Aug 11 – Memorial for St. Clare, virgin, religious founder St. Clare (1194-1253) loved music and well-composed sermons. She was humble, merciful, charming, optimistic, and chivalrous. She would get up late at night to tuck in her sisters who’d kicked off their covers. She daily meditated on the Passion. When she learned of the Franciscan martyrs in Morrocco... Continue Reading →
10 August, Monday — Dying to Self
Aug 10 – Feast of St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr St. Lawrence was a third-century archdeacon of Rome, a distributor of alms, and “keeper of the treasures of the Church” in a time when Christianity was outlawed. On 6 August 258, by decree of Emperor Valerian, Pope St. Sixtus II and six deacons were beheaded, leaving... Continue Reading →
9 August, Sunday — Everything is possible for one who believes
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time 1 Kgs 19: 9,11-13Rm 9:1-5Mt 14:22-33 “Man of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?” Many years ago, the company CEO sent the management team to a 4-day seminar by Anthony Robbins called ‘Unleash the Power Within’. Part of this seminar involved walking on hot coals. They were teaching... Continue Reading →
8 August, Saturday — Seeking faith in the raging seas of doubt
Aug 8 – Memorial for St. Dominic, priest, religious founder Dominic (1170-1221) was born of wealthy Spanish nobility, and was the son of Blessed Joan of Aza. Joan had difficulty conceiving and prayed at the shrine of St. Dominic of Silos, who had a tradition of patronage of that problem. When she became pregnant, she named the... Continue Reading →
7 August, Friday — Spiritual dryness and emptiness
Aug 7 – Memorial for St. Sixtus, pope, martyr, and companions; St. Cajetan, priest Sixtus (d. 258) was an adult convert to Christianity. In his papacy, he dealt with the controversy concerning Baptism by heretics. He believed that anyone who was baptised with a desire to be a Christian, even if the Baptism was performed by a heretic, was truly... Continue Reading →
6 August, Thursday — Small Victories
Aug 6 – Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord Today, we celebrate the occasion on which Christ revealed Himself in shining splendour to Peter, James, and John. Moses and Elijah were present, and are taken to signify the Law and the Prophets. They testify to Jesus as the promised Messiah. God the Father also proclaimed... Continue Reading →
5 August, Wednesday – You Are Worthy
Aug 5 – Memorial for Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome St. Mary Major is one of the four Roman basilicas known as patriarchal cathedrals in memory of the first centres of the Church. This basilica represents the See of Antioch, where Mary is supposed to have spent most of her... Continue Reading →
4 August, Tuesday — Children of God
Aug 4 – Memorial for St. John Mary Vianney, priest In his youth, John Mary Vianney (1786-1859) taught other children their prayers and catechism. As a priest, was assigned to a parish which suffered from very lax attendance. He began visiting his parishioners, especially the sick and poor, spent days in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, did penance for... Continue Reading →
3 August, Monday — Doubt your doubts
Monday of Week 18 in Ordinary Time Jer 28:1-17 Mt 14:22-36 “Man of little faith...why did you doubt?” I find it sad how some people allow negativity to become a pervasive part of their psyche, and live in a constant spiral of issues and seemingly insurmountable challenges. As a result, they end up not making... Continue Reading →
2 August, Sunday — God’s love nourishes
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Isa 55:1-3Rm 8:35,37-39 Mt 14:13-21 “...those he called he justified, and with those he justified he shared his glory.” Today’s readings revolve around two central themes -- the love of God and food. Both may have been considered as indispensable back in the day, but sadly, today’s culture of instant... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 