11 Jan – Feast of the Baptism of the Lord The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, or Theophany, is the feast day commemorating the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. Originally the baptism of Christ was celebrated on Epiphany, which commemorates the coming of the Magi, the baptism of Christ, and the wedding at Cana. Over time in the West,... Continue Reading →
10 January, Saturday — Second Best
Saturday after Epiphany Sunday 1 Jn 5:14-21Jn 3:22-30 “The bride is only for the bridegroom; and yet the bridegroom’s friend, who stands there and listens, is glad when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. This same joy I feel, and now it is complete.” Imagine this scenario: you put your heart and soul into a mission; you... Continue Reading →
21 November, Friday — Temples of God
Nov 21 – Memorial for the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Today, we commemorate the presentation of the Blessed Virgin as a child in the Temple where, according to tradition, she was educated. The feast originated in the Orient probably about the seventh century, and is found in the constitution of Manuel Comnenus (1166)... Continue Reading →
9 October, Thursday — Hoping in the Lord
Oct 9 – Memorial for Sts. Denis, Bishop, and Companions, Martyrs; Memorial for St. John Leonardi, Priest St. Denis (d. 258) was a missionary to Paris, and its first bishop. His success roused the ire of local pagans, and he was imprisoned by the Roman governor. He was martyred in the persecutions of Valerius with... Continue Reading →
8 October, Wednesday — Seeing Red
Wednesday of Week 27 in Ordinary Time Jon 4:1–11Lk 11:1-4 “But the Lord asked, “Have you reason to be angry?”” How many of us know someone like Jonah? Despite being almost 3,000 years ago, it appears that human character has changed little. Jonah sounds like a child throwing his toys out of his pram, just... Continue Reading →
26 September, Friday — Who Do You Say You Are?
Sep 26 – Memorial for Sts. Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs Sts. Cosmas and Damian were twin brothers, physicians who accepted no payment. Their charity brought many to Christ. Although they were tortured during the persecutions of Diocletian, the two suffered no injury. Patron Saint Index Hag 1:15,2:9Lk 9:18-22 “But you,” he said “who do you... Continue Reading →
19 September, Friday — On Competition
Sep 19 – Memorial for St. Januarius, Bishop and Martyr St. Januarius (d. 305) was arrested on account of his profession of the Christian religion during persecution of Christians. He was cast into the fiery furnace, through which he passed wholly unharmed. On the following day, along with a number of fellow martyrs, he was... Continue Reading →
21 August, Thursday — Checklists
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... Continue Reading →
20 August, Wednesday — Favourites
Aug 20 – Memorial for St. Bernard, abbot, doctor St. Bernard (1090-1153) founded and led a monastery which had over 700 monks and 160 daughter houses. He revised and reformed the Cistercians, and was advisor to, and admonisher of, King Louis the Fat and King Louis the Young, and spiritual advisor to Pope Eugenius III,... Continue Reading →
3 June, Tuesday — Running the Good Race
Tuesday of the 7th Week of Eastertide Acts 20:17-27Jn 17:1-11 “But life to me is not a thing to waste words on, provided that when I finish my race I have carried out the mission the Lord Jesus gave me — and that was to bear witness to the Good News of God’s grace.” My... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 