Our life in the light of thy countenance
The Collect of Saint Bruno is, at a first glance, astonishing in that it does not even mention his characteristic grace: solitude. One would expect...
The quiet harbour of the port
From the Letter of saint Bruno to his friend Raoul-le-Verd I am living in the wilderness of Calabria far removed from habitation. There are some...
O Augusta Regina delle Vittorie
Prayer at Noon For Catholics in Italy and throughout the world, Sunday, 4 October 2015, marks the return of an appointment with the Supplica, the...
A Little Brother of Saint Thérèse
Immacolato Giuseppe di Gesù (1922-1989) “Far be it for me to probe the mysterious ways of God, whatever they be; when I die, no one...
Saint Mariam of Jesus Crucified
La Petite Arabe August 26th, besides being the feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa, of Saint Melchisedech, King of Salem and Priest, and of the Blessed...
Saint Laurence, Deacon and Martyr
I preached this homily in 2007, and decided to post it again today. 2 Corinthians 9:6-10 Psalm 111: 1-2, 5-6, 7-8, 9 John 12:24-26 Live...
He then returned to his book
From the Nine Ways of Prayer of St Dominic, Priest Dominic was zealous and filled with the spirit of devotion which he drew from the...
Where everything is important, significant, and divine
From the Writings of St Peter Julian Eymard, Priest The Church presents herself before us with the words of Jesus on her lips; she repeats...
Already I loved you
From a Sermon by St Alphonsus Maria Ligouri, Bishop & Doctor of the Church All holiness and perfection of soul lies in our love for...
Votive Mass of Saint Richard Gwyne, Martyr
The just shall rejoice in the Lord, and shall hope in him (63:11). Devotion: the Gift of Self One of the most distinctive characteristics of...
Saint Peter’s Chains
From a Sermon by St John Chrysostom, Bishop & Doctor of the Church Nothing is so glorious as a bond for Christ’s sake, as the...
At Holywell
I am in Wales, having crossed the Irish Sea yesterday by ferry boat, the Jonathan Swift. The crossing lasted less than two hours. Tomorrow I...
Only one thing is necessary
In the Benedictine calendar, today is the feast of: Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus of Bethany, Hosts of the Lord A Place of Refreshment for...
SS. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus
Invitatory The God who conversed with men: * O come, let us adore. Hymn, Redditum luci, Dominus vocante Sing of the first fruits of the...
La Madre on Saint Mary Magdalene
This may be something that happens somewhere between late middle and old age but, increasingly, I find myself recalling things read when I was in...
The Word has also come to me
CHAPTER XLII. That no one may speak after Compline 21 Mar. 21 July. 20 Nov. Monks should love silence at all times, but especially during...
St Bonaventure & the Wholly Flaming Fire
Today we keep the feast of Saint Bonaventure, Doctor of the Church. The Seraphic Doctor counsels us wisely: Question grace, not instruction; desire, not intellect;...
Saints John and Paul, Martyrs of Rome
Friends and Martyrs of the Church at Rome Today is the memorial of Saints John and Paul, named both in the Martyrology and in the...
To strengthen thee in the Testaments of God
Today is the feast of Saint Columba (Colum Cille), one of the three principal patron saints of Ireland, the other two being Saint Patrick and...
Saint Anselm of Aosta (c. 1033 —1109)
Today is the feast of Saint Anselm, abbot of Bec, and archbishop of Canterbury, whose writings, we read at Matins, ‘seem to be drawn from...