October 2026

Jubilee Year of Saint Francis on the 800th Anniversary of His Death: January 10, 2026-January 10, 2027

October is the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary

Wonderful are your works, O Lord.

OUR LADY OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

MARY, CAUSE OF OUR JOY, 

SAINT FRANCIS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

It was for some time that a friend of happy memory, "Wills," who died at the age of 93 and left behind a huge brood, encouraged me to pray the rosary. Never a regular rosary pray-er, I switched gears the day dear Wills died, November 13, 2024. From then on, I became a regular rosary pray-er. Thank you, Wills. In this month of October, dedicated to the Holy Rosary, it may be time to start praying the rosary, or renew a practice that has been on hold for this reason or that. There is comfort too in keeping a rosary or two on your person. With Mary, all is well. So, with a decade here, and a decade there, or all at once as time permits, we remember Saint Pauline Jaricot (1799-1862, who said, "The rosary is not a devotion to the Blessed Virgin, it is the devotion to Mary!" After all, as Saint Rafael Arnaiz Baron (1911-1928) wrote, "Given Mary, how could you not love God!!" With Saint Rafael we let out a cheer: "All for God, and all through Mary."  Together, united in faith and prayer, Mary is our friend. This month, then, let us become closer friends with Mary! With one more "and," then, and please don't forget that kindness is free, so sprinkle it everywhere! Mary, Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, please cover us in your protective veil! 

A few notables ... Things kick off early this month as we commemorate Saint Therese of Lisieux on the 1st. Put your hands together for the Little Flower and her little way of love. Joining Saint Therese, a Doctor of the Church, is another Doctor, Saint Teresa of Avila, set for the 15th. Another Doctor joins this dynamic duo on the 9th, namely, Saint John Henry Newman. During this Jubilee Year of Saint Francis, it is this month that we commemorate him on October 4. However, this year the 4th lands on the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, so official commemoration is "In other years." That said, one can always remember "Il poverello," especially this year. You will find quite a line-up of other heavy hitter saints below, including two of my favorite Pope Saints. It appears that we are getting warmed up for November, my favorite month of the year. For all the saints ...

For our voices this month, I've chosen a few favorites from my collection, and some new ones too. It appears, however, that there are many of my favorites, so I will try to limit myself. The first is one reason to become closer friends with Mary this month. ☺

Jesus is Our Lord, and Mary is Our Lady. She takes total care and responsibility for us; she happily exercises this dignity and responsibility.

During your prayer, go to Mary and have a heart-to-heart talk with her. If we put our life into her hands, if we really and truly ask for her help, we can be sure that we will never get into serious trouble because she will provide before we even know it. Only in heaven will we know how many mistakes we avoided, how many sins we did not commit because she was helping us, imploring for us, giving so much to us out of the goodness of her heart.

(Servant of God Ida Peterfy, 1922-2002)

Mary has "captivated my spirit ... day and night I see her in my imagination. It is she, the Mother of Virtue, who gives me eloquence.

(Saint John Damascene, 675/676-749)

Love is so powerful in deeds that it is able to draw good out of everything, both the good and the bad that it finds in me.

(Saint Therese of Lisieux, 1873-1897, Story of a Soul, Manuscript A)

The language that everyone understands is love.

(Saint Joseph Frienademetz, 1852-1908)

There is no place for selfishness-and no place for fear! Do not be afraid, then, when love makes demands. Do not be afraid when love requires sacrifice.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, 1920-2005)

It's Your Church, Lord. I'm going to bed. ☺

(Pope Saint John XXIII, 1881-1963, when turning in for the night)

The heart is commonly reached, not through the reason, but through the imagination. Persons influence us, voices melt us, looks subdue us, deeds inflame us. Many a man will live and die upon a dogma: no man will be a martyr for a conclusion.

(Saint John Henry Newman, 1801-1890)

Let the Christian be valiant.

(Saint Teresa of Avila, The Interior Castle, Ch. I, 13.

The best and most wonderful thing that can happen to you in this life is that you should be silent and let God work and speak.

(Dag Hammarskjold, 1905-1961)

Listen.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 1)

You must speak to Jesus also with your heart, besides the lips; indeed, in certain cases you must speak to Him only with the heart.

(Saint Pio of Pietrelcina "Padre Pio," 1887-1968)

We've been dying since we got here and forgotten to enjoy the view - live fully.

(Anonymous)

Oh, what a good friend you make, O Lord! You proceed by favoring and enduring. You wait for others to adapt to Your nature, and in the meanwhile, You put up with theirs!

(Saint Teresa of Avila, 1515-1582, The Book of Her Life, Ch 8,6)

Each of us has a mission ...

each of us is called to change the world, to work for a culture of life, a culture forged by love, a culture forged by love and respect for the dignity of each human person.

(Pope Benedict XVI, 1927-2022)

Honor everyone.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:8)

Something Saint Bede the Venerable (672/3-735) said about Jesus' words to a crowd, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it" (Luke 8:21).

When we hear the word of God and obey it, we become Jesus' "mother" by bringing Him forth into the world through words and actions.

If you wish to earn the glory and mercy of God, endure uncomplainingly the bitterness of this world.

(Saint Lawrence, 3rd century, in a vision to Brother John of Alverna, 1259-1322, in The Little Flowers of St Francis, trans. by Blaiklock & Keys, p. 134)

SAINT THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS "THE LITTLE FLOWER," VIRGIN, DOCTOR,

THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGELS,

THE BLESSED MARTYRS OF SUSSEX,

SAINT THOMAS CANTILUPE,

SAINTS ANDRE DE SOLVERAL AND AMBROSIO FRANCISCO FERRO,

SAINT FRANCIS BORGIA,

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI,

SAINT FAUSTINA KOWALSKA, RELIGIOUS,

BLESSED FRANCIS XAVIER SEELOS, PRIEST,

SAINT BRUNO, PRIEST,

BLESSED MARIE-ROSE DUROCHER,

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY,

SAINT DENIS, BISHOP AND HIS COMPANIONS, MARTYRS,

SAINT JOHN LEONARDI, PRIEST.

SAINT JOHN HENRY NEWMAN, PRIEST, DOCTOR,

SAINT PAULINUS,

SAINT DANIEL COMBONI,

POPE SAINT JOHN XXIII,

SAINT KENNETH,

BLESSED WILLIAM HOWARD,

SAINT WILFRID,

BLESSED JAN BEYZYM,

OUR LADY OF APARECIDA,

SAINT CARLO ACUTIS,

SAINT EDWARD THE CONFESSOR,

POPE SAINT CALLISTUS I, MARTYR,

SAINT TERESA OF AVILA, VIRGIN, DOCTOR,

SAINT HEDWIG, RELIGIOUS,

SAINT MARGARET MARY ALACOQUE, VIRGIN,

SAINT MARGUERITE D'YOUVILLE,

SAINT RICHARD GWYN,

SAINT GALL,

SAINT IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH, BISHOP, MARTYR,

SAINT LUKE, EVANGELIST,

SAINT JOHN DE BREBEUF AND ISAAC JOGUES, PRIESTS, AND THEIR COMPANIONS, MARTYRS,

SAINT PHILIP HOWARD,

SAINT FRIDESWIDE,

SAINT PETER OF ALCANTARA,

SAINT PAUL OF THE CROSS, PRIEST,

BLESSED DAUDI OKELO AND JILDO IRWA,

SAINT JOHN OF BRIDLINGTON,

BLESSED DIEGO LUIS DE SAN VITORES, PRIEST, AND SAINT PEDRO CALUNGSOD,

POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II,

SAINT JOHN OF CAPISTRANO,

SAINT ETHELFLAEDA,

SAINT ANTONY MARY CLARET, BISHOP,

SAINT MAGLOIRE,

FREI GALVAO,

SAINT CHAD,

SAINT CEDD,

SAINT OTTERAN,

SAINT GONCALO OF LAGOS, PRIEST,

SAINTS SIMON AND JUDE, APOSTLES,

THE BLESSED MARTYRS OF DOUAI COLLEGE,

SAINT COLMAN MACDUAGH,

SAINT MARCELLUS,

THE BLESSED MARTYRS OF WINCHESTER,

SAINT THOGER,

BLESSED DOMINIC COLLINS,

BLESSED MARIA TERESA TAUSCHER,

SAINT ALFONSO RODRIGUEZ,

PRAY FOR US.

This month's photo: Butterfly on a little flower. Indianapolis, IN. "Just living is not enough, said the butterfly. One must have freedom, sunshine, and a little flower” (Hans Christian Anderson, 1805-1875).

© Gertrude Feick 2026

September 2026

Jubilee Year of Saint Francis on the 800th Anniversary of His Death 

September is the month dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows

Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord.

OUR LADY OF SORROWS,

MOTHER, ROCK OF CONSTANCY,

MOTHER, TREASURE OF THE FAITHFUL,

MOTHER, JOY OF ALL THE SAINTS,

SAINT FRANCIS, 

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

God is still writing your story. Quit trying to steal the pen.

Trust the author.

(Anonymous)

Welcome to September, dear faithful readers. Put your hands together for September, the month dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows. Mother, strength of the weak, pray for us. It's another great month, and on September 8 we get to wish the Blessed Virgin Mary a happy birthday. Auguri, madre Maria, buon compleanno! At the same time, let's give a shout with the name of Mary, her most holy name commemorated September 12. And if that's not enough, we lift high the Cross, on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, set for September 14. And "rejoice in the Lord always'" let me say it again, "Rejoice!", for our beloved Fulton J. Sheen will be beatified on September 24 at the Dome at America's Center in St. Louis, Missouri, the Show Me State. Let's hear it for Blessed Fulton J. Sheen, who I like to call, "The Bullet," who said, among other notables, "This is the choice before us: either try to revolutionize the world and break under it or revolutionize ourselves and remake the world." Blessed Fulton J. Sheen, please intercede for us.

Speaking of bullets, how about the right on "bulls eye" anonymous quotation above? Give Him back the pen! Thank you, ME. 

As we enter the last month of the third quarter of the year, we may notice how the year 2026 has gone so quickly. Thinking how "time flies," it may be helpful to remember that we only have now to live life to the full, with joy, enthusiasm, and gratitude. We only have today to love Jesus, our brothers, and our sisters, and ourselves more fully. In a poem by Saint Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower reminds us that we have but today: "To love thee, O Jesus, I have but today" (Poesie PN5). We go forth then and live in the present moment. It is all we have. So, "place your hope in God alone" (Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:41)

Recently introduced to a gem of a book, Interior Freedom,* by Jacques Philippe, I thought to share some quotations from it, some from the author himself, others from some of the spiritual giants he quotes. These, then, are our voices for the month.

Where there is no love, put love, and you will harvest love.

(Saint John of the Cross, 1542-1591, Letter 26 to Madre Maria de la Encarnacion, 

discalced Carmelite in Segovia, July 6, 1591)

Love is a mystery that transforms everything it touches into beautiful things that are pleasing to God. The love of God sets the soul free. Then it is like a queen, knowing nothing of the constraints of slavery.

(Saint Faustina Kowalska, 1905-1938, Petit journal, English trans., Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul)

True peace will come only when every individual finds peace within himself; when we have all vanquished and transformed our hatred for our fellow human beings of whatever race - even into love one day, although perhaps that asking too much. It is, however, the only solution.

(Etty Hillesum, 1914-1943, An Interrupted Life: The Diaries and Letters of Etty Hillesum)

Peaceful suffering is no longer suffering.

