Aug 5 – Memorial for Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome First raised at the order of Pope Liberius in the mid-fourth century, the Liberian Basilica was rebuilt by Pope Sixtus III shortly after the Council of Ephesus affirmed Mary’s title as Mother of God in 431. Re-dedicated at that time... Continue Reading →
2 May, Friday — The Faith Others Love to Hate
May 2 – Memorial for St. Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor St. Athanasius (c.295) studied the classics and theology in Alexandria, Egypt. He was a deacon, secretary, and student of Bishop Alexander of Alexandria. He attended the Council of Nicaea in 325 where he fought for the defeat of Arianism and the acceptance of the divinity... Continue Reading →
6 December, Wednesday — The Lord is my shepherd
Dec 6 – Memorial for St. Nicholas, bishop St. Nicholas (d. 346) was a priest and abbot, and the bishop of Myra, Lycia (modern Turkey). He was generous to the poor, and a special protector of the innocent and wrong. Many stories grew up around him prior to his becoming Santa Claus. One story is... Continue Reading →
12 October, Thursday — Ask, Seek, Knock
Thursday of Week 27 in Ordinary Time Mal 3:13-20Lk 11:5-13 “Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” In the movie ‘The Shawshank Redemption’, Morgan Freeman has a searing line about hope – “Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive... Continue Reading →
8 August, Tuesday — Fear and Faith
Aug 8 – Memorial for St. Dominic, priest, religious founder Dominic (1170-1221) was born of wealthy Spanish nobility, and was the son of Blessed Joan of Aza. Joan had difficulty conceiving and prayed at the shrine of St. Dominic of Silos, who had a tradition of patronage of that problem. When she became pregnant, she... Continue Reading →
10 July, Monday — In God I Trust
Monday of Week 14 in Ordinary Time Gen 28:10-22Mt 9:18-26 “Be sure I am with you; I will keep you safe wherever you go...” There will come a time in our lives when we feel as alone as Jacob did when he left his home. The journey stretches before us through unfamiliar territory, the scorching sun will wear... Continue Reading →
9 July, Saturday — What God reveals, He controls
Jul 9 – Memorial for St. Augustine Zhao Rong, priest, & companions Christianity arrived in China by way of Syria in the 600s. Depending on China’s relations with the outside world, Christianity over the centuries was free to grow or was forced to operate secretly. The 120 martyrs in this group died between 1648 and... Continue Reading →
25 March, Wednesday – Surreal
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord Isaiah 7:10-14,8:10Hebrews 10:4-10Luke 1:26-38 Is it not enough for you to weary people, must you also weary my God? Things have gotten a bit surreal here in America. Schools have closed, grocery stores have been mobbed, and all over, there’s an eerie sense of America hunkering down for... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 