Living the Rule 
Stories and examples of how monastics and oblates live out the Rule in their daily lives.
This might be a rant, not sure, let me know
I was having a conversation with a man who called himself a ‘freethinker’. It is a funny term; seeming to imply that they are the only ones who think for themselves and that everyone else is I guess a ‘un-free-thinker’. Sort of like being a un-cola drink; were-in something important is missing, like intelligence. We… Read More ›
The beginning of the Year-Of-Mercy (Mercy/Wrath)
What is the essence of mercy? Or what is Infinite-Mercy? Sometimes when we meditate on how people express mercy, particularly loving parents; it may give us a small inkling into this mystery. Wrath is also an interesting concept that is often confused with the human emotions of rage and anger. While anger can be… Read More ›
When our true journey truly commences
“The Father who waits for us in order to cast off our garments of exhaustion, of apathy, of mistrust, so He can clothe us “with the dignity which only a true father or mother knows how to give their children, with the garments born of tenderness and love.”—Pope Francis Lent is a time of reflection,… Read More ›
We grow into something beautiful or monstrous
“God never violates our free will. It is up to us whether we want to receive God’s grace or not. It is up to us whether we will co-operate with it or waste it” (Faustina Diary, 1107). Today many try to deny that we are free, that we have a will that can be developed… Read More ›
Joy and freedom for me in Panama
The experience of the lightness-of-being I do believe that many of our pleasant memories of the past are often cleaned up so that we can enjoy them. I believe that is something good and studies have shown that nostalgic memories are very positive and help those who have them to have a more upbeat outlook… Read More ›
Connecting the parts of our lives
I enjoy customer service…I enjoy serving others. And now I use the word to serve God…a natural fit…to serve. I had not connected the two parts of my life…the two parts are now one; writing reveals. —Gail Bardis People who serve others because they truly desire to do so have found a great secret that… Read More ›
That faith finds expression in concrete everyday action
The spiritual and corporal works of mercy, the pontiff said, “remind us that faith finds expression in concrete everyday actions meant to help our neighbors in body and spirit: by feeding, visiting, comforting and instructing them. On such things will we be judged, —(Pope Francis) People are afraid of the concept of judgment. One reason… Read More ›
To change the world
To change the world we must be good to those who cannot repay us. ~Pope Francis When Christians forget that Christ identifies with all we meet; especially those who are overlooked and considered unimportant, it is then when we are absorbed into the cultures that we live in. When that happens, our ability to make change… Read More ›
A chance to trust
Each day gives us another chance to trust in the face of often opposing evidence. Trust is a choice, one that can break the chains of our own mental and emotional prisons. If we proclaim that our faith is real, then it is in the nitty-gritty everyday-ness that we walk, which is often a dark… Read More ›
Video: Can you do this?
Amazing footage of Friar Gabriel Cortes on a skateboard with the music of Salve Regina as the soundtrack. Well worth the two minutes AND something to share with anyone discerning a vocation — and how he does it all in monastic habit would challenge the best skateboarder! GRAND RAPIDS, MI (Catholic Online) – His videos are… Read More ›