Apostle of the Holy Face of Jesus: St Gaetano Catanoso
The liturgical memorial of Saint Gaetano Catanoso occurs on September 20th. Pope Benedict XVI canonized him on October 23, 2005. In the homily of the...
Of Obedience (I)
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...
What Are the Instruments of Good Works (IV:III)
20 Jan. 21 May. 20 Sept. 44. To fear the Day of Judgment. 45. To be in dread of hell. 46. To desire with a...
What are the Instruments of Good Works (II)
19 Jan. 20 May. 19 Sept. 22. Not to give way to anger. 23. Not to harbour a desire of revenge. 24. Not to foster...
The Blessing of Basil Leaf in Honour of the Holy Cross
The aromatic herb, basil (Ocimum basilicum) has long been associated with the Holy Cross. Etymologically, it is related to basileios, the Greek word for king....
By patience share in the sufferings of Christ
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...
Time now for us to rise from sleep
2 Jan. 3 May. 2 Sept. Let us then at length arise, since the Scripture stirreth us up, saying: It is time now for us...
That the whole observance of Perfection is not set down in this Rule
CHAPTER LXXIII. That the whole observance of Perfection is not set down in this Rule 1 May. 31 Aug. 31 Dec. We have written this...
Of the good zeal which Monks ought to have
CHAPTER LXXII. Of the good zeal which Monks ought to have 30 Apr. 30 Aug. 30 Dec. As there is an evil zeal of bitterness,...
That no one presume to strike another
CHAPTER LXX. That no one presume to strike another 28 Apr. 28 Aug. 28 Dec. Let every occasion of presumption be banished from the...
That no one presume to defend another in the Monastery
CHAPTER LXIX. That no one presume to defend another in the Monastery 27 Apr. 27 Aug. 27 Dec. Care must be taken that on no...
If a Brother be commanded to do Impossibilities
CHAPTER LXVIII. If a Brother be commanded to do Impossibilities 26 Apr. 26 Aug. 26 Dec. If on any brother there be laid commands that...
A New Book on Father Willie Doyle, S.J.
In the recently published To Raise the Fallen, Dr Patrick Kenny displays a remarkable gift for bringing his readers close to the soul of the...
Fiat mihi secundum Verbum tuum
Homily Pronounced at the Funeral Mass of Mother Jeanne-Françoise de l’Assomption, née Jeanne–Marie Eugénie Fournier, of the Congregation of the Benedictines of Jesus Crucified on...
Pope Benedict XVI on Saint Tarcisius, Martyr
In our proper Benedictine calendar, today is the feast of Saint Tarcisius, martyr of the Most Holy Eucharist. Pope Benedict XVI spoke of Saint Tarcisius...
An Irish Priest for Priests
August 16th, 1917: The Anniversary of Father William Doyle, S.J. When Father Willie Doyle entered my life, something happened. It was the beginning of one...
Blessing of Herbs and Flowers
Christians of both East and West have, from very early times, blessed herbs and fruit on the Feast of the Assumption. Thus blessed, these creatures...
An Assumption Homily
Assumpta Est Maria Assumpta est Maria in caelum, gaudent angeli, laudantes benedicunt Dominum! Mary has been taken up into heaven; the angels rejoice and, praising,...
Let us, then, be content to be nothing
From a conference on the Verbum Crucis that I preached to Dominicans in 2015: In my gallery of heavenly friends there is one Dominican —...
À l’école du Père Vayssière
I first posted this article in October 2014. A Mystic of the Rosary I return, from time to time, to a couple of recent publications...