St. Catherine of Siena - Doctor of the Church

The 25th child of a wool dyer in northern Italy, St. Catherine started having mystical experiences when she was only 6, seeing guardian as clearly as the people they protected. She became a Dominican tertiary when she was 16, and continued to have of Christ, Mary, and the saints. St. Catherine was one of the most brilliant theological minds of her day, although she never had any formal education...

Reading 1, Acts 4:8-12

⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, addressed them, 'Rulers of the people, and elders!

⁹ If you are questioning us today about an act of kindness to a cripple and asking us how he was healed,

¹⁰ you must know, all of you, and the whole people of Israel, that it is by the name of the Nazarene, whom you crucified, and raised from the dead, by this name and by no other that this stand...

“We are God’s children.” (1 John 3:2)

What a radical statement! How awesome it is that we mere mortals are children of the eternal, almighty God! What could be more wonder­ful than having the Creator of the universe as your own dad?

Being a child of God is not just a matter of doctrine or intellectual faith but of relationship—a relation­ship founded on love: “See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God” (1 John 3:1).

Being his d...

St. Peter Chanel

In Chanel, and (Feast day - April 28) The protomartyr of the South Seas, Chanel was born in 1803 at Clet in the of Belley, France. His intelligence and simple piety brought him to the attention of the local priest, Father Trompier, who saw to his elementary education. Entering the diocesan Seminary, Peter won the affection and the esteem of both students and professors. After his ordi...

Reading 1, Acts 9:31-42

³¹ The churches throughout Judaea, and were now left in peace, building themselves up and living in the fear of the Lord; encouraged by the Holy Spirit, they continued to grow.

³² It happened that Peter visited one place after another and eventually came to God's holy people living down in Lydda.

³³ There he found a called Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years.

“Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed. Then he turned to her body and said, ‘Tabitha, rise up.’” (Acts 9:40)

Throughout the Book of Acts, we see Peter acting confidently by the power of the Holy Spirit. He preaches powerful sermons that convert thousands. He heals a lame beggar at the Temple gate (Acts 3:1-10). He says boldly to the para­lyzed Aeneas, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up” (9:34). This is quite an impressive man!

Today’s reading gives us a glim...

St. Zita

St. Zita was born into a poor but holy family. Her older sister became a Cistercian nun and her uncle Graziano was a hermit whom the local people regarded as a saint. Zita herself always tried to do God's obediently whenever it was pointed out to her by her mother. At the age of twelve Zita became a housekeeper in the house of a rich weaver in Lucca, Italy, eight miles from her home at Monte Sagrati. As things turned out, she stayed with that

Reading 1, Acts 9:1-20

¹ Meanwhile was still breathing threats to slaughter the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest

² and asked for letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, that would authorise him to arrest and take to any followers of the Way, men or women, that he might find.

³ It happened that while he was travelling to and approaching the city, suddenly a light from shone all rou...

“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4)

Paul’s conversion on the Damascus road has all the ele­ments of a dramatic film. A villainous lead character is sud­denly stopped in his tracks by a light from the sky. A voice comes from heaven, and this villain undergoes an amazing transforma­tion and embarks on a whole new adventure.

What about your own conver­sion story? More than likely, it wasn’t so dramatic. Perhaps a friend spoke to you, or maybe you started re...

St. Cletus

was the third of Rome, and succeeded St. Linus, which circumstance alone shows his eminent among the first disciples of in the West. He sat twelve years, from 76 to 89. The of the Roman mass, (which Bossuet and all others agree to be of primitive antiquity,) Bede, and other Martyrologists, style him a martyr. He was buried near St. Linus, on the Vatican, and his still remain in that church.  

Reading 1, Acts 8:26-40

²⁶ The of the spoke to Philip saying, 'Set out at noon and go along the road that leads from down to Gaza, the road.'

²⁷ So he set off on his journey. Now an Ethiopian had been on pilgrimage to Jerusalem; he was a eunuch and an officer at the court of the kandake, or queen, of Ethiopia; he was her chief treasurer.

²⁸ He was now on his way home; and as he sat in his chariot he wa...

“Look, there is water. What is to prevent my being baptized?” (Acts 8:36)

Philip might have been worried. An angel from God told him to approach the chariot of a powerful official from a foreign country. But how could he cut through the cul­tural barriers? How could he come up with an effective presentation of the gospel that would change this man’s heart? Wasn’t God asking too much of him this time?

As it turned out, God had already laid a lot of the groundwork for Philip...

St. Mark

The second Gospel was written by St. Mark, who, in the New Testament, is sometimes called Mark. Both he and his mother, Mary, were highly esteemed in the early Church, and his mother's house in served as a meeting place for Christians there.

St. was associated with and (who was Mark's cousin) on their missionary journey through the island of Cyprus. Later he accompanied alone. We know also th...

Reading 1, First Peter 5:5-14

⁵ In the same way, younger people, be subject to the elders. towards one another must be the garment you all wear constantly, because opposes the proud but accords his favour to the humble.

⁶ Bow down, then, before the power of now, so that he may raise you up in due time;

⁷ unload all your burden on to him, since he is concerned about you.

⁸ Keep sober and alert, because you...

St. Mark

Your brothers and sisters throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. (1 Peter 5:9)

Let’s face it. Suffering is a part of life in this world. No one can escape it, not even the greatest saints. So let’s take the opportunity on this feast of St. Mark, to see how one of the church’s shining lights handled life’s slings and arrows.

Tradition tells us that St. Mark is the same John Mark who accompa­nied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. For s...

St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen

Franciscan Capuchin martyr. He was born Rey is Sigmaringen, Germany, in 1577. A practicing lawyer, he traveled across as a tutor to aristocrats but then started defending the poor. In 1612, he became a Franciscan Capuchin monk, taking the name of Fidelis. A missionary to Grisons, Switzerland, Fidelis was so successful that local Protestants claimed that he was a spy for the Austrian Emperor. Fidelis was stabbed to death ...

Reading 1, Acts 7:51--8:1

⁵¹ 'You stubborn people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears. You are always resisting the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do.

⁵² Can you name a single your ancestors never persecuted? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Upright One, and now you have become his betrayers, his murderers.

⁵³ In spite of being given the through angels, you have not kept it.'

...

“It was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven… . I am the bread of life.” (John 6:32,35)

The Israelites were yearning for a romantic past. Selectively forget­ting the thirst and weariness of their long desert wanderings, they focused on remembering the miraculous manna that sustained them. Since Jesus was talking somewhat mysteri­ously to them about “true bread,” they demanded a sign similar to the manna their ancestor...

St. George

Pictures of usually show him killing a dragon to rescue a beautiful lady. The dragon stands for wickedness. The lady stands for God's holy truth. was a brave who was victorious over the devil.

He was a soldier in the army of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, and he was one of the Emperor's favorite soldiers. Now was a and a bitter enemy to the Christians. He put to death every h...

Reading 1, Acts 6:8-15

⁸ Stephen was filled with and power and began to work miracles and great signs among the people.

⁹ Then certain people came forward to debate with Stephen, some from and who were members of the called the of Freedmen, and others from Cilicia and Asia.

¹⁰ They found they could not stand up against him because of his wisdom, and the that prompted what he said. ...

“What can we do to accom­plish the works of God?” (John 6:28)

Jesus had just fed a multitude of people, and the disciples had just seen him walking on water. Take a moment to think about the immensity of these two feats. First, Jesus was able to feed thousands of hungry people with just five loaves of bread and a couple of fish. Then, he completely overrode the laws of gravity and buoyancy by striding atop a stormy sea. And he did it all so casually, so matter-of-factly, as if...

