

Dear Angel at my side, my good and loyal friend, you have been with me since the moment I was born. You are my own personal guardian, given me by God as my guide and protector, and you will stay with me till I die. He who created you and me gave me to you as your particular charge. You assisted in great joy at my baptism, when I became part of the Mystical Body of Christ, and was made a member of the household of God and an heir of heaven. You saw the dangers that beset my path, and, if I …
Read MoreBeing an observant Jewish couple, it stands to reason that Mary and Joseph went to the Temple for Mary’s purification—as prescribed by Mosaic Law—40 days after Jesus’ birth. The blessing of candles and the procession of light were added to this feast, giving it the popular name “Candlemas.”
Read MoreIt’s so sad to watch parents s*ck the joy out of things their kids enjoy. So many kids would be delighted playing school sports in a casual, fun environment, but because their parents don’t want them to unless they’re going to be the best at them, many kids don’t even bother playing sports in the first place. There are kids who love to do theater for fun, but their parents make the experience miserable by giving them notes and picking apart their performance before they ever even get onstage. You would think that these parents would be happy that their kid has an extracurricular activity they enjoy, but that’s not good enough in this highly competitive world. Even if you’re not looking at it from a competitive or extracurricular angle, it is incredibly easy for a parent or guardian to take joyful and harmless things away from their dependents.
Christ looks not to the work of praying but to the heart of the prayer. Hugh Latimer The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall exult in the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 29:19 The Revised Standard Version We never test the resources of God until we attempt […]
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Read MoreSaint Gregory of Nyssa, the brother of Saint Basil and the son of Saints Basil and Emmilia, was a married man when he began studying for the priesthood. He became Bishop of Nyssa and fought Arianism and was a prominent figure at the Council of Constantinople.
Read MoreAs believers, we need to reaffirm our commitment to moral purity and to private lives that are absolutely free of secret sins. Charles Swindoll You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11 The New International Version […]
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Read MoreMary’s divine motherhood broadens the Christmas spotlight. Hers role as mother of God places her in a unique position in God’s redemptive plan.
Read MoreFather of our Lord Jesus Christ, ever faithful to your promises and ever close to your Church: the earth rejoices in hope of the Savior’s coming and looks forward with longing to his return at the end of time. Prepare our hearts and remove the sadness that hinders us from feeling the joy and hope which his presence will bestow, for he is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.
Read MoreGod of power and mercy, open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy, so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Read MoreLord God, may we, your people, who look forward to the birthday of Christ experience the joy of salvation and celbrate that feast with love and thanksgiving. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Read MoreFirst Sorrow and Joy
O most pure Spouse of Mary,
glorious St. Joseph,
as the affliction and anguish of thy heart
was exceedingly great in thy perplexity,
whether thou shouldst abandon thy most unspotted Spouse,
so was the joy unspeakable when,
by an Angel,
the sublime Mystery of the Incarnation was revealed to thee.
By this sorrow and joy,
we beseech thee that now,
and in our last agony,
thou mayest comfort our souls by the joy of a good life
and a holy death, …
Real true faith is man’s weakness leaning on God’s strength. D. L. Moody “For the mountains shall depart And the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” Says the Lord, who has mercy on you. Isaiah 54:10 The New King James Version I […]
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Read MoreIt’s no secret that the holidays are always chaotic, especially if you’re hosting. Between juggling meal prep, keeping guests entertained, and making sure everyone doesn’t argue over politics at the dinner table, it can feel like you’re never going to make it through the season. But in the spirit of giving, let’s not forget about the real stars of the holidays. Our pets. Whether they’re begrudgingly wearing reindeer antlers for the family photo or tearing into the presents you bought specifically for them, our furry friends are a crucial part of the festivities.
