Heavenly Father,
in your wisdom you have called
certain women and men
to a life of special consecration
so that in prayerful observance
of a lifestyle of poverty,
chaste celibacy and obedience,
they might be witnesses to us
that as St. Paul says,
"our true citizenship is in heaven."
Give them, Lord,
September 24, 2017
September 23, 2017
Most merciful Jesus,
from now on I want whatever You want.
I have made up my mind to avoid all sin
and to follow You with bravery and courage.
I will try above all to correct myself and do better.
O my Redeemer,
strengthen my resolution by the merits
of the Blood You shed for me on Calvary.
I really want to make up for the past.
September 23, 2017
Ever since the Columban Fathers began their mission in China, they have had to deal with and work with members of non-Christian faiths.
September 22, 2017
Eternal Father,
I offer You the Sacred heart of Jesus,
with all Its love,
all Its sufferings and all Its merits;
To expiate all the sins I have committed this day,
and during all my life.
To purify the good I have done in my poor way this day,
and during all my life.
September 21, 2017
Remember, Heart of Jesus,
Immaculate Heart of Mary,
and you, O glorious St. Joseph,
that no one has ever had recourse to your protection,
or implored your assistance without obtaining relief.
Animated with the utmost lively confidence,
I come laden with the weight of my sins,
to prostrate myself before you.
September 20, 2017
Rend your hearts,
not your garments,
and return to the Lord, your God.
For gracious and merciful, is He,
slow to anger,
rich in kindness,
and relenting in punishment.
September 19, 2017
Remember, O Beloved Jesus,
Who for the love of me agonized on the Cross,
and from that throne of truth announced the
completion of the work of our Redemption, through which,
from being the children of wrath and perdition,
we are become the children of God and the heirs of Heaven:
September 18, 2017
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known
that anyone who fled to your protection,
implored your help,
and sought your intercession,
was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence,
I fly to you,
O Virgin of virgins, my Mother,
to you I come,
before you I stand sinful and sorrowful.
September 18, 2017
I was born in County Clare, Ireland, the eldest of seven children, four girls and three boys. I have thirteen nieces and nephews. As a young man I felt that God was calling me to be a missionary, and I entered the Columban seminary training program in 1965 at Dalgan Park, County Meath, Ireland. I was one of sixteen who were ordained priests on Easter Sunday, 1973, at Dalgan Park. Four of us were appointed to South Korea soon after.
September 17, 2017
Lord Jesus,
give us the humility wherever pride reigns,
pardon wherever offense abides,
grace wherever sin abounds;
we pray to You;
Jesus Christ, risen Lord, have mercy on us!
The Columbans are a society of missionaries, including priests and lay people, who minister to people of various cultures as a way of witnessing to the universal love of God.