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Origin of the Sacred Heart Badge Our Lord revealed to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque "His wish for her to order a picture of the image of that Sacred Heart for people specifically to venerate and have in their homes and also small pictures to carry with them." She wrote this to her Superior, Mother Saumaise, on March 2, 1686. Thus was born the devotion of wearing the little Badges. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque always kept a badge with her and inspired her novices to do the same. She made many badges and often said this practice was very pleasing to...

Defensor Matrimonii - St. John Fisher On 22 June 1535, St. John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, England, who had been just made Cardinal Priest of Saint Vitalis by Pope Paul III, was beheaded on Tower Hill in London. Officially, he had been convicted of treason for refusing to recognize King Henry VIII as the new head of the Church of England. This was, however, a culmination of an eight year battle that St. John fought with the king over his marriage with Queen Catherine of Aragon. In the summer of 1527, Bishop Fisher was summoned to Westminster Palace for an...

English Martyrs "I am come here to die for Christ's Catholic Church" Malcolm Brennan When Henry VIII began to dally with the idea of putting away his Queen Catherine and replacing her with Anne Boleyn, it was only natural that one of his earliest bids for support should go to John Fisher, one of the most eminent men of the day. He had been a model bishop of the Diocese of Rochester for twenty-three years, in an age when the lives of many bishops were less than edifying. For the same length of time he had been Chancellor of the...

The great Anthony of Padua has a universal appeal in the Catholic Church (he is truly a "catholic" saint). His statue can be found in churches the world over. He is most famous as the patron of lost articles. God knows how many times I've invoked his intercession in that area. But he has earned another title for his gift of converting the "sheep who had wandered" with his preaching - malleus haereticorum - or "the hammer of heretics." While he is known for being a saint of the Italian city of Padua, St. Anthony was actually from Portugal, and...

ST. ISIDORE OF MADRID, LABORER, PATRON OF MADRID Feast: May 15 It is a misfortune which deserves to be lamented with floods of tears, that ignorance, obstinacy, and vice should so often taint a country life, the state which of all others is most necessary and important to the world; the most conformable to a human condition and to nature; the state which was sanctified by the example of the primitive holy patriarchs, and which affords the most favorable opportunities for the perfect practice of every virtue and Christian duty. What advantageous helps to piety did the ancient hermits...

After seven ballots, Patty Wetterling won the Democratic endorsement Saturday to oppose state Sen. Michele Bachmann in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District. Wetterling, who built a national reputation as an advocate for laws protecting children and helping authorities keep track of sex offenders, defeated Elwyn Tinklenberg, a former Blaine mayor and state transportation commissioner. Each candidate had promised not to run in a September nominating primary if he or she did not win the endorsement. In addition to Bachmann, Wetterling will face Independence Party candidate John Binkowski of St. Mary's Point. During about four hours of balloting, Tinklenberg never substantially cut...

On a Saturday afternoon, in Washington, D.C., Senator John Kerry's campaign manager visited the cardinal of the Catholic cathedral. He told the cardinal that John Kerry would be attending the the next day's sermon, and he asked if the cardinal would kindly point out Kerry to the congregation and say a few words that would include calling Kerry a saint. The cardinal replied, "No. I don't really like the man, and there are issues of conflict with the Catholic church over certain of Kerry's views." Kerry's manager then said, "Look, I'll write a check here and now for a donation...

Nothing Will Be Denied HimRev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, President Human Life International When the Lord Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father accompanied by the mightiest angels in all their glory, a simple, humble man emerged from the multitude of redeemed souls to greet his Lord with deepest joy. As he approached the throne of grace all the angels and souls reverently formed a passage for the man to come into the Lord’s presence. “My son,” said the man, “how is your mother?” “My dear father!” replied the Lord of heaven and earth, “How long I have waited...

(On December 8, 1870, The Sacred Congregation of Rites promulgated the following decree, which communicated the decision of Pope Pius IX to declare St. Joseph Patron of the Universal Church, and which also raised St. Joseph’s feast of March 19 to the rank of double of the first class.) QUEMADMODUM DEUS Pope Pius IX As almighty God appointed Joseph, son of the patriarch Jacob, over all the land of Egypt to save grain for the people, so when the fullness of time was come and He was about to send to earth His only-begotten Son, the Savior of the world,...

