21 October 2026
Prayers for the Canonisation of Bld Karl of Austria, Emperor & King, & the Beatification of the Servant of God Zita, Empress & Queen
Heavenly Father, through Blessed Emperor Karl, Thou hast given Thy Church and the people of God an example of how we can live a discerning and spiritual life in a convincing and courageous way.
His public actions as emperor and king, and his personal acts as a family man, were firmly based in the teachings of the Catholic Faith. His love for his Eucharistic Lord grew in times of trial and helped him to unite himself to Christ’s sacrifice through his own life’s sacrifice for his peoples. Emperor Karl honoured the Mother of God, and loved to pray the rosary throughout his life.
Strengthen us by his intercession when discouragement, faintheartedness, loneliness, bitterness and depression trouble us. Let us follow the example of Your faithful servant, and unselfishly serve our brothers and sisters according to Your will.
Hear my petitions and grant my request [mention your intention here].
Grant that Blessed Karl of Austria be deemed worthy of canonisation, for the glory of Thy Name, the praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and for blessings upon the Church.
God our Father, you redeemed the world by the humility of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. He who was King became a Servant and gave his life as a ransom for many, therefore you have exalted Him.
We ask Thee that Thy servant Zita, Empress and Queen, will be raised to the altars of Thy Church. In her, Thou hast given us an admirable example of faith and hope in the face of trials, as well as an unshakeable confidence in Thy Divine Providence.
We beseech Thee that alongside her husband, the Blessed Emperor Charles, Zita will become, for couples, a model of conjugal fidelity and love, and, for families, a guide in the ways of a truly Christian upbringing. May she who in all circumstances opened her heart to the needs of others, especially the very poor, be for us all an example of service and love of neighbour.
Through her intercession, grant our petition [mention here the graces you are asking for]. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
One Our Father, three Hail Marys and a Glory Be.
Kindly inform the Abbaye Saint-Pierre (F-72300 Solesmes) of any grace or favour obtained through the intercession of the Servant of God Zita.
Imprimatur : 09/07/2009
† Mgr. Yves Le Saux
Bishop of Le Mans (France).
Trusting Jesus When Everything Is Lost | Bishop Schneider
Summa Contra Gentiles, Book III: XXI Things Have Natural Tendency To Be Like God in That He Is a Cause
Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 7 March 1274), was a Doctor of the Church, Philosopher, Theologian, Jurist, Dominican Friar, and Priest. Known as Doctor Angelicus "Angelic Doctor," and the Doctor Communis "Universal Doctor" his writings serve as a defense and proof of the validity of Christ's authority over all. The Summa contra Gentiles (also known as Liber de veritate catholicae fidei contra errores infidelium, "Book on the truth of the Catholic faith against the errors of the unbelievers"). The Summa contra Gentiles consists of four books. The structure of Saint Thomas's work is designed to proceed from general philosophical arguments for monotheism, to which Muslims and Jews are likely to consent even within their own respective religious traditions, before progressing to the discussion of specifically Christian doctrine.
Nick Bostrom, PhD, on Superintelligence and the Future of AI
Philosopher Nick Bostrom discusses his new book, "Deep Utopia: Life and Meaning in a Solved World", where he asks: In the face of incredible technological advances, what is the point of human existence? Will AI make our life and labor obsolete? In a "solved world," where would we find meaning and purpose? Bostrom's book, Deep Utopia, is available for purchase now: https://shorturl.at/guWX8 Nick Bostrom is a Professor at Oxford University, where he is the founding director of the Future of Humanity Institute. He is the world's most cited philosopher aged 50 or under.
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From the Archdiocese of Southwark
"Is the Catholic Church really against science? Fr Joseph Gulliford explains why faith and reason are not rivals but two wings of the same flight, and why it is no coincidence that a Catholic priest first proposed the Big Bang theory." Ambassadors for Christ is a Catholic apologetics project, designed to equip you with a deeper understanding of your faith so you can confidently answer questions and be a joyful witness for the Lord Jesus and his Church.
This Polish Archbishop Refused To Live in a Palace
His Feast was yesterday. He ought to be a role model for many bishops today who live in palatial homes and ride in expensive cars with a driver.