VATICAN CITY (Catholic Online) - One day after the celebration of the 85th birthday of the Pope of Christian unity, on the week commemorating seven years of his pontificate, an amazing turn of events may have finally occurred. The rumors have been rampant. However, they they have received mixed reviews from Vatican observers. They have also prompted rampant speculation.

However, on Tuesday, April 17, 2012, the reliable Andrea Tornielli reported that the doctrinal preamble issued by the...

St. Abdiesus

Also called Hebed Jesus, a deacon in the community of who was caught up in the persecutions conducted by King Shapur II. Records indicate that Abdiesus was accompanied in his martyrdom by Abrosimus, Acepsimus, Azadanes, Azades, Bicor, Mareas, Milles, and a women named Tarbula. Some were Persian courtiers, others priests and bishops. Tarbula was the sister of St. Simeon, and suffered a particularly cruel death by sawing.  

Reading 1, Acts 3:13-15, 17-19

¹³ It is the of Abraham, and Jacob, the of our ancestors, who has glorified his servant whom you handed over and then disowned in the presence of Pilate after he had given his verdict to release him.

¹⁴ It was you who accused the Holy and Upright One, you who demanded that a murderer should be released to you

¹⁵ while you killed the prince of life. God, however, raised him from the...

“He opened their minds to understand the scriptures.” (Luke 24:45)

We all love to have our minds stretched in new directions. There is nothing more exciting than listen­ing to someone who can open up new horizons in our understanding. This is one way to describe how the apostles must have felt after Jesus appeared and “opened their minds to understand the scriptures” (Luke 24:45). But something more than human learning was going on here.

When Jesus opened the apostles’ m...

St. Anselm

St. Anselm of and APRIL 21,A.D. 1109 IF the Norman conquerors stripped the English nation of its liberty, and many temporal advantages, it must be owned that by their valor they raised the reputation of its arms, and deprived their own country of its greatest men, both in church and state, with whom they adorned this kingdom: of which this great doctor, and his master, Lanfranc, are instances. was born o...

Reading 1, Acts 6:1-7

¹ About this time, when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenists made a complaint against the Hebrews: in the daily distribution their own widows were being overlooked.

² So the Twelve called a full meeting of the disciples and addressed them, 'It would not be for us to neglect the word of so as to give out food;

³ you, brothers, must select from among yourselves seven men of rep...

“It is I.” (John 6:20)

The disciples were rowing in a strong wind. They were working hard, keeping the boat afloat despite the wind and the waves. The situ­ation wasn’t desperate. These were able watermen who knew the sea and had determined that they could make it to the other shore in these conditions. Still, something hap­pened, “and they began to be afraid” (John 6:19).

It wasn’t the wind or the waves that caused their fear. It was Jesus, appearing at a place they ...

St. Marian

When was of the monastery which had founded at Auxerre, there came to him a young called (also known as Marian), a fugitive from then occupied by the Visigoths. gave him the habit, and the edified all his piety and obedience. The Abbot, wishing to test him, gave him the lowest possible post - that of cowman and shepherd in the farm at Merille. accepted the work cheerfully,...

Reading 1, Acts 5:34-42

³⁴ One member of the Sanhedrin, however, a Pharisee called Gamaliel, who was a teacher of the respected by the whole people, stood up and asked to have the men taken outside for a time.

³⁵ Then he addressed the Sanhedrin, 'Men of Israel, be careful how you deal with these people.

³⁶ Some ago there arose Theudas. He claimed to be someone important, and collected about four hundred followers; but wh...

“Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” (John 6:12)

The miracle of the loaves and fishes is one of the best examples of how Jesus works in our lives. In the story, Jesus put Philip to the test when, looking at the crowd that had gathered, he asked: “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” (John 6:5). Jesus knew what he was going to do, but he wanted Philip and the others to feel some sense of the responsibility that Jesus constantly felt as h...

