Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of an autumn holiday weekend.

Lucia Silecchia on Dressing up

"For better or worse, my childhood days were lived before the age of the digital camera. So, I have shelves full of photo albums that tell the stories of my life. As is likely the case for many, Halloween photographs are plentiful.

"While Halloween had not yet morphed into the mega-holiday it is now, I took my Halloween costumes very seriously. There were the challenges of picking a character, brainstorming the costume that would bring that character to life, and then making that costume in a way that would somehow marry an imagination that was fairly good with crafting and sewing skills that were decidedly bad. Luckily, my mom -- who was both talented and patient -- took a lead role in the costume production!".

In a recent commentary, writer/Professor Lucia A. Silecchia reflected on some of the aspects of dressing up for special occasions and putting on the cloak of a good life.

To access Professor Silecchia's complete post, please visit:

The Pilot: Echoes: Lucia A. Silecchia: Dressing up for Ordinary Time (9 OCT 24)

Reflection Starter from Pope Francis

"In the Gospel of the Day, Jesus wants to help us discover that the good we long for is God Himself, His love for us, and eternal life, which only He can give us. Our true wealth is being looked upon with love by Him and loving one another by giving our lives for them." - Pope Francis

The Four Aces: "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing"

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of The Four Aces presenting "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing":

On Truth, Humility, and Other Catholic-related Topics

A number of articles/posts have recently been published on a variety of Catholic-related subjects worth considering.

To access some of these, please visit:

Crux: In Fairbanks, being bishop means duffel bags, snowmobiles and sleeping on floors (July 2023)

Fr. Dwight Longenecker: The Invisible Church (19 MAR 24)

First Things: George Weigel: Choking on Rights Talk (September 2024)

Catholic Culture: My truth? The real Personal truth is neither mine nor yours (8 OCT 24)

Catholic Stand: Guy McClung: He Must Increase, I Must Decrease (15 SEP 24)

Aleteia: Mary leaves 'calling card' in near-death collision (20 APR 23)

Catholic News Agency: Vatican to collect stories of Christian martyrs killed since 2000 (5 JUL 23)

The Pilot: Echoes: Molly Judd: The Eucharist is the cure for our loneliness (17 NOV 23)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of crisp autumn days.

Archangels Heal, Guide, and Protect

September 29th is the Feast of the Archangels, when we honor Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, and Saint Raphael, the only angels mentioned by name in Sacred Scripture. In 1986, over the course of six General Audiences, Pope Saint John Paul II gave a Catechesis on the Holy Angels in which he offered amazing insight on these three great figures. Of Raphael, the pontiff said, "He is made known to us by the story of Tobias in the Old Testament, which is so significant for what it says about entrusting to the angels the little children of God, who are always in need of custody, care, and protection."

Pointing out that the name Raphael means "God heals," John Paul II's reflection references the Archangel's encounter with Tobias, who is the child of Tobit. Raphael protects Tobias on the journey he makes for his father, and also heals Sarah, Tobias' future wife, and cures Tobit of his blindness. Today, we recognize Saint Raphael as the patron of travelers, the blind, and bodily ills. We also see his intercession on behalf of Tobit's family as signifying the power Raphael wields to the benefit of those who implore his assistance.

Saint Gabriel is the patron of messengers, and John Paul II called him "a figure bound especially to the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God," in reference to Gabriel's Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Gospel of Luke.

Gabriel first appears in Sacred Scripture to the prophet Daniel to assist in the interpretation of his visions, which prefigures the clarity Gabriel brings about the coming of Christ in the New Testament.

John Paul II explained that the name Gabriel means "power of God," and it is "as if to say that the culmination of creation, the Incarnation, is the supreme sign of the omnipotent Father."

Of Saint Michael, John Paul II said, "His name is a synthesis that expresses the essential attitude of the good spirits. 'Mica-EL' in fact means: 'Who is like God?' In this name, therefore, we find expressed the salvific choice thanks to which the angels 'see the face of the Father' who is in Heaven."

Michael appears in the Book of Daniel in a prophetic role, which prefigures his appearance in the Book of Revelation, where he leads God's armies in the victory of good over evil. Many know the Prayer to Saint Michael, which begins, "Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle." We should invoke that prayer in our own struggles to see good triumph over evil in our lives and in the world around us.

In his Catechesis on the Holy Angels, John Paul II said, "According to Revelation, the angels who participate in the life of the Trinity in the light of glory are also called to play their part in the history of the salvation of man, in the moments established by divine Providence.

"And Saint John Chrysostom said, "When you are before the altar where Christ reposes, you ought no longer to think that you are amongst men; but believe that there are troops of angels and archangels standing by you, and trembling with respect before the sovereign Master of Heaven and earth."

These mighty Archangels are given to us by God to intercede in our struggle for salvation, so let us pray for Saint Michael to protect us, Saint Raphael to bring us healing and guidance, and Saint Gabriel to herald at all times the coming of Christ in our lives.

This essay is a recent "Light One Candle" column by Father Ed Dougherty, M.M., The Christophers' Board of Directors ; it is one of a series of weekly columns that deal with a variety of topics and current events.

Background information:

The Christophers

Reflection Starter from Bl. Carlo Acutis

"All people are born as originals but many die as photocopies" - Blessed Carlo Acutis

Georg Muffat: Sonata No.5 in G major

It's time for some classical music. This is a presentation of Georg Muffat's Sonata No.5 in G major:

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for listening to our prayers and for the ways in which You answer them.

Fr. Joe Newman, OSFS, on Ood and Dentistry

". . . When I was a junior in high school I worked as an assistant in a dental clinic in downtown Toledo. I loved the job and worked there for three years. . . ..

"I fell in love with dentistry after one particular patient. This patient came to the clinic and never smiled. He would hide his teeth behind his lips in embarrassment. Over a few appointments, the dentist worked on his teeth. There are few things more intimate than dental work. After a few visits, the dentist gave this young man his smile back. I remember seeing the patient walk out of the clinic, he could not stop smiling.

". . . During my novitiate with the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, I discovered the God of our hearts who is present and constantly at work. Although I like this image of the cardiologist God, I have to admit, I am partial to the image of the dentist God who scrapes, drills, fills, and straightens. God'’s work is intimate and uncomfortable AND needed. This is a God who gives me my smile back."

In a recent commentary based on the writings of St. Francis de Sales, Father Joe Newman, OSFS, reflected on the similarities between of the work of God and the work of a dentist.

To access Fr. Newman's complete post, please visit:

De Sales Weekly: Provincial Reflection: Teeth (26 SEP 24)

Reflection Starter from Pope John XXIII

"Prayer is the raising of the mind to God. We must always remember this. The actual words matter less." - Saint Pope John XXIII, whose memory the Church celebrates today (11 October)