Dr. Michael Pakaluk on the Crucifix

"I want to put before you some thoughts on the meaning of the crucifix (Lat., 'A crucified is my beloved'). I have in mind the standard crucifix found in a parish church, with a white unblemished corpus, depicting Our Lord still alive, and 'INRI' written above.  Like all Christians, I love a plain cross of wood, which invites us to embrace it.  But the crucifix seems an even superior object of devotion.  Can we say why?"

In a recent commentary, Dr. Michael Pakaluk, Professor at the Busch School of Business, Catholic University of America, reflected on some of the reasons why the crucifix is an important object of devotion.

To access Dr. Pakaluk's complete essay, please visit:

The Catholic Thing: Amor Meus Crucifixus Est (3 AUG 22)

"To God Be the Glory"

Our landlord recently sold our residence, and we had to move. There were a number of challenges involved in the process (including finding an appropriate new location). It was importance to put the process in the Lord's hands, asking his guidance and help - and trusting in Him.

Praise God, we have been able to transition into our new residence, and with that in mind, I offer this version of "To God Be the Glory":

Reflection Starter from Walt Whitman

"Behold I do not give lectures or a little charity, When I give I give myself." - Walt Whitman

"Christ Be Our Light"

As we continue to live this week, I offer this version of Bernadette Farrell's "Christ Be Our Light":

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of those who minister to terminally ill patients.

Br. Charles Marie Rooney, O.P., on the Hawthorne Dominicans

"It is an uncomfortable yet fundamental fact that death stands at the center of Christian life. Because of Adam’s sin, we die. Because of Christ's death, we can live forever. 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord' (Rev 14:13). The question then follows: what are we to do now to be made blessed among men at the hour of our death?

"A recent summer assignment with the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne testified profoundly to the perennial Christian answer: we are to love, as we have first been loved. . . ."

In a recent commentary, Brother Charles Marie Rooney, O.P., reflected on the Hawthorne Dominicans and their ministry.

To access Br. Charles Marie's complete post, please visit:

Dominicana: On the Threshold of Heaven in Hawthorne (2 AUG 22)

Background information 

​Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne

Editor's note: My aunt and godmother, Sister Mary Teresita, O.P. was a Hawthorne Dominican. She passed some years ago on the feast of St. Dominic, a few weeks before her 50th Jubilee.

Relection Starter from St, Thomas Aquinas

 "Truth does not depend on what one thinks but on the existence of things." - Saint Thomas Aquinas

Holy Father's Prayer Intention for August

The Holy Father's prayer intention for August is:

For small businesses: We pray for small and medium sized businesses; in the midst of economic and social crisis, may they find ways to continue operating, and serving their communities.

Crossroads Quartet: "Lucky Old Sun"

It's time for some more barbershop harmony. Here is a presentation of "Lucky Old Sun" by the Crossroads Quartet:

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the rays of Your infinite beauty You offer us each day.

Bishop Tobin on Being Disappointed in God

"Something that Pope Francis said at a recent audience, while speaking about prayer, caught my attention. The Holy Father said: 'If you have some wound in your heart, some pain, and you want to object, object even to God, God will listen to you. God is not afraid of our prayer of protest. No! God understands.'

"Now, I can't say that I have a 'wound in my heart,' but like most of you, I suppose, there have been times when I've been frustrated that my prayers haven't been answered; some occasions when I've been disappointed in God. . . ."

In a recent commentary, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, of the Diocese of Providence (RI), reflected on our response when we are disappointed in God.

To access Bishop Tobin's complete essay, please visit: 

The Imitation of Christ: Disappointed in God (9 JUN 22)

Rerflection Starter from St. Alphonsus Liguori

"When we see a beautiful object, a beautiful garden, or a beautiful flower, let us think that there we behold a ray of the infinite beauty of God, who has given existence to that object." - Saint Alphonsus Liguori, whose memory the Church the Church celebrates today (1 August)