Dom Guéranger: A Prophet
In his commentary on the lessons for the Ember Saturday in Lent, Dom Guéranger (1805-1875) writes: Does one want to understand the solidity of a...
Saint Gabriel of the Addolorata
Saint Gabriel of the Addolorata died on February 27, 1862 at twenty-four years of age. Pope Benedict XV canonized him on May 13, 1920. The...
What has God got to do with fasting?
Just it is indeed and fitting, right and for our lasting good, that we should always and everywhere give thanks to thee, Lord, holy Father,...
In the Wilderness
Draw Me After Thee The First Sunday of Lent sets before us the mystery of Our Lord’s forty-day fast in the wilderness. But we are...
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...