May 7
“Say the Rosary, to obtain peace for the world and the end of the war.”
– Our Lady of Fatima to the children at Fatima
Today’s Reflection
Our Lady of Fatima asked us to pray the rosary for peace in the world. Why is her message more relevant today than ever before? How does this enliven your commitment to praying the Rosary every day?
“A priest without a Rosary is like a knight without a sword. With this heavenly weapon, a priest can defeat falsehood, conquer evil, and win innumerable souls for Jesus Christ!”
– Fr. Donald Calloway
Today’s Reflection
Pray your Rosary today for the priesthood. Ask Our Lady to increase their fervor this powerful heavenly weapon.
May 4
“Mary took my weakness and gave me her strength; she took my fear and gave me her trust; she took my insecurity and gave me her confidence.
And it all came by way of the Rosary.”
– Johnnette Benkovic Williams
Today’s Reflection
Ask the Holy Spirit to shed light upon the areas of your life where you are fearful, insecure, or lacking trust. During your Rosary today, ask Our Lady to give you her strength, her trust, and her confidence.
May 3
Feast of Sts. Philip and James, Apostles
How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the cycle of nature.
-James 3:5-6
Today’s Reflection
Have I started “fires” of gossip among my friends and family by failing to control my tongue? I will resolve to consider my words more deeply, for my sake and others’.
May 2
Feast of St. Athanasius (296 – 373)
He who confesses his sins freely receives pardon from the priest
by virtue of the grace of Christ.”
-St. Athanasius
Today’s Reflection
What most holds me back from confessing my sins “freely” to the priest who hears my confession in the person of Jesus? Am I willing to bring this defect to the sacrament for healing?
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?
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?
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.
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?
