Fourth Sunday of Easter

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

May is the month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary

She is clothed with strength and dignity, 

and she laughs at the days to come.

MARY, QUEEN OF MOTHERS,

PRAY FOR US.

On you have I leaned from my birth,

from my mother's womb you have been my help.

My hope has always been in you.

(Psalm 70:6)

Welcome to Good Shepherd Sunday and the celebration of Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day. We pray for all mothers, biological, psychological, or spiritual, that through the intercession of Mary, Mother of God, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, will guide them, and bless and reward them for their sacrifices, love, and care. Bless the work of their hands and hearts. 

The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother.

(Saint Therese of Lisieux, "The Little Flower", 1873-1897)

A woman by her very nature is maternal - for every woman, either married or unmarried, is called upon to be a biological, psychological, or spiritual mother - she knows intuitively that to give, to nurture, to care for others, to suffer with and for them - for maternity implies suffering - is infinitely more valuable in God's sight than to conquer nations and fly to the moon.

(Alice von Hildebrand, 1923-2022)

We invoke some of the saints who were mothers ...

SAINT BRIDGET OF SWEDEN,

SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON,

SAINT PERPETUA,

SAINT HELENA OF CONSTANTINOPLE,

SAINT MONICA,

SAINT OLGA OF KIEV,

SAINT ADELAIDE OF BURGANDY,

SAINT MARGARET OF SCOTLAND,

SAINT HEDWIG OF SILESIA,

SAINT FRANCES OF ROME,

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA,

SAINT MARGARET POLE,

SAINT MARGARET BALL,

SAINT MARIE OF THE INCARNATION,

SAINT MARIE-MARGUERITE D'YOUVILLE,

SAINT MARIA CRISTINA OF SAVOY,

SAINT ELISABETTA SANNA,

BLESSED EUROSIA FABRIS BARBARI,

SAINT HILDEGARD BURJAN,

BLESSED CONCEPCION CABRERA DE ARMIDA,

BLESSED WIKTORIA ULMA,

SAINT GIANNA MOLLA,

SAINT ZDZISLAWA OF LEMBERK, OP,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Give her a reward of her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates.

© Gertrude Feick 2025

Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

The Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major

First Friday of the Month

Saint: Blessed Frederic Janssoone (1838-1916)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 53:16-24 The Reception of Guests

Mass: Nahum 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7; Resp Ps (Dt 32); Mt 16:24-28

Learn then that I, I alone, am God.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, MOTHER OF GOD, 

PRAY FOR US.

Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.

(Mt 16:24)

Welcome to the First Friday of the Month, a day too when we commemorate the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, one of the four major basilicas (along with Saint Peter's Basilica, the Basilica of Saint Paul outside the Walls, and the Basilica of Saint John in Lateran) in Rome, and the oldest church in the West that is dedicated to Our Lady. The basilica celebrates the motherhood of Mary, as it was built shortly after the Council of Ephesus (431) formally proclaimed the mother of Jesus as the Mother of God. The basilica is home to the icon Mary, Salus Populi Romani, Protectress of the Roman People. It is customary for the Holy Father to pray in front of the icon before Apostolic Journeys, thereby entrusting his visits to Our Lady. Upon his return from a journey, the Pontiff prays in front of the icon again, thanking God for blessing his journey. 

Entrust your cares to Mary, Mother of God. She knows a thing or two about crosses. Our Lady will help you carry yours. Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.

Mary, Mother of God, we salute you. Precious vessel, worthy of the whole world's reverence, you are an ever-shining light, the crown of virginity, the symbol of orthodoxy, an indestructible temple, the place that held Him whom no place can contain, mother and virgin. Because of you the holy gospels could say: Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord ...

Behold then the joy of the whole universe. Let the union of God and man in the Son of the Virgin Mary fill us with awe and adoration. Let us fear and worship the undivided Trinity as we sing the praise of the ever-virgin, Mary, the holy temple of God, and of God Himself, her Son and spotless Bridegroom. To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

(From a homily delivered at the Council of Ephesus by Saint Cyril of Alexandria, in Office of Readings, August 5).

BLESSED FREDERIC JANSSONE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: A lily from Queen of Angels Monastery, home of the Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel. We are united in faith and prayer. Mary, Queen of Angels, pray for us.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

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

National Back to School Month

The Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Feast of Our Lady of the Snow

Saints: Blessed Frederic Janssone (1838-1916)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 53:16-24 The Reception of Guests

Mass: Nb 20:1-13; Resp Ps 95; Mt 16;13-23

Oh, that today you would hear His voice.

OU LADY OF THE SNOW,

PRAY FOR US.

As we celebrate the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore), the oldest church in the West dedicated to Our Lady, and located on the Esquiline Hill in Rome, a prayer can be taken from Saint Cyril of Alexandria. Here is part of homily he delivered at the Council of Ephesus in 431. 

Mary, Mother of God, we salute you. Precious vessel, worthy of the whole world's reverence, you are an ever-shining light, the crown of virginity, the symbol of orthodoxy, an indestructible temple, the place that held Him whom no place can contain, mother and virgin. Because of you the holy gospels could say: Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord ...

Behold then the joy of the whole universe. Let the union of God and man in the Son of the Virgin Mary fills us with awe and adoration. Let us fear and worship the undivided Trinity as we sing the praise of the ever-virgin Mary, the holy temple of God, and of God Himself, her Son and spotless Bridegroom. To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

(From a homily delivered at the Council of Ephesus by Saint Cyril of Alexandria, bishop, in Office of Readings, August 5)

MARY, MOTHER OF GOD,

MARIA, SALUS POPULI ROMANI, 

BLESSED FREDERIC JANSSONE,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: More beauty on Kauai.

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

52nd World Day of Peace

Readings of the Day
RB: Prologue 1-7
Mass: Nb 6:22-27; Resp Ps 67; Ga 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21

Hail, Holy Mother, who gave birth to the King who rules heaven and earth forever.

Saint Paul of the Cross (1694-1775); Blessed Virgin Mary

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 16 The Hours of the Work of God During the Day
Mass: Ep 1:15-23; Resp Ps 8; Lk 12:8-12

Everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.

O Holy Mother

Saturday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Blessed Virgin Mary

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 48:1-9 The Daily Manual Labor
Mass: Jr 7:1-11; Resp Ps 84; Mt 13:24-30

He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

(Communion Antiphon, Mass)

Blessed Virgin Mary: First Saturday of the Month

Readings of the day: RB 30 The Correction of Young Children

Mass: Am 9:11-15; Resp Ps 85; Mt 9:14-17

Hail, Holy Mother, who gave birth to the King who rules heaven and earth forever.

(Entrance Antiphon, Mass)

In honor of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, what follows is the text from a hymn we often sing on Saturday mornings:

Lady of Rescue, Beacon of hope, O Lantern in the night, out of the storm cloud, out of the gale, we seek the light.

Wide is the ocean, strong is the wind, and all the storms are gone. Lady of harbor, Light on the rock, we cry for dawn.

Merciful Mother, frail is our craft, the storm is pressing sore. Lighthouse and landfall, Sun on the wave, be thou our shore.

Daughter of morning, Lamp in the night, and Star above the sea, sing to the Father, Spirit and Son, eternally. Amen.

HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF GOD, PRAY FOR US.

The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of the day: RB 7:60-61

Mass: Is 61:9-11; Resp Ps (1 S 2) or 2 Tm 4:1-8; Resp Ps 71; Lk 2:41-51

Mary, of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah. 

(Mt 1:16)

Mary was greatly troubled and pondered (Lk 1:29); Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word’ (Lk 1:38); she proclaimed the greatness of the Lord (Lk 1:46); Mary gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes (Lk 2:7); she kept all things reflecting on them in her heart (Lk 2:19); Mary was amazed at what was said about her son (Lk 2:33); Simeon said to Mary, ‘you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed’ (Lk 2:35) Mary looked for her son with great anxiety (Lk 2:48); she kept all these things in her heart (Lk 2:51); Mary said to the servers, ‘do whatever he tells you’ (Jn 2:5); Jesus said in reply, ‘Who is my mother?’ (Mt 13:48); standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother…Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son.’ Then he said to the other disciple, ‘Behold, your mother.’ (Jn 19:25-27); All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers (Ac 1:14).

What gratitude can we show, what praises can we sing, what feast can we celebrate in honor of her heart, that will be worthy of her excessive charity towards us, and of the favors granted to us by divine mercy through her intercession?

(St John Eudes)

Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

St Christopher Magallanes and Companions (1915-1937)

Readings of the day: RB 4:44-62

Mass: Ja 3:13-18; Resp Ps 19; Mk 9:14-29

For the Memorial, Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church: Gn 3:9-15, 20 or Ac 1:12-14; Resp Ps 87; Jn 19:25-34

O blessed mother of the Church,
you warm our hearts with the Spirit of your Son Jesus Christ.

ALLELUIA!

The greatness of our Lady was in her humility. No wonder Jesus, who lived so close to her, seemed to be so anxious that we learn from him and from her but one lesson: 

to be meek and humble of heart.

(Saint Teresa of Calcutta)

We celebrate for the first time the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. All Cistercian monasteries are dedicated to Mary, Mother of God. We rejoice today and celebrate with all the faithful, Mary, Mother of Jesus, Mother of the Church; dear Mary, so meek and humble of heart; ‘the Mother standing beneath the cross (cf. Jn 19:25), accepted her Son’s testament of love and welcomed all people in the person of the beloved disciple as sons and daughters to be reborn unto life eternal. She thus became the tender Mother of the Church which Christ begot on the cross handing on the Spirit. Christ, in turn, in the beloved disciple, chose all disciples as ministers of his love towards his Mother, entrusting her to them so that they might welcome her with filial affection…This celebration will help us to remember that growth in the Christian life must be anchored to the Mystery of the Cross, to the oblation of Christ in the Eucharistic Banquet and to the Mother of the Redeemer and Mother of the Redeemed, the Virgin who makes her offering to God’ (Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Feb. 11, 2018).

How happy is she

who is both mother and spouse of God

the gate of heaven

the loveliness of paradise

lady of angels

queen of the universe

joy of the saints

advocate of believers

courage of those who fight

recaller of those who wander

medicine of the penitent.

O sure salvation!

Short path of life!

Sole hope of pardon

sweetness unique.

You, my Lady,

are my all.

In your hands

has been stored for me

the fulness of all good.

With you

have been hidden the unfailing treasures

of truth and grace

of peace and pity

of salvation and wisdom

of glory and honor.

You are my anchor amid the billows

my port in shipwreck

my support in tribulation

my comfort in grief.

For those who are yours

you are

aid in oppression

help in time of crisis

temperance in prosperity

joy in time of waiting

refreshment in toil.

Whatsoever I can stammer

in your praise

is less

than your praise

for you are worthy of all praise.

(Adam of Perseigne, c.1145-1221, Letter III, 25)

Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

Readings of the day: RB 56 The Table for the Abbess and Community Guests

Mass: Is 7:10-14; 8:10; Resp Ps 40; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38

MAY IT BE DONE TO ME ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD.

What shall be opened to the Lord but the ear and the heart.

With your ear hearken to the angel’s word, with your heart receive the Word, and with your body conceive the Son of God.

(Guerric of Igny, Sermon 27, 3)

HEAR I AM, LORD; I COME TO DO YOUR WILL.

(Resp Ps 40)

Mary, House of Gold,

pray for us.

Solemnity, Mary, the Holy Mother of God: World Day of Peace

Readings of the day: RB Prologue 1-7

Mass: Numbers 6:22-27; Resp. Psalm 67; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21

Mary treasured all these words, and pondered them in her heart.

Dear fellow bloggers,

Please accept apologies for the brief hiatus in posts. The author has been under the weather. Thankfully, things are looking up on this glorious day with so much to celebrate and be grateful for. We embark upon the new calendar year 2018, go back to the very beginning of the Rule of Saint Benedict, celebrate the 51^st World Day of Peace, and most importantly, honor Mary, the Mother of God. 

May we be more fervent in prayer:

Make prayer the first step in anything worthwhile that you attempt. Persevere and do not weaken in that prayer. Pray with confidence, because God, in his love and forgiveness, has counted us as his own sons and daughters.

(RB Prol. 4-5)

May we be a peaceful presence in our homes, communities, and places of work, study, and leisure:

The Lord bless you and keep you!

The Lord let his face shine upon you!

The Lord look kindly upon you and give you peace!

(Numbers 6:24-26)

May we proclaim the greatness of the Lord and rejoice in God our Savior:

Let Mary’s soul be in each of you to proclaim the greatness of the Lord.

Let her spirit be in each to rejoice in the Lord.

Christ has only one mother in the flesh, but we all bring forth Christ in faith.

(Ambrose of Milan)

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas

Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent

Readings of day: RB 58:17-29

Mass: Zechariah 2:14-17 or Rev. 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Resp. Psalm (Jdt 13); Luke 1:26-38 or Luke 1:39-47

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.

From the traditional story of Guadalupe, translated from the original Nahuatl language of the Aztecs, by Fr Martinus, Our Lady of Guadalupe Abbey. See trappistabbey.org.

The Lady addresses Juan Diego (Ch. 6, ‘The Lady’s Request’)

For truly I Myself,

I am your Compassionate Mother,

yours, for you yourself,

for everybody here in the Land,

for each and all together,

for all others too, for all Folk of every kind,

who do but cherish Me,

who do but raise their voices to Me,

who do but seek Me,

who do but raise their trust to Me.

For here I shall listen to their groanings, to their saddenings;

here shall I make well and heal up

their each and every kind of disappointment,

of exhausting pangs, of bitter aching pain.

You are the highest honor of our race.

Resp. Psalm (Judith 15:9)

MARANATHA.

The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Readings of the day: RB 43:1-12

Mass: 2 Maccabees 6:18-31; Resp. Psalm 3; Luke 19:1-10

Eleazar: He made up his mind in a noble manner, worthy of his years, the dignity of his advanced age, the merited distinction of his gray hair, and of the admirable life he had lived from childhood; and so declared that above all he would be loyal to the holy laws given by God.

Zacchaeus: He ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus.

Living and true God, may we be faithful to your covenant of LOVE.

May we be eager to seek you.

MARY, ARK OF THE CONVENANT,

PRAY FOR US.

Saturday, Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Callistus I

Readings of the day: RB 11

Mass: Joel 4:12-21; Resp. Psalm 97; Luke 11:27-28

We are gifted with two profound verses in today’s Gospel; both point to the announcement of the birth of Jesus:

First, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.”

Second, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe.”

“Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.”

“Let it be done to me according to your word.”

The greatness of our Lady was in her humility. No wonder Jesus, who lived so close to her, seemed to be so anxious that we learn from him and from her but one lesson:

to be meek and humble of heart.

(Saint Teresa of Calcutta)

Mary, Mother of our Savior, pray for us.

OUR LADY OF SORROWS

Readings of the day: Rule of Saint Benedict (RB) 2:33-40

Mass: Hebrews 5:7-9; Resp. Psalm 31or 1 Timothy 1:1-2,12-14; Resp. Psalm 16; Stabat Mater Sequence (optional); John 19:25-27 (obligatory for the memorial)

Following yesterday’s Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, we celebrate Our Lady of Sorrows, Mary, who stood by the cross of her son, Jesus. We reflect in the words of Cardinal Basil Hume: 

She stands there—noble, dignified, courageous, strong. Stabat Mater, the mother stood. She had to be there to share his pain, to be part of his mental anguish. She was no casual onlooker, no idle spectator. She shared his pain; she was part of his mental anguish. Strangely, wondrously, she was again mother. His mother in his hour of need, but our mother as well. We call her Mother, because she truly is, and thus she is now our mother in our time of need, calling us to be like her—dignified, noble, courageous, strong. (Hope from the Cross: Reflections on Jesus’ Seven Last Words, 36)

At the cross her station keeping,

Stood the mournful Mother weeping,

Close to the Jesus to the last.

O sweet Mother! Font of love,

Touch my spirit from above,

Make my heart with yours accord.

Make me feel as you have felt;

Make my soul to glow and melt

With the love of Christ, my Lord.

                     (From Stabat Mater sequence)

MOTHER MOST ADMIRABLE, PRAY FOR US.

THE MOST HOLY NAME OF MARY

Readings of the day: RB 2:16-22; Col. 2;6-15; Resp. Psalm 145; Luke 6:12-19

And the virgin’s name was Mary. Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.

May we obtain the grace of your blessing, O Lord, through the intercession of Mary, Mother of God, that from her, whose holy Name we venerate, we may obtain help in our every need. Through Christ our Lord. (Prayer after Communion, Mass)

Mary, spiritual vessel, pray for us.

FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Readings of the day: RB 1:1-5; Micah 5:1-4a or Romans 8:28-30; Resp. Psalm 13/Is 61:10; Matthew 1:1-16,18-23

Holy Mary, of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. His greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; he shall be peace. We contemplate the gift.

Let us celebrate with joy the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for from her arose the sun of justice, Christ our God. (Entrance Antiphon, Mass)

MARY, CAUSE OF OUR JOY, PRAY FOR US.