This is the eighth installment of A Deacon’s Diary. In the seventh installment, Steve wondered what it really meant to be free. I. One weekend recently, I was shadowing another Jesuit. He was preaching a retreat in Louisiana and brought three of us deacons with him. ...
Welcome to Day 5 of the Saints of Color Novena. Emmanuel Arenas, SJ introduces us to Saint Toribio Romo, the patron saint of immigrants. Novena Prayer: Almighty Father, we pray as one Church, through the intercession of these holy people, that we may experience...
“You are not far from the kingdom of God.” These words from Christ struck me in the twelfth chapter of Mark’s Gospel one morning as I prepared to give a reflection at an upcoming prayer service. Over the weeks I’d been teaching theology to middle schoolers in Omaha, I...
Welcome to Day 4 of the Saints of Color Novena. Danielle Harrison introduces us to Venerable Pierre Toussaint. His life highlights the importance of our relationship with God and each other. Novena Prayer: Almighty Father, we pray as one Church, through the...
“All shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.” These words were written by a Medieval English anchoress and mystic, Julian of Norwich. The Lord spoke them to her in one of her visions. Julian of Norwich lived from the end of the 14th Century to the early...
Welcome to Day 3 of the Saints of Color Novena. Esperanza Rodriguez introduces us to Blessed Concepción Cabrera de Armida, also known as “Conchita.” She is a mother and mystic who spread love and joy to others, even in the face of pain and tragedy. ...
Who are the Church? I have long loved this question. I love its deliberately awkward grammar, which snaps us out of complacency and challenges us to think and reflect on how we will answer. ————– The pandemic has upended church life and our...
Welcome to Day 2 of the Saints of Color Novena. Sr. Grace Augustine, Carmel DCJ introduces us to Saint Josephine Bakhita, a woman who practiced heroic forgiveness. Today she is known as the patron saint of human trafficking. Novena Prayer: Almighty Father, we...
“Turn the other cheek.” We’ve heard this teaching so much that we might forget how radical it is. Christopher Smith, SJ, reflects on how we might put it into practice. Based on the readings for Sunday, February 20, 2022. Dorothy Day once said, “I...
Welcome to Day 1 of the Saints of Color Novena. Fr. Arthur Cavitt is going to introduce us to Venerable Augustus Tolton, a man rooted in God’s purpose for his life. Novena Prayer: Almighty Father, we pray as one Church, through the intercession of these holy...
