Today we commemorate Saints Zechariah and Elizabeth, the parents of Saint John the Baptist. Though not officially on the universal Roman Calendar, Catholic tradition cherishes their memory, drawing from the Gospel of Luke (chapters 1–2), which recounts their faith, patience, and openness to God’s plan. Zechariah, a priest of the Temple, and Elizabeth, a woman
Year II. The task of the disciple is double, says St Paul: Let God do his work in you, and bear witness to the world. If they can do that, the work of Paul among them will not have been in vain. Gospel. Jesus stresses that Christians must follow Jesus radically, consistently. They must know
Year II. In today’s first reading, we hear two stanzas from a beautiful hymn to Christ. It may be of Syrian origin and was probably used in the liturgy. It sums up Christ and his work in a few concise terms: divine, yet in the humble condition of a servant, a human being; crucified but
Greeting (See Rom 8:38-39) Neither death nor life, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, nor any created thing can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord. May this risen Lord be always with you. R/ And also with you. Introduction by the Celebrant Death will
Today’s saint, Charles Borromeo, embodies the Church’s renewal. As the nephew of the Pope, he rose through the abuses of his time to become a cardinal, secretary of state, and archbishop of Milan; at the age of 22, he was capable and not part of any corruption. He played an important role in the final stages of the
Greeting (Rom 1, 7) To all of you who are God’s beloved and called to be saints, grace and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord’s peace stay with you. R/ And also with you. Introduction by the Celebrant On this celebration of All Saints, we ask ourselves: What
Saint John Henry Newman was born on 21 February 1801 in London, England. As an Anglican clergyman for over twenty years he won renown as a preacher and theologian. A Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford, he became one of the leaders of the Oxford Movement and a prominent figure in the Church of England. On
Year II. Paul’s imprisonment and difficulties matter very little, provided Christ be proclaimed. Christ is Paul’s life in his sufferings and his joys, in life and in death. Gospel. Our Lord invites us to his table. He knows we are people with faults, people who have hurt him and others through the wrong we have
Year II. Although written from prison, Paul’s letter to the Philippians, which begins today, overflows with warmth and joy. The Christians of Philippi are a good community. Yet Paul prays that, by God’s grace, their love may continue to grow toward the perfect goodness found in Christ. Gospel. This goodness is shown in practice. When
Year II. Ephesians tells us, in the words of Paul, how he was boldly and confidently facing the powers of evil. Paul is in prison for the gospel. He asks his Christians to pray that he may have the courage to speak out for the gospel, and he himself prompts the faithful to stand strong
