The Inner Sanctuary Beyond the Veil
Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent Genesis 17: 3-9 Psalm 104: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 (R. 8a) John 8: 51-59 Christ our Priest On this...
And the Truth Shall Make You Free
I preached this homily in 2007. It makes reference, therefore, to the reformed lectionary. I offer it today for the readers of Vultus Christi who...
The Two Annunciations
The Annunciation of the Lord is being celebrated today on the Monday of Passion Week; Friday will be the Commemoration of the Compassion of the...
What seek you?
Men Called to a Hidden Life Our Lord continues to call souls to a hidden life of adoration and reparation. Jesus desires to have, close...
Suscipe Me, Domine
March 21 The Transitus of Our Holy Father Saint Benedict My very dear Oblates, friends, and readers of Vultus Christi, tomorrow (21 March) we will...
And There He Was
One of my favourite poems for the feast of Saint Joseph: I am happy to share it with the readers of Vultus Christi. It is,...
Will you say a prayer for me, Father?
Men Who Specialize in Prayer What I am about to share reflects, without any doubt, the experience of most priests. It is especially true here...
I Sought Him
Saturday of the Second Week of Lent Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 Psalm 102:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12 Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 Draw Near to Hear The first line...
Wordless is the Word of the Father
This icon of Jesus Christ, the Blessed Silence, written by the hand of Mother Anastasia, represents Our Lord in His first 30 years when He...
Audi, Benigne Conditor
As Holy Lent goes forward, I am offering my own translation of some of the hymns for the Divine Office. Although not strictly literal, my...
Iam, Christe, Sol Iustitiae
This is, I think, my favourite Lenten Office hymn. I cannot help but pair it with one of Turner’s magnificent sunrises. You can find the...
Precemur Omnes Cernui
Lauds I Come, weep before the Judge, and seek With broken hearts his grace to win; Be bold, and trusting meet his gaze, And trembling...
Saint Benedict on the Daily Lenten Reading
Not a Pious Pastime Saint Benedict treats of the daily Lenten reading in Chapter 48 of the Holy Rule, “On the Daily Manual Labour.” For...
This Least of Rules Written for Beginners
Whoever, therefore, thou art that hasteneth to thy heavenly country, fulfil by the help of Christ this least of Rules which we have written for...
That No One May Be Troubled or Grieved
This painting of Saint Francesca Romana dates from the 17th century, and is the work of Giovanni Antonio Galli, called lo Spadarino. Wives and Mothers...
All the Hard and Rugged Ways
This is the first part of the conference I gave yesterday, on Sexagesima Sunday, at the clothing of nine Novice Oblates in the Benedictine scapular....
Newly Received Oblate Novices
Sexagesima Sunday, 12 January 2012 Newly received Novice Oblates are (left to right): Katie Kane, received as Sister Columba (Blessed Abbot Columba Marmion); Alexander Carroll,...
Sufficit tibi gratia mea
Sexagesima Sunday 12 February 2012 The Introit Today’s Mass opens with a great cry asking God to wake up. The prayer is one of a...
Letter to a Novice Oblate (VI)
On this day before the feast of Saint Scholastica, I thought it appropriate to post this detail of an altarpiece painting of Saint Scholastica in...
Letter to a Novice Oblate (V)
My very dear Novice Oblate, The Rule Is Supple I am taking a few moments out of a very busy day to write something about...