Free Republic

Because this column is devoted to promoting Catholic fatherhood, this is a special feast day: the Feast of Saint Joseph. The following is an updated version of a column that John wrote a few years ago. Men in history are often remembered for things like winning a battle, governing a country, composing a symphony, writing a masterpiece, or inventing a life-changing device. Today, the Church honors a man who did none of these.  Even in his own time, in the eyes of much of the world, this small-town carpenter was insignificant. But his greatness did not lie in his...

In 1762 Irish Catholic soldiers, who were serving in the British Army stationed in New York City, organized the first St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the City. They wanted to celebrate the life of St. Patrick and show their gratitude for his having brought the Catholic Faith to Ireland. From its very beginning, the parade was a religious celebration that included attendance at mass receiving Holy Communion and prayerful contemplation of the gift St. Patrick had given the Irish. Over the centuries since 1762 the parade has become a major event in the lives of many people. Those who are...

In 1762 Irish Catholic soldiers, who were serving in the British Army stationed in New York City, organized the first St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the City. They wanted to celebrate the life of St. Patrick and show their gratitude for his having brought the Catholic Faith to Ireland. From its very beginning, the parade was a religious celebration that included attendance at mass receiving Holy Communion and prayerful contemplation of the gift St. Patrick had given the Irish. Over the centuries since 1762 the parade has become a major event in the lives of many people. Those who are...