St John Chrysostom

Regnum Christi Spirituality Center Uncle Eddy

Dear Crystal,

If you spent as much time finding ways to spread Christ’s truth as you do complaining about campus “political correctness” you would already have eliminated the problem.  Everything you say in your notes is right on target, and extremely well put – but you don’t have to convince me!  I already agree with you!  I would be willing to receive fewer pieces of correspondence from you in order to see you put your writing skills to work in more productive ways.  Why not start a column in the student Daily?  Why not write letters to the editor?  Why not start your own counter cultural student newspaper dedicated to publicizing the other side of the story?  Get the word out!  You can follow in the footsteps of today’s saint.

Chrysostom, like you, had the gift of eloquence, though it shined forth more n his speaking than in his writing.  As a matter of fact, many generations of scholars have agreed that he may be the greatest preacher ever.  His Christian mother saw to it that he received the best education available in his day, with a concentration in rhetoric, and he far surpassed his instructors by the time he reached adolescence (this all happened in Syria).  After finishing his studies and being baptized, he and some buddies (among them the future St Basil the Great – saints of a feather flock together) went off to the desert to learn the spiritual ropes under the tutelage of the holy monks.  They learned the art of prayer, self-discipline, and penance before returning to civilization, where their holiness and talent were immediately recognized, and they were ordained to serve the Church.

John was made a deacon in the ancient city of Antioch.  There he began his preaching career, which soon became a primary agent of religious and political influence throughout the empire.  His eloquence won the hearts of his listeners, and his exemplary virtue and concern for the poor solidified his victory.  In a few years he was made archbishop of Constantinople, the most important See in the eastern empire, and the residence of the emperor.  There he undertook a reform of the clergy through personal appeals and changes in ecclesiastical discipline, and a reform of the city through vehement preaching and numerous pastoral initiatives – all of which got him in trouble.  Many of his fellow bishops envied his popularity with the people and the success of his apostolic labors, and numerous courtiers resented his reproaches of imperial pride and licentiousness.  They conspired to have him exiled.  Only a few days after his departure, however, the city was struck by mild earthquake.  The superstitious empress had him quickly reinstated, fearing further reprisals from on high.  But her clemency was short-lived.  The holy archbishop soon fell out of her graces again, when he denounced a colossal silver statue of herself (and the immodest celebrations that accompanied its unveiling) that she erected outside the Cathedral.  From his second exile he never returned.  The aged prelate died of exhaustion and exposure brought on by his unending trek further and further into the harsh lands of his banishment.

In a time when Christian morality needed a courageous spokesman, St John Chrysostom shouldered the task, defending Christ’s Kingdom even by sacrificing his popularity and his very life.  Does Christian morality need a courageous spokesperson on your campus?  Perhaps God wants you to pick up the torch – or, rather, the pen.

Prayerfully yours, Uncle Eddy

Uncle Eddy

Uncle Eddy Introduces the Saints

Navigating today’s world is tough and all of us could use a nudge in the right direction. Figuring out the right path to take at work, at college, or in social situations is not always easy. Looking to the lives of the saints can give us the insights we need.

Written by Fr. John Bartunek, LC, Uncle Eddy’s Saint of the Day is a fictional series of letters written by a man who has been imprisoned for the Catholic Faith. Using the saints of the day as examples, Uncle Eddy pens a daily letter with spiritual advice to his many nieces and nephews.

Saint of the Day

Sign up to receive Uncle Eddy’s daily letter

Learn about the Saints with Uncle Eddy

Scroll to Top

Subscribe to the Saint of the Day from Uncle Eddy

* indicates required

Looking for another country?

RC Near You

News & Resources

News & Resources

The Regnum Christi Mission

The Regnum Christi Identity

Alex Kucera

Atlanta

Alex Kucera has lived in Atlanta, GA, for the last 46 years. He is one of 9 children, married to his wife Karmen, and has 3 girls, one grandson, and a granddaughter on the way. Alex joined Regnum Christi in 2007. Out of the gate, he joined the Helping Hands Medical Missions apostolate and is still participating today with the Ghana Friendship Mission.

In 2009, Alex was asked to be the Atlanta RC Renewal Coordinator for the Atlanta Locality to help the RC members with the RC renewal process. Alex became a Group Leader in 2012 for four of the Atlanta Men’s Section Teams and continues today. Running in parallel, in 2013, Alex became a Team Leader and shepherded a large team of good men.

Alex was honored to be the Atlanta Mission Coordinator between 2010 to 2022 (12 years), coordinating 5-8 Holy Week Mission teams across Georgia. He also created and coordinated missions at a parish in Athens, GA, for 9 years. Alex continues to coordinate Holy Week Missions, Advent Missions, and Monthly missions at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Cumming, GA.

From 2016 to 2022, Alex also served as the Men’s Section Assistant in Atlanta. He loved working with the Men’s Section Director, the Legionaries, Consecrated, and Women’s Section leadership teams.

Alex is exceptionally grateful to the Legionaries, Consecrated, and many RC members who he’s journeyed shoulder to shoulder, growing his relationship with Christ and others along the way. He knows that there is only one way, that’s Christ’s Way, with others!