Saturday of the Second Week of Easter

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Saints: Pope Saint Pius V (1504-1572); Saint Marie of the Incarnation (1599-1672), Our Lady, Mother of Africa

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 72 The Good Zeal of Monks

Mass: Acts 6:1-7; Resp Ps 33; Jn 6:16-21

Of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

This is the good zeal which monks must foster with fervent love: They should each try to be the first to show respect to the other, supporting with the greatest patience one another's weaknesses of body or behavior, and earnestly competing in obedience to one another. No one is to pursue what he judges better for himself, but instead, what he judges better for someone else ...

Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and my He bring us all together to everlasting life.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 72:3-7, 11-12)

Welcome to the last day of April 2022. Christ is risen, who made all things; He has shown mercy on all people. Alleluia.

You may recall that on Tuesday, "the community of believers was of one heart and mind" (Acts 4:32). Today, "as the number of disciples continued to grow" (Acts 6:1), we find the Hellenists complaining against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. However, the Twelve gathered the community of disciples and worked things out. They were about good zeal. Seven reputable men were chosen to serve at table, while the others devoted themselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word (Acts 6:3-4). So "the word of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples increased; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith" (Acts 6:7). May we be inspired to be about good zeal and work things out.

From Christ we take our name and are called Christians ...

What heart is so cold as not to be inflamed with love by the kindness and good will exercised toward us by so great a Lord who, though holding us in His power and dominion as slaves ransomed by His blood, yet embrace us with such ardent love as to call us not servants, but friends and brethren? This, assuredly, supplies the most just, and perhaps the strongest, claim to induce us always to acknowledge, venerate, and adore Him as Lord.

(The Catechism of the Council of Trent for Parish Priests, edited under Charles Borromeo, published by the decree of Pope Saint Pius V, 1566, Article II)

POPE SAINT PIUS V,

SAINT MARIE OF THE INCARNATION,

OUR LADY, MOTHER OF AFRICA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I like these. ⚘

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Friday of the Second Week of Easter

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Saint: Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin, Doctor (1347-1380)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 71 Mutual Obedience

Mass: Acts 5:34-42; Resp Ps 27; Jn 6:1-15

That I may gaze on the loveliness of the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF VIRGINS,

MARY, QUEEN OF DOCTORS,

PRAY FOR US.

When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.

(Mt 6:8)

This is a repeat from last year. Some things continue to work. 😊

To celebrate Saint Catherine of Siena I include one of my favorite passages from The Dialogue, a text studied in a semester long class I was privileged to take while studying in Rome. Every year on this date, along with many others, I would visit the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva near the Pantheon, where Catherine's body, or parts of it anyway, are entombed. With others, I would stand in line for not a short time to pray at her tomb. Another holy place to visit is the Basilica of San Domenico in Catherine's hometown of Siena. The pilgrim will find Catherine's head there, along with one of her fingers. Oh, the beauty of our faith tradition. 

Here is the passage from The Dialogue, sandwiched between the two scriptural passages referenced. In the margin of my book, I have written, "discovery made in prayer." Thank you to the professor, an Irish Dominican scholar and poet. 

Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

(1 Jn 3:2)

As the soul comes to know herself she also knows God better, for she sees how good He has been to her. In the gentle mirror of God she sees her own dignity: that through no merit of hers but by His creation she is the image of God. And in the mirror of God's goodness she sees as well her own unworthiness, the work of her own sin. For just as you can better see the blemish on your face when you look at yourself in a mirror, so the soul who in true self-knowledge rises up with desire to look at herself in the gentle mirror of God with the eye of understanding sees all the more clearly her own defects because of the purity she sees in Him.

(Catherine of Siena, The Dialogue, 13)

For any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like man who observes his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.

(Jm 1:23-24)

SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This one just taken, early morning, Carmichael, CA. Buon onomastica! Auguri, cara Catherine. 

Thursday of the Second Week of Easter

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Saints: Saint Peter Chanel, Martyr (1803-1841); Saint Louis Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716); Blessed Maria Guggiari Echeverria (1925-1959)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 70 The Presumption of Striking Another Monk at Will 

Mass: Acts 5:27-33; Resp Ps 34; Jn 3:31-36

His praise shall be ever in my mouth.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

In today's account from the Acts of the Apostles, the Sanhedrin has had just about enough from Peter and the Apostles. They just would not stop teaching in the name of Jesus. So fed up, the Sanhedrin became infuriated and wanted to put Peter and the Apostles to death. Saint Peter Chanel faced many of the same challenges. However, opposition didn't stop Peter and the Apostles and it didn't stop Saint Peter Chanel, who preached the name of Christ to the people on the island of Futuna in the Pacific Ocean. As related in a eulogy of Saint Peter Chanel, "he could never refuse anything to the Futunians, even to those who persecuted him; he always made excuses for them and never rejected them, even though they were often rude and troublesome. He displayed an unparalleled mildness towards everyone on all occasions without exception" (in Office of Readings, April 28). Eventually martyred, Peter Chanel's witness and work could not be destroyed. "One the day before his martyrdom he had said: "It does not matter if I die. Christ's religion is so deeply rooted on this island that it cannot be destroyed by my death'." And furthermore, "the blood of this martyr benefitted, in the first place, the natives of Futuna, for a few years later they were all converted to the faith of Christ. But it benefited as well the other islands of Oceania, where Christian churches, which claim Peter as their first martyr, are now flourishing." 

United in faith and prayer, we go forth. The harvest is rich but the laborers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers to His harvest (Responsory, Office of Readings).

And with a few words from another one of our saints of the day:

As all perfection consists in our being conformed, united and consecrated to Jesus it naturally follows that the most perfect of all devotions is that which conforms, unites, and consecrates us most completely to Jesus. Now of all God's creatures Mary is the most conformed to Jesus. It therefore follows, that, of all devotions, devotion to her makes for the most effective consecration and conformity to Him. The more one is consecrated to Mary, the more one is consecrated to Jesus ...

This devotion consists in giving oneself entirely to Mary in order to belong entirely to Jesus through her.

(From "On Devotion to the Virgin Mary," by Saint Louis Grignion de Montfort, in Office of Readings, April 28)

VIRGIN MOST RENOWNED,

PRAY FOR US.

SAINT PETER CHANEL,

SAINT LOUIS GRIGNION DE MONTFORT,

BLESSED MARIA GUGGIARI ECHEVERRIA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This early morning shot comes from Carmichael, CA. Rise and shine and bring God your glory.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Saints: Saint Asicus (-c.490); Saint Maughold (?); Blessed Hosanna of Kotor OP (1493-1565)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 69 The Presumption of Defending Another in the Monastery

Mass: Acts 5:17-26; Resp Ps 34; Jn 3:16-21

Glorify the Lord with me.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. WHOEVER FOLLOWS ME WILL NOT WALK IN DARKNESS, BUT WILL HAVE THE LIGHT OF LIFE.

(Jn 8:12)

We couldn't begin today's Gospel with better news: God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish, but have eternal life (Jn 3:16). And may we be inspired by the closing of today's Gospel: Whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God (Jn 3:21). Jesus loves you. Walk in the Light! 

When darkness falls upon us (as when the electricity fails), we have to stop and perhaps re-orient ourselves.

(Father Francis Mahier, ocso, 1912-2002)

If you find yourself in a dark place today, either in mind or heart, stop, re-orient. Stay close to Jesus and follow His Light. I have chosen you from the world, says the Lord, and have appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, alleluia (Gospel verse, Mass).

SAINT ASICUS,

SAINT MAUGHOLD,

BLESSED HOSANNA OF KOTOR,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I took this one yesterday, just before late afternoon Mass. 

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Saints: Blessed Robert Anderton (1560-1586) and William Marsden (-1586)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 68 Assignment of Impossible Tasks

Mass: Acts 4:32-37; Resp Ps 93; Jn 3:7b-15

Alleluia.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

The Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.

(Gospel verse, Mass)

With a look back to the early Church, we learn that "the community of believers was of one heart and mind" (Acts 4:32). This is certainly a message for us today. May we be so inspired. I pray ... that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they may also be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me so that they may be one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to the perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me (Jn 17:20-23).

On a random look at The Sayings of the Desert Fathers, I found this:

Abba Paul said: "Keep close to Jesus."

BLESSED ROBERT ANDERTON AND WILLIAM MARSDEN,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: You saw this tree last week. I find it so beautiful that I took another photo; this one not through the hole in the chicken wire though.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 67 Brothers Sent on a Journey

Mass: 1 Pt 5:5b-14; Resp Ps 89; Mk 16:15-20

The heavens proclaim your wonders, O Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Welcome to Monday. Here is wisdom from the first Letter of Saint Peter: "Cast all your worries upon God because He cares for you" (1 Pt 5:7). At the same time, remember to be sober and vigilant, for our opponent the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. United, we resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that our brothers and sisters throughout the world undergo the same sufferings (1 Pt 5:8-9). With strength in numbers, and by the grace of God, we go forth and preach everywhere (cf. Mk 16:20) May many come to believe through our witness.

Christ Jesus will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little. To Him be dominion forever. Amen.

(1 Pt 5:10-11)

SAINT MARK THE EVANGELIST,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Just taken, 9:00 am. The favors of the Lord I will sing forever. 

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

In other years: Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen (1578-1622); Saint Erkenwald (-693); Saint Egbert (639-729)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 66 The Porter of the Monastery

Mass: Acts 5:12-16; Resp Ps 118; Rev 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19; Jn 20:19-31

By the Lord has this been done.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

MARY, MOTHER OF MERCY,

PRAY FOR US.

On this Divine Mercy Sunday, my thoughts have been on mercy, one of the fruits of charity, as our Catechism teaches us: "The fruits of charity are joy, peace, and mercy" (CCC 1829). May we bask in the shadow of God's mercy (cf. Acts 5:15), and feel Jesus' breath on us: Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained (Jn 20:22-23).

 

Jesus Christ taught that [we] not only receive and experience the mercy of God, but that [we are] also called "to practice mercy" towards others: "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." The church sees in these words a call to action, and she tries to practice mercy. All the beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount indicate the way of conversion and of reform of life, but the one referring to those who are merciful is particularly eloquent in this regard. One attains to the merciful love of God, His mercy, to the extent that he himself is interiorly transformed in the spirit of that love towards his neighbor.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, Dives in misericordia God who is rich in mercy, 14)

Never lose hope in God's mercy.

(Rule of Saint Benedict 4:74)

Heart of Jesus, patient and most merciful,

have mercy on us.

SAINT FAUSTINA KOWALSKA,

SAINT FIDELIS OF SIGMARINGEN,

SAINT ERKENWALD,

SAINT EGBERT,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This azalea is wonderful in our eyes.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Saturday within the Octave of Easter

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Saints: Saint George, Martyr (-c.303); Saint Adalbert of Prague (956-997); Blessed Teresa Maria of the Cross (1846-1910)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 65:11-22 The Prior of the Monastery

Mass: Acts 4:13-21; Resp Ps 118; Mk 16:9-15

Alleluia.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

We find our friend who was healed on Wednesday still hanging around in today's account from the Acts of the Apostles. We find him standing there, beside Peter and John. He seems to have left the opposition speechless. Never without something to say, though, and perhaps intimidated by the boldness of Peter and John (Acts 4:13), the naysayers decide to warn Peter and John, and command them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:18). Yeah, right. I don't expect Peter and John were shaking in their boots. Meanwhile, nearly everybody else was praising God for what had happened. And this is a great line left out of the lectionary, "for the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old" (Act 4:22). I admire the courage of the man who was healed. He stuck with the program. I don't imagine him just standing there; this man was standing tall. In fact, his witness is strong: Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature (Mk 16:15). Alleluia.

Saint George was a man who abandoned one army for another: he gave up the rank of tribune to enlist as a soldier for Christ. Eager to encounter the enemy, he first stripped away his worldly wealth by giving all he had to the poor. Then, free and unencumbered, bearing the shield of faith, he plunged into the thick of the battle, an ardent soldier for Christ.

Clearly what he did serves to teach us a valuable lesson: if we are afraid to strip ourselves of our worldly possessions, then we are unfit to make a strong defense of the faith.

(From a sermon by Saint Peter Damian, bishop, in Office of Readings, April 23)

SAINT GEORGE,

SAINT ADALBERT OF PRAGUE,

BLESSED TERESA MARIA OF THE CROSS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I don't think you've seen this particular arrangement before. Even so, it doesn't hurt to see it again. From our garden.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Friday within the Octave of Easter

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 65:1-10 The Prior of the Monastery

Mass: Acts 4:1-12; Resp Ps 118; Jn 21:1-14

It is wonderful in our eyes.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

It is the Lord.

(Jn 21:7)

Here is one of the first things that occurs to me with the opening line of today's account from the Acts of the Apostles. The man, crippled from birth, who we first heard about on Wednesday, caused quite a commotion. As you recall, with the words of Peter, "In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk" (Acts 3:6), the man regained strength in his feet and ankles, then immediately stood up, walked around, jumped about too, and praised God. Yesterday we found the man clinging to Peter and John. Is he still clinging to them? What must the people think about that? As we hear today, not everyone was pleased with all this commotion. The ones who were annoyed (Acts 4:2) have Peter and John arrested and put in custody. At the same time, many of those who heard the word believed, thousands of them (Acts 4:4). Three cheers for the formerly crippled, now healed man. At the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, every tongue confess Him, king of glory now, Jesus is Lord, king of glory now!

We also find Jesus is on the move this week appearing here there and everywhere, much to people's astonishment. We find the Risen Lord revealing Himself to the fishermen today. Hungry, Jesus invites the others to a meal: Come and have breakfast (Jn 21:12). So Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish (Jn 21:13). May we recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread, and fish too. 

CHRIST IS RISEN!

HE IS TRULY RISEN!

Today's photo: This fawn lily is wonderful in our eyes. Another one from Bald Hill, near Corvallis, OR.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Thursday within the Octave of Easter

 Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

In other years: Saint Anselm, Monk, Abbot, Archbishop (1033-1109); Saint Maelrubha (642-722)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 64:7-22 The Election of an Abbot 

Mass: Acts 3:11-26; Resp Ps 8; Lk 24:35-48

O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, GOD PEACE,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Peace be with you.

(Lk 24:36)

Do not be troubled. Look at Jesus' hands and feet; reach out, touch and see Him. Jesus stands in our midst: Peace be with you, says the Lord. United in faith, we pray in the words of Saint Anselm of Canterbury:

O God, let me know you and love you so that I may find joy in you; and if I cannot do so fully in this life, let me at least make some progress every day, until at last that knowledge, love and joy come to me in all their plentitude. While I am here on earth let me learn to know you better, so that in heaven I may know you fully; let my love for you grow deeper here, so that there I may love you fully. On earth then I shall have great joy in hope, and in heaven complete joy in the fulfillment of my hope.

(Saint Anselm, Prologian or Discourse on the Existence of God, Chapter XXVI)

SAINT ANSELM,

SAINT MAELRUBHA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: And this one I took through a hole in the chicken wire that protects the precious tree from critters that find it tasty. 

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Wednesday within the Octave of Easter

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Saint: Saints Marcellinus, Vincent and Domninus (-374); Saint Bueno (-640); Saint Agnes of Montepulciano OP (1268-1317)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 64:1-6 The Election of an Abbot

Mass: Acts 3:1-10; Resp Ps 105; Lk 24:13-35

Sing to Him, sing praise.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!

(Lk 24:34)

There is much that could be said today, and this week for that matter, when we celebrate Easter every day within this Octave of Easter. Alleluia!

I find it is sometimes best to go with my first reflections, especially when making haste. We have been blessed, in will continue so blessed, with the lively accounts of the nascent church as related in the Acts of the Apostles. We hear about a man crippled from birth, who, with the words and faith of Peter, "In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk" (Acts 3:6), leaps, stands up, walks around, goes to the temple area, walking and jumping and praising God. This was not before his feet and ankles grew strong though (Acts 3:7).😊 If this man can immediately get going after being crippled from birth, just imagine what we can do. We, each of us, are crippled in one way or another. However, call on the name of the Lord, invoke His name, and do what you can. Many, including us, can too be "filled with amazement and astonishment" (Acts 3:10). Glory in His holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord! Look to the Lord in His strength; seek to serve Him constantly (Ps 105).

Jesus, King of glory,

have mercy on us.

SAINT MARCELLINUS, VINCENT AND DOMNINUS,

SAINT BUENO,

SAINT AGNES OF MONTEPULCIANO,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I've never seen one of these before, a favorite of Catherine's, a checkered lily (fritillaria). Wow! Glory in His holy name.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Tuesday within the Octave of Easter

 Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Saints: Saint Alphege (-1012); Blessed Isnard of Chiampo OP (-1244); Blessed Sibyllina Biscossi OP (C.1287-1367)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 63:10-19 Community Rank

Mass: Acts 2:36-41; Resp Ps 33; Jn 20:11-18

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

I have here in front of me one of my favorite holy cards; it served as book marker in this year's Lenten book (see Rule of Saint Benedict 48:15). The card is in my collection of holy cards and comes from the Sacro Speco, that is, the holy cave, in Subiaco, Italy, where Saint Benedict lived for three years. The card is of a fresco in the cave and depicts the encounter between Mary Magdalene and Jesus related in today's Gospel. The Magdalene is on her knees, with outstretched arms, reaching for Jesus, who had called her by name, Mary! The Magdalene replies, "Rabbouni", which means Teacher. The viewer can see in the fresco that Mary Magdalene wants to embrace and hold tight the legs of Jesus. Stop holding on to me, says the Risen Lord, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go, Mary, go, announce the Good News! I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God, says the Lord. We join the Magdalene today, and every day, "I have seen the Lord." Keep your eyes and ears and heart and mind open for such encounters with the Teacher. We have work to do. "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" Alleluia, alleluia (Gospel verse, Mass).

A later addition is the reading proclaimed at Lauds this morning:

Upon my bed at night I 

I sought him whom my soul loves;

I sought him, but found him not;

I called him but he gave no answer ...

The watchmen found me,

as they went about in the city.

"Have you seen him whom my soul loves?"

Scarcely had I passed them,

when I found him whom my soul loves.

(Song of Solomon, 3:1, 3-4a)

SAINT ALPHEGE,

BLESSED ISNARD OF CHIAMPO,

BLESSED SIBYLLINA BISCOSSI,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Happy Easter from this Bald Hill buttercup near Corvallis, OR. Happy Easter, dear  Catherine.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Monday within the Octave of Easter

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

In other years: Saint Laserian or Molaise (-639); Blessed Marie-Anne Blondin (1809-1890); Blessed Mary of the Incarnation (16th-17th century)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 63:1-9 Community Rank

Mass: Acts 2:14, 22-33; Resp Ps 16; Mt 28:8-15

Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Welcome to Easter Monday. The Lord has risen from the dead, so He said; let us all exult and rejoice, for He reigns for all eternity, alleluia (Entrance Antiphon, Mass). Mary Magdalene and the other Mary bump into Jesus in today's Gospel. We will bump into Him too. Be ready. Hold onto Jesus and worship Him. Do not tarry though. There is work to do. Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me (Mt 28:10). 

I am the Christ ...

Come, then, all you nations of people, receive forgiveness for the sins that defile you. I am your forgiveness. I am the Passover that brings salvation. I am the lamb who was immolated for you. I am your ransom, your life, your resurrection, your light, I am your salvation and your king. I will bring you to the heights of heaven. With my own right hand I will raise you up, and I will show you the eternal Father.

(From an Easter homily by Melito of Sardis, in Office of Readings, Monday within the Octave of Easter)

SAINT LASERIAN OR MOLAISE,

BLESSED MARIE-ANNE BLONDIN,

BLESSED MARY OF THE INCARNATION,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Frohe Ostern from Moni in Freiburg, Germany. Hallelujah!

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

In other years: Saint Donan (7th century); Blessed Baptist Spagnoli Mantau (1447-1516); Blessed Clara Gambacorta OP (1362-1419); Blessed Maria Mancini OP (-1431) 

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 62 The Priests of the Monastery

Mass: Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Resp Ps 118; Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8; Sequence Victimae paschali laudes; Jn 20:1-9

The right hand of the Lord has struck with power.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

ALLEULIA! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!

HE IS RISEN!

ALLELUIA!

Happy Easter dear friends and faithful readers near and far. Thank you for being there. United in faith and prayer, we seek the living God and pray especially for all those received into the Church last night at the Easter Vigil. God is praised. We see and we believe that "we were indeed buried with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life" (Rm 6:4).

Every time in your ordinary life that God calls you to die to something, and in that act to rise again to new life beyond death, it is a practice run for the final return home and the ultimate resurrection. You may be asked to die to your own hopes and plans, to your cherished self-image, to your for-a-while-successful work, to something which is holding you back from God. Each time you let go and say 'Yes', you are obeying the Spirit's call to life beyond death. You are consenting to be a son or daughter of God. Every time you choose to act in real freedom, in love, forgiveness, humility, truth and self-forgetting generosity, you are accepting your dignity as the beloved adopted heir.

(M. Boulding, Gateway to Resurrection, p. 130)

We go forth then, raised with Christ and seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. We think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For we have died and our life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ our life appears, then we too will appear with Him in glory (Col 3:1-4).

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.

(Ps 118)

SAINT DONAN,

BLESSED BAPTIST SPAGNOLI MANTUA,

BLESSED CLARA GAMBORTA,

BLESSED MARIA MANCINI,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's image: Icon of the Resurrection, through the hand of Sister Suzanne, ocso.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Holy Saturday/The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

In other years: Saint Bernadette Soubirous, Patron Saint of the Sick (1844-1879)

Happy 95th Birthday to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 61:6-14 The Reception of Visiting Monks

The One who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens,

that He might fill all things.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

From the jaws of hell, Lord, rescue my soul.

(Holy Saturday, Morning Prayer, Antiphon 2)

So begins an ancient homily on Holy Saturday: "Something strange is happening-there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and He has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear" (in Office of Readings, Holy Saturday). I am reckoned as one in the tomb.

Christ descended precisely as dead and therefore powerless; he joined human beings at their ultimate point of helplessness and made that the place of redemption.

(M. Boulding, Gateway to Resurrection, paraphrasing Hans Urs von Balthasar, p. 127)

Arise, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.

(Eph 5:14)

SAINT BERNADETTE SOUBIROUS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Silence speaks volumes. As for me, Lord, I call to you for help: in the morning my prayer comes before you.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Good Friday)

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 61:1-5 The Reception of Visiting Monks

The Celebration of the Passion of the Lord: Is 52:13-52:12; Resp Ps 31; Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9; Jn 18:1-19:42

In you, O Lord, I take refuge.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Let us confidently approach the throne of grace 

to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

(Heb 4:16)

GETHSEMANE

Mary Oliver, 1935-2019

The grass never sleeps

Or the roses.

Not does the lily have a secret eye that shuts until morning.

Jesus said, wait with me. But the disciples slept.

The cricket has such splendid fringe on its feet,

and it sings, have you noticed, with its whole body,

and heaven knows if it ever sleeps.

Jesus said, wait with me. And maybe the stars did, maybe

the wind wound itself into a silver tree, and didn't move,

    maybe

the lake far away, where once he was as on a

    blue pavement,

lay still and waited, wild awake.

Oh the dear bodies, slumped and eye shut, that could not

keep that vigil, how they must have wept,

so utterly human, knowing this too

must be part of the story.

Then they seized Him and led Him away.

(Lk 22:54)

They delivered Him to Pilate the governor.

(Mt 27:2)

HEART OF JESUS, VICTIM FOR OUR SINS,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Today's photo: For today's liturgical red, the color of fire and of blood.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Thursday of Holy Week (Holy Thursday) Chrism Mass/Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Maundy Thursday

In other years: Blessed Lucien Botovasoa (1908-1947); Blessed Peter Gonzalez OP (-1246)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 60 The Admission of Priests to the Monastery

Mass: Chrism Mass: Is 61:1-3a, 6a, 8b-9; Resp Ps 89; Rev 1:5-8; Lk 4:16-21/Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper: Ex 12:1-8, 11-14; Resp Ps 116; 1 Cor 11:23-26; Jn 13:1-15

I will call upon the name of the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

The sacrament of charity, the Holy Eucharist is the gift that Jesus Christ makes of Himself, thus revealing to us God's infinite love for every man and woman.

(Pope Benedict XVI, Sacramentum caritatis, 1)

One way to begin this day is with the words of Saint Melito of Sardis, bishop (100-180), from an Easter homily: "There was much proclaimed by the prophets about the mystery of the Passover; that mystery is Christ, and to Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen" (in Office of Readings, Holy Week, Thursday).

The following poem, from Ranier Maria Rilke (1875-1926), was read at Lauds this morning.

OF THE MARRIAGE AT CANA

Could she do otherwise than be proud

of him who made the simplest beautiful to her?

Was not even the lofty, large-accustomed

night as if beside itself when he appeared?

Did not also his once having lost himself

incredibly redound to his glory?

Had not the wisest exchanged ears

for mouths? And was not the house

as new at his voice? Ah,

surely she had hundreds of times restrained

herself from radiating her delight

in him. She followed him amazed.

But there at that wedding feast,

when unexpectedly there was no wine,-

she looked across and begged him for a gesture

and did not understand that he protested.

And then he did it. She realized later

how she had pressed him into his way:

for now he was really performing miracles,

and the whole sacrifice was decreed,

irresistibly. Yes, it was written.

But was it already prepared?

She: she had brought it on

in the blindness of her vanity.

At the table full of fruits and vegetables

she rejoiced with the rest and did not understand

that the water of her tear glands

had turned to blood with this wine.

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.

(1 Cor 11:26)

BLESSED LUCIEN BOTOVASOA,

BLESSED PETER GONAZALEZ,

PRAY FOR US.

NB. We pray especially for priests today, as they celebrate the Chrism Mass. How fitting too that our reading from the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict is from Ch 60 on the admission of priests to the monastery. One thing Saint Benedict teaches is this, for any priest who asks to be received into the monastery: "He must recognize that he is subject to the discipline of the rule, and not make exceptions for himself, but rather give everyone an example of humility" (RB 60:5). Our holy father's exhortation seems relevant for all times. May Saint John Vianney intercede for all priests. Thank you, all priests, religious and diocesan, for your service to God and the Church.

Friendly reminder that the Paschal Triduum of the Passion and Resurrection of the Lord begins today, with the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper. United in faith and prayer, we march on to Jerusalem.

Today's photo: This one can speak for itself.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Wednesday of Holy Week

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Saints: Pope Saint Martin I (-655); Blessed Margaret of Castello, OP (1287-1320)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 59 The Offering of Sons by Nobles or the Poor

Mass: 50:4-9a; Resp Ps 69; Mt 26:14-25

You who seek God, may your hearts revive!

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

The Lord God is my help.

(Is 50:7)

In today's Gospel we find Saint Matthew's account of Jesus reclined at table with the Twelve. Yesterday, with Saint John's account, I proposed some of the possible responses to Jesus' announcement that someone would betray Him. Saint Matthew tells us that the disciples were very sorrowful, and began to say to Him, one after another, "Is it I, Lord?" (Mt 26:22). May it be none of us. United in faith and prayer, we continue our journey to Jerusalem. Hail to you, our King; you alone are compassionate with our errors (Verse before the Gospel, Mass).

Make me patient to bear the burdens of those nearest at hand, to welcome inconvenience for them, frustration because of them. Let me accept their temperaments as they are, nurse them in sickness, share with them in poverty, enter into their sorrows with them.

(Caryll Houselander, from The Way of the Cross, quoted in Magnificat "Meditation of the Day", April 13, 2022, pp. 79-80)

The peace of the Lord follows the way of meekness and the cross; it is taking responsibility for others. Indeed, Christ took on Himself our evil, sin and death. He took all of this upon Himself. In this way, He freed us. He paid for us. His peace is not the fruit of some compromise, but rather is born of self-giving.

(Pope Francis, Wednesday General Audience, April 13, 2022)

POPE SAINT MARTIN I,

BLESSED MARGARET OF CASTELLO,

PRAY FOR US.

NB. As a friendly reminder, we are still in Lent until tomorrow. We know from the Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year: "The Paschal Triduum of the Passion and Resurrection of the Lord begins with the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper, has its center in the Easter Vigil, and closes with Vespers (Evening Prayer) of the Sunday of the Resurrection" (19).

Today's photo: A little hide and seek with some of the garden daffodils.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Tuesday of Holy Week

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Saint: Saint Zeno of Verona, Bishop (d. 371)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 58:17-29 The Procedure for Receiving New Brothers

Mass: Is 49:1-6; Resp Ps 71; Jn 13:21-33, 36-38  

I will sing of your salvation.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

I am made glorious in the sight of the Lord, and my God is now my strength!

(Is 49:5)

There is a lot going on in today's Gospel. We begin with Jesus reclining at table with His disciples. Troubled in spirit, Jesus testifies: Amen, Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me (Jn 13:21). Imagine the confused looks on some of the disciple's faces, and the fear and anxiety in some of their hearts. "Surely not I," some may think. Or "please, don't let it be me ....", others might be thinking. Others may be busy pointing their fingers at this disciple, or that one. Meanwhile three fingers are pointing at themselves. We close with Jesus, who asks Peter a question: Will you lay down your life for me? (Jn 13:38). This question comes just after Peter declares: "I will lay down my life for you" (Jn 13:37). It may be that some of us (three fingers are pointing at me ...) betray and deny Jesus in little ways every day. Betrayal and denial come in many forms. "Never give a hollow greeting of peace or turn away when someone needs your love" (Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:25-26), our holy father Benedict provides as tools for good works. "Seeing with the eyes of Christ," writes Pope Benedict XVI, "I can give to others much more than their outward necessities; I can give them the look of love which they crave" (Deus caritas est God is love, 18). Heart of Jesus, full of faithfulness and love, have mercy on us.

United in faith and prayer, we march on to Jerusalem during this holy week.  

To attain holiness ... we must not only pattern our lives on Christ's by being gentle, humble and patient, we must also imitate Him in His death. Taking Christ for his model, Paul said that he wanted to become like him in his death in the hope that he too would be raised from death to life.

(From the book On the Holy Spirit by Saint Basil, bishop, in Office of Readings, Tuesday, Holy Week)

SAINT ZENO OF VERONA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: These "clothed in Lenten violet" tulips are busy singing. Thank you, Catherine.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Monday of Holy Week

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Saint: Saint Stanislaw, Bishop (1036-1079)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 58:1-16 The Procedure for Receiving New Brothers

Mass: Is 42:1-7; Resp Ps 27; Jn 12:1-11

©

The Lord is my light and my salvation.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Welcome to Monday, though not an ordinary Monday. We are in the midst of Holy Week. May we be renewed and energized on our way to Jerusalem. I have grasped you by the hand (Is 42:6), says the Lord. 

In today's Gospel, we find Jesus in Bethany, where Lazarus was. It was Lazarus that Jesus raised from the dead. Martha and Mary were there too; they gave a dinner for Jesus. I stopped after I read these lines. Just imagine it. Having dinner with your dear friends, one of whom Jesus raised from the dead. It is certainly no wonder that a large crowd gathered too, outside jostling for a position, not only to see Jesus, but also to see this Lazarus raised from the dead. Fear, confusion, and conversion abound, all at once. Some not only wanted to kill Jesus, but Lazarus too, as many became believers because of him. Not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench (Is 42:2-3).

In our reading from the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict, we begin the chapter on the reception of new members. It's a good week to be immersed in the wisdom offered us. Entrance should not be easy. Patience is needed. Once the newcomer is welcomed, "the concern must be whether the novice truly seeks God and whether she shows eagerness for the Work of God, for obedience and for trials. The novice should clearly be told all the hardships and difficulties that will lead him to God" (RB 58:6-8). We might turn then to the Prologue, where our holy father Benedict is clear: "This message of mine is for you, then, if you are ready to give up your own will, once and for all, and armed with the strong and noble weapons of obedience, to do battle for the true King, Christ the Lord" (RB 58:3). The following quotations may help, in whatever your vocation. By the grace of God go we. Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love, have mercy on us.

The passion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the hope of glory and a lesson in patience ...

let us fearlessly acknowledge, and even openly proclaim, that Christ was crucified for us; let us confess it, not in fear but in joy, not in shame but in glory ...

Let me not boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(From a sermon by Saint Augustine, bishop, in Office of Readings, Monday of Holy Week)

As we do battle and fight in the contest of faith, God, His angels and Christ Himself watch us. How exalted is His glory, how great the joy of engaging in a contest with God presiding, of receiving a crown with Christ as judge ...

let us arm ourselves with all our might, let us prepare ourselves for the struggle by innocence of heart, integrity of faith, dedication to virtue.

(From a letter by Saint Cyprian, bishop and martyr, on Office of Readings, April 11)

We pray for the people of Poland, and ask Saint Stanislaw to intercede for them. And Pope Saint John Paul II too. It is a beautiful country, and Krakow fascinating. Get there if you can. It's worth it.

SAINT STANISLAW,

POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: The apple trees in the garden are busy.

© Gertrude Feick 2022