Reflections

Christ’s precursor in his birth and in his death

Origen (c.185-253) priest and theologian Homily 27 on St. Luke, 2-4 Christ’s precursor in his birth and in his death […]

“‘Why do you stand here idle all day?” – Saint Gregory the Great

Saint Gregory the Great (c.540-604) Pope, Doctor of the Church Homilies on the Gospel, no.11 (©Cistercian Fathers series) “‘Why do […]

The sacrament of reconciliation – Saint Teresa of Calcutta

Saint Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997) founder of the Missionary Sisters of Charity From: ‘No Greater Love’ The sacrament of reconciliation: […]

Among those standing here there are some who will not taste death before they have seen the Kingdom of God

An anonymous Syrian writer of the 6th century Homily wrongly attributed to Saint Ephrem (Migne) “Among those standing here there […]

“He broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds” – Saint Teresa of Calcutta

Saint Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997) founder of the Missionary Sisters of Charity No Greater Love (©New World Library, 1997) “He […]

“Whoever believes in me will live” – Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine (354-430) Bishop of Hippo (North Africa) and Doctor of the Church Sermons on St John’s Gospel, no. 49, […]

At table with Jesus – Saint Bede the Venerable

Saint Bede the Venerable (c.673-735) monk, Doctor of the Church Homilies on the Gospels, I, 21 ; CCL 122, 149-151 […]

A good tree can not bear bad fruit – St John-Mary Vianney

Saint John-Mary Vianney (1786-1859) priest, curé of Ars Sermon for the 4th Sunday after Pentecost A good tree can not […]

“When you pray, go to your inner room” – Saint John of the Cross

Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591) Carmelite, Doctor of the Church The Spiritual Canticle, B, stanza 1, 6-7 (trans. ©Institute […]

Patience and Charity! – Saint Catherine of Siena

Saint Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) Dominican tertiary, Doctor of the Church, co-patron of Europe Treatise on Divine Providence : How […]

Your soul is a living stone of the Church – Cardinal Charles Journet

Cardinal Charles Journet (1891-1975) theologian The mystery of the Incarnation, preached retreat in Geneva Aug. 17-30 Your soul is a […]

Do you want to be healed? – Saint Maximus of Turin

Saint Maximus of Turin (?-c.420) Bishop Sermon for Lent ; CC Sermon 50, p. 202 ; PL 57, 585 “Do […]

Seeing their faith – Saint John Chrysostom

Saint John Chrysostom (c.345-407) priest at Antioch then Bishop of Constantinople, Doctor of the Church From various homilies: On the […]

This is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly – Aphrahat

Aphrahat (?-c.345) monk and Bishop near Mosul Expositions, no.3 « On Fasting » ; SC 349 “This is the fasting that […]

“Then they will fast” – Saint John-Paul II

Jesus answered the disciples of John the Baptist when they asked him: “Why do your disciples not fast?” Jesus answered: […]

Exercises for Lent: almsgiving, prayer, fasting – St Peter Chrysologus

My dear brethren, today we set out on the great Lenten journey. So let us take our food and drink […]

“‘Why do you stand here idle all day?” – St Gregory the Great

We can apply these hourly periods to each individual person’s life. Morning is the childhood of our understanding. The third […]

“Ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest” – Saint Vincent de Paul

“Ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest” Saint Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) priest, founder […]

“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch” – Pope Francis

Pope Francis Homily of 14/04/2013 (trans. © Libreria Editrice Vaticana) “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for […]

“Arise” – Pope John Paul II address to the young people of Chile

Saint John-Paul II Pope from 1978 to 2005 Address of 02/04/1987 to the young people of Chili “Arise” My dear […]

Jesus, good Shepherd, defend me!

Bulle Saint Gertrude of Helfta (1256-1301) Benedictine nun Exercises IV, SC 127 (trans. Gertrud and Jack Lewis, ©Kalamazoo: Cistercian Publications, […]