The Catholic Men's Podcast

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I had just gone to Confession at St. Mary’s Church in York, Pennsylvania when upon walking out into the vestibule, I saw a painting of a young, strong faced bishop with a cross hung around his neck. I learned his name from the plaque on the frame: “St. John Neumann, pray for us.” This painting reminded me of many others I’d seen in Churches all throughout the diocese and even across New York. My mind was plagued with questions about him.  What did he do? Why are there so many portraits of him in northern churches? Little did I know that he built 89 churches in the course of seven years and opened almost a hundred schools. The ground that I walked on was sanctified by his heroic sacrifice more than a hundred years ago. Upon further research, I found that his intransigent personality is best understood when you look at his early days as a missionary priest on the rough frontiers of 19th century America.  In this video you’ll hear of his apostolate at Niagara Falls and Buffalo where he cured a blind girl, shut down an immoral dance at a dangerous bar, publicly debated protestants in their own meeting house and was almost hanged by ruffians. 

These are the books that I used for my research:

“Life of the Right Rev. J.N. Neumann, C.SS.R.” by Johann Berger. New York: Benziger Brothers, 1884. 22. Print.

“Blessed John Neumann: Fourth Bishop of Philadelphia” by James 
Galvin. Baltimore: Helicon Press, Incorporated, 1964. 79. Print.

Creative Commons Attributions:
Ever Mindful Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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The following stories about the many assassination attempts on Saint John Bosco’s life are taken from a book by Dr. Charles d'Espiney called, “Don Bosco - A Sketch of His Life and Miracles.”

I first heard this mysterious saint story when I was sitting around a campfire with a group of friends at a Catholic Call to Chivalry Camp. No one could remember if it was Saint John Vianney or Saint John Bosco, but I’m going to follow it up with a fascinating true story from Don Bosco’s life which I think corresponds to it. If you know for sure which saint it was, please help me out in the comments.

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During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Our Lady of Good Success appeared in Quito, Ecuador to a Spanish nun whose little-known but extraordinary life has a direct connection with our days.

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There was once a pious woman who had been generous to the Holy Souls in purgatory. When she was dying, she was burdened by a deathbed depression where she thought that there was no hope for her soul. Simultaneously there was a concentrated effort by the powers of Hell to drive the her to lose faith and to think that Our Lord would never have mercy on her. This was done in a bid to reduce her to the mortal sin of despair, so the demons could claim her soul. Suddenly, the pious woman saw the souls of thousands of supporters who assured her that she could attain the Heavenly Prize. She asked them who they were. "We are the souls which you have delivered from Purgatory, we, in our turn come to help you, and very soon we shall conduct you to Paradise." The pious woman's heart was gladdened, and soon afterwards she died in enviable happiness. I would like to help you to also have compassion for the Poor Souls in Purgatory by telling you two of my favorite documented stories about them.  The first is about a pious servant woman and the second is about a Polish prince who was an avowed atheist.

#purgatory

00:00 Intro
1:21 Source of These Stories
02:01 Jeanne Marie
06:10 The Polish Prince

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In the heart of 18th century France, a terrifying creature known as the Beast of Gevaudan emerged from the shadows, leaving a trail of terror and bloodshed in its wake. This enigmatic beast, an enormous wolf-like creature with a taste for human flesh, struck fear into the hearts of the people of the Gévaudan region. This was at a time when demonic activity was reaching a fever pitch in France culminating in the satanic beheadings of the French Revolution. Witches and hexes were becoming rampant. It seemed as if the wolf had a devil-like quality, for it seemed to focus on human game rather than the livestock close by. This wolf was only defeated through one man’s devotion and trust in the Mother of God, which shows us that we have to confide in Our Lady against all odds. You can find this account in the book, “Beast” by Gustavo Sanchez Romero and S.R. Schwalb.

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Soon after the Cure d'Ars had opened his house of refuge for the poor orphans of the district, the strangest noises began to disturb his rest at night, and to trouble the quiet of his presbytery. 
Always at midnight, three violent knocks against the door of the presbytery generally warned the Cure d'Ars of the presence of his enemy; these knocks were followed by others more or less heavy, according as his sleep was more or less profound. After having diverted himself by making a frightful uproar on the staircase, the demon entered the room, seized the curtains of the bed, shook them so furiously that the poor inmate never could understand why they were not torn to atoms. Sometimes the malignant spirit knocked like some one who was demanding admittance, and the next moment, without the door being opened, he was in the room, moving about the chairs, deranging the furniture, rummaging everywhere, calling the Cure with a mocking voice, 'Vianney, Vianney!' and adding to his name the most outrageous qualifications and menaces. 'Eater of truffles, we shall have you, we shall have you! We hold you, we hold you!'

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There were plenty of celebrity Catholics in the past whom everyone regarded as saints, but then were discovered to be just the opposite. Which brings me to the story of Pelagius, which I found in "The Catechist,” a compilation of true stories from Catholic literature, by Canon G.E. Howe.

Watch the Video: https://youtu.be/L1w_tD_4fcc

I decided to join St. Louis de Montfort Academy for their 20-mile pilgrimage to the North American Martyrs Shrine. 

The word “martyr” comes from a Greek word meaning “witness.” By definition, a martyr is somebody who suffers death for the Catholic Faith as a witness to Christ.

A group of saints that fit this category so well is the North American martyrs, who gave witness to the Faith by the shedding of their blood for the conversion of the Native Americans.

Eight French Jesuits traveled to the New World -- what is now Canada and New York -- to convert the natives. After enduring years of suffering and hardship, they paid the ultimate price by willingly shedding their blood for Christ.

There were six priests: Frs. Isaac Jogues, Jean de Brebeuf, Noel Chabanel, Charles Garnier, Gabriel Lalemant, and Antoine Daniel, along with two lay helpers: Rene Goupil and Jean de Lalande.

It was an honor to rejoin my alma mater for this pilgrimage. It was an extremely blessed day.