Christmas: The Encounter of Two Desires
Cistercians and Franciscans — and yes, Carmelites too! — have this in common: a tender love for the mystery of the Word made flesh and...
Ave, Maria — Our Lady’s Sunday in Advent
Today is Our Lady’s Sunday in Advent. Pope Paul VI, influenced, no doubt, by the ancient practice of the venerable Church of Milan, desired that...
The Heart of God Beating in the Breast of a Little Child
Almighty and ever-living God, seeing that the birth of Thy Son according to the flesh is drawing near, we beseech Thee that Thy Word may...
23 December, O EMMANUEL
Murillo’s painting of the Infant Christ distributing bread to pilgrims is an invitation to consider the mystery of the Eucharist, God–With–Us, the Child of Bethlehem,...
Ave, gratia plena
Deus, aeterna maestas. cuius ineffabile Verbum, Angelo nuntiante, Virgo immaculata suscepit, et, domus divinitatis effecta, Sanctus Spiritus luce repletur, quaesumus, ut nos, eius exemplo, voluntati...