Friday of the Second Week of Easter April 28, 2017 Daily Reading from the USCCB: Acts 5:34-42   Gamaliel, one of the wisest members of the Sanhedrin, now offers a way out of the impasse in which the Jewish leaders found themselves. “Let’s just do nothing,” he says, “and maybe this whole situation will go […]

Reading 1 Acts 5:27-33When the court officers had brought the Apostles inand made them stand before the Sanhedrin,the high priest questioned them,"We gave you strict orders did we not,to stop teaching in that name.Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teachingand want to bring this man's blood upon us."But Peter and the Apostles said in […]

The literature on millennials is extensive. And I have not read it. But as a college professor, I have lived and worked with them day in and day out for many years. More and more I realize that I face the... The post Gardening as Medicine for Millennials, and the Rest of Us appeared first […]

Yesterday, Palm Sunday, was the beginning of Holy Week. Worshippers of the ancient Coptic Orthodox Church in Tanta, Egypt were gathered together, palm branches in hand, to remember the Lord’s entry into Jerusalem and the beginning of his Passion. Without warning,... The post The People of the Cross: The New-Martyrs of Egypt appeared first on […]

One of the most pernicious lies of the modern world is that life is supposed to be easy and comfortable. There is even a sense in which moderns believe they are entitled to this comfort and ease—that it is some sort of... The post Life’s Not Fair: Finding Joy by Accepting Things As They Are appeared first […]

How are we preparing our hearts and minds for participating in the holy sacrifice of the Mass? Today, Father Bryan Jerabek offers his adaptation of a priest's prayer for our consideration. The post Preparing for Mass: Taking a Cue from A Prayer for Priests appeared first on SpiritualDirection.com / Catholic Spiritual Direction.

Anthony Lilles reflects on sanctifying grace in this excerpt from his book "Fire From Above" published by Sophia Institute Press. The post How Sanctifying Grace Makes us Like God appeared first on SpiritualDirection.com / Catholic Spiritual Direction.

How is the Mass a reenactment of the story of the Road to Emmaus after the Resurrection? Find out as Father John Bartunek reflects on this coming Sunday's Gospel. The post 236. The Lord Draws Near (Luke 24:13-35) appeared first on SpiritualDirection.com / Catholic Spiritual Direction.

Fr Zuhlsdorf has written today in response to a query about a Bishop slightly changing the form of Confirmation (See: ASK FATHER: Non-standard form for Confirmation – valid?)In the newest English version of the Rite of Confirmation, the form is: "N., be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit." In our new England and […]

Aylesford Priory, the home of the brown scapular, recovered by the Carmelites 400 years after it was dissolved by King Henry VIII, was the venue for the 2016 colloquium of the British Province of the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy last week. About fifty of us gathered to hear a fine selection of speakers, celebrate the […]

In the traditional liturgical calendar, tomorrow is the feast of Christ the King. Preparing for it it, and specifically re-reading the encyclical Quas Primas of Pope Pius XI, put me in mind of the appalling decision of the court of appeal in Belfast in the case of the Ashers Baking Company. I found the above […]

Joe Shaw has an interesting piece on Hamish Fraser's conversion.  It reminds me of my own conversion from socialism to Catholicism.Fraser discovered Leo XIII's social teaching, for me it was the discovery of the lived experience of Catholicism, formed in part by Leo's teaching. As a Socialist there was something beautiful about a 'brotherhood of […]

For the first time in my priestly life celebrating the Holy Week liturgies have not be been a delight but thank God for my servers, who picked me up and stopped me wobbling or falling over during the Holy Thursday and Good Friday liturgies.I suppose if I were my own confessor I would congratulate myself […]

Congratulations to the Holy Father on the 4th Anniversary of his election.The rumours are, based on a Marco Tosatti piece, that even Francis' electors have had second thoughts, that is probably, natural but  there are several reason this should happen.1 He has 'bigged up the Papacy'After JPII, who bestrode the world, lots of Cardinals and […]

The title of this book intrigued me from the start, since it is a phrase that I have written many times.  It came out last year (I’m surprised that I wasn’t alerted, frankly). The Devil Hates Latin by Katherine Galgano … Continue reading →

Today is the Feast of St. Peter Canisius (+1597), a Jesuit priest and Doctor of the Church.  There is a good write up about this great son of Ignatius HERE. Peter was a great counter-Reformation saint who worked tirelessly in … Continue reading →

Fun! This is from History: On this day in 4977 B.C., the universe is created, according to German mathematician and astronomer Johannes Kepler, considered a founder of modern science. Kepler is best known for his theories explaining the motion of … Continue reading →