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 →
1 October, Saturday — The End Game
Oct 1 – Feast of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor, Patroness of Missions Born to a pious middle-class French family of tradesmen, Francoise-Marie Thérèse Martin (1873–1897) was the daughter of Blessed Louis Martin and Blessed Marie-Azelie Guerin Martin, and all four of her sisters became nuns. Her mother died when Francoise-Marie... Continue Reading →
30 September, Friday — All Will Pass Away
Sep 30 – Memorial for St. Jerome, Priest and Doctor St. Jerome (347-419) led a misspent youth. He later converted in theory, being baptised in 365, and then had a true conversion when he studied theology. He was a monk, and revised the Latin text of the Bible. The result of his 30 years of... Continue Reading →
6 September, Tuesday — Ultimate Guidance
Tuesday of Week 23 in Ordinary Time 1 Cor 6:1-11Lk 6:12-19 Jesus went out into the hills to pray; and he spent the whole night in prayer to God. Can you imagine that? The last person I expected to find praying fervently would be Jesus! After all, He is the Son of God, and He... Continue Reading →
16 July, Saturday — Humility at Heart
Jul 16 – Memorial for Our Lady of Mount Carmel The Church celebrates on this day the feast of the Scapular of Mount Carmel. The scapular, which derives its name from the Latin word scapulæ, meaning shoulders, is a dress which covers the shoulders. It is best known among as the name of two little... Continue Reading →
21 May, Saturday – Persecution and Detachment
May 21 – Saint Christopher Magallanes and his Companions St. Cristóbal Magallanes Jara was born in the state of Jalisco in Mexico, in 1869. He was ordained priest at the age of 30, and became parish priest of his home town of Totatiche. He took a special interest in the evangelization of the local indigenous Huichol people... Continue Reading →
20 May, Friday – Expressions of Love
May 20 – Memorial for St. Bernadine of Siena, Priest St. Bernadine (1381-1444) was a Friar Minor, a priest, an itinerant preacher, and a theological writer. His preaching skills were so great and the conversions so numerous, that he has become associated with all areas of speaking, advertising, public relations, etc. Bernadine’s charismatic preaching filled the... Continue Reading →
19 May, Thursday – Saved Through Grace
Thursday of the 5th Week of Eastertide Acts 15:7-21Jn 15:9-11 I shall return and rebuild the fallen House of David; I shall rebuild it from its ruins and restore it Three years ago, on Easter Sunday, I wrote a reflection on a day of extreme joy at the resurrection of our Lord, that was dampened... Continue Reading →
17 May, Tuesday — Peace Amidst Turmoil
Tuesday of the 5th Week of Eastertide Acts 14:19-28Jn 14:27-31 “Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” It always comforts me when I read the passage, “Peace, I give to you,... Continue Reading →
16 May, Monday — Recognition
Monday of the 5th Week of Eastertide Acts 14:5-18Jn 14:21-26 “We have come with good news to turn you to the living God who made heaven and earth and the sea and all that these hold.” Imagine if you were in the shoes of Paul and/or Barnabas -- would you be affronted that the people... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 