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The Crown of Martyrdom, the Cult of the Dead, and Recent Martyrs

Martyrs for the Faith – Then and Now Some of the most well-known martyrs who died for their faith are from the earliest years of the Church – beginning with Jesus the Christ himself and then Stephen and many others martyred in Roman times. Over the centuries, Christians have continued to face persecution and martyrdom…. continue reading

Veronica’s Veil – Working Amidst Impossible Situations at the Houston Catholic Worker

Marjorie began  as a Catholic Worker at Casa Juan Diego this past summer after her graduation from Saint Francis University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In Catholic tradition, there is a saint named Veronica who, as the story goes, was so overcome by the sight of Jesus carrying his cross on the road to be crucified that… continue reading

The Visitor: Recognizing Jesus in Disguise at the parish

One Sunday in July, at my parish church, a homeless man sat on a bench outside. Just before Mass started, he walked in to attend. Then, after Mass, he stood under an awning where his fellow congregants greeted one another. He was ignored. Yet everywhere this man sat or stood, Christ was present in his… continue reading

Through Hell to Hope: Migrants Trying to Reach the USA

On September 23, 2022, my husband, my daughter and I decided to undertake a journey for a better future, for a better quality of life.  We are from Venezuela, but had been living in Peru.  Everything was going well when we started out in Peru, then Ecuador.  Our nightmare began in Colombia.  We entered into… continue reading

Our Guadalupe Truck Disappeared – Update

Update  Phone calls before 6 am are not so unusual for Casa Juan Diego, but it isn’t usually the police calling. The Baytown, Texas, night shift was calling to let us know that we could pick up our stolen truck from the impound yard. It had been reported as abandoned in a local bank parking… continue reading

On Pilgrimage and the Three Magi

“So now tomorrow I start off again ‘on pilgrimage,’ for we have here no abiding city.”   [Dorothy Day, On Pilgrimage, Eerdmans] Over many decades, Dorothy Day’s column in The Catholic Worker was entitled “On Pilgrimage.” It seems that she viewed her whole life as a pilgrimage. In her columns and in her book, On Pilgrimage,… continue reading

Christmas Letter 2022

The Spirit of Christmas is very important to Casa Juan Diego. We cannot survive without it. We ask your prayers that the Spirit of Christmas be with us—that there will be “Room in the Inn.” We remember with the birth of Jesus our shared heritage with the Jewish community. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was… continue reading

Poco a Poco: A Catholic Worker Reflects on Life at Casa Juan Diego

It is the season of giving and receiving. Some would say it’s the best time of the year. The days sandwiched between late November and Christmas are a special time hopefully spent with the ones we love. This is one of my favorite times of the year, and I think we can all agree that… continue reading

Casa Juan Diego and the Healing of Trauma

Seven months ago, I was attacked and robbed by two carjackers. They had a gun, and one of them grabbed me from behind. You cannot predict what you will do in a fight or flight situation like this, but apparently, I fight. I managed to get away with only minor physical injuries, but the loss… continue reading

A Christmas Feast for the Whole Universe, From Many Countries Migrants Come to Casa Juan Diego

“The star came to rest above the place where the child was. At the sight of it the wise men were filled with great joy, and that great joy should fill our hearts as well. It is the same as the joy the shepherds received from the glad tidings brought by the angels. Let us… continue reading