Padre Pio and the mother of five who came out of a coma at Easter

Padre Pio is a saint – but he has a reputation as having been a tough priest who spent all his time telling people how they had sinned.  Bu...

This one comes with a warning...

…it may be a Lenten temptation hazard. But there is no sincerer love than good food and friendship. Fortunately, my birthday fell on the 2...

Hello Lent, Goodbye Chardonnay, Pinot and the coffee kick

For us: to live Lent is to live in atonement for less than one-ninth of the year. Lent is a time when we unite our sufferings with that of J...

A Sublime Meditation on Passiontide

Passiontide. Today begins the fortnight of immediate preparation for Easter, which in the third century, included a twelve days' fas...

Who are you in this Lent study group?

I'm the humorist - I can't count the amount of very devout Catholics who have told me that I'm too cheerful for the Lenten seaso...

Here’s to you Mr O’Reilly! In anticipation of St Patrick’s Day

A friend of mine recently said to me; ‘I’m just Shocked to see that on TV! I mean the racial stereotypes were disgraceful. The BBC would not...

Padre Pio's letters guide us through Lent

The quotations found within the pages of Lenten Meditations With Saint Pio of Pietrelcina are drawn from his own letters, allowing readers t...

Hello Lent, Goodbye Basil and Manuel

My Lenten resolution is to give up the innocent pleasure of watching my favourite comedy series – among others Fawlty Towers. Everyone has b...

Susan Boyle to give up sweets for Lent to raise money for Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund

Susan Boyle is supporting a charity for Lent in memory of her mother. The singing sensation is giving up her favourite chocolate and sweet t...