The Agony in the Garden St. Joseph, as dear Jesus saw all the sins, hatred, betrayal, and selfishness of men in the Garden of Gethsemane, He did not see you. When His Sacred Heart was weighed down by the thought … Continue reading
Category: Articles
The Fear of Abandonment
Adapted from Sr. Marie Gabrielle’s talk, “A Thousand Times Happy” The desire to know God’s will — to know what our Heavenly Father and Mother want of us so that we may fulfill it, no matter what it is, no matter … Continue reading
The Annunciation and Literature
Salvation to all that will is nigh; That All, which always is all everywhere, Which cannot sin, and yet all sins must bear, Which cannot die, yet cannot choose but die, Lo, faithful virgin, yields Himself to lie In prison, … Continue reading
The Joyful Mysteries with Saint Joseph
The Annunciation When Mary was asked to be the Mother of God, she must have thought of you, dear St. Joseph. I think she probably admired God’s great providence in giving her such a husband — one in whom she … Continue reading
St. Benedict: Powerful Patron of a Peaceful Death
Quotes Worth Contemplating for the Feast of St. Benedict Most of us probably have some fuzzy notion that Saint Benedict and his medal are good for getting rid of demons in general. But how many of us associate the holy … Continue reading
Farewell Meat!
This year of 2025, Mardi Gras arrives on March 4. While the season of Septuagesima, Shrovetide, Carneval — call it what you will — is ending, it is important to remember that keeping it is the hallmark of Catholic cultures. … Continue reading
Faerie in February
Lament, lament, old Abbeys, The Fairies’ lost command! They did but change Priests’ babies, But some have changed your land. And all your children, sprung from thence, Are now grown Puritans, Who live as changelings ever since For love of … Continue reading
The Fear of Failure
Adapted from Sr. Marie Gabrielle’s talk, “A Thousand Times Happy” St. Joan of Arc signed the paper. It is a scary thought. After bravely running away from home to follow God’s will, persuading the king by miraculous means to hand … Continue reading
Thoughts on Candlemas
Down with the rosemary, and so Down with the bays and misletoe; Down with the holly, ivy, all Wherewith ye dress’d the Christmas hall; That so the superstitious find No one least branch there left behind; For look, how many … Continue reading
‘They Must Know that They Are Loved’
Quotes Worth Contemplating for the Feast of St. John Bosco A Look at Saint John Bosco and the “Love Languages” “It is not enough to love the young,” St. John Bosco famously said; “they must know that they are loved.” … Continue reading
The Fear of the Future and the Wound of Anxiety
Adapted from Sr. Marie Gabrielle’s talk, “A Thousand Times Happy” Many people seem to think that the future itself is a monster worth fearing. I find this interesting because the future cannot hurt us, having no real existence outside our own … Continue reading
Only the Best
Don’t take the biggest cookie; just take the one that is closest to you on the plate. — Mom NOTWITHSTANDING this seemingly sage advice from my mother, it is my considered opinion that the cookie one ought to reach for … Continue reading
Inauguration Day and the United States
Hail to the Chief we have chosen for the nation, Hail to the Chief! We salute you, one and all. Hail to the Chief, as we pledge cooperation, In proud fulfillment of a great, noble call. Yours is the aim … Continue reading
The Fear of Having to Change
Adapted from Sr. Marie Gabrielle’s talk, “A Thousand Times Happy” The most famous missionary of all time after St. Paul, St. Francis Xavier, arrived in Japan as you would expect him to: poor, humble, meek, unassuming. And they ignored him. … Continue reading
January Thoughts
Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this sun of York; And all the clouds that lour’d upon our house In the deep bosom of the ocean buried. Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths; … Continue reading
