The journey to the interior life, as taught by St. Teresa of Avila , requires true dedication. As we turn our hearts toward the future year, I find myself drawn back to the very foundation of her teaching in The Way of Perfection : "Our primitive rule states that we must pray without ceasing . If we do this with all the care possible—for unceasing prayer is the…
Read morePrayer of the Paschal Mystery O Christ, my Bridegroom, You are lifted high upon the tree, a throne of wood, a crown of thorns, yet my heart sees only majesty. Your whisper is mercy: “Father, forgive them”. Your gaze is promise: “Today you will be with Me in Paradise”. Your blood, poured out, is wine for my soul; Your side, opened, is a garden spring. The veil is to…
Read moreThis is a quick post to tell you that I was wrong with my post last month about the consecration start day for the Marian consecration for the Annunciation. Due to the Feast of Annunciation falling during Holy Week it was moved. The beginning date for the consecration is tomorrow, March 6th. Join both Phil and I as we do our annual consecration.
Read moreHere are some novenas for you to consider this month: February is the Holy Family month. February 5th start a novena to St. Valentine. It would be appropriate for those that suffer from epilepsy, for a happy marriage, for courtship, and for an engagement. Feast Day is February 14th. February 18th start a 30 day novena to St. Joseph. It would be appropriate for fa…
Read moreWe are still working on our 54 day rosary novena leading into Christmas. I think I would like to take part in a Our Lady of Guadalupe novena, Infant of Prague novena, and maybe Epiphany. I just get so excited for Advent and Christmas. How about you?
Read moreSt. John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests, possessed a gift for inspiring devotion for the sacred. His words continue to resonate with believers today. One of his most cherished teachings revolved around a simple yet profoundly meaningful gesture - the act of entering a church, taking holy water, and making the sign of the cross. In those sacred moments, S…
Read moreWe will be doing a 54 day rosary novena leading into Christmas. I would also take part in a St. Gertrude novena. How about you?
Read moreWhen people seek to undermine religion, their first target is often the priest. The reason is simple – when there is no priest, there is no sacrifice, and when there is no sacrifice, there is no religion. Priests are the linchpin that connects the Divine with the human, the sacred with the worldly. Their role is indispensable, and their spiritual well-being is of par…
Read moreThe mission of the Church is not a solitary endeavor; it's a collective effort that transcends the roles of priests and clergy alone. The Church's mission is not solely shouldered by a select few, as highlighted by the words, "They know that they themselves were not established by Christ to undertake alone the whole salvific mission of the Church to the …
Read moreI will be taking part in the All Souls novena for souls in purgatory and possibly another one or two. How about you?
Read more"There is a risk of taking on more than one could handle and end up discouraged. A relatively short time (twenty minutes or half an hour), spent faithfully on mental prayer every day, is better than two hours now and then." page 84 This is a gentle reminder that faithfulness beats quantity. A moment in prayer daily beats hours of prayer that leads to dis…
Read more"Experience shows that to pray well and to be brought to the state of passive prayer in which God and the soul communicate in depth, the heart must be pierced—pierced, that is, by the love of God, wounded by thirst for the Beloved. Only through such a wound can prayer truly descend into the heart and lodge there. God must touch us at such a deep level of our b…
Read moreMental prayer can be described as a form of contemplation in which one seeks to deepen their relationship with God through inward reflection, silent meditation, and attentive listening. This type of prayer involves focusing one's mind and heart on God's presence within oneself and in the world, and allowing God's love and grace to transform one's thou…
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