Monthly Archives: August 2009

We pray today in Midday Prayer, at least in the Italian translation of the Divine Office, the responsory to the scripture verse: ” In God my salvation and my glory; he is my defense.” I was struck at the moment … Continue reading →

“Stay with me, Lord, for you are my light, and without you, I am in darkness.”  — St. Pio of Pietrelcina

Today is the memorial of St. Augustine. A section of his “Confessions” is the patristic reading in the Office today. Perhaps his most famous paragraph is given for our reflection.  My translation of the Italian: “Slow have I loved you, O … Continue reading →

I have resisted posting on Senator Ted Kennedy. We are already saturated with other blogs and various other sources of opinion about this undoubtedly hugely influential man in American culture and politics. Yet, I will offer a couple of thoughts.  … Continue reading →

I hope you had the chance to read St. John Chrysostom’s homily yesterday in the Office of Readings. Having read it in years past, I am eager to reread it as the liturgical cycle brings it to my attention. He spoke … Continue reading →

Ordination day for me and ten other brother deacons for the Winona diocese was last Saturday. As so many before me have testified, that stone floor of the Cathedral can be hard and cold, but it did not stop the … Continue reading →

“Prayer is the cup for drinking the grace of the Holy Spirit from the abundant fountain of delight, the Blessed Trinity.” — St. Bonaventure

“Maybe the virtue we should pray for isn’t so much courage but integrity, so that we say what we mean and we mean what we say and we live what we say. I hope God gives me that grace, and I … Continue reading →

“It is obedience, and only obedience, which clearly shows us God’s will.” — St. Maximilian Kolbe, OFM Conv.

“Thanks be to God for vocation — and for the strength to follow the call, at least imperfectly.” –Solanus Casey, OFM Cap.

I may be a bit biased as you might imagine since I was a friend of Bishop Tony Taylor back in the late 1970s when we studied and worked together in Rome, but I find his homily of August 15 … Continue reading →

Today’s Office of Readings has a selection from St. John Chrysostom and his homily on the Gospel according to Matthew.  He writes: “Conversion by means of your ministry may be possible to others who are in error, but if you … Continue reading →

Cardinal Hummes, Prefect of the Congregation of the Clergy, wrote a letter to all deacons on the feast of St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr. He calls us to sanctity through rigorous prayer, especially Lectio Divina, and to renewed involvement with … Continue reading →

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has launched a website on health care reform.  Looks like a great resource for anyone wanting to understand where the American Church is on the rather loud social and political debate that is occurring … Continue reading →

The kindness of the elderly can be humbling. With age and infirmity will come for some a softening of attitude, a benevolence that was in times past obscured by both the habits of personality and the prejudices of others. An … Continue reading →