The gentle bishop of Geneva, St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622), whose feast day is today, taught the faithful many things about the interior life – not least of which is the need to learn how to be patient with ourselves.
Each year around this time, reality hits with a dull thud. Decorations have been taken down and stored away. Living rooms have that bare, denuded look that only the departure of a festive tree can create. Those much-anticipated gifts – the ones that haven’t been returned, that is – have already lost their luster.
Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDSA new poll, which found that seven out of 10 young voters support restrictions on abortion, is giving pro-life women the perfect opportunity to use their feminine genius to open the eyes of young women to the truth about U.S. abortion law that is too often hidden behind “reproductive rights” misinformation.
The Henrich Family (L/R Carey, Clare, Kirk, Cathleen and Hanna)This powerful and touching testimony was recently sent to Women of Grace© by Kirk and Cathleen Henrich of Kingwood, Texas. It documents a grace-filled encounter they had with Catholic Radio and Johnnette that led to the birth of a little girl named Clare . . . whom Johnnette had the pleasure to meet in person this past November at a conference at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Houston, Texas!
The feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord, traditionally celebrated on January 6th, marks the closing out of the Twelve Days of Christmas. In centuries past, some European countries formulated an annual ritual performed on this day, to bless parishioners’ homes at the start of the New Year. While it is not widely practiced, the Blessing of Homes on Epiphany is still celebrated in many Christian traditions.
On this feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, let us be reminded that the “dawn from on high” that broke upon us nine days ago is still with us in this glorious Christmas season. Has He dawned in your heart yet?
When I came back to the Faith in 1981, one Scripture passage became the rudder of my spiritual life. It is Ephesians 1: 3-4. Through the years, this passage has spoken to me in many ways and has sustained me through many trials.Verse 4 , however, is particularly relevant for this time of the year, and was echoed by St. John Paul II in a Christmas reflection. It states this, "God chose us in him before the world began to be holy and blameless in his sight, to be full of love." Those first five words tell us something about ourselves that is amazing and astounding -- each one of us was distinctively and individually chosen by God to have life.
“. . . Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your heart.” (Ephesians 5:18-19)
St. Francis adoring the Christ Child (Fabrizio Santafede 1560-1623)A well-researched biography of Saint Francis of Assisi must of necessity resound with the same two overriding themes: his deep, intense love for and devotion to his Savior, Jesus Christ; and his commitment to a radical living out of his Master’s example of poverty.
"In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the way of peace." (Excerpt from the Canticle of Zechariah, Lk 1:78-79)
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