Corpus Christi Blog

We often hear that we are to hate the sin and love the sinner. There are countless examples in the gospels where Jesus shows compassion and love to sinners while also pointing out their sins and urging them to repent. He loves people, but also promotes conversion and transformation by inviting them to follow him instead of their worldly desires. However, the phrase “hate the sin and love the sinner” has taken on a new and incorrect meaning in our modern world of: “Who are we to judge?” Because of this, it is becoming increasingly difficult to know how to talk to people about particular issues, often resulting in individuals keeping quiet to keep the peace. For this week’s reflection, I will be referencing Chapter 7 from a book entitled, 12 Life Lessons from St. Thomas Aquinas, in which author Kevin Vost, PSY.D., uses the writings of the great saint to explain why we are called to judge sin and how to do it in a way that is proper to loving the sinner called, “fraternal correction.”

One of the things I love most about our Catholic faith is the wealth of examples of holy men and women provided by the Church’s canonized saints. No matter the differences in our personalities, circumstances, or gifts, we have a multitude of saints to whom we can relate for any number of reasons, and we never have to feel alone on our spiritual journey to holiness. Certain situations have come up throughout my life, when it seems a particular saint, sometimes one that is new to me, will try to get my attention. When this happens, I always try to respond and explore what the saint is trying to tell me with an open heart and mind. I often go down an exciting new path of prayer and devotion I had not anticipated, bringing me many graces. Such is the case with Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. After a brief biography, I would like to introduce you to the spirituality of my new friend.

Earlier this summer, I had the opportunity to travel to Ireland with my mom. Our itinerary included a stop in the village of Knock, where Our Lady appeared on a rainy evening on August 21, 1879. While the apparition was investigated and approved by the Church, it remains less familiar than others like Fatima, Lourdes, and Guadalupe. With the feast of Our Lady of Knock occurring this week (August 17), I thought I would share a bit about the apparition itself and its message.

Today, the Church celebrates the feast day of St. John Marie Vianney, so I thought it would be fitting to recognize him and pay him homage as an outstanding preacher.

St. John Vianney (1786-1859) lived through the French Revolution and its aftermath. It was a tumultuous time for France at large, but also specifically for the Catholic Church. The revolution carried a strong anti-Catholic sentiment with its objective of abolishing the Catholic monarchy. The Church was suppressed, and priests were forced to operate in secret under the threat of persecution and death. The bravery of these priests greatly affected St. John, and their heroic efforts helped to shape his own ministerial work as a priest. During the suppression of the Church, people lost broad access to the sacraments, Mass, and catechetical formation.