January 2026

Jubilee Year of Saint Francis on the 800th Anniversary of His Death 

January is the month dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus

January 18-25: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity "There is one body and one spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling"

At the Name of Jesus, every knee should bend.

MARY, HOLY MOTHER OF GOD,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, BRIGHTNESS OF ETERNAL LIGHT,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

JESUS, INFINITE GOODNESS,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

JESUS, MOST POWERFUL,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Dear faithful readers, welcome to January, the month dedicated to the Most Holy Name of Jesus, and entry into the calendar year 2026. Jesus, meek and humble of heart, have mercy on us. However, let us not be hasty about leaving the Christmas Season behind. May we keep on celebrating Christmas until February 2, when we commemorate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. also called Candlemas. When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord ... The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him (Luke 2:22, 40). 

And we kick off the new calendar year on January 1 with the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, a fitting way to get things started, under the protective veil of Our Lady, the Holy Mother of God. At the same time, January 1 is the World Day of Peace with the theme “Peace be with you all: Towards an ‘unarmed and disarming’ peace.” 

Wisdom from above is first of all innocent. It is also peaceable, lenient, docile, rich in sympathy and the kindly deeds that are its fruits, impartial and sincere. The harvest of justice is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.

(James 3:17-18)

We have the option to celebrate (and who wouldn't) the Most Holy Name of Jesus on January 3. Jesus, Son of Justice, have mercy on us. On Sunday, January 4, we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord, so let us come with gifts to adore the Lord. After a week of "Days after Epiphany," we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on Sunday, January 11. On Monday, January 12, we enter the First Week of Ordinary Time. And then there is the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children on January 22. On Sunday, January 25, we celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God, a celebration instituted by Pope Francis, a day devoted to the celebration, study and dissemination of the word of God. In between these times, there are several heavy hitter saints to commemorate, for example, Saint Cnut the Duke, a Martyr! So get ready folks, it is another busy month, especially with the commemoration of The Translation of the Black Nazarene, an image enshrined in the Church at Quiapo, Philippines and the Feast of Santo Nino. And lastly, if you haven’t picked up your copy of the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict in some time, now is the time to pick it up and start again with the Prologue to commence the first of three read throughs for 2026. If we keep to daily reading of and reflection on the Holy Rule, by the end of January we will have made it all the way to Chapter 7, "Humility," verse 34. Listen then, with the ear of your heart.

It occurred to me the other morning that together, united as we are in faith and prayer, we could consider two New Year's resolutions. First, how about making friends with a saint this year, or some other person you admire, like a pope or spiritual writer. Read things first, if available, written by him or her. Then things written about him or her. And if the person wrote letters, read some of them. I will spend the year becoming better friends with Saint Therese of Lisieux, "The Little Flower." In fact, I am already busy with her Story of a Soul, and a marvelous book by Ida Friederike Gorres, The Hidden Face: A Study of St. Therese of Lisieux. Who will your friend be this year? Or who is it that you want to become better friends with? 

Second, you might make friends with a psalm. As Cardinal Basil Hume (1923-1999) of happy memory once said, "look for friends among the psalms ... mull over [one of them] during mental prayer ... make it your friend." Are there particular words from the psalmist that sing to you? Then how about memorizing the psalm ... there are 365 days to practice. A favorite psalm of mine, one that has been a favorite since childhood, is Psalm 127, especially the first verse: Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it. In the home where I was raised, there was a framed print of Psalm 127:1 that hung in the breezeway, a place that pretty much anyone who came to our house passed. The words of the psalmist were formative not only for our family, but for countless friends and neighbors too. More recently, Psalm 70 has had a sweet melody, melody sung in perfect pitch.

It is you, O Lord, who are my hope,

my trust, O Lord, since my youth.

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 70:5-6)

Now with our voices. The first is one of my favorites from Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, a voice that is fitting for this month dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus.

Write what you will, I shall not relish it unless it tells of Jesus. Talk or argue about what you will, I shall not relish it if you exclude the name of Jesus. Jesus to me is honey in the mouth, music in the ear, a song in the heart.

Again, it is medicine. Does one of us feel sad? Let the name of Jesus come into his heart, from there let it spring to his mouth, so that shining like the dawn it may dispel all darkness and make a cloudless sky. Does someone fall into sin? Does his despair even urge him to suicide? Let him invoke this life-giving name and his will to live will once be renewed ...

(Bernard of Clairvaux, 1050-1193, On the Song of Songs, 15:III, 6-IV, 7)

And from The Little Flower ...

Jesus deigned to teach me this mystery. He set before me the book of nature; I understood how all the flowers He has created are beautiful, how the splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the Lily do not take away the perfume of the violet or the delightful simplicity of the daisy. I understood that if all flowers wanted to be roses, nature would lose her springtime beauty, and the fields would no longer be decked out with little wild flowers.

And so it is in the world of souls, Jesus' garden. He willed to create great souls comparable to Lilies and roses, but He has created smaller ones and these must be content to be daisies or violets destined to give joy to God's glances when He looks down at His feet. Perfection consists in doing His will, in being what He wills us to be.

(Saint Therese of Lisieux, 1873-1897, Story of a Soul, Manuscript A, Ch. I)

And finally, we hear from our holy father Saint Benedict, from his Holy Rule, all words to inspire and encourage us as we enter a new year, a new beginning ...

First of all, every time you begin a good work, you must pray to God to bring it to perfection.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 4)

Let us get up then, at long last, for the Scriptures rouse us when they say: It is high time for us to arise from sleep (Romans 13:11). Let us open our eyes to the light that comes from God and our ears to the voice from heaven that every day calls out this charge: If you hear His voice today, do not harden your hearts (Psalm 94:8).

