Saint Agatha of Sicily – Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints - Episode #28

 

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Episode #28

 

Welcome to another episode of Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints, and this week, I am afraid to say, is going to be a rather dark episode.

 

Each week when I talk about one of the Saints in our tradition, many times I end up talking about one of the Martyrs.  The great cloud of witnesses is large and many of them gave their life for their faith in Christ, and the martyrs show up often on this podcast.  They really are, as Tertullian said, the seed of the church.  And many of these martyrs have quite gruesome stories.   Quite gruesome. 

 

And this week’s Saint definitely fits this category, so viewer beware.  This is going to be a rough episode, but an important one.  We owe it to our Christian forebearers to remember their sufferings and, hopefully, learn from their example.  And the Saint we are going to talk about today truly deserves to be remembered and honored – Saint Agatha of Sicily. 

 

Saint Agatha of Sicily was a 3rd‑century Christian virgin‑martyr from Catania remembered for her courage during the Decian persecutions.  Her bravery under some of the most monstrous methods of torture recorded has made her one of the most beloved Saints of our tradition.  Her feast day is February 5, and she is patron saint of those suffering from Breast Cancer as well as of victims of sexual violence and torture. 

 

After her death her veil saved Catania from a volcano and the annual celebrations of her Feast Day in Sicily is one of the largest festivals on Earth.  The example of her valor and faith under the most extreme persecution imaginable continues to inspire generations.  You will not want to miss this special episode because Saint Agatha’s story resonates in our World now just as much as it did in her own day.  Maybe even more!

Candlemas – Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints - Episode #27

 

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Episode #27

 

Coming up on February 2nd, is one of the most ancient and beautiful feast days on the Church Calendar – Candlemas.  This feast celebrates the presentation of Jesus in the Temple, 40 days after Christmas, as well as the ritual purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary after giving birth to her first born son, and our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Candlemas — the Feast of the Presentation — stands at the crossroads of prophecy, purification, and the ancient struggle between darkness and light

 

It also officially marks the end of the Christmas Season.  So, if you have been delaying taking down the Christmas Tree, well…, it is time.  Christmas is officially over!

 

There are a number of fascinating traditions associated with Candlemas and some of them have very deep and ancient roots.  Everything from Crepe flipping in France to Weather Predicting Bears in Hungary to Climate Prognosticating Groundhogs in Pennsylvania and everything you can imagine in between.  Candlemas has always been a time to celebrate.  And for good reason, the Light is coming into the world. 

 

This episode explores the biblical roots, Jewish context, Marian symbolism, and centuries‑old traditions that shaped one of Christianity’s most luminous midwinter feasts.  It will be an amazing journey as we fully explore the deep theological meaning of this moving and fascinating ancient holiday.  One that has been so important to the Church for thousands of years, it truly is overdue for a revival in our modern culture. 

 

And we even will discuss its connection to one of the wildest, rowdiest, and unhinged of all of the festivals of Pagan Ancient Rome – The Lupercalia!  You won’t want to miss it!  I will see you there.   

Saint Agnes of Rome – Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints - Episode #26

 

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Episode #26

 

Welcome to another episode of Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints, and this week we are focusing on an amazing young heroine from our Christian Past – the Martyr and Virgin - Saint Agnes of Rome. 

 

Saint Agnes of Rome (c. 291–304) stands as one of the most beloved and revered figures of early Christianity—a young girl whose courage defied the Roman Empire itself.

 

This episode explores the historical, spiritual, and symbolic dimensions of her life, martyrdom, and enduring legacy.  Saint Agnes has influenced scores of artists over the centuries and her impact on the world of art will be discussed.

At just 12 or 13 years old, Agnes refused powerful suitors, declaring that she belonged to Christ alone. Her defiance enraged Roman officials, leading to one of the most dramatic and haunting martyrdoms of the early Church.

 

Agnes was humiliated and paraded publicly through leering crowds to a public brothel where she was fated to be abused by her captors.  Her resistance to this shameful horror led to her condemnation to a horrific death.  Throughout her ordeal Agnes remained serene, prayerful, and unbroken. 

 

Saint Agnes is the Patron Saint of Survivors of Sexual Abuse, and her story of resilience under the most terrible of circumstances is one desperately needed to be heard today!  Sadly, Agnes’ ordeal and abuse is one repeated every day throughout the world to thousands of young women.  Her story can provide healing and hope to survivors of trauma today. 

