On October 24, 1964, in his Apostolic Letter, Pacius Nuntius, Pope Paul VI proclaimed Saint Benedict of Nursia, patriarch of western monasticism, the Principal Patron of Europe at Monte Cassino Abbey. Here is an excerpt. [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='65' color='' background_color='' border_color='']W[/dropcaps]hen the man of God was...
I . [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']I[/dropcaps]ntroduction 52. Wishing in His supreme goodness and wisdom to effect the redemption of the world, "when the fullness of time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, ..that we might receive the ...
Pope Benedict here speaks of the Holy Land as "the Fifth Gospel" and speaks about the power and value of pilgrimage to Jerusalem as a way to increase our longing for the New Jerusalem. As we call to mind the Word of God who became flesh...
Short services of blessing of a Christmas Manger or Nativity Scene that are actually part of the official liturgy of the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church. But they can be conducted by lay men or women in their own homes. Both full...
On October 1, 1999, Pope John Paul II declared Edith Stein, whose religious name was Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, as one of the co-patrons of Europe. In the following excerpt from his decree, he explains the significance of his proclamation. Edith Stein—Saint Teresa Benedicta of...
St. Teresa of Avila on friendship with Jesus as the key to contemplation and the spiritual life and how all blessings, particularly contemplative prayer, come through the humanity of Christ. This selection is read on the Feast or liturgical memorial of Saint Teresa of Avila...
The Book of Blessings contains a short service to bless a Christmas tree which can be led by lay people in their homes. To make your Christmas tree more meaningful, use it this year and every Christmas!...
Saint John of the Cross makes clear that the only path to profound knowledge of God and the joy that this brings is through tribulation and suffering. But this difficult path is worth traveling. For Christ, the destination, is like a mine with many pockets...
The text of Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Day Proclamation which established an annual observance not of "Turkey Day," but of Thanksgiving to God for his blessings upon our land....
Robert Bellarmine, reflecting on Jesus' statement in Matthew 11:30 that "my yoke is easy, my burden light," explains it in terms of love of God and the joy and happiness that it produces, in this life, and eternally. For September 17, his feast day....