Free Republic

The Good Thief, The Catholic Answer Msgr. Charles Pope 5/15/2015 Q. In St. Luke’s Gospel, there is mention of the Good Thief on the cross near Jesus who repents. No name is given him, but most say his name is “Dismas.” Is this true?—B. Q., PhiladelphiaA. Here’s a reply from Msgr. Charles Pope: We don’t know. The story itself is very moving, and there is naturally a human tendency to want to know more. Thus traditions and legends often arise in cases like these. But the historical accuracy of such things is often difficult to assess. “St. Dismas” is a...

Fr. Emil Kapaun: The Good Thief By Lawrence P. Grayson Fr. Emil Kapuan, a decorated war hero, was declared a Servant of God. On Easter morning, March 25, 1951, the Catholic priest mounted the steps of a partially destroyed church, and turned to face his congregation, some 60 men – gaunt, foul-smelling, in tattered clothing. Fr. Emil Kapaun raised a small, homemade, wooden cross to begin a prayer service, led the men in the Rosary, heard the confessions of the Catholics, and performed a Baptism. Then, he wept because there was no bread or wine to consecrate so that the...

The Three Crosses: The Good Thief or the Cross Accepted    FR. LEONARD PUECH On the other side was the good thief. How different the scene, for the good thief shows the cross accepted! On the other side was the good thief. How different the scene, for the good thief shows the cross accepted! HIS SUFFERINGNo doubt he also suffers. His body is tortured; the nails pierce his hands and feet; he is consumed with thirst; his muscles are stretched to the breaking point, he is grasping for breath; he has a splitting headache. He also suffers in his soul:...