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DIVINE REVELATION

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Divine Revelation to Moses   By Edward Matulanya  Here are meaning, nature history, and transmission of Divine Revelation in the Roman Catholic Church. Introduction In Roman Catholic theology, Divine Revelation refers to God's self-disclosure to humanity. It is not simply the transmission of information but the revelation of God’s very self and His saving plan for humankind. The Church teaches that revelation culminates in Jesus Christ and is transmitted through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition under the guidance of the Magisterium (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1997, §§50–67; Dei Verbum, 1965). I. The Nature and Meaning of Divine Revelation The Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (Dei Verbum, 1965) begins by declaring that "it pleased God, in His goodness and wisdom, to reveal Himself and to make known the mystery of His will" (Dei Verbum, 2). Revelation is thus both personal and relational—God invites humanity into communion with Himself throug...

SAINT FRUMENTIUS

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  Saint Frumentius By Edward Matulanya  Here are feast day, early Life, Missionary Work and Episcopal Role, Death and Legacy of Saint Frumentius: Apostle to Ethiopia. Feast day The Catholic Church commemorates Saint Frumentius on October 27. He is revered as the “Apostle to Ethiopia” for his pivotal role in introducing Christianity to the ancient Kingdom of Axum (modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea). His missionary work, leadership, and advocacy for the Christian faith established one of the earliest Christian traditions outside the Roman Empire (Vatican News, 2021). Early Life and Journey to Ethiopia Frumentius was born in Tyre, in Phoenicia (modern Lebanon). As a youth, he and his brother Aedesius embarked on a voyage that led them toward the Red Sea region. Their ship was attacked, and nearly all aboard were killed, leaving only the two brothers as survivors. They were taken to the royal court of Axum, where they gained the trust of the king and queen (Catholic Online, n.d.). A...

MARIAN APPARITION AT LA SALETTE

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  Marian Apparition at La Salette By Edward Matulanya  Here are history, location, witnesses, description, message, investigation Legacy and Spiritual Significance of Marian Apparition at La Salette (France, 1846). Introduction The Marian apparition at La Salette, France, is one of the most significant events in the history of modern Marian devotion recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. Occurring on September 19, 1846, this apparition was witnessed by two shepherd children in the French Alps and was later approved as authentic by ecclesiastical authorities. The message of the apparition centered on conversion, penance, and reconciliation with God (Laurentin, 1991). Historical Context Location and Witnesses The apparition took place near La Salette-Fallavaux, a small mountain village in the Diocese of Grenoble in southeastern France. The witnesses were: Mélanie Calvat, aged 14 Maximin Giraud, aged 11 Both were from humble families and were tending cattle on the mountain when...

SAINT EVARISTUS, POPE

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By Edward Matulanya  Here are feast day and Legacy, early life, papacy, key contribution, Death and Veneration, and historical context of Saint Evaristus, Pope. Early Life Saint Evaristus, also known as Aristus, was born in Bethlehem to a Jewish father named Juda. Sources describe him as Hellenic by culture, with Greek ancestry, though from a family living in Palestine (Wikipedia, 2025; Catholic News Agency, n.d.). Papacy Evaristus succeeded Pope Anacletus (Cletus) as Bishop of Rome, serving approximately from the year AD 99/100 until his death around 107/108 during the reign of Emperor Trajan (Catholic.com, n.d.; Encyclopedia.com, n.d.). His pontificate occurred during a period when the Church was consolidating its structure amidst periodic persecution. Key Contributions 1. Organization of the Clergy Tradition attributes to him the division of Roman presbyters among different tituli (title churches) in Rome, ensuring proper pastoral care for the growing Christian community (Wikipe...

MARIAN APPARITION AT KNOCK

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  Marian apparition at Knock By Edward Matulanya  Here are history, witness, investigation, theology, and development of the shrine of Marian Apparition at Knock. Introduction The Marian apparition at Knock, County Mayo, Ireland, is one of the most remarkable religious events in modern Catholic history. On the evening of August 21, 1879, fifteen villagers reported seeing a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and St. John the Evangelist beside a lamb on an altar, outside the parish church of St. John the Baptist. Unlike other Marian apparitions such as those at Lourdes (1858) and Fatima (1917), the Knock apparition was entirely silent, conveying its message through rich symbolism rather than spoken words (Walsh, 1959; O'Carroll, 1993). Historical Context The apparition occurred during a period of hardship in nineteenth-century Ireland. The Great Famine (1845–1852) had devastated the country’s population, and by 1879, a new agricultural crisis loomed due to potato bli...

