Aug 9 – Memorial for St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), martyr After witnessing the strength of faith of Catholic friends, Teresa (1891-1942), originally a Jew, became interested in Catholicism and studied a catechism on her own, and she eventually ended up ‘reading herself into’ the Faith. She became a Carmelite nun, teaching... Continue Reading →
5 August, Monday — God’s Truth Always Grows Stronger
Aug 5 – Memorial for Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome First raised at the order of Pope Liberius in the mid-fourth century, the Liberian Basilica was rebuilt by Pope Sixtus III shortly after the Council of Ephesus affirmed Mary’s title as Mother of God in 431. Re-dedicated at that time... Continue Reading →
4 August, Sunday — Right Motives
18th Sunday in Ordinary TimeExo 16:2-4,12-15Jn 6:24-35 ‘…you are not looking for me because you have seen the signs…’ Brothers and sisters, in today’s Gospel, Jesus makes it clear that he is interested in our motives even more than our actions. While the crowds had sought Jesus out by getting into their boats and crossing... Continue Reading →
31 July, Wednesday — He will always lead us to a safe place
Jul 31 – Memorial for St. Ignatius of Loyola, Priest St. Ignatius (1491-1556) was wounded in the leg by a cannonball at the siege of Pampeluna on 20 May 1521, an injury that left him partially crippled for life. During his recuperation the only books he had access to were The Golden Legend, a collection... Continue Reading →
30 July, Tuesday — “Come away with me…”
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 →
24 July, Wednesday — Song of the young prophet
Jul 24 – Memorial for St. Charbel Makhluf, Priest St. Charbel was a Lebanese monk, born in a small mountain village and ordained in 1858. Devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, he spent the last twenty three years of his life as a hermit. Despite temptations to wealth and comfort, St. Charbel taught the value... Continue Reading →
23 July, Tuesday — Believing in our blessed Mother Mary
Jul 23 – Memorial for St. Bridget of Sweden, Religious Coming from a noble yet religious background, St. Bridget (1302-1373) was friend and counsellor to many priests and theologians of her day. As chief lady-in-waiting to Queen Blanche of Namur, she counselled and guided the Queen and King Magnus II. She was harassed by others... Continue Reading →
21 July, Sunday — It is lonely and dangerous to be a shepherd
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Jer 23:1-6Eph 2:13-18Mk 6:30-34 The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want. Have you met a real life shepherd before? I have! In 2014, I was in the West Bank region of Israel. Under nominal Palestinian Authority control, the population lived in very difficult economic circumstances. With... Continue Reading →
19 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 →
18 July, Thursday — Lay your weary head to rest
Thursday of Week 15 in Ordinary Time Isa 26:7-9,12,16-19Mt 11: 28-30 "Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest." I have always read this verse from Matthew's gospel as being about death. The line "I will give you rest" also appears in the hymn, 'Be not afraid', which... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 