In his encyclical letter, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, Pope John Paul II wrote, "The agony in Gethsemane was the introduction to the agony of the Cross on Good Friday. The holy hour, the hour of the redemption of the world." Today is Good Friday, the most solemn day on the Christian calendar. Like St. Paul, today we proclaim Christ crucified (1 Cor 1:23). For more about this day please click on the image. Peace be with you!
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!
Today is Holy Thursday, known as Maundy Thursday, from the Latin "mandatum" meaning commandment. We give special attention on this day for the word Jesus gives the Apostles at the Last Supper in the Gospel acclamation, "I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you" (Jn 13:34). On this day the Lenten season ends and the Paschal Triduum begins. For more about this day please click on the image. Peace be with you!
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the reliving of the final seven days of Jesus' earthly ministry. On this day the Church recalls the triumphal entrance of the Messiah into Jerusalem in order to accomplish the Pascal Mystery: His Passion, death, burial, and Resurrection for the salvation of all mankind. Jesus rode into the city on a colt as the crowd laid their cloaks and palm branches on the road before him, shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest!" (Mt 21:1-11; Mk 11:1-11; Ps 118:25-26). For more about this day, which begins the holiest week of the year for Christians, please click on the image. Peace be with you!
The Solemnity of the Annunciation, celebrated on March 25th, honors the profound meeting between the Archangel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary, as recorded in St. Luke's Gospel. On this Solemnity of the Annunciation of The Lord, let us say with Mary, “Let it be done to me according to your will, O Lord.” For more from this Solemnity of the Annunciation please click on the image. Peace be with you!
