How Catholic innovations changed western civilization. Strange question you might think. I assure you that this is not a thought experiment. Here we have authentic history. Picture a dismal swamp. Picture murky streams, land submerged in spring-time floods, invasive reeds, and thick peat all devouring forests of fir and oak. Imagine rank soil and dead … Read moreWho turned swamps into farmland?

Watch that woman standing on the farmer’s porch. She pulls on her work jeans that still show patches of garden dirt. She sprays insect repellent on her work boots, arms, and neck. Next comes a mesh insect protection net that loops under her armpits and covers her entire head. With great precision, she dons her … Read moreBattles in the Garden

An old woman ambled down a dirt road from her cottage on Christmas Cove along the coast of Maine. Hilda Hamlin was her name and she had a secret. It was a secret kept in her pocket. Now on her way back from the post office, she fumbled in her pocket for little treasures brought … Read moreThe Secret of Christmas Cove

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, first celebrated on August 31, 1670 in Rennes, France. Devotion to the Sacred Heart became a universal celebration based on the visions of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque on June 16, 1675, thus establishing the solemnity to be celebrated during the octave of the Feast … Read moreMiracles of the Sacred Heart

Ten years ago on June first, I had a brush with death. Here is the hair-raising story… In the quiet of a library, I first heard news of the tornado watch. A mother and her young daughter gave clues that danger was afoot. Hurriedly, she gathered up an armload of books. “Radar shows that an … Read moreTrapped by a Deadly Tornado

Good news for followers of this blog and other friends! My newest book, Lucia of Fatima, is published! Here is the incredible true story of three children who witnessed visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary on a hillside in Portugal 107 years ago today. Two years in the making, I relied on the memoirs of Lucia … Read moreLucia of Fatima!

This is a true story of a man I will call Joseph. Now Joseph is a handsome man who stands strong and tall at the age of 84. You and I might imagine reaching that age and deciding to relax in an easy chair. Not Joseph. Let me explain. Joseph and his wife led the … Read moreHero in the Trenches

Zoom in now on the photograph. Picture this man in jail. It is a narrow cell with dim light. You might imagine that he would stare at a dirty wall and do nothing. That is not the case. In fact, he sits on the bed and begins to write. First, he writes on the narrow … Read moreA Tribute to Dr. King

My dear husband can, at times, be a puzzling gentleman. Perhaps you can relate to this statement. I present to you a case in point. On the Solemnity of the Annunciation, he wished to celebrate the feast in a unique way. He conjured up the perplexing idea of having a picnic. That may sound fine … Read moreA Most Peculiar Picnic

Turin , Italy – 1898. Excitement was in the air as Secondo Pia set up his photographic equipment to take what was to become one of the most famous photographs in history. Big preparations were underway for the 400th anniversary celebration of Turin Cathedral. Pia, an amateur photographer and lawyer, was given permission by King Umberto … Read moreThe Most Famous Photo Ever Taken