America’s largest Catholic university offers minor in “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Studies,” TFP Student Action calls for peaceful protest DePaul University is apparently the first Catholic university to formally establish an undergraduate minor program in homosexuality. The new program began in January, sparking controversy and concern over the state of moral decay within higher learning. “I must say the program is shameful, especially for a university that advertises itself as Catholic. The Church teaches that homosexual vice is intrinsically evil, sinful, unnatural. To pretend the topic is open to other valid interpretations is to simply deny Catholic teaching,”...

TRANSFERAL OF THE REMAINS OF SISTER LUCIA TO FATIMA LIVE (7 ½ HOURS) Viewing of the Casket of Sr. Lucia in the Cathedral of CoimbraSunday February 19, 2006 4:30 AM LIVE Sunday February 19, 2006 12:30 PM ENCORE Mass in the CathedralSunday February 19, 2006 6 AM LIVE Sunday February 19, 2006 2 PM ENCORE Monday February 20, 2006 12 AM ENCORE Departure to the Shrine of FatimaSunday February 19, 2006 7:30 AM LIVE Sunday February 19, 2006 3:30 PM ENCORE Arrival at the Shrine, Procession to the Little Chapel of ApparitionsSunday February 19, 2006 8:30 AM LIVE Sunday...

Rome, 10 Feb. (AKI) - Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the head of the Italian Bishops' Conference (CEI), announced on Friday that Andrea Santoro, an Italian priest murdered in Turkey this week, should be made a saint. Addressing hundreds of mourners at Santoro's funeral in Rome's Saint John in Lateran basilica, Ruini in his homily said that all the Catholic Church's procedures for canonisation would be respected, though he was already convinced the priest was a martyr. "We will fully respect the laws and timeframes of the Church in the process of beatification and canonisation that I have in mind to open,"...

Elder Kabbalist Rabbi Yitzchak Kaduri passed away Saturday night at Jerusalem's Bikur Cholim Hospital. His funeral will take place Sunday at noon. Rav Kaduri, born in 1898, was 108 years old. He was hospitalized for 13 days prior to his death. Rabbi Kaduri's funeral will set out at 12 PM Sunday from Jerusalem's Nahalat Yitzchak Yeshiva, which he headed. The Yeshiva is located in 19 David Street in the capital's Bucharian neighborhood. The procession will continue until Har HaMenuchot. Arutz-7 Hebrew Radio show host Yehoshua Meiri, a student of Rabbi Kaduri, visited Rabbi Kaduri at his hospital bedside two weeks...

Minnesota's worst sex offenders are required to alert neighbors when they move in next door. But what if the sex offenders have no home? What if their homes are doorways, alleys and parks — and the neighbors have no idea they're there? St. Paul wants to be the first city in Minnesota to use satellite tracking to monitor Level 3 sex offenders long after they're released from custody. Police and policymakers say it would be a valuable tool to help deal with a difficult problem: keeping track of sexual predators who say they sleep on the streets. "Remember why we...

'Worst' historical Britons named Historians have put together a list of the 10 "worst" Britons of the last 1,000 years. They chose one rogue from each century of the last millennium to compile the list for the BBC History Magazine.Jack the Ripper, King John and Oswald Mosley - founder of the British Union of Fascists - are among the selection. Magazine editor Dave Musgrove said the different "definitions of wickedness" of the 10 historians questioned had led to a diverse list.... The "greedy" Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, was nominated by Professor John Hudson, of St Andrews University, as the...

Felice da Nicosia (1715-1787) VATICAN CITY, OCT. 19, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Here is the biography issued by the Holy See of Felix of Nicosia (1715-1787), who will be canonized with four other blessed this Sunday by Benedict XVI. * * * Felix of Nicosia was born of the marriage between Filippo Amoroso and Carmela Pirro, in Nicosia, Sicily, on Nov. 5, 1715. He was baptized on the same day, and was given the names Philip James. His father, a shoemaker by trade, died Oct. 12, 1715, leaving his widow with three children. The family was poor but very religious. As...

Hurricane Rita is due to make landfall at Texas late on Friday night into Saturday morning. Padre Pio, now a saint, is one of the greatest intercessors of our time. Please pray for his assistance in petitioning God for His mercy upon those who live in the path of Rita. Also, remember St. Rita, patroness of hopeless causes, much like St. Jude.

