The Catholic Company Blog | Sharing advice on Catholic books and gifts.

St. Peregrine: The Patron Saint of Cancer Patients

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Nick

Today is the feast day of none other than St. Peregrine. Saint Peregrine was born in 1260 to a wealthy family and became an activist against the papal party of his hometown, Forli, Italy. Forli was part of the Papal States and therefore governed by the Pope. Many, including St. Peregrine’s family, were opposed to being under the governance of the pope. During one of the uprisings he took part of, he had the chance to slap St. Philip Benizi and he took it. Saint Philip Benizi responded by turning the other cheek and St. Peregrine’s life would never be the same.

This dramatic experience was the beginning of a conversion that would forever change his life. After the encounter with St. Philip he had a vision from Our Lady and was told to join the Servite Order. St. Peregrine was one of the most hardworking Servites to have ever lived. Legend has it that he lived a life of solitude and silence in which he went without sitting for thirty years. Saint Peregrine has been described as a fervent preacher and incredible confessor. He is also an incorruptible saint.

Saint Peregrine is remembered today most of all as being the patron saint of cancer. During St. Peregrine’s years of service he developed cancer in his foot. He was scheduled to have it amputated but prayed constantly that it be healed. The night before the operation he received a vision of Christ touching his foot and healing it. The next day the foot was completely healed and cancer free. Since then many have invoked St. Peregrine to pray for them that their cancer might be healed.

If you or a loved one is struggling or has struggled with cancer, then getting them or yourself a St. Peregrine medal might be the perfect gift. St. Peregrine medals are beautiful and remind us that cancer can be overcome, there is hope. St. Peregrine rosaries also have a Saint Peregrine medal as their centerpiece and remind one to offer the rosary as a prayer for healing. Honoring Saint Peregrine through one of his medals or rosaries might make you or your loved one’s struggle through cancer much more bearable. How have you or loved one’s remained confident through a struggle with cancer?

Posted in Patron Saints | Tagged patron saint of cancer, Patron Saints, saint, Saint Peregrine | Leave a comment

Be an Instant Hero: Our Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Posted on April 28, 2012 by Gretchen

Attention all sons, daughters, and husbands: Mother’s Day is just two weeks away. But you don’t have to panic, we’ve been thinking ahead for you. We’ve lined up some great gifts your mothers are sure to love this year, making you an instant Mother’s Day hero. In fact, we have four fantastic Mother’s Day gift ideas that will ensure your mom will have a pleasurable and relaxing Mother’s Day.

#1: Garden gifts are a popular gift idea for most mothers, and rightly so, because Mother’s Day arrives each May (hello, flowers) and most moms love to have beautiful yards and gorgeous flower beds. Gardens are also a great place to relax and breathe in nature’s beauty. But gardens can serve a spiritual purpose when they become Catholic after being sprinkled with Catholic Garden Gifts. Catholic gardens are a wonderful place to pray and enjoy spiritual refreshment, helping your mom to remember that just as outdoor Catholic statues of angels and saints surround her in the garden, so too they surround her in reality, always offering up prayers on her behalf.

#2: Your mom is sure to get soiled with dirt as she puts her new Catholic Garden Gifts in her yard. But again, don’t worry, we’ve thought of this too! We’ve just brought in a new line of Immaculate Waters bath & body products . . . made with pure Lourdes Grotto Water! In addition to having this special water as their key ingredient, these special bath soaps and body lotions also contain other luxurious ingredients like shea butter, olive oil, aloe vera, rose fragrance, and lavender essential oil. Ohhh and ahhh your Mom with a bit of spa-like luxury right in the comfort of her own bathtub.

#3: With our line of Immaculate Waters products, your mom will probably stay in the bathroom a little longer than usual enjoying all that aromatherapy goodness. But don’t worry, you guessed it, we’ve thought of that too! Give your mom some great reading while she’s enjoying a little time to herself with Catholic Books just for mom. Catholic books provide insight, inspiration, and encouragement, all good things your mom will appreciate this Mother’s Day.

#4: When your mom comes out of her luxurious bath, after being spiritually refreshed by her new Catholic garden and her new Catholic book, she’s probably going to feel like a new person. Again, we’ve thought about this! Give your mom something new to wear too, such as a lovely new Catholic bracelet or other Catholic jewelry gifts for mom. She’ll love to emerge from her boudoir showing off a beautiful piece of jewelry that offers her spiritual encouragement as well.