Reading 1, Acts 5:27-33

²⁷ When they had brought them in to face the Sanhedrin, the high demanded an explanation.

²⁸ 'We gave you a strong warning', he said, 'not to preach in this name, and what have you done? You have filled with your teaching, and seem determined to fix the guilt for this man's death on us.'

²⁹ In reply Peter and the said, 'Obedience to comes before to men;

³⁰ it...

St. Alphege

Archbishop and "the First of Canterbury." He was born in 953 and became a in the Deerhurst Monastery in Gloucester, England, asking after a few years to become a hermit. He received permission for this vocation and retired to a small hut near Somerset, England. In 984 Alphege assumed the role of of the of Bath, founded by and by his own efforts. Many of his disciples f...

“The one who comes from above is above all.” (John 3:31)

O Lord, sometimes I feel trapped by all the pressure and stress of life. All I can see are my problems, my struggles, my challenges. I feel like I am drowning in a sea of trials. It’s so hard to look above all the things that are pressing on me, demanding my immediate attention!

But you, Jesus, are from above, and you are above all. You have the serenity that comes from your divine perspective, overseeing the raging se...

St. Apollonius the Apologist

Martyr whose Apologia, or defense of the faith, is considered one of the most priceless documents of the early Church. Apollonius was a Roman senator who was denounced as a by one of his slaves. The Praetorian Prefect, Sextus Tigidius Perennis, arrested him, also putting the slave to death as an informer. Perennis demanded that Apollonius denounce the faith, and when he refused, the case was remanded to the Roman senate....

Reading 1, Acts 5:17-26

¹⁷ Then the high intervened with all his supporters from the party of the Sadducees. Filled with jealousy,

¹⁸ they arrested the and had them put in the public gaol.

¹⁹ But at night the of the opened the prison gates and said as he led them out,

²⁰ 'Go and take up position in the Temple, and tell the people all about this new Life.'

²¹ They did as they were told;...

“God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.” (John 3:16)

Imagine a holy card that pic­tures God the Father—blazing with wrath—poised to blast this sinful world to oblivion. And next to him, straining to hold back the aveng­ing arm, God the Son, whose heart burns with love for fallen humanity.

Hopefully, you’re not carrying such an image in your prayer book! But are you carrying some version of it in your head? Do you some­times see the Father as severe and conde...

St. Anicetus

Anicetus was a Syrian from Emesa. He became pope about 155 and actively opposed Marcionism and Gnosticism. His pontificate saw the appearance of the controversy between East and West over the date of Easter. St. Polycarp, a of John, is reported to have visited him in about the dispute, which was to accelerate and grow more heated over the following centuries.  

Reading 1, Acts 4:32-37

³² The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, as everything they owned was held in common.

³³ The continued to testify to the resurrection of the with great power, and they were all accorded great respect.

³⁴ None of their members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell them, and bring the mone...

“There was no needy person among them.” (Acts 4:34)

How idyllic the early church sounds! Everything was held in com­mon. The gospel was preached in power. Everyone enjoyed the favor of God. The wealthy liquidated their assets and gave the money to the apostles. This is quite a model of what a truly Christian community looks like—or would look like if such a community were comprised of genuine, true believers.

But look again. At the top of his list, St. Luke tells us that the ...

St. Bernadette

Reading 1, Acts 4:23-31

²³ As soon as they were released they went to the community and told them everything the chief priests and elders had said to them.

²⁴ When they heard it they lifted up their voice to with one heart. 'Master,' they prayed, 'it is you who made sky and earth and sea, and everything in them;

²⁵ it is you who said through the and speaking through our ancestor David, your servant: Why this upro...

“They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:31)

Only after being filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost did Peter and the apostles feel con­fident enough to share the gospel message and invite other people to join them in the church. Only then did they feel compelled to move into the world evangelizing with the reckless abandon of those who knew they were miraculously redeemed and completely, uncondi­ti...

