How many times have you felt discouraged like Peter and said to the Lord in your own words: “Master, I have worked hard all night and have caught nothing?” How many times have you felt overwhelmed like Isaiah and said to the Lord in your own words: “Woe is me, I am doomed!” Of the three men we encounter in today’s readings, only Saint Paul begins with an uplifting attitude. Isaiah and Peter both start off in the dumps and... Read more
“No dejen de practicar la hospitalidad, pues saben que algunos dieron alojamiento a ángeles sin saberlo.” Estas palabras bíblicas nos recuerdan de cuando Abraham extendió hospitalidad a tres hombres desconocidos, y al hacerlo, entretuvo a tres ángeles y fue bendecido con un hijo. San Benito, consciente de la importancia de la hospitalidad, escribió en la regla de vida que los monjes benedictinos siguen: “A todos los huéspedes que vienen al monasterio se les recibe como a Cristo, por él dirá,... Read more
“Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.” These words from Scripture remind us of when Abraham extended hospitality to three unknown visitors, and because he did so, he entertained three angels and was blessed with a son. Saint Benedict, aware of the importance of hospitality, wrote in his rule for all Benedictine monks to follow: “Let all guests who arrive be received like Christ, for He is going to say, ‘I came as a guest, and... Read more
The bishop’s miter gently swayed from left to right in front of me as he intoned the Salve Regina. The unexpected yet familiar tune and the tightening of my mother’s grip on my arm awakened me… mater misericordiae. The procession progressed slowly down the path as the hope for a better tomorrow was condemned and as the joy of life was lost. After emerging from a slumber of unbelief, my eyes were opened to the reality of death by participating at the... Read more
On February 2nd ten years ago I woke up very early and caught a bus from where I was staying in downtown Genoa, Italy to the city’s train station. The train took me along the beautiful Ligurian coast of northern Italy, though I could not see it well since the sun had not fully risen yet. I got off the train in the town of Bogliasco. Outside the station I spotted a small van with the same logo as the... Read more
Today we remember one of the greatest minds who ever lived, Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274). Despite all his intellectual work and writing, towards the end of his life Saint Thomas had a mystical experience which led him to say, “All that I have written seems like straw compared to what has now been revealed to me.” Born in Roccasecca Italy, he was the nephew of the Count of Aquino. His father envisioned him becoming the abbot of the nearby prestigious... Read more
Last week I had a chance to visit the only eastern rite parish of my diocese, the Melkite Church of Saint Ignatios of Antioch in Augusta, Georgia. The Melkite Church traces its roots to the ancient city of Antioch where Saint Peter himself founded a Christian community before going to Rome. It was in Antioch that disciples of Jesus were first called Christians, and its third bishop, Saint Ignatius, was the first to describe the Church as Catholic. The Melkite... Read more
Whenever we are at an event where there’s a raffle, everyone gets quiet as the numbers are about to be announced. There is great excitement and anticipation as the numbers are heard, and after a few seconds, one lucky winner cheers and claims the prize. It is by hearing carefully that the winner learns he is the winner. It is by hearing carefully that she learns that she has been chosen to take the prize home. I will dare to... Read more
La primera vez que visité Savannah, mi familia partió un sábado temprano de Augusta para asistir a una Misa en la catedral. Tenía yo doce años y recuerdo con mucha claridad que quedé impactado por la belleza del templo. Ese año mis padres celebraron veinticinco años de matrimonio, y el obispo Lessard celebró una Misa honrando a todos aquellos de la diócesis que celebraban bodas y plata y de oro. Recuerdo que durante la celebración, el obispo Lessard indicó que... Read more
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Story of a Steubenville Murder
Tonight I attended a gathering of Catholic businessmen and women in Savannah. After a delicious dinner, the speaker was introduced. She was a simply dressed woman, with black hair, and a sweet smile. When she began to speak, she spoke softly, yet with great conviction. At first, she was tied to her prepared text, but she quickly relaxed and relied less on it. I had not picked up her name when she was introduced, but I knew that she would... Read more