Aug 24 – Feast of St. Bartholomew, apostle St. Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Apostles. He was probably a close friend of St. Philip, as his name is always mentioned in the gospels in connection with Philip, and it was Philip who brought Bartholomew to Jesus. He may have written a gospel, now lost, as... Continue Reading →
10 August, Monday — Dying to Self
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, leaving... Continue Reading →
6 August, Thursday — Small Victories
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 proclaimed... 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 →
25 July, Saturday — Greater are His Plans
Jul 25 – Feast of St. James, Apostle St. James (died 44) was the first Apostle to be martyred. He preached in Samaria, Judea, and Spain. His work in Spain, and the housing of his relics there, led to his patronage of the country and all things Spanish. Like all men of renown, many stories... Continue Reading →
3 July, Friday — I Forgive Myself
Brothers and sisters, today we welcome Gregory Mathew, who has been contributing to Oxygen for a while now and is adventuring through life with God as his guide. Jul 3 – Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle Thomas (d. 72) was ready to die with Jesus when Christ went to Jerusalem, but he is best remembered... Continue Reading →
11 June, Thursday — Paying the price
Jun 11 – Feast of St. Barnabas, apostle St. Barnabas (martyred 61) founded the Church in Antioch. He was a Levite Jewish convert, coming to the faith soon after Pentecost. Barnabas is mentioned frequently in the Acts of the Apostles, and is included among the prophets and doctors at Antioch. Like Paul, Barnabas believed in the Church's... Continue Reading →
1 June, Monday – Our Mother
The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church The Blessed Virgin Mary has been given the title of Mother of the Church since she gave birth to Christ, the Head of the Church, and she became the Mother of the redeemed people before her Son had given up the spirit on the Cross. Pope Paul... Continue Reading →
31 May, Sunday — When all around you…
Pentecost Sunday Acts 2:1-111 Cor 12:3-7,12-13Jn 20:19-23 “Peace be with you” This has been a special season for me. I have shared about how we made it back from Italy in the nick of time; how we have been on a ‘circuit breaker’ since early April. In two days’ time, this situation will be gradually... Continue Reading →
21 May, Thursday — Hidden yet Present
21 May - The Ascension of the Lord The Feast of the Ascension of Jesus Christ, also called Ascension Day, Ascension Thursday, or sometimes Holy Thursday, commemorates the Christian belief of the bodily Ascension of Jesus into heaven. It is one of the ecumenical (i.e., universally celebrated) feasts of Christian churches, ranking with the feasts of the Passion, of Easter, and Pentecost. Ascension Day is traditionally celebrated on... Continue Reading →