As we approach the Feast of the Epiphany, the intimacy of the Christmas Octave gives way to the universality of Christ’s three-fold “showing forth” in the visit of the Wise Men, the Baptism in the Jordan, and the Wedding-Feast of … Continue reading
Category: Spiritual Life
The Excellent Knowledge of Jesus Christ
Light is a medium of knowledge. By it, we see things, perceive things, know things. Advent marks the time of darkness before the coming of the light of Christ. Christmas, foreshadowed by the Jewish “Festival of Lights,” commemorates the entrance … Continue reading
The Silent Woman
It is good to wait with silence for the salvation of God (Lam. 3:26). We’ve considered the Marian character of our present liturgical season in Maria’s Advent. Now I would like to reflect on one particular facet of Mary’s own … Continue reading
The Age of Mary
[Taken from The Communion of Saints: Sanctity Through the Centuries] A girl, or as we may call her, a woman, is in herself the most wonderful creature that God has ever made. The first man was made from the slime … Continue reading
The Four-Fold Wisdom
Brother Francis began his eight-part philosophy course with words to this effect: “We are starting a course on wisdom. And when it comes to wisdom, only a fool can think himself a worthy teacher.” He stated this with his characteristic … Continue reading
Woman, Behold Thy Son!
[Taken from The History of the Passion, Fr. James Groenings, SJ. Imprimatur: Archbishop Glennon, Jan. , 1908.] The first word of Christ on the cross concerned His enemies, who, however, instead of being converted, continued to offend Him. They, indeed, … Continue reading
“I Am With You Always” and Again “The Son of Man Shall Come”
Il reviendra avec son coeur immense, avec son coeur de flamme, son âme de pauvre et son sourire. Il reviendra ! Et le Coeur Immaculé de Marie triomphera! I love this motto from the late Abbé de Nantes’ periodical for … Continue reading
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
“O God, I give Thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men…” What’s the problem? Have you ever stopped to consider what it is that was really wrong with the prayer of the Pharisee? After all, it … Continue reading
Annual Portiuncula Plenary Indulgence, First Sunday of August
This year the first Sunday of August is also the first day of the month. To gain the indulgence one must go to confession during the eight days before or after August 1. The usual conditions apply: visit the Blessed … Continue reading
The Eighth Sunday After Pentecost
We have an apparent contradiction between the Epistle and the Gospel today. St. Paul lays down the rule that if we live according to the flesh we shall die, but if by the spirit, we mortify the deeds of the … Continue reading
The Third Sunday after Pentecost
Today can be called the Sunday of Merciful Love. The Divine Mercy is brought before our eyes in manifold ways it the propers of the Third Sunday after Pentecost. This liturgy predates the feast of the Sacred Heart, so it … Continue reading
Second Sunday after Pentecost
“Come, for everything is now ready.” There is a common theme in the Epistle and the Gospel of today. It is that the same God who wants us to love Him in the Eucharist and to come to His heavenly … Continue reading
Holy Desires
The corruption of the flesh weighing upon us so heavily during our earthly sojourn, we often find ourselves desiring what is base and wicked. But our wills can be motivated to love what is truly good, and therefore to desire … Continue reading
The Joyful Heart of Mary
On the black habit our brothers wear, the capuche is signed with a blazon of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, surrounded by a chain. It is the emblem of holy slavery, and it comes from the seal of our Order. … Continue reading
On Holy __
1. When you have __, everyone wants your company. When you lose __, men want to avoid you. 2. When you have __, you cannot be mean if you tried. When you lose __, you are mean even to yourself. … Continue reading
