Vatican 2 Pope Benedict

I am now reading ‘How the Catholic Church can Restore our Culture ‘ by Archbishop Ganswein.. Pope Benedict was a man of the second Vatican Council.. It is often said that Vatican 11 was a postural council, not a doctrinal one.. but archbishop Ganswein says reflecting...

Synodal process and Peter apostles

Jesus asks His Apostles ‘who do people say that I am ?’ The answer some say ‘you are Elijah or one of the prophets’ but Jesus says to Peter ‘who do you say that I am?’ Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus...

St Therese Holy Face

St Therese lived a life of Hope. She saw beauty where other saw only ugliness.. In the book of Isiah we read ‘there was no beauty in Him’ this was a reference to Jesus in the Cross.. as Isaiah said ‘He was one from which men turn their eyes ‘ but St Therese saw beauty...

Art of dying

I just finished reading a book ‘The Art of Dying’ A 13th c book on the art of dying. Scripture says call no man happy till his end death. Life is either a comedy or a tragedy that is know at the end. A person might have lived a sinful wicked life but turns to God at...

Funeral of Pope Benedict

my thoughts … Over the last hundred years or so we have made saints or blessed most of the Popes of the last 100 years or so…. One priest said that St John Paul 11 spoke so well of ideas like freedom, human dignity… but Pope Benedict spoke only of Jesus. For Pope...

Holy Family

Feast of Holy Family In the Sacramentary it is called ‘Feast of Jesus Mary and Joseph’ I would argue just for this feast it ought to be called ‘Feast of Jesus Joseph and Mary’ Joseph is guardian of the Jesus and husband of Mary. And he is called in the Litany ‘Head of...

Feast of St Stephen

When I was assigned to St Patrick’s I lead a trip to the Holy Land.. we had an afternoon free.. and the tour guide pointed to the Church where St Stephen was Stoned to death.. This was about 18 years ago.. a bit less by a half a year or so.. but I remember the tour...

Hospital Charity

Hospital and charity…The Inn in the Gospel is an image of a hospital.. Pope Francis the Church is a field Hospital.. It was the Catholic Church that first gave us Hospitals. Jesus says ‘ A new commandment I give to unto you; Love one another as I have loved you, that...

Art of dying well

Art of dying well..Going Home..Mother Theresa said ‘Death is something beautiful: it means going home.’ And from Jim Towey book ‘To Love and be Loved.’ He writes ‘Hanging on the wall in Kalighat is a placard that read, ‘The Greatest Aim if Human Life is to die in...