The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

June is the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus 

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

JOSEPH, FOSTER FATHER OF THE SON OF GOD,

SAINT JOSEPH, THE JUST,

MARY, MOTHER OF GOD,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

HEART OF JESUS, 

DESIRE OF THE ETERNAL HILLS,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

I believe in one God,

the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all things visible and invisible ...

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,

the Only Begotten Son of God,

born of the Father before all ages.

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father ...

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,

who has spoken through the prophets.

(The Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed)

Welcome to the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Three in One, One in Three. So important for us, this mystery of our faith, for as our Catechism teaches, "the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of the Christian faith and life. It is the mystery of God in himself. It is therefore the source of all other mysteries of faith, the light that enlightens them. It is the most fundamental and essential teaching" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 234). It is no wonder that our holy father Saint Benedict tells us that "as soon as the cantor begins to sing, 'Glory be to the Father,' let all the monks rise from their seats in honor and reverence for the Holy Trinity" (RB 9:7). We pray with Saint Joannicus of Mount Olympus (d. 846): "My hope is the Father, my refuge is the Son, my shelter is the Holy Spirit. O Holy Trinity, glory to you."

At the same time, we celebrate Father's Day, a day when we remember all fathers, biological, spiritual, foster, adoptive, all of them. May Saint Joseph, husband and father, intercede for them. Don't forget to pray for priests, and specifically thank the priest of your parish, for his faithful service as father and shepherd of his flock. Thank you to all priests. May Saint John Marie Baptiste Vianney intercede for you. We join Pope Saint John Paul II who prayed,

I would like to invoke the heavenly protection of Saint Joseph on all fathers and their duties in family life ... By concretely fulfilling their responsibilities, may each of them reflect God's provident and faithful love. May we obtain this through Saint Joseph and Blessed Mary, Queen of the family and Mother of the Church.

Amen.

And we hear from others, some with something to say about the Holy Trinity, others with something to say about fathers, and the priesthood too. Just remember to sign yourself big, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

When we cross ourselves, let it be with a real sign of the cross. Instead of a small, cramped gesture that gives no notion of its meaning, let us make a large unhurried sign, from forehead to breast, from shoulder to shoulder, consciously feeling how it includes the whole of us, our thoughts, our attitudes, our body and soul, every part of us at once. How it consecrates and sanctifies us.

(Romano Guardini, 1885-1968, Sacred Signs, p. 9)

The sign of the CROSS on me-deepest thoughts came with it-of I know not what earnest desires to be closely united with Him who died on it.

(Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, 1774-1821)

O my Three, my all, my beatitude, infinite solitude, immensity in which I lose myself ... Bury yourself in me that I may bury myself in you until I depart to contemplate in your life the abyss of your greatness.

(Saint Elizabeth the Trinity, 1880-1906) 

The Feast of the most Holy Trinity leads us to contemplate the mystery of God who unceasingly creates, redeems and sanctifies, always with love and through love, and enables every creature that welcomes Him to reflect a ray of His beauty, goodness and truth.

(Pope Francis, 1936-2025, Angelus Address, May 27, 2018)

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on the faithful.

(Psalm 103:13)

Like a fruitful vine

 your wife within your home, 

Like olive plants

your children around your table.

Just so will they be blessed

who fear the Lord.

(Psalm 128:5-6)

Father of the fatherless, defender of widows-

this is the God whose abode is holy.

(Psalm 68:6)

See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.

(1 John 3:1)

If I were to become a priest, I would like to win many souls.

The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus.

(Saint John Marie Baptiste Vianney, 1786-1589)

BLESSED PETER SNOW AND RALPH GRIMSTON,

SAINT RICHARD OF CHICHESTER,

ALL SAINTS OF SCOTLAND,

SAINT LUTGARD,

SAINT JOHN FRANCIS REGIS,

BLESSED JOSEPH-MARIE CASSANT,

SAINT BOTOLPH,

SAINT OSANNA ANDREASI,

SAINT ALBERT CHMIELOWSKI,

VENERABLE MATT TALBOT,

SAINT ROMUALD,

SAINTS ALBAN, JULIUS AND AARON,

THE IRISH MARTYRS,

SAINT ALOYSIUS GONZAGA,

SAINT JOHN RIGBY,

SAINT JOHN FISHER,

SAINT THOMAS MORE,

SAINT PAULINUS OF NOLA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: These beauties are a gift from meine liebe Moni in Freiburg, Germany. Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; to God who is, who was, and who is to come. Alleluia.

© Gertrude Feick, 2025

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity/Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

May is the month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary

June is the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart

Readings for the Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week:  Ch 7:1-34 Humility

All His words are trustworthy.

MARY, VIRGIN MOST PRUDENT,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

HEART OF JESUS, SON OF THE ETERNAL FATHER,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Blest be God the Father, and the Only Begotten Son of God, and also the Holy Spirit, 

for He has shown us His merciful love.

(Entrance Antiphon, Mass)

Attenzione! Listen to the words of our holy father Saint Benedict: "As soon as the cantor begins to sing 'Glory be to the Father,' let all the monks rise from their seats in honor and reverence for the Holy Trinity" (Rule of Saint Benedict, 9:7). Welcome to the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. So, rise from your seats in honor and reverence and sign yourself BIG: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen! And as things go smoothly and not so smoothly this week, remember what Jesus tells us in today's Gospel: And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age (Mt 28:20). Not sometimes, rather, always. Jesus is always with us.  Come, Holy Spirit, enlighten our words and deeds so that we cry with gratitude, "Abba, Father!" May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us who have put our faith in you (Ps 33). 

Monday is Memorial Day, a day when our country honors those who have died in military service for the United States. It also happens to be the unofficial start to summer. As we honor the Americans who gave their lives in military service, and get busy this summer, we remember three American priests who not only lost their lives as they served as military chaplains but are also candidates for sainthood! So important were chaplains, that in 1915, British field marshal Sir Douglas Haig (1861-1928) had this to say, "A good chaplain is as valuable as a good general."

SERVANT OF GOD EMIL KAPAUN (India, Burma, and Korea),

SERVANT OF GOD VINCENT CAPODANNO (Vietnam War),

SERVANT OF GOD JOSEPH VERBIS LAFLEUR (World War II in the Philippines),

PRAY FOR US.

As we celebrate today's Solemnity and travel through the last days of May 2024, some of our voices have something to say about the Holy Trinity, others speak of Mary, Our Lady, and one speaks of both. 

The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and life. It is the mystery of God in Himself. It is therefore the source of all the other mysteries of faith, the light that enlightens them. It is the most fundamental and essential teaching in the "hierarchy of truths of faith."

(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 234)

The Virgin Mary, in her docile humility, became the handmaid of divine Love: she accepted the Father's will and conceived the Son by the power of the Holy Spirit. In her the Almighty built a temple worthy of Him and made her the model and image of the Church, mystery and house of communion for all human beings. May Mary, mirror of the Blessed Trinity help us to grow in faith of the Trinitarian mystery.

(Pope Bendict XVI, Angelus Address, Trinity Sunday, June 7, 2009)

The Feast of the Most Holy Trinity leads us to contemplate the mystery of God who unceasingly creates, redeems and sanctifies, always with love and through love, and enables every creature that welcomes Him to reflect a ray of His beauty, goodness and truth,

(Pope Francis, Angelus Address, Trinity Sunday, May 27, 2018)

Jesus is Our Lord and Mary is Our Lady. She takes total care and responsibility for us; she happily exercises this dignity and responsibility ...

During your prayer, go to Mary and have a heart-to-heart talk with her. If we put our life into her hands, if we really and truly ask for her help, we can be sure that we will never get into serious trouble because she will provide before we even know it. Only in heaven will we know how many mistakes we avoided, how many sins we did not commit because she was helping us, imploring for us, giving so much to us out of the goodness of her heart.

(Servant of God Ida Peterfy, 1922-2002)

The Blessed Virgin Mary can do more than all the physicians in the world ...

true veneration of the Blessed Virgin consists in not offending her divine Son in any way.

(Saint Crispin of Viterbo, 1668-1750)

There is no surer or easier way than Mary for uniting all persons with Christ.

(Pope Saint Pius X, 1835-1914)

We pray Mary most holy to obtain for us the grace of lives oriented completely toward God. Mary the Virgin knew how to reply: Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word. May her disposition be ours also. May she who was conceived without sin help us all, poor sinners, to seek only God, to do penance, and to live always for righteousness (1 Pt 2:14) ...

Mary is the "Morning Star" that announces the arrival of the Rising sun, the Sun of Justice, Jesus the Savior. May she bring us to Jesus, she who is the first to believe.

(Francis Cardinal Arinze)

And as we go forth this week, we hear once more from dear Saint Crispin of Viterbo. Just when you feel all dried up and ready to take a breather remember something Saint Crispin said: "Paradise is not for lazybones."! So, as we hear what the Lord God said to the Prophet Ezekiel, "Prophesy over these bones and say to them: Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: See! I will bring spirit into you, that you may come to life” (Ezk 37:4-5). Then ask yourself a question from the psalmist included in Saint Benedict's Holy Rule: "Is there anyone here who yearns for life and desires to see good days?" (RB Prologue 15). What will it be then? Keep going.

SAINT PHILIP NERI, "PIPPO BUONO"

SAINT AUGUSTINE OF CANTERBURY,

BLESSED ANDREW FRANCHI OP,

BLESSED MARGARET POLE, COUNTENSS OF SALISBURY,

BLESSED BARTHOLOMEW BAGNESI OP,

BLESSED ANTONI JULIAN NOWOWIEJSKI,

POPE SAINT PAUL VI,

BLESSED RICHARD THIRKELD,

BLESSED JOSEPH GERARD,

BLESSED ELIA OF SAINT CLEMENT,

BLESSED WILLIAM ARNAUD OP AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS,

SAINT ZDZISLAWA OF LEMBERK OP,

SAINT LUKE KIRBY,

THE YORKSHIRE MARTYRS,

SAINT JOAN OF ARC,

SAINT WALSTAN,

BLESSED JAMES SALOMONIO OP,

SAINT JUSTIN MARTYR,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This beauty bows in honor and reverence for the Most Holy Trinity. For He spoke and it was made.

© Gertrude Feick 2024

Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

Respect Life Month

Saints: Saint Frey Galvao, First Brazilian-born Saint (1739-1822); Saints Crispin and Crispinian,** Brothers, Preachers and Martyrs in 3rd century Gaul (modern day France)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 18:20-25 The Order of the Psalmody

Mass: Eph 5:21-33; Resp Ps 128; Lk 13:18-21

Blessed are you who fear the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

SAINT JOSEPH, DEFENDER OF LIFE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Be subordinate to one another out of love for Christ.

(Eph 5:21)

The first line of today's reading from Saint Paul's Letter to the Ephesians is fitting for all of us. It is in the same way that Saint Benedict teaches us to foster good zeal with fervent love. We should try to be the first show respect to the other, and pursue not what we judge better for ourselves, but instead, what we judge better for someone else (see Rule of Saint Benedict, 72:3, 4, 7). It is also the same fervent love, good zeal, respect, and reverence that a husband and wife give to one another. We pray especially today for all married couples, that they may grow in love for the Lord, and grow then in their love for one another. Each one of you should love his wife as himself, and the wife should respect her husband (Eph 5:21). The family that prays together, stays together. 

Christ loved the Church and handed Himself over for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the Church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

(Eph 5:25-27)

May Christ dwell in our hearts through faith, and may charity be the root and foundation of our life.

(See Eph 3:17)

SAINT FREY GALVAO,

SAINTS CRISPIN AND CRISPINIAN,

PRAY FOR US.

** About two of the saints of the day, the twin brothers Crispin and Crispinian. We hear about them in Shakespeare's Henry V, Act 4, when the king rouses the English forces to victory against fearful odds at the battle of Agincourt. "This day is called the feast of Crispian: He that outlives this day, and comes safe home/Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named, And rouse him at the name of Crispian." Many can call Saints Crispin and Crispian their patron saints including cobblers, glove makers, lace workers, leather workers, saddle makers, saddlers, shoemakers, tanners and weavers. (See "Saint of the Day," in The Catholic Loop, October 25, 2022).

Today's photo: Blessed shall you be, and favored.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

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

Saints:Pope Saint John I, Martyr (-526)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 3:7-13 Summoning the Brothers for Counsel

Mass: Acts 15:1-6; Resp Ps 122; Jn 15:1-8

Within your gates, O Jerusalem.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Bear much fruit and become my disciples.

(Jn 15:8)

I am the vine, Jesus tells us, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing (Jn 15:5). Nothing. Cling to the Vine, for nourishment, for strength, for comfort. Without Him we do nothing. "By God's grace I am what I am" (1 Cor 15:10). United in faith and prayer, we go forth.

