7+ hour ago  (220+ words) Above: Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery (He That Is Without Sin?) by Vasily Polenov(18441927). If she, my liege, can make me know this clearly, I'll love her dearly, ever, ever dearly. (V. iii. 315316) That is a terrible rhyme, and the…...

13+ hour, 8+ min ago  (200+ words) Above: Noli me tangere by Alexander Andreyevich Ivanov (1806-1858). This text is taken from'The Liturgical Year, authored by'Dom Prosper Gueranger (1841-1875). The Introit is taken from the Book of Wisdom. It tells us of the heavenly'eloquence'of the Apostles, who, at first, were'dumb'and…...

1+ day, 7+ hour ago  (362+ words) This is Part I of a two-part series. It is very important to note that there is some fluidity between these levels and the length of time a person spends in each one. Some levels one always experiences, whereas other…...

1+ day, 8+ hour ago  (640+ words) Above: The Miraculous Catch of Fish by Painting by Joachim Beuckelaer, 1563. This text is taken from'The Liturgical Year, authored by'Dom Prosper Gueranger (1841-1875) Having reached the opposite shore, the Israelites see Pharaoh and his army, their shields and their chariots, buried…...

2+ day, 8+ hour ago  (815+ words) Above: Peace be upon you! The Appearance of Christ to the Apostles by A. Mironov The people of Israel are slaves to the cruel Pharaoh. Their bondage is the heaviest that can be. Their male children are about to be put…...

3+ day, 12+ hour ago  (330+ words) Above: Supper at Emmaus by Caravaggio (1601). In order fully to understand the Liturgy of the whole Easter Octave (Low Sunday included), we must remember that the neophytes were formerly present, vested in their white garments, at the Mass and Divine…...

3+ day, 5+ hour ago  (528+ words) Three centuries ago, on April 6, 1726, Saint Gerard Majella was born'one of the most beloved and venerated saints of Southern Italy. Canonized in 1904 by Pope Saint Pius X, Gerard is now revered as the patron saint of mothers, children, and his…...

4+ day, 8+ hour ago  (482+ words) This text is taken from'The Liturgical Year, authored by'Dom Prosper Gueranger (1841-1875) We will resume our history of the resurrection when we come to the hour of each apparition. It is now time for us to unite with the Church in…...

4+ day, 7+ hour ago  (1028+ words) Happy Easter! Cleanse the leaven!" Standing spiritually at Santa Maria Maggiore on Easter morning, we are invited to imagine the Mother who on Calvary saw the Body of her Son scourged, pierced, lifeless, now seeing Him risen, glorious, deathless. The…...

4+ day, 23+ hour ago  (821+ words) Father Weiser in the "Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs" echoes these sentiments and shows the importance of Easter customs since times immemorial: It is fitting that this most holy of celebrations be enhanced with customs by the faithful. And…...