tonyroberts, Author at Delight in Disorder

Saint Sosthenes of Chacedon: Executioner Converted by a Martyr’s Faith

"Saint Sosthenes of Chalcedon, also known as Sostene, was an executioner who was assigned to torture Saint Euphemia during the early Christian persecutions under the reign of Emperor Diocletian. It was during this encounter that Sosthenes witnessed the steadfast faith and fervent prayers of Saint Euphemia, which deeply moved his heart and ultimately led to his conversion to Christianity..." (Source: https://saintforaminute.com/saints/saint_sosthenes_of_chalcedon) I have been walking with the Saints for some time, learning about their lives in faith and faith in death from a variety of sources. Most recently, my Spiritual Director introduced me to the Laudate App which provides exhaustive research on the Saints each day. As part of my Catholic education and spiritual growth, I have been praying to the Saints listed there and noting those Saints to whom I am particularly drawn. Today's featured Saint was St. Sosthenes of Chalcedon, a Roman Executioner whose conversion to Christ began [...]

Saint Sosthenes of Chacedon: Executioner Converted by a Martyr’s Faithtonyroberts2026-09-10T21:33:59-04:00

Wendell Berry Is Dead. Long Live Wendell Berry.

"Kentucky writer and conservationist Wendell Berry once wrote: “Beware the machinery of longevity. When a man’s life is over the decent thing is for him to die. The forest does not withhold itself from death.” A lover of forests, the farmer, author and former English professor died on Monday at his home in Port Royal, according to the New York Times and other media reports. He was 92." - Kentucky Lantern (August 31, 2026) Wendell Berry is dead Facebook tributes fill my feed Beside a President post Calling farms without data centers Backwards - impeding progress Wendell wrote that Impeded streams sing I feel the need to impede Not just feed - plant seeds As Wendell is laid to rest His spirit rises from the dead His community remembers him well His land is better from his care The Mad Farmer no longer labors It's time we pick up his [...]

Wendell Berry Is Dead. Long Live Wendell Berry.tonyroberts2026-09-01T02:45:24-04:00

Our Prodigal Father: A Father’s Day Reflection

Father's Day elicits so many mixed emotions for people of all generations. Young children grateful for their Superman Daddy. Teens who see dad as a bungling idiot. New fathers who wish they had paid more attention to their father's advice. Wounded adult children angry at the fathers who neglected or abused them. Fathers who regret mistakes made or opportunities missed. Sandwich generation folks who now see the vulnerabilities of a man they once saw as stronger than steel. And those who feel the bittersweet joy of times remembered mingled with grief over a life lost never to be regained. As a son, I want to say to all fathers -- "Thank you for giving what you have out of love for your children." As a father, I want to say, "Celebrate what God has done through you even in moments you feel you've messed up." There are many reasons we [...]

Our Prodigal Father: A Father’s Day Reflectiontonyroberts2026-06-21T12:13:51-04:00

Eating Flesh and Blood Goodness

"Our dear Lord said: "My flesh is truly food, and my blood is truly drink; whoever feeds on me remains in me, and I in him." It was enough that he should become man so that man might become God. He even wanted to be our food as well." — Father John Tauler, O.P. Lord Jesus much of what I eat is not good for me The food I choose to consume Does damage to my gut, my heart, my mind I eat and drink the things of this world That cause me to crave more That is not you Only you can satisfy my hunger Only you can satiate my thirst You invite me to this table Unworthy as I am I eat your flesh, drink your blood Not just good for me Goodness itself — Brother Antony Joseph Corpus Christi, 2026

Eating Flesh and Blood Goodnesstonyroberts2026-06-08T09:41:03-04:00

Man and Woman He Created Them: A Saint Blesses Our Bodies

Before Pope Leo’s Magnificent Humanity Encyclical there was Pope John Paul II’s Man and Woman He Created Them. As someone whose boundaries were violated by a childhood coach, I have much body shame and find it next to impossible to know who I can trust. By the grace of God and with the help of 40+ years of therapy (the last two in recovery from addiction) I am “coming to believe” I can trust the Holy Spirit in me. I now have great hope in Christ that I need no longer be held captive by the shame that was inflicted in me. God gives me the spiritual discernment to be protected from the powers and principalities in the world that seek to do me harm. Within the Body of Christ, I find safety to grow in grace and live in love.

