Almighty and eternal God, in Your fatherly goodness,
be kind to the souls in Purgatory, especially those
of my relatives, benefactors, friends and enemies.
Cleanse them of their faults, lift them up to Heaven,
and give them a share of Eternal Delight in Your Kingdom.
God, creator and savior of all the faithful,
November 2, 2019
November 1, 2019
In her autobiography, St. Therese tells of a dream she had about a year before her death. At the time she was in a dark place, a storm was raging very strongly in her soul with no relief at all. One evening she was thinking of the mysterious dreams granted to some people and how consoling they must be. But such dreams, she felt, were not for her.
November 1, 2019
The night is ending, darkness making way for light, winter has gone, and spring is here. Usually when we think about spring, we imagine a season full of hope because wherever we go, we see life in all its splendor, trees, flowers, birds; what was dry and brown turns green again and the circle of life starts once again.
November 1, 2019
The catechumenate is the period of preparation for baptism that adults go through. The Catholic Church reinstated the catechumenate or Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) after the second Vatican Council. The process takes one year and culminates in the reception by adults of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.
November 1, 2019
Noisily he made his haggard way
down the corridor to the departure gate
a gimp exuding anger.
Taking a seat he announced under his breath
audible for those near to hear
that he had traveled halfway round the world.
Expecting welcoming attention for his emigrant status
or even an inquiry of where he had come from
November 1, 2019
Dear holy saints of God,
we join our prayers of praise
to yours this day.
with you, we sing of God’s goodness,
rejoice in God’s mercy
and celebrate God’s incredible love.
Teach us to live as you lived --
always thinking of others,
always recognizing our weaknesses,
always rejoicing in God’s gifts,
always closely following Jesus.
October 31, 2019
All praise and glory are Yours, almighty Father:
You have given us Your Son Jesus to save us from sin.
We praise You for choosing Mary to be His mother,
for teaching her to believe Your message,
for helping her to accept Your holy will.
October 30, 2019
One of the many joys of being a Columban lay missionary is the joy of entering into a new culture and sharing my faith and experience with the people, while at the same time learning so much more from them in return. I began my ministry in Dogoru village (Fiji), which is part of Labasa Parish, last year.
October 30, 2019
Hail, O Queen of Heaven enthroned!
Hail, by angels Mistress owned
Root of Jesse, Gate of morn,
When the world's true Light was born.
Glorious Virgin, joy to thee,
Loveliest whom in Heaven they see:
Fairest thou where all are fair,
Plead with Christ our sins to spare.
October 29, 2019
Hail, thou star of ocean!
portal of the sky!
Ever virgin Mother
of the Lord Most High!
Oh! by Gabriel's Ave,
Uttered long ago
Eva's name reversing,
'Stablished peace below.
Break the captives' fetters;
Light on blindness pour,
All our ills expelling,
every bliss implore.
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.