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... Continue Reading →
10 August, Thursday — Unlearn
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,... Continue Reading →
9 August, Wednesday — Truly Great Faith
Aug 9 – Memorial for St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), martyr After witnessing the strength of faith of Catholic friends, Teresa (1891-1942), originally a Jew, became interested in Catholicism and studied a catechism on her own, and she eventually ended up ‘reading herself into’ the Faith. She became a Carmelite nun, teaching... Continue Reading →
8 August, Tuesday — Fear and Faith
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... Continue Reading →
7 August, Monday — Satisfaction Guaranteed
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... Continue Reading →
6 August, Sunday — Transfigured
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... Continue Reading →
5 August, Saturday — God provides resets
Aug 5 – Memorial for Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome First raised at the order of Pope Liberius in the mid-fourth century, the Liberian Basilica was rebuilt by Pope Sixtus III shortly after the Council of Ephesus affirmed Mary’s title as Mother of God in 431. Re-dedicated at that time... Continue Reading →
4 August, Friday — Space Only for 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, Thursday — In the Physical Presence of the Divine
Thursday of Week 17 in Ordinary Time Exo 40:16-21, 34-38Mt 13:47-53 The tabernacle was set up... When I was young, I was drawn to the tabernacle in the Altar, and in the Adoration Room. The veil added to the mystery, and I wondered what was inside. I remember trying to catch a glimpse every time... Continue Reading →
2 August, Wednesday — Personal Quests
Aug 2 – Memorial for St. Eusebius of Vercelli, bishop; St Peter Julian Eymard, bishop Eusebius (283-371) was a priest and lector in Rome, Italy. He was consecrated bishop of Vercelli, Italy in 340, but was exiled to Palestine and Cappadocia due to his struggle against Arianism. He was a friend of St. Athanasius of... Continue Reading →