Cum gaudio Sancti Spiritus
Saint Benedict the Practical When it comes to the observance of Lent, Saint Benedict is very practical, very concrete. He doesn’t spend a lot of...
Audivit Dominus et misertus est mihi
Saturday After Ash Wednesday At the Introit: The Lord hath heard, and hath had mercy on me: the Lord became my Helper. V. I will...
With a Book and a Heavenly Companion
In the grey light of early morning on Ash Wednesday, between Lauds and Prime, we assembled in the Chapter Room to listen, once again, to...
The Desert of the Most Holy Sacrament
This painting of Christ in the wilderness is the work of Alessandro Bonvicino (1498–1554), know as the Moretto da Brescia. It is found in the...
The saints determine the dates that count
Every Lent I choose — or rather ask Our Lord to choose for me — a saint or saints to be my Lenten companions. From...
Look to Him and Be Radiant
I am fascinated by this 18th century tabernacle depicting the Holy Face of Christ. Looking closely, one sees that the tabernacle door frames Veronica’s Veil....
It is Thy Face, O Lord, that I seek
Saint John Paul II and the Holy Face When the history of the pontificate of Saint John Paul II is written by a generation to...
Mass of the Holy Face
In Rome and in other places, Shrove Tuesday is observed as the Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus. In 2007 I had the privilege...
Their only words: “Jesus, help me!”
Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered: and let them that hate him flee from before his face. As smoke vanisheth, so let...
Bravo, Father Hunwicke!
The brilliant Father Hunwicke, whose ecclesiological insights I savour and applaud, hits the nail on the head in what he says about the reform of...
Forgiveness and Reparation
Every now and then, I find it necessary to return to the Prayer of Forgiveness and Reparation that Our Lord inspired me to write several...
She Chose the Best Part
Preface of Saint Scholastica, Virgin* Truly it is right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy...
Father Leopoldo Pastori (1939–1996)
A Missionary-Monk: Father Leopoldo Pastori (1939–1996) Leopoldo Pastori was born in Lodi, Italy on February 9, 1939. Leopoldo entered the PIME Fathers (Pontifical Institute for...
A Saint For Those Who Are Prisoners of Their Past
Saint Josephine Bakhita I originally posted this homily eight years ago. The message of Saint Josephine Bakhita is so compelling that I decided to post...
From My Window: Just Before Vespers
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Father and Teacher of monks and hermits
The Supplemento Monastico al Messale Romano gives the following Collect and Preface for Saint Romuald. Although of recent composition and somewhat lacking in the sobriety...
Temptation
Saint Romuald Delivered From Evil Guercino painted this scene from the life of Saint Romuald in 1640-41. The holy abbot is kneeling in prayer in...
Saint Colette
Holy Restlessness Saint Colette is a suitable patroness of those blessed by the instability of a holy restlessness, by insatisfaction, and by the burning desire...
Via Crucis for Priests
First Station Jesus Condemned to Death This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover...
The Rosary of the Seven Dolours
The Rosary of the Seven Dolours of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a way of holding in one’s heart the mystery/events of the Childhood and...