From the Gospel for the First Sunday of Lent, Year A: At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of … Read more
Having examined St. Francis de Sales’s exhortation to perseverance (in Part Four of the Introduction), which is helpful at the beginning of Lent, it is right to turn and examine the pilgrimage along which he guided “Philothea”—the soul interested in growing in devotion. The bishop and spiritual director aimed to move souls from initial desire … Read more
All Saints of the Seraphic Order (Feast) Feast date: Nov 29 On November 29, the Church celebrates the many Franciscan saints who followed in the footsteps of St. Francis. It is a special day for all Franciscans to celebrate the feast of ‘All the Saints of the Seraphic Order.’ According to tradition, St. Francis of … Read more
Quotes Worth Contemplating for the Feast of St. Alphonsus de Liguori St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696–1787) knew all about spiritual vertigo. He had lived with it. He had lived through it. For those of us who struggle with an ordered … Continue reading → The post St. Alphonsus de Liguori and the Dispelling of Spiritual … Read more
Not only fasting, private prayer, and almsgiving, but also corporate worship helps to form the thorough Christian. All worship centers in Christ, the one mediator. His presence and priesthood are the hope of the world Through Him as their Head, all His members give the Trinity due homage, thanksgiving, and reparation. By worshiping together, men … Read more
Blessed Bartholomew Longo Feast date: Jan 01 “My only desire is to see Mary who saved me and who will save me from the clutches of Satan.” – Blessed Bartholomew Longo’s last words Perhaps one of the most remarkable conversions in the history of the Church was that of Bartholomew Longo, who went from … Read more
I. Scripture Reading — Mark 1:14–15 (RSV-CE) Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying,“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.” II. Meditation — The U-Turn A driver missed his exit on the highway. Instead of … Read more
St. Jude Thaddeus and St. Simon the Zealot, Apostles Feast date: Oct 28 St. Jude Thaddaeus St. Jude, known as Thaddaeus, was a brother of St. James the Lesser, and a relative of Jesus. Ancient writers tell us that he preached the Gospel in Judea, Samaria, Idumaea, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Lybia. According to Eusebius, he … Read more
A young man painting a chapel in Puebla was killed when gunmen shot at a work crew involved in community service in what was the second recent act of violence targeting churches in one of Mexico’s largest and most traditionally Catholic cities.