Legends can surround historical figures, especially when known events are lacking. Such is the case for St. Simon Stock. Most information about him comes from medieval catalogues of saints and prior generals of the Carmelite Order. Even that small amount of information is not consistent in details. So, legends grew up around St. Simon to give more details of his life. But rather than seeing the legends as unimportant folktales, the stories attempt to tell something ...

A friend of mine would always say, “Keep the Good News but pass it on.” St. George Preca lived those words throughout his life. He fell in love with the Scriptures and passed that loveon to others, in his native country of Malta, and the world. Indeed, his desire to share the Good News of Jesus Christ earned him the title from St. John Paul II “Malta’s second father of faith.” He was born on February ...

There are times when little is known of an individual’s life. Adding to the mystery, a person can live such a quiet and unassuming life, that little attention is given them. At a glance, Aloysius Rabatà seems to fit that description. Yet his life presents strong evidence of a man who sought the living God and lived the fruit of that journey. Aloysius was born in 1443 in Erice located in the Kingdom of Sicily. There ...

A farmer asked his neighbor if he could borrow some rope. The neighbor said, “I’d like to but I’m using it to tie up some milk.” The farmer said, “That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard! Who uses rope to tie up milk?” The neighbor said, “Friend, when you don’t want to do something, one excuse is as good as any other.” A project or report needs to be done, but it is delayed. A room ...