Work of God 
Articles related to the first work of God: Prayer. These include both the public prayer of the Church, private prayers, and methods of praying.
Rosary Advice from Louis de Montfort (part 2)
(continued from yesterday) With Attention (Forty-Second Rose) When praying the rosary it is important to concentrate on the prayers being prayed and the mystery being contemplated. As De Montfort wittingly notes, “How can we expect God to listen to us if we ourselves do not pay attention to what we are saying?” It would be… Read More ›
Rosary Advice from Louis de Montfort (part 1)
Study the lives of the saints and you will discover each had a sincere devotion to the mother of God. Their expression of devotion may come from their prayers, homilies, or treatises. Of the great Marian saints, St. Louis de Montfort, should come to mind, who died on this date 300 years ago (April 28,… Read More ›
Passing of Our Holy Father Benedict
The same year in which he departed this life, he told the day of his holy death to his monks, some of which did live daily with him, and some dwelt far off, willing those that were present to keep it secret, and telling them that were absent by what token they should know that… Read More ›
Padre Pio, Bernard of Clairvaux, and the Shoulder Wound of Christ
Two great saints were prayerfully, and painfully, devoted to a wound of Christ’s Passion, “not recorded by men…” What do medieval mystic St. Bernard of Clairvaux and modern monk St. Padre Pio have in common? Well, they’re both saints, sharing in the eternal reward which God has prepared for them. But beyond that, both had… Read More ›
Before the Jesus Prayer
After almost 1600 years, John Cassian’s instructions for meditative prayer remain as relevant — and useful — as ever. “God, come to my assistance.” “Lord, make haste to help me.” Several times today, throughout the world, monks, nuns, clergy and laypersons of the Christian faith, across several denominations, will pray these words, usually at the… Read More ›
5 Reasons to Pray the Divine Office Daily
If I were to ask someone, “what is the public prayer of the Church,” I would typically get the answer of the Rosary. While the Rosary is a great devotion, the Church names a different prayer the “public prayer of the church:” “The divine office, because it is the public prayer of the Church, is… Read More ›
Feast of the Magi (Epiphany 2016)
Outside of the Jewish faith, three men who sought wisdom all the days of their lives, seeking the light, truth and wisdom, followed the Star over the land facing danger, discomfort and even death. O Lord, that we may also seek truth and wisdom without rancor towards others and not allowing fear or anxiety to… Read More ›
The “O” Antiphons
The Roman Church has been singing the “O” Antiphons since at least the eighth century. They are the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17-23. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as… Read More ›
Prayer of the Novena of the Immaculate Conception
Immaculate Virgin Mary, you were pleasing in the sight of God from the first moment of your conception in the womb of your mother, St. Anne. You were chose to be the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I believe the teaching of holy Mother the Church, that in the first instant of… Read More ›
Do Souls in Purgatory Return from the Dead?
We don’t hear a lot about purgatory these days, and that’s a shame, because most of us will be very lucky to slip in there rather than dropping straight into hell. And lest anyone complain that God is mean or judgmental in sending people to hell, it is well to remember that it’s entirely our… Read More ›