Most Holy Trinity
Cascades of Jubilation The Office of Lauds this morning was a torrent of undiluted praise. The Church gives us doxology upon doxology. She expresses her...
Eyes Only for Thy Face
A Longing to See Him Again Blessed John Henry Newman wrote somewhere that the Ascension of the Lord is “at once a source of sorrow,...
And then your hearts will be glad
Homily, Second Day of Retreat to Priests of the Diocese of Galway Knock Shrine, Co Mayo Tuesday, 9 May 2017 The Collect of the Mass...
Compunction
Homily, First Day of Retreat to Priests of the Diocese of Galway Knock Shrine, Co Mayo Monday, 8 May 2017 Having heard these things, they...
The earth hath yielded her fruit
We are in the harvest–tide of the Kingdom of God: the good seed sown by the Divine Sower in the field of the Church has...
Higher, Sir Priest!
Here is the homily I preached today, on the feast of Saint Charles Borromeo, to members of the British Confraternity of Catholic Clergy at Aylesford...
Quae sunt Dei Deo
22nd Sunday after Pentecost Today, in Rome, even as I speak, seven new saints are being canonised: José Sánchez del Río, a fourteen year-old boy...
Thy word to thy servant
In yet another instance of the liturgical providence of God, today’s Collect dovetails with the passage from the Holy Rule that we read this morning...
Dixit Dominus Domino meo: Sede a dextris meis
Thou art just, O Lord: and thy judgment is right. Deal with thy servant according to thy mercy: and teach me thy justifications. (Psalm 118:137,...
16th Sunday after Pentecost
Saint Job the Long–Suffering Already last evening, at First Vespers of Sunday, the Church, as is her custom during these Sundays after Pentecost, set before...
Rise again at once with all speed
Saint Augustine
Today is not only the 15th Sunday after Pentecost; it is also the feast of Saint Augustine, the Doctor of Grace. The liturgical...
Bride of the Eternal One
An Extraordinary Woman Seventy–four years ago today, on August 9, 1942, the Carmelite Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, known in the world as Dr. Edith...
The Good Samaritan
The Mystery of the Good Samaritan Today’s Gospel, the parable of the Good Samaritan, is familiar to us. It is, perhaps, too familiar. We assume...
11th Sunday after Pentecost
Ezechias Today’s Holy Mass unfolds around the story of Ezechias (4 Kings 20: 1–11) that was read at Matins. Ezechias was the son of the...
Super altare tuum
The Child King Ioas It often happens that the Magnificat Antiphon at First Vespers is the key that allows us to enter deeply into Sunday’s...
«Holy! Holy! Holy!»
Isaiah 6:1–8 Psalm 92:1ab, 1c–2, 5 (R. 1a) Matthew 10:24–33 Evangelium Conference July 9, 2016 The Holy is dreadful and fascinating; it attracts us and,...
Solomon and Christ
Liturgical Notes: Seventh Sunday after Pentecost Seven Gifts Today is designated the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost; seven is, of course, a mystic number in both...
Exaudi, Domine, vocem meam
David’s Cry from the Heart Today’s Holy Mass opens with a great cry to God, a cry wrung from the heart of David: Hear, O...
In the Hand of His Providence
Blind and Blinkered With a touching simplicity Our Lord says, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten...
St John Chrysostom, Bishop & Doctor of the Church
A Preacher Unlike Any Other Would that Saint John Chrysostom, the Patron Saint of Preachers, could stand here in my place today and preach with...