February 2026

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

February is the month dedicated to the Holy Family

February 7-14, National Marriage Week

February 11, World Day of the Sick. "The compassion of the Samaritan: loving by bearing one another's pain”

Let your face shine on your servant. 

JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH, SON, MOTHER, AND HEAD OF THE HOLY FAMILY,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Dear faithful readers, just when you thought it was safe to go outside in the new calendar year, it's time to turn another page on the calendar. At the same time, we are privileged to see that we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on the 2nd. 

Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all peoples; a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.

(Luke 2:29-32)

May we, too, go in peace these days. Jesus is the Peace the world does not give. 

As usual, it's another busy month. This month is dedicated to the Holy Family, and not only can we invoke Jesus, Mary, and Joseph each and every day, we can also invoke beloved Saint Francis of Assisi, especially as the Holy Father proclaimed a Jubilee Year of Saint Francis to commemorate the 800th anniversary of il Poverello's death. Have you ever been to Assisi? If not, you might add it to your list of travel destinations. You will not be disappointed. And get ready for Ash Wednesday and the holy season of Lent, coming soon to a theatre near you. Mark your calendar for February 18, that would be Ash Wednesday. Then comes the first Sunday of Lent on the 22nd, a day to also commemorate Saint Peter's Chair. Have you ever been to Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome to see the golden chair of the rock on which the Church is built? While there you can also see the bones of Saint Peter, the Scavi, if you book in advance. If not, you can certainly see that on your Italian pilgrimage. You are going to be busy. Don't be too busy, however, to skip out on a gelato, or three or more. Yum.

Some other notables are February 10 to commemorate Saint Scholastica, whose twin brother is Saint Benedict. If you are keeping up with the daily reading of the Holy Rule, you will find yourself still in Chapter 7, Humility, the fourth step, all the way to Chapter 23, on Excommunication. The same day, the 10th, that is, sees the Shipwreck of Saint Paul, the birth of the Maltese Church. Up for the 11th is the ever-popular 6th-century Irish Saint Gobnait, the patron saint of bees, beekeepers, and the sick. "Least is the bee among winged things, but she reaps the choices of harvests" (Sirach 11:3). On the 26th we have Saint Alexander of Alexandria who hopefully was never confused about his name and where he was from. One never knows, though. 

What is one way to prepare for Lent? First, go to Chapter 49 of the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict, where our holy father exhorts us, among other things, "to add to the usual measure of our service something by way of private prayer and abstinence from food and drink, so that each of us will have something above the assigned measure to offer God of his own will with the joy of the Holy Spirit" (RB 49:5-6). Keep reading because we can also deny ourselves needless talking and idle jesting and still look forward to holy Easter with joy and spiritual long (RB 49:7). How will you make this Lent one of joy? And don't forget to look to Chapter 48 on The Daily Manual Labor. It is there that we find that we are to read the whole of a book straight through (RB 48:15). What spiritual reading will you tackle this season? 

Last and not least, kind of, what follows is the customary Ash Wednesday offering by Cardinal Arthur Roche, Prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

Fast of judging others; feast on the Christ indwelling in them.

Fast on emphasis on differences; feast on unity of life.

Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light.

Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.

Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.

Fast from anger; feast on patience.

Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.

Fast from worry; feast on trust.

Fast from compliance; feast on appreciation.

Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.

Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.

Fast from hostility; feast on nonviolence.

Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.

Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth.

Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.

Fast from facts that depress; feast on truths that uplift.

Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.

Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.

Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.

Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.

Gentle God, during this season of fasting and feasting, gift us with Your presence, so that we can be a gift to others in carrying out Your work. Amen.

Since we will move into the Lenten desert this month, how about we hear from the Desert Mothers and Fathers. We go to them, then, for a word or two ....*

Abba Gregory said, "These three things God requires of all the baptized: right faith in the heart, truth on the tongue, temperance in the body.

Abba Poemen said, "Teach your heart to guard that which your tongue teaches."

Another of the old men questioned Amma Theodora saying, "At the resurrection of the dead, how shall we rise?" She said, "As pledge, example, and prototype we have Him who died for us, and is risen, Christ our God.

Abba Pambo said, "If you have a heart, you can be saved."

Abba Paul said, "Keep close to Jesus."

Amma Syncletica said, "There are many who live in the mountains and behave as if they were in town, and they are wasting their time. It is possible to be a solitary in one's mind while living in a crowd, and it is possible for one who is a solitary to live in the crowd of his own thoughts. 

Amma Sarah said, "If I prayed God that all men approve of my conduct, I shall find myself a penitent at the door of each one, but I shall rather pray that my heart be pure towards all.

Abba Sisoes said, "Seek God, and do not seek where He dwells."

Abba Arsenius said, 

"If we seek God, He will shew Himself to us, and if we keep Him, He will remain close to us.

Abba Anthony said, "Our life and our death is with our neighbor. If we gain our brother, we have gained God, but if we scandalize our brother, we have sinned against Christ.