 

You will NOT want to miss this week’s very moving and dramatic episode.   The example of Saint Agnes continues to inspire millions, and her life story can teach us all how to live a life full of integrity and courage in the face of severe adversity.  

Saint Anthony of Egypt – Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints - Episode #25

 

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Saint Anthony of Egypt – Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints - Episode #25

 

Episode #25

 

Welcome to another episode of Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints, and this week our Egyptian theme continues as we discuss a very fascinating and holy man – Saint Anthony of Egypt.

 

Saint Anthony of Egypt (c. 251–356 AD) was an Egyptian Christian monk whose radical withdrawal into the desert became the blueprint for Christian monasticism. His life, recorded by Athanasius of Alexandria, shaped the imagination of Eastern and Western Christianity and inspired centuries of ascetics, hermits, and monastic communities.  

 

His monastery still stands in Egypt’s Eastern Desert—the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery in the world, and his long life, he lived to be 105, saw the peak of Christian Persecution under Diocletian to the ultimate triumph of Christianity under Constantine. 

 

His story has fascinated generations, and the famous “Temptation of Saint Anthony” has inspired countless artists over the years.  His life, teachings and way of living will be an incredible Odyssey to discuss. 

 

From the famous spiritual warfare he waged against demons in the desert, to his confrontation with heretics in Alexandria and even his scolding of Emperors in Constantinople, the incredible example of Saint Anthony’s brave and holy life still has much to teach us now in the 21^st century.  I assure you; this episode promises to be one you will not want to miss.    

Our Lady of Zeitoun – Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints - Episode #24

 

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Episode #24

 

Welcome to another episode of Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints, and this week we are continuing on a bit with the Christmasy Vibe as we enter into the beautiful season of Epiphany, where the Light of Christ goes forth into the wider Gentile world.  And we pick up the story of Jesus, Mary and Joseph AFTER the Wise Men have departed and tell the story of their flight to Egypt.    And this trip to Egypt is the inspiration for this week’s special episode.

 

The word Epiphany means an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being and every year when I read the story of the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt after Christmas I always think about one of the most amazing, witnessed, photographed and well documented supernatural events to EVER occur on Earth, The Apparitions of our Lady of Zeitoun in Egypt during the years 1968 to 1971.

 

It is a FASCINATING tale and one that is not so well known in the West as it should be.  Millions of people saw the Blessed Virgin Mary numerous times over a period of three years in Zeitoun, a suburb of Cairo Egypt.  The documented evidence for this apparition is MASSIVE and It really should be better known in this country than it is.  This week we will be discussing it in depth, so settle in, this is going to be quite an amazing episode.  

The Mystery of the Magi & the Star of Bethlehem - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints - Episode #23

 

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The Mystery of the Magi & the Star of Bethlehem - Episode #23

 

Episode #23

 

Merry Christmas!  Leave those trees up!  We still have a few more days to go.  Christmas is NOT over, at least until Epiphany.

 

And Epiphany is the feast we will be discussing this week on Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints.  Throughout Christian History, Epiphany has always been a very big deal.  But what do we really know about it, and especially, what do we know about those mysterious and fascinating characters that suddenly show up in the Nativity Story – the Magi.  

 

Who were these strange visitors from the East?  Were they Kings?  Were there only three of them?  Were they Astrologer Zoroastrian Priests from Persia? Where did they come from: Persia? Babylon?  Or even further away such as China?  What do we really know about them that can be sifted out of the mists of legend where history and myth often become shrouded in fable?  And what drove them to travel to Bethlehem to visit the infant Jesus in the first place?

 

Which, of course, will lead us to delve into the fascinating enigma of the Star of Bethlehem.   A Mystery that has perplexed the world for millennia.

 

The Star of Bethlehem shows up on countless Christmas Cards, decorations and even probably sits on top of your Christmas Tree, but…, what was it?  A comet?  A supernova?  An astrological alignment?  All these theories will all be analyzed this week on a very special episode of Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints.  It should be a fascinating discussion.  I hope to see you there. 

 

Merry Christmas and Happy Three Kings Day!

It’s Still Christmas! – Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints - Bonus Episode

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Bonus Episode

 

Merry Christmas! 

 

Welcome to a special BONUS episode of Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints.  This year on the Sunday after Christmas I was greatly honored when the priest at my church, Father Steve, asked me to give the Sermon at the 8 O'clock Mass.  And so, I thought I would share it with you all here.  Merry Christmas!