…bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Today marks a beautiful turning point in the history of the abbey and high school at Portsmouth Abbey in Portsmouth, RI, with the first celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM). It is very likely the first TLM since Vatican II reform of the Liturgy. Today’s TLM came from the desires of some of the […]
One my favorite things to do is to make a daily visit with our animals be it the chickens, pigs, cows, or the many hives of honey bees. Much effort goes into providing a good life for these team players with the land and our health. We collaborate with the animals and bees in co-creating […]
Although the blessing took place during the Lenten season, it equally speaks well to the season of Easter. The Blessing of seeds happened on the Solemnity of St. Benedict (March 21) at Portsmouth Abbey. The blessing was prayed by Prior Michael Brunner before Vespers. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat […]
The Jesus Prayer Of all the lectures either in person or recorded offered by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware, this interview is gold. Sharing it here because I believe what Ware says is important for the spiritual life. Spotlight Quote: “What do we mean by ‘silence’? It can be thought of negatively: just a pause between words, […]
Today’s the liturgical memorial of Blessed Maria Assunta Pallotta (1878-1905), a missionary sister with the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary. A biographer notes that Blessed Maria Assunta was happy to be assigned to do farmwork —working with chickens, goats and the pigs. I can relate to her happiness in this service. What was striking was her […]
“The Harrowing of Hell” by Scottish poet George Mackay Brown, a perfect beginning meditation for Holy Saturday. He went down the first step. His lantern shone like the morning star. Down and round he went Clothed in his five wounds. Solomon whose coat was like daffodils Came out of the shadows. He kissed Wisdom there, […]
Pope Benedict XVI celebrating Palm Sunday with Archbishop Georg Gänswein and one of Memores Domini (March 28, 2021). Blessed Holy Week
“May Palm Sunday be a day of decision for you, the decision to say yes to the Lord and to follow him all the way, the decision to make his Passover, his death and resurrection, the very focus of your Christian lives. It is the decision that leads to true joy “Rejoice in the Lord […]
The Churches honor the great missionary bishop and preacher of Jesus Christ, Patrick. His famous Litany is noted below which is rich scope and detail reflecting a deep relationship with the Holy Trinity. Most Christians only acknowledge one member of the Trinity forgetting the perichoresis which exists. We Catholics and Orthodox, as a point of […]
Conscience demands uncompromising honesty, and that is why it is an integral component of authentic prayer. When we consciously enter the presence of God, it is imperative that we do so as we are, and not with a persona. This means being alert to any sort of self-deception we may bring to prayer, because God […]