O God, Who on the top of Mount Sinai
gave the Law to Moses,
and by means of Your holy Angels,
wondrously convey the body of blessed Catharine,
Your Virgin and Martyr:
grant, we beseech You, that,
through her merits and intercession,
we may be able to reach that mountain which is Christ:
Who lives and reigns with the Father
November 25, 2019
November 24, 2019
We beg you, Master,
be our help and strength.
Save those among us who are oppressed,
have pity on the lowly,
and lift up the fallen.
Heal the sick, bring back the straying,
and feed the hungry.
Release those in prison,
steady those who falter,
and strengthen the fainthearted.
Let all nations come to know You, the one God,
November 23, 2019
O blessed Columban,
help and protect the missionaries of our day
who have devoted their lives to preaching
the Gospel throughout the world.
Assist and protect us, also, so to live
for God’s glory that when our
pilgrimage through life is over,
we may enjoy with You the eternal rest
of heaven, through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
November 22, 2019
Every morning on my way to the office I often see a woman with a dog in a small playground outside the Columban office gate in Hong Kong. I often see both of them sitting on a bench while she would be talking on her phone. Every time I see her dog I am reminded of one of my own dogs in Taiwan, Mli. Both of them are yellow Labradors.
November 22, 2019
Dear Saint Cecilia,
one thing we know for certain about you
is that you became a heroic martyr
in fidelity to your Divine Bridegroom.
We do not know that you were a musician
but we are told that you heard Angels sing.
November 21, 2019
Remember, O most loving Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection,
implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence, we turn to you,
O Virgins of virgins, our Mother.
November 20, 2019
I want to tell you about my friend David. Mind you, he prefers to be called Princess. He is known as the “Princess of Paradise.” Since I arrived on the Gold Coast (Australia) a little over two years ago, I usually rise before 5 a.m. and go for a walk along the beach. During these early morning excursions I often passed the Princess of Paradise sitting there on his bench.
November 20, 2019
O most sacred Virgin Mary,
O Queen of Angels, how beautiful,
accomplished, and perfect, has Heaven made you!
O that I could appear to God as you appeared to me.
You are so beautiful and gracious
that with you beauty you ravished hearts.
When you are seen, everything appears deformed,
all beauty is eclipsed, every grace is lost sight of;
November 19, 2019
O Mother, here we stand before you
to entrust to your maternal care
ourselves, the Church, the entire world.
Plead for us with your beloved Son
that He may give us in abundance the Holy Spirit,
the Spirit of truth which is the fountain of life.
May the Spirit open our hearts to justice and love,
and guide people and nations to mutual understanding
November 18, 2019
"As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near, I have fought the good race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me, the crown of the righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His appearing."
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.