A Reflection from “Leo XIV: Portrait of the First American Pope” by Matthew Bunson Augustine on the Lake In 1885, a man named Dorr Eugene Felt invented one of the earliest calculating machines, called the comptometer. In a way he never could have expected, nearly a century later, the wealth generated by this device would
A Reflection from “Icon of Trust” by Fr. Slawomir Szkredka Full of Grace The more we comprehend the significance attached to Mary’s yes, the more striking becomes her insignificance, that is, her insignificant standing in the social hierarchy. Again, comparison with Zechariah is very helpful. Zechariah’s status as a priest, his blameless observance of the
A Reflection from “The Kindgom of the Heart” by Dr. Alexander Harb Guarding Our Hearts To be constantly on the lookout for sinful or distracting thoughts and impulses is called nepsis, or watchfulness. This concept is discussed by virtually all of the Eastern Fathers—most famously, perhaps, by St. John Climacus in The Ladder of Divine
A Reflection from “Prayer as a Weapon” by Jesse Romero Angels Fight Demons for Us When We Pray Demons are attracted to faithlessness, disorder, and the unclean. Warning of their ability to get to us when we are not disciplined, not paying attention, and not being vigilant in our watch against them, noted exorcist Fr.
There is something in the name of Jesus that is awesome and fascinating. Hence, the quiver of an intercessor cannot be complete without it. The name of Jesus is the seat of authority. St. Paul highlights the power that is intrinsically connected with this name when he says: “Therefore God has highly exalted Him and
A Reflection from “The Eucharistic Visions of St. Frances of Rome” by St. Frances of Rome St. Frances of Rome’s Vision of Heaven On a certain day, St. Frances, the handmaid of God, received the Most Holy Body of Christ with the greatest prayerful reverence and awe. This took place in the small but beautiful
A Reflection from “The Cries of Jesus from the Cross” by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Anger, Forgiveness, and the Crucifixion Our Blessed Lord came to make reparation for the sin of anger, first by teaching us a prayer: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”; and then by giving us
A Reflection from “Remain in Me and I in You” by Fr. Wayne Sattler Mental Prayer and Hearing the Word of God Meditation is also referred to as mental prayer. Mental prayer, St. Teresa of Avila writes, “is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with
A Reflection from “God’s Influencer” by Andrea Acutis and Antonia Salzano Carlo Acutis’s Plan of Life Carlo was mature as a child and mature as an adolescent. He didn’t waste time, but rather used it in the best way possible. Carlo always repeated that time and life are a gift that God gives us to
A Reflection from “40 Days, 40 Ways to Pray” by Jonah Soucy Why We Fast The reason that followers of Jesus fast has several layers. As we begin to peel them back, we find that, at its core, fasting is first and foremost meant to be an experience of prayer. Fasting is meant to draw