Jul 20 – Memorial for St. Apollinaris, Bishop & Martyr According to tradition, Apollinaris was a native of Antioch in the Roman Province of Syria. He was made the first Bishop of Ravenna by St. Peter during the persecutions of Emperor Vespasian (or Nero, depending on the source). On his way out of the city,... Continue Reading →
19 July, Sunday — Justice and Grace are in God’s hands for all
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Wis 12:13,16-19Rm 8:26-27 Mt 13:24-43 “Your justice has its source in strength, your sovereignty over all makes you lenient to all.” Justice and grace are two words that crown the understanding of knowledge of God to the limit of human nature. Beyond this, the whole concept of faith in God... Continue Reading →
18 July, Saturday — God is merciful!
Saturday of Week 15 in Ordinary Time Mic 2:1–5 Mt 12:14–21 “He will not break the crushed reed, nor put out the smouldering wick...” It is really amazing how Jesus can see the tiny glimmer of hope in even in the most hardened souls. I recently started to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet more often during the week.... Continue Reading →
17 July, Friday — Silence versus signs from God
Friday of Week 15 in Ordinary Time Isa 38:1-6,7-8,21-2Mt 12:1-8 “Here…is the sign from the Lord that he will do what he has said.” The COVID-19 outbreak has caused many of us to lose our jobs, and new graduands have a hard time entering into the labour market, due to widespread economic difficulties. I... Continue Reading →
16 July, Thursday — Smartphones won’t give us rest, so put them away and pray!
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 →
15 July, Wednesday — Open up our minds and hearts, dear Lord
Jul 15 – Memorial for St. Bonaventure, bishop, religious, doctor St. Bonaventure (1221-1274) entered the Franciscan Order when he was 22. At the age of 35, he was chosen General of his Order and restored a perfect calm where peace had been disturbed by internal dissensions. He did much for his Order and composed The... 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 →
11 July, Saturday — Body and Soul
Jul 11 – Memorial for St. Benedict, abbot, religious founder Born to Roman nobility, Benedict (c. 480–547) was the twin brother of St. Scholastica. He studied in Rome, Italy, but was dismayed at the lack of discipline and lackadaisical attitude of his fellow students. He fled to the mountains near Subiaco, living as a hermit in... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 