We recently celebrated the feast of St. Maria Goretti...a young girl who fought off an attempted rape which enraged her attacker causing him to stab her multiple times. She lived one more day and forgave her attacker before she died. On this episode, Bishop talks more about her story and also the story of her attacker, Alessandro Serenelli, who repented while in prison, and upon his release, worked as a gardener in a monastery for the rest of his life.

Link to book about Alessandro mentioned in podcast: https://www.osvcatholicbookstore.com/product/alessandro-serenelli-a-story-of-forgiveness

St. Maria Goretti is now the patron saint of youth; so the show wraps up with some specific ways to teach the faith to younger people. Here are some links to summer activities in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend:

Diocesan World Youth Day: https://diocesefwsb.org/youth-conference/

Diocesan Museum: https://diocesefwsb.org/diocesan-museum/

Year of St. Joseph Father/Son Retreat: https://diocesefwsb.org/joseph-retreat/

St. Maria Goretti, Patron Saint of Youth

Today we celebrate the first Native-American to be canonized...St. Kateri Tekakwitha. Hear more about this 17th-century saint from a Mohawk village in upstate New York. She converted to Catholicism as a young adult and gave a powerful example of following God's will despite hostility and illness. Then, Bishop Rhoades takes a closer look at missionary work among Native-Americans...its past, present, and future.

Book mentioned in this episode: https://amzn.to/3khs7vj

St. Kateri Tekakwitha

On this episode, Bishop Rhoades breaks down the mystery of human suffering...starting with the origin of man and then how everything changed when God sent His Son for our redemption.

Human Suffering

We'll soon celebrate a newly expanded feast day...what used to be the Feast of St. Martha is now the Feast of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Find out more about this story featuring the raising of Lazarus from the dead and other miracle stories that reveal the identity of Jesus.

Listener-submitted questions:
* After receiving First Communion, is there a limited amount of time before you should receive the Sacrament of Confirmation? If someone is never confirmed but still regularly attending Mass, can they be married in the Church?
* Has Bishop read or heard of the book: "A Church in Crisis: Pathways Forward" by Ralph Martin (a seminary professor at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit? It was published on October 22, 2020. Does he have any reflections/comments on the book? If not, I simply want to say: Thank you and God bless you, Bishop, on your continued work for the flock of Christ, and specifically for your interview with OSV on your work regarding the USCCB's upcoming letter on the Eucharist. I am sharing this interview with others, as much as I can, to spring hope in all our hearts!
*Do you have a favorite secular holiday? (July 4th, New Year's Thanksgiving, etc) And why so?

This track is not available anymore.

Other tracks from Truth in Charity with Bishop Rhoades