Man and Woman He Created Them: A Saint Blesses Our Bodiestonyroberts2026-06-08T09:45:20-04:00

Protect and Preserve: St. Charles Lwanga and His 21 Fellow Companions

From Franciscan Media Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions’ Story One of 22 Ugandan martyrs, Saint Charles Lwanga is the patron of youth and Catholic action in most of tropical Africa. He protected his fellow pages, aged 13 to 30, from the sexual demands of the Bagandan ruler, Mwanga, and encouraged and instructed them in the Catholic faith during their imprisonment for refusing the ruler’s demands. Saint Charles Lwanga first learned of Christ’s teachings from two retainers in the court of Chief Mawulugungu. While a catechumen, he entered the royal household as assistant to Joseph Mukaso, head of the court pages. On the night of Mukaso’s martyrdom for encouraging the African youths to resist Mwanga, Saint Charles Lwanga requested and received baptism. Imprisoned with his friends, Charles’ courage and belief in God inspired them to remain chaste and faithful. For his own unwillingness to submit to the immoral acts and his [...]

Protect and Preserve: St. Charles Lwanga and His 21 Fellow Companionstonyroberts2026-06-08T09:44:24-04:00

St. Joan of Arc Novena with The Sisters of the Little Way

Today we celebrate the life, death, and resurrection we share with St. Joan of Arc in Christ. Here is a Prayer Novena composed by the Sisters of the Little Way: "Saint Joan’s legacy is one of fierce trust, prophetic courage, and unwavering faith. Her life reminds us that God sometimes calls us to take bold steps that the world may not understand—steps that may even appear to end in failure. But with God, nothing is wasted. Even what seems like defeat can bear lasting and transformative fruit. Though young and without influence, Joan listened to God’s will and responded with a courage that defied fear and cold rationalism. In this way, she lived the little way of confidence in God, not shrinking from danger but stepping forward in obedience and love. Her bold witness calls us to live with that same courage: to choose truth even when it costs us, [...]

St. Joan of Arc Novena with The Sisters of the Little Waytonyroberts2026-05-30T04:00:49-04:00

Like a Fallen Ass: St. Bernardino of Siena on Prudence

"A sinner who repents learns to be prudent. He is like an ass that, once he has fallen in a spot, afterwards looks more carefully where he sets his foot..." "... See, you would never have learned what sin is unless you had tried it. 'In antiquis est prudentia.' In the old is prudence, and do you know why? Because they have experience. They have fallen often, and so they walk more gingerly. They think about how they had better set their feet. As they see death approaching, they thank God that they have time to turn to him. And they do not trust themselves not to fall, but always ask God to help them not to fall again." -- Saint Bernardino of Siena (1380-1444)

Like a Fallen Ass: St. Bernardino of Siena on Prudencetonyroberts2026-05-20T01:32:06-04:00

Nothing Shall Separate Us

What others call coincidences I believe are God-incidences with an inscrutable purpose. The first sermon my mother heard me preach was on the Gospel truth in Romans 8 that Nothing shall separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus.” In my message I said that I had great hope that though my parents were divorced, I was still loved. Though my earthly family was separated I was adopted into God’s family in Christ. Mom would later give me a cross stitch of that verse which I now have on display in my prayer room. Yesterday I worshipped with my daughter and her family. The Sunday School lesson, chosen by a Church committee months if not years ago was on Romans 8. I believe Mom as my guardian angel was speaking to me, reminding me to never lose hope. Just do the most loving thing — since God is love and [...]

Nothing Shall Separate Ustonyroberts2026-05-18T04:29:39-04:00

Sisters of the Little Way: Building a Safer Church Together

I learned some time ago of this Catholic mission headquartered in Mt. Sterling, KY. This morning I pledged my steadfast prayers and financial support. I included this note with my contribution — “I first learned of the ministry of Sisters of the Little Way from your Mary Queen Stories podcast interview. Having friends and faith family members who have been victims/survivors of clergy abuse, I know all too well what can happen when a predator infiltrates the flock. I pray God bless your holy calling — that St. Michael defend you, that the Blessed Virgin Mother Mary comfort you, and that the Spirit of Christ Jesus our Good Shepherd empower you to faithfully do your purify His beloved bride.”

Sisters of the Little Way: Building a Safer Church Togethertonyroberts2026-05-17T03:35:12-04:00

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