Oct 4 – Memorial for St. Francis of Assisi Francis Bernardone (1181–1226) was the son of Pietro Bernadone, a rich cloth merchant. Though he had a good education and became part of his father’s business, he also had a somewhat misspent youth. He was a street brawler and some-time soldier. He was captured during a conflict... Continue Reading →
27 September, Monday — Pride
Sep 27 – Memorial for St. Vincent de Paul, Priest St. Vincent (1581-1660) spent four years with the Franciscan friars getting an education. He was taken captive by Turkish pirates and sold into slavery, then freed when he converted one of his owners to Christianity. He started organisations to help the poor, nursed the sick, found... Continue Reading →
1 September, Wednesday – The Purpose of our Life
Wednesday of Week 22 in Ordinary Time Col 1:1-8Lk 4:38-44 "I must proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is what I was sent to do." I recently had to go for an interview, and one of the questions posed to me was what my direction... Continue Reading →
31 August, Tuesday – The Importance of Confession
Tuesday of Week 22 in Ordinary Time 1 Ths 5:1-6,9-11Lk 4:31-37 In the synagogue there was a man who was possessed by the spirit of an unclean devil, and it shouted at the top of its voice... Today’s gospel surrounds this possessed man in the presence of Jesus, calling out to Him in the synagogue.... Continue Reading →
19 August, Thursday — True conversion
Aug 19 – Memorial for St. John Eudes, priest, religious founder John Eudes (1601-1680) established seminaries, and founded the Congregation of Jesus and Mary Eudists to promote virtuous secular parochial clergy not bound by vows, but dedicated to improving the clergy through seminaries and missions. He also founded the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity... Continue Reading →
28 April, Wednesday – Walking the Talk
28 Apr – Memorial for St. Peter Chanel, priest & martyr; Memorial for St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort, priest St. Peter Chanel (1803-1841) was born to a peasant family and was a shepherd as a boy. He was an excellent student and was ordained at 24. He was assigned to Crozet, a parish in decline; he... Continue Reading →
14 August, Friday — Contrition and Reconciliation
Aug 14 – St. Maximillian Mary Kolbe, priest, martyr St. Maximillian Mary Kolbe (1894-1941) was known as a mischievous child, sometimes considered wild, and a trial to his parents. However, around the time of his first Communion, he received a vision of the Virgin Mary that changed his life. While still in seminary, he and six friends founded... Continue Reading →
23 July, Thursday — Dimmed hearts, dulled minds.
Jul 23 – Memorial for St. Bridget of Sweden, Religious Coming from a noble yet religious background, St. Bridget (1302-1373) was friend and counsellor to many priests and theologians of her day. As chief lady-in-waiting to Queen Blanche of Namur, she counselled and guided the Queen and King Magnus II. She was harassed by others... 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 →
21 March, Saturday – Have mercy on me, a sinner
Hosea 5:15-6:6Luke 18:9-14 God, be merciful to me, a sinner In this period where we are not able to attend mass and receive the Eucharist, I have been reading articles and listening to podcasts in an attempt to fill the spiritual gap. One of the recommendations I came across is to pray the Jesus prayer.... Continue Reading →