Where Joy and Sorrow Meet

February 2, 2024By

Feast of the Purification 2024
The candle is one of the great sacramentals of the Church.  It is like a sacrament in the sense that it is an outward sign, but unlike a sacrament, it does not give grace automatically.  This day links Our Lord and the Blessed Mother so closely.  Today we remember both the joyful mystery of the Rosary and the first of the Virgin Mary’s great sorrows.  Because the Mother of God was not affected by original sin, and because of the Virginal Birth, she was not subject to the law requiring purification.  However, she submitted to it in all humility.  God used the New Eve to carry the New Adam into the Garden, when the Blessed Mother carried Our Lord into the temple.
#20240202M

Listen Now

Jesus, Deliver Us!

January 28, 2024By

Septuagesima Sunday 2024
These next three Sundays are for an examination of conscience, in which we search out those things in our soul which make us enemies of God.  Today we begin with a view of creation and the fall of man.  Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden because they did not want to be with God.  To choose sin identifies us with the devil, because we refuse to serve God just as he did.  We must follow Saint Paul as our retreat master during these next three weeks, so at the end of our journey we may be among the privileged few to enter the Promised Land.
#20240128M

Listen Now

Join The Sacrifice

February 19, 2023By

Quinquagesima Sunday 2023
This is a time of examination of conscience.  Once our predominant fault is identified, we can battle against it.  At the end of this Septuagesima season, the Church reminds us that we must have Charity.  We should not only go to confession when we are in mortal sin, but often.  This is a great aid in cutting down our vices.  The priest at the “Orate Fratres” asks you to join with him in his sacrifice.  Let us truly join the priest at his Sacrifice at the Altar.
#20230219M

Listen Now

Conversion Sunday

February 12, 2023By

Sexagesima Sunday 2023
St. Paul, one of the greatest converts in the history of the Church, instructs us on our need for conversion.  This conversion of St. Paul could not have happened without the prayers of St. Stephen.  We must pray for our friends and our enemies.  We must not think that we are the good seed of the Gospel.  The word of God has not brought forth fruit a hundredfold in our hearts yet.  We wish to be better, we wish to learn, and this is the time for vigilance and growth in the love of God.
#20230212S

Listen Now

Without Fear, We Are Lost

February 10, 2023By

Septuagesima Sunday 2023
Because of the great importance of the season of Lent, the Church gives us a season to prepare us for it.  We should possess a single-minded vision of achieving salvation.  We share in St. Paul’s desire for be dissolved in Christ, while sharing his fear that we could be lost.  This fear is a necessity.  God wants all our love.  Just as people expect their lover to have no one else, God wants us to love Him alone.  We do not know when God will call us, so we must be always prepared.
#20230205S

Listen Now

You Will Die the Death

February 13, 2022By

Septuagesima Sunday 2022
This is the beginning of the Septuagesima season as we transition from the joys of Christmas towards the sorrows of Holy Week and the glories of the Resurrection.  The stational church for today is St. Lawrence outside the Walls which reminds us of the death we inherit from Adam and Eve because of the cemetery that is attached to this church.  The Gloria and Alleluia are dropped from today’s Mass to re-enforce the realization of our fallen state.  Parents should not imitate our first parents in exposing their children to dangers which can destroy God’s life in their souls.
#20220213M

Listen Now

Purity of Intention

February 14, 2021By

Quinquagesima Sunday 2021
In preparation for Ash Wednesday and Lent there is a review of the laws concerning fast and abstinence.  Today is also the feast of St. Valentine and his impact in our own day.  The Epistle for this Mass is taken from St. Paul and teaches us the importance of doing all our works, especially the upcoming penances, with purity of intention which is produced by charity.  The Gospel tells of the cure of the blind man by Our Lord.  We are that blind man who need God’s help to see our sinfulness and do something about it.
#20210214K

Listen Now

Give All To Receive All

February 7, 2021By

Sexagesima Sunday 2021
Saints this week are our friends like St. Apollonia.  The Liturgy is our ordinary means of sanctification and reception of sacramentals is a practical aspect of this.  St. Paul is the dominant character during this season of Septuagesima and tells in the Epistle of all he has sacrificed in fulfilling Our Lord’s prophecy about his suffering for the Name of Jesus.  The Gospel shows the Word of God gently warning all to receive Him well and thereby receive a hundredfold.  Finally, we need to follow Catholic principles in our daily lives and imitate the Catholic Supreme Court justice and not the famous author who wrote that lying is permitted if done for the sake of the nation.
#20210207M

Listen Now

Liturgy: Yesterday, Today and Forever

February 5, 2021By

First Friday February 2021 – Feast Of St. Agatha
With the beginning of the Easter Cycle through the season of Septuagesima it is a good time to review what the Sacred Liturgy is and how it leads our spiritual lives through the purgative, illuminative and unitive states.  The Holy Mass is the highest form of prayer in the worship of the Mystical Body of Christ and this vocal prayer is also the springboard for mental prayer which culminates in contemplation.  An analysis of the liturgy, the essential element in the lives of all saints and the foundation of all of schools of spirituality, is a profound and deep one that should make us appreciate ever more the treasure we have been given.  The praying of the Rosary is our daily link to all these divine benefits.
#20210205

Listen Now

Season of Examination

January 31, 2021By

Septuagesima Sunday 2021
This week is the feast of St. Agatha whose veil is a precious relic that has protected the city of Catania from various cataclysms throughout history.  The significance of wearing a veil is explained.  Septuagesima season is a transition from the Christmas to the Easter cycle and an immediate preparation for Lent.  It is a time for the catechumens and penitents especially.  We recall the story of Genesis and the fall of Adam and Eve whose crime is inherited by us and known as original sin.  This week examines the effects of original sin in our lives so we are ready to combat these vices as soon as we reach Ash Wednesday.
#20210131

Listen Now
View Cart Checkout Continue Shopping