June 21 – Memorial for St. Aloysius Gonzaga, religious St. Aloysius (1568-1591) was an Italian noble who grew up in a castle as the son of a compulsive gambler. He suffered from kidney disease but considered it a blessing as it left him bed-ridden with time for prayer. While still a boy himself, he taught... Continue Reading →
20 June, Monday — Do not judge
Monday of Week 12 in Ordinary Time 2 Kgs 17:5-8,13-15,18Mt 7:1-5 “Take the log out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.” This is a passage that many of us usually struggle with. Even as I was praying with the scriptures,... Continue Reading →
5 February, Saturday — Take a Break, Listen
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, Friday – A Powerful Choice
Friday of Week 4 in Ordinary Time Ecc 47:2-13Mk 6:14-29 In all his activities he gave thanks to the Holy One, the Most High, in words of glory; he put all his heart into his songs out of love for his Maker. Such opposites as seen in today's readings. The first reading speaks of a... Continue Reading →
3 February, Thursday — The Essentials
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 for... Continue Reading →
7 December, Tuesday – Searching
Dec 7 – Memorial for St. Ambrose, bishop and doctor of the Church St. Ambrose (c.340–397) was born to the Roman nobility. He was the brother of St. Marcellina and St. Satyrus. He was educated in the classics, Greek, and philosophy at Rome, Italy. He was a poet and a noted orator. He was a convert... Continue Reading →
29 September, Wednesday – The Holy Archangels
Sep 29 – Feast of the Holy Archangels, Michael, Gabriel, Raphael You should be aware that the word ‘angel’ denotes a function rather than a nature. Those holy spirits of heaven have indeed always been spirits. They can only be called angels when they deliver some message. Moreover, those who deliver messages of lesser importance are... Continue Reading →
20 August, Friday – The Greatest Commandment
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 →
14 August, Saturday — Serve the Lord
Aug 14 – St. Maximillian Mary Kolbe, priest, martyr Maximillian Mary Kolbe (1894-1941) was known as a mischievous child, sometimes considered wild, and a trial to his parents. However, around the time of his first Communion, he received a vision of the Virgin Mary that changed his life. While still in seminary, he and six... Continue Reading →
13 August, Friday — God’s Plan for You
Aug 13 – Memorial for St. Pontian, pope, martyr, and St. Hippolytus, priest, martyr Pontian was among the first victims of an anti-Christian new emperor. Rounded up with the antipope Hippolytus, Pontian was deported to the labour mines. While imprisoned, Hippolytus reconciled his differences with Pontian and even ordered his followers to bring themselves back... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 