A.M.D.G. In Dormitione Beatæ Mariæ Virginis [Sexta die infra Octavam S. Laurentii] Carissimi, Today we celebrate the “Dormition of the Mother of God”, or the “Falling asleep of the Blessed Virgin Mary” older titles for the feast more commonly known now as “the Assumption”. Fortunately our recent reflections may help us to understand the significance…
Category: Epistles
Sacrificium… (ii)
A.M.D.G. Quarta die infra Octavam S. Laurentii Commemoratio: Ss. Hippoliti et Cassiani Martyrum Carissimi, Yesterday’s reflection ended with the conclusion that the ministerial priesthood of the New Covenant replaces that of the Old Covenant, not to offer ritualistic sacrifices but to offer “the” ultimate atoning Sacrifice of Calvary through the high priesthood of Christ to…
Sacrificium…
A.M.D.G. Tertia die infra Octavam S. Laurentii Commemoratio: S. Clarae Virginis Carissimi, Sacrifice… St Lawrence, whom we celebrate this week with an Octave, gives us another insight ref the incarnational aspect of the priesthood and indeed of the Apostolic sharing of the “bitter cup”. St Ambrose of Milan says that Lawrence met His Holiness Sixtus…
Dies non…
A.M.D.G. S. Oswaldi, Regis et Mart. Commemoratio: In Vigilia S. Laurentii Martyris et S. Romano, Martyre Carissimi, A day off today in honour of the OSJV’s patronal yesterday and an opportunity to gather and summarise the thoughts of the last few days postings… Day 1 The invitation by Christ to the Apostles through the bishop, to…
Cogitationes meas… (iv)
A.M.D.G. S. Ioannis Mariæ Vianney Carissimi, Today is a very special feast day for me as it is the Patronal Feast of the Oratory of St John Vianney, the priestly fraternity that I belong to. It seems wholly appropriate then to continue reflecting on the priesthood as we have these past few days. I ended…
Cogitationes meas… (iii)
A.M.D.G. S. Donato, Episcopo et Martyre Carissimi, Continuing my reflections from my retreat… Yesterday I reflected on how the invitation by Christ to the Apostles, “…Are you able to drink the cup that I drink…?” [Mark 10:35-40; Matthew 20:20-23] is shared by bishops in the continuation of that same Apostolic ministry, and in turn is asked…
Cogitationes meas… (ii)
A.M.D.G. In Transfiguratione Domini Nostri Jesu Christi Carissimi, Continuing from yesterday, a sharing of my reflections whilst on retreat last month… July, like all the months of the year, is traditionally dedicated to a particular devotion. July is dedicated to the “Precious Blood” recalling the blood spilt in sacrifice by Christ upon the Cross. These…
Cogitationes meas…
A.M.D.G. S. Mariae ad Nives Carissimi, My thoughts are currently preoccupied with the upcoming ordinations fast approaching this Michaelmastide (actually, just prior, on St Matthew’s day) and the need to prepare particularly the deacons to be priested on this occasion. It happens to be a significant anniversary for me too, personally, and having just completed…
Deus avia: a pastoral letter on the Feast of St Anne 2013
A.M.D.G. S. Annae Matris B.M.V. Carissimi, “…God’s granny” is the affectionate colloquial term used by devotee’s of today’s saint, St Anne and follows a certain, perhaps over familial but logical consequence resulting from the decree of the Council of Ephesus in 431 of Mary as “Theotokos” i.e. the “Mother of God”. If Mary is “Mother…