SAINT CRISPIN AND SAINT CRISPINIAN

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Saint Crispin and Saint Crispinian By Edward Matulanya  Saints Celebrated on October 25 1. Feast day of Saint Crispin and Saint Crispinian Feast Day: October 25 Historical Context of  Saint Crispin and Saint Crispinian Twin brothers born in 3rd-century Rome. They fled persecution, settled in Soissons (modern France), preached Christianity, and made shoes to support themselves and help the poor (Wikipedia, 2025a). Martyrdom of  Saint Crispin and Saint Crispinian Executed by beheading around 286 AD for their faith (Wikipedia, 2025a). Patronage of  Saint Crispin and Saint Crispinian Cobblers, leather workers, tanners, shoemakers. Literary Significance of  Saint Crispin and Saint Crispinian     Famous through Shakespeare’s Henry V, with the "St. Crispin’s Day Speech" (Shakespeare, 1599). 2. Blessed Thaddeus McCarthy Feast Day: October 25 Background: Irish Jesuit seminarian hanged in Cork, Ireland, on October 25, 1572, during religious persecution (AnastPau...

MAGISTERIUM OF ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

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Pope Leo XIV  Here are Meaning, Scriptural and Apostolic Foundations, Historical Development, Types, Modern Exercise, and Theology of the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church. 1. Definition of the Magisterium The term Magisterium derives from the Latin magister, meaning “teacher.” In Roman Catholic theology, it denotes the Church’s divinely instituted teaching authority, entrusted by Christ to the Apostles and their successors—the Pope and the bishops in communion with him—to authentically interpret the Word of God, whether written (Scripture) or handed on (Tradition) (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1997, §85). According to the Catechism, “the task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God... has been entrusted to the living, teaching office of the Church alone” (CCC, 1997, §85). Thus, the Magisterium ensures that the faith is faithfully transmitted and protected from doctrinal error. 2. Scriptural and Apostolic Foundations of Magisterium The foundation...

SAINT ANTHONY MARY CLARET

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Saint Anthony Mary Claret By Edward Matulanya  Here are early Life, Legacy of Saint Anthony Mary Claret. Early Life and Formation Saint Anthony Mary Claret. Antonio María Claret y Clará was born on 23 December 1807 in Sallent, Catalonia, Spain, into a modest weaving family. He was the fifth of eleven children, and from youth he worked in his father’s textile workshop, while studying languages and religious texts in his spare time (Catholic Online, n.d.; Claretian Missionaries, n.d.). His early spiritual sensitivities included devotion to the Eucharist and the Virgin Mary (Misioneras Claretianas, n.d.). Because the family depended on all hands, he could not immediately devote himself to study; yet when circumstances permitted, he entered the seminary at Vic and was ordained a priest on 13 June 1835 (Samcsa, n.d.; Franciscan Media, n.d.). Ministry as Preacher and Missionary of  Saint Anthony Mary Claret. Following ordination, Claret became a highly active itinerant preacher. He ...

SACRED TRADITION

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Peter the Apostle  Here are meaning, Biblical and Apostolic Foundations, Early Church Understanding, Medieval Development, Reformation and Catholic Response, Modern Catholic Understanding, characteristics, and examples of Sacred Tradition in the Roman Catholic Church. Definition of Sacred Tradition In Roman Catholic theology, Sacred Tradition refers to the living transmission of the Christian faith from the apostles through their preaching, practices, and institutions, continuing in the life of the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is closely bound to Sacred Scripture, forming together the single depositum fidei or "deposit of faith" (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1997/2000, §§75–83). The Catholic Church distinguishes Sacred Tradition from mere human traditions. Instead, it is seen as the Church’s memory of Christ and the apostles, preserved through liturgy, doctrine, and teaching authority (Second Vatican Council, 1965/1996, Dei Verbum §9) Biblical ...

SAINT JOHN OF CAPISTRANO

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Saint John of Capistrano By Edward Matulanya  Here are feast day, early life, missionary works, military works, final years and legacy of Saint John of Capistrano.  Feast Day The liturgical Celebration of Saint   John of Capistrano  is October 23. Early Life and Conversion Saint John of Capistrano was born in 1386 in Capistrano, Italy, to a noble family (Franciscan Media, n.d.). Initially pursuing a career in law, he served as a judge and governor. After a profound spiritual awakening, he renounced his secular life and joined the Franciscan order in 1416, beginning a life devoted to religious service and reform (Franciscan Media, n.d.; Prince of Peace Taylors, n.d.). Missionary Work and Preaching John became one of the most influential preachers of the 15th century. He traveled extensively across Europe, urging moral reform within the Church and encouraging Christians to live piously. His sermons played a key role in revitalizing faith in areas where religious practi...

SACRED SCRIPTURE

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Roman Catholic Holy Bible  By Edward Matulanya  Here are meaning, development, Inspiration and Authority, and Role of Sacred Scripture According to the Roman Catholic Church. 1. Definition of Sacred Scripture In Roman Catholic teaching, Sacred Scripture refers to the collection of writings inspired by God and recognized by the Church as the authoritative Word of God. It is not merely human literature but is divinely inspired and a guide for faith and moral living (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1994, §81). 2. Development and History of Sacred Scripture A. Old Testament The Old Testament consists of writings produced before the birth of Christ, mainly in Hebrew with some Aramaic portions, written roughly between 1200–100 BCE (McKenzie, 2018). It was formed through oral traditions and written texts reflecting the religious, historical, and moral life of Israel. Key Sections  Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy Historical Books: Joshua, Judg...