“But after all, prayer is the chief characteristic of the great Prophet. His life is steeped in it. So St. James teaches that he is the great example of continual prayer. And we see in the prayer of Elias a providential union of oral and liturgical prayer with the prayer of meditation and contemplation – …
Today, January 31, is the memorial of Saint John Bosco. Founder of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians, and Union of Cooperator Salesians. Born in 1815 in Becchi, Italy, John Bosco was the youngest son of Francesco and Venerable Margaret Bosco. Francesco passed away when the child was two. …
Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea,to the territory of the Gerasenes.When he got out of the boat,at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him.The man had been dwelling among the tombs,and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain.In fact, …
“We may truly say that the life of high contemplation of the Prophet was not only founded on the practice of all virtues, but that this practice and exercise of prayer and virtue – of heroic virtue – accompany and follow his visions and mystical graces. These mystical graces are a free gift of God, …
Jesus began speaking in the synagogue, saying:“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”And all spoke highly of himand were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.They also asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?”He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb,‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say,‘Do here in …
“We may see a third foundation of his life of prayer in his detachment from the world. If he is lifted up to God, it is at the price of sacrifice. ‘The Lord called him from his birthplace and from his own people.’ And as Our Lord after him, he tastes the bitterness of the …
Today, January 29, is the memorial of Blessed Archangela Girlani. Carmelite nun. Born to a noble family in 1460, she was originally named Eleanora. She was already drawn to the religious life as a child. She planned to enter the Benedictines. On her way to the abbey, her horse refused to move. She took it …
On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples:“Let us cross to the other side.”Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was.And other boats were with him.A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat,so that it was already filling up.Jesus was …
“But if Elias is the great type of contemplation, set deep in the heart of the ancient law, he is also a great ascetic. And in this characteristic we find a second foundation of his life of prayer, which is his love of solitude, to which he always returns and to which he is sent …
Today, January 28, is the memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Doctor of the Church. Thomas Aquinas was born in their family’s castle in Roccasecca, Central Italy in 1225. His family was the very wealthy and most powerful of the time. He went to the famed Benedictine monastery Monte Cassino where his uncle Sinibald was the …