“If you seek an example of humility, look on the Crucified. Although He was God, He chose to be judged by Pontius Pilate and to suffer death…. The Master chose to die for His servant; the Life of the Angels suffered death for man.” St. Teresa of Avila famously said that the three most important […]
Random reflections on a recent retreat
About a week ago, I was privileged to work another Rachel’s Vineyard retreat for healing the wounds of abortion. This was my sixth RV retreat, and the fifth in which I served as the team priest. What a privilege it is to witness again the healing power of God’s grace and mercy! Whenever we start […]
Sanctity, the Only Real Power
From Abbot Anscar Vonier, O.S.B. (died 1906): It is a certain truth that if God in his providence exterminated every evil deed at once, killed every evil-doer, the final sum of goodness would be less. We have our Lord’s own words for it; there would be diminution. Goodness itself, sanctity itself, is fostered by the […]
St. Bernard: In the Wounds of Our Savior
Where can the weak find a place of firm security and peace, except in the wounds of the Savior? Indeed, the more secure is my place there the more he can do to help me. The world rages, the flesh is heavy, and the devil lays his snares, but I do not fall, for my […]
His Mercy Endures Forever
It is good to be able to tell the story of Jesus Christ and His Loving Mercy toward me, because He rescued me from total self destruction. This really is the story of His saving Love and Mercy, the power of intercessory prayer, and the Hope there is for everyone in Christ. I am assured […]
Our Lady of Guadalupe
On December 12th, the Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas. Why would the appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary to a poor Indian man in Mexico all the way back in 1531 A.D. be so important that she has been declared the patroness of the Americas? When the […]
Power of Humility and Love
This parable is from the German Dominican priest, Fr. John Tauler (died in 1361 A.D.): “Going to the church door, the Master met a beggar there. He was in a miserable plight, his feet covered with mud and all his tattered clothes not worth three pennies. The Master said: ‘Good day, my friend.‘ The beggar: […]
Communion of Saints and the Call to Holiness
“Christians believe that a mysterious, spiritual solidarity exists among themselves and all other children of the same God. We call this solidarity the communion of saints; the efforts, merits, and sufferings of each individual benefit the rest. A similar law exists in the natural order, and if we think about it a little, we shall […]
Reflection from Elisabeth Leseur
“[L]et us realize that all collective reform must first be individual reform. Let us work at transforming ourselves and our lives. Let us influence those around us, not by useless preaching, but by the irresistible power of our spirituality and the example of our lives. Let us give ourselves generously and try to strengthen our […]
Confraternity retreat in Kentucky a success!
On the weekend of September 17-19, the Confraternity held its first ever retreat at the Passionist Monastery in Whitesville, Kentucky. Ten ladies made the retreat, and eight of them were veterans of Rachel’s Vineyard retreats for healing after abortion. The theme of the retreat was “Holiness: The Answer to Abortion.” Fr. Ben Cameron gave five […]