Prayer, coping and contemplation among the living things
The angel appeared and said “Do not be afraid…” Some heavenly being popped up in front of me, I’d need calming down too! These words were spoken to Zechariah in Luke 1:13; and a few months later to Mary, Luke 1:30. Let’s never mind about St. John the Baptist’s father. Consider only Mary for a [Read More...]
As a child, my first memory of a soup is Oxtail. Not so much for its flavor—though it is delicious—but for the adventure at my grandmother’s side. In late winter, after Christmas and before Lent, I would often spend a weekend at my maternal grandparents’ house. I delighted in the quietness and solitude that their [Read More...]
Today we heard the story of St. Joseph’s faithfulness to follow the will of God. Let us offer a prayer to Saint Joseph for a Particular Priest: Saint Joseph, I present to you this day Father (N.), priest of Jesus Christ, and beg you to be to him advocate and defender, counselor and friend. Open [Read More...]
Christmas shopping and the Red Kettles bell ringers of the Salvation Army are calling us with a tinny jangle to help the poor. I nod my head and smile, walking by, not depositing even a penny. I have already given—to another group, at church or the office—earlier. I am annoyed by the once-a-year, in-your-face, give-to-ME-or-look-selfish-in-the-eyes-of-the-anonymous-crowd [Read More...]
Blessed Mother Mary, You discerned in your heart and gave to God the fullness of yourself in love and faith. You did not know the demands your “yes” would place on you in the future as the mother of Jesus. You chose to walk trusting the will of our Holy Father. Look now on our [Read More...]
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of vocations, multiply priestly vocations and fill the earth with religious houses which will be light and warmth for the world, safety in stormy nights. Beg your Son to send us many priests and religious. Guard and protect each of your precious priests according to your Divine Son’s will. This [Read More...]
On the feast day of St. Juan Diego this prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe, found on EWTN, has been slightly tweaked as an intercession for our women religious. Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mystical Rose, make intercession for holy Church, protect the sovereign Pontiff, help all our Sisters and Nuns who invoke you in their necessities, [Read More...]
O Jesus, Eternal Pontiff, Good Shepherd and Fountain of life, who by the special goodness of your Most Sweet Heart, have given us priests to fulfill in us the designs of sanctification which your grace inspires in our hearts, we ask you: come to their aid with the assistance of your mercy. O Jesus, may [Read More...]
A story, one of the few, of family. It was written a while ago–my week has been hectic–and I pray you will enjoy it again. My grandparents were born in 1896 and 1901. Their families immigrated to Detroit when they were teenagers. She had planned to become a nun, and he had graduated from Michigan State [Read More...]
Margaret Rose Realy, Obl. OSB is an Advanced Master Gardener with over thirty-five years experience in the green industry and leads workshop and retreats. She is the coordinator emeritus of the St. Francis Retreat Center Garden Society, a monthly columnist at CatholicMom.com and blogs about gardening and spirituality at Patheos.com. 
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