Let Nothing Affright Thee
This medieval image is not directly related to today’s reflection on the lesson from the Book of Exodus read at Mass. It depicts Saint Birgitta...
Saint Birgitta of Sweden
Entrance Antiphon Let us all rejoice in the Lord, as we celebrate a festival in honour of Saint Birgitta, at whose solemnity the angels rejoice...
Nothing Happens Without Your Permitting It
Yesterday I returned from preaching a retreat to the Bridgettine Sisters (Order of the Most Holy Saviour) at the Convent of Saint Birgitta, Vikingsborg, in...
Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, Day Eight
Your servant, Saint Simon of the Tree Stock, was shown to be another Melodist in praising you and invoking your motherly Protection as the Sovereign...
Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, Day Seven
Your Son immediately felt His Healing Power go out of him and asked who it was that touched him, even though there were many crowds...
When God Asks Us to Change
Rembrandt shows Jacob on his deathbed in Egypt, blessing the sons of Joseph. God was faithful to His promise. Joseph closed his father’s eyes. Friday...
Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, Day Six
It is not against human enemies that we struggle, but against sovereignties and powers who originate the darkness in this world, the spiritual army of...
Saint John Gualbert, Abbot
Good for Evil and Blessings for Curses Good rendered for evil; blessings for curses; pardon, peace, concord, and reconciliation. The Collect for the Memorial of...
Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, Day Five
O Most Holy Mother of Carmel, having learned the truth in the Lord Jesus, the Apostle to the Gentiles calls us to give up all...
Woundedness
Terry’s commentary on Jacob’s struggle is magnificent. Read the whole text at Abbey–Roads2. This wrestling in the night can also suggest the spiritual combat involved...
Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, Day Four
We join with the Prophet Ezekiel in pondering the rich treasury of Grace that your most holy Mantle of Carmel sends down on us who...
Mansit solus
Genesis 32:23-33 And He Withdrew From Them The patriarch Jacob prefigures Our Lord at prayer in the Garden of Gethsemani. “How so?” you ask. When...
Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, Day Three
A chariot of fire appeared taking the Prophet Elias to heaven in a whirlwind. Eliseus grabbed hold of Elias’ Mantle, shouting: My father! Chariot of...
Et ero custos tuus
Genesis 28:10-22 I Will Be Thy Keeper For all who, like the patriarch Jacob, journey, and seek, and dream, there is a message of hope...
Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, Day Two
O Most Holy Mother of God, we rejoice in God our Saviour Who covers us with the Divine Protection of your prayers. Pondering your great...
When the Kingdom of God Comes Nigh
Isaiah 66:10 – 14 Galatians 6:14 – 18 Luke 10:1 – 20 Joy and Thanksgiving Today’s Holy Mass invites us to joy and to thanksgiving:...
Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, Day One
If you want to make a novena ending on the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, begin today. Your Holy Prophet Elias...
Rome Unvisited
Tomorrow I will be leaving Rome. I expect to be away from the Eternal City for the remaining summer months. I will know better what...
Envy, An Ugly Sin
Thursday of the Twelfth Week of the Year I Genesis 16:1-12, 15-16 The painting of Hagar in the wilderness is by Giovanni Lanfranco. It hangs...
Feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Help
This morning I walked to the Church of Sant’ Alfonso, the Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. It was quiet and peaceful there with...