Saturday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

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

Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saint: Saint Alexander of Alexandria (250-328)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 20 Reverence in Prayer

Mass: James 5:13-20; Resp Ps 141; Mk 10:13-16

O Lord, to you I call; hasten to me.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

It is the time in my life when many of my nieces and nephews are having children; it is the time of the "grands". When I see photos of these precious babies, all children of God, I can clearly see why Jesus "embraced the children and blessed them, placing His hands upon them" (Mk 10:16). Yes, "the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these" (Mk 10:14). May we re-gain the simplicity, awe and wonder of a child. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it (Mk 10:15). 

United in faith and prayer, we continue to "pray for one another" (Jm 5:16), invoke Mary, Queen of Peace, and pray for the people of Ukraine, and the people of Russia too. We go forth, then, and "lay our petitions before the Lord God of all things with utmost humility and sincere devotion" (Rule of Saint Benedict, 20:2).

May it be of your loving-kindness to make known to the world that grace which you found with God, by obtaining by your prayers pardon for the guilty, healing for the sick, strength for the fainthearted, consolation for the afflicted, help for those in danger, and freedom for your saints.

(Bernard of Clairvaux, in Mary, Most Holy)

SAINT ALEXANDER OF ALEXANDRIA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This is a very peaceful place, on our bridge over the Mattole River, as seen here last Monday morning.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

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

Saints: Saints Cyril Monk, and Methodius, Bishop (9th century), "Apostles to the Slavs", Co-patrons of Europe

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 12 The Celebration of the Solemnity of Lauds

Mass: James 1:1-11; Resp Ps 119; Mk 8:11-12

Teach me your statutes.

MARY, QUEEN OF APOSTLES,

PRAY FOR US.

Welcome to Monday, our favorite day of the week. It occurred to me yesterday to thank you, faithful readers, for tuning in regularly, or as time permits. With prayer for and appreciation of you, I keep going. Thank you. 

To start things off this week, let's keep things simple. United, we embrace in our hearts and put on our lips words from the Psalmist: Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live (Ps 119:77a). Keep going!

The Holy Brothers of Thessalonica highlight first the contribution of ancient Greek culture and, subsequently, the significance of the influence of the Church of Constantinople and of Eastern tradition, which has so deeply marked the spirituality of so many peoples and nations in the Eastern part of the European continent.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, Apostolic Letter Egregiae Virtutis, 3, December 31, 1980)

SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Fitting for Saint Cyril and Methodius, here we are in Rome, at the Roman Forum. Saint Cyril died in Rome and a fragment of his sacred relics are entombed not far from the Forum, at the Basilica of San Clemente. From the Forum, go to the Colloseum, then up the Via Labicana. Not far, just on the left you will find many treasures behind the 12th facade of San Clemente. San Clemente is looked after by the Irish Dominicans, some of whom I had the privilege of having as professors. For today's photo, we thank dear Italian Anna, who captured the scene on a recent walk in Rome. Abbracci!

© Gertrude Feick 2022