Monthly Archives: January 2010

St. Ignatius of Antioch

We have today in the Office of Readings an section of St. Ignatius’ letter to the church of Smyrna. St. Ignatius is one of the very first Patristic writers, having most probably known the apostles personally, and thus is the … Continue reading

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Papa Luciani on the Woes of his time, and ours

Even though he wrote this in 1973, I find it apropos to contemporary society. Papa Luciani is lamenting the cultural movements in western society. He wrote a fictional letter to Aldus Manutius, a printer and publisher from Venice in the … Continue reading

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Claiming God’s Love and our Original Goodness

Fr. Henri J.M. Nouwen wrote the following in his book, The Return of the Prodigal Son.  “I do not think I am alone in this struggle to claim God’s first love and my original goodness. Beneath much human assertiveness, competitiveness, … Continue reading

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The Angelic Doctor

Today, we celebrate the memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, often called the “Angelic Doctor” because of his theology of angels. As I suspect you know, he is probably the foremost theologian of the Catholic Church of all time, living in the … Continue reading

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St. Bernard Reflects on the Cross and the Sacred Heart

In today’s Office of Readings, St. Bernard reflects on the meaning of the Cross and the Sacred Heart.  As always for him, his language in poetic. Here is a snippet of what he wrote, my translation into English. “He nutured … Continue reading

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Quote for the Day

“His salvation is near to those who fear him and his glory will live in our land.” — Psalm 85

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Quote for the Day

“When a man trains himself to acts of virtue, it is with the help of grace from God from whom all good things come that he does this. The will is what a man has as his unique possession.” – … Continue reading

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A Synod for the Americas

There are reports that there is a need for a special synod in America, i.e., North and South America. It is up to the bishops and the Holy Father to make the decision. From what I have read at the … Continue reading

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We Are the Amazement of God

Papa Luciani, in his book Illustrissimi, writes to Charles Péguy, a French writer and a fervent Catholic who died in the first World War. He was also the author of many religious poems, and was noted for accenting Christian witness … Continue reading

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Using the Web – Calling all Priests (and Deacons!)

I would like to note that the Holy Father, in his message on the 44th annual World Day of Social Communications, entitled, The Priest and Pastoral Ministry in a Digital World: New Media at the Service of the Word, has … Continue reading

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Quote for the Day

“There are those who think they have no talents. This isn’t true. Everyone can smile. Everyone can listen. Everyone can be kind. Everyone can show interest in his neighbor. We all have a talent to be used for the greater … Continue reading

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Novena Prayer for the People of Haiti

All powerful and all-loving God of mercy, look kindly on the people of Haiti in their suffering. Ease their burdens and make their faith strong so that they may always have confidence and trust in your care. Help them face … Continue reading

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“Bilingual” Christianity

I heard on a talk show this morning a guest saying that we Christians need to be “bilingual” in today’s world.  He wasn’t referring to speaking a foreign language, even though I personally believe that is an increasingly important skill … Continue reading

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In Re: Saints

Here is a quote from the book, St. Charles of Sezze: An Autobiograpy: “[There is] the opinion, quite common among religious people, that saints are born saints, that they are privileged right from their first appearance on this earth. This … Continue reading

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Quote for the Day

“Nothing is hidden from the Lord; even our secrets are before his gaze. Let us do everything then with the awareness that he lives in us, so that we may be his temple and he who lives in us may … Continue reading

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