From Aleteia
By Philip Kosloski
He also only wore his archbishop's clothing during liturgical ceremonies, keeping to his simple Franciscan robes for the rest of the time.
Throughout history, bishops and cardinals in certain regions of the world were typically offered lavish palaces to live in. They were seen as equal to royalty, and so were treated in a similar way.
While there is nothing inherently wrong with living in a palace or a castle, the truth is that many temptations can come along with it. Unfortunately many bishops used such wealth and status in an improper way and would look down upon the people they were ordained to serve.
Instead of being shepherds, they became "hirelings."
Thankfully God has inspired a number of holy bishops who did not succumb to such temptations and who strove to lead lives of holiness in their realm of influence.
Bl. James Strepa
Once such example is Bl. James Strepa (Jakub Strzemię), who lived in 14th-century Poland and became acquainted with Queen Jadwiga and King Władysław Jagiełło. They greatly esteemed his counsel and so wished to reward him for it.
He was shortly thereafter appointed as Archbishop of Halicz-Lviv, and Queen Jadwiga wanted to give him a palace to live in. It was a marvelous estate in the heart of the city that most bishops would have dreamed of living in.
Yet, Bl. James stuck to his Franciscan vows and chose to live in a modest wooden house on the outskirts of the city.
He also deliberately wore his Franciscan habit at all times, except when conducting liturgies that required him to wear certain vestments according to his ordination as archbishop.
In many ways he "practiced what he preached," not seeing himself as part of the royal, ruling class, but as a poor man of the Gospel.
Bl. James went on to become a highly revered archbishop, promoting devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the Virgin Mary. He bought many people to the practice of the Catholic faith and was known as an archbishop with a missionary mindset.
He remains a great example to all bishops and rulers of the Church, showing how not to give in to the temptations of the world, but to live out a life centered in simplicity.
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Traditional Catholic Morning Prayers in English | October
The Lost Ark of the Covenant Was Found — And It's Not in the Desert
How St Hilarion Converted a Band of Robbers With a Simple Response
Today is his Feast Day. He was a 4th-century hermit, living in the desert. “Monks were unknown in Syria before St Hilarion,” says St Jerome.
From Aleteia
By Philip Kosloski
The robbers thought they could have their way with St. Hilarion, but were not prepared for what he said next.
St. Hilarion was among the earliest Christians to devote himself entirely to a life of prayer and fasting. He lived with St. Anthony of the Desert during the 4th century, and after Anthony’s death spent the remainder of his life with few possessions besides the ragged cloak that he wore.
Early on, St. Hilarion built for himself a small hut where he prayed night and day, observing some of the most severe penances imaginable. It was at this time that a band of robbers can roaming through the desert in hopes of finding him, thinking that he was hiding something of value.
St. Jerome writes in his Life of St. Hilarion about this episode, and how the robbers were immediately stunned by what they discovered.
While still living in the hut, at the age of eighteen, robbers came to him by night, either supposing that he had something which they might carry off, or considering that they would be brought into contempt if a solitary boy felt no dread of their attacks. They searched up and down between the sea and the marsh from evening until daybreak without being able to find his resting place. Then, having discovered the boy by the light of day they asked him, half in jest, What would you do if robbers came to you? He replied, He that has nothing does not fear robbers. Said they, At all events, you might be killed. I might, said he, I might; and therefore I do not fear robbers because I am prepared to die. Then they marveled at his firmness and faith, confessed how they had wandered about in the night, and how their eyes had been blinded, and promised to lead a stricter life in the future.
This response was entirely unexpected and jolted them from their sinful ways.
Often robbers thrive on creating fear in others and it fuels their pride. St. Hilarion took the wind out of their sails and revealed to them that there is more to this life than possessions. He pointed to an alternative way of looking at the world, with an unwavering confidence in God and the promise of Heaven.
This episode can help us examine our lives, as we imagine a similar situation. Are we afraid of losing our possessions? Does death frighten us? How much do we trust God?
May St. Hilarion intercede for us and help us value what truly matters in this world.