Ipse est sacerdos, ipse est Deus
The lessons at Vigils this morning were extraordinarily compelling in the context of this Year of the Priest. (I use the Latin-French Lectionnaire monastique in...
Servant of the Servants of the Cross of Christ
Pope Benedict XVI on Saint Peter Damian The Holy Father’s audience yesterday (September 2009) on Saint Peter Damian (1007-1072) revealed him, once again, as a...
Marcel Van: A Soul for Priests
Called Not to Be a Priest, But to Be for Priests For a long time, the Servant of God, Vietnamese Redemptorist Brother Marcel Van (1928-1959)...
The Grace of the Holy Spirit Admits of No Delay
The corpus of Pope Benedict XVI’s teachings on the Blessed Virgin Mary grows apace. By means of his homilies and addresses on or around the...
Soon-to-be-Saint Jeanne Jugan
Today is the feast of Blessed (and soon to be Saint) Jeanne Jugan (1792-1879), foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor. Blessed Jeanne Jugan,...
Entrusting to Mary the Priests of the Whole World
Our Lady in the Life of the Priest Pope Benedict XVI has been using every opportunity to promote a fruitful observance of the Year of...
Returning to Knock
This coming Sunday evening Father Dan L. and I will be flying to Ireland and shortly thereafter we will be at the shrine of Our...
Pax tecum, Filumena
Connecticut and Ireland I am writing, dear readers, from Hamden, Connecticut where I am spending a few days with my parents before leaving for Ireland...
The Triduum: Evening II
“I will most gladly spend and be overspent for your souls” (2 Cor 12:15) In the name of the Father and of the Son and...
Doctor Zelantissimus
Siamo Napoletani Given that grace builds on nature, my Neapolitan ancestry may, in some way, account for my spiritual affinity with Saint Alphonsus Maria Liguori....
Future Saint: He Took A Stand Against Witchcraft
Who was Benedict Daswa? Benedict Daswa grew up in a traditionalist family belonging to the small Lemba tribe who live mainly among the Venda people...
Plenary Indulgence for the Year of Priests
In response to questions about the Plenary Indulgence for the Year of Priests, readers can find the Vatican’s announcement of the decree of the Apostolic...
Saint James, Apostle
General Intercessions That the Holy Catholic Church, founded on the faith of the apostles, may hold fast to the knowledge of the glory of God...
Vere dignum et justum est
In preparation for the great monastic solemnity that began with First Vespers this evening, I offer this proper Preface for the meditation and joy of...
Caritas in Veritate
Development needs Christians with their arms raised towards God in prayer, Christians moved by the knowledge that truth-filled love, caritas in veritate, from which authentic...
Benedict XVI on the Most Precious Blood
Yesterday, after praying the Angelus, Pope Benedict XVI spoke of the Precious Blood of Christ. “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the...
One Who Prays Is Never Alone
Here is a translation of the Holy Father’s teaching during yesterday’s general audience in St. Peter’s Square. He continues to foster a fruitful celebration of...
Approach With the Fear of God and with Faith
Fourth Sunday After Pentecost [Thirteenth Sunday Per Annum B] Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15 Mark 5:21-43 A Story of Two Healings Two...
“What a frightening thing to be a priest!”
The Holy Father is elucidating his plan for The Year of the Priest. Here is his Wednesday audience: Dear brothers and sisters, The Heart of...
The Birthday of the Bridegroom’s Friend
Today is the birthday of the Bridegroom’s friend: an inbreaking of joy, wild joy, reckless joy, heaven-sent joy. the joy of a divine surprise. A...