Sep 14 – Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross The feast was celebrated in Rome before the end of the 7th century. Its purpose is to commemorate the recovering of that portion of the Holy Cross which was preserved at Jerusalem, and which had fallen into the hands of the Persians. Emperor Heraclius... Continue Reading →
13 September, Monday — Faith like a Roman Centurion
Sep 13 – Memorial for St. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor John’s (347-407) father died when he was young, and he was raised by a very pious mother. It was for his sermons that John earned the title ‘Chrysostom’ (golden-mouthed). They were always on point, they explained the scriptures with clarity, and they sometimes went... Continue Reading →
11 September, Saturday — Stand up for God, or bow to Man?
Saturday of Week 23 in Ordinary Time 1 Tim 1:15-17Lk 6:43-49 “A good man draws what is good from the store of goodness in his heart; a bad man draws what is bad from the store of badness.” I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again – “All it takes for evil to triumph... Continue Reading →
10 September, Friday — Better or Bitter?
Friday of Week 23 in Ordinary Time 1 Tim 1:1-2,12-14Lk 6:3-42 “… the fully trained disciple will always be like his teacher.” In one way or another, we are all possessed by sin, evil, by this world, our obsessions, our addictions, our fears, and yes, even the devil himself. We struggle against fear, danger, peril,... Continue Reading →
9 September, Thursday — Thank God for God
Sep 9 – Memorial for St. Peter Claver, Priest St Peter Claver was born in Catalonia and studied at the University of Barcelona. He became a Jesuit; and while he was studying philosophy in Mallorca, the door-keeper of the college, Alfonso Rodríguez, saw that his true vocation was to evangelize the New World, and encouraged... Continue Reading →
8 September, Wednesday — To be able to see the darkness and to hear the silence
Sep 8 – Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary The birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary announced joy and the approaching salvation of a lost world. Mary was brought into the world not like other children of Adam, infected with the contagion of sin, but pure, holy, beautiful, and glorious, adorned with... Continue Reading →
10 August, Tuesday — Sacrifice
Aug 10 – Feast of St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr St. Lawrence was a third-century archdeacon of Rome, a distributor of alms, and “keeper of the treasures of the Church” in a time when Christianity was outlawed. On 6 August 258, by decree of Emperor Valerian, Pope St. Sixtus II and six deacons were beheaded,... Continue Reading →
6 August, Friday — The Father’s Voice
Aug 6 – Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord Today we celebrate the occasion on which Christ revealed Himself in shining splendour to Peter, James, and John. Moses and Elijah were present, and are taken to signify the Law and the Prophets. They testify to Jesus as the promised Messiah. God the Father also... Continue Reading →
3 August, Tuesday — Doubt is a human spirit killer
Tuesday of Week 18 in Ordinary Time Num 12:1-13Mat 14:22-36 Jesus put out his hand at once and held him. “Man of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Doubt is a denting poison to character and will of determination. It is the drive of decay, diminishing the growth of goodwill and trust. Doubt... Continue Reading →
2 August, Monday — God agrees with His messengers
Aug 2 – Memorial for St. Eusebius of Vercelli, bishop; St Peter Julian Eymard, bishop Eusebius (283-371) was a priest and lector in Rome, Italy. He was consecrated bishop of Vercelli, Italy in 340, but was exiled to Palestine and Cappadocia due to his struggle against Arianism. He was a friend of St. Athanasius of... Continue Reading →