Nov 24 – Memorial for St. Andrew Dung-Lac, priest, martyr, and companions, Martyrs of Vietnam Between the arrival of the first Portuguese missionary in 1533, through the Dominicans and then the Jesuit missions of the 17th century, the politically inspired persecutions of the 19th century, and the Communist-led terrors of the 20th, there have been... Continue Reading →
23 November, Thursday — Embracing Opportunities for Making Peace
Nov 23 – Memorial for St. Clement I, pope, martyr; Memorial for St. Columban, abbot St. Clement (d. 101) was the fourth pope, and an apostolic Father. The Basilica of St. Clement in Rome is one of the earliest parish churches in the city, and is probably built on the site of Clement’s home. He... Continue Reading →
22 November, Wednesday — Not Ours
Nov 22 – Memorial for St. Cecilia, virgin, martyr St. Cecilia (d. 117) was a cultivated young patrician woman, whose ancestors loomed large in Rome’s history. She vowed her virginity to God, but her parents married her to Valerian of Trastevere. She told her new husband that she was accompanied by an angel, but in... Continue Reading →
17 November, Friday — The Cross and the Crucifix
Nov 17 – Memorial for St. Elizabeth of Hungary, married woman, religious St. Elizabeth (1207-1231) was a princess, the daughter of King Andrew of Hungary, and the great-aunt of St. Elizabeth of Portugal. At the age of 13, she married Prince Louis of Thuringia. She built a hospital at the foot of the mountain on... Continue Reading →
16 November, Thursday — Didn’t see this coming…
Nov 16 – Memorial for St. Margaret of Scotland; Memorial for St. Gertrude, virgin St. Margaret (1045–1093)was the granddaughter of King Edmund Ironside of England, and the great-niece of St. Stephen of Hungary. She was born in Hungary, while her family was in exile due to the Danish invasion of England. Even so, she still... Continue Reading →
6 November, Monday — Patience and Wisdom
Monday of Week 31 in Ordinary Time Rm 11:29-36Lk 14:12-14 God never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice. Today’s gospel reminds me of those many times when I ask God, “Why am I not able to walk?” There have been countless times when I fantasise myself in an alternate reality where I can... Continue Reading →
2 November, Thursday — He will destroy Death forever
Nov 2 – All Souls Day Today we celebrate a feast in commemoration of the faithful departed in purgatory, that is, the faithful departed who have not yet been purified and reached Heaven. After Abbot Odilo of Cluny instituted it in the monasteries of his congregation in 998, other religious orders took up the observance,... Continue Reading →
1 November, Wednesday — Saints, Spiritual Poverty and the Kingdom of Heaven
Nov 1 – Solemnity of All Saints All Saints’ Day is celebrated in honour of all the saints, known and unknown. In terms of Roman Catholic theology, the feast commemorates all those who have attained the beatific vision in heaven. The beatific vision is the eternal and direct perception of God enjoyed by those who... Continue Reading →
31 October, Tuesday — Switch from eco to turbo mode
Tuesday of Week 30 in Ordinary Time Rm 8:18-25 Lk 13:18-21 “It is like a mustard seed.” In ancient Israel, the mustard tree is not a tree. It is more like a big shrub. It is smaller compared to the olive tree, which is a true tree. Yet in today’s gospel, Jesus chose the mustard seed... Continue Reading →
30 October, Monday — Do what is right not what is expected
Monday of Week 30 in Ordinary Time Rm 8:12-17Lk 13:10-17 “And this woman, a daughter of Abraham…” It was a sabbath day and Jesus was teaching in a synagogue. That means trouble! Surely Jesus would get into a conflict with the officials there. Like clockwork, there appeared a woman, crippled for 18 years. She was... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 