Dec 21 – Memorial for St. Peter Canisius, priest, doctor of the Church St. Peter Canisius (1521–1597) was the son of Jacob Canisius, a wealthy burgomeister, and Ægidia van Houweningen, who died shortly after Peter’s birth. He was educated in Cologne, Germany, where he studied art, civil law, and theology. He received a master’s degree by... Continue Reading →
20 December, Monday — Traces from the Past
Monday of the 4th Week of Advent - 20 December Isa 7:10-14Ps 23(24):1-6Lk 1:26-38 Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month... I got into the habit of writing a diary when I was 10 years... Continue Reading →
19 December, Sunday — Sacrificing Through Obedience
4th Sunday of Advent Mic 5:1-4Heb 10:5-10Lk 1:39-45 You did not want what the Law lays down as the things to be offered, that is: sacrifices, the oblations, the holocausts and the sacrifices for sin, and you took no pleasure in them; and then he says: Here I am! I am coming to obey your... Continue Reading →
16 October, Saturday — Faith and Science
Oct 16 – Memorial for St. Hedwig, Religious; Memorial for St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin St. Hedwig (1174–1243) was the daughter of the Duke of Croatia, and aunt of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. She married Prince Henry I of Silesia and Poland in 1186 at the age of 12, and became the mother of seven. She... Continue Reading →
15 October, Friday — Left with Nothing but Me
Oct 15 – Memorial for St. Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor Also known as Teresa of Avila, Teresa of Jesus (1515–1582) was born to the Spanish nobility, the daughter of Don Alonso Sanchez de Cepeda and Dona Beatriz. She grew up reading the lives of the saints, and playing at ‘hermit’ in the garden. Crippled by... Continue Reading →
14 October, Thursday — The True Value of the Law
Oct 14 – Memorial for St. Callistus I, Pope and Martyr St. Callistus (d. 223) was born a slave, owned by Carpophorus, a Christian in the household of Caesar. His master entrusted a large sum to Callistus to open a bank, which took in several deposits, made several loans to people who refused to pay... Continue Reading →
13 October, Wednesday — Egos and Fears
Wednesday of Week 28 in Ordinary Time Rm 2:1-11Lk 11:42-46 ‘Master,’ he said ‘when you speak like this you insult us too.’ There are many reasons why we hesitate to acknowledge our shortcomings or mistakes. Some are afraid of the unfavorable repercussions such as losing friends, losing jobs, losing credentials, or losing face. When I... Continue Reading →
17 August, Tuesday — Justice and Truth
Tuesday of Week 20 in Ordinary Time Jgs 6:11-24Mt 19:23-30 Justice shall march before him and peace shall follow his steps. I remember one of the most impactful messages I heard from a priest. He said that God is just first, before he is merciful. In this day and age where we seek to understand... Continue Reading →
16 August, Monday — Our Individual Vocations
Aug 16 – Memorial for St. Stephen of Hungary When he succeeded his father as chief of a group of people, Stephen adopted a policy of Christianisation in Hungary for both political and religious reasons. He suppressed a series of revolts by pagan nobles and welded the Magyars into a strong national group. As king,... Continue Reading →
15 August, Sunday — Providing a Safe Place
Aug 15 – Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mary is taken up body and soul into the glory of Heaven, and with God and in God she is Queen of Heaven and earth. And is she really so remote from us? The contrary is true. Precisely because she is with God... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 