Easter Sunday and the Octave of Easter

March is the month dedicated to Saint Joseph

April is the month dedicated to the Holy Eucharist and the Holy Spirit

Readings for the Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 49 The Observance of Lent - Ch 54 Letters or Gifts for Monks

The stone which the builders rejected.

JOSEPH, GUARDIAN OF THE REDEEMER,

MOTHER OF OUR SAVIOR,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

SPIRIT OF LOVE AND TRUTH,

JESUS, BREAD OF LIFE,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised.

(Mark 16:6)

Christians to the Paschal Victim

Offer your thankful praises! ...

The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.

(Victimae paschali laudes)

Welcome to Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord, especially to the newly baptized and confirmed. Together, all members of Christ, let us remain faithful to the Church all the days of our lives. And as members of the Body, we have been raised with Christ, so we seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God (see Col 3:1). Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

It's pretty difficult, what with all the Word proclaimed last night at the Easter Vigil, and today on Easter Sunday, to choose a favorite text. Every time I hear the Word proclaimed, or read something in my missal, that particular text becomes my favorite. And so, let us just rejoice in it all, and not draw back, and if we are not already going about it, get busy and announce the Good News: The Lord is truly risen, alleluia. To Him be glory and power for all the ages of eternity, alleluia, alleluia. Live in newness of life (see Roman 6:4); live for God in Christ Jesus (see Romans 6:11)! Alleluia! 

... we ought all rejoice on this holy day. Let no one draw back from the common celebration because of his awareness of sin. Let not one stand off from the public acts of worship because of his burden of crimes. Although one may be a sinner, on this day he ought not to despair of pardon. This is no small privilege. If even the thief merited paradise, why should not the Christian merit pardon? And if the Lord, when He is crucified, has mercy on the former, will He not all the more have mercy on the latter when He rises?

(From a sermon by Saint Maximus of Turin, 380-465)

SAINT CEALLACH,

SAINT MARY OF EGYPT,

SAINT FRANCIS OF PAOLA,

SAINT IRENE OF ROME,

SAINT JOHN PAYNE,

BLESSED PEDRO CALUNGSOD,

SAINT ISIDORE OF SEVILLE,

SAINT LEANDER,

SAINT BENEDICT "THE BLACK",

SAINT VINCENT FERRER,

BLESSED PIERINA MOROSINI,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Image of Icon of the Resurrection, through the hand of Sister Suzanne, ocso. Has become the cornerstone.

© Gertrude Feick 2024

Fourth Sunday of Lent

The Month of March Devoted to Saint Joseph

Laetare Sunday

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 40 The Proper Amount of Drink

Mass: 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Resp Ps 23; Eph 5:8-14

He refreshes my soul.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

SAINT JOSEPH, GLORY OF FAMILY LIFE,

PRAY FOR US.

Now you are light in the Lord.

Live as children of light.

(Eph 5:8)

Welcome to the Fourth Sunday of Lent also called Laetare Sunday. Laetare, Ierusulam, Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful all who were in mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast (Is 66:10-11, Entrance Antiphon, Mass). Is this a time to reorient ourselves so that the works of God might be more visible through us, as they were through the man blind from birth presented in today's Gospel? (see Jn 9:1-3). Lord, help us to learn what is pleasing to you (see Eph 5:10). It is you who look into our hearts (see 1 Sm 16:7). Help us to remove whatever blinds and hinders us from seeking you with our whole hearts and minds, and with all our strength. It is in Your light that we see light. For light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth (Eph 5:9). May Our Lady help us in this, together with Saint Joseph, man of faith and courage. 

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

(Eph 5:14)

Today's photo: Joshua Tree National Park. You are at my side.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

The Nativity of the Lord

The Month of December Dedicated to Advent and the Coming of Christ

Saints: Saint Anastasia of Sirmium (b. 281); Blessed Mary of the Apostles, Virgin, Foundress of the Salvatorian Sisters (b. 1833)

Readings of the Day

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

Mass: Vigil Mass: Is 62:1-5; Resp Ps 89; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25/Mass During the Night: Is 9:1-6; Resp Ps 96; Titus 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14/Mass at Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Resp Ps 97; Titus 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20/Mass During the Day: Is 52:7-10; Resp Ps 98; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18

A light will shine on us this day; the Lord is born to us.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF HEAVEN AND EARTH,

SAINT JOSEPH, GUARDIAN OF THE REDEEMER,

PRAY FOR US.

Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.

Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

(Mt 1:16)

Virgin and mother.

Astounding and unique.

(Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090-1153) 

Never

since the world began 

has it been heard

that a virgin has given birth,

that a mother has remained a virgin.

Never

in the ordinary course of events

is there virginity

where fruitfulness is mentioned

nor fruitfulness

where virginity is maintained with integrity.

She is the only person

in whom virginity and fruitfulness have met.

Here

-just once-

something happened

which never happened before

and never will again.

Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.

(Lk 2:14)

Merry Christmas, dear faithful readers. United in faith and prayer, we go forth and rejoice for to us a child is born, to us a son is given. Thank you for being there. 

SAINT ANASTASIA OF SIRMIUM,

BLESSED MARY OF THE APOSTLES,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's image: The Nativity, through the hand of Sister Suzanne, ocso. Light dawns for the just.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Third Sunday of Advent

The Month of December Dedicated to Advent and the Coming of Christ

Gaudete Sunday

Bambinelli Sunday

In other years: Pope Saint Damasus I (304-384); Saint Maria Maravillas of Jesus (1891-1974)

Readings of the Day

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

Mass: Is 35:1-6a, 10; Resp Ps 146; James 5:7-10; Mt 11:2-11

The Lord God keeps faith forever.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand.

(James 5:8)

Welcome to the Third Sunday of Advent, traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. We rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near (Entrance Antiphon, Mass). At the same time it is Bambinelli Sunday in Rome and now, thankfully, other parts of the world. The tradition started when Pope Saint John Paul II invited children to bring the statue of the baby Jesus that would be placed in their Nativity scenes at home to Saint Peter's Square during the pontiff's Angelus Address on the Third Sunday of Advent. Then the Holy Father blessed the statues. The tradition was maintained by Pope Benedict XVI and continues with Pope Francis. In his greeting to the children today, Pope Francis invited the children to "pray, before the Creche, that the nativity of the Lord will bring a ray of peace to little children all over the world, especially those forced to live the terrible and dark days of war, this war in Ukraine that destroys many lives, so many lives, and many children." Come, little children, come. 

And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, 

for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways.

(Lk 1:76)

POPE SAINT DAMASUS I,

SAINT MARIA MARAVILLAS OF JESUS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Our Advent wreath set for the Third Week. Lord, come and save us.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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

Pray a rosary for peace with Pope Francis

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:31-33 Humility

Mass: Zephania 3:14-18a or Rm 12:9-16; Resp Ps (Is 12); Lk 1:39-56

My strength and my courage is the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior.

(Zephaniah 3:17)

Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.

(Rom 12:12)

Mary makes haste to the hill country today, to see her pregnant cousin Elizabeth. When Elizabeth hears Mary's greeting, the infant in her womb leaps for joy. Mary and Jesus come to greet you too. Open your door and let them in. Leap for joy! My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord! 

Behold, the long-desired of nations

is standing at the door and knocking.

Get up, run, open!

Get up by faith,

Run by prayer,

Open by consent!

Behold, she says,

I am the handmaid of the Lord.

Be it unto me according to your word.

(Bernard of Clairvaux, in Mary, Most Holy: Meditating with the Early Cistercians)

MARY, CAUSE OF OUR JOY,

SAINT ELIZABETH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: God indeed is my savior.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

December 22

Year of Saint Joseph

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

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 65:1-10 The Prior of the Monastery

Mass: 1 Sm 1:24-28; Resp Ps (1 Sm 2); Lk 1:46-56

My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

O King of the nations and their Desire, the Cornerstone who binds two into one: come and save mankind, whom you fashioned from clay.

O King of the nations, you are our Desire. Made in Your image and likeness, we, all of us, saints and sinners alike, seek You. We continue to prepare the way for you, O Lord and make straight Your paths. Come and save us! Help us as we pray in the words of Saint Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109): "Lord, teach me to seek you, and reveal Yourself to me as I seek, because I can neither seek You unless you tell me how, nor find You unless You reveal Yourself. Let me seek You in desiring You; let me desire You in seeking You; let me find You in loving You; let me love You in finding You (Prologion, 1). You Lord, the stone that the builders rejected, are our Cornerstone. This is Your doing and it is wonderful in our eyes (Mt 21:42/Ps 118:22). This is the day the Lord has made so let us rejoice in it and be glad (Ps 118:24), as we praise God with Hannah and Mary:

My heart exults in the Lord,

my horn is exalted in my God.

(1 Sm 2:1)

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

(Lk 1:46)

Today's photo: One last shot of Theo, a classic. My heart exults! 

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday

Year of Saint Joseph

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

In other years: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas; Saint Finian of Clonard (470-549)

Readings of the Day

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

Mass: Zeph 3:14-18a; Resp Ps (Is 12); Ph 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18

Give thanks to the Lord, acclaim His name.

LET US LIVE IN HOLINESS AND LOVE AS WE PATIENTLY AWAIT OUR BLESSED HOPE, THE COMING OF OUR SAVIOR.

(Liturgy of the Hours, Third Sunday of Advent, Evening Prayer II, Antiphon)

Welcome to Gaudete Sunday, and Bambinelli Sunday too, the latter a tradition started by Pope Saint Paul VI over 50 years ago, when children bring little statues of the Child Jesus to Saint Peter's Square to be blessed by the Holy Father. The figurines are then placed in the family Christmas nativity scenes back home. Pope Francis continued the custom at today's Angelus Address in Saint Peter's Square. With Saint Paul then, we proclaim: "Rejoice in the Lord always, I shall say it again: rejoice!" (Ph 4:1).

This blessed season of Advent, this "period of devout and expectant delight", moves along. On this Sunday to rejoice we might ask ourselves how we are doing to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, and at the same time to look forward to His Second Coming. It can become overwhelming as it is easy to stay busy buying gifts, writing Christmas cards, baking, cooking, and so forth. However, it's Sunday so the time to sit quietly and reflect. We are blessed this day with our Gospel in that John the Baptist gives the crowds some practical things to do when they eagerly asked, "What should we do?" (Lk 3:10). You can read for yourself what the Baptizer recommends. I suggest that we look to Saint Benedict for practical things to do in his Chapter 4, the Tools for Good Works. There is a tool for everyone no matter one's state of life, so the craftsman can choose what it best suited to him or her for use at home, at work, school, in community, at play, and again, wherever she finds herself. Before we look at a few of them, you might consider this gesture of neighborly care and support. My sister shared that one of her neighbors offered to help her hang her Christmas lights. As my sister said, "it was much appreciated and so much easier with two people, and more enjoyable." All it takes is a little kindness.

Now for some practical Tools for Good Works from Saint Benedict. While using any of the tools we remember that "the love of Christ must come before all else (RB 4:21), and also why we use the tools, namely, to help us love the Lord God with your whole heart, your whole soul and all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself (RB 4:1-2). 

Because "our way of acting should be different from the world's way" (RB 4:20), we must honor everyone, and never do to another what you do not want done to yourself (RB 4:8-9). We visit the sick, and go help the troubled and console the sorrowing (RB 4:16, 18-19). Make a call or write a letter to someone you know who is ill, anxious, or grieving. We bear injuries patiently, love our enemies and if people curse us, we don't curse them back, but bless them instead! (RB 4:31-32). We don't grumble or speak ill of others (RB 4:39-40). We guard our lips from harmful or deceptive speech, and prefer moderation in speech (RB 4:51-53). We respect the elders and love the young, pray for our enemies out of love of Christ, and if we have a dispute with someone, we make peace with her before the sun goes down (RB 4:70-73). That's enough don't you think? You can look to your favorite translation of the Holy Rule for more. Lastly, though, we can only use these tools with the grace of God. Certainly "do not aspire to called holy before you really are, but first be holy that you may more truly be called so" (RB 4:62). 

There are so many blessings in our faith tradition to be thankful for. May we rejoice in them and in one another, united as we are in faith and prayer. 

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE,

SAINT FINIAN OF CLONARD,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Our Advent Wreath, with the Gaudete rose candle shining brightly.

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord

Readings of the day: RB 50 Those Whose Work Takes Them a Long Distance from the Oratory

Mass: Ac 10:34a, 37-43; Resp Ps 118; Col 3:1-4 or 1 Co 5:6b-8; Jn 20:1-9

THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE; LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD.

(Resp Ps 118)

Did you notice all the running going on in today’s Gospel? After finding the stone removed from the tomb, Mary of Magdala ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple that Jesus loved. Peter and the other disciple took off running to the tomb, but the other disciple proved faster getting there first. Mary, Peter, and the other disciple were surprised. They made haste. Pope Francis spoke about the God of surprises in his Easter homily. He asks us to ask ourselves, ‘Do I have a heart open to God’s surprises?’ Am I able to go quickly, or do I always hang back and excuse myself until tomorrow. ‘What does a surprise say to me?’ With the Holy Father we ask: ‘What about me today in this Easter 2018?

Today we repeat that wondrous proclamation, ‘The Lord is truly risen, as He said!’

A blessed Easter to you all!

(Pope Francis, Twitter, April 1, 2018)