St. Paternus

St. Paternus.The first 5th century saint. He followed his father's path by becoming a hermit in Wales. He founded the monastery at the great church of Paternus, and became a of that region. He was known for his preaching, charity and mortifications. Scholars believe his story is an amalgam. His is April 16.  

Reading 1, Acts 4:32-35

³² The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, as everything they owned was held in common.

³³ The continued to testify to the resurrection of the with great power, and they were all accorded great respect.

³⁴ None of their members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell them, and bring the mone...

Divine Mercy Sunday

This is the one who came through water and blood. (1 John 5:6)

“Throughout the world the Second Sunday of Easter will receive the name Divine Mercy Sunday, a perennial invitation … to face, with confidence in divine benevolence, the difficulties and trials that human­ity will experience in the years to come.” Twelve years ago, Pope John Paul II used these words to inaugu­rate Divine Mercy Sunday, a feast to be celebrated every year on the sec­ond Sunday...

St. Lydwine

St. Lydwine is the patroness of sickness Lydwine of Schiedam was born at Schiedam, Holland, one of nine of a working man. After an injury in her youth, she became bedridden and suffered the rest of her from various illnesses and diseases. She experienced mystical gifts, including of heaven, hell, purgatory, of Christ, and the stigmata. Thom...

Reading 1, Acts 4:13-21

¹³ They were astonished at the fearlessness shown by Peter and John, considering that they were uneducated laymen; and they recognised them as associates of Jesus;

¹⁴ but when they saw the who had been cured standing by their side, they could find no answer.

¹⁵ So they ordered them to stand outside while the had a private discussion.

¹⁶ 'What are we going to do with these men?' they...

“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:16)

Imagine that you’re Mary Magdalene, and you are just encoun­tering the risen Jesus for the very first time. Your heart is pounding. Your eyes are wide with wonder. Your breath comes in gasps of amazement. In a combination of joy and shock, you fall at his feet and worship him.

In the Gospel readings all this week, we have seen story after story of how disciples like Mary reacted when they discovered that Jesus ha...

Pope Saint Martin I

Martin I lay too sick to fight on a couch in front of the altar when the soldiers burst into the Lateran basilica. He had come to the church when he heard the soldiers had landed. But the thought of kidnapping a sick pope from the house of didn't stop the soldiers from grabbing him and hustling him down to their ship.

Elected pope in 649, I had gotten in trouble for refusing to condone in the face of wrong. At that

Reading 1, Acts 4:1-12

¹ While they were still talking to the people the priests came up to them, accompanied by the captain of the and the Sadducees.

² They were extremely annoyed at their teaching the people the resurrection from the dead by proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus.

³ They arrested them, and, as it was already late, they kept them in prison till the next day.

⁴ But many of those who had listened t...

It is the Lord.” (John 21:7)

What a puzzling time this must have been in the disciples’ lives! They’ve followed Jesus on the way to the cross, only to hear reports that he has come alive again. Then he is suddenly in their midst with words of comfort and mission—but then he vanishes as quickly as he appeared. What’s next?

Not surprisingly, some of them go back to their work as fisher­men—something stable. But after a long night, they have caught noth­ing. Then a stra...

St. Julius

Julius whose is April 12th. Julius was the son of a Roman named Rusticus. He was elected Pope to succeed Pope on February 6, 337. Julius was soon involved in the Arian controversy when opposed the return of Athanasius to the See of in 338. Eusebius and his followers elected George, whereupon the Arians elected Pistus. Julius convened a in in 340 or 341 that neither group attended, and in a letter to t...

Reading 1, Acts 3:11-26

¹¹ Everyone came running towards them in great excitement, to the Portico of Solomon, as it is called, where the was still clinging to Peter and John.

¹² When Peter saw the people he addressed them, 'Men of Israel, why are you so surprised at this? Why are you staring at us as though we had made this walk by our own power or holiness?

