Angels appointed to watch over us (VII: The First Degree)
29 Jan. 30 May. 29 Sept. Let us be on our guard, then, against evil desires, since death hath its seat close to the entrance...
Peoples of the West . . . return to the monasteries!
The New Liturgical Movement graciously presented an English translation of the homily which His Eminence Robert Cardinal Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and...
That His will may be done in us (VII:4)
28 Jan. 29 May. 28 Sept. We are, indeed, forbidden to do our own will by Scripture, which saith to us: turn away from thine...
Thus one festival prepares us for the next
From a Letter of Saint John of Avila, Doctor the Church, to a Lady, On the Feasts of Pentecost and Corpus Christi Let us now...
Beheld from heaven by God (VII: The First Degree)
27 Jan. 28 May. 27 Sept. Let him consider that he is always beheld from heaven by God, and that his actions are everywhere seen...
Avoid all forgetfulness (VII:The First Degree)
26 Jan. 27 May. 26 Sept. The first degree of humility, then, is that a man, always keeping the fear of God before his eyes,...
Lifted up by the Lord to heaven (VII:1)
CHAPTER VII. Of Humility 25 Jan. 26 May. 25 Sept. The Holy Scripture crieth out to us, brethren, saying: “Every one that exalteth himself shall...
Pray for Ireland
O HEART OF JESUS, formed by the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mary, have mercy on the nations soaked in the blood...
Acceptable to God and sweet to men (V:2)
23 Jan. 24 May. 23 Sept.
But this very obedience will then only be acceptable to God and sweet to men, if what is commanded be...
In following her you shall not go astray (V:1)
CHAPTER V. Of Obedience 22 Jan. 23 May. 22 Sept. The first degree of humility is obedience without delay. This becometh those who hold nothing...
Supplica to Saint Rita of Cascia
The saints befriend those whom God entrusts to them. Often the saints introduce themselves into one’s life by means of a reference in conversation, the...
Ergo aequalis sit ab eo omnibus caritas (II:4)
12 Jan. 13 May. 12 Sept. Let him make no distinction of persons in the monastery. Let not one be loved more than another, unless...
When anyone receiveth the name of abbot (II:3)
11 Jan. 12 May. 11 Sept. Therefore, when anyone receiveth the name of Abbot, he ought to govern his disciples by a two-fold teaching: that...
The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Most Holy Eucharist, and the Cenacle
On this first day of the Great Pentecost Novena, I find it helpful to reflect on the Blessed Virgin Mary’s participation in the Most Holy...
I have not hidden Thy justice in my heart (II:2)
10 Jan. 11 May. 10 Sept. Let the Abbot be ever mindful that at the dreadful judgment of God an account will have to be...
The Strongest Kind of Monks
CHAPTER I. Of the several kinds of Monks and their way of life 8 Jan. 9 May. 8 Sept. It is well known that there...
Dilatato corde (Prologue 7)
7 Jan. 8 May. 7 Sept. We have, therefore, to establish a school of the Lord’s service, in the setting forth of which we hope...
Sed convertatur et vivat (Prologue 5)
5 Jan. 6 May. 5 Sept. Hence also the Lord saith in the Gospel: “He that heareth these words of Mine, and doeth them, is...
Operantem in se Dominum magnificant (Prologue 4)
4 Jan. 5 May. 4 Sept. Having our loins, therefore, girded with faith and the performance of good works, let us walk in His paths...
Et antequam me invocetis dicam vobis: Ecce adsum (Prologue 3)
3 Jan. 4 May. 3 Sept. And the Lord, seeking His own workman in the multitude of the people to whom He thus crieth out,...