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, Monday — End of Life Directive
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 is... Continue Reading →
23 September, Wednesday – Only by God
Sep 23 – Memorial for St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), Priest St. Pio (1887-1968) was ordained when he was 22. He founded the House for the Relief of Suffering in 1956, a hospital that serves 60,000 a year. In the 1920s he started a series of prayer groups that continue today with over 400,000 members worldwide.... Continue Reading →
22 September, Tuesday – To Know Oneself
Tuesday of Week 25 in Ordinary Time Pro 21:1-6;10-13Lk 8:19-21 A man’s conduct may strike him as upright, the Lord, however, weighs the heart. Have you ever tried to stand in front of the mirror and take a long, hard look at yourself? It can be a really uncomfortable ritual. What I am suggesting is different... Continue Reading →
20 September, Sunday – To Be A Willing Instrument
Isaiah 55:6-9Philippians 1:20-24, 27Matthew 20:1-16 …Why be envious because I am generous? There was a growing young sapling within the forest. Every day it looked up and around at its greater cedar tree cousins and wondered how long he would take to get as big and grand as them. Nearby, an elder cousin groaned under... Continue Reading →
4 September, Friday — A Time Will Come
Friday of Week 22 in Ordinary Time 1 Cor 4:1-5 Luke 5:33-39 Then will be the time for each one to have whatever praise he deserves, from God. In this day and age, social media allows us to share our innermost thoughts and receive comments in a split second. There are so many instances when... Continue Reading →
5 August, Wednesday – You Are Worthy
Aug 5 – Memorial for Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome St. Mary Major is one of the four Roman basilicas known as patriarchal cathedrals in memory of the first centres of the Church. This basilica represents the See of Antioch, where Mary is supposed to have spent most of her... Continue Reading →
14 July, Tuesday — Cheapened Sacrifice // Prodigious Gift
Jul 14 – Memorial for St. Camillus de Lellis, Priest St. Camillus (1550-1614) used to be a gambling addict. He lost so much he had to take a job working construction on a building belonging to the Capuchins; they converted him. Because of a persistent injury, he moved into San Giacomo Hospital for the incurable,... Continue Reading →
13 July, Monday — Heeding the Right Kind of Fear
Jul 13 – Memorial for St. Henry II Henry II (972–1024) was the son of Gisella of Burgundy and Henry II the Quarrelsome, Duke of Bavaria. He was educated at the cathedral school in Hildesheim by Bishop Wolfgang of Regensburg. He became Duke of Bavaria himself in 995 upon his father’s death, which ended Henry’s... Continue Reading →
12 July, Sunday — His Mercy Within the Parables
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 55:10-11Romans 8:18-23Matthew 13:1-23…all of us who possess the first-fruits of the Spirit, we too groan inwardly as we wait for our bodies to be set free.As a parent to a toddler, I am beginning to understand the phrase ‘falling on deaf ears’ a lot more these days. My little... Continue Reading →
