Pentecost is one of the three major feasts of the Church’s liturgical calendar, in prominence, next to Easter and before Christmas. Fifty days after Easter and ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven, the Father and Son send the Holy Spirit, who descends in tongues of fire (Acts 2) and gives birth to the Church, giving all her members life “in the fulness of God.” (Eph 3:19)...
One of the most profound mysteries of our Faith is that by entering into the rhythm of the liturgical year, we do not simply remember things that have happened in the past and are now over, but we also — in a mysterious way — experience and participate in those very realities, these sacred and eternal things touching us in our own time.
We can dispose ourselves to receive specifi...
We humans have an itch for knowledge and power. It seems to be in our DNA. In many areas of life, we are well-served by the restless striving for a better handle on things, all sorts of things--career choices, professional advancement, family relationships, concord with the neighbors, right down to eliminating weeds in the garden and getting better gas mileage. Knowledge and power, in themselve...
Novena to St. Raphael for the Financial Provision of our Our Lady of Mount Carmel Retreat and Center for Spiritual Formation
DAY 1
“But I alone used to go often to Jerusalem for the festivals, as was prescribed for all Israel by longstanding decree. Bringing with me the first fruits of crops, the firstlings of the flock, the tithes of livestock, and the first shearings of sheep, I ...
We've been walking the desert sands with Jesus the past few weeks, reflecting upon our own sinfulness and doing what we can to make reparation for our sins and the sins of others.
This Sunday, however, the Church shifts our focus from ourselves and our sinfulness to Jesus and His Passion.
Today, we celebrate Passion Sunday, the beginning of Passiontide.
Dom Prosper Gueranger says ...
Today, we begin our journey following Jesus into the desert.
Can you imagine?
He was just baptized in the Jordan, when, suddenly, the Holy Spirit led Him into the desert.
He looks back and beckons.
Not with His hands. Just a look.
Come.
We set out, uncertain, but not entirely.
We know Who we're following, after all. We trust Him.
We thank God for...
Fat Tuesday, Skinny Wednesday
While it may be difficult to imagine a modern Mardi Gras parade along the Narrow Way, it is good to know that the origins of Mardi Gras were actually quite honorable and tied to the liturgical celebration which quickly approaches: LENT.
Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday".
Back in the day, before people had refrigerators and freezers and when ...
