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, Sunday — Ever Ready
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Wis 18:6-9Heb 11:1-2,8-19Lk 12:32-48 “See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit.” One of the motivational quotes we may hear is that ‘Chance favours only the prepared mind.’ I googled who said it and if it was part of a another quote. What I discovered is... Continue Reading →
9 August, Saturday — Little Faith, Big God
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, Friday — There is no other
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, Thursday — ‘Who Do You Say I Am?’
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, Wednesday — Deepening Our Desire for Holiness
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, Tuesday — Calm Your Fears
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, Monday — Satisfaction Guaranteed
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... Continue Reading →
3 August, Sunday — Folly of the self-centric life
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Ecc 1:2,2:21-23Col 3:1-5,9-11Lk 12:13-21 So it is when a man stores up treasure for himself in place of making himself rich in the sight of God. An interjection by a man in the crowd wanting Jesus to arbitrate in a family dispute involving inheritance prompted the parable of the Rich... Continue Reading →
2 August, Saturday — “The Church cannot be a prophet if it’s in someone’s pocket.”
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 →