Light over the Scaffold and Cell 18: The Redemption of Jacques Fesch — A Catholic Moral Narrative
2026 Victor R. Claveau, MJ Few modern Catholic testimonies illustrate the transformative power of divine grace more vividly than the prison writings collected in Light over the Scaffold: Prison Letters of Jacques Fesch and Cell 18: Unedited Letters of Jacques Fesch, edited and preserved by Augustin-Michel Lemonnier. These letters do not present the story of […]
Black Catholic History
©2026 Victor R. Claveau, MJ Black Catholic history is not a recent chapter added to the story of Christianity. It is woven into the very origins of the Church founded by Jesus Christ. Long before Christianity reached many parts of Europe, the Gospel had already taken root in Africa. The history of Black Catholics begins […]
Filipino Saints: Witnesses of Christ in the Philippine Church
©2026 Victor R. Claveau, MJ The history of Christianity in the Philippines is one of remarkable fidelity to Jesus Christ, deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and steadfast adherence to the Catholic faith amid persecution, poverty, social upheaval, and cultural transformation. Since the arrival of Catholic missionaries in the sixteenth century, the Filipino people […]
“Today You Will Be with Me in Paradise”: The Good Thief, Salvation, and the Catholic Doctrine of Redemption
©2026 Victor R. Claveau, MJ Table of Contents Introduction Among the Seven Last Words spoken by Christ from the Cross, few possess the theological depth, pastoral tenderness, and salvific hope contained in the declaration addressed to the repentant thief: “Amen I say to thee: this day thou shalt be with me in paradise.” —Luke 23:43 […]
St. Joan of Arc: Sanctity, Trial, and Martyrdom in the Hundred Years’ War
©2026 Victor R. Claveau, MJ Table of Contents Introduction Among the most extraordinary figures in Christian history stands St. Joan of Arc, the peasant girl from Domrémy who altered the course of the Hundred Years’ War and became one of the most beloved saints of the Catholic Church. Born around 1412 during one of the […]
The Loss of a Soul
©2026 Victor R. Claveau, MJ St. John Chrysostom wrote, “The loss of one soul carries with it a penalty which no language can represent. For if the salvation of that soul was of such value, that the Son of God became man, and suffered so much, think how sore a punishment must the losing of […]
HOMILY OF THE HOLY FATHER
MASS IN ST PETER’S SQUARE FOR THE CANONIZATION OF SR MARY FAUSTINA KOWALSKA Sunday, 30 April 2000 1. “Confitemini Domino quoniam bonus, quoniam in saeculum misericordia eius”; “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his steadfast love endures for ever” (Ps 118: 1). So the Church sings on the Octave of Easter, as if receiving from Christ’s lips […]
The Paschal Sermon
By Saint John Chrysostom O Hell, where is your victory? Christ is risen, and you are overthrown. Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice. You sober and you heedless, honor the day. Rejoice today, both you who have fasted and you who have disregarded the fast. The Catechetical […]
SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL
By Giuseppe Monno Saint Michael the Archangel is one of the most revered figures in Christian tradition. His name comes from the Hebrew Mikha’el, meaning “Who is like God?”—a rhetorical question highlighting the uniqueness and unmatched power of the Almighty. This name reflects his role as defender of God’s sovereignty against the forces of evil. […]
OTHER MARTYRED WOMEN OF THE THIRD CENTURY
Though not nearly so celebrated as the various martyred women whose tragic fate has been related in the last chapter, Saints Eulalia, Leocadia, Cyprilla, Eugratia, Victoria, Anatolia, Columba, Reine, Reparata, Susanna, and Daria, all of whom suffered in the third century, deserve brief notice on account of their steadfast courage under their terrible sufferings and […]