The Visitation on the Blessed Virgin Mary

Almighty, ever-living God, you inspired the Blessed Virgin Mary, when she was carrying your Son, to visit Elizabeth. Grant that, always docile to the voice of the Spirit, we may, together with Our Lady, glorify your Name. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,  who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Wednesday, Easter VI

“In the Way of Perfection, we are allowed to hear St Teresa [of Avila] in intimate conversation with a beginner who has no idea how to ‘set about it’. Typically, and significantly, she directs her to the divine Companion who is present and lovingly intent upon her. Let her respond to this Friend; let her ponder on who He is, what He has done for her, how He has shown His incredible love, what He wants of her; let her treat Him with humble, tender intimacy. From the very start, without spending time on intellectual exercises, this beginner is directed ‘to relate to a Person’ and to reflect on He who is present. This musing is itself a prayer. Do not leave Him to go and think about Him! To do that would be as foolish as breaking from a lover’s arms to study his photograph and his curriculum vitae! This more objective form of meditation is indeed essential and must not be omitted, but, according to Teresa’s understanding, the hour set aside for prayer is not the time for it; that hour is for loving much, not thinking much. John of the Cross, too, sees that the heart of prayer ‘is the presence of God within the soul, a presence that is not static but an unceasing, positive loving that prepares us to receive ever more love, an action that is purifying, transforming, uniting.'” ~Sister Ruth Burrows, OCD


Tuesday, Easter VI

“What a joyous mystery is your presence within me, in that intimate sanctuary of my soul where I can always find you, even when I do not feel your presence.  Of what importance is feeling?  Perhaps you are all the closer when I feel you less.” ~Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity


Memorial Day (USA)

O Judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant that we may not rest until all the people of this land share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines. This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Saint Augustine of Canterbury

O God, who by the preaching of the Bishop Saint Augustine of Canterbury led the English peoples to the Gospel, grant, we pray, that the fruits of his labors may remain ever abundant in your Church. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Grant, almighty God, that we may celebrate with heartfelt devotion these days of joy, which we keep in honor of the risen Lord, and that what we relive in remembrance we may always hold to in what we do.Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

The Venerable Bede

O God, who bring light to your Church through the learning of the Venerable Bede, your holy Priest, mercifully grant that your servants may always be enlightened by his wisdom and helped by his merits. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Friday, Easter V

“A flower of a rose does not make a sound, but its fragrance disperses far in silence … So all Christians must live!” ~St. Theophan the Recluse

Thursday, Easter V

“So, brothers and sisters, come all to the church of God. Here you will be pleased with the word of God, which is better than gold and gemstones; here during the Divine liturgy you will be pleased with the saving recalls of the life of our Savior; here you will glorify God together with cherubims and seraphims; here, finally, you will commune with God as close as possible through His Blood and Body. Amen.” ~Saint John Chrysostom

Saint Christopher Magallanes and Companions

Almighty and eternal God, who made the Priest Saint Christopher Magallanes and his companions faithful to Christ the King even to the point of martyrdom, grant us, through their intercession, that, persevering in confession of the true faith, we may always hold fast to the commandments of your love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen