Jul 30 – Memorial for St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop & Doctor An adult convert, St. Peter (406-450) fought paganism and heresy, enforced reforms, and built several churches and ornate altars in his see. A preacher with outstanding language skills, he was given the name ‘Chrysologus’, referring to his ‘golden word’. 176 of his sermons have... Continue Reading →
29 July, Wednesday — The resurrection and the life
Jul 29 – Memorial for Sts. Martha, Mary and Lazarus St Martha Jesus liked to stay at the house of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, his friends at Bethany, when he was in Judaea. One of these visits has ever remained dear to Christian memory. On that occasion Martha, busily serving the Master, asked Him to... Continue Reading →
6 June, Saturday — Courage to trust
Jun 6 – Memorial for St. Norbert, bishop, religious founder St. Norbert (1080-1134) had been born to the nobility and raised around the royal court. There he developed a very worldly view, taking holy orders as a career move when he joined the Benedictines. A narrow escape from death led him to a conversion experience,... Continue Reading →
28 April, Tuesday — The error of being ourselves
28 Apr – Memorial for St. Peter Chanel, priest & martyr; Memorial for St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort, priest St. Peter Chanel (1803-1841) was born to a peasant family and was a shepherd as a boy. He was an excellent student and was ordained at 24. He was assigned to Crozet, a parish in decline;... Continue Reading →
27 April, Monday — The Wide and the Narrow Way
Monday of the 4th Week of Eastertide Acts 11:1-18John 10:11-18 “I am the good shepherd…” There is a painting by Laurence de Neter titled "Brede en smalle weg" (Wide and narrow way) that hangs in the Museum Catharijneconvent in Utrecht, Netherlands. The painting is divided into two halves, with the left side depicting people on... Continue Reading →
19 March, Thursday — Quiet Obedience
19 Mar – Solemnity of St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary St. Joseph is a descendant of the house of David. A layman and a carpenter, he was the earthly spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and foster and adoptive father of Jesus Christ. He was a visionary who was visited by angels,... Continue Reading →
25 February, Wednesday — Change is difficult
Wednesday of the 1st Week of Lent Jon 3:1-10Lk 11:29-32 "...there is something greater than Jonah here." Back when I was a young adult, I underwent what one might term a transformation of a certain aspect of myself. Over the years that I spent in school, I had been wondering about friends' responses to things... Continue Reading →
24 February, Tuesday — Being present in prayer
Tuesday of the 1st Week of Lent Isa 55:10-11Mt 6:7-15 "So you should pray like this:..." On a particularly cold Saturday a few weeks ago, a warning for ice was issued in the northeast region of the Netherlands. For some reason, I missed the warning and was therefore shocked when I slipped and fell almost... 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 →
OXYGEN 