The Most Holy Name of Mary Today we honor the most Holy Name of Mary. The ordo explains: God, the father, is glorified by the exalted role in salvation held by the Blessed Virgin Mary. Thus her name is a name of honor, a holy name, a maternal name, and a name responsive to the […]

The Passion of Saint John the Baptist Today the Church celebrates the memorial of the Passion/Sorrow of Saint John the Baptist. Saint John, whom Herod imprisoned, met his death when Herod responded to a request from his wife, Herodias. John had admonished her for her unlawful marriage to Herod. When Herodias’ daughter was offered a […]

Memorial of Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Virgin and Martyr Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), born to prominent Jewish parents during the Nazi occupation of Germany. At fourteen, she declared herself an atheist but remained searching for what she labeled “eternal truth” for several years. […]

Memorial of Saint Benedict Today the Church celebrates the memorial of Saint Benedict, Abbot (ca.480-ca.550), Father of Western Monasticism and founder of the Benedictine monastic orders of monks, nuns, and lay persons. Unlike earlier strict observance monastic orders, Benedict believed in a rule that balanced work and prayer in moderation and community life that stressed […]

Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest, and Doctor of the Church At one time or another, most of us have invoked Saint Anthony to help us find a lost or misplaced item. However, you may be unaware that Anthony’s life was multi-dimensional. His desire to follow the crucified Christ inspired him to leave a […]

The opening prayer of today’s Mass invites us to live a devout way of living faithfully as we prepare for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. We learn from today’s readings that the disciples, who had been initiated into the faith by John with a profession of repentance, are now being initiated as […]

I came so that they may have life and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) These words of Jesus summarize his role as a “good shepherd” …as the one who encourages us to stay close and who leads us to a place of freedom and safety away from the ever-present danger of temptation and evil…as […]

Today we begin the holiest and most solemn week of our Church year. The gospel of today’s liturgy serves as a prelude to the events that unfold over the next six days before Passover. Though Jesus is keeping a low profile, we read that he is sharing a meal with friends: Martha served … while […]

The first reading, an excerpt from the book of the prophet Daniel (Daniel 9:4b-10), is a confession and plea on behalf of the people for forgiveness and mercy for all their transgressions of the law. “O Lord, we are shamefaced, like our kings, our princes, and our fathers, for having sinned against you. But yours, […]

Saint Valentine and Saints Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop We acknowledge Saint Valentine’s tradition today with friendly greetings to one another, a poignant reminder of our call to love one another as God loves us. I gave you a new commandment. Love one another as I have loved you. (John 13:34) Today the liturgy celebrates […]