Harvesting The Fruits of Contemplation

There is confusion among some Catholics these days – no doubt planted by the Evil One, who fears the Blessed Mother and the power of her Rosary. Some would have us believe that recitation of the Rosary is an antiquated devotion no longer relevant or needed in current times. Nothing could be further from the truth as can be seen by the Blessed Mother’s promise to St. Dominic and Blessed Alan de Roche and as she herself re-emphasized to the children at Fatima: - Whoever shall faithfully serve me  by the recitation of the Rosary, shall receive powerful graces.  - I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary. - The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies - It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts ...

[I originally shared this post three years ago. St. Louis Bertrand is the Patron Saint of our Lay Dominican Chapter.] St. Louis Bertrand, O.P. (1526-1581)             His early years – On January 1, 1526, one hundred and seven years after the death of St. Vincent Ferrer, another Dominican saint was born in Valencia – St. Louis Bertrand.   He was actually baptized in the same Church and font in which St. Vincent had been baptized. Louis’s father, John, was related to and had an ardent devotion to Saint Vincent . He passed that devotion to his son – one which Louis treasured throughout his life.             Louis has been described as “a fretful child and nothing seemed to comfort him except the sight of the holy images in the churches”. (Wilberforce 15)   However, at an early age, he dedicated himself to the service of God and his studies. He lear...

It is time to thank Allison Gingras and Elizabeth Riordan for inviting an ever-expanding group of Catholic bloggers to re-post their favorite articles on It’s "Worth Revisiting” Wednesdays. Do yourself a favor: Go there now (and every Wednesday) and let these authors bless and challenge you in your Faith journey. Be sure to visit Allison at   Reconciled To You and Elizabeth at Theology Is A Verb during the rest of the week.   Here is my contribution this week: Some Thoughts On Luke's Gospel - Yes Mildred, You Are Both Rich And Poor! (Originally posted on February 28, 2013) We need a reality check! By any objective measure, most of us living in the U.S. are rich – materially rich beyond the experiences of the majority of the rest of the people who inhabit this planet. The median household income in this country, we are told, is just over $50,000.   Yet, we in America never seem to be satisfied with all that we do have and never tire of wanting mor...

(Photo©Michael Seagriff) My Eucharistic Jesus, I love You more now that I hide myself so that You may appear... now that I conceal myself so that You may reign... now that I am nothing so that You maybe everything. I love You more, much more, adorable Jesus... now that I have died to earth's vanities... now that, with Your grace, I have moved away from worldly things... now that I have renounced being something that was not trash... now that I have stood in the shade so that others could shine! I love You more now that I keep my soul clean.., now that I am voluntarily poor... now that I obey and crucify myself to please You. Is it not true, my Jesus, that all of this is the fruit of solitude, and that at the foot of Your Sacrament one enjoys an intimacy that is unknown to the world because of its purity? Here, let me say it very near to You, Jesus of my life! Caresses and tenderness flow night and day in the midst of pain and tears.... Here my sighs bur...

I am honored to be the guest of Elizabeth Reardon on her radio show “An Engaging Faith” this Tuesday, October 6, 2015 from 4 to 5 PM EST. Please pray for us and consider listening on Breadbox Media . We will be talking about my Faith Journey, Eucharistic Adoration, Lay Dominicans, Prison Ministry and my books. God willing it will be an interesting conversation. If the time is not convenient, go back to Breadbox Media later and listen to a podcast of the show. May God use us to touch hearts and stir souls.

What do demons, swine and an unwelcoming town have to do with the Eucharist? The Gospel read at Mass one day during my recent silent retreat was from Mathew (8:28-34) – a passage many of us have read or heard numerous times. Although the Eucharist is never mentioned, on this particular day the Apostle’s words drew me to that Mysterious Gift. Let me explain. (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons ) As you will recall, Jesus crossed over from Galilee into the mostly Gentile area of the Gadarenes. He and His disciples approached a field where a large herd of swine were feeding. There Jesus encountered two demon possessed men who made travel on this particular road impossible. The demons within these men immediately recognized Jesus as the Son of God. It had to be excruciatingly painful for these evil spirits to remain in His Presence. They begged Jesus to send them into the nearby herd of swine. “Out with you!” Jesus commanded. They entered the swine and the entire he...

A Priest you must meet. He gave his earthly life for the souls he treasured and sought to save. Read this short article on his life . Then take a look at this short video from Real Life TV: