27 Jan – Memorial for St. Angela Merici, virgin St. Angela Merici (1474-1540) became a Franciscan tertiary at the age of 15. She received a vision telling her that she would inspire devout women in their vocation. In Crete, during a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, she was struck blind. Her friends wanted to return... Continue Reading →
8 September, Monday — Loving Our Mothers, Praising Their Existence
Sep 8 – Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary The birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary announced joy and the approaching salvation of a lost world. Mary was brought into the world not like other children of Adam, infected with the contagion of sin, but pure, holy, beautiful, and glorious, adorned with... Continue Reading →
19 April, Saturday – The Truth is Reality Beyond Us
Dear readers, today, we feature reflections from six of our regular contributors. We hope you enjoy them as we all prepare for Easter. 1st Reading Gen 1-2:2Ps 103(104):1-2,5-6,10,12-14,24,35 God said:... The words, and Word, of God are truth. What God speaks is true. God cannot speak anything but truth. How natural that the readings for today... Continue Reading →
26 July, Friday — Don’t Give The Enemy A Seat At Your Table
Jul 26 – Sts. Joachim and Anne, parents of the Virgin Mary By tradition Joachim and Anne are considered to be the names of the parents of Mary, the Mother of God. We have no historical evidence, however, of any elements of their lives, including their names. Any stories about Mary’s father and mother come... Continue Reading →
28 June, Friday — The Glory of God is Man fully alive
Jun 28 – St. Irenaeus, bishop, martyr Irenaeus (c.130–202) was a disciple of St. Polycarp of Smyrna. He was ordained in 177. He was Bishop of Lugdunum, Gaul (modern Lyons, France). He worked and wrote against Gnosticism, basing his arguments on the works of St. John the Apostle, whose gospel is often cited by Gnostics.... Continue Reading →
27 June, Thursday — To follow or to fall
Jun 27 – Memorial for St. Cyril of Alexandria, bishop and Doctor of the Church Cyril (376–444) was the nephew of Theophilus the Patriarch. He was a monk and a priest who became Bishop of Alexandria, Egypt in 412, and later the Patriarch of Alexandria. He suppressed the Novatians. He worked at the Council of... Continue Reading →
24 June, Monday — With my life, Sir
Jun 24 – Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist John the Baptist (d.30) was the cousin of Jesus Christ. His father, Zachary, was a priest of the order of Abia whose job in the Temple was to burn incense; and of Elizabeth, a descendant of Aaron. As Zachary was ministering in the... Continue Reading →
19 October, Thursday — Why be Catholic?
Oct 19 – Memorial for Sts. John de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, martyrs; Memorial for St. Paul of the Cross, Priest St. John de Brebeuf (1593–1649) was a French Jesuit. He wanted to enter the priesthood since young, but his health was so bad there were doubts he could make it. His posting as... Continue Reading →
23 February, Thursday — Follow Me
Thursday after Ash Wednesday Deu 30:15-20Lk 9:22-25 “…let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me.” Since my return from a short pilgrimage to Medjugorje, life has resumed and continues to be challenging on various fronts. But rather than allow these to weigh me down and get flustered, I have... Continue Reading →
15 December, Thursday – Deprivation of Salvation is a Self-Inflicted Harm
Thursday of the 3rd Week of Advent Is 54:1-10 Lk 7:24-30 “...but by refusing baptism from him the Pharisees and the lawyers had thwarted what God had in mind for them.” Despite John’s momentary doubts about Jesus as the Messiah in yesterday’s gospel, Jesus poured out praise upon him and acknowledged John as the forerunner,... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 