(Saint John-Marie Vianney, 1786-1859)

I know realize, God, how much You have given me. So much that was beautiful and so much that was hard to bear. Yet whenever I showed myself ready to bear it, the hard was directly transformed into the beautiful.

(Etty Hillesum, 1914-1943, An Interrupted Life: The Diaries and Letters of Etty Hillesum)

If we understand holiness properly, as the possibility of growing indefinitely in love for God and our brothers and sisters, we can be certain that nothing will be beyond our reach. All we need to do is never get discouraged and never resist, but trust completely the action of God's grace.

(Jacques Philippe, Interior Freedom)

The long-term consequences of inner attitudes are more important than they might seem. When faced with daily suffering, the "burden of the day and the heat," and tiredness, we should not spend time cursing interiorly or telling ourselves we can't wait till it's over or dreaming of a different life. We should accept things as they are. Life is good and beautiful just as it is, including its burden of suffering. When God created man and woman, He laid an immense blessing on every human life, and that blessing has never been withdrawn despite sin and all its consequences. "For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable" - especially the first gift and first call, that of life itself. Every life, even subject to pain, is infinitely blessed and valuable.

(Jacques Philippe, Interior Freedom)

Man's greatest illusion is to want to have mastery over his life ... But life is a gift that by its very nature escapes every attempt to master it.

(Jean-Claude Sagne, 1936-2010, Viens vers le Pere)

Availability is fundamental in our relations with others. In every encounter with someone else, however long or short, we should make him feel we're one hundred percent there for him at that moment, with nothing else to do except be with him and do whatever needs doing for him. Good manners, yes, but also really, heartfelt availability.

(Jacques Philippe,Interior Freedom)

I choose to be interrupted.

(Saint Therese of Lisieux)

To live at peace, even when it is people around us who are causing us suffering, we must take a fresh, radical look at our frustration. It does not correspond to reality. Other people's faults do not deprive us of anything. We have no valid reason for resenting them or their actions.  

(Jacques Philippe, Interior Freedom)

At the end of our lives, when we really come face to face with God, it would be childish to blame others for our lack of spiritual progress. 

(Jacques Philippe, Interior Freedom)

Identity is not rooted in the sum of one's aptitudes. Individuals have a unique value and dignity, independently of what they can do. Someone who doesn't realize this is at risk of have a real "identity crisis" on the day he or she experiences failure, or of despising others when face with their limitations. Where is there room for the poor or handicapped in a world where people are measured by their efficiency and the profit they can produce?

(Jacques Philippe, Interior Freedom)

Faith is the mother of love and hope, as well as trust and confidence.

(Catherine de Hueck Doherty, 1896-1985, Poustinia: Encountering God in Silence, Solitude, and Prayer)

Faith brings what seemed hopeless withing our reach ... A man of faith is not one who believes that God can do everything, but one who believes he can obtain everything from God.

(Saint John Climacus, 579-649)

We obtain from God as much as we hope for from Him.

(Saint John of the Cross, 1542-1591, The Dark Night of the Soul)

If one burdens the future with one's worries, it cannot grow organically. I am filled with confidence, not that I shall succeed in worldly things, but that even when things go badly for me I shall still find life good and worth living.

(Etty Hillesum, 1914-1943, An Interrupted Life: The Diaries and Letters of Etty Hillesum)

Above all, never despise yourself. It is difficult to despise ourselves without offending God in us.

(Georges Bernanos, 1888-1948, Dialogues des Carmelites)

What ruins our souls is not what happens outside, but the echo that it awakes within us.

(Christiane Singer, 1943-2007, Du bon usage des crises)

SAINT GILES,

SAINT TERESA MARGARET REDI OF THE SACRED HEART,

BLESSED ANDRE GRASSET,

JESUIT MARTRYS FOR THE NAME OF JESUS,

POPE SAINT GREGORY THE GREAT, DOCTOR,

SAINT CUTHBERT,

SAINT MAC NISSI,

BLESSED DINA BELANGER,

POPE SAINT BONIFACE I,

MOTHER SAINT TERESA OF CALCUTTA,

SAINT HERBERT,

SAINT PETER CLAVER,

SAINT CIARAN OF CLONMACNOISE,

SAINT OSBURG,

BLESSSED FREDERIC OZANAM,

SAINT AMBROSE BARLOW, OSB,

SAINT EGWIN, BISHOP,

BLESSED AGNELLUS OF PISA, PRIEST,

BLESSED FRANCIS GARATE,

SAINT DEINIOL,

BLESSED MARY OF JESUS,

SAINT JOHN GABRIEL PERBOYRE,

SAINT AILBE,

OUR LADY OF RESHUN,

SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM,

SAINT MIRIN,

POPE SAINT CORNELIUS,

SAINT CYPRIAN,

SAINT NINIAN,

SAINT THOMAS OF VILLANOVA,

SAINT ROBERT BELLARMINE, BISHOP, DOCTOR,

SAINT HILDEGARD OF BINGEN, VIRGIN, DOCTOR,

SAINT ALBERT OF JERUSALEM,

SAINT STANSILAW KOSTKA,

SAINT JOSEPH OF CUPERTINO,

SAINT EDITH OF KEMSING,

SAINT JANURIUS, BISHOP, DOCTOR,

SAINT ANDREW KIM TAEGON, PAUL CHONGD HASSANG, AND COMPANIONS,

SAINT MATTHEW, APOSTLE, EVANGELIST,

SAINT MAURICE AND THE THEBAN LEGION,

SAINT PIUS OF PIETRELCINA "PADRE PIO,"

SAINT STEPHANIE,

OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM,

BLESSED EMILIE TAVERNIER-GAEMLIN,

SAINT PACIFICUS,

SAINT FINBARR,

SAINTS LOUIS MARTIN AND ZELIE GUERIN,

SAINTS COSMAS AND DAMIAN, MARTYRS,

SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL,

SAINT WENCESLAUS, MARTRY,

SAINTS LAURENCE RUIZ AND HIS COMPANIONS, MARTRYS,

SAINT LIOBA,

SAINT MICHAEL, SAINT GABRIEL, SAINT RAPHAEL,

SAINT JEROME, PRIEST, DOCTOR,

PRAY FOR US.

