As one might admire a many-faceted gem, turning it over and over to reveal still greater brilliance, each mystery of our Catholic Faith shines forth with exquisite beauty. The Fifth Glorious Mystery—the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Queen … Continue reading
Prayer
Perfect Prayer
“The Lord’s Prayer is most perfect” (ST II-II q. 83, a. 9). Such a bold claim might be supported by observing the centrality of this prayer in Christian life. In the first decades of the Church, the Our Father came … Continue reading
A Daily Examen
Today, people live busy lives. We are surrounded by noise and distractions as we hustle off to work or school…and then back to home…only to rush off in the evening for another meeting or another social event. We like to … Continue reading
The Soul of the Apostolate
2019 Summer Reading Recommendations:The Soul of the Apostolate by Jean-Baptiste Chautard, O.C.S.O I once spent two weeks in Kolkata on a discernment and mission trip where I worked alongside the Missionaries of Charity. By the end of those two weeks, … Continue reading
The Work of God
Time is passing into eternity, and it’s happening every day. The Church marks the passing of time with the liturgical year, which makes each day bear more significance than simply another cycle of 24 hours. With the proclamation of the … Continue reading
Seeking Silence
Silentium est pater praedicatorum * I have so often sought for the silenceOf a star-lit sky shining without sound,But found the siren-shattered defianceOf the world blast and howl as barking hound. In darkened chapel’s gentle candle glow,Soul nodding along to … Continue reading
“And You My Brothers and Sisters”
Have you ever had that experience where words that you have said thousands of times suddenly hit you in a new way? It could be saying “I love you” to a family member, or the words to a song that … Continue reading
Practice makes permanent
The season of Lent is a time of hope and renewal. We examine our interior spiritual lives, consider our imperfections, and work to improve on them. We commit to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These practices no doubt have a positive … Continue reading
Painting the Contemplative Life
Today we celebrate the feast of our Dominican brother, Blessed John of Fiesole (more commonly known as Fra Angelico). His paintings are some of the most enchanting depictions of the life of Christ and of the Church, and they continue … Continue reading
An Open Ear
There is more to the Mass than the ear can hear. When the faithful settle back into their pews after the Gospel proclamation, for example, the priest or deacon, having reverenced the Book of the Gospels with a kiss, recites … Continue reading
The Glorification of Andrei Rublev
In 1998, the Russian Orthodox Church “glorified” (the formal process of canonization in the East) the celebrated iconographer, Andrei Rublev (c. 1360-1430; feast day, January 29 or July 4). Little is known about his life, and still less is known … Continue reading
The Voice of God
Today at Mass we hear, “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Ps 95:8). What does the voice of God sound like? How will I know that it is him when I do hear it? Does God … Continue reading
Misplaced in the Woods
I once got lost in the woods. I had spent the day hiking with much of my novitiate class, and four of us toured an off-trail route later in the afternoon. Because of a hurt ankle, I lagged behind at … Continue reading
Loving God Is Useless
Something is useless if it fails to produce whatever product we use it to produce. For instance, if the head breaks off of a hammer, the hammer can no longer be used to produce what we use it to produce—namely, … Continue reading
A New Song
A New Song Sing to the Lord a new song.– Psalm 96:1 Carols are a staple of the Christmas season, and I’m sure everyone will be singing at least a couple today. They can be an effective way to help … Continue reading
Have Yourself a Hangover-Free Christmas
Advent is a hangover. Hear me out now. “There are only two philosophies of life: one is first the feast, then the headache; the other is first the fast and then the feast.” Alright, so that was not me, technically. … Continue reading
Recognizing the Lord
As the first season of the new liturgical year, Advent possesses a twofold character. Having just ended the liturgical year celebrating the solemnity of Jesus Christ reigning over the universe in glory, we begin the cycle again with a dynamic … Continue reading
Strengthen Me With Raisin Cakes
Some people say that the Bible is like a “love letter” from God. That’s hard to take when you’re sitting in the pew, listening to a lector mumble a reading filled with ancient names and places, and you suddenly realize … Continue reading
Poor Wayfaring Strangers
November is a month of hope for the Christian. In this time, both in the saints and the sinners, we remember those who have gone before us on this earth—those who have now crossed the threshold into eternity. We reflect … Continue reading
Roused by Hope
Pray without ceasing.(1 Thes 5:17) Sometimes we confuse what God wants with what we think God wants or expects from us. Take prayer, for example. It’s disappointing when you try to pray but all you do is doze off. You … Continue reading
A Good End
“He who endures to the end will be saved” (Mt 10:22) It is good to start something, but it is better to finish it (see Eccl 7:8). To endure to the end, our ultimate end, means to die well, to … Continue reading
Holy Souls?
Today we pray for the holy souls in purgatory. This idea of the holy souls in purgatory seems an odd notion to contemporary ears. One tends to think of heaven as the place where the holy souls go. Purgatory, one … Continue reading
Your Guardian Angel
Just as parents rightfully seek the very best care for their children, God has done so in assigning us guardian angels. Since these creatures quite naturally evade direct human sensation, too often this gift goes unrecognized! However, Jesus himself draws … Continue reading
Unanswered Prayers?
God always answers our prayers. He doesn’t always give us what we ask for. If we ask for something bad, God will of course not give it to us. However, even if we ask for something good, it is often … Continue reading
The Spirit of Truth Novena
The Dominican Confraternities of the Angelic Warfare and the Holy Rosary in the Province of Saint Joseph are teaming up to co-sponsor a Novena for the intention that the Spirit of Truth would descend upon the Church with great power. In … Continue reading