The Lord calls Himself the vine and those united to Him the branches in order to teach us how much we shall benefit from our union with Him, and how important it is for us to remain in His love. By receiving the Holy Spirit, who is bond of union between us and Christ our Savior, those who are joined to Him, as branches are to a vine, share in His own nature ...

From Christ and in Christ, we have been reborn through the Spirit in order to bear the fruit of life; not the fruit of our old, sinful life but the fruit of a new life founded upon our faith in Him and our love for Him ... 

By bestowing on them the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, the only begotten Son of the Father, gives Christians a certain kinship with Himself and with God the Father because they have been united to Him by faith and by determination to do His will in all things. He helps them to grow in love and reverence for God, and teaches them to discern right from wrong and to act with integrity.

(From a commentary on the Gospel of John by Saint Cyril of Alexandria, bishop, in Office of Readings, Fifth Week of Easter, Tuesday).

POPE SAINT JOHN I,

SAINT TITUS BRANDSMA,

SAINT MARIE RIVIER,

SAINT CAROLINA SANTOCANALE,

SAINT CHARLES DE FOUCAULD,

SAINT DEVASAHAYAM PILLAI,

SAINT CESAR DE BUS,

SAINT LUIGI MARIA PALAZZOLA,

SAINT JUSTIN RUSSOLILLO,

SAINT ANNA MARIA RUBATTO,

SAINT MARIA DOMENICA MANTOVANI,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Give thanks to the name of the Lord.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Year of Saint Joseph

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

Month of May Dedicated to Our Lady and a “Marathon” of Prayer to End the Pandemic

Other Saints: Saint Zdzislawa of Lemberk OP (c. 1220-1252); Saint Luke Kirby (c.1549-1582); The Yorkshire Martyrs (16th-17th century); Saint Joan of Arc (c.1412-1431); Saint Walstun (11th century); Saint James Salomonio OP (1231-1314)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 7:24-30

Mass: Dt 4:32-34, 39-40; Resp Ps 33; Rm 8:14-17; Mt 28:16-0

May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us who have put our hope in you.

AS SOON AS THE CANTOR BEGINS TO SING "GLORY BE TO THE FATHER," LET ALL THE MONKS RISE FROM THEIR SEATS IN HONOR AND REVERENCE FOR THE HOLY TRINITY.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 9:7)

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. If we turn to our Catechism, we learn that "the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and life. It is the mystery of God in himself. It is therefore the source of all the other mysteries of faith, the light that enlightens them" (CCC 234). Furthermore, as a commentator wrote: "God is wrapped in holy mystery: the reality of the Blessed Trinity, one God in Three Persons, eludes our comprehension, spills over our limited words, and commands our awe, expressed in reverent worship" (Magnificat, Prayer for the Evening, Vigil of the Most Holy Trinity, 2021). So let us express the Most Holy Trinity in reverent worship today and every day, or as Saint Benedict writes, consider how you ought to behave in the presence of God and His angels (RB 19:6). When you sign yourself: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, be deliberate and pay attention, or as Father Paschal, OSB, of happy memory used to remind others, "Sign yourself big and slowly." After all, "Christians are baptized 'in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit", and "the faith of all Christians rests on the Trinity" (CCC 232). Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia!

You, who are Three in one Substance, the one God,

from whom we are,

by whom we are,

in whom we are,

You, from whom we departed by sinning,

to whom we were made unlike,

but away from whom we have not been allowed to perish,

You, the Beginning, to whom we are returning,

The Pattern we are following,

The Grace by which we are reconciled,

You, we worship and bless!

To You, be glory for ever! Amen.

(William of St. Thierry, On Contemplating God)

HOLY TRINITY, ONE GOD,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

SAINT JOSEPH,

MARY, MOTHER OF MERCY,

SAINT ZDZISLAWA OF LEMBERK,

SAINT LUKE KIRBY,

THE YORKSHIRE MARTYRS,

SAINT JOAN OF ARC,

SAINT WALSTAN,

BLESSED JAMES SALOMONIO,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Know, and fix in your heart, that the Lord is God in the heavens above and on earth below, and that there is no other (Dt 4:39).

© Gertrude Feick 2021