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 →
3 July, Saturday — Sure or not?
Jul 3 – Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle Thomas (d. 72) was ready to die with Jesus when Christ went to Jerusalem, but he is best remembered for doubting the Resurrection until allowed to touch Christ’s wounds. He preached in Parthia, Persia and India, though he was so reluctant to start the mission that he... Continue Reading →
2 July, Friday — Let’s wash our linens clean!
Friday of Week 13 in Ordinary Time Gen 23:1-4,19;24:1-8,62-67Mt 9:9-13 “It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick.” When I read today’s Gospel, an immediate thought that came to mind was the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Why? Because by confessing our sins to Christ through the priest as an instrument of God,... Continue Reading →
1 July, Thursday — Spiritual health before physical health
Thursday of Week 13 in Ordinary Time Gen 22:1-19Mt 9:1-8 “Your sins are forgiven… Get up and walk” I have a physical impairment, and I cannot walk without support. So I have to move around on a wheelchair. I remember when I first read this Gospel many years ago as a child, I often wondered... Continue Reading →
30 June, Wednesday — Don’t forget to spend some time with Jesus today!
Jun 30 – First Martyrs of the Church of Rome These holy men and women are also called the “Protomartyrs of Rome”. They were accused of burning Rome by Nero, who burned Rome to cover his own crimes. Some martyrs were burned as living torches at evening banquets, some crucified, and others were fed to... Continue Reading →
5 June, Saturday — We can be enemies to our souls
Jun 5 – Memorial for St. Boniface, bishop and martyr Educated at the Benedictine monastary at Exeter, England where he became a monk, Boniface (c.673–754) was a missionary to Germany from 719, assisted by St. Albinus, St. Abel, and St. Agatha. They destroyed idols and pagan temples, and then built churches on the sites. He... Continue Reading →
4 June, Friday – Those who place God first are guided by His spirit
Jun 4 -- Friday of Week 9 in Ordinary Time Tob 11:5-17Mk 12:35-37 "I give you my word that your father’s eyes will open...And your father will be able to see and look on the light." The understanding about faith and the fear of God are crucial in determining where we place God in our... Continue Reading →
3 June, Thursday — Those who fear God are rewarded with His grace
Jun 3 – Memorial for St. Charles Lwanga & companions, martyrs One of 22 Ugandan martyrs, St. Charles Lwanga is the patron of youth and Catholic action in most of tropical Africa. He protected his fellow pages aged 13 to 30 from the homosexual demands of the Bagandan ruler, Mwanga, and encouraged and instructed them... Continue Reading →
2 June, Wednesday — The whole truth and nothing but the truth?
2 June – Memorial for Sts. Marcellinus and Peter, martyrs Marcellinus, a priest, and Peter, an exorcist, died in the year 304. According to a legendary account of their martyrdom, the two Romans saw their imprisonment as just one more opportunity to evangelise and managed to convert their jailer and his family. The legend also says... Continue Reading →
1 June, Tuesday — What is lawful?
Jun 1 – Memorial for St. Justin, martyr He was born at the beginning of the second century in Nablus, in Samaria, of a pagan Greek family. He was an earnest seeker after truth, and studied many systems of philosophy before being led, through Platonism, to Christianity. While remaining a layman, he accepted the duty... Continue Reading →