September 19 SAINT JANUARIUS BISHOP AND MARTYR AND HIS COMPANIONS MARTYRS Januarius is ever preaching the Gospel to every creature; for his miraculous blood perpetuates the testimony he bore to Christ. Let those who say who say they cannot believe unless they see, go to Naples; there they will behold the martyr's blood, when placed near his head which cut off sixteen hundred years ago, to liquefy and boil as at the moment it escaped from his sacred veins. No; miracles are not lacking in the Church at the present day. True, God cannot subject Himself to the fanciful requirements...

Miracle of San Gennaro repeatedDried blood of Naples' patron saint liquefies (ANSA) - Naples, September 19 - Thousands of people packed into this city's cathedral Monday morning to watch the blood of patron saint San Gennaro liquefy in the repetition of a centuries-old 'miracle.' The miracle officially took place at 09.56 (07.56gmt) and was announced by the archbishop of Naples, Cardinal Michele Giordano, who held up a phial containing the blood while a white handkerchief was waved from the altar to the applause of the crowd. This year the miracle took on special importance because it marked 1,700 years from...

Academicians Claim Buddha Turned Into European Saint By Kim Ki-tae Staff Reporter Greek drawings estimated to be from the 12th century show Ioasaph teaching Christianity to the public. A group of researchers claim the European saint is a derivation of the Buddha. Courtesy of AntiquusThe ancient tale of Gautama Siddhartha, the founder of Buddhism, spread from his homeland to Europe, where he became a Christian saint with the name of ``Iosaphat.¡± That¡¯s the conclusion of a group of Korean researchers who have conducted a multi-linguistic study of the westward spread of the story of the Buddha. ``It is apparent that...

ROME, JUNE 24, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Next week the Roman film studios Cinecittà will finish shooting the first movie on St. Anthony of Padua. Antonello Belluco, director of the movie and a native of Padua, said that he wanted to make "a film in which all -- believers and nonbelievers --" recognize that it is "a gift" that the saint wanted to give them. For Belluco, what is important is that "Anthony the man" be highlighted, even "before the saint." Anthony was a man of "strong, immense and free spirituality, full of joy in face of all of life's events." Jordi...

/begin my translation   Budda who went to the West....   "Not as a religion, but as a legend, spreading from Persia to Greece to Spain"Institute for East-West Cultural Exchange: "revered as a saint in the Middle Age" Lee Han-soo hslee@chosun.com  Date : 2005.06.24 Buddha went to the East as well as to the West, according to a new research. The life and teaching of Buddha born in India spread to China and Korea, eventually to Japan, while it spawned Tibetan Buddhism in the North. It was established as a 'religion' in the East. It spread to many S.E. Asian countries in the South,...

Brothers in Christ The vocation to holiness expressed in the life and martyrdom of two Mexican brothers inspires their family today, including a grand knight in Guadalajara April 3 has become an unofficial feast day for Cristóbal Huerta Wilde. On that day, the grand knight of Fray Antonio Alcalde Council 3552 in Guadalajara, Central-South Mexico, remembers in a special way the heroic life and martyrdom of his grandfather, Ezequiel Huerta Gutiérrez. Ezequiel and his brother, Salvador, were executed by a government firing squad April 3, 1927, due to their involvement with the Cristeros, a group of rebels, including hundreds of...

Dunstan was born near Glastonbury in the southwest of England about the year 909, ten years after the death of King Alfred. During the Viking invasions of the ninth century, monasteries had been favorite targets of the invaders, and by Dunstan's time English monasticism had been wiped out. In its restoration in the tenth century, Dunstan played the leading role. He was born of an upper-class family, and sent to court, where he did not fit in. At the urging of his uncle, the Bishop of Westminster, he became a monk and a priest, and returned to Glastonbury, where he...

1962 Sunday Missal Mass Readings/Propers for the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker   Colors:  White   INTROIT  Wisdom 10:17 Wisdom rendered to the just the wages of their labors, and conducted them in a wonderful way: and she was to them for a covert by day, and for the light of stars by night. [P.T. Alleluia, alleluia.] -- (Ps. 126. 1). V.: Glory be to the Father . . . -- Wisdom rendered to the just . . .   COLLECT - O God, Creator of all things, Who dost impose on man the law of work; grant...

