31 May – Feast of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary This day is called the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary because on it Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, whom, as the angel had told her, God had blessed with a son in her old age. Explanation of the Canticle “Magnificat” In this hymn [...]
30 May Sobriety An alcoholic fell on his knees and cried out to God for help. God heard his cry, and in quite an extraordinary way he touched the man’s heart, and led him out of the bondage of his addiction. This was a dramatic spiritual experience for the man, who felt as if he [...]
29 May What is your treasure? The New York Times carried a story, some years ago, about a 90-year-old widow, who was found, close to starvation, in a run-down, rat-infested apartment. She had been well known in the neighbourhood as someone who as always seen rummaging in garbage cans for scraps, or collecting cardboard and [...]
28 May Saint Many years ago, in less civilized times, the punishment for crime was very, very severe. One man caught stealing sheep had the letters ST (sheep stealer) branded on his forehead for all to see. The man had a complete change of heart, and gave himself totally to God and to neighbour, and [...]
27 May – Pentecost Sunday The Day of Pentecost Today we celebrate the great day of Pentecost when Christ filled the Church with the power of his Spirit and sent it out into the world to bring his peace, joy and forgiveness to all mankind. – the Sunday Missal ____________________ Why No Temptations A boy [...]
26 May – Memorial for St. Philip Neri St. Philip Neri (1515-1595) came from a poor family, though he was related to Italian nobility. His father, Francisco Neri, worked as a notary, and his brother died in childhood, but his two sisters, Caterian and Elisabetta survived. He was a pious youth and was taught the [...]
25 May – Memorial for St. Bede the Venerable, priest; Memorial for St. Gregory, pope; Memorial for St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi, virgin St. Bede the Venerable (672-735) was born around the time England was finally completely Christianized. Raised from the age of seven in the abbey of Sts. Peter and Paul at Wearmouth-Jarrow, and [...]
24 May Good friends Dr. Joseph Matarazzo was head of the Medical Psychology Department of the University of Oregon. He would, of course, have been in great demand as a psychotherapist, and would have contributed a great deal to the furtherance of such science. On one occasion however, he is quoted as saying, “That more [...]
23 May With a little help from friends Mt. Ranier is a 14,000-foot mountain in Washington State. Some years ago, nine physically handicapped people succeeded in climbing to the summit. One had an artificial leg, five were blind, two were deaf, and one was an epileptic. In spite of all this, they climbed the mountain, [...]
22 May – Memorial for St. Rita of Cascia, religious St. Rita (1386-1457) was the daughter of Antonio and Amata Lotti; known as Peacemakers of Jesus, they had Rita late in life. From her early youth, Rita visited the Augustinian nuns at Cascia, and showed interest in a religious life. However, when she was 12, [...]
