Angelo Stagnaro

Angelo Stagnaro ("Erasmus") performs as a stage magician and mentalist and divides his time between Europe and North America. He is the editor of “Smoke & Mirrors,” the Net's largest e-zine for professional magicians. He’s also the Guildmaster of the Catholic Magicians’ Guild and a professed member of the Secular Franciscans (Third Order Franciscans). Angelo has published articles in most of the major Catholic journals in the United States and Great Britain and had worked as a correspondent for the Catholic News Service having served as principle liaison for the wire service to the United Nations and to the Holy See's Office to the United Nations. Angelo has written six books on mentalism/cold reading including Conspiracy, Something from Nothing, The Other Side, Shibboleth and his upcoming Spur of the Moment. In addition, he’s written an instructional book for catechists which uses stage magic as a teaching tool for children and young adults entitled The Catechist's Magic Kit (Crossroad). His other books include How to Pray the Dominican Way (Paraclete) and The Christian Book of the Dead (Crossroad). His most recent book was released through Tau Publishing and is entitled A Lenten Cookbook for Catholics.

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Francesco de Mura (1696-1782), “Christ Healing the Blind Man”

11 Bible Quotes to Help Build Your Trust in God

“To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

Angelo Stagnaro Blogs September 26, 2021

Where Sin Abounds, Grace Abounds — Even in the World of Heavy Metal

These rock musicians have come to Christ through some of the least likely ways.

Angelo Stagnaro Blogs August 31, 2021

Mathias Grünewald, “Meeting of St. Erasmus and St. Maurice,” ca. 1522

St. Erasmus, ‘Dauntless Bishop and Martyr’

“Grant us through the intercession of thy dauntless bishop and martyr Erasmus, who so valiantly confessed the Faith, that we may learn the doctrine of this faith, practice its precepts and thereby be made worthy to attain its promises. Amen.” —Prayer to St. Erasmus

Angelo Stagnaro Blogs June 30, 2021

Lucas Cranach the Elder, “Portrait of Martin Luther,” 1529

Why Did Martin Luther Remove Inspired Books From the Bible?

“It was by the apostolic Tradition that the Church discerned which writings are to be included in the list of the sacred books.” (CCC 120)

Angelo Stagnaro Blogs June 26, 2021

A researcher draws blood from participants in the Tuskegee experiment.

Without Religion, Science Can Become False and Idolatrous

“Science can purify religion from error and superstition,” said Pope St. John Paul II. “Religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes.”

Angelo Stagnaro Blogs June 22, 2021

Domenico Morelli, “Noah’s Ark,” bef. 1901

China’s Hard Lesson: The Problem Isn’t Overpopulation— the Problem Is a Culture of Death

Strong families are an antidote against many societies' headlong rush into poverty and eventual evolutionary extinction.

Angelo Stagnaro Blogs May 31, 2021

29 Great Catholic Mathematicians You Should Know

“It seems to me almost incredible,” said Pope Benedict XVI in 2006, “that an invention of the human mind and the structure of the universe coincide. Mathematics, which we invented, really gives us access to the nature of the universe and makes it possible for us to use it.”

Angelo Stagnaro Blogs May 26, 2021