Prayer for the Evening Let us sing to the Lord for his goodness to us! Glory to the Father…. Amen. Hymn What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul? What wondrous love is this, O my soul? What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss To bear… Continue reading PRAYER FOR THIS EVENING (FRIDAY, MARCH 26)
Author: Raphael Benedict
PRAYER FOR THIS MORNING (FRIDAY, MARCH 26)
Prayer for the Morning He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. Come, let us adore. Glory to the Father…. Amen. Hymn Throned upon the awe-full tree, King of love, your grief we see. Darkness veils your anguished face; None its lines of woe can trace, None can tell… Continue reading PRAYER FOR THIS MORNING (FRIDAY, MARCH 26)
PRAYER FOR THIS EVENING (THURSDAY, MARCH 25)
Prayer for the Evening We have seen his glory: come, let us worship before him. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Hymn Dawn-star of the world’s redemption Lo! we hail thee… Continue reading PRAYER FOR THIS EVENING (THURSDAY, MARCH 25)
DAILY MEDITATION (THURSDAY, MARCH 25)
MEDITATION OF THE DAY “Hail, full of grace!” When you conceive the sun of righteousness, you like the moon are illumined by the good office of the blazing sun. The moon borrows from the sun the light [and] therefore whatever beauty it possesses it has through the gift of its borrowed splendor. When you bring… Continue reading DAILY MEDITATION (THURSDAY, MARCH 25)
A Marian alternative to the Stations of the Cross
According to an ancient tradition, the Blessed Virgin Mary visited the sites of Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection on a daily basis after his ascension into Heaven. According to an ancient tradition, the Blessed Virgin Mary visited the sites of Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection on a daily basis after his ascension into Heaven. Many other traditions also… Continue reading A Marian alternative to the Stations of the Cross
DAILY MEDITATION (WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24)
MEDITATION OF THE DAY Interior Freedom Has my life known any unhappier time than this?… The cruel, ongoing trial of [my sister] Juliette’s illness and the fear of the future, the painful knowledge of our mother’s grief, my usual bad health and painful oppression of mind and body—all this now makes my life a sacrifice… Continue reading DAILY MEDITATION (WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24)
PRAYER FOR THIS EVENING (WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24)
Prayer for the Evening Vigil of the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary, and she conceived by the Holy Spirit: come, let us give thanks and praise! Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was… Continue reading PRAYER FOR THIS EVENING (WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24)
How the “Seven Falls of Christ” devotion helped develop the Stations of the Cross
Before there were 14 stations, there were the “Seven Falls of Christ.” Many Catholics are familiar with the traditional 14 Stations of the Cross that are displayed in almost every modern Catholic Church. Following the Way of the Cross by praying at each of these stations is a devotional practice that has been spread… Continue reading How the “Seven Falls of Christ” devotion helped develop the Stations of the Cross
Alternatives to palm branches for Palm Sunday
For centuries Christians used alternative plants on Palm Sunday in regions where palms were not readily available. During the past several decades it has become customary to use palm branches for the celebration of Palm Sunday. However, this was not always the case, as palms were not mass-grown as they are today. Local plants… Continue reading Alternatives to palm branches for Palm Sunday
Why do Catholics cover crucifixes and statues during Holy Week?
Veils over sacred images keep our minds on the promise of Easter. It seems strange that during the most sacred time of year Catholics cover everything that is beautiful in their churches, even the crucifix. Shouldn’t we be looking at the painful scene at Calvary while we listen to the Passion narrative on Palm Sunday? Veiling… Continue reading Why do Catholics cover crucifixes and statues during Holy Week?
PRAYER FOR THIS MORNING (WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24)
Prayer for the Morning God will guard us from all harm: let us give thanks and praise. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Hymn God is my strong salvation, What… Continue reading PRAYER FOR THIS MORNING (WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24)
Saint of the Day: St. Oscar Romero (WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24)
Bishop and Martyr (1917-1980) + Born in El Salvador in 1917, Oscar Romero was a carpenter’s apprentice during his youth before entering seminary and worked in a gold mine to help support his family. He was ordained a priest in Rome in 1942. + Romero spent several years serving as a parish priest and… Continue reading Saint of the Day: St. Oscar Romero (WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24)
PRAYER FOR THIS MORNING (TUESDAY, MARCH 23)
Prayer for the Morning The Lord listens to our prayer: let us approach the throne of grace. Glory to the Father…. Amen. Hymn O Cross of Christ, immortal tree On which our Savior died, The world is sheltered by your arms That bore the Crucified. From bitter death and barren… Continue reading PRAYER FOR THIS MORNING (TUESDAY, MARCH 23)
PRAYER FOR THIS MORNING (MONDAY, MARCH 22)
Prayer for the Morning God is our rock of refuge: let us give thanks and praise. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Hymn This hymn can be sung to the tune… Continue reading PRAYER FOR THIS MORNING (MONDAY, MARCH 22)
PRAYER FOR THIS EVENING (SATURDAY, MARCH 20)
Prayer for the Evening Vigil of the Fifth Sunday of Lent God hears the prayer of the poor: come, let us pray! Glory to the Father…. Amen. Hymn Before the fruit is ripened by the sun, Before the petals or the leaves uncoil, Before the first fine silken root is… Continue reading PRAYER FOR THIS EVENING (SATURDAY, MARCH 20)
DAILY MEDITATION (SATURDAY, MARCH 20)
MEDITATION OF THE DAY He Speaks Like None Other The dreamed-of spring is the Heart of Jesus; the bubbling fountain where we’ll be able to drink long draughts in an endless ecstasy is the homeland! It is heaven! Here below, the cross; here below, the exile, the arid desert. Doesn’t the Child Jesus on… Continue reading DAILY MEDITATION (SATURDAY, MARCH 20)