These Catholic Mother’s Day gift ideas line up the perfect relaxing day for your mom. What can be a better way to spend Mother’s Day than with lovely scenery, a good book, a relaxing bath, a new piece of jewelry, and a very thoughtful child? Not much, and I’m sure your mom will agree!

Posted in Catholic Gifts | Tagged Catholic Gifts, Mother's Day, Mother's Day Gifts | Leave a comment

Sacrament Spotlight: Holy Communion

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Nick

Holy Father Benedict XVI Celebrating the Eucharist According to the Papal Encyclical Lumen Gentium, what is the “source and summit of the Christian life”? Hint: It’s not the Holy Spirit, the communion of saints, or the Holy See.

Answer: It’s the Eucharist!

The Eucharist is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, tradition in the Church. And some have proclaimed that the Eucharist is Heaven on earth. Other Christian denominations would never say that. Some Christian denominations only celebrate Communion a few times a year and give it only a sort of symbolic meaning. However, the Roman Catholic Church celebrates Holy Communion every single day and holds it as the actual Body and Blood of Christ. The differences in how churches celebrate Communion leads one to wonder many things about the sacrament. Why can’t we receive First Holy Communion until the age of seven? Who instituted the Eucharist? Why is it called the Eucharist? Who can receive the Eucharist? The answers to many of these questions can be found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Here are some answers to some common questions on Holy Communion offered by the Catechism (or CCC).

- QUESTION: Why must you be seven years old to receive First Holy Communion in the Roman Catholic Church? ANSWER: According to the Church, by the age of seven you have attained the age of reason. Many psychologists agree that seven is the average age by which children attain reason, and therefore this is an appropriate age for children to receive the Sacrament. The Eastern Church gives First Holy Communion to infants on the day of their baptism (CCC 1244). Why is attaining reason important to Roman Catholics? I think this is in order to ensure Holy Communion is given due reverence and that one approachs it with the right intention and will. A baby simply can’t approach First Holy Communion with willed reverence, wonder, and awe.

- QUESTION: Who can receive Holy Communion? ANSWER: Any Catholic who is in a state of grace. Recently, the church has been attacked for having this practice. Occasionally in the news a priest will deny Holy Communion to a man or woman openly living a sexually immoral life with another person of their same gender. Why are they denied? Because the priest is aware that they are in a state of grave sin, and therefore he cannot in good faith dispense the Sacrament. We are called to prepare ourselves to receive “so great and so holy a moment” through examining our consciences and confessing our grave sins. Failure to worthily partake of the Sacrament resulted in “ill and infirm, and a considerable number . . . dying” in the Corinthian community (1 Cor. 11:30).

- QUESTION: Why is it called the Eucharist and Holy Communion? ANSWER: The word ‘Eucharist’ comes from the Greek words eucharistein and eulogein which were understood as words of thanksgiving by the Jews for God’s acts in the world (CCC 1328). Christians took these words and applied them to a meal of thanksgiving in which Christ offers his Body to us in order to sanctify us. It is also called Holy Communion because by the Sacrament we are united with Christ (CCC 1331).

- QUESTION: Is Christ really present in the Eucharist? ANSWER: Yes, yes, a hundred times yes! The Catholic Church believes that “the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained” (Council of Trent 1551). Through Christ’s words he is made really present to us, completely, and for our benefit. Why do we believe in the real presence? For many reasons. The earliest words of Christ in the Bible come from St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, written in the 50s A.D., well before the gospels, in which he quotes Christ as saying: “This (being the bread) is my body that is for you. Do this (eat My Body) in remembrance of me” (1. Cor. 11:24). If this isn’t telling, then I don’t know what is.

Without the Eucharist there would be no church. I always remind myself that living in the U.S. I am very blessed to be able to receive the Eucharist every single day, unlike some Catholics who only have the chance to receive once a year-such as those living in the mountains of some parts of Central and South America. In First Holy Communion your loved one is taking a part in a Sacrament which will continue to change their life for years to come. Be sure to give your loved one First Communion gifts which will enrich their love of the sacrament and the Catholic faith such as First Communion books or a First Communion rosary. What questions do you have about Holy Communion?