An anti-Semite? Not Father Kolbe By Patricia Treece There is much that is good about "John Paul II: The Millennial Pope," a PBS "Frontline" presentation from 2002 that has re-aired in recent weeks. Unfortunately, the program also accuses John Paul of canonizing an anti-Semite --- Polish Franciscan and WWII martyr of charity, St. Maximilian Kolbe. As one who was asked by Father Kolbe's religious order, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, to write his biography ("A Man for Others," Harper San Francisco, 1982), I should like to respond to that charge. I told of Father Kolbe's extraordinary life through the testimonies...

Pope John Paul II may become a saint in the autumn 2005-04-11, 15:06 The Italian daily Corriere della Sera writes that Pope John Paul II may be beatified already in October in the first stage towards becoming a Roman Catholic saint. The daily explains that the cardinals, who attended the Pope's funeral, are under the impression of appeals from the faithful who chanted "sainthood now". Polish-born archbishop Edward Nowak, secretary of the Vatican office in charge of canonisation issues, said that it is long enough period of time to gather evidence. Archbishop Nowak confirmed that reports on miraculous healing attributed...

St. Gemma Galgani Early Life Gemma Galgani was born on March 12th, 1878 in Camigliano, a village near Lucca, Italy. Gemma is the Italian word for gem. Her father was a prosperous chemist and a descendant of St. John Leonardi. Gemma’s mother was of noble lineage also. The Galgani’s were traditional Catholics who were blessed with eight children. Gemma, the fifth child and first girl of the family developed an irresistible attraction to prayer while still very young. This came as a result of her pious mother who taught Gemma the truths of the Roman Catholic faith. Mother Galgani especially...

I address this to real Catholic Freepers, and I am happy to greet friendly Anglicans and Orthodox Freepers. Terri Schindler's murder because of the decree of the State and the inaction of the State means our sister in Christ will likely die a martyr because of the Culture of Death.If and when this premeditated murder is completed, I would like us all to rally faithful Catholics everywhere to call upon the Church at every level to acclaim Terri as "Theresa Marie Schindler, Martyr for the Gospel of Life" If in time, Holy Mother Church will remember the ancient custom and...

Born in Northumbria, from the age of seven, Willibrord (658-739) was brought up and educated at Bishop Wilfrid's monastery at Ripon. For 12 years, 678-690, he was at an Anglo-Saxon religious community in Ireland, where he acquired his thirst for missionary work. In 690, with twelve companions, he set out for Firisia (Holland), a pagan area that was increasingly coming under the domination of the Christian Franks. There Bishop Wilfrid and a few other Englishmen had made short missionary visits, but with little success. In 693, he secured Papal support for his mission. In 695, he was consecrated Archbishop...

SAINT JOHN, N.B. - Three teenage boys have been arrested for allegedly conspiring to seize control of a school and methodically murder some of its students and teachers. Police found gunpowder and other material used for making pipe bombs at the boys' homes and believe the youths had practised making bombs. The boys, aged 15 to 17, were Saint John air cadets and their alleged plot was planned for April 20, the anniversary of the 1999 Columbine High School massacre where 12 students and a teacher were killed. At a Saint John bail hearing for the two eldest teenagers on...

SIERRA VISTA - The green-clad and kilted folk of Sierra Vista tinkered down Fry Boulevard in perfect parade weather during the sixth-annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday. Participants from U.S. Border Patrol agents to youngsters seemed to enjoy themselves. Sierra Vista Irish-American Committee director Gerry Campbell said the annual parade is essentially the whole reason for his committee. There were 40 parade entries registered by Saturday morning. "And then, sometimes, people just show up. We just squeeze 'em in there at the end," Campbell said. The Cochise College Irish literature class joined in the morning's march. Class instructor Mary...

I am here this morning to inform you of the events of last night. A courier service delivered the official written interdict from the Archdiocese of St. Louis and its representative, Archbishop Raymond L. Burke. We ask that everyone respect the wishes of the board members and not contact them during this sensitive time. I will first read a statement, that some of you already have received, from the St. Stanislaus Six through their advisor. Afterwards, I will continue with a statement from the parishioners. Archbishop Raymond L. Burke has rejected the reasonable and generous offers of St. Stanislaus Kostka...

