Archives for September 2017

Today is traditionally known as Michaelmas, a pivotal day in the Church year.From of old, this day has marked the beginning autumn and the end of harvest. As the nights grow longer and colder, we call on St. Michael to defeat the powers of darkness. A time for contemplation Today we also … [Read more...] about Michaelmas

Perhaps you’ve seen some gifts skip a generation. My mother was an artist, and my children are much more accomplished in art than I. Today was the feast of St. Wenceslaus, who was the grandson of St. Ludmilla. You might say sainthood skipped a generation there. In our Mass readings throughout … [Read more...] about Wenceslaus and God’s Gifts

This week is the autumnal Embertide, a quarterly liturgical emphasis that marks the change in seasons.  Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of Ember week are days that have a penitential flavor, as we use the change in the season to remind us to call upon God in humility, not taking for granted the the … [Read more...] about Embertide, anew.

Today the Church asks us to meditate on Mary's sorrow at the foot of the cross in fulfillment of Simeon's prophecy on seeing the baby Jesus: "a sword shall pierce your own soul also." Sorrow is typically downward and inward.  We're downcast and we feel inward pain.  Mary was no different in … [Read more...] about Our Lady of Sorrows, Looking Up