* J. Philippe, Interior Freedom, trans. H. Scott (Scepter 2007).

This month's photo: Last June's "this month's photo," featured wildflowers from a walk in Kalamazoo, MI. This month's feature comes from a walk on the White Lick Trail, Avon, Indiana, the Hoosier state. And let your faithful ones bless you.

© Gertrude Feick 2026

August 2026

Jubilee Year of Saint Francis on the 800th Anniversary of His Death 

August is the month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

I will praise the name of God in song.

MARY, ASSUMED INTO HEAVEN,

HEART OF MARY, THRONE OF GLORY,

HEART OF MARY, SEAT OF MERCY,

PRAY FOR US. 

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US. 

Welcome to August, dear faithful readers. Thank you for being there, wherever you are. Once again, we can't go wrong as we dedicate this month to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Our Lady. Heart of Mary, according to the Heart of God, pray for us! One of the most noteworthy celebrations for the month comes August 15 with the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the patronal feast of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance. Please pray for us. At the same time, the Assumption of Mary is the fourth mystery we recall when we pray the Glorious Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary. Dear Mary, raised up body and soul, assumed into heaven, please cover us in your protective veil. And if that’s not enough for us, we commemorate Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Doctor of the Church, "Doctor Mellifluus," on August 20. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, pray for us!

Going over some notes from studies in Rome, I found a short reflection written for one of my classes. It has been dormant since 2010, so I thought to resurrect it. Not about the Assumption necessarily, it is about Mary, our Mother. She comes to our aid no matter what. Maybe you will find something worthwhile in it. Not too long, it's under 400 words. Here goes ... 

In Lumen Gentium (LG), the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council write that “everyone whether belonging to the hierarchy, or being cared for by it, is called to holiness according to the saying of the Apostle ‘For this is the will of God, your sanctification’” (LG 39). The Blessed Virgin Mary serves as a model and guide for all of the faithful who “are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity” (LG 53). All the faithful strive to conform themselves to the image of Christ and, like Mary, by living a life of faith, hope, and charity, to bring Christ to the world.

            John Paul II, in the 1987 encyclical letter Redemptoris Mater (RM), clearly presents the Blessed Virgin Mary as a universal model of holiness. The pope writes, “…as Christians raise their eyes with faith to Mary in the course of their earthly pilgrimage, they ‘strive to increase in holiness’” (RM 47). As Virgin, Mary believed that she would conceive and bear the Son of God, the Word made flesh. As handmaid of the Lord, “she remained in perfect fidelity to the person and mission of this Son” (RM 42). As Mother, [Mary] believed and obeyed and “brought forth on earth the Father’s Son” (RM 42).

            The Church, the Body of Christ, “seeks to become like Mary: ‘Imitating the Mother of the Lord, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, she preserves with virginal purity and integral faith, a firm hope, and a sincere charity’” (RM 44). As Mary told the servers at the wedding feast at Cana, she also tells us. “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2,5). We entrust ourselves to the care of Mary, and through her prayers and intercession, say “yes” to the Lord, remaining faithful to our call to holiness as the Holy Spirit guides us. Mary was the first believer. Like Mary, in faith and with confidence, we say to the Lord, “May it be done to me according to your Word” (Lk 1,38).

            Mary, help us “to find in Christ the path to the Father’s house” (RM 47).

For our voices this month, wisdom and insight is offered by psychologist and investigator Maisie Dobbs and her mentor Maurice Blanche in Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs. Although each and every book in the series* is worthwhile, this first in the series is always a very good place to start. Listen with the ear of your heart. 

The extraordinary hides behind the camouflage of the ordinary. Assume nothing, Maisie.

(Maurice Blanche to Maisie)

In the early days of her pupilage with Maurice, he had told Maisie of his teachers, the wise men who spoke of the veil that was lifted in the early hours, of the all-seeing eye that was open before the day was awake. The hours before dawn were the sacred time, before the intellect rose from slumber. At this time one's inner voice could be heard.

Truth walks toward us on the paths of our questions ... As soon as you think you have the answer, you have closed the path and may miss vital new information. Wait awhile in the stillness, and do not rush to conclusions, no matter how uncomfortable the unknowing.

(Maisie remembering what Maurice told her)

Maurice had counseled her, in the early days of her apprenticeship, when she was the silent observer as he listened to a story, gently prodding with a question, a comment, a sigh, or a smile. "The story takes up a space as a knot in a piece of wood. If the knot is removed, a hole remains. We must ask ourselves, how will this hole that we have opened be filled? The hole, Maisie, is our responsibility.

Allow grief to air itself ... Be judicious in using the body to comfort another, for you may extinguish the freedom that the person feels to be able to share a sadness.

(Maurice to Maisie)

I never want to learn that you 'don't know,' Maisie, I want to know what you think the answer is to the question. And once more, a word of advice: Stay with the question. The more it troubles you, the more it has to teach you. In time, Maisie, you will find that the larger questions in life share such behavior.

(Maurice to Maisie)

The following is some of the best advice I have heard about sitting in silence ...

With Khan she [Maisie] learned to sit in deliberate silence, and learned too that the stilled mind would give insight beyond the teaching of books and hours of instruction, and that such counsel would support all other learning. When she first sat with Khan, she asked what it was she was to do as she sat with legs crossed on the cushion in front of him. The old man lifted his face to the window, then turned his clear white eyes toward her and said simply, “Pay attention."