¹³ It is the of Abraham, and Jacob, the of our anc...

St. Marguerite d'Youville

Foundress of the Sisters of Charity, the of Canada. St. Marguerite D'Youville was born at Varennes, Quebec, on October 15, Marie Marguerite Dufrost de La Jemmerais. She studied under the Ursulines, married Francois D'Youville in 1722, and became a in 1730. She worked to support herself and her three children, devoted much of her to the Confraternity of the Holy in charitable act...

Reading 1, Acts 3:1-10

¹ Once, when Peter and were going up to the for the at the ninth hour,

² it happened that there was a being carried along. He was a cripple from birth; and they used to put him down every day near the entrance called the Beautiful Gate so that he could beg from the people going in.

³ When this saw Peter and on their way into the he begged from them.

⁴ P...

“Their eyes were opened.” (Luke 24:31)

Suppose you are an archaeologist who discovers a great city hidden in the jungle for centuries. Or a police detective who finds the crucial clue that will unlock a stubbornly difficult case. Or a scientist who stumbles onto something so amaz­ing that it promises to revolutionize your field. There are few words to describe these moments—except perhaps astounding, extraordinary, and incredible!

The two disciples in today’s Gospel readin...

St. Waldetrudis

Also known as Waltrude or Waudru, she was the daughter of Saints Walbert and Bertilia and sister of St. Aldegunus of Maubeuge. Marrying Madelgarius, she became the mother of saints Landericus, Madalberta, Adeltrudis, and Dentelin. When her husband chose to become a  about 643 in the monastery of Hautrnont, France, he had founded, she established a at Chateaulieu, around which grew up the town of Mons, Belgium.  

Acts 2:14, 22-32

¹⁴ Then Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed them in a loud voice: 'Men of Judaea, and all you who live in Jerusalem, make no mistake about this, but listen carefully to what I say.

²² 'Men of Israel, listen to what I am going to say: the was a commended to you by by the miracles and portents and signs that worked through him when he was among you, as you know.

²³ This man, who was put into your ...

“God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses.” (Acts 2:32)

So how are you going to celebrate the Easter season? Here’s one way the church will do it: From now until Pentecost, we will be reading from the Book of Acts every day at Mass. That means that for the next fifty days, we will be following the first believers as they spread the news of the resurrection all the way to Rome. We will be reading story after story of how the Holy Spirit empowered these men and women ...

Reading 1, Acts 10:34, 37-43

³⁴ Then Peter addressed them, 'I now really understand', he said, 'that has no favourites,

³⁷ You know what happened all over Judaea, how of began in Galilee, after had been preaching baptism.

³⁸ God had anointed him with the and with power, and because was with him, went about doing and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil.

^3...

The resurrection of the Lord

They did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead. (John 20:9)

What a humble statement! Here is John, the beloved apostle, admit­ting that he hadn’t yet grasped the truth that Jesus would rise from the dead. And not only John but Peter and the other apostles doubted that possibility. Even Mary Magdalene, who saw the empty tomb, supposed that someone had stolen Jesus’ body (John 20:2).

Now, Jesus had told his apostles that t...

St. John Baptist de la Salle

John Baptist de la Salle was born at Rheims, on April 30th. He was the eldest of ten in a noble family. He studied in and was ordained in 1678. He was known for his work with the poor. He died at St. Yon, Rouen, on April 7th. He was canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1900. was very involved in education. He founded the Institute of the Brothers of the (approved in 1725) and established t...

Reading 1, Genesis 1:1--2:2

¹ In the beginning created and earth.

² Now the earth was a formless void, there was darkness over the deep, with a divine wind sweeping over the waters.

³ God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light.

⁴ God saw that light was good, and divided light from darkness.

⁵ God called light 'day', and darkness he called 'night'. Evening came and morning came: the first ...

