priest

The Ten Lepers: The Healing Power of Gratitude Brothers and sisters in Christ, In today's Gospel, we hear the story of ten lepers who encounter Jesus as He is traveling toward Jerusalem. They stand at a distance and cry out: “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” Jesus hears their cry and tells them, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they go, they are cleansed of their leprosy. But something very interesting happens. Out of the ten who were healed, only one returns to Jesus to give thanks. And Luke makes an important observation: the one who returned was a Samaritan, a foreigner. Jesus asks: “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine?” This question is not simply about good manners. It is a question about the human heart. It challenges us to examine our relationship with God. Let us reflect on three important lessons. 1. We are often very good at asking but not always good at thanking. Notice how all ten lepers prayed when they were suffering. They knew whe...

Homily on Matthew 25:1–13 “Keep Your Lamps Burning: Be Ready to Meet the Lord” My dear brothers and sisters, In today's Gospel, Jesus tells us the parable of the ten virgins who went out to meet the bridegroom. Five were wise, and five were foolish. All ten carried lamps, and all ten were waiting for the bridegroom. But there was one important difference: the wise brought extra oil, while the foolish did not. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, someone announced: "Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!" The five wise virgins were ready. They had enough oil for their lamps. But the foolish ones discovered that their lamps were going out, and they had no extra oil. Jesus concludes the parable with a very important warning: "Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour." What is Jesus teaching us through this parable? 1. All of us are waiting for the Bridegroom In biblical tradition, t...

“In a world of expanding barns, we are invited to become rich toward God.” Today is Monday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time. The Church also offers the optional memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests, and their companions, the North American Martyrs, or of Saint Paul of the Cross, priest and founder of the Passionists. The readings remain those of the weekday, yet the lives of these saints illuminate the Gospel’s call to radical detachment. The First Reading from Ephesians 2:1-10 proclaims the sheer gift of grace. Once we were dead in our transgressions, following the ruler of the power of the air and the desires of the flesh. But God, rich in mercy, made us alive together with Christ, raised us up, and seated us with him in the heavenly places. Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works, lest anyone boast. We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works prepared beforehand. The Responsorial Psalm answers with joyful recognitio...

The Litany of St. Benedict Lord, have mercy on us, Christ, have mercy on us. God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us. God, the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us. Holy Mary, Pray for us. Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us. Holy Virgin of virgins, Pray for us. Holy Father, Saint Benedict, Pray for us. Father most reverend, Pray for us. Father most renowned, Pray for us. Father most compassionate, Pray for us. Man of great fortitude, Pray for us. Man of venerable life, Pray for us. Man of the most holy conversation, Pray for us. True servant of God, Pray for us. Light of devotion, Pray for us. Light of prayer, Pray for us.  Light of contemplation, Pray for us. Star of the world, Pray for us. Best master of an austere life, Pray for us. Leader of the holy warfare, Pray for us. Leader and chief of monks, Pray for us. Master of those...

Admirable Saint and Doctor of Humility, you practiced what you taught, assiduously praying for God's glory and lovingly fulfilling all work for God and the benefit of all human beings. You know the many physical dangers that surround us today often caused or occasioned by human inventions. Guard us against poisoning of the body as well as of mind and soul, and thus be truly a "Blessed" one for us. Amen. Dear St. Benedict, you are a "blessing" indeed, as your name indicates. Practicing what you preached, you founded the monastic tradition of the West by joining prayer to labor for God---both liturgical and private prayer. Help all religious to follow their Rule and be true to their vocation. May they labor and pray for the world to the greater glory of God. Amen. Glorious St. Benedict, sublime model of virtue, pure vessel of God's grace! Behold me humbly kneeling at your feet. I implore you in your loving kindness to pray for me before t...

Grace and all-loving Father, out of love for all people you spoke Your Word who become flesh for our salvation. May Your Word transformed me so that the message of Your Son, our Lord, may be echoed through my teaching. Allow me to guide the hearts of those whom I teach in such a way that they will enter more deeply into your way of truth and salvation. Grant me the insight needed to lead them to know, love and serve you. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit , may they become hearers and followers of your Word, so that they might help transform the world to follow the way of life to which Your Son has called us all, for He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

Prayer for Our Priests Heavenly Father, I come to pray to you for our priests: our priests working in parishes or residence of retired people, our priests teaching at the seminary or at the university, our priests working in the diocesan offices, our priests in foreign missions, our religious priests. Heavenly Father, I glorify your holy name, I praise you, I thank you for these men whom you have given us as spiritual leaders, these men responsible for our Christian communities, our parish activities. Heavenly Father, I know that, just like us, they have their questions, their doubts, their hesitations. They say before their ordination and again after it: "Do I really have this vocation?" "Am I truly at the right place?" "Will I be able to preach, for I am shy?" "Shall I be able to pray my divine office with the load of activities?" "Am I not following a human ambition?" Be with them, Father, support them, giv...