Martyrdom finds perhaps its most powerful cinematic expression in Carl Theodor Dreyer’s “The Passion of Joan of Arc” (1928), a classic of the silent film era and widely considered one of the greatest films ever made.
Saints
Posted inFaith, News
Pope Francis advances sainthood cause of Gaudí, famous architect of Sagrada Familia
Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of one woman and five men, including Antoni Gaudí, the Spanish architect who designed the Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, Spain.
Posted inFaith, News
You shouldn’t buy a piece of a saint: Catholic Church denounces online sale of Carlo Acutis relics
With the upcoming canonization of its first millennial saint, the Catholic Church has turned to police in Italy to investigate the online sale of some purported relics of Carlo Acutis.
Posted inFaith, News
Vatican marks 20th anniversary of death of St. John Paul II
During his long and fruitful pontificate, St. John Paul II embraced the entire world, which stands yet again in need of his blessing, Cardinal Pietro Parolin said.
Posted inFaith, Podcasts
Podcast: A deep dive into the (slightly creepy) world of Catholic relics
With 38 years of experience in overseeing the process of canonization and beatification of saints, Monsignor Robert Sarno offers a deep dive into the world of Catholic relics, including their history, hierarchy and controversy.
Posted inDispatches, Faith
Thousands of tourists flock to Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day. But one figure is missing: St. Patrick.
Tens of thousands of tourists flock to Ireland each year for the St. Patrick’s Day Festival. But in the midst of the concerts, parades and art installations, one figure is strikingly absent—Patrick himself.
Posted inFaith, News
How the color of St. Patrick’s Day went from blue to green
Ireland’s patron saint hasn’t always been associated with the color green.
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Book Club
Saints, souls and spirituality: Remembering theologian Larry Cunningham
Lawrence “Larry” Cunningham, a longtime professor of theology at Notre Dame University and a well-known writer on spirituality, sainthood and more, died on Feb. 20, 2025.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
The heart of a Jesuit martyr
The heart of St. Roque lay in the display case in front of me. It still held the power of life and evangelization, announcing its presence at the very moment when I most needed faith and consolation.
Posted inFaith, News
Pope Francis adds feast day of Mother Teresa to universal calendar
Pope Francis has added the feast day of St. Teresa of Kolkata, September 5, to the General Roman Calendar.