“Ostrov” (Russian: Остров, The Island) was a 2006 Russian biographical film about a fictional 20th century Eastern Orthodox monk; although the story bears a striking resemblance to the life of Orthodox mystic St. Theophilus (Feofil)

In the Orthodox faith, especially in Russia, there is a long tradition of “fools for Christ;” these holy men and women, according to Orthodox sources: “…battling within himself the root of all sin, pride. In

(Above: St Francis sends a Brother to expel demons from a city.) Although the practice of Exorcism was not confined solely to clerics in the early-Church, since at least the third century, the Catholic Church

Picture caption: Photo is of actor Alessandro Preziosi as St. Augustine in the film “Augustine: The Decline of the Roman Empire” (aka Restless Heart;) the quote is from “A Woman of No Importance” by Oscar

“How beautiful, meek and charitable is Jesus, the incarnate Wisdom! Beautiful from all eternity, he is the splendor of his Father, the unspotted mirror and image of his goodness. He is more beautiful than the

After seeing the dismally bad Ignatius Press re-edit of “Mary of Nazareth,” in which we are inflicted with a St. Joseph who violently screams at the Virgin Mary, angrily rips down a house with his

The life of St. Francis of Assisi is filled with numerous incidents that exemplify his devotion to physical mastery and the control over the passions: “…he designed for himself a tunic that bore a likeness

According to his contemporary biographer, Thomas of Celano, St. Francis believed: “…only the wall of the flesh would stand between him and God.” And, for this reason, Francis is well known as a great advocate

“…And with one companion he [St. Francis of Assisi] chose a certain district, and he went into an inn where he had to rest overnight. And there he found a certain woman who was very

“God has ordained that our hearts will nowhere find rest and that we shall find no sustenance in this world, except in suffering at the foot of the cross of the Lord.” ~St. John of

St. Francis is quoted as saying: Nudus nudum sequi Christum, “Naked to follow the naked Christ.” St. Francis once told a reticent Brother Ruffino, a rather shy and retiring monk, to preach in his hometown

From “The Life of St. Francis of Assisi” by Thomas of Celano: “When he was brought before the Bishop, he would suffer no delay or hesitation in anything; indeed, he did not wait for any

“And they were both naked: to wit, Adam and his wife: and were not ashamed.” (Genesis 2:25) “Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and

Saints Sergius and Bacchus: - The Lie - their inclusion in John Boswell's book “Same-Sex Unions in Premodern Europe" have made them symbols of gay marriage in the homosexual community; some groups have even proclaimed them

It’s always been my contention that all truly great artists: learn from the past, study it, absorb it, and then move on. A new favorite is Silvio Consadori (1909–1994). This Italian painter encapsulates the best

A wonderful old book about the battle for chastity in an increasingly unchaste world is the timeless “The Difficult Commandment” (1925) by C.C. Martindale, S.J. This section is one of my favorites: “Catholics have, besides

11. Saint Charles Lwanga: Burned alive in Africa for defending the Faith and the holiness of purity. A great intercessor for those with same-sex attraction. 12. Saint Padre Pio: Usually regarded as rather stern, but