Maurice says that only when we have a respect for time will we have learned 

something of the art of living.

And as she walked, [Maisie] thought of Maurice, who had told her so many times that coincidence could simply be what it appeared to be: two events connected to each other by the thoughts and experience of a person. But he also told Maisie to pay attention to coincidence.

Coincidence was a messenger sent by truth.

Pay attention, Maurice had always cautioned [Maisie]. Pay attention to the reactions of your body. It is the wisdom of the self speaking to you. Be aware of concern, of anticipation, of all the feelings that come from self. They manifest in the body. What is their counsel?

And Maisie when you visit The Retreat, consider that nature of masks. We all have our masks, Maisie.

Maurice had always encouraged judicious use of both words and silence.

But remember, Maisie, remember, truth also came to us as individuals so that we might have a more intimate encounter with the self ... What is there in your heart that needs to be given light and understanding?

(Maurice to Maisie)

To solve a problem, walk around.

(Maurice to Maisie)

A time when the light is most likely to deceive the eye, a time between sleep and waking. A time when a man is likely to be at his weakest. Dawn is a time when soft veils are draped across reality, creating allusion and cheating truth. It is said, Maisie, it is the darkest just before dawn.

(Maurice to Maisie)

As usual, there are plenty of heavy hitter saints to invoke this month. 

SAINT ALPHONSUS MARY DE' LIGUORI, BISHOP, DOCTOR,

SAINT EUSEBIUS OF VERCELLI,

SAINT PETER JULIAN EYMARD,

SAINT PETER FABER,

SAINT GERMANUS OF AUXERRE,

SAINT OSWALD,

SAINT AETHELWOLD,

SAINT LYDIA OF THYATIRA,

SAINT JOHN MARY VIANNEY, CURE OF ARS, PRIEST,

BLESSED FREDERIC JANSSOONE,

POPE SAINT SIXTUS II, AND HIS COMPANIONS, MARTYRS,

SAINT CAJETAN, PRIEST,

BLESSED NICHOLAS POSTGATE,

SAINT ALBERT OF TRAPANI,

SAINT DOMINIC, PRIEST,

SAINT MARY OF THE CROSS,

SAINT TERESA BENEDICTA OF THE CROSS, 

SAINT NATHY,

SAINT FELIM,

SAINT LAURENCE, DEACON, MARTYR,

SAINT CLARE, VIRGIN,

SAINT JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL, RELIGIOUS,

SAINT ISIDORE BAKANJA,

SAINT MUREDACH,

SAINT ATTRACTA,

SAINT LELIA,

SAINT BLAAN,

POPE SAINT PONTIAN, SAINT HIPPOLYTUS, PRIEST, MARTYRS,

SAINT FACHTNA OR FACHANAN OF ROSS,

BLESSED WILLIAM FREEMAN,

SAINT MAXIMILIAN KOLBE, PRIEST, MARTYR,

SAINT STEPHEN OF HUNGARY,

SAINT ROCK,

BLESSED MARIA SAGRARIO OF SAINT ALOYSIUS GONZAGA,

BLESSED ANGELUS MAZZINGHI,

SAINT BEATRICE OF SILVA, VIRGIN,

SAINT JOAN OF THE CROSS,

BLESSED VICTORIA RASOAMANARIVO,

SAINT ALBERTO HURTADO CRUCHAGA,

BLESSED JOHN-BAPTIST DUVERNEUIL, MICHAEL-ALOYSIUS BRULARD AND JAMES GAGNOT,

SAINT HELENA,

SAINT JOHN EUDES, PRIEST,

SAINT EZEKIEL MORENO,

SAINT OSWIN,

SERVANT OF GOD NICHOLAS BLACK ELK,

SAINT BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX, ABBOT, DOCTOR,

POPE SAINT PIUS X,

OUR LADY, MOTHER AND QUEEN,

SAINT JOHN KEMBLE,

SAINT ROSE OF LIMA,

SAINT EUGENE,

SAINT JOHN WALL,

SAINT BARTHOLOMEW, APOSTLE,

SAINT LOUIS,

SAINT JOSEPH OF CALASANZ, PRIEST,

SAINT MARY OF JESUS CRUCIFIED BAOUARDY,

BLESSED DOMINIC BARBERI,

SAINT DAVID LEWIS,

OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA,

SAINT CAESARIUS OF ARLES,

BLESSED JACQUES RETOURET,

SAINT TERESA OF JESUS' TRANSVERBERATION,

SAINT JEANNE ELIZABETH,

SAINT MONICA,

SAINT AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO, BISHOP, DOCTOR,

SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST,

SAINT MARGARET CLITHEROW, NEE MIDDLETON,

SAINT ANNE LINE,

SAINT MARGARET WARD,

BLESSED GHEBRE MICHAEL,

SAINT FIACRE,

SAINT EDMUND ARROWSMITH,

SAINT AIDAN,

SAINTS JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA AND NICODEMUS,

PRAY FOR US. 

* Jacqueline Winspear brought the series to conclusion with the 2024 publication of The Comfort of Ghosts. 

This month’s photo: I will glorify Him with thanksgiving. In Seeds of Contemplation, Thomas Merton begins Chapter 2 with this line: “A tree gives glory to God first of all by being a tree.” This tree, found on the grounds of El Retiro Jesuit Retreat Center, Los Altos, CA, by simply being a tree, is busy giving glory to God. And by coincidence, or not, it is June 28, 2026, when I write this. It is a day, in other years, when we commemorate Saint Irenaeus of Lyons, who wrote, “The glory of God is man fully alive.” So, why not just be who you are, made in the image and likeness of God, be fully alive and give glory to God. “Live in the newness of life”! (see Romans 6:4).  

© Gertrude Feick 2026

July 2026

Jubilee Year of Saint Francis on the 800th Anniversary of His Death 

July is the month dedicated to the Precious Blood

The Lord speaks of peace to His people. 

OUR LADY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT FRANCIS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

BLOOD OF CHRIST, STREAM OF MERCY,

SAVE US.

BLOOD OF CHRIST, VICTOR OVER DEMONS,

SAVE US.

BLOOD OF CHRIST, COURAGE OF MARTYRS,

SAVE US.

BLOOD OF CHRIST, PEACE AND TENDERNESS OF HEARTS,

SAVE US.

Welcome to July dear faithful readers. It is God bless America, red, white, and blue, happy 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence; July, the month dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus. Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor, save us! Blood of Christ, help of those in peril, save us!

This month's suggestion for reflection stems from a quotation I marked in Anne Tyler's Vinegar Girl, that is, "You could feel physically wounded if someone hurt your feelings bad enough." As children, "we," that would be my friends and I, used to sing a little ditty, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me." Even though there is truth in that short song, words are powerful and can hurt us. And, even though one of Don Miguel Ruiz’s Four Agreements is, “Don’t take things personally,” we do take things personally, and are wounded as a result. Over time, one can diminish in myriad ways. Words, spoken and unspoken, from another, can hurt our feelings, even to the point when we become physically wounded, in mind, body, and heart. Maybe you can recall a time a two, or more, when your feelings were hurt, by what someone said, or did not say to you, in what tone, with what body language, with what force, and so on. With these thoughts in mind, perhaps paying more attention to what and how we speak to others is due. Are our words and actions building up, or tearing down? Are we at the very least civil, using "thank-you," "please," "you are welcome," "I am sorry," "It is my fault" ... It is no wonder that Saint Benedict, who we celebrate July 11th, had an entire chapter on Restraint of Speech, Chapter 6. You might read it. In a nutshell, remember the psalmist who sings, "I have resolved to keep watch over my ways that I may never sin with my tongue. I have put a guard on my mouth, I was silent and was humbled, and I refrained even from good words." Even good words, you ask? Saint Benedict explains, "Here the prophet indicates that there are times when good words are to be left unsaid out of esteem for silence." Furthermore, "so important is silence that permission to speak should seldom be granted even to mature disciples, no matter how good or holy or constructive their talk, because it is written: 'in a flood of words you will not avoid sin,' and elsewhere, 'The tongue holds the key to life and death.'" And one other gem I read in my monthly missal: "We can use our treasured capacity for speech to offer prayer, as fragrant incense before God, or to offer hurt to another."* The decision is ours: speech to offer prayer or speech to offer hurt. Hmmm. 

United in faith and prayer, we encourage each other as we continue on the journey to God. May the following voices inspire us ... 

Out of the darkness of my life, so much frustrated, I put before you the one great thing to love on earth: the Blessed Sacrament ... There you will find romance, glory, honor, fidelity, and the true way of all your loves on earth.

(J.R.R. Tolkien, 1892-1973)

Our God dwells within us and the only way we can become one with our God 

is to become one with our authentic self.

(Maurice Blondel, 1861-1949)

Sei vil o grande; mori, lo saprai.

Whether great or mediocre; in death, it will be known.

(Marco Antonio Altieri, 1450-1532)

These three remain: word, example, prayer; but the greatest of these is prayer.

(Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090-1153)

When we dismiss or deny the hopes of others, she [Mma Ramotswe] thought, we forget that they, like us, have only one chance in this life.

(Alexander McCall-Smith, Tea Time for the Traditionally Built)

Concern for those whom one loved was an inescapable feature of this life - and it was impossible to imagine a world without such concern.

(Mma Ramotswe in Alexander McCall-Smith, Tea Time for the Traditionally Built)

And most of all I am grateful to you for being my friend, Mma; I am grateful to you for that. That is the best thing anybody can be to anybody else - a friend.

(Mma Makutsi to Mma Ramotswe in Alexander McCall-Smith, Tea Time for the Traditionally Built)

But when you are old like me, you think that the whole world is changing. There are new people everywhere. New buildings. And all this rush - everybody is in a hurry. And you sit there and think: Why is everybody in a hurry? That will not make the crops grow any quicker, will it? It will not.

(Fanwell's grandmother to Mma Ramotswe in Alexander McCall-Smith, 

Tea Time for the Traditionally Built)

And wisdom from two powerful Carmelites to remember first, at the beginning of each day ...

However quietly we speak, He is so near that He will hear us; we need not wings to go in search of Him but have only to find a place where we can be alone and look upon Him present within us.

(Saint Teresa of Avila, 1515-1582)

and second, at the end of each day ...

When night comes, and look back over the day and see how fragmentary everything has been, and how much you planned that has gone undone, and all the reasons you have to be embarrassed and ashamed: just take everything exactly as it is, put in in God's hands and leave it to Him. Then you will be able to rest in Him - really rest - and start the next day as new life.

(Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Edith Stein, 1891-1942,  in The Tablet, January 2, 2021, p. 17)

Once again, there are plenty of saints to invoke this month. Why not choose one and learn about him or her. Among others, the life of Saint Alphonsa Muttathupadathu (1910-1946) is interesting. 