Posted in Sacraments | Tagged eucharist, First Communion, Holy Communion | 4 Comments

You Know You’re Catholic When

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Kathleen

Posted in Catholic Humor | Tagged Humor | 3 Comments

Saint George: The Courageous and Faithful

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Nick

Today is the feast day of one of the greatest and mysterious saints to have lived: St. George. St. George was a soldier in the Roman army before being martyred in the fourth century. Unfortunately that is all that we can know for certain. Throughout history many songs, stories, poems, and hymns have been written about Saint George and this has led to some of the confusion between what is fact and what is fiction concerning his life. The most famous of the legends of St. George is the Golden Legend.

The Golden Legend is a story that would inspire anyone. The gist of the legend holds that local villages in Libya were being harassed by a dragon during the life of Saint George. This dragon ate villagers, destroyed armies, ate sheep, and eventually came to target a princess in one of the villages. St. George became aware of this, crossed himself, battled the dragon and defeated it with one blow. Following this spectacular miracle he gave a powerful sermon, converted thousands, received a large sum of money from the king for his victory, and gave it all to the poor. An incredible story, right? Unfortunately, its historical accuracy is lacking. However, the story is not without worth and value.

Many today understand this old legend in a metaphorical sense (sometimes we have a deeper understanding of scripture in this way). Many see the dragon as a representation of wickedness, Satan, and evil. And they also understand the princess as eternal truth and beauty. With this understanding of the story we see that this story is actually far more important than it was before. At first glance the story teaches the importance of courage, faith, and fortitude. However, with a deeper understanding we see that the story teaches us that as the dragon desired to take truth and beauty from the people, so too does wickedness and evil attempt to take truth and beauty from our lives. So too must we have the faith in God that he will give us courage to battle the devil and protect truth, beauty, and goodness. This story of St. George is more than a story of a great saint. It is a story about our lives and about what we face every day.

The questionable historical accuracy of the story does not take away from the marvel and might of St. George. More than likely he lived as a Roman soldier under Emperor Diocletian who viciously persecuted Christians during his reign. During this time he was a Christian and probably came up to the Emperor and chastised him for his actions. This would have resulted in Saint George leaving the army, then being tortured and eventually beheaded. Saint George was a saint of conviction, courage, and tremendous faith as seen through both his legends and life.

Saint George clearly inspires us and is the patron saint of England, Germany, soldiers, and Ethiopia (just to name a few). One of the best way to honor Saint George is through St. George medals. St. George medals remind you of the courageous and virtuous life on a daily basis. A St. George medal will also remind you to invoke the prayers of this great saint, so that you might have some of those same tremendous virtues he exemplified. Why do you love St. George? What is your favorite St. George legend?

Posted in Patron Saints | Tagged patron saint of England, Patron Saints, St. George | Leave a comment

April Birthstone (Diamond) Rosary

Posted on April 21, 2012 by Nick

One of the most famous birthstones is the unique April birthstone, the diamond. Diamond is one of the famous gems throughout history. As many know, the diamond is the hardest substance on earth. The wonderful April birthstone is also known for its typical lack of color and unique ability to reflect light stunningly unlike most gems. The diamond has been used in crowns, swords, and rings throughout history as it is beautiful and has been said to have many powers.

Most are familiar with the diamond as the symbol and provider of everlasting love. Engagement rings are typically diamond rings for this reason. In the past it was believed that the diamond ring would bless a marriage with everlasting love as the diamond is the closest stone to everlasting. The April birthstone is praised as one of the most popular if not the most popular and cherished gemstone in history. Gemstone cutting and polishing has also made the typical diamond appear even more stunning and beautiful.

Today many have combined the stunning April birthstone with rosaries to make a personal and exquisite rosary. Granted diamonds are expensive and therefore to have a rosary with many small diamonds would be very expensive, therefore many who have an April birthstone rosary have it made of crystal so that it is both affordable and beautiful. Adding an April Birthstone to a rosary could be the special edition which will make your loved one fall in love not only with the beauty of the rosary but with the Blessed Mother as well. Diamonds and their crystal counterparts have an uncanny ability to draw the eyes of many and placing them on a rosary will hopefully draw your loved one to prayer. If you would like to learn more about birthstones and birthstone rosaries, then please see our Birthstone Rosaries Guide.

Posted in Prayer | Tagged April Birthstone Rosary, birthstone, birthstone rosary | Leave a comment

Catechism of the Catholic Church: A Tool For Answering Tough Questions

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Nick

Why do Catholics pray to the Saints and Mary? Where do you find purgatory and praying for the dead in the Catholic Bible? Mary was only a virgin until the birth of Christ because Christ had blood brothers, right? These questions are just a few of the most commonly asked questions by non-Catholics to Catholics, according to Rev. A. W. Terminiello in his online article “The 40 Most Frequently Asked About the Catholic Church by Non-Catholics.” These are not easy questions to answer. How does anyone answer these questions?

