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,...
Pope Benedict XVI on the Face of the Infant Christ
The mystery of the Vultus Christi, the adorable Face of Christ, recurs frequently in the discourses of Pope Benedict XVI. In his December 21st address...
22 December, O REX GENTIUM
O King of the Gentiles, and the Desired of all nations(Hag 2:8), you are the cornerstone (Is 28:16) that binds two into one (Eph 2:14)....
21 December, O ORIENS
O DAYSPRING (Zech 6:12; Lk 1:78), Splendor of Eternal Light (Heb 1:3), and Sun of Justice (Mal 4:2): Come, and enlighten those that sit in...
Ave, verum Corpus natum, de Maria Virgine
In a certain sense Mary lived her Eucharistic faith even before the institution of the Eucharist, by the very fact that she offered her virginal...
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...
The Missa Aurea
A glowing radiance surrounds the Mass of December 20th. During the Middle Ages, the Mass of the Missus Est — the first words of the...
20 December, O CLAVIS DAVID
To illustrate the antiphon O Clavis David, I chose Bartolomeo Bermejo’s magnificent painting of the Harrowing of Hell. It depicts the Risen Christ descending into...
He Will Be Silent in His Love
Did anyone else notice the discrepancy in today’s First Lesson between the Latin lectionary and the English lectionaries currently in use? The Latin text contained...
Quid ergo faciemus?
Third Sunday of Advent C Luke 3:10-18 Philippians 4:4-7 Isaiah 12:2-6 (Responsorial Psalm) Zephaniah 3:14-18 A Prophet All Ablaze Today’s gospel begins rather abruptly. John...
17 December, Third Sunday of Advent
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON GR Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand....
Rosy Reminder for Gaudete Sunday
If you haven’t given it any thought yet, today you might look into getting pink (or rose) flowers for Gaudete Sunday. Rose–coloured roses may be...
15 December, Friday of the Second Week of Advent
A leitmotif of today’s Mass is the advent of the Bridegroom Christ. The Collect alludes to Matthew 25:1–13, the parable of the bridegroom coming at...
Et justificata est sapientia a filiis suis
Not a Caravaggio, although it could be taken for one! This painting of Saint John the Baptist is by the Spaniard Bartolomé González y Serrano...
Et nox sicut dies illuminabitur
Soeur Bénédicte’s Closet When, on the occasion of her twenty-fifth anniversary of profession, Sister Bénédicte–Marie de la Croix asked to make her retreat with us,...
On the Collect of Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent
Almighty God who command us to prepare the way for Christ the Lord, mercifully grant that we may not grow weary in our infirmities as...
I Love New York
I made a day trip into New York City today. Thanks to Deacon Richard Russo, Father Jacob Restrick, O.P. and I were able to visit...
The Humble Prayer of Repetition
I have wanted for some time to write again about the grace of the prayer of repetition. Today a God–seeking soul shared with me that...
12 December, Our Lady of Guadalupe
In this 17th century Mexican painting, the Virgin of Guadalupe intercedes for the soul depicted under the form of little child. Saved by the intercession...
Ab initio, et ante saecula creata sum
At the beginning of time, before the world was, I was created, and to all eternity I shall not cease to be (Ecclus 24:14). How...