Easter Vigil

Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare. (Isaiah 55:2)

There are so many powerful symbols during the Easter Vigil! We gather in darkness as a brand-new fire is ignited. That light spreads from the Paschal candle to our own tapers, swallowing up darkness and isolation in its radiant glow.

We hear how our father Abraham sacrificed a lamb caught in a thorn-bush in place of his only son, and we stand in awe before the Father who offers up his thorn...

St. William of Eskilsoe

Missionary. Born at Saint-Germain, France, circa 1125, he served as a at the church of St. Genevieve, Paris, under the great until about 1170, when he was sent to with the mission of reforming the canons at Eskilsoe at the request of the of Roskilde. He became there and, during his three decades among the Danes, he also reformed many other communities. He also founded the of St. Thomas, in Zeeland....

Reading 1, Isaiah 52:13--53:12

¹³ Look, my servant prosper, grow great, rise to great heights.

¹⁴ As many people were aghast at him -- he was so inhumanly disfigured that he no longer looked like a man-

¹⁵ so many nations be astonished and stay tight-lipped before him, seeing what had never been told them, learning what they had not heard before.

¹ Who has given to what we have hear...

Good Friday

It is finished. (John 19:30)

What was finished? Jesus’ mission!

If we want to understand that mission we have to go back to the very beginning of the Bible. We have to start in Genesis, with its story of the fall of our first parents. From that point on, the human race was sepa­rated from God. Subject to sin and death, all Adam’s descendants would now live under a cloud. But God did not abandon us. He established a personal covenant with Abraham to form a people w...

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) - The week we call Holy (Great Week for Eastern Christians) began for me with proclaiming contrasting Gospel readings during the Liturgy of Palm or Passion Sunday. Before we enter the Church in a Procession waving Palm branches, we listen to the Gospel narrative and are invited to identify with the jubilant crowds welcoming the Master into Jerusalem.

Once inside the sanctuary, the Liturgy of the Word begins. Before long, some of those same people shoute...

St. Vincent Ferrer

St. Vincent Ferrer is the patron saint of builders because of his fame for "building up" and strengthening the Church: through his preaching, missionary work, in his teachings, as and adviser.  At in Spain, this illustrious son of came into the world on January 23, 1357. In the year 1374, he entered the Order of in a monastery near his native city. Soon after his profession he was commissione...

Reading 1, Isaiah 61:1-3, 6, 8-9

¹ The of is on me for has anointed me. He has sent me to bring the news to the afflicted, to soothe the broken-hearted,

² to proclaim liberty to captives, release to those in prison, to proclaim a year of favour from and a day of vengeance for our God, to comfort all who mourn

³ (to give to Zion's mourners), to give them for a garland, for mourning-dress, the o...

Holy Thursday

They shall eat its roasted flesh. (Exodus 12:8)

Have you ever wondered why the Israelites had to eat the meat from the Passover lamb they had sacri­ficed? They had already painted the blood of this lamb on their doorposts and lintels. They had already waited breathlessly for the angel of death to pass over them. And it worked. The blood kept them safe and saved them from bondage! So why did they have to take the next step and eat the lamb? Was it just a ceremonial p...

St. Isidore of Seville
Doctor of the Church

Isidore was literally born into a of saints in sixth century Spain. Two of his brothers, Leander and Fulgentius, and one of his sisters, Florentina, are revered as saints in Spain. It was also a of leaders and strong minds with Leander and Fulgentius serving as and Florentina as abbess.

This didn't make easier for Isidore. To the contrary, Leander may have been holy in many ways, but his tr...

Reading 1, Isaiah 50:4-9

⁴ Lord has given me a disciple's tongue, for me to know how to give a word of comfort to the weary. Morning by morning he makes my ear alert to listen like a disciple.

⁵ Lord has opened my ear and I have not resisted, I have not turned away.

⁶ I have offered my back to those who struck me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; I have not turned my face away from insult and spitting. ...

