11 Feb –Memorial for Our Lady Of Lourdes Today is an optional memorial for Our Lady of Lourdes. The apparitions concerned began on Feb 11, 1858, when St. Bernadette Soubirous, then a 14-year-old peasant girl from Lourdes admitted, when questioned by her mother, that she had seen a ‘lady’ in the cave of Massabielle, about... Continue Reading →
10 February, Tuesday — Spiritual Works of Mercy
10 Feb – Memorial for St. Scholastica, virgin St. Scholastica (480-543) was the twin sister of St. Benedict of Nursia. Born to Italian nobility, her mother died in childbirth. She became a nun and led a community of women at Plombariloa near Montecassino. Patron Saint Index From her earliest years, she had been consecrated to... Continue Reading →
9 February, Monday — Our constant need for healing
Monday of Week 5 in Ordinary Time 1 Kgs 8:1-7,9-13Mk 6:53-56 … they laid down the sick in the open spaces, begging him to let them touch even the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched him were cured. A few months ago, I had the opportunity to attend a talk by Raymond... Continue Reading →
8 February, Sunday — A People of Light and Integrity
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Isa 58:7-101 Cor 2:1-5Mt 5:13-16 ... so that your faith should not depend on human philosophy but on the power of God Jesus said to his disciples:"You are the salt of the earth.But if salt becomes tasteless, with can make it tasty again?It is good for nothingand can only be... Continue Reading →
7 February, Saturday — Wisdom at the Heart of Life and Love
Saturday of Week 4 in Ordinary Time 1 Kgs 3:4-13Mk 6:30-34 Give your servant a heart to discern between good and evil... We are told in the Christian life to "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:33). While this maxim or rule... Continue Reading →
6 February, Friday — Attachments
6 Feb – Memorial for Sts. Paul Miki and Companions, martyrs (in Japan) St. Paul Miki (1562-1597) was one of the Twenty-six Martyrs of Japan. He was born into a rich family and educated by Jesuits in Azuchi and Takatsuki. He joined the Society of Jesus and preached the gospel for his fellow citizens. The... Continue Reading →
5 February, Thursday — No spare tunic
5 Feb – Memorial for St. Agatha, virgin and martyr We have little reliable information about this martyr who has been honoured since ancient times, and whose name is included in the canon of the Mass. Young, beautiful and rich, Agatha (d.250) lived a life consecrated to God. When Decius announced the edicts against Christians,... Continue Reading →
4 February, Wednesday — Open The Eyes Of My Heart
Wednesday of Week 4 in Ordinary Time 2 Sam 24:2,8-17Mk 6:1-6 And they would not accept him. A closer look at today’s gospel always raises for me the question of prejudice and how it lurks quietly in the background, easily colouring my personal responses to people, situations and issues. Unless I am aware enough to catch... Continue Reading →
3 February, Tuesday — Just a Little Faith
3 Feb – Memorial for St. Blaise, bishop and martyr; Memorial for St. Ansgar, bishop St. Blaise (d. 316) was a physician and Bishop of Sebaste, Armenia. He lived in a cave on Mount Argeus. He was a healer of men and animals. According to legend, sick animals would come to him on their own... Continue Reading →
2 February, Monday — Where Is The Light?
2 Feb – Feast of the Presentation of the Lord This feast celebrates an early episode in the life of Jesus. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Presentation is the fourth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, it is one of the twelve Great Feasts. In many Western liturgical churches, Vespers... Continue Reading →