Review of Bernadette of Lourdes: Her Life, Death and Visions, by Therese Taylor The Catholic Historical Review. Jul 2004, Vol.90, Iss. 3; pg. 558, 2 pgs Thérèse Taylor sets herself the task of writing a "scholarly biography" of Bernadette of Lourdes, "to put her within the context of her time, to describe the social forces and specific events which were important, and to trace her individual life" (p. 1). In treating Bernadette as a historical figure rather than a saint, Taylor continues along the lines established by Ruth Harris, in Lourdes: Body and Spirit in the secular Age (New York:...

WASHINGTON, DC, January 26, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Laura Molla, daughter of St. Gianna Beretta Molla who was canonized by Pope John Paul II last year for her life of holiness and for sacrificing her own life for her unborn child, attended the March for Life in Washington this week. Molla, sister of baby Gianna whose life was saved, spoke to attendees at the Rose Dinner following the march. She stated, "My mother is proud of you all and is watching and blessing us with her mother's smile." Molla said that her mother made "the sacrifice of her own life so...

             Lives of the Saints   St. Dominic Savio(1842-1857) Italy Died Age 14     Dominic was born on April 2, 1842, the son of a very poor blacksmith.  He went to school near his home for as long as possible.  Later, he walked a six-mile round trip to attend a school in a nearby town.  One day, while the teacher was out of the room, two boys brought in a lot of snow and trash and stuffed it into the only iron stove which was heating the room.  When the teacher returned, he was so angry that the...

             Lives of the Saints   St. Maria Teresa Goretti Martyr For Purity (1890-1902) Italy Died Age 11 To many, the story of Maria Goretti is already familiar as the story of a young girl who refused to acquiesce in a grave sin against chastity.  Few realise that before the final dramatic refusal, Maria had also resisted blandishments and threats.  The canonisation of Maria Goretti was not based on a single moment's struggle against sin but upon her practice of heroic virtue through her entire short life.  To die rather than to sin was a far more natural choice...

Pressing Sainthood for a Beloved Archbishop By MAREK FUCHS Published: December 12, 2004 A long line of priests, nuns, deacons, relatives and fans wound its way into the crypt beneath the altar of St. Patrick's Cathedral. Their mission: the canonization of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, one of the first priests to use TV to educate, inspire and even convert. Twenty-five years after the archbishop was buried in the crypt, a Mass was celebrated in his honor. The people who gathered at St. Patrick's on Thursday wanted to persuade the Vatican to declare the archbishop a saint. "It's like a kickoff,...

      NOVEMBER 24ST. ANDREW DUNG-LAC AND COMPANIONS Christian missionaries first brought the Catholic faith to Vietnam during the sixteenth century. During the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Christians suffered for their beliefs. Many were martyred, especially during the reign of Emperor Minh-Mang (1820-1840). One hundred seventeen martyrs are in the group. They were proclaimed saints by Pope John Paul II on June 19,1988. The group was made up of ninety-six Vietnamese, eleven Spaniards, and ten French. Eight of the group were bishops, fifty were priests and fifty-nine were lay Catholics. Some of the priests were Dominicans. Others were diocesan priests...

As my blog-sister Ambra put it, "There is a Fine Line Between Satire And Ignorance."The $64,000 Question that begs though is which category this kind of stuff falls into.The scary part, is that even if it is meant as satirical, I know some folks here in Atlanta and elsewhere who would put that poster up on their wall. Right next to their velvet Elvis and wall hangings of JFK and MLK.Just damn.

FAITH UNDER FIRE 'Saint Bill Clinton' ignites religious rage Artist uses ex-president's 'holy' image to market T-shirts, lunchboxes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posted: September 19, 2004 10:34 p.m. Eastern By Joe Kovacs © 2004 WorldNetDaily.com Americans have a wide variety of views regarding former President Bill Clinton, but a Kentucky artist's depiction of the former commander in chief as a Catholic-style saint is heating those opinions to new levels across the nation. The portrait, titled "Saint Clinton," is the creation of Scott Ritcher, a 34-year-old graphic designer who is now marketing T-shirts, posters, magnets, coffee cups, coasters and even lunchboxes with a picture...

