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The Rosary | The Luminous Mysteries

The Rosary is one of the most beautiful prayers in the Catholic tradition. It's also one of the most commonly misunderstood, which is often the case for many of our Protestant brothers and sisters. Yet, it doesn't have to be. Put simply, the Rosary is a prayerful meditation on the life of Jesus Christ through the eyes of his mother. I invite you, whether you are Catholic, Protestant, or other, to watch this beautiful video by our friends at Word on Fire.  Today we pray the Luminous Mysteries.  We meditate on five key events in the life of Jesus Christ through the eyes of his mother, the Virgin Mary. For more, please click on the image. Peace be with you!

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Saints Alive! | St. Anthony Zaccaria

Saint Anthony Zaccaria was born in Northern Italy just as the powder keg of the Protestant Reformation was about to ignite. He founded a Congregation whose members became more commonly known as the Barnabites, and whose mission was to enkindle people's faith and love of the Mass and the Holy Eucharist. He popularized the Forty Hours Devotion, where the Blessed Sacrament is exposed over a three-day period corresponding to Christ's forty hours in the tomb.

For more about this saint please click on the image.

Peace be with you!

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Saints Alive! | St. Zoe of Rome

Saint Zoe of Rome (died c. 286) was a noblewoman, married to Nicostratus, a high Roman court official. For six years she had been unable to speak. Saint Sebastian made the sign of the cross over the woman, and she immediately began to speak and she glorified Jesus. Nicostratus and his wife asked for baptism. She lived during the reign of Emperor Diocletian and his early persecution of Christians.

She was greatly devoted to Saint Peter, and was praying by his tomb when she was arrested for her faith. She died, stifled by smoke, hung over a fire. Her body then was thrown into the River Tiber. She is considered a saint in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches.

For more about this saint, early Christian martyr, please click on the image.

Peace be with you!

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The Rosary | The Sorrowful Mysteries

The Rosary is one of the most beautiful prayers in the Catholic tradition. It's also one of the most commonly misunderstood, which is often the case for many of our Protestant brothers and sisters. Yet, it doesn't have to be. Put simply, the Rosary is a prayerful meditation on the life of Jesus Christ through the eyes of his mother. I invite you, whether you are Catholic, Protestant, or other, to watch this beautiful video by our friends at Word on Fire.  Today we pray the Sorrowful Mysteries.  We meditate on five key events in the life of Jesus Christ through the eyes of his mother, the Virgin Mary. For more, please click on the image. Peace be with you!

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Divine Office | Whether they like it or not, those who are outside the church are our brothers

In today's Office of Readings we encounter a reading from a discourse of St Augustine of Hippo on Psalm 32 (354-430 A.D.).

He wrote an enormous amount and left a permanent mark on both philosophy and theology. His Confessions, as dazzling in style as they are deep in content, are a landmark of world literature. The Second Readings in the Office of Readings contain extracts from many of his sermons and commentaries and also from the Confessions.

For a reflection, "Whether they like it or not, those who are outside the church are our brothers," please click on the image.

Peace be with you!

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Saints Alive! | Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati

Pope Saint John Paul II, who gave Blessed Pier Giorgio the name, "The Man of the Eight Beatitudes," spoke often of him. They had much in common, including their love for the great outdoors.

For more about this saint, inspiration to many who followed, defender of joy in living in truth, please click on the image.

Peace be with you!

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Christian Poetry | A National Hymn: Happy Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day to the United States of America! On this day of patriotic reflection, let us take a moment to enjoy a poem by Thornton Bancroft Penfield.

For his beautiful poem, a national hymn, and for words from Pope John Paul II, on his farewell address to America, please click on the image.

Peace be with you!

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Do you reject Satan?

This Sunday following the Epiphany the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord.  It is here we recall in a special way Jesus' baptism in the river Jordan by John the Baptist.  In it we are also reminded of a great mystery revealed.  God the Father reveals Jesus as his "beloved Son" and the Holy Spirit comes down from heaven in the form of a dove. Here, we reject Satan and all his empty promises.

For my reflection, "Do you reject Satan?" please click on the image.

Peace be with you!

Thomas
Disciple of Christ | Son of the Church

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A Catholic New Year Resolution | Be not afraid!

As we embark on a new year, let us resolve to live out our baptismal promises as Catholics. Let this be the year that all Catholics - faithful and fallen away - resolve to be a light in the darkness. Be not afraid!

For my reflection, "A Catholic New Year Resolution," please click on the image.

Peace be with you!

Thomas, Disciple of Christ | Son of the Church

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Articles of Faith | The Eucharist: In the Words of the Church Fathers

Today we explore some of the early Church Fathers sayings about the Eucharist.  Many of our mainline Protestant brothers and sisters, who know their history, will agree who these early Church Fathers were.

Catholic brothers and sisters, though not a Holy Day of Obligation, Holy Thursday has rich and historical significance for each of us:  for before departing the Upper Room to begin his Passion, Jesus instituted the Sacrament of the Eucharist, giving thanks to his Father, and commanding his Apostles to love one another, as He has loved them (cf Jn 13:34); and he commanded them, "Do this in memory of me" (Mk 14:22-24; Lk 22:19-20; 1 Cor 10:16; Jn 6:53-57, 1 Cor 11:23-30).

For more on this great Mystery of Faith, from the Church Fathers in their own words, please click on the image.

Peace be with you!

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Catholics Come Home | Fallen Away Catholics

The story of the Prodigal Son, as we encounter in the Gospel of Luke (15:11-32), is one of the most poignant in all of literature. Sadly, there are many Catholics today who have fallen away from their baptismal faith. Each has a story of his own. Yet, by the sacramental power of one's baptism there remains a call unanswered - the yearning of a Father desiring the return of his child to the home of his baptismal birth. For more about this post, and for a 2 min video expressing the tender mercy that awaits at home in love's embrace, click on the image. Our father in heaven wants us home. He wants you home. If you’ve been away from the Church for one day, or for a lifetime, come home. Your family misses you.

For more, please click on the image.

Peace be with you!