SAINT JUNIPERO SERRA, PRIEST,

SAINTS PROCESSUS AND MARTINIAN,

SAINT OLIVER PLUNKETT,

SAINT THOMAS THE APOSTLE,

BLESSED NAZJU FALZON,

OUR LADY OF BUDSLAU,

BLESSED JOHN CORNELIUS,

BLESSED MARIA CROCIFISSA,

SAINT PIER GIORGIO FRASSATI,

SAINT MARIA GORETTI, VIRGIN,

BLESSED BENEDICT XI,

SAINT MONINNE,

SAINT PETER TO ROT,

SAINT MAELRUAIN,

SAINT KILIAN,

SAINT WITHBURGA,

BLESSED POPE EUGENE III,

SAINTS PRISCILLA AND AQUILA,

SAINT JOHN CASSIAN,

SAINT AUGUSTINE ZHAO RONG AND HIS COMPANIONS, MARTYRS,

THE MARTYRS OF GORCUM,

SAINT PAULINA OF THE HEART OF THE DYING JESUS,

SAINT VILLEHAD, MARTYR,

SAINT LEO IGNATIUS MANGIN, PRIEST, MARY AHU WU AND COMPANIONS, MARTRYS,

BLESSED JANE SCOPELLI,

SAINT CNUT, KING AND MARTYR, PATRON OF DENMARK,

SAINT AMALBERGA, AKA, OR SAINT AMELIA,

SAINT BENEDICT, ABBOT,

SAINT JOHN JONES,

SAINT KJELD, PRIEST,

SAINTS LOUIS MARTIN AND MARIE AZELIE GUERIN,

SAINT VERONICA,

SAINTS NABOR AND FELIX,

SAINT JOHN GUALBERT,

SAINT HENRY,

SAINT TERESA OF LOS ANDES,

SAINT KATERI TEKAKWITHA,

SAINT BONAVENTURE, BISHOP, DOCTOR,

SAINT SWITHUN,

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL,

SAINT HELIER,

SAINT KENELM,

BLESSED JOHN SUGAR, PRIEST, AND ROBERT GRISSOLD, MARTYRS,

BLESSED INACIO DE AZEVEDO,

SAINT THERESE OF SAINT AUGUSTINE AND COMPANIONS,

SAINT CAMILLIS OF LELLIS, PRIEST,

SAINT BARTHOLOMEW OF THE MARTYRS, BISHOP, 

SAINT JOHN PLESSINGTON,

SAINT APOLLARIS, BISHOP, MARTYR,

SAINT THORLAK,

SAINT ELIJAH, FATHER OF THE CARMELITES,

SAINT LAURENCE OF BRINDISI, PRIEST, DOCTOR,

SAINT MARY MAGDALENE,

SAINT BRIDGET OF SWEDEN, RELIGIOUS,

SAINT PHILIP EVANS AND JOHN LLOYD,

OUR LADY, MOTHER OF DIVINE GRACE,

SAINT CHARBEL MAKHHLOUF, PRIEST,

SAINT DECLAN,

SAINT JOHN BOSTE,

BLESSED ROBERT LUDLAM AND NICHOLAS GARLICK,

BLESSED JOHN SORETH,

BLESSED MARIA MERCEDES PRAT,

SAINT JAMES, APOSTLE,

SAINTS ANNA AND SAINT JOACHIM,

SAINT TITUS BRANDSMA,

BLESSED ROBERT SUTTON,

BLESSED RUDOLPH ACQUAVIVA AND COMPANIONS,

SAINT PANTALEON,

SAINT VICTOR,

SAINT SAMPSON,

SAINT ALPHONSA MUTTATHUPADATHU,

SAINTS MARTHA, MARY AND LAZARUS,

SAINT OLAV, MARTYR, PATRON OF NORWAY,

SAINT PETER CHRYSOLOGUS, BISHOP, DOCTOR,

SAINT JUSTIN DE JACOBIS,

SAINT IGNATIUS LOYOLA,

PRAY FOR US.

*Magnificat, June 2026, p. 253.

This month's photo: lol. To learn the name of these glorious flowers, I googled "hairy tulip," and even though they look "hairy," these beauties are better known as "fringed tulips." Justice and peace shall kiss.

© Gertrude Feick 2026

June 2026

Jubilee Year of Saint Francis on the 800th Anniversary of His Death 

June is the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High.

OUR LADY, QUEEN OF ALL HEARTS,

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

HEART OF JESUS, HOLY TEMPLE OF GOD,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

HEART OF JESUS, WELL-SPRING OF ALL VIRTUE,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

We confess you, we praise you, and we bless you, God the Father, the unbegotten, God the Son, the Only Begotten, and God the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, all holy and undivided Trinity.

(Traditional Antiphon)

Welcome to June dear faithful readers. Oh what a glorious month it is, one dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Go to the HEART of JESUS; there you will find the fullness of God. Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts, have mercy on us. And what is it that Jesus to said to one of Gertrude of Helfta's (1256-1301/2) sisters? You will find me in the heart of Gertrude. Heart of Jesus, delight of all the saints, have mercy on us! Saint Gertrude the Great of Helfta, pray for us. 

There is so much to celebrate this month, including, June 7 with The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Corpus Christi.

Full and clear ring out your chanting,

Joy nor sweetest grace be wanting,

From you heart let praises burst:

For today the feast is holden,

When the institution olden

Of that supper was rehearsed.

(The Sequence Laud, O Zion, Lauda Sion)

Then on June 12, we are gifted with The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus; for June 13, The Immaculate Heart of Mary; for June 24, The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, and wrapping up the month with the June 29 celebration of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles. Celebriamo tutti!

So, what might be about this month ... hmmm. In addition to continual invocation of the Blessed Virgin Mary using one of your favorite titles for her, or two or three of your favorites, like Mary, cause of our joy, or Mary, Health of the sick, it may be good for us to remember that Jesus is in the heart of each and oevery one of us. Sadly, we sometimes forget that gift, or maybe just imprison Him in our hearts when His love for us, and His love for all those we encounter is begging us to let His LOVE shine forth. Let LOVE and JOY abound dear faithful readers; spread LOVE and JOY throughout the earth ... let LOVE and JOY shine on those near and far ... let HIM shine, let HIM shine, let HIM shine.

With encouragement from not a few voices, we go forth!

To serve God is to reign.

(Saint Antonius of Florence OP, 1389-1459)

I have always something to repent of after having talked, 

but have never been sorry for having been silent.

(Saint Arsenius the Great, d. 450)

In moments when fever, agony, and pain make it hard to pray, the suggestion of prayer that comes from merely holding the rosary-or better still, from caressing the Crucifix at the end of it-it is tremendous!

(Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, 1895-1979)

Let us live hour by hour, day by day, and leave the future to God.

(Blessed Hendrina Stenmanns, 1852-1903)

He who trusts himself is lost. He who trusts in God can do all things.

(Saint Alphonsus Liguori, 1696-1787)

Those who want to find the right way to eternal well-being should not walk with the majority of people who are usually timid about making sacrifices ... Authentic spirituality comes about not by talking about God, but living according to God's command. Without this obedience, even wonderful acts mean nothing.

(Blessed Franz Jagerstatter, 1907-1943)

The Interior Master is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus ...

Loyalty to the Interior Master requires a life that is habitually recollected enough to enable us to hear and obey Him, a life of habitual and voluntary docility to the good as we see it, so that we shall not resister the voice of the Master once we recognize it.

(Father Leonce de Grandmaison, S.J., 1868-1927)

Do your little bit of good where you are; 

it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.

(Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 1931-2021)

Mr. James Ponder to Theo:

People like you renew my hope in humanity.

Theo's reply:

Yes, we can be such a terrible race at times, but, at the same time, terribly wonderful. All capable of saintliness. You, too, James. You too.

(in Allen Levi, Theo of Golden)

Love is a vital sap; if it fails or if it is not sufficiently abundant, 

everything grows weak, especially faith.

(Venerable Louise Margaret Claret de la Touche, 1868-1915)

He who truly loves, and loves with his heart, must of necessity live in harmony with all. We do not wish to do as the ass; when you shove away the ass it will push itself towards you; and if you draw it to you, it draws itself backwards. Do not so when you see that a certain thing is needed for the good of your neighbor; see to it that you always help him.

(Saint Bernardine of Siena, 1380-1444)

I figure you have to make a bet. You can't go through this life and just be a spectator without ever laying it on the line. I'm betting on God to win, not to show.

(James Farl Powers, 1917-1999)

The gift of life is no less beautiful if it is accompanied by illness or weakness, hunger or poverty, mental of physical handicaps, loneliness or old age. Indeed, at these times, human life gains extra splendor as it requires our special care, concern and reverence. It is in and through the weakness of human vessels that the Lord continues to reveal the power of His love.

(Servant of God Terence Cooke, 1921-1983)

SAINT JUSTIN, MARTYR,

SAINTS MARCELLINUS AND PETER, MARTYRS,

SAINT POTHINUS AND BLANDINA,

SAINTS CHARLES LWANGA AND COMPANIONS,

SAINT KEVIN,

SAINT CLOTILDE,

SAINT FRANCIS CARACCIOLO,

SAINT BONIFACE, BISHOP, MARTYR,

SAINT NORBERT, BISHOP,

SAINT MARCELLIN CHAMPAGNAT,

SAINT JARLATH,

SAINT COLMAN OF DROMORE,

SAINT ROBERT OF NEWMINSTER,

BLESSED ANNED OF SAINT BARTHOLOMEW,

SAINT JAMES BERTHIEU,

SAINT WILLIAM OF YORK,

SAINT EPHREM, DEACON, DOCTOR,

SAINT LANDRY OF PARIS,

SAINT COLUMBA,

SAINT JOSE DE ANCHIETA,

THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGEL OF PORTUGAL,

SAINT BARNABAS, APOSTLE,

SAINT ONUPHRIUS,

SAINT LUTGARD,

SAINT JOHN FRANCIS REGIS,

BLESSED ALPHONSUS MAZUREK AND COMPANIONS,

BLESSED HILARY JANUSZEWSKI,

SAINT ALBERT CHMIELOWSKI,

SAINT ANTHONY OF PADUA, PRIEST, DOCTOR,

BLESSED MARIA CANDIDA OF THE EUCHARIST,

SAINT DAVNET,

SAINT SILVERIUS,

SAINT LIDWINA,

SAINT ELISHA,

BLESSED PETER SNOW AND RALPH CRIMSTON,

SAINT GERMAINE COUSIN,

SAINT RICHARD OF CHICHESTER,

ALL SAINTS OF SCOTLAND,

SAINT BOLTOLPH,

SAINT ROMAULD, ABBOT,

SAINTS ALBAN, JULIUS AND AARON,

THE IRISH MARTYRS,

BLESSED SANCHA, BLESSED MAFALDA, VIRGINS,

BLESSED TERESA, RELIGIOUS,

SAINT ALOYIUS GONZAGA,

SAINT JOHN RIGBY,

SAINTS JOHN FISHER, BISHOP, AND THOMAS MORE, MARTYRS,

SAINT PAULINUS OF NOLA, BISHOP,

SAINT ETHELDREDA,

SAINT THOMAS GARNET,

SAINT JOSEPH CAFASSO,

SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST,

SAINT GREGORY BARIGO,

SAINT LUAN,

SAINT WILLIAM OF VERCELLI,

BLESSED MARY JOSEPHINE CATANEA,

SAINT JOSEMARIA ESCRIVA,

SAINT CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA, BISHOP, DOCTOR,

SAINT JOHN SOUTHWORTH,

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR,

BLESSED NYKYTA BUDKA,

BLESSED VASYL VELYCHKOVSKY,

SAINT IRENAEUS,

SAINTS PETER AND PAUL, APOSTLES,

THE FIRSTS MARTYRS OF THE SEE OF ROME, 

PRAY FOR US.

This month's photo: Who abide in the shadow of the Almighty. It was Lord Byron (1788-1824) who wrote, "There is a pleasure in the pathless woods." There is, however, also a pleasure in the woods with paths. From a walk in the woods at the Fetzer Institute, Kalamazoo, Michigan. 

© Gertrude Feick 2026