  SAINT PHILOMENAVIRGIN AND MARTYRFEAST DAY AUGUST 11TH  SAINT PHILOMENA, POWERFUL WITH GOD, PRAY FOR US!  NOVENA AND DISCOVERY OF HER RELICS  Novena Prayer To  St. PhilomenaO FAITHFUL VIRGIN and glorious martyr, St. Philomena, who works so many miracles on behalf of the poor and sorrowing, have pity on me.  Thou knowest the multitude and diversity of my needs. Behold me at thy feet, full of misery, but full of hope. I entreat thy charity, O great Saint!  Graciously hear me and obtain from God a favorable answer to the request which I now humbly lay before thee... (Here specify...

Recently the SSPX published a book titled "Priest, Where Is Thy Mass? Mass, Where Is Thy Priest." The SSPX mailed a free copy of the book to the Catholic priests in America, all 45,915 of them. Over 300 have actually begun correspondence with the priests involved and with the SSPX. A review of this book and discussion of the issues involved can be viewed on-line at http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1173010/posts Unfortunately, with priests with whom I've discussed this book the common concern was that the book underestimates the first and primary hurdle for any priest, especially our retired priests. These priests need to...

In Fatima, Portugal, on October 13, 1917, Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta saw the Holy Family. St. Joseph held the Child Jesus in his arms. Both were arrayed in red robes and stood at the left of the sun. The right hand of each was raised, blessing with the sign of the cross which both did three times over the 70,000 people gathered that day. At the right side of the sun was Our Lady in a white garment with a sky-blue mantle. The Child Jesus appeared to be about two years old. Lucia afterwards saw the Sorrowful Mother of God...

Saint Aloysius Gonzaga is one of Holy Mother Church's shining examples of a youth who maintained his innocence and purity throughout his twenty-three years of life as a member of the Church Militant on earth. I have had a particular devotion to this great lover of Our Lord in His Real Presence since 1956, the year I entered kindergarten at the school in the parish that had taken him for its patron in Great Neck, Long Island, New York. I owe Saint Aloysius Gonzaga so very much, for it was in the school that bore his name that I learned...

NBC 17 CDC's 10 Most Dangerous Dogs List POSTED: 3:58 PM EST January 14, 2004 RALEIGH, N.C. -- Tuesday's fatal dog attack in Harnett County is not as rare as you may think. Dogs kill 10 to 20 people in the United States every year.Last year in Orange County, 300 dog bites were reported, and 350 were reported in Raleigh. DOG SAFETY Stay SafeTips For ParentsOwn A Dog?Been Injured By A Dog? While national statistics show at least 30 breeds have attacked humans, 10 dog breeds are on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's most dangerous list, meaning they...

The Virtues of St. Joseph "All virtues and perfections were then reflected absolutely in St. Joseph, so that it almost seemed as if he were as perfect and possessed all virtues in as high a degree as the glorious Virgin our Mistress." Conf XIX, On the Virtues of St. Joseph, p. 368 "Certainly St. Joseph is most justly said to resemble the palm (tree), always constant, persevering, strong, and valiant. There is a great difference between these four virtues. We call a man constant when he remains firm, and prepared to suffer the assaults of the enemy, without surprise or...

Happy St. Patick's Day to you wonderful Freepers!!

Bl. Gianna Beretta Molla Born: 4 October 1922 Died: 28 April 1962 Beatified: 24 April 1994 by Pope John Paul II Feast Day: April 28 Patron Saint of: mothers, physicians Patron of "Mothers of the Family." Born in Magenta (near Milan), Italy, on October 4, 1922; died April 28, 1962. Gianna Beretta, the 10th of 13 children, was raised and educated by pious parents, who taught her the life is a great gift from God to be embraced with gratitude. Consequently, she had a strong hope in God's providence and was convinced of the effectiveness of prayer. As a...

'Saint' who presides over a thug army and slaughter (Filed: 14/02/2004) Aristide, once saviour of Haiti's poor, is reviled as the country is torn apart, reports Marcus Warren from Port-au-Prince Haiti's priest-turned-president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, once venerated as a near saint for championing the poor and defying tyranny, is now deploying mobs and violence of his own to confront peaceful protests and bloody insurrection alike. In the past week the bloodshed has claimed 50 lives, turned the streets in several towns into battlefields and split the poorest country in the Americas in three. Bespectacled, buck-toothed and gently spoken, Mr Aristide retains...