Aug 21 – Memorial for St. Pius X, pope St. Pius X (1835-1914) encouraged frequent Holy Communion. He reformed the liturgy, promoted clear and simple homilies, and brought Gregorian chant back to services. He also reorganised the Roman curia, the administrative elements of the Church, and worked against the modern antagonism of the state against the... Continue Reading →
20 August, Sunday – The Unwavering Love of God
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Is 56:1, 6-7 Rm 11:13-15,29-32 Mt 15:21-28 God never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice. The passage in today’s second reading in Romans 11:29 speaks about God’s plan for the Israelites and the Gentiles. However, when we interpret this verse generally, it can be applied to the understanding... Continue Reading →
19 August, Saturday — Children of God
Aug 19 – Memorial for St. John Eudes, priest, religious founder John Eudes (1601-1680) established seminaries, and founded the Congregation of Jesus and Mary Eudists to promote virtuous secular parochial clergy not bound by vows, but dedicated to improving the clergy through seminaries and missions. He also founded the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity... Continue Reading →
18 August, Friday — All are God’s Creations
Friday of Week 19 in Ordinary Time Jos 24:1-13Mt 19:3-12 “…the creator from the beginning made them male and female…a man must leave father and mother and cling to his wife. They are no longer two, therefore, but one body…what God has united, man must not divide.” Today’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew is... Continue Reading →
17 August, Thursday — Hypocrisy
Thursday of Week 19 in Ordinary Time Jos 3:7-11,13-17Mt 18:21-19:1 “Änd that is how my heavenly Father will deal with you unless you each forgive your brother from your heart.” Today’s Gospel is about Peter’s famous question to Jesus about forgiveness. He asked our Lord how many times must he forgive his brother if he... Continue Reading →
16 August, Wednesday — Courageous Reconciliation
Aug 16 – Memorial for St. Stephen of Hungary When he succeeded his father as chief of a group of people, Stephen adopted a policy of Christianisation in Hungary for both political and religious reasons. He suppressed a series of revolts by pagan nobles and welded the Magyars into a strong national group. As king,... Continue Reading →
15 August, Tuesday — Preserved from death
Aug 15 – Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mary is taken up body and soul into the glory of Heaven, and with God and in God she is Queen of Heaven and earth. And is she really so remote from us? The contrary is true. Precisely because she is with God... Continue Reading →
14 August, Monday — Our True North
Aug 14 – St. Maximillian Mary Kolbe, priest, martyr Maximillian Mary Kolbe (1894-1941) was known as a mischievous child, sometimes considered wild, and a trial to his parents. However, around the time of his first Communion, he received a vision of the Virgin Mary that changed his life. While still in seminary, he and six... Continue Reading →
13 August, Sunday — Trust in God
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time 1 Kgs 19:9,11-13 Rm 9:1-5Mt 14:22-33 'Man of little faith,' he said 'why did you doubt?' Today's world seems to thrive on the desire and need for certainty. There are always booking confirmations to be provided and the need to ensure that everything goes according to a plan. There is an... Continue Reading →
12 August, Saturday — Faith Opens Doors
Aug 12 – Memorial for St. Jane Frances de Chantal St. Jane married Baron de Chantal. She restored order in the household, which was on the brink of ruin, and brought back prosperity. During her husband’s absence at the court, or with the army, when reproached for her extremely sober manner of dressing, her reply was:... Continue Reading →