I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. (John 8:12)
Year: 2025
Pagan Darkness and Advent’s Light
I have fond memories of strolling along beautiful Bondi beach years ago, while at World Youth Day in 2008, and it never crossed my mind that I might get shot. Perhaps dim thoughts of whether a great white shark roamed the shoreline, and certainly dreams of surfing. I did dive into the frigid Pacific briefly[…]
Servant of God Catherine de Hueck Doherty
Forty years ago today, on December 14, 1985, Catherine de Hueck Doherty‘s vagarious life came to its end in a cabin in the remote town of Combermere, Ontario. Born in Russia, and living through the rigours of the revolution, Catherine fled to Finland, then London, England – where she was received into the Catholic Church[…]
Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and men of violence take[…]
Musical Offering: Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending!
Say what you like about the early Methodists, but they could write some melodious hymns, and one of the greatest and most prolific is Charles Wesley (+1788), credited with some 6500 hymns to his name (!!). Yes, I know some of texts may be rather Protestant for our Catholic tastes – and we should re-appropriate[…]
Pope Benedict Reflects on Saint John of the Cross
BENEDICT XVI GENERAL AUDIENCE Paul VI Audience Hall Wednesday, 16 February 2011 [Video] Saint John of the Cross Dear Brothers and Sisters, Two weeks ago I presented the figure of the great Spanish mystic, Teresa of Jesus. Today I would like talk about another important saint of that country, a spiritual friend of St Teresa,[…]
Gaudete Sunday: The Baptist’s Joyful Humility
‘Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he’ (Mt. 11:11). Today is Gaudete Sunday and the sacred liturgy exhorts us to be joyful as we look forward to the coming celebration of Our[…]
Saint Lucy’s Luminous Light
It may be difficult to believe in these dark December days, but a scant week from now, once we pass the winter solstice, the days will begin getting slowly, but perceptibly, longer. The light, and the Light, of the world is not far off. Today we celebrate Santa Lucia, Saint Lucy, the saint of ‘light’,[…]
The Miraculous Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Video
In case you need further evidence that the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is miraculous, and truly that of the ‘Mother of God’, and our mother, this video offers much. A blessed feast to one and all. May Our Lady watch over the Americas, the unborn, the elderly, sick and vulnerable, and each of[…]
Prayer of Pope John Paul II to Our Lady of Guadalupe
O Immaculate Virgin, Mother of the true God and Mother of the Church!, who from this place reveal your clemency and your pity to all those who ask for your protection, hear the prayer that we address to you with filial trust, and present it to your Son Jesus, our sole Redeemer. Mother of Mercy, Teacher of hidden[…]