A claritate in claritatem
The Martyrology We are, at every moment, surrounded by “so great a cloud of witnesses” (Heb 12:1) who encourage us by their example and support...
When the Saints Ask for Our Friendship
Friends in High Places At certain times in one’s life, a particular saint will begin, in so many ways, to say, “Will you too be...
Saint Helena, Empress
The feast of Saint Helena is August 18th. When I lived at Santa Croce in Gerusalemme in Rome, it was celebrated with all due solemnity....
Suscipe
For this feast of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, here is a beautiful text of Pope Benedict XVI. I am mindful in prayer today of my...
The Best Part of All
In the monastic calendar, today is the liturgical memorial of: Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus of Bethany, Hosts of the Lord Genesis 18:1-10a Psalm 33:2-11...
Saint Sharbel Makhlouf
Today’s Saint Saint Sharbel the Miracle-Worker has followed me from the earliest days of my monastic journey. I remember learning of his beatification at the...
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin
Living for the Unseen Bridegroom Moved by the Holy Spirit, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha consecrated her virginity to Christ. The strangeness of this new way of...
Thoughts on Chastity, the Joyful Virtue
The liturgy of the feast of Saint Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr, inspired some random thoughts on chastity, the joyful virtue. Chastity leads to hope...
Heroic Confidence in the Midst of Impossibilities
June 17th is the dies natalis of Marie-Adèle Garnier, Mother Mary of St. Peter, Foundress of the Adorers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of...
Impossible to Man’s Powers, But Not To God’s
All Priest In recalling the holiness of Saint Philip, it occurs to me that it was essentially this: he was all priest. He was always...
Blessed Bernardo Francisco de Hoyos, S.J.
I was remiss in not posting something about the beatification of Father Bernardo Francisco de Hoyos, S.J., which took place this past April 19th. Because...
Saint Bernard on the Wounds of Christ
Where can the weak find a place of firm security and peace, except in the wounds of the Savior? Indeed, the more secure is my...
Prayer to Saint Joseph for Priests
O glorious Saint Joseph, who, on the word of the angel speaking to you in the night, put fear aside to take your Virgin Bride...
Where our paths converge
Learn From the Saints Yes, Our Lord would have you learn from His saints. It is good to study the saints and receive their teachings....
Yielding to the attraction of the saints
Every Lent I choose — or rather ask Our Lord to choose for me — a saint or saints to be my Lenten companions. From...
The Surpassing Power of Love
Preface for the Feast of Saint Scholastica, Virgin Truly it is right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you...
Blessed Marmion Novena: Day Two
The Second Day of the Novena Saturday, 23 January 2010 O Holy Spirit, Love of the Father and the Son, establish Thyself as a furnace...
Novena in Honour of Blessed Abbot Marmion
The image of Blessed Abbot Marmion is a photograph I took of a painting in the Irish College in Rome in 2006. I remain grateful...
Adorers of the Eucharistic Face of Jesus
A Thursday of Adoration and Reparation For the very first time, our embryonic monastery observed the Thursday of Adoration and Reparation for Priests. Being three,...
Saints Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs
Tomorrow, the feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian, is Lisa Hoffer’s 50th birthday. Born under the protection of the Holy Physicians, Lisa pursues their vocation....