The Seed
A Future Full of Hope
Posted by St. Henry Cluster
Two weeks ago, the communion antiphon at Mass was taken from Psalm 34: 6: “Look toward the Lord and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed.” As I listened to our cantors and choirs intone this antiphon, it occurred to me that looking toward the Lord is ... Read More »
Sacred Stillness, a Correction, and an Encouragement
Posted by St. Henry Cluster
Romano Guardini was a German theologian (of obviously Italian descent), who wrote extensively on the liturgy. He once said, “if someone were to ask me what the liturgical life begins with, I should answer: with learning stillness.” Liturgical life begins with learning stillness. That’s something worth considering. We ... Read More »
At the Service of Life and Love
Posted by St. Henry Cluster
For many Americans the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down both Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v Casey was welcomed with joy and relief. We feel that a “people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” and upon this land that had been so gloom-ridden by ... Read More »
Spiritually Preparing for Change
Posted by Erin Elking
Spiritually Preparing for Change – Whenever we are about to undergo a transition or some kind of change, we take time tomake the necessary preparations. When moving to a new home, we take inventory and maybe declutter; when taking on anew job, we might update our wardrobe or spend ... Read More »
A Light of Revelation to the Nations
Posted by St. Henry Cluster
The feast of the Epiphany ends our Christmas season this year, and on this day the Church commemorates not just one event in Jesus’ infancy, but three: The adoration of the magi from the East; the Baptism of the Lord in the river Jordan; and the Wedding Feast ... Read More »
Let Mary Be Your Mother
Posted by St. Henry Cluster
Today, as at the beginning of every calendar year, the Church gives glory to God in honor of His Blessed Mother for her role in the salvation of the world. Mary is truly the Mother of God: Jesus is fully the Son of God and the Son of ... Read More »
Merry Christmas!
Posted by St. Henry Cluster
In the Sacred Liturgy of the Nativity of Our Lord, there is a special set of readings for each Mass at Christmas: we hear about Jesus’ sacred and royal genealogy from Matthew at the Vigil Mass; in the night we reflect on Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem and the ... Read More »
God is with Us
Posted by St. Henry Cluster
This weekend, the Gospel draws our attention to St. Joseph and his miraculous dream. In that dream, the angel confirmed the miraculous and divine nature of Mary’s pregnancy, referencing the prophecy of Isaiah: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, ... Read More »
The Lord is My Joy
Posted by St. Henry Cluster
On this Gaudete (Latin: “Rejoice!”) Sunday, the tone of our prayer at Mass is cued by the entrance antiphon: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! Indeed, the Lord is near” (Phil. 4:4-5). As we draw closer to the Christmas mysteries, we pray “to attain the ... Read More »
Make Straight His Paths
Posted by St. Henry Cluster
St. John the Baptist features prominently during the Advent season because He is the final precursor leading up to the advent of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He is the greatest of all who were ever born of woman (cf. Mt. 11:11), and the only prophet who was blessed ... Read More »