I have recently been the recipient of multiple odd ocurrences of the image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH). The seeming randomness has gone beyond being mere coincidence; I think it has reached the point of being a ‘signal grace.’ I could be watching a Catholic YouTube channel and the host has images of …
The First Reading for the Mass for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) is from 1st Book of Kings Chapter 19, verses 4-8; Elijah went a day’s journey into the desert,until he came to a broom tree and sat beneath it. He prayed for death saying:“This is enough, O LORD! Take my life, for I am …
Continue reading ‘This is enough, O LORD! Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers’ »
Divine Mercy Sunday is upon us. This is one of my favorite Sundays since the Divine Mercy devotion was instrumental in my reversion to the Church, but also due to the promises of Our Lord towards those who approach Him with sincere repentance and contrition in wiping away their sins. I have always viewed Divine …
Tomorrow, Friday and Saturday constitute the Ember Days of Lent. I mentioned them last year or the one before, as a weapon in the spiritual warfare for these times. Ember Days are like mini-Lents situated four times throughout the year. The first one begins right after Ash Wednesday, perhaps as a means of ‘strengthening’ the …
Today is January 25th, the day set aside on the Church calendar to celebrate the Conversion if St. Paul the Apostle. You know the story: Paul, still known as ‘Saul,’ a particularly zealous Pharisee who took special delight in arresting and bringing to capital punishment followers of “the Way,” as the Jewish sect that recognized …
On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis issued the Apostolic Letter Patris Corde which established these upcoming twelve months as the “Year of St. Joseph.” This had long been speculated by those who do that sort of thing, and they were finally proven correct. Like other “Year of’s…” the faithful among us are to delve …
(NOTE: Reblogged from 2008 and expanded.) November 1st is the Feast of All Saints, which serves as the Feast day for everyone in Heaven, whether officially canonized or not. This is an important feast day as it reminds all of us of those who made it, who had run the race and fought the good …
A Holy Day of Obligation (HDO) is a day on the Catholic Church’s Liturgical Calendar when Catholics are obligated to go to Mass; their significance lies in honoring Our Lady, Our Lord, and major saints. All Sundays have been obligatory in addition to the HDOs (except when lifted by the Bishop in certain times) but …
Today, August 22nd, is a special day for everyone devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the Traditional Liturgical Calendar it is the celebration of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (which became a moveable memorial feast day in the New Calendar after Vatican II). In the New Calendar, it is the feast day of the …
Today is the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. Peter was the ‘Rock’ upon which Christ built His Church and served as Her first Pope; and Paul, becoming the Apostle to the Gentile nations. Both serve as guides to our Faith; Peter, being that first Pope, can symbolize fidelity to Her traditions, apostolic authority and …