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 8-9)

But as we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God's commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 49)

Your way of acting should be different from the world's way;

the love of Christ must come before all else.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:20-21)

Place your hope in God alone.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:41)

God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 5:16)

In a flood of words you will not avoid sin (Proverbs 10:19) ... The tongue holds the key to life and death (Proverbs 18:21) ... We absolutely condemn in all places any vulgarity and gossip and talk leading to laughter, and we do not permit a disciple to engage in words of that kind.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 6:4-5, 8)

I have not come to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent me (John 6:38).

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 7:32)

For all the saints, pray for us!

SAINTS BASIL THE GREAT AND GREGORY NAZIANZEN,

SAINT GENEVIEVE,

SAINT MUNCHIN, 

SAINT KURIAKOSE ELIAS CHAVARA,

BLESSED STEPHANA QUINZANI OP,

SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON,

SAINT JOHN NEUMANN, BISHOP,

SAINT CNUT THE DUKE, MARTYR,

SAINT NATHALAN,

SAINT PETER THOMAS,

SAINT APOLIINARIS,

SAINT ANGELA OF FOLIGNO,

SAINT GREGORY OF NYSSA,

SAINT ADRIAN OF CANTERBURY,

SAINT ANDREW CORSINI,

SAINT ANDRE BESSETTE,

SAINT RAYMOND OF PENYAFORT,

SAINT HILARY OF POITIERS, BISHOP, DOCTOR,

SAINT KENTIGERN OR MUNGO,

SAINT SAVA,

SAINTS MAUR AND PLACID,

SAINT ITA,

SAINT REMIGIUS, REMY OR REMI,

SAINT FURSA OR FURSEY,

SAINT JOSEPH VAZ,

SAINT ANTHONY, ABBOT,

OUR LADY OF ARABIA,

SAINT WULSTAN,

SAINT FAOLAN,

SAINT HENRY OF UPPSALA,

THE JESUIT MARTYRS OF THE REFORMATION,

BLESSED ANDREW PESCHIARA OP,

POPE SAINT FABIAN, MARTYR,

SAINT SEBASTIAN, MARTYR,

BLESSED CYPRIAN MICHAEL TANSI,

SAINT PAUL OF THEBES,

BLESSED ANGELO PAOLI,

SAINT AGNES, VIRGIN, MARTYR,

SAINT PUBLIUS,

POPE SAINT MARCELLUS,

BLESSED ANTHONY DELLA CHIESA OP,

SAINT VINCENT, DEACON, MARTYR,

BLESSED HENRY SUSO OP,

SAINT MARIANNE COPE,

SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES, BISHOP,

SAINTS TIMOTHY AND TITUS,

SAINTS ROBERT, ALBERIC, AND STEPHEN,

SAINT ANGELA MERICI, VIRGIN,

SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS, PRIEST, DOCTOR,

SAINT JOHN BOSCO, PRIEST,

SAINT HYACINTHA OF MARISCOTTI,

BLESSED ANN OF THE ANGELES MONTEAGUDO OP,

BLESSED GONSALVO OF AMARANTE OP,

BLESSED BERNARD SCAMMACCA OP,

SAINT AELRED OF RIEVAULX,

SAINT MARGUERITE BOURGEOYS OP,

SAINT BENET (BENEDICT) BISCOP,

SAINT PAUL,

BLESSED EDWARD OLDCORNE,

SAINT HENRY DE OSSO,

BLESSED MARCOLINO OF FORLI OP,

BLESSED ARCHANGELA GIRLANI,

BLESSED VILLANA DE' BOTTI,

SAINT GILDAS THE WISE,

SAINT AEDAN OF FERNS,

SAINT ALBAN ROE,

SAINT THOMAS GREEN,

VENERABLE MARY WARD, 

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, CROWN OF ALL SAINTS,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

This month's photo: On heaven and on earth.

© Gertrude Feick 2026

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

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

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

World Day of Peace

First Saturday of the Month 

Readings of the Day

RB: Prologue 1-7 

Mass: Nb 6:22-27; Resp Ps 67; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21

May He let His face shine upon us.

LET PEACE BE YOUR QUEST AND AIM.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 17)

Happy New Year 2022, dear faithful readers. A wonderful way to begin the new year is with the Lord's words to Moses, words Moses was to share with Aaron and his sons: The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace! (Nb 6:24-26). We are prompted then to share these words with those we meet today and so, with the shepherds, glorify and praise God for all the wonderful works of God we hear and see (Lk 2:20). That would surely get this year off to a rousing start. 😊 Amen.

O pure and holy Virgin, how can I find words to praise your beauty?

The highest heavens cannot contain God whom you carried in your womb.

(Responsory, Office of Readings, January 1) 

MARY, HOLY MOTHER OF GOD,

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, VESSEL OF HONOR,

MARY, ARK OF THE COVENANT,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Perfect for today, Loving Kindness, through the hand of Sister Suzanne, ocso. A description of this beautiful icon helps us, with Mary, to keep all these things, and ponder them in our hearts (Lk 2:19). "In Greek this icon is called 'Glykophilousa' which means Mother of God of Sweet Kisses. Christ touches Mary's cheek and puts his hand in hers while holding a scroll in the other hand. The scroll symbolizes that Christ is the Incarnate Word of God." Prints and cards of this icon are available at redwoodsabbey.org. 

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

53rd World Day of Peace

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

When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman.