May 1
Feast of St. Joseph the Worker
St. Joseph is the best protector to help you in your life, to penetrate the spirit of the Gospel. Indeed, from the Heart of the God-Man, Savior of the world, this spirit is infused in you and in all men, but it is certain that there was no worker's spirit so perfectly and deeply penetrated as the putative father of Jesus, who lived with him in the closest intimacy and community of family and work. So, if you want to be close to Christ, I repeat to you "Ite ad Ioseph": Go to Joseph!
-From an address of Pope Pius XII to Italian Workers
Today's Reflection
How are my labor and my leisure fruitful for my salvation and that of others? What can I do in each to make them more so? How can St. Joseph's example and intercession aid me to do so?
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April 30
Feast of St. Pius V (1504 - 1572)
"O Lord, increase my sufferings and my patience."
-Dying words of St. Pius V
Today's Reflection
Do I have the courage pray this prayer? Why or why not? What virtue do I most need to acquire to do so?
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April 29
St. Catherine of Siena (1347 - 1380)
"Eternal Trinity, Godhead, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire ever burning and never consumed, which itself consumes all the selfish love that fills my being. Yes, You are a fire that takes away coldness, illuminates the mind with its light, and causes me to know Your truth. You are beauty and wisdom itself."
-Adapted from a prayer of St. Catherine of Siena
Today's Reflection
Today, I will take a few moments to meditate on this prayer of St. Catherine and see what the Lord speaks to me through it.
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April 27
“Every kingdom divided against itself cannot last and every city or house divided against itself cannot stand.”
-Matthew 12:25
Today's Reflection
How is this passage speaking to me today regarding family relationships, business relationships, friendships or community activities?
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April 26
“Why spend money on what cannot nourish and your wages on what fails to satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and you will have good things to eat.”
-Isaiah 55:2
Today's Reflection
Is it possible that my “consumerism” prevents me from receiving the spiritual nourishment that I need?
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April 25
Feast of St. Mark, Evangelist
“The Church, which has spread everywhere, even to the ends of the earth, received the faith from the apostles and their disciples."
-St. Irenaeus
Today's Reflection
Dear St. Mark, Thank you for your faithfulness to the movement of the Holy Spirit. Through your obedience, I have received faith. Through your docility, I have received strength. Help me to live the Gospel message, experience the Gospel message, and pass the Gospel message on to others. Please pray for me. Amen.
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April 24
Feast of St. Fidelis, Priest and Martyr
“In addition to this charity, he was faithful in truth as well as in name. His zeal for defending the Catholic faith was unsurpassed and he preached it tirelessly.”
-From a eulogy for St. Fidelis
Today's Reflection
We need more of St. Fidelis in our midst today. Given the circumstances of my life, how can I respond to this need?
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April 23
Feast of St. George, Martyr (280-303)
“As for Saint George, he was consumed with the fire of the Holy Spirit. Armed with the invincible standard of the cross, he did battle with an evil king and acquitted himself so well that, in vanquishing the king, he overcame the prince of all wicked spirits, and encouraged other soldiers of Christ to perform brave deeds in his cause.”
-From a homily of St. Peter Damien on St. George
Today's Reflection
Could I be called “St. Georgette” today? In what way do I emulate St. George?
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April 22
“Give me the heart of a child and the courage to live it out.”
-Catherine Doherty
Today's Reflection
What characterizes the heart of a child? Of these traits, which one do I most need to acquire? Right this moment, I will ask God for the grace to develop this attribute.
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April 21
Most glorious Lord of life that on this day
Didst make Thy triumph over death and sin,
And having harrowed hell didst bring away
Captivity thence captive us to win;
This joyous day, dear Lord, with joy begin
And grant that we, for whom Thou didst die
Being with Thy dear blood clean washed from sin,
May live forever in felicity.
And that Thy love we weighing worthily,
May likewise love Thee for the same again;
And for Thy sake that all like dear didst buy,
With love may one another entertain.
So let us love, dear love, like as we ought,
Love is the lesson which the Lord us taught.
–“Easter”, Edmund Spenser (1553-1598)
Today's Reflection
JESUS LIVES! How am I experiencing His life in me on this glorious day?
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