AmericanCatholic.org

Home

Catholic News

Daily Features

St. Anthony Messenger

Books

Catholic e-Greetings

Parish Newsletters/Services

Home

Daily Features
•Saint of the Day
•By Date
•By Name
•Patron Saints
•Saint FAQs
•Minute Meditations
•Top Catholic News
•Daily Catholic Question

Bullet

St. Anthony Messenger
•Home Page
•Ask a Franciscan
•On Faith & Media
•Faith Goes Green
•Editorial
•Book Corner
•A Catholic Mom Speaks
•Subscribe

Bullet

Update Your Faith
•Q & A
•CATECHISM for US
•Catholic Update
•Eucharist: Jesus With Us
•Every Day Catholic
•Jesus: A Historical Portrait
•Scripture From Scratch
•Vatican Update
•Walking With the Saints
•Youth Update

Bullet

Special Features
•Pope John Paul II
•Middle East Christians
•Food, Family, Faith
•Sacraments
•Pope Benedict's U.S. Visit

Bullet

Seasonal Features
•10th Anniversary
•Back to School
•Christmas
•Advent
•Epiphany
Catholic Customs
•Rosary
•Sacramentals
•Stations of the Cross
•Earth Day
•From Easter to Pentecost
•Pentecost
•Father's Day
•Halloween
•Lent
•Ash Wednesday
•Lent FAQs
•Stations of the Cross
•Mardi Gras
•Mother's Day
•Mother Teresa
•Pope Benedict XVI
•Pope John Paul II
•Sacraments
•Anointing of the Sick
•Baptism
•Confirmation
•Eucharist
•Holy Orders
•Marriage
•Reconciliation
•Saints
•Mary
•St. Anthony of Padua
•St. Francis of Assisi
•Pet Blessings
•Patron Saint of Ecology
•St. Patrick
•St. Thérèse of Lisieux
•St. Valentine's Day
•Thanksgiving
•Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
•World War II

Bullet

Prayer Intentions
•Submit a Prayer Request
•View Prayer Requests

Bullet

Catholic e-Greetings
•Featured e-Greeting
•Celebrations
•Holidays
•Marian
•Pet Blessings
•Sacraments
•Saints & Holy People
•Thinking of You
•World Day of Peace

Bullet

Product Catalog
•Featured Products
•Catalog
•Catholic Audio
•Catholic Books
•Parish Resources
•Catholic Videos

Support Us
•Donate

Bullet

News Features
•Top Catholic News
•Bioethics and the Catholic Church
•Christians in the Middle East
•Death Penalty
•Ecology and Faith
•Economic Justice
•Homosexuality, Gay Marriage and the Church
•Lourdes 150th Anniversary
•Politics and The Church
•Pope Benedict XVI
•Religious Intolerance
•Respect Life
•Saints in the News
•Synod of Bishops for Africa (Archived)
•The Church and Interfaith Relations
•The Church and Sexual Abuse
•The Church, Evolution and Creation
•The Church and Immigration
•Vocation
•War and Peace
•Year of St. Paul (Archived)
•Year for Priests (Archived)

Bullet

Sister Sites
•Catholic Greetings
•CatholicMovieReviews.org
•Catholic SAMPler
•Disciples Now
•Franciscan Media
•American Catholic Radio
•Lenten Radio Retreat
•Once Catholic
•Pledge Peace

Bullet

E-Newsletters
•About
Free for Everyone:
•AmericanCatholic Connections
•Catholic Greetings Premiere
•Catholic SAMPler
•Franciscan Media
•Friar Jack's E-spirations
•Saint of the Day
•St. Anthony’s Breadbasket E-newsletter
Free for Parish Leaders:
•Faith Formation Update
•Web Catholic

Bullet

About Us
•About Us
•Advertise With Us
•Contributors
•Affiliates
•Related Catholic Links
•Press Room
•Site Map
•Terms of Use

Bullet

Archive
•9/11
•Day of Prayer
•Pope's Condolences
•Cardinal Dulles
•Catholics Mobilize Hurricane Relief
•St. Anthony Messenger
•Catholic Update
•Da Vinci Code and the Catholic Church
•Election 2008
•Every Day Catholic
•St. Juan Diego
•Summer Olympics 2008
•Plea for Middle East Peace
•Just Peace
•Scripture From Scratch
•Terrorism and War: A Catholic Response
•U.S. Bishops' 2008 Meeting
•War in Iraq Opposed by Catholic Leaders
•Web Exclusives
•Earthquakes Jolt Assisi
•Giacomo Bini, O.F.M.
•Nothing Sacred
•Norman Perry, O.F.M.
•John Paul II Visits Cuba
•John Paul II Visits Holy Land
•John Paul II Visits St. Louis
•Poultry Pastoral
•Synod for America—1997
•Synod on Sacred Scriptures
•Pope Benedict’s U.S. Visit
•Raymond Brown, S.S.
•Vijeko Curic, O.F.M.
•World Youth Day 2008
•Youth Update
•Millennium Monthly

Felix of Cantalice: Felix was the first Capuchin Franciscan ever canonized. In fact, when he was born, the Capuchins did not yet exist as a distinct group within the Franciscans.
<p>Born of humble, God-fearing parents in the Rieti Valley, Felix worked as a farmhand and a shepherd until he was 28. He developed the habit of praying while he worked. </p><p>In 1543 he joined the Capuchins. When the guardian explained the hardships of that way of life, Felix answered: "Father, the austerity of your Order does not frighten me. I hope, with God’s help, to overcome all the difficulties which will arise from my own weakness." </p><p>Three years later Felix was assigned to the friary in Rome as its official beggar. Because he was a model of simplicity and charity, he edified many people during the 42 years he performed that service for his confreres. </p><p>As he made his rounds, he worked to convert hardened sinners and to feed the poor–as did his good friend, St. Philip Neri, who founded the Oratory, a community of priests serving the poor of Rome. When Felix wasn’t talking on his rounds, he was praying the rosary. The people named him "Brother Deo Gratias" (thanks be to God) because he was always using that blessing. </p><p>When Felix was an old man, his superior had to order him to wear sandals to protect his health. Around the same time a certain cardinal offered to suggest to Felix’s superiors that he be freed of begging so that he could devote more time to prayer. Felix talked the cardinal out of that idea. Felix was canonized in 1712.</p>

I think of all the women religious in the United States who touch countless lives, alleviate the suffering of so many, strive to offer a voice to the voiceless, remember the forgotten, care for those most in need, and focus their lives on the greater good of all God's people, without concern or regard for what they could receive in return.

PICKS OF THE WEEK

	The Month of Mary
	Discover daily insight into truths about the Mother of God.

	Sober Intoxication of the Spirit
	Learn about how the first Pentecost affected Jesus's followers.

	When the Spirit Comes in Power
	Catholic evangelist Peter Herbeck describes the work of the Holy Spirit in the personal lives of Christians.

	In the Footprints of Francis and the Sultan
	In 1219 during the Fifth Crusade, Francis took it upon himself to cross battle lines and reach out to Muslims.

	For Mothers (and Fathers!)
	Author Curtis shares personal stories and advice for helping your children find God's voice amid the messages that target them.

CATHOLIC GREETINGS

	Sympathy
	Our faith reminds us that those who believe in the Lord will never die.

	Graduation
	If you’re not able to attend the graduation in person, send an e-card expressing your affection and pride.

	Ordination Anniversary
	Use Catholic Greetings to acknowledge your pastor’s ordination or pastoral anniversary.

	Happy Birthday
	Make the most of God’s graces and blessings throughout the coming year.

	Pentecost
	As Church we rely on the Holy Spirit to form us in the image of Christ.

Come find us at:

American Catholic is for Catholics, all Christians and seekers. Find Roman Catholic Saints, Minute Meditations, Catholic Church Questions and Catholic News. Post Prayer Requests and send Catholic e-cards. Discover Catholic Books, Catholic Audio Books, Catholic Videos, and a leading Catholic Magazine.