O glorious Saint Joseph, who, on the word of the angel speaking to you in the night, put fear aside to take your Virgin Bride into your home, show yourself today the advocate and protector of priests. Protector of the Infant Christ, defend them against every attack of the enemy, preserve them from the dangers that surround them on every side. Remember Herod’s threats against the Child, the anguish of the flight into Egypt by night, and the hardships of... Read more
We’ve passed Laetare Sunday, the fourth week of Lent, and still I’ve not been able to adhere to its disciplines: fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. My usual prayer and abstinence routines are securely in place. It is the extras, so important to this spiritual season of faith, that are lacking. The other morning after Lauds and a rosary, rising from my chair, I stood at the home altar. Drawing the sanctuary light that hung from the wall towards me, I blew... Read more
Lord Jesus we pray that you strengthen our Sisters and Nuns to bring forth your hope and love in a suffering world. Where war has inflicted death, let our Sisters and Nuns work for peace. Where famine has brought suffering, let our holy women feed the poor. Where earthquakes and floods have caused hopelessness, let our consecrated women provide relief. Where epidemic has spread, let our Sisters and Nuns care for life. May God guard them from evil. Amen. ... Read more
Mentioning hardy mums in the spring may seem like an oxymoron. Let me explain. For years as a garden consultant I’ve heard homeowners say what bad luck they’ve had growing perennial chrysanthemums. They plant the big cushy mums every fall and rarely find that they survived the winter. Tired of failing they stop planting them or only pick up a couple of plants to toss into containers for fall interest. This issue of hardy mums not being hardy has to... Read more
O Jesus, our great High Priest, Hear my humble prayers on behalf of your priests. Give them a deep faith, a bright and firm hope, and a burning love which will ever increase in the course of their priestly lives. In their loneliness, comfort them. In their sorrows, strengthen them. In their frustrations, point out to them that it is through suffering that the soul is purified, and show them that they are needed by the Church, they are needed by souls, they are needed for the work of redemption. O loving Mother... Read more
The three year old tabby was small for her age at only five pounds. Her dark-gray fur was striped in black with a lovely undercoat of coppery-gold and was surprisingly soft and thick, more like rabbit fur in winter. Her round little head seemed too small for her expressive and large oval eyes, especially when the pupils dilated—anxious at my approach. She was nearly feral and only partially tamed by the priest who cared for her. She needed food and protection... Read more
Beloved Mother Mary, Pray with us this day for our Sisters and Nuns. In the face of unending need, let them not be discouraged but always serve with joy. Let their hearts, so often moved with pity, always reveal their devotion to your Son. May their faith in him help them to persevere through seemingly insurmountable tasks. Guide them Mother, encourage them in their desire to love, as God loves, in a world that often does not love back. In... Read more
Have you begun vegetable gardening? Me? Not for another 60 days. My big-garden days are over. I still include a couple tomato plants, pole beans, and bush zucchinis among my remaining border beds. A decade ago the fruit set was about a third more than it is today. Extra plants are needed to get the same amount of food. The issue is not with the cultivars, and the problem is pretty straight forward—no bees. And no bees, no food. It... Read more
O Mary, Mother of Jesus you were with Jesus at the beginning of His life and mission. You stood beside Jesus when He was lifted on the cross and gave His life for all. We ask you now to be with our priests, who give themselves in service to God’s people. Intercede for them that they may grow in holiness; proclaim God’s word with courage; celebrate the sacraments with joy; and be among God’s people as Jesus, the Good Shepherd,... Read more
I’m not fond of mud season, but this year I look to it with eager anticipation—it’s been a long oppressive winter. The snow, ice, record lows, and lack of sunlight stretched most of us to our limit. We all have had enough. Over the course of a week I watched the snow cover and banks recede. I hoped that, just maybe, there wouldn’t be another winter storm. But it is only mid-March and winters have held their place well into... Read more
Morning Rose Prayer Gardens
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