Written from the Priory of the Holy Spirit, Blackfriars, Oxford While in London, I had attended Evensong at Westminster Abbey. Evensong is basically the Church of England’s equivalent to our Vespers. It is composed of sung psalms, longer readings from … Continue reading
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When … Continue reading
In late March, I was in London and Oxford for about nine days. Everyone that knew that I went ask how the trip was. Some ask me where my British accent went. Other ask the more important question of why … Continue reading
So here’s the deal. I’ve been in London for about two days, and I get a random message on my Facebook wall – “Contact me ASAP.” It was from Seminarian Michael Lilliedahl, a parishioner of St Dominic’s. So after a … Continue reading
Our culture is once more letting its Christianity show when Safeway puts Easter Eggs and chocolate Easter Bunnies on sale. For a very simple reason, Easter Eggs and Easter Bunnies are a wonderful and profound Easter Symbol—if we allow it … Continue reading
A sheath of sound shatters the silence: Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! Exult, all creation around God’s throne! Jesus Christ, our King, is risen! Sound the trumpet of salvation! Huddled together with tapers lit, we delight in the Easter proclamation, … Continue reading
Let’s talk about fire. At the very beginning of the Easter Vigil, we witness the blessing the Easter Fire. Jesus is dead. The Light of the World had been extinguished. Yet, at the beginning of our liturgy, we see the … Continue reading
The beginning of the Good Friday service is a humble one. The presider and his assistants process to the Church, and prostrates in front of a bare altar. Such humility. As a liturgical act, the prostration is a rare and … Continue reading
Today begins the Great Paschal Triduum. At sunset, the great mystery of our redemption begins. The reason the Word of God incarnated into a human being comes to fruition comes to us this very night. The Paschal Triduum is one … Continue reading
Something happens at baptism. We cannot empirically prove it. You cannot run an MRI or a CT and tell the difference between the baptized and the nonbaptized. The water will dry, the candle is put out. The white garments will … Continue reading