Abba Or also said, "If you have spoken evil of your brother, and you are stricken with remorse, go and kneel before him and say: "I have spoken badly of you, let this be my surety that I will not spread this slander further." For detraction is death to the soul.

Thankfully, we have more than a few saints to commemorate this month. May they intercede for us as we begin our Lenten journey. All saints, please pray for us.

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI,

SAINT BRIGID,

SAINT HENRY MORSE,

BLESSED BENEDICT DASWA,

BLESSED CANDELARIA OF SAINT JOSEPH,

SAINT ANSGAR, BISHOP,

SAINT BLAISE,

SAINT LAURENCE OF CANTERBURY,

SAINT DUNSTAN OF CANTERBURY,

SAINT THEODORE OF CANTERBURY,

SAINT WERBURG,

SAINT ANNE LINE, NEE HEIGHAM,

BLESSED ANTHONY OF PAVONIO OP,

BLESSED BARTHOLOMEW OF CERVERIO OP,

BLESSED PETER OF RUFFIA OP,

SAINT GILBERT OF SEMPRINGHAM,

SAINT JOHN DE BRITTO,

BLESSED MARIE-EUGENE GRIALOU,

SAINT CATHERINE DE RICCI,

SAINT JOHN OF LEONISSA,

SAINT AGATHA, VIRGIN, MARTYR,

SAINT PAUL MIKI AND HIS COMPANIONS, MARTYRS,

SAINT MEL,

SAINT JEROME EMILIANI,

SAINT JOSEPHINE BAKHITA,

SAINT CUTHMAN OF STEYNING,

SAINT TEILO,

SAINT APOLLONIA,

SAINT SCHOLASTICA, VIRGIN,

SAINT PAUL,

OUR LADY OF LOURDES,

SAINT GOBNAIT,

BLESSED REGINALD OF ORLEANS OP,

SAINT JULIAN THE HOSPITALLER,

SAINT HUMBELINE, 

SAINT CATHERINE DE RICCI,

BLESSED JORDAN OF SAXONY OP,

BLESSED JAMES MILLER,

SAINTS CYRIL, MONK, AND METHODIUS, BISHOP,

SAINT CLAUDE LA COLOMBIERE,

BLESSED NICHOLAS OF PAGLIA OP,

SAINT ONESIMUS,

THE SEVEN HOLY FOUNDERS OF THE SERVITE ORDER,

SAINT FINTAN OF CLONENAGH,

BLESSED WILLIAM RICHARDSON,

BLESSED JOHN OF FIESOLE OP,

SAINT JACINTA AND FRANCISCO MARTO,

SAINT CONRAD OF PIACENZA,

BLESSED ALVAREZ OF CORDOBA OP,

BLESSED CHRISTOPHER OF MILAN OP,

SAINT PETER DAMIAN, BISHOP, DOCTOR,

SERVANT OF GOD BLANDINA SEGALE,

SAINT ROBERT SOUTHWELL,

SAINT PETER,

SAINT POLYCARP, BISHOP, MARTYR,

BLESSED JOSEPHA GIRBES,

BLESSED THOMAS MARIA FUSCO,

BLESSED CONSTANTIUS OF FABRIANO OP,

SAINT ETHELBERT,

BLESSED MARIA ADEODATA PISANI,

SAINT WALBURGA,

SAINT ALEXANDER OF ALEXANDRIA,

SAINT GREGORY OF NAREK, ABBOT AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH,

SAINT OSWALD,

BLESSED VILLANA DE BOTTI,

PRAY FOR US.

*All quotations come from The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection, translated by Benedicta Ward (Cistercian Publications, 1984).

This month's photo: Welcome to a full moon on February 1, 2026. When I see your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you set in place.

© Gertrude Feick 2026

September 2025

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

September is the month dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of Mary 

Holy Mother, pierce me through,

in my heart each wound renew

Of my savior crucified.

SORROWFUL MOTHER, ROCK OF CONSTANCY,

SORROWFUL MOTHER, TREASURE OF THE FAITHFUL,

SORROWFUL MOTHER, MIRROR OF PATIENCE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

SAINT GABRIEL THE ARCHANGEL,

SAINT RAPAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother and His mother's sister, 

Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.

(John 19:25)

 A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, 

with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

(Revelation 12:1)

Dear Pilgrims of Hope, faithful readers all, welcome to September, the month dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of Mary. And on this first day of the month we celebrate Labor Day. Many will gather today, and have been these past weekend days, to celebrate the end of summer. At the same time, we remember to honor those who labor at home and away from home, with work of the mind, hands, and heart. We also remember to rest from our labors, with time for prayer and holy leisure, in things that refresh and renew us to build the Kingdom of God on earth. Bless the work of our hands and hearts. 

Unless the Lord build the house,

they labor in vain who build it.

(Psalm 127:1)

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

(Matthew 11:28-30)

Why not continue with a quiz? Tradition honors these as the Seven Sorrows of Mary ...  Can you hear the music from Jeopardy? 🎶 Bum bum bum bum, bum bum bum. Bum bum bum bum, bum bum bum bum bum bum. 🎵 Ready or not, here they come ... What are The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:35), The Flight into Egypt (Mt 2:13), Search for the Child in Jerusalem (Lk 2:46, 48), Mary Meets Jesus on His Way to the Cross (John 19:17/Luke 23:27), Standing at the Foot of the Cross (John 19:25-27), The Crucifixion and Descent from the Cross (John 19:38), Assisting at the Burial of Christ (Luke 23:55, 56). It occurs to me that any one of us, or a group if you have one, could invent a novena leading up to September 15 when we commemorate Our Lady of Sorrows. Since there are Seven Sorrows, that covers a Sorrow for seven days, the Seven Sorrows could be sandwiched with your favorite prayer to Mary, one on Day 1 (September 7) and one on Day 9 (September 15). Included in those days are September 8, when we celebrate The Birth of Mary, and September 12, when we celebrate The Most Holy Name of Mary. And there is always the Litany to Our Lady of Seven Sorrows, a few invocations noted above. What is your favorite invocation? Faithful readers, it is going to be a busy month.

Even though I have been thinking about the Sorrowful Mother, Mary, so strong and courageous, Our Lady who Simeon told, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many may be revealed" (Luke 2:34-35), I have also been thinking about Mary, a Joyful Mother. Yes, Mary was sorrowful. Rightly. At the same time, she was a woman of joy. Otherwise, Mary would not have proclaimed, "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior ..." (Luke 1:46-55). We can turn to Mary every day then, and at every moment, for help and guidance, especially as a human tendency is to focus on sorrows, or our troubles and problems. A Sorrowful Mother, Mary is also A Joyful Mother. Mary wept; Mary sang; Mary danced. After all, even babe in the womb John the Baptist leaped for joy when the sound of Mary's greeting reached the ears of her cousin Elizabeth (see Luke 1:41-45). And when I pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, before beginning the Second Mystery, the Visitation, I attempt to give a leap of joy, if not physically, then mentally and in my heart, and pray for Mary and Elizabeth, and little John too, to help me leap for joy. Every one of us has many sorrows: moments of pain, grief, sadness, loneliness, anxiety, fear, doubt. On the other hand, each of us has so much to be joyful about, first and foremost at how much Jesus loves each and every one of us. Yes, Jesus loves you; Jesus loves me. And so does Mary, His mother. There is no greater Love than Jesus. At the same time, there is no greater love than Mary. So, in our favor, we are privileged to have the greatest Love in Jesus, and the greatest love in Mary, His Mother, both sorrowful and joyful. In fact, it is overwhelming even to think about it. So much Love and love. And as I heard a minister preach at a wedding many years ago: "It's all aboot love." Yes, aboot. And it certainly is aboot Love and love. 

And before we hear from a number of voices this month, we also remember September 14, The Exaltation of the Holy Cross. So don't forget to lift high the cross and help others carry their crosses. And then there are the powerful Archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, set for September 29. And an added bonus is that we begin the third "straight through" read of the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict for 2025 (see Rule of Saint Benedict 58:9-16). So, we begin with "Listen carefully, my son, to the master's instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart. This is advice from a father who loves you; welcome it, and faithfully put it into practice" (RB Prologue 1). Did I mention the heavy line-up of saints to pray for us this month? You will see below ... 

First, speaking of dancing ...

Therefore, let all creation sing and dance and unite to make worthy contribution to the celebration of this day. Let there be a common festival for saints in heaven and men on earth. Let everything, mundane things and those above, join in festive celebration. Today this created world is raised to the dignity of a holy place for Him who made all things. The creature is newly prepared to be a divine dwelling place for the Creator.

(From a discourse by Saint Andrew of Crete, bishop, in Office of Readings, September 8, Birth of Mary)

In dangers,

in hardships

in every doubt

think of Mary

call out to Mary.

Keep her in your mouth

keep her in your heart ...

With your hand in hers

you will never stumble.

With her protecting you

you will not be afraid.

With her leading you

you will never tire.

Her kindness

will see you through to the end.

Then you will know 

by your own experience

how true it is that

the Virgin's Name was Mary.

(Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090-1153)

Although you have not seen Him you love Him;

even though you do not see Him now yet believe in Him,

you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy.

(1 Peter 1:8)

Many times, praying at odd hours of the night, the little birds would come to sing and I would bet with them who would praise God the most.

(Blessed John Macias, 1585-1645)

All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither.

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

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

Jesus alone is my hope.

(Blessed Catherine of Racconigi, 1486-1547)

Manners or good behavior cannot be separated from Christian morals, since Christianity cannot succeed where ordinary humanity is absent.

(Pope Benedict XVI, 1927-2022)

If I ever become a saint-I will surely be one of "darkness". I will continually be absent from heaven-to light the light of those in darkness on earth.

(Saint Teresa of Calcutta, 1910-1997)

I forgive, I forgive, I forgive.

(Last words of Blessed Leonella Sgorbati, 1940-2006)

The melody of her life is played just as it was written. Mary was thought, conceived, and planned as the equal sign between ideal and history, thought and reality, hope and realization.

(Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, 1895-1975)

Many acts of love for God ... although good and very desirable, are yet very suspect when they do not lead to the practice of effective love.

(Saint Vincent de Paul. 1580-1660)

Joy, with peace, is the sister of charity. Serve the Lord with laughter.

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

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-is tremendous!

(Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, 1895-1975)

Let us love our neighbors, my friends, let us love the one who is near to us, so that we may be able to reach the love of the one who is above us. Then we shall reach the happiness of the heavenly multitude, the happiness of which we have received an assurance of the Holy Spirit. Let us move forward toward that goal where we shall be happy without end with all our love.

(Pope Saint Gregory the Great, 540-604)

If men only knew the power of love. which they often appreciate so little-the power of being able to love, to be sustained and defended by love, to grow in love at every instant. This, in spite of the imperfections of all my works, gives me the courage to labor ... My longings to love God are infinite, and only God can fill my emptiness with His infinite love ... I need all His love in order to love Him as I ought. I hope that He will give it to me, and I do not doubt that He will.

(Venerable Mary Magdalene of Jesus in the Eucharist, C.P., d. 1960)

SAINT GILES,

SAINT TERESA MARGARET REDI OF THE SACRED HEART,

SAINT BEATRICE DA SILVA MENESES,

BLESSED ANDRE GRASSET DE SAINT SAUVER,

THE SEPTEMBER MARTRYS,

JESUIT MARTYRS FOR THE NAME OF JESUS,

POPE SAINT GREGORY THE GREAT,

POPE SAINT BONIFACE I,

SAINT CUTHBERT,

SAINT MAC NISSI,

BLESSED DINA BELANGER,

MOTHER SAINT TERESA OF CALCUTTA,

SAINT HERBERT,

BLESSED THOMAS TZUGI,

SAINT PETER CLAVER,

BLESSED FREDERIC OZANAM,

SAINT CIARAN OF GLONMACNOISE,

SAINT OSBURG,

SAINT AMBROSE BARLOW, OSB,

SAINT NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO,

SAINT EGWIN, BISHOP,

BLESSED AGNELLUS OF PISA, PRIEST,

BLESSED FRANCIS GARATE,

BLESSED OGLERIO OF LORELIO,

SAINT PETER II OF TARENTAISE,

SAINT DEINIOL,

SAINT JANE GABRIEL,

SERVANT OF GOD VINCENT CAPODANNO,

BLESSED MARY OF JESUS,

VENERABLE ALOYSIUS SCHWARTZ,

BLESSED APOLLINARIS FRANCO,

SAINT AILBE,

SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, BISHOP, DOCTOR,

OUR LADY OF SORROWS,

SAINT MIRIN,

POPE SAINT CORNELIUS,

SAINT CYPRIAN,

SAINT NINIAN,

SAINT ROBERT BELLARMINE, 

SAINT HILDEGARD OF BINGEN,

SAINT ALBERT OF JERUSALEM,

SAINT EDITH OF KEMSING,

SAINT JOSEPH OF CUPERTINO,

SAINT STANISLAW KOSTKA,

SAINT JANUARIUS, BISHOP, MARTYR,

SAINT EMILY DE RODAT,

SAINT THEODORE OF TARSUS,

SAINT ANDREW KIM TAEGON, PAUL CHONG HASANG, AND COMPANIONS,

ALL KOREAN MARTYRS,

SAINT MATTHEW, APOSTLE, EVANGELIST,

SAINT MAURICE AND THE THEBAN LEGION,

SAINT THOMAS OF VILLANOVA,

SAINT PIUS OF PIETRELCINA "PADRE PIO", PRIEST,

SAINT ADOMNAN OF IONA,

SAINT STEPHANIE,

OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM,

BLESSED ANTON MARTIN SLOMSHEK,

BLESSED EMILIE TAVERNIER-GAMELIN,

SAINT FINBARR,

SAINT HERMANN CONTRACTUS,

SAINT COSMAS AND DAMIAN, MARTYR,

SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL, PRIEST,

SAINT WENCESLAUS,

SAINT LAWRENCE RUIZ AND HIS COMPANIONS, MARTYRS,

SAINT LIOBA,

SAINT MICHAEL, GABRIEL AND RAPHAEL, ARCHANGELS,

SAINT JEROME, PRIEST, DOCTOR,

PRAY FOR US.

NB. A new custom is to post a reflection at the commencement of each month of the calendar year, which turns out to be 12 months, each with a specific Catholic devotion. United in faith and prayer, we keep going. Until further notice.

This month's photo: Mother Do Not Mourn for Me, by the hand of Sister Suzanne, ocso.

© Gertrude Feick 2025

Holy Saturday

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

April is the month dedicated to the Divine Mercy

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

that He might fill all things.

DIVINE MERCY, SHIELDING US FROM THE FIRE OF HELL,

I TRUST IN YOU.

OUR LADY OF SORROWS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Pilgrims of hope, we wait.

Something strange is happening-there is a great silence on the 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.

However, as the Lord takes Adam by the hand, He says ...

Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light ...

I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only person and we cannot be separated.

(From an ancient homily on Holy Saturday, in Office of Readings, Holy Saturday)

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy. 

Pope Saint John Paul II offered this about Holy Saturday:

On Holy Saturday, the Church, once again, identifies herself with Mary: all her faith is gathered in her, the first believer. In the darkness that envelopes creation, she remains alone to keep the flame of faith alive, preparing to welcome the joyful and surprising announcement of the Resurrection. In memory of the Mother of the Lord, the Christian community on this aliturgical day is called to devote herself to silence and meditation, nourishing in expectation the blessed hope of a renewed encounter with the Lord.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, Wednesday General Audience, April 3, 1996)

Let us be silent this day and ask Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows to pray for us so that we, like her, be strengthened in our faith. 

Solitude can be very rewarding and full of blessing because in the silence of the inner being, 

one finds God.

(Venerable Fulton Sheen)

BLESSED JAMES OLDO,

SAINT ALPHEGE,

BLESSED ISNARD OF CHIAMPO, OP,

BLESSED SIBYLLINA BISCOSSI, OP,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: From the archives, February 6, 2023. Praise God in His holy place, praise Him in the mighty heavens. 

© Gertrude Feick 2025

Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

 September is the Month dedicated to the Sorrowful Mother

Readings for the Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 2:33 Qualities of the Abbot - Ch 4 The Tools for Good Works

For He is good, the Lord.

MARY, JOY OF THE AFFLICTED,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL, 

PRAY FOR US.

So now, O children, listen to me, be attentive to the words of my mouth!

(Proverbs 7:24)

Dear faithful readers, I'm a bit behind schedule this week due to some traveling. However, I am back. And guess what, this week we are in Saint Benedict's chapter on the Tools for Good Works. Why not take a look at it; you will find plenty of tools to pick up and put to good use. Why not pick just one tool to use this week, beginning with first, "love the Lord God with your whole heart, your whole soul and all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself" (RB 4:1). I think I'll work with placing my hope in God alone (RB 4:41). Our voice for the week certainly did that. I best get busy. ☺

So, for our voice of the week, I turn to Venerable Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan (1928-2002), who spent 12 years as a prisoner in communist Vietnam with more than two thirds of that time in solitary confinement. One might expect such a man to be bitter, resentful, and angry. However, I have read a little of what he wrote and been amazed at his positive attitude and joy. In fact, one colleague of the Cardinal's who worked with him at the National Catholic Register, Kishore Jayabalan, said this about the Cardinal: "He was almost always smiling or laughing, but never in a superficial or happy-go-lucky way. You could tell his joy came through his suffering and identification with Christ." Here are the Cardinal's ten "rules of life." * 

I will live the present moment to its fullest.

I will discern between God and God's works.

I will hold firmly to one secret: prayer.

I will see in the holy Eucharist my only power.

I will have only one wisdom: the science of the cross.

I will seek the peace the world will not give.

I will speak one language and wear one uniform: charity.

I will have one very special love: Mary.

I will carry out a revolution by renewal in the Holy Spirit.

I will remain faithful to my mission in the Church and for the Church as a witness to Jesus Christ.

OUR LADY OF SORROWS,

VENERABLE FRANCIS XAVIER NGUYEN VAN THUAN,

SAINT MIRIN,

POPE SAINT CORNELIUS,

SAINT CYPRIAN,

SAINT NINIAN,

SAINT MARTIN OF FINOJOSA, CISTERCIAN BISHOP,

SAINT ROBERT BELLARMINE,

SAINT HILDEGARD OF BINGEN, BISHOP,

SAINT ALBERT OF JERUSALEM,

SAINT EDITH KEMSING,

SAINT STANISLAW KOSTKA,

SAINT JOSEPH OF CUPERTINO,

SAINT EMILY DE RODAT,

SAINT JANUARIUS,

SAINT THEODORE OF TARSUS,

SAINT ANDREW KIM TAEGON AND PAUL CHONG HASANG,

 AND THEIR COMPANIONS, MARTYRS,

SAINT MATTHEW, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST,

PRAY FOR US.

* See Tom Hoopes, "Learn Vietnam Hero Cardinal Van Thuan's 10 Rules of Life with Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton," in Seton Reflections, September 16, 2024. 

Today's photo: Sing to Him a new song.

© Gertrude Feick 2024

Fifth Sunday of Lent

March is the month dedicated to Saint Joseph

Readings for the Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 38 The Reader for the Week - Ch 43 Tardiness at the Work of God or at Table

A clean heart create for me, O God.

SAINT JOSEPH, MINISTER OF SALVATION,

SAINT JOSEPH, TERROR OF DEMONS,

MARY, MIRROR OF JUSTICE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

He was heard because of His reverence. Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered; and when He was made perfect, He became the source of eternal life for all who obey Him.

(Hebrews 5:8-9)

Welcome to the Fifth Sunday of Lent, and in other years, the commemoration of Saint Patrick, Apostle of Ireland. Remember that on Saint Patrick's Day, everyone is Irish. So why not join my very Irish Great Aunt Mary of happy memory and send out this old Irish blessing, or perhaps it's an old Irish curse. 😉 Aunt Mary had it typewritten on a bit of paper and placed with a magnet on the front of her refrigerator. 

May those who love us, love us.

And those who don't love us, 

may God turn their hearts.

And if He doesn't turn their hearts, 

may He turn their ankles,

so we'll know them by their limping.

As we absorb the words from the Letter to the Hebrews above, how about we make this week one of obedience to God's will. Our Lord tells us quite plainly in today's Gospel that whoever serves Him must follow Him; where He is so will His servant be (John 12:26). We are here to love and serve the Lord and obey Him by carrying our crosses, the big ones, and the little ones of tiny pinpricks that rub us the wrong way, upset our nicely organized apple carts, and shake us up a bit. In a beautiful letter received the other day, a young wife and mother related what a spiritual director told her once, before even dating her now husband: "Marriage is choosing to love your spouse every day. Every single day you have to wake up and choose to love him." It is like that for all the faithful. Every day. Every day we wake up and choose to love God and our neighbor, our husband or wife, our children, our co-workers, our teenage neighbor next door, the old man in the pew behind us at Mass, the sister or brother sitting next to us at a meal, and so on. Or not. We choose to follow the Lord, or not. The choice is ours. We will encounter much joy in the daily, and much suffering too. The Lord certainly did. No matter. He kept going; He was made perfect. Thankfully, the Father honors whoever serves His Son, Jesus Christ. We reach out to the Lord who is with us, without fail. 

Our voices for the week continue with a prayer that might be used as a morning offering, especially this week. 

Jesus, you know that we love you and that we wish to imitate your virtues. Today, grant us the virtue of obedience, that we might submit our judgment and our will to God's. Grant us that forgetfulness of self that will separate us from ourselves and which will unite us more to you forever. O Holy Virgin, obtain for me the grace of never wasting the least opportunity to obey, because this is the indisputable road to holiness, to maintain interior peace, to please Jesus, and to attain heaven.

Amen.

(Blessed Concepcion Cabrera de Armida, 1862-1937, wife, mother, and widow, the first Mexican laywoman to be beatified, see Magnificat, Meditation of the Day, March 15, 2024)

The first step of humility is unhesitating obedience, 

which comes naturally to those who cherish Christ above all else.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 5:1)

Bow down in suffering, love your enemies, avoid your friends, be patient in the midst of adversities. That is my cry now. Give me your help generously now, so that God may make my grief and my suffering bearable, so that I may wrest my way to the very pinnacle of God's will: Not as I will, but as you will ...

(Servant of God Joseph Mueller, 1894-1944)

I was like a stone lying in the deep mire;

and He that is mighty came, 

and His mercy lifted me up,

and verily raised me aloft and placed me on top of the wall.

(Saint Patrick, 5th century)

It is always tempting to take credit for the gifts of grace and to lay blame elsewhere for our faults. If we do not claim responsibility for the choices that are truly ours, neither can we ask for or accept forgiveness. Too heavy for us, our offenses-too heavy not to allow the Lord to wipe them away.

(Magnificat, Prayer for the Morning, Introduction to Psalm 65, March 9, 2024)

United in faith and prayer, we keep going.

I trust in your faithfulness.

Grant my heart joy in your help,

That I may sing of the Lord,

"How good our God has been to me!"

(Psalm 13:6)

SAINT PATRICK, APOSTLE OF IRELAND,

SAINT BRIGID OF KILDARE,

SAINT GERTRUDE OF NIVELLES,

SERVANT OF GOD CHIARA LUBICH,

SAINT CYRIL OF JERUSALEM,

SAINT EDWARD THE MARTYR,

BLESSED FRANCIS PALAU Y OUER,

SAINT HERBERT,

SAINT CUTHBERT,

SAINT BENEDICT,

SAINT DEOGRATIUS,

SAINT NICHOLAS OWEN,

SAINT LEA,

SAINT TURIBIUS OF MONGROVEJO,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Peach tree blossom; glorify the Lord with me. A willing spirit sustain in me. Thank you, dear Beth.

© Gertrude Feick 2024

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

August is the month dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament and the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 54 Letters of Gifts for Monks - Ch 58 The Procedure for Receiving Brothers

Mass: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Resp. Ps 97; 2 Peter 1:16-19; Mt 17:1-9

The mountains melt like wax before the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY OF THE SNOW,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

PLEDGE OF FUTURE GLORY,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

HEART OF MARY, THRONE OF GLORY,

PRAY FOR US.

Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him.

(Daniel 7:10)

Welcome to the glorious Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. One response to that is something our holy father Saint Benedict tells us in this week's readings from the Holy Rule. In Ch 57 "The Artisans of the Monastery," our holy father quotes Saint Peter and reminds us, all artisans in one way or another, that no matter what we do, we do it "so that in all things God may be glorified" (RB 57:9/1 Pet 4:11). Among other gems that Saint Benedict offers this week is from Ch 58 "The Procedure for Receiving Brothers," and sisters too. It is there we learn that the concern for anyone entering a monastery is whether or not she "truly seeks God and whether he shows eagerness for the Work of God [the Liturgy of the Hours], for obedience and trials" (RB 58:7). Is there clutter or are there attachments that you might need to let go so that your search for God is not blocked for one reason or another, that you are eager to pray, thankful too, for even a few seconds to raise your mind and heart to God*  - O God, come to my assistance, make haste to help me - and to pick up your cross and follow the Lord? Or remember something the Little Flower, Saint Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897) wrote: "For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy." Go to the mountain with Peter, James and John, or even the valley; you will find Jesus there. You will do well to be attentive to His voice, for it is a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts (see 2 Pet 1:19).

We have some strong voices this week. They all speak loud and clear. For starters, an anonymous voice asks: "What can you appreciate at this moment?" (Yogi tea bag tag). We go forth, united in faith and prayer remembering that "the Lord dwells in light upon the holy mountain and lives among us hidden in the darkness of daily life. Let us pray that we may see Him and serve Him."** Lord, it is good that we are here (Mt 17:4). Amen.

If we live our daily lives with all the windows open, it becomes possible for the Spirit's gentle breeze to penetrate our resistance and bring us relief from the tightness we impose on ourselves. We consent to live on the brink of the unexpected, alert for any indication of where inspiration may prompt us to go.

(Michael Casey, ocso, b. 1942, Monk of Tarrawarra Abbey, Australia)

Just living is not enough, said the butterfly. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.

(Hans Christian Anderson)

Grant that I may say with confidence: O my God, forgive me as I forgive others. Grant that I may pray to you with a peaceful heart for those who have hurt me, teach me to conquer myself and to check the impulse which would lead me to take revenge.

(Saint Augustine of Hippo, 354-430)

Happy the man who loves you, O God, and his friends in you. He alone loses no one who is dear to him, because he loves them in the One who is never lost."

(Saint Augustine of Hippo)

Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger people ... do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for powers to equal your tasks.

(Blessed Solanus Casey, 1870-1957)

I feel like an utter failure ... The older I get the more I feel that faithfulness and perseverance are the greatest virtues - accepting the sense of failure we all must have, in our work of others around us, since Christ was the world's greatest failure ... Christ understands us when we fail.

(Servant of God Dorothy Day, 1897-1980)

The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it emotionally.

(Flannery O'Connor, 1925-1964)

POPE SAINT SIXTUS II AND HIS COMPANIONS,

SAINT CAJETAN,

BLESSED NICHOLAS POSTGATE,

SAINT ALBERT OF TRAPANI,

SAINT DOMINIC,

SAINT MARY OF THE CROSS,

SAINT BENEDICTA OF THE CROSS (EDITH STEIN),

SAINT NATHY,

SAINT FELIM,

SAINT LAURENCE, DEACON AND MARTYR,

SAINT CLARE,

SAINT JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL,

PRAY FOR US.

*"Prayer is the raising one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God" (Saint John Damascene, 675/6-749).

**Magnificat, May 5, 2023, introduction to Psalm 43, p. 73.

Today's photo: From Maddy through her dear mother. North Cascade Mountains. All peoples see His glory.

 

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Corpus Christi The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

June is the month of the Sacred Heart 

Commencement of the Parish Year for Eucharistic Revival

In other years: Saint Barnabas the Apostle

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 8 The Divine Office at Night - Ch 13 The Celebration of Lauds on Ordinary Days

Mass: Dt 8:2-3, 14b-16a; Resp Ps 147; 1 Cor 10:16-17; Sequence Lauda Sion; Jn 6:1-58

He has granted peace in your borders.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH,

MARY, MOTHER OF THE MOST HOLY EUCHARIST,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

HEART OF JESUS, MOST WORTHY OF ALL PRAISE,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? 

The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?

(1 Cor 10:16)

Welcome to the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Our "Pope of the Eucharist," Pope Saint Pius X (1835-1914), has this to teach us: "Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to heaven." Inspired by another great pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI (1927-2022), then, "Let us encourage one another to walk joyfully, our hearts filled with wonder, towards our encounter with the Holy Eucharist, so that we may experience and proclaim to others the truth of the words with which Jesus took leave of His disciples: 'Lo, I am with you always, until the end of the world' (Mt 28:20)."* Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. Amen. Saint Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Eucharist, pray for us.

And now for the voices for the week, all from popes. In doing so, united in faith and prayer as we are, we remember Pope Francis who is convalescing in Rome's Agostino Gemelli Hospital after a recent surgery. The Holy Father will pray the customary Sunday Angelus prayer in private "uniting himself spiritually with affection and gratitude to the faithful, wherever they may be, who wish to accompany him" (Vatican News, June 10, 2023). We accompany Pope Francis, and hear from yet another great and Great pontiff, Pope Saint Gregory the Great (540-604):

When we are linked by the power of prayer, we, as it were, hold each other's hand as we walk side by side along a slippery path; and thus by the bounteous disposition of charity, it comes about that the harder each one leans on the other, the more firmly we are riveted together in love.

(Pope Saint Gregory the Great)

And since we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday ... 

Since there is in the Sacred Heart a symbol and a sensible image of the infinite love of Jesus Christ which moves us to love one another, it is fit and proper that we should consecrate ourselves to His most Sacred Heart - an act which is nothing else than an offering and a binding of oneself to Jesus Christ, seeing that whatever honor, veneration and love is given to this divine Heart is really and truly given to Christ Himself.

(Pope Leo XIII, 1810-1903)

Consult not your fears but your hopes and dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what is still possible for you to do.

(Pope Saint John XXIII, 1881-1963)

Modern man listens more readily to witnesses than to teachers; and if he does listens to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.

(Pope Saint Paul VI, 1897-1978)

Remember the past with gratitude. Live the present with enthusiasm. 

Look forward to the future with confidence.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, 1920-2005)

Purity of heart is what enables us to see.

(Pope Benedict XVI, 1927-2022)

Jesus Himself warns us that the path He proposes goes against the flow, even making us challenge society by the way we live, and as a result, becoming a nuisance. He reminds how many people have been, and still are, persecuted simply because they struggle for justice, because they take seriously their commitment to God and to others. Unless we wish to sink into obscure mediocrity, let us not long for an easy life, for "whoever would save his life will lose it "(Mt. 16:25).

(Pope Francis, b. 1936)

SAINT BARNABAS,

SAINT GASPAR BERTONI,

SAINT ONUPHRIUS,

BLESSED ALPHONSUS MAZUREK AND COMPANIONS,

BLESSED HILARY JANUSZEWSKI,

SAINT ANTHONY OF PADUA,

SAINT DAVNET,

SAINT LIDWINA,

SAINT ELISHA,

BLESSED MARIA CANDIDA OF THE EUCHARIST,

BLESSED PETER SNOW AND RALPH GRIMSTON,

SAINT RICHARD OF CHICHESTER,

SAINT BOTOLPH,

SAINT GERMAINE COUSIN,

PRAY FOR US.

*Pope Benedict XVI, Sacramentum Caritatis Sacrament of Charity, 97.

Today's photo: Another spur of the moment shot. Swiftly runs His word!

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Monday of Holy Week

The Month of April Dedicated both to Devotion to the Eucharist and Devotion to the Holy Spirit

In other years: Pope Saint Sixtus I (42-c.128); Saint Irene of Rome, Martyr, Widow of the Martyr Saint Castulus (d. 288); Saint John, Bishop of Naples, aka the Peacemaker (d. 849); Saint Richard, Bishop of Chichester in England (1197-1253)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 52 The Oratory of the Monastery

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

The Lord is my light and my salvation.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAIINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, ONLY SON OF THE FATHER,

HOLY SPIRIT, THE COMFORTER,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

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

(Saint Augustine)

Welcome to Monday of Holy Week. A passage from the Letter to the Hebrews was brought to my attention yesterday as one to reflect upon this holy week. It happens that it is sandwiched nicely between today's patristic reading from the Office of Readings, one taken from a sermon by Saint Augustine. 

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before Him He endured the cross, despising its shame and has taken His seat at the right of the throne of God.

(Hebrews 12:1-2)*

The death of the Lord our God should not be a cause of shame for us; rather, it should be our greatest hope, our greatest glory. In taking upon Himself the death that He found in us, He has most faithfully promised to us life in Him, such as we cannot have of ourselves ...

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

(Saint Augustine)

United in faith and prayer then, we go forth and proclaim with Saint Paul: Let me not boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

POPE SAINT SIXTUS I,

SAINT IRENE,

SAINT CASTULUS,

SAINT JOHN THE PEACEMAKER,

SAINT RICHARD OF CHICHESTER,

PRAY FOR US.

*All of Chapter 12 from the Letter to the Hebrews may prove helpful. 

Today's photo: It is difficult to tire of looking up. Be stouthearted, wait for the Lord.

 

© Gertrude Feick 2023