Our Love and God’s Love

Someone may be uncongenial to me, but if I remember the words of Saint John of the Cross: ‘Put love where there is none, and you will reap love’, my love will go out to meet him in the attempt to provoke response. But still, I am not able by my love alone to produce …

Pope Francis on Blessed Charles and the Mystery of Nazareth

It’s a bit old (since when is this blog “up to date”?), but here are some comments from Pope Francis which highlight Blessed Charles de Foucauld and “Nazareth” spirituality: Charles de Foucauld, perhaps like few others, grasped the import of the spirituality which radiates from Nazareth. This great explorer hastily abandoned his military career, attracted …

Measure for Measure

The measure of a man’s love for God depends upon how deeply aware he is of God’s love for him. Diadochus of Photiki (Orthodox saint, c. 450–c. 500)

Breath of Goodness

Modern society is drowning in the sorrows of human passion and is distancing itself from every ideal of love and peace. Catholics, we and you, must bring the breath of goodness that can only spring from faith in Christ. Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901–1925)

The Fecundity of the Mystery of the Cross

Our vocation is eternal life… Christians are called to rise to the challenge of their age by witnessing to the force of life and the fecundity of the mystery of the Cross, in its opening onto the Resurrection. Georges Cardinal Cottier (1922–2016)

Given Wholly, Times Two

God refuses to force our will. He takes what we give Him. And so He will not give Himself wholly until we have given ourselves wholly to Him. Saint Teresa of Jesus

Responding to Mysteries with Mysteries

To the mystery of suffering, there is only one answer that succeeds in getting to the heart, and that is the example of Christ. The answer is to respond to this mystery with mysteries that are ten times as incomprehensible. Charles Cardinal Journet (1891–1975)

Another Humanity or Another Member?

One of Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity’s favourite phrases was “another humanity.” She, by the transforming power of grace, would become “another humanity” for Christ to live on earth. Jesus would be present, not hypostatically or in the same Person as the Word, but nonetheless really present by grace in her and to the world …

Daily Light and Warmth

The Mass is like the sun which daily illumines and warms all Christian life. Saint John Fisher

Holding the Just Balance

Adversities teach us and aid us to hold the just balance. Saint Paul of the Cross