If you’re like me, you probably go out of your way to find the perfect holiday gift for your pet—a squeaky toy, a cozy blanket, or maybe just a giant bone. But what happens when someone decides to mess with your fur baby’s holiday joy? That’s exactly what happened to one woman whose brother’s family “borrowed” her dog’s favorite toy he’s had since puppyhood. Now, with the toy still missing a year later, she’s put her foot down and told them they’re not welcome this Christmas. Was she right to protect her dog’s happiness, or did she take things too far? Keep scrolling for the full story.
Saint Francis Xavier was won over to Christ by the gentle persuasion of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. He then joined the Jesuits and soon after set off for the East, where he labored the rest of his life. Xavier was on his way to China when he died in 1552.
Read MoreBlessed are You, loving Father,
For all your gifts to us.
Blessed are You for giving us family and friends
To be with us in times of joy and sorrow,
To help us in days of need,
And to rejoice with us in moments of celebration..
Father,
We praise You for Your Son Jesus,
Who knew the happiness of family and friends,
And in the love of Your Holy Spirit.
Blessed are you for ever and ever.
Amen.
Read MoreI take a walk every day, by faith and meditation, to mount Calvary; there is nothing like it. Matthew Henry Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Psalm 105:3 The Revised Standard Version A positive thing; in Joy one does not only feel secure, but something goes […]
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Read MoreKelly Lambert: We crafted our first rodent car from a plastic cereal container. After trial and error, my colleagues and I found that rats could learn to drive forward by grasping a small wire that acted like a gas pedal. Before long, they were steering with surprising precision to reach a Froot Loop treat. As expected, rats housed in enriched environments – complete with toys, space and companions – learned to drive faster than those in standard cages. This finding supported the idea that complex environments enhance neuroplasticity: the brain’s ability to change across the lifespan in response to environmental…
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Read More[allAfrica] Cape Town — allAfrica’s Juanita Williams and Joy Basu, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of African Affairs, overseeing Economics and Regional Affairs across Sub-Saharan Africa, discussed the work of the Digital Transformation With Africa (DTA) project, which is coming up for its two-year anniversary in December 2024, how DTA chooses its partners, and how AI is not a panacea for the challenges the continent faces. Basu is in Cape Town for the Africa Tech Festival, and Williams spoke with her
Read More(Name) and (Name),
May God bless you and grant you joy.
May He deepen your love for each other.
May He bless you + in your family and friends,
And lead you to unending happiness in Heaven.
May Almighty God,
Father, Son, + and Holy Spirit,
Bless us all,
And keep us in His love for ever and ever.
Amen.
Read MoreO God,
by whose mercy the faithful departed find rest,
look kindly on your departed veterans who gave their
lives in the service of their country.
Grant that through the passion, death, and resurrection of your Son
they may share in the joy of your heavenly kingdom
and rejoice in you with your saints forever.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Heavenly Father, Almighty God,
I humble myself before your Presence.
What a joy it is to come to you.
I thank you and I praise your infinite Majesty,
Omnipotence and Perfections.
Please forgive me of all my sins.
Lord I come to you in my nothingness.
I want to worship you and adore you,
to love you with all my heart,
with all my mind,
with all my soul
and with all my strength.
I want to burn with desire for you like an angel.
I need you my Lord,
I am …
Attending a church in their first public appearance since arriving in Australia, King Charles and Queen Camilla have been greeted by royalists and protesters.
Read MoreGlorious St. Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my many sins; to work with thankfulness and joy, considering it an honor to employ and develop, by means of labor, the gifts received from God; to work with order, peace, prudence and patience, never surrendering to weariness or difficulties; to work, above all, with purity of intention, and with detachment from self, having always death before my …
Read MoreFrustrated in their attempts to enter religious life, Louis Martin and Zélie Guérin married and had nine children. Their youngest child, who entered a Carmelite convent at 15, became Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, affectionately known as the Little Flower.
Read MoreA conversation with Patrick Hastings: writer, educator, bibliophile, and the new Education Outreach Specialist in the Rare Book and Special Collections Division.
