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?
Tag Archives: Gracelines
Feast of St. Catherine of Siena
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.
Every kingdom divided
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?
Listen carefully
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?
Feast of St. Mark
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.
Feast of St. Fidelis
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?
Be brave!
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?
Heart of a Child
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.
Easter Sunday
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?
Holy Saturday
April 20
I am not moved to love Thee, O my Lord,
By any longing for Thy Promised Land;
Nor by the fear of hell am I unmanned
To cease from my transgressing deed or word.
‘Tis Thou Thyself dost move me, — Thy blood poured
Upon the cross from nailed foot and hand;
And all the wounds that did Thy body brand;
And all Thy shame and bitter death’s award.
Yea, to Thy heart am I so deeply stirred
That I would love Thee were no heaven on high,
That I would fear, were hell a tale absurd!
Such my desire, all questioning grows vain;
Though hope deny me hope I still should sigh,
And as my love is now, it should remain.
-To Christ Crucified (16th or 17th C.),
Translated from the Spanish by Thomas Walsh
Today’s Reflection
On this Holy Saturday I enter into the tomb with Jesus. What one area of my life is most in need of resurrection? How is Jesus showing me He wants to bring this part of me
“back to life?”
