ST PIO OF PIETRELCINA, P. (Memorial) White Francesco Forgione, Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, entered the novitiate of the Capuchin friars at age 15, and was ordained at age 22 in 1910. While praying before a cross, he received the stigmata, the first priest ever to be so blessed. He would hear confessions by the hour, … [Read more…]
First Reading: Eccl 1:2-11; Psalm: 90. R. v. 1; Gospel: Lk 9:7-9 THE HUMAN CONSCIENCE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “Don’t say those words that will hurt people. Don’t do those things that will hurt people. The things you say today will come and haunt you tomorrow. The things you do today will come … [Read more…]
SS ANDREW KIM TAEGON & COMPANION, M. (Memorial) Red During the 19th century, Andrew Kim Tae-gon was Korea’s first native priest, and the first priest to die for the faith in Korea. As leader of the community, Andrew was tortured and beheaded in 1846 at Seoul, Korea. Also martyred was Paul Chong Hasang, a layman, … [Read more…]
First Reading: Prov 3:27-34; Psalm: 15. R. v. 1b; Gospel: Lk 8:16-18 SHINE OUT BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP In the ancient Jewish architecture, houses are usually windowless. Rooms at night can be so dark that nothing was visible. But with a lamp made of clay a whole room was illumined. Jesus used this … [Read more…]
First Reading: 1Cor 15:35-37. 42-49; Psalm: 56. R. v. 14cd; Gospel: Lk 8:4-15 IDENTIFYING THE OBSTACLES TO GOD’S WORD BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP What are the obstacles that hinder the word of God from bearing fruit in us? It is important we pay attention to them because God is more concerned with the … [Read more…]
SS CORNELIUS, PP & CYPRIAN, B.M. (Memorial) Red Cornelius was the 21st Pope elected during the period when persecutions were so bad that papal ascension was often a death sentence. He worked for unity in a time of schism and apostasy. Cornelius fought Novatianism, a heresy that held that the lapsed Christian might not be … [Read more…]
OUR LADY OF SORROWS (Memorial) White First Reading: 1Cor 15:1-11; Psalm: 118. R. v. 1; Gospel: Jn 19:25b-27 THE SEVEN SORROWS OF MARY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP It was at the wedding at Cana that Jesus first addressed his mother with the title ‘woman.’ At the foot of the cross he addressed his … [Read more…]
ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, B.D. (Memorial) White He is one of the most famous orators of his day. Because of his eloquent sermons, John earned the title “Chrysostom” (golden mouthed). John explained the scripture with clarity and they were always on point and sometimes went on for hours. He was made bishop of Constantinople in 398. … [Read more…]
First Reading: 1Cor 11:17-26. 33; Psalm: 40. R. v. 1Cor 11:26b; Gospel: Lk 7:1-10 THE POWER OF INTERCESSION BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The centurion in the gospel of today was in great need. He wanted his servant to get well and he knew he could get what he wanted from Jesus. But there … [Read more…]
First Reading: 1Cor 10:14-22; Psalm: 116. R. v. 17a; Gospel: Lk 6:43-49 THE MOUTH SPEAKS FOR THE HEART BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “. . . for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Lk 6:45). Sometimes what we say betrays us. There are times we do not wish to divulge … [Read more…]