Read MoreClaudio was the youngest of nine children whose father died when the boy was only nine years old. At the age of 15 he entered the army where he served for three years. Eventually Claudio joined the Franciscans, and was known for his artistic abilities.
Read MoreA reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 1 Cor 1:26-31
Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters. Not many of you were…
I.
Come, virgins chaste; pure brides, draw near:
Let Earth exult and Heaven hear
The Hymn that grateful accents raise,
Our song of joy in Rita’s praise.
II.
By fast her sinless frame is weak;
Her livid flesh the scourges streak.
In pity for her Savior’s woes,
Her days and even nights are closed.
III.
The thorn-wound on her brow is shown,
The crimson rose in winter blown,
And full-ripe figs on frozen tree
At Rita’s wish the wonders see.
IV.
The widowed spouse …
We thank you, O God,
for the Love You have implanted in our hearts.
May it always inspire us to be kind in our words,
considerate of feeling,
and concerned for each other’s needs and wishes.
Help us to be understanding and forgiving
of human weaknesses and failings.
Increase our faith and trust in You
and may Your Prudence guide our life and love.
Bless our Marriage O God,
with Peace and Happiness,
and make our love fruitful for Your glory
and our Joy both here and in eternity.
Saint Ephrem was ordained a deacon, but refused ordination to the priesthood. He was a teacher, defender of the faith, and a prolific writer. He refuted many heresies of his day, often through the lyrics of hymns that he wrote.
Read MoreToday’s feast is about both two women and two men. The Blessed Virgin Mary goes to visit Elizabeth to assist her in her final days of pregnancy. But as she greets Elizabeth, the babe in Elizabeth’s womb—John the Baptist—leaps for joy at the presence of Jesus in Mary’s womb. Great mysteries of life are at play here.
Read MoreA reading from the Letter of Peter 1 Pt 2:2-5, 9-12
Beloved: Like newborn infants, long for pure spiritual milk so that through it you may grow…
Saint Bernardine of Siena seems to have been a man with a whole lot of energy. He preached, reconciled cities, fought heresy, and attracted great crowds. Bernardine always traveled by foot, and often preached in more than one city on a given day. He is best known today for his great devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus.
Read MoreA reading from the Letter of James Jas 4:1-10
Beloved: Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from…
First reading from the Acts of the Apostles Acts 2:1-11
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there…
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles Acts 20:28-38
At Miletus, Paul spoke to the presbyters of the Church of Ephesus: “Keep watch over yourselves and…
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles Acts 1:15-17, 20-26
Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers and sisters (there was a group of…
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles Acts 18:23-28
After staying in Antioch some time, Paul left and traveled in orderly sequence through the Galatian country…
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles Acts 18:9-18
One night while Paul was in Corinth, the Lord said to him in a vision, “Do not…
O loving messenger of the Incarnation, descend upon all those for whom I wish peace and happiness. Spread your wings over the cradles of the new-born babes, O thou who didst announce the coming of the Infant Jesus.
Give to the young a lily petal from the virginal scepter in your hand. Cause the Ave Maria to re-echo in all hearts that they may find grace and joy through Mary.
Finally, recall the sublime words spoken on the day of the Annunciation– “Nothing is impossible with God,” and …
Read MoreA reading from the Acts of the Apostles Acts 18:1-8
Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of…
First reading from the Acts of the Apostles Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48
When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, paid him homage. Peter,…
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles Acts 15:7-21
After much debate had taken place, Peter got up and said to the Apostles and the presbyters,…
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles Acts 15:1-6
Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to…
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles Acts 15:1-6
Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to…
Glorious St. Joseph,
model of all those who are devoted to labour,
obtain for me the grace to work conscientiously,
putting the call of duty above my many sins;
to work with thankfulness and joy,
considering it an honour to employ and develop,
by means of labour,
the gifts received from God;
to work with order,
peace, prudence and patience,
never surrendering to weariness or difficulties;
to work, above all,
with purity of intention,
and with detachment …