Saint Patrick

St Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland

St Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland, shown with the shamrock he used to explain the mystery of the Holy Trinity

O God, who in thy providence didst choose thy servant Patrick to be the Apostle of the Irish people, that he might cause the light of the Gospel to shine in the world: Grant . . . → Read More: Saint Patrick

On the Kalendar: Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem

March from Les Petites Heures d'Anne de Bretagne

“March”, kalendar page from Les Petites Heures d’Anne de Bretagne (The Little Hours of Queen Anne of Bretagne), by the Maître des Triomphes de Pétrarque. From Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris (France).

Little is known about Cyril’s early life. He acceded to the See of Jerusalem around A.D. 350, and about this . . . → Read More: On the Kalendar: Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem

The Third Sunday in Lent

Lenten altar

We beseech thee, Almighty God, look upon the hearty desires of thy humble servants, and stretch forth the right hand of thy Majesty, to be our defence against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

An update on COVID-19

church with cross and weathercock

The following message is from Fr Novicki:

Services will continue. The Saint Patrick’s Day Luncheon is postponed. Lenten Study is postponed. Those who attend services may make their own determination as to whether they take the cup. The Clergy is mindful of the situation and taking extra precaution in handling anything related to the Host. . . . → Read More: An update on COVID-19

A Prayer for Protection from COVID-19

Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale in the barrack hospital at Scutari, c. 1880. Artist: Unknown.

O God of compassion, giver of life and health: We pray thy healing mercies upon all who are in any way affected by the outbreak of COVID-19. Comfort and sustain those who have been stricken; relieve their pain, and restore to . . . → Read More: A Prayer for Protection from COVID-19

The notion of “Agape” doesn’t come naturally

candy distribution

And while I’m on the subject, a radio talk show caller not so long ago ventured to suggest that all would be right with American society if only people would love each other a bit more.

It’s hard to quarrel with that. Clearly, if drug dealers loved addicts a bit more they wouldn’t enslave them . . . → Read More: The notion of “Agape” doesn’t come naturally

Saint Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, Doctor

Jerome and Gregory

Jerome and Gregory, detail from a triptych in the Salla dell’Albergo at the Scuola della Carita, by Antonio Vivarini, (c. 1415 –1476/84). From Wikipedia. (Gregory is on the right, identified by the dove on his shoulder.)

Almighty and everlasting God, who gavest thy servant Saint Gregory a great apostleship in the Church, . . . → Read More: Saint Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, Doctor

Saint Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome and Doctor

Saint Gregory the Great inspired by a dove

Saint Gregory the Great inspired by a dove. