Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Jubilee Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

58th World Day of Peace, "Forgive us our trespasses, grant us Your peace"

January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus

Reading from the Rule of Saint Benedict for January: The Prologue of the Holy Rule

May the peoples praise You, O God.

MARY, MOTHER OF GOD,

MARY, QUEEN OF HEARTS,

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF FORGIVENESS,

MARY, MERCIFUL MOTHER,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, PRINCE OF PEACE,

JESUS, PRINCE OF HOPE,

JESUS, PRINCE OF FORGIVENESS,

JESUS, PRINCE OF MERCY,

JESUS, PRINCE OF RECONCILIATION,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Happy New Year, and welcome to the Jubilee Year 2025, may we be "Pilgrims of Hope." Jesus, Prince of Hope, have mercy on us. Holy Mother of God, Queen of Hope, pray for us. 

We are not perfectly free until we live in pure hope. For when our hope is pure, it no longer trusts in exclusively human and visible means, nor rests in any visible end. He who hopes in God trusts God, Whom he never sees, to bring him to the possession of things that are beyond imagination.

(Thomas Merton, No Man is an Island)

May we live in pure hope and be perfectly free. For "hope does not disappoint because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us" (Romans 5:5).

As we celebrate the Holy Mother of God, we also celebrate the 58th World Day of Peace, with the theme "Forgive us our trespasses, grant us Your peace." Perhaps all of us will agree that we could not only invigorate our hope in the Lord Jesus Christ, we could also, along with our neighbors near and far, better some of the ills we experience day in and day out through forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace. 

I have been immersed in the series The Chosen. I marvel at the actors and actresses, the character development, the noteworthy lines and scenes, and the lessons to learn by the gradual conversion and witness of not only Jesus' immediate followers, but of others, Jew and Gentile alike. I am presently in Season 4. It is in episode 2, "Confessions," that I have seen one of the most powerful portrayals of forgiveness. Without spoiling it for those who haven't tuned in, there are a few lines to share. Jesus asks Matthew two questions that may help us as we seek forgiveness and reconciliation with God and our neighbor, especially a neighbor with whom we live or work: "Have you asked for forgiveness?" and "Who harmed the other first?" We might also remember a few other things Jesus says to Matthew: "You don't apologize to be forgiven. You apologize to repent. Forgiveness is a gift from the other person." And if you just think you can't apologize due to fear, anxiety, lack of courage, shame, embarrassment, or some other reason, remember these words of Jesus to Matthew: "I make people what they aren't. You know that better than most." Jesus will give you the strength and courage to offer a sincere and heartfelt apology to someone you have harmed. And lastly, in the past, in the present, in the future, for all time then, we might remember that "there is no peace when two of My followers hold resentment towards one another." Thank you, Jesus, you give the peace that the world does not give. However, we have our parts to play. This is why our holy father Saint Benedict instructs us: "Let peace be your quest and aim ... If you have a dispute with someone, make peace with him before the sun goes down" (Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 17; 4:73). And lead us not into temptation.

Our friends in heaven and on earth encourage us. 

In teaching us to pray the "Our Father," Jesus begins by asking the Father to forgive our trespasses, but passes immediately to the challenging words: "as we forgive those who trespass against us". In order to forgive others their trespasses and to offer them hope, we need for our own lives to be filled with that same hope, the fruit of our experience of God's mercy. Hope overflows in generosity; it is free of calculation, makes no hidden demands, is unconcerned with gain, but aims at one thing alone: to raise up those who have fallen, to heal hearts that are broken and to set us free from every kind of bondage.

(Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the LVIII World Day of Peace, January 1, 2025, paragraph 10)

Seventy-seven times forgiveness acknowledges that I do not see the whole story, that God does not love me more than He loves those with whom I am in conflict. It is absolute surrender and love, and extravagant kind of grace, and undeserved forgiveness that holds out a hand that may be refused.

(Mother Saint Teresa of Calcutta, 1910-1997)

It is always tempting to take credit for the gifts 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 seek forgiveness. Too heavy for us, our offenses-to heavy not to allow the Lord to wipe them away.

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

No one heals himself by wounding another.

(Saint Ambrose of Milan, 339-397)

Only the peace of God, which surpasses all pleasures of the senses, can satisfy the aspirations of our soul.

(Venerable Mary Magdalene of Jesus in the Eucharist, C.P., 1888-1960)

Forgiveness often seems impossible, but nothing is impossible for God. The God who lives within us will give us the grace to go beyond our wounded selves and say, "In the Name of God you are forgiven."

(Henri Nouwen, 1932-1996)

If by chance your conscience is burdened by sin, take your rosary and say at least part of it ... [Jesus] will plead for you and will obtain for your contrition and forgiveness of your sins. 

(Saint Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, 1673-1716)

We say that we must seek God, go to Him and ask for forgiveness, but when we go, He is waiting for us. He is first! ... You go [a] sinner but He is waiting to forgive you.

(Pope Francis, Vigil of Pentecost, May 18, 2013)

It is to be hoped that the life of everyone will be a life sustained by passionate love for the Lord Jesus; a life capable of responding to suffering and to thorns with forgiveness and the total gift of self, in order to spread everywhere the good odor of Christ.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, May 20, 2000, to pilgrims on the Centenary of the Canonization of Saint Rita of Cascia, d. 1457)

Breath of life, you who knows us better than we know ourselves, grant that the words we speak serve to praise your name and express your love for creation. Prevent us from speaking in any way that hurts another, but rather let our speech be instructive, uplifting, and always in accordance with your will. We ask this through your son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

(Advent and Christmas with Thomas Merton, Liguori, 2002, p. 81)

There are more than a few saints to invoke this month, including "wholly American," Mother Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. ☺ For all the saints ...

SAINT BASIL THE GREAT,

SAINT GREGORY NAZIANZEN,

SAINT MUNCHIN,

SAINT GENEVIEVE,

SAINT KURIAKOSE ELIAS CHAVARA,

BLESSED STEPHANA QUINZANI OP,

SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON,

SAINT JOHN NEWMANN,

SAINT RAYMOND OF PENYAFORT,

SAINT ANDRE BESSETTE,

SAINT NATHALAN,

SAINT PETER THOMAS,

SAINT ADRIAN OF CANTERBURY,

SAINT ANDREW CORSINI,

BLESSED ANN OF THE ANGEL MONTEAGUDO OP,

BLESSED GONSALVO OF AMARANTE OP,

BLESSED BERNARD SCAMMACCA OP,

SAINT AELRED OF RIEVAULX,

SAINT MARGARET BOURGEOYS,

SAINT BENE (BENEDICT) BISCOP,

SAINT HILARY OF POITIERS, BISHOP, DOCTOR,

SAINT KENTIGERN OR MUNGO,

BLESSED PETER DONDERS,

SAINT ITA,

SAINT REMIGIUS, REMY OR REMI,

SAINT FURSA OR FURSEY,

SAINT JOSEPH VAZ,

SAINT ANTONY, ABBOT,

OUR LADY OF ARABIA,

SAINT MARGARET OF HUNGARY OP,

SAINT WULSTAN,

SAINT NINO (HOLY CHILD),

SAINT FAOLAN,

SAINT HENRY OF UPPSALA,

THE JESUIT MARTYRS OF THE REFORMATION OF EUROPE,

BLESSED ANDREW OF PESCHIERA OP,

POPE SAINT FABIAN,

SAINT SEBASTIAN,

BLESSED CYPRIAN MICHAEL TANSI,

BLESSED ANGELO PAOLI,

SAINT AGNES, VIRGIN, MARTYR,

SAINT VINCENT, DEACON, MARTYR,

SAINT PUBLIUS,

BLESSED ANTHONY DELLA CHIESA OP,

SAINT MARIANNE COPE,

BLESSED HENRY SUSO OP,

SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES, BISHOP, DOCTOR,

SAINT PAUL, APOSTLE,

SAINTS TIMOTHY AND TITUS,

SAINT ANGELA MERICI, VIRGIN,

BLESSED EDWARD OLCORNE,

SAINT HENRY DE OSSO,

BLESSED MARCOLINO OF FORLI OP,

SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS, PRIEST, DOCTOR,

BLESSED ARCHANGELA GIRIANI,

BLESSED VILLANA DE BOTTI OP,

SAINT AEDAN OF FERNS

SAINT JOHN BOSCO,

SAINT ALBAN ROE,

SAINT THOMAS GREEN,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Mary, Mother of God, most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

© Gertrude Feick 2025

Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

September is the month dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of Mary

Rule of Saint Benedict Reading for the Week: Ch 4 The Tools for Good Works - Ch 5 Obedience 

Heals all your ills.

MARY, CALMER OF TEMPESTS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Welcome to the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time still in the month of September dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of Mary. Thank you for tuning in after a couple weeks of silence on my part. It goes like this; I took a "vacation." Now this particular vacation was kind of like the vacation I took from regular Mass attendance when I was in my 20s or so. I thought to stop going to Mass to see how it went. In fairly short order, I missed Mass and realized that Mass was not something to take a vacation from. In like manner, with these weekly musings in the form of a blog, I tried to take a vacation. Well, as you can see, it took only two weeks to realize that random musings are not something for me to take a vacation from. And it is all fitting as about six years ago, when I inquired about vacations, I was told quite simply: "Cistercians don't take vacations." There you have it then: We don't take a vacation from Mass and so united in faith and prayer, none of us takes a vacation from the daily ora et labora. As Saint Paul tells us then: None of lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's (Rm 14:7-8). Encouraged, we keep going because "being a light to the nations," as I was told the other day, "takes a lot of energy." And in the words of Saint John Chrysostom, dear "golden-mouth": 

Do not say: it is impossible for me to influence others. If you are a Christian, it is impossible for this not to happen. Things found in nature cannot be denied; so here, for it is a question of the nature of a Christian.

Do not insult God: If you say that the sun cannot shine, you have insulted Him. If you say that a Christian cannot help others, you have insulted God and called Him a liar. It is easier for the sun not to give warmth or shine than for the Christian to not shed his light. It is easier for the light to be darkness than for this to happen.

Do not say that it is impossible. The opposite is impossible. Do not insult God. If we have put our affairs in order, these things will certainly come to be, and will follow as a natural consequence. The light of a Christian cannot escape notice. So bright a lamp cannot be hidden.

(Saint John Chrysostom, from a homily on the Acts of the Apostles, in Office of Readings, Common of Holy Men)

This week how about we focus on forgiveness and reconciliation starting with some of Saint Benedict's Tools for Good Works, namely, "harbor neither hatred or jealousy of anyone, and do nothing out of envy. Do not love quarreling; shun arrogance. Respect the elders and love the young. Pray for your enemies out of love for Christ. If you have a dispute with someone, make peace with him before the sun goes down. And finally, never lose hope in God's mercy" (Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:65-74). And we have plenty of voices to encourage us, starting with one we heard a few weeks ago.

Seventy-seven times forgiveness acknowledges that I do not see the whole story, that God does not love me more than He loves those with whom I am in conflict. It is absolute surrender and love, and extravagant kind of grace, and undeserved forgiveness that holds out a hand that may be refused.

(Mother Saint Teresa of Calcutta, 1910-1997)

There are many ways of excusing sins. One will say: "I didn't do it." Another: "I did it, but I was perfectly right in doing it." If it was wrong, he may say: "It isn't all that bad." If it was decidedly harmful, he can fall back on: "I meant well." If the bad intention is too evident, he will take refuge in the excuses of Adam and Eve and say someone else led him into it.

(Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Steps of Pride and Humility, XVII, 45)

It is only by God's grace that we find the strength to put aside what we are due in justice and charity in order to turn towards others who have deeply hurt us with mercy ... Forgiveness must be unconditionally and freely given as Christ has given it to us ...

The question we are faced with each day as we experience the pain and sin of others, on top of the reality of our own sinfulness and weaknesses, is how do we want to live? Do we want to allow the rejections we endure at the hands of others-especially those closest to us-to stifle our willingness and ability to love others? Do we want to cling to bitter resentment, which turns us into shells of people? Do we want to join in Lucifer's non serviam because we don't want to be crucified on the Cross of forgiveness?

(Constance T. Hull, "The Supernatural Power of Forgiveness," in Catholic Exchange, September 7, 2023)

With Mrs. Hull's words, then, we might ponder something Major Pettigrew thought to himself:

No one really contemplates death when making life decisions, thought the Major. If they did, what different choices might they make?

(Major Pettigrew in Helen Simonson, Major Pettigrew's Last Stand: A Novel, Random House, 2011)

And of something Saint Benedict tells us:

Day by day remind yourself that you are going to die.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:47)

And furthermore,

No one heals himself by wounding another.

(Saint Ambrose, 339-397)

An insult is either sustained or destroyed, not by the disposition of those who insult, but in the disposition of those who bear it.

(Saint John Chrysostom, 347-407)

Pardon one another so that later on you will not remember the injury. The recollection of an injury is in itself wrong. It adds to our anger, nurtures our sin and hates what is good. It is a rusty arrow and poison for the soul. It puts all virtue to flight.

(Saint Francis de Paola, 1416-1507)

Forgiveness often seems impossible, but nothing is impossible for God. The God who lives within us will give us the grace to go beyond our wounded selves and say, "In the Name of God you are forgiven."

(Henri Nouwen, 1932-1996)

And this prayer from the son of Saint Monica, Doctor of the Church Saint Augustine, bears another showing:

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)

We have quite a few saints to intercede for us this week, plus a few of my favorites thrown into the mix ... For all the saints ... Please, help us to lift high the cross and forgive those who trespass against us. 

SAINT ROBERT BELLARMINE,

SAINT HILDEGARD OF BINGEN,

SAINT ALBERT OF JERUSALEM,

SAINT JOSEPH OF CUPERTINO,

SAINT MARY OF CAMPOROSSO,

SAINT EMILY DE RODAT,

SAINT EDITH KEMSING,

SAINT STANSILAW KOSTKA,

SAINT JANUARIUS,

SAINT THEODORE OF TARSUS,

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

SAINT MATTHEW, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST,

SAINT MAURICE AND THE THEBAN LEGEND,

SAINT THOMAS OF VILLANOVA,

SAINT PIO OF PETRELCINA,

SAINT ADOMNAM OF IONA,

SAINT THERESE OF LISIEUX,

SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This one helps to heal all that ills. So surpassing is His kindness toward those who fear Him.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent

The Month of March Devoted to Saint Joseph

Saints: Saint Matilde of Ringelheim, Queen (892-968); Saint Placido Riccardi, Monk of Saint Paul of Saint Paul Outside the Walls (1844-1915) 

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 35:12-18 Kitchen Servers of the Week

Mass: Dn 3:25, 34-43; Resp Ps 25; Mt 19:21-35  

Good and upright is the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JOSEPH, PATRON OF THE DYING,

PRAY FOR US.

And now we follow you with our whole heart, we fear you and we pray to you. Do not let us be put to shame, but deal with us in your kindness and mercy. Deliver us by your wonders, and bring glory to your name, O Lord,

(Dn 3:41-43)

May we moved with compassion like the master in the gospel who let his servant go and forgave him the loan (see Mt 18:27). How many times are we to forgive one another? Not seven times but seventy-seven times, says the Lord (see Mt 18:22). Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. 

Pray for your enemies out of love for Christ. If you have dispute with someone, make peace with him before the sun goes down.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:72-73)

No one heals himself by wounding another.

(Saint Ambrose)

A man who is well disposed toward and loves those who revile and abuse him and cause him harm, and who prays for them, in short time attains to great achievement.

(Saint Simeon the New Theologian)

SAINT MATILDE OF RINGELHEIM,

SAINT PLACIDO RICCARDI,

SAINT BENEDICT,

SAINT SIMEON THE NEW THEOLOGIAN,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This is on the other side of the window in our church. Your compassion and your kindness are from of old.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Saturday of the Second Week of Lent

The Month of March Devoted to Saint Joseph

Saints: Saint Aengus (-824); Saint Constantine (6th century); Saint Aurea (11th century)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 33 Monks and Private Ownership

Mass: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20; Resp Ps 103; Lk 15:1-3, 11-32

He heals all your ills.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JOSEPH MOST STRONG, 

PRAY FOR US.

Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of His inheritance;

Who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency, 

And again will have compassion on us, treading underfoot our guilt?

(Micah 7:18-19)

May we rid ourselves of anger and rather delight in clemency, and have compassion on others. We just might find ourselves in a predicament of one kind or another someday. May we have sincere remorse and the humility to reconcile. 

Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you ...

While he was still a long way off, the son's father caught sight of his son, and was filled with compassion.

(Lk 15:20-21)

Groggy and in haste, I wasn't paying attention. I got a bit ahead of myself in the Office of Readings with the following quotation. On the other hand, it never hurts to hear from Saint Augustine, and, as he says, we are in training. Now.

Our thoughts in this present life should turn on the praise of God, because it is in praising God that we shall rejoice for ever in the life to come; and no one can be ready for the next life unless he trains himself for it now. So we praise God during our earthly life, and at the same time make petitions to Him. Our praise is expressed with joy, our petitions with yearning ...

But see that your praise comes from  your whole being; in other words, see that you praise God not with your lips and voices alone, but with your minds, your lives and all your actions.

(From a discourse on the psalms by Saint Augustine, bishop, in Office of Readings, Fifth Week of Easter, Saturday)

SAINT AENGUS,

SAINT CONSTANTINE,

SAINT AUREA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This was taken in July 2019. These colorful beauties should bring joy and gladness to any heart. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Respect Life Month

World Mission Sunday

In other years: Saint John of Capistrano, Franciscan (Friars Minor), Patron of Military Chaplains (1386-1456); Saint Ethelflaeda (10th century); Saint Severinus Boethius (d. 524)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 18:7-11 The Order of the Psalmody

Mass: Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18; Resp Ps 34; 2 Tim 4:6-8, 16-16; Lk 18:9-14

Let my soul glory in the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

MARY, QUEEN OF MISSIONARIES,

SAINT JOSEPH, DEFENDER OF LIFE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

The one who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens.

(Sirach 35:16)

I took note of something I read in an article this morning. In today's Gospel, the Pharisee spoke a prayer to himself (see Lk 18:11), while the tax collector would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed (see Lk 18:13). The Pharisee, so taken up with himself, doesn't even pray to God. Then the author of the article commented, "It's a funny thought if we didn't often do the same thing."* Hmm. O God, be merciful to me a sinner (Lk 18:13). Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted (Lk 18:14).

As we go forth, united in faith and prayer, "let our prayer be sincere, our humility truthful, and our hearts filled with love when we approach the One who hears us before we ask."** Heart of Jesus, source of mercy and reconciliation, have mercy on us.

To acknowledge one's sin [and] recognize oneself as being a sinner, capable of sin and inclined to commit sin, is the essential first step in returning to God.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, Reconciliatio et Paenitentia Reconciliation and Penance, 13)

SAINT JOHN OF CAPISTRANO,

SAINT ETHELFLAEDA,

SAINT SEVERINUS BOETHIUS,

PRAY FOR US.

*Fr. Paul D. Scalia, "The Disease and the Cure," in The Catholic Thing, October 23, 2022.

**Commentary on Psalm 51, in Magnificat, November 22, 2022, p. 316.

Fun fact: In other years, we would commemorate Saint Ethelflaeda, a 10th century Benedictine nun, Abbess at the Abbey of Romsey in the UK. The Abbey still stands, now as the Abbey Church of St Mary and St Ethelflaeda, a parish church in the Church of England. Things happen there, including concerts, funerals, weddings, christenings/baptisms, and more. 

Today's photo: The lowly will hear me and be glad.

 

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Saint: Saint Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney, Cure of Ars, Principal Patron Saint of Parish Priests (1786-1859)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 53:1-15 The Reception of Guests

Mass: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Resp Ps 51; Mt 16:13-23

Cast me not from Your presence.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Your priests, O Lord, shall be clothed with justice; your holy ones shall ring out their joy.

(Entrance Antiphon, Mass)

This is another wonderful day with a powerful saint to intercede for all of us, but especially for all parish priests. A great inspiration, Saint John Baptist Mary Vianney gave of his entire self to serve the Lord. A devout man of prayer, zealous for the salvation of souls, John Vianney led others to God through catechesis, service to the poor, and spending sixteen to eighteen hours a day in the confessional! Thousands flocked to Ars to receive his pastoral care and guidance. John Vianney certainly knew Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, and helped the faithful to know Him too. And an awesome fun fact is that John Vianney's breviary is located in northern Minnesota. No kidding! I read this: "It will be on display August 19-21 - along with the largest collection of Vatican artifacts outside of Rome" (The Loop). The exhibit is called "Vatican Unveiled: An Exploration of Legacies," in Duluth, MN, the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Google it. 😊

My little children, reflect on these words: the Christian's treasure is not on earth but in heaven. Our thoughts, then, ought to be directed to where our treasure is.

This is the glorious duty of man: to pray and to love. If you pray and love, that is where a man's happiness lies.

(From the catechetical instructions by Saint John Mary, Vianney, priest, in Office of Readings, August 4)

SAINT JEAN-BAPTISTE-MARIE VIANNEY,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This one is a good companion for our Responsorial Psalm. A view from Cannon Beach, Oregon, sent by a longtime and faithful friend, also an occasional photo contributor to our daily reflections. Your Holy Spirit take not from me.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Saturday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Our Lady of Budslau

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 25 Serious Faults 

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

Truth shall spring out of the earth.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.

(Mt 9:17)

Welcome to Saturday, the day traditionally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. Saturdays, often a day off for those who work all week, are also a day when folks clean, clear out, grocery shop, and at this time of the year mow and garden and go to the farmer's market. It can be a day of renewal and making things fresh, wherever you are, and whatever you do. It can be a day when we bring out the fresh wineskins and pour in new wine. What needs to be cleaned, cleared out, released, and made new, both inside and out? Look to Jesus, open your heart, ask for the grace you need to clear and remove all that keeps you from His love and mercy. Jesus, our way and our life, have mercy on us. Mary, refuge of sinners, pray for us.

O God, who through the grace of adoption

chose us to be children of light,

grant, we pray,

that we may not be wrapped in the darkness of error

but always be seen to stand in the bright light of truth.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

(Collect, Mass)

OUR LADY OF BUDSLAU,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Justice and peace shall kiss.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

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

National Back to School Month

Saints: Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Mother of six children, Widow, Foundress of the Order of the Visitation, along with Saint Francis de Sales (1572-1641); Blessed Isidore Bakanja (c.1886-1909); Saint Muredach (5th century); Saint Attracta (5th or 6th century); Saint Lelia (?); Saint Blaan (-590)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 58:17-29 The Procedure for Receiving Brothers 

Mass: Joshua 3:7-10a, 11, 13-17; Resp Ps 114; Mt 18:21-19:1

Alleluia!

HEART OF JESUS, OUR PEACE AND RECONCILIATION,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

It occurs to me that Peter may have been surprised with Jesus' answer to his question, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?" (Mt 18:21). It turns out that seven times won't do it. Jesus answered: I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times (Mt 18:22). Oh my. Why not spend some time with Saint Luke's version of the Lord's Prayer.

Father, hallowed by Thy name. 

Thy kingdom come. 

Give us each day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive every one who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation.

(Lk 11:2-4)

He is our peace, for He has made both one. Since we think of Christ as our peace, we may call ourselves true Christians only if our lives express Christ by our own peace. As the Apostle says: He has put enmity to death. We must never allow it to be rekindled in us in any way but must declare that it is absolutely dead. Gloriously has God slain enmity, in order to say us; may we never risk the life of our souls by being resentful or by bearing grudges. We must not awaken that enmity or call it back to life by our wickedness, for it is better left dead.

(From a treatise on Christian Perfection by Saint Gregory of Nyssa, bishop, in Office of Readings, Thursday, Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time)

We have several saints to call upon today for intercession. Saint Jane Frances de Chantal has these words of wisdom:

Hell is full of the talented, but Heaven of the energetic.

(Saint Jane Frances de Chantal)

In our neighbor, we should observe only what is good.

(Saint Jane Frances de Chantal)

The great method of prayer is to have none. If in going to prayer one can form in oneself a pure capacity for receiving the spirit of God, that will suffice for all method.

(Saint Jane Frances de Chantal)

SAINT JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL,

SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES,

BLESSED ISIDORE BAKANJA,

SAINT MUREDACH,

SAINT ATTRACTA,

SAINT LELIAN,

SAINT BLAAN, 

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Plums at the monastery.

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

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

Day of Prayer and Reflection for Lebanon

160th anniversary of the first edition of L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican’s daily newspaper 

Saints: Saint Junipero Serra, Franciscan missionary, Patron of California (1713-1784); Saint Oliver Plunkett (1625-1681); Blessed Nazju Falzon (1813-1865)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 24 Degrees of Excommunication

Mass: Gn 22:1b-19; Resp Ps 115 ;Mt 9:1-8

I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.

GOD WAS RECONCILING THE WORLD TO HIMSELF IN CHRIST, AND ENTRUSTING TO US THE MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION.

ALLELUIA.

(Gospel Acclamation, Mass) 

On June 22, we commemorated Saints John Fisher and Thomas More. Because I neglected to include the following prayer on that day, I share it today. It is a prayer for our enemies, attributed to Saint Thomas More and fitting for any day. And today when Jesus asks the scribes, and us too, in the Gospel: Why do you harbor evil thoughts? (Mt 9:4). The prayer also goes very well with the quotation from Saint Junipero Serra that follows. 

Almighty God, have mercy on N. and N., and all that bear evil will, and would me harm. Their faults and mine together, by such easy, tender, merciful means as thine infinite wisdom best can devise, vouchsafe to amend and redress; and make us saved souls in Heaven together, where we may ever live and love together with Thee and Thy blessed saints, O glorious Trinity, for the bitter passion of our sweet Savior Christ. Amen.

Lord, give me patience in tribulation and grace in everything, to conform my will to Thine, that I may truly say: "Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra".

The things, good Lord, that I pray for, give me Thy grace to labour for.

Amen.

(Saint Thomas More, 1478-1535)

It is indeed just that the soldiers guard and accompany the missionary; but if despite this the Indians should kill a missionary, what good are we going to obtain by waging a military campaign against them? The military will answer by saying: "We will inflict an exemplary punishment on them so that they will not kill others." To this I reply: "Allow the murderer to live so that he can be saved." This is our purpose here ... It should be conveyed to the murderer, after some moderate punishment, that he is forgiven and thus we shall fulfill our Christian law which commands us to forgive injury and not to seek the sinner's death but his eternal salvation.

(Saint Junipero Serra, 1713-1784)

SAINT JUNIPERO SERRA,

SAINT OLIVER PLUNKETT,

BLESSED NAZIU FALZON,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US. 

Today's photo: Paintbrush on Mary's Peak, Oregon. 

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

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

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 7:62-70

Mass: 2 Cor 3:15-4:1, 3-6; Resp Ps 85; Mt 5:20-26

The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.

JESUS, OUR WAY AND OUR LIFE,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Jesus is pretty clear in today's Gospel. Our Lord said to His disciples, He says to us: Whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgement ... (Mt 5:22). Does someone have something against you? Then reconcile. Make haste and settle with your opponent (Mt 5:23-25). Or, as our holy father Saint Benedict tells us: "Pray for your enemies out of love for Christ. If you have a dispute with someone, make peace with him before the sun goes down" (RB 4:72-73), especially important if you want to have a good night's sleep. A couple other heavy hitter saints have this to say:

No one heals himself by wounding another.

(Saint Ambrose, 340-397)

Pardon one another so that later on you will not remember the injury. The recollection of an injury is in itself wrong. It adds to our anger, nurtures our sin and hates what is good. It is a rusty arrow and poison for the soul. It puts all virtue to flight.

(Saint Francis de Paola, 1416-1507)

SAINT JOSEPH, MOST FAITHFUL,

PRAY FOR US. 

Today's photo: Let light shine out of darkness.

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of the day: RB 11 Vigils of the Night Office on Sunday

Mass: 1 K 18:41-46; Resp Ps 65; Mt 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples:

I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.

Even though the text is based on Mt 6:33, the song that comes to my lips is, Seek Ye First:

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,

And all these things shall be added unto you.

Alleluia, alleluia.

What is the righteousness we are seeking in Jesus’ command: ‘If you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.’ Righteousness in peace and reconciliation with those with whom we are in conflict, at odds, are opposed, or have harmed by way of word or deed. St Benedict tells us: ‘make peace your quest and aim’ (RB Prol. 17), and, ‘if you have a dispute with someone, make peace with her before the sun goes down’ (RB 4:73). In addition, we are well aware that ‘thorns of contention are likely to spring up’ wherever we might find ourselves at work or play, at home or in community. Therefore, Benedict instructs: ‘the celebration of Lauds and Vespers must never pass by without the superior’s reciting the entire Lord’s Prayer at the end for all to hear’ (RB 13:12).

First things first. Nothing should get in the way of seeking peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

Ask and it shall be given to you;

seek, and ye shall find;

Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Alleluia, alleluia.

You do not live by bread alone, but by ev’ry word

That proceeds from the mouth of God.

Alleluia, alleluia.