The Flowered Path

Brother Richard and Timothy continue their deep dive into the events at Fatima (originally recorded for Strange Familiars podcast in 2022).

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May 13 is the anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady of Fatima. To mark this occasion, I am publishing a long-form breakdown of the Fatima events I did with Brother Richard for the Strange Familiars podcast last year. This is part one of our conversation.

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Saint Hilarion was so popular, crowds of people gathered around him, despite his desire for solitude and the remote dwellings in which he resided. Saint Hilarion traveled through the deserts, battling demons, healing the sick, and leading other monks in holy virtues – always on a quest to find a lonely place to meditate and pray.

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First, Brother Richard shares a story of Saint Anthony preaching to the fish. Then we hear about the life of Saint Lucy, virgin martyr, who, inspired by Saint Agatha, bravely held her principles and virtue in the face of cruel tormentors.

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Dr. Anne Borik discusses Saint Sharbel Makhlouf, a Lebanese Maronite monk whose intercession is credited with thousands of miracles. We talk about Saint Sharbel’s life, the wondrous signs and phenomena which came after his death, and some of the miracles associated with his intercession – including miracles Dr. Borik herself has witnessed and studied.

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From 1991 to 1993 a series of wondrous events were happening, centered around Father James Bruse, who was, at the time, associate pastor of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Lake Ridge, Virginia. Statues of Mary and Jesus wept tears, water, oil, and blood; statues and rosaries changed color; atmospheric phenomena not unlike the Miracle of the Sun in Fatima were observed; and more.

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Stories of Saint Macarius the Great, Saint William of Vercelli, a bilocating knight, a miracle flower grown from a dead man’s mouth, demonic possession, and more.

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Saint John Damascene, Doctor of the Church, was born around the year 676. Shortly before his birth, Damascus fell under Muslim rule. Inspired by Islamic belief, the iconoclast movement gained a foothold in the Byzantine Empire. Saint John argued passionately against the iconoclasts–noting the difference between the veneration of saints and icons and the worship of God. Framed by a forged letter issued by Byzantine Emperor Leo, Saint John was arrested by the caliph, who had the saint’s hand severed at the wrist. Praying before an icon of the Blessed Virgin, Saint John fell asleep and awoke with his hand restored and fully healed. Saint John Damascene’s history of the Church, his sermons on the Assumption of Our Mother, and his various apologetic writings are considered essential works by historians. Hymns Saint John composed are still sung today. 

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Maximanius, Malchus, Martinianus, Dionysius, Johannes, Seraphion, and Constantine – seven holy martyrs from the ancient city of Ephesus – were enclosed in a cave by Roman Emperor Decius. Legend holds that, hundreds of years later, the cave was opened and the seven men awoke as if they had only slept one night.

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After seeing a magnificent vision of a stag with a crucifix between its antlers, Saint Hubert dedicated his life to Christ. He was known for his generosity, eloquence, devotion – and for his ability to cast out demons, and provide miraculous healings, including curing rabies. Years after Saint Hubert’s death, his intercession was called on to cure and prevent rabies – sometimes using threads from his miraculous stole, and other times using a device which became known as Saint Hubert’s Key.

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While you are waiting for the next proper episode of The Flowered Path, please enjoy this interview with Brother Richard Hendrick (originally presented on Strange Familiars in 2020). The origins of Christmas, the Three Magi, Mary Magdalene, the Holy Grail, the teachings of Saint Francis, Christmas legends and rituals, and much more.

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Among the various icons and images of saints there exist curious depictions of decapitated figures holding their own heads. These saints, known as cephalophores, were said to walk, speak, pray, and even preach for a period of time after they had been beheaded. Hear stories of Saint Denis, Saint Aphrodisius, Saint Lucian, Saint Valerie, Saint Minas, Saint Justus, Saint Felix, Saint Regula, Saint Nicasius, Saint Osyth, and Saint Edmund the Martyr.

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Saint Gemma Galgani’s life was filled with apparitions, locutions, levitations, stigmata, and other miracles. Saint Gemma endured physical attacks from demonic entities– often leaving her bruised and bloody–but she was also blessed with visitations from her Guardian Angel, Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and even Jesus.

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Though he felt drawn to religious life, Francesco Possenti ignored the call for years, preferring fine clothes, dancing, and the company of women. After hearing the voice of the Blessed Virgin Mary, however, Francesco made his way to the Passionist order, where he received his religious habit and his new name, Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows. Though he died young, Gabriel was held as an example of piety to all those in his order. Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows' intercession is credited with many miraculous healings.

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An early Christian virgin martyr, Saint Agatha was tortured and tormented – but she answered these abuses with clever and righteous words which, it was said, tortured her captors hearts and minds more than the iron hooks, burning coals, and sharp blades from which Saint Agatha suffered.

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Welcome to The Flowered Path.

In the first episode, we will tell the story of Saint Leonard of Noblac. Saint Leonard lived in the 6th century AD and is responsible for many miracles, most notably freeing many prisoners who invoked his name and intercession. We’ll also hear the tale of Saint Leonard’s Forest in England where, legends say, the saint slayed a dragon.

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sources for this episode:

Brittanica.com

Butler's Lives of the Saints, Complete Edition

Catholic Online (Catholic.org)

Catholic Encyclopedia

Dragons and Serpents in Sussex (sussexarch.org.uk)

The Golden Legend

Theme music is Mariam Matrem Virginem, played by a forest beggar.

The closing song is Red Footsteps by Stone Breath. https://stonebreath.bandcamp.com