Today, January 18, is the memorial of Blessed Regina Protmann. Foundress of the Sisters of Saint Catherine. Regina was born to wealthy merchants Peter Protmann and Regina Tingels in 1552 in modern-day Poland. She grew up aware of the political and religious situation of her time, which were the years of the Protestant Reformation and …
As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath,his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain.At this the Pharisees said to him,“Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”He said to them,“Have you never read what David didwhen he was in need and he …
“The memory of the great spiritual warfare of Elias still clings to (Carmel). It was here he gathered together all Israel and flung reproach at their heads. ‘How long do you halt between two sides? If the Lord be God, follow Him.’ Here Israel heard his challenge in words of flame, as a burning torch. …
Today, January 17, is the memorial of Saint Anthony of Egypt. Patron saint of pig owners. More popularly known as San Antonio Abad, he took responsibility of his sister’s education when their parents died. Anthony sold his house, property, and furniture, and then gave the money to the poor. At age 35, Anthony moved to …
The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast.People came to Jesus and objected,“Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast,but your disciples do not fast?”Jesus answered them,“Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?As long as they have the bridegroom with them they …
“Carmel is the natural retreat of the contemplative, and it is not unfitting that on its slopes should stand the Cloister of Carmel, the cradle of the Order. It stands above the turmoil of life, above the world’s stormy sea; its solitude is beyond the reach of ‘life’s fitful fever’; it is wrapped in the …
Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feastof Passover,and when he was twelve years old,they went up according to festival custom.After they had completed its days, as they were returning,the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem,but his parents did not know it.Thinking that he was in the caravan,they journeyed for a dayand looked …
“It is a happy thought, at the Centenary of the proclamation of Mary’s Motherhood of God in Ephesus in 431 that we are celebrating, that we may see in that divine Motherhood also an image of the mystical act of grace, for which every child of Mary, and indeed especially the Sisters and Brothers of …
Today, January 15, is the memorial of Saint Arnold Janssen. Founder of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS), and the Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration (Pink Sisters). Born in 1837 in Germany, Arnold felt an early call to the priesthood. He …
Jesus went out along the sea.All the crowd came to him and he taught them.As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus,sitting at the customs post.Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”And he got up and followed Jesus.While he was at table in his house,many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his …