”? Well thanks to Ignatius Press, you are about to. In this edition of “Inside the Pages”, I talk with Mark Brumley, president of Ignatius Press and whois one of the leading Catholic apologists in the country (he’s also a really nice guy as well). Ignatius Press is bringing the booklets, leaflets and tracks from the Society to America, and they’re fantastic. The authors found on these booklets are enough to crow about, but the titles are so good…wow…beyond excellent. You don’t want to miss them. Take a look HERE! In this episode we talk the new evangelization, saints, history, apologetics…you name it.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:00 — 38.5MB) | Embed

Here are just some of the conversations Bruce and I have had with Mark Brumley in the past

Mark Brumley Did Jesus Really Rise.mp3

Mark Brumley Handbook of Catholic Apologetics.mp3

Mark Brumley Jesus of Nazareth Study Guide.mp3

Mark Brumley Lost Gospels.mp3

IP#6 Fr. Thomas J. Euteneuer – “Exorcism and the Church Militant” on Inside the Pages

Fr. Thomas Euteneuer is one of the most courageous men I know. He proves that ones again with the release of his book “Exorcism and the Church Militant”. It is a subject that we shouldn’t fear. Why is it we are afraid to talk about this? No one would question the need to talk about tornados and to actually have drills to warn of their arrival and the ways to seek protection; of course we do this, it’s common sense. And yet with this very real spiritual reality, we hide it away, thereby giving the evil one WAY too much power in the darkness. Fr. Euteneuer helps us to “flip on the light” of Christ and the teachings of the Church, to reveal the triumphant victory of the Almighty over the forces of darkness.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:00 — 25.6MB) | Embed

Click here to purchase Fr. Euteneur’s new book online at http://www.exorcismbook.com/

–
–

–

For another Fr. Euteneuer interview in the Spirit Mornings Show archives

–
–

For other discussions on exorcisms on Spirit Mornings:
Matt Bagilo “The Rite”

Fr. Fortea “Interview with an Exorcist”

IP#2 Fr. Michael Manning – “The Fifteen Faces of God” on Inside the Pages

It was a delight to talk with Fr. Michael Manning. He truly has a loving priestly heart which desires to direct all hearts to the Father’s great love…he is the REAL deal! What a blessing for all of us. You’ll love “Fifteen Faces of God – A Quest To Know God Through The Parables of Jesus”.

Visit Fr. Manning’s website to pick up a copy of the book and find out more about his important ministry at http://www.wordnet.tv/index.html