“My appointed time draws near.” (Matthew 26:18)

We are only two days away from Good Friday. Each year this bitter­sweet occasion moves us to focus on the injustice, humiliation, and the suffering that Jesus endured. At the same time, Jesus’ death can cause us to rejoice as we focus on all the blessings that flow from his cross.

When Jesus said that his appointed time was fast approach­ing, he was preparing his disciples for the sacrifice he was about to make for them—and ...

St. Richard of Wyche

Richard of Wyche, also known as of Chichester, was born at Wyche (Droitwich), Worcestershire, England. He was orphaned when he was quite young. He retrieved the fortunes of the mismanaged estate he inherited when he took it over, and then turned it over to his brother Robert. refused marriage and went to Oxford, where he studied under Grosseteste and met and beg...

Reading 1, Isaiah 49:1-6

¹ Coasts and islands, listen to me, pay attention, distant peoples. called me when I was in the womb, before my birth he had pronounced my name.

² He made my mouth like a sharp sword, he hid me in the shadow of his hand. He made me into a sharpened arrow and concealed me in his quiver.

³ He said to me, 'Israel, you are my servant, through whom I shall manifest my glory.'

⁴ But I said, 'My...

“I thought I had toiled in vain …” (Isaiah 49:4)

At the Last Supper, Jesus would certainly have had every reason to be disappointed. For the past three years, he had devoted his life to persuasive preaching; to giving an example of self-sacrifice and uncon­ditional love; and to bringing about dramatic victories over sickness, demonic powers, and even death. Yet no matter how hard he worked, God’s reign on earth still seemed like a distant dream.

Political leaders still dis...

Reading 1, Isaiah 42:1-7

¹ Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom my delights. I have sent my upon him, he bring fair judgement to the nations.

² He does not cry out or raise his voice, his voice is not heard in the street;

³ he does not break the crushed reed or snuff the faltering wick. Faithfully he presents fair judgement;

⁴ he not grow faint, he not be crushed until he has ...

St. Francis of Paola

Francis was born at Paola, and was educated at the Franciscan friary of San Marco there, and when fifteen became a hermit near Paola. In 1436, he and two companions began a community that is considered the of the Minim Friars. He built a monastery where he had led his eremitical some fifteen years later and set a Rule for his followers emphasizing penance, charity, and humility, and added to the three monastic vows, one of

“They gave a dinner for him.” (John 12:2)

Doesn’t it seem odd that Jesus would start the final week of his earthly life by attending a dinner party? You might have expected him, with good reason, to have spent extra time in prayer and conversation with his Father, or in some other way strengthening himself for the ordeal ahead. But no, he had dinner with his friends. He received their gener­osity and love. And he loved them back by spending time with them, even at a time whe...

Reading 1, Isaiah 50:4-7

⁴ Lord has given me a disciple's tongue, for me to know how to give a word of comfort to the weary. Morning by morning he makes my ear alert to listen like a disciple.

⁵ Lord has opened my ear and I have not resisted, I have not turned away.

⁶ I have offered my back to those who struck me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; I have not turned my face away from insult and spitting. ...

St. Hugh of Grenoble

Benedictine of Grenoble, France, patron of St. Bruno. He was born in the Dauphine region and became a of the in Valence. In 1080, while attending a in Avignon, Hugh was named of Grenoble. He attempted a massive reform of the diocese, but, discouraged, retired to Chaise Dieu Abbey, and became a Benedictine. Pope St. Gregoiy VII ordered him back to Grenoble. Hugh gave the land on which the Grande ...

Passion Sunday

Crucify him! (Mark 15:13)

St. Francis de Sales once wrote: “I especially commend earnest mental prayer … upon the life and Passion of our Lord. If you contemplate him frequently in meditation, your whole soul will be filled with him, you will grow in his likeness, and your actions will be molded on his.” Francis knew that if we want to see real transformation in our lives, we need to dwell deeply on the cross.

One of the best ways to do this is to imagine your...