I recommend using the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) is the official text of the teachings of the Catholic Church. Blessed Pope John Paul II realized that the Church needed an official text on Church teaching as a reference book, and thanks to the efforts of many, we have one! But how does one use this valuable resource to learn more about the faith and answer the tough questions many have about the Catholic Church?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church was made in a very easy to use way so that anyone can find the answers to their questions. The CCC comes with an expansive subject index which is over 60 pages long. If someone asks a question about a specific subject, then you look in the subject index and find the subject. Once you find the subject then the Catechism of the Catholic Church will tell you where the subject is handled. For example, let’s say you want to look up church teachings on purgatory. The subject index has purgatory as a subject and says “Purgatory: 1030-32” (CCC 809). Then you simply find those paragraphs 1030-32 and read all about purgatory. The CCC has numbered paragraphs and the subject index refers to paragraphs in which the subject your looking for is referenced. As you can see, the Catechism of the Catholic Church not only has the official teaching of the Catholic Church but is also easy to use.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church can also be used in two other ways. You can simply scan the table of contents to find the chapter on the topic you would like to learn more about, or you can read through the whole thing. One of the things that surprised me about the Catechism of the Catholic Church is how readable it is. In fact, you can read it front to back and it actually flows well due to its organization and structure of subjects. I personally have used the Catechism of the Catholic Church to refresh my memory on why we teach what we do on everything from sexual immorality to Christology. Do you have a Catechism of the Catholic Church? If so, how do you use it?

Posted in Catechism, Catholic Books | Tagged catechesis, Catechism, Catechism of the Catholic Church, Catholic Books | Leave a comment

Your Graduate Is Sure To Love A Catholic Graduation Gift

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Nick

Studies show that each year over 1.2 million students drop out of high school. And high school graduates make on average $200,000 more in their lifetime than their non-graduate brethren (college graduates make on average $800,000 more than high school dropouts). Clearly high school graduation is still important and not guaranteed by any means. Graduation from high school means that your child or loved one will be entering into a new world whether it’s the work force, community college, a four-year college, or mission work. Giving your graduate the right graduation gift will prepare them for the road ahead and the new chapter in their life. Catholic graduation gifts remind your child of their life in Christ, and will help your child make Christ a part of life going forward. Here is a list of some of the most popular catholic graduation gifts.

My Prayer Book

My Prayer book is one of the most popular catholic graduation gifts. This prayer book comes with beautiful artistic illustrations, genuine leather cover, and the most popular and important catholic prayers. Your graduate will most certainly need prayer to be a part of their new life outside of high school as they are certain to face many trials and tribulations. My Prayer Book can also be personalized which will make the book even more beautiful and special to your child.

Leather Bible Cover

This Leather Bible Cover is one of popular bible covers among Christians. This bible cover comes imprinted with Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” This verse will remind your graduate that God has plans for them greater than they could ever make or imagine. This beautiful and durable bible cover provides encouragement to your child and will hopefully protect their bible for years to come. These bible covers can be personalized as well with your child’s name or graduation date.

Leather Wallet

This Genuine Leather Wallet comes with a small cross emblem and can be personalized. This wallet is built to last and will hopefully remind your graduate to be prudential in their spending. This leather wallet could be the perfect catholic graduation gift for your son or loved one.

Graduation photo album

This graduation photo album makes a great catholic graduation gift. The photo album can hold 48 4”x6” pictures and comes with a graduation prayer on the cover. This photo album can also stand up so that the photos can be easily displayed.

Saint John Bosco Statue

Saint John Bosco is one of the patron saints of students and this statue of him is handcrafted and unique. This statue is made out of a very sturdy marble powder and metalized copper. This St. John Bosco statue will remind your graduate to ask for the intercession of Saint John Bosco so that they may receive many graces from the Lord. This St. John Bosco statue is a great catholic graduation gift.

These are just a few of the top catholic graduation gift ideas for your loved one. A catholic graduation gift will offer your graduate encouragement in the future and remind them of their relationship and love for Christ Jesus. What are some of your favorite graduation gifts you’ve received or have given to others?

Posted in Catholic Events, Catholic Gifts | Tagged Catholic Graduation gifts, Graduation, Graduation gifts | Leave a comment

Divine Mercy Chaplet: Experience God’s Mercy Anew

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Nick

Divine Mercy Rosary This Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday in which Catholics celebrate the power of the Divine Mercy of Christ. Catholics around the world are beginning to fall more and more in love with a devotion that is less than a century old: The Divine Mercy Chaplet. The divine mercy chaplet was given by Jesus Christ himself to St. Faustina Kowalska. This beautiful devotion focuses on the mercy God has for us through his sacrificial love. According to EWTN, the message of the divine mercy chaplet is three-fold and is easy to remember as ABC.

A – Ask for the Lord’s Mercy. God asks that we repent and ask for Him to bestow His mercy upon us and the whole world.

B – Be merciful. Just as God sends us mercy so too does he ask us to be merciful unto others. We are called to be God-like meaning that we are called to be loving and merciful.

C – Completely trust in Jesus Christ. In order to receive grace we have to be open to it, and a part of being open is trusting in that very grace.

Praying the chaplet of divine mercy and committing yourself to the devotion is a decision to give yourself to that mercy of God and live out the message of the devotion. Jesus had this to say about the chaplet of divine mercy to St. Faustina Kowalska: “Say unceasingly this chaplet that I have taught you. Anyone who says it will receive great Mercy at the hour of death. Priests will recommend it to sinners as the last hope. Even the most hardened sinner, if he recites this Chaplet even once, will receive grace from My infinite Mercy. I want the whole world to know My infinite Mercy. I want to give unimaginable graces to those who trust in My Mercy.” This chaplet of divine mercy was given to us by Christ and in less than a century it has changed the lives of millions.

The chaplet of divine mercy has picked up a lot of steam over the years. Recently the Sunday after Easter was made Divine Mercy Sunday. According to EWTN, the Apostolic Penitentiary of the Holy See created new indulgences that can be gained through celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday. Learning how to pray the divine mercy chaplet could completely change your experience with Jesus Christ and Divine Mercy. Do you love to pray the chaplet of divine mercy?

Posted in Holy Day | Tagged Divine Mercy, Divine Mercy Sunday, Mercy Chaplet | 3 Comments

Surprise Experience At The Monastery

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Nick

Belmont Abbey Basilica Over the Holy Triduum this year I went on a retreat at the Abbey of Belmont, North Carolina. Any and all male students at Belmont Abbey College are invited to partake of this wonderful retreat. The retreat was phenomenal in many ways for all of us men, but one of the most fascinating parts of the retreat was simply exploring the monastery.

The monastery at Belmont Abbey is three stories high not including the basement and an attic as well. Women are only allowed on the first floor because the monks live on the second and third floors. The Abbey is filled with numerous pieces of Christian and Catholic Art. Outside of the room I stayed in was a statue of Jesus displaying his Sacred Heart and wounds. This was just one of the many pieces of Catholic statues they had. Some of my favorite Catholic Art pieces were a St. Michael painting, a bronze pieta, and a painting of Jesus with eyes of deep sorrow.

I began to wonder as I toured the monastery, “Why do they have so many Christian statues, paintings, etc.?” One reason is that a lot of the art is donated. But, the more time I spent in the monastery the more I realized a deeper reason. These statues and paintings draw us in. For example, every time I walked by the painting of Jesus with a look of absolute sorrow, I felt a strong draw to it as if it was speaking to me. These statues and paintings call us to reflect on the mysteries of God and his people. Even walking through a single floor of the monastery, one can’t help but look around at all the beautiful symbols.

The retreat in the monastery was probably the best Easter Triduum I have ever had. The retreat was filled with peace, tranquility, prayer, and love. Love from the monks, the others on the retreat, and, more than anyone else, love from God. During the retreat we prayed the Liturgy of the Hours daily, took part in the many Masses and services of the Holy Triduum, and had ample time in peace, silence, and solitary prayer. I personally went on a rosary walk every day around the gorgeous Belmont Abbey College campus and prayed the Lectio Divina in the monastery house chapel. A big part of the retreat, which I didn’t expect, was the artistic portrayals of saints, Christ, and events in the church. These pieces of beauty constantly brought my mind back to God and His splendor. How have Catholic and Christian Art affected your life? Do you have any statues of saints in your home? Why, or why not?

Posted in Holy Day, Prayer | Tagged Catholic Art, Holy Triduum, Holy Week, retreat | 3 Comments