Jul 21 – Memorial for St. Lawrence of Brindisi, priest, religious, doctor St. Lawrence (1559-1619) joined the Capuchin Friars in 1575. He studied theology, the Bible, French, German, Greek, Spanish, Syriac, and Hebrew. He was an effective and forceful preacher in any of his several languages, founded convents and wrote catechisms. As the chaplain of... Continue Reading →
20 July, Monday — Signs
Jul 20 – Memorial for St. Apollinaris, Bishop & Martyr According to tradition, Apollinaris was a native of Antioch in the Roman Province of Syria. He was made the first Bishop of Ravenna by St. Peter during the persecutions of Emperor Vespasian (or Nero, depending on the source), On his way out of the city... Continue Reading →
19 July, Sunday — Tended by Grace
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Wis 12:13,16-19Rm 8:26-27Mt 13:24-43 … your sovereignty over all makes you lenient to all. There was a time when I thought strength meant certainty, control, and the ability to prevail. I admired people who commanded attention, who could win arguments, influence outcomes, and never seemed vulnerable. Yet the more I... Continue Reading →
18 July, Saturday — Discipleship and Social Justice
Saturday of Week 15 in Ordinary Time Mic 2:1-5Mt 12: 14-21 Lord, do not forget the poor. To the Jews, land held great significance – it was seen as an inheritance from God for each tribe and family. Though land was seen as ultimately belonging to God -- its true owner -- it accorded social... Continue Reading →
17 July, Friday — Spirit of the Law
Friday of Week 15 in Ordinary Time Isa 38:1-6,21-22,7-8Mt 12:1-8 The Pharisees noticed it and said to him: "Look, your disciples are doing something that is forbidden on the sabbath. But he said to them: "Have you not read what David did when he and his followers were hungry...?" The times we are living in... Continue Reading →
16 July, Thursday — Trust in the Lord
Jul 16 – Memorial for Our Lady of Mount Carmel The Church celebrates on this day the feast of the Scapular of Mount Carmel. The scapular, which derives its name from the Latin word scapulæ, meaning shoulders, is a dress which covers the shoulders. It is best known among as the name of two little... Continue Reading →
15 July, Wednesday — Approach Him with humility and He will reveal Himself
Jul 15 – Memorial for St. Bonaventure, bishop, religious, doctor St. Bonaventure (1221-1274) entered the Franciscan Order when he was 22. At the age of 35 he was chosen General of his Order and restored a perfect calm where peace had been disturbed by internal dissensions. He did much for his Order and composed The... Continue Reading →
14 July, Tuesday — Will There Be Peace?
Jul 14 – Memorial for St. Camillus de Lellis, Priest St. Camillus (1550-1614) used to be a gambling addict. He lost so much he had to take a job working construction on a building belonging to the Capuchins; they converted him. Because of a persistent injury, he moved into San Giacomo Hospital for the incurable,... Continue Reading →
13 July, Monday — Right vs Popular
Monday of Week 15 in Ordinary Time Isa 1:10-17Mt 10:34-11:1 “…it is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword.” When Jesus started his mission, many people thought that he, as the Messiah, would deliver them from the persecution of the Romans. They expected an army commanded by the Messiah, riding majestically on... Continue Reading →
12 July, Sunday — What Am I Waiting For?
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Isa 55:10-11Rm 8:18-23Mt 13:1-23 “…so the word that goes from my mouth does not return to me empty, without carrying out my will…” Lately, I have been pondering a lot about what God intends for me to do here on Earth. He gives us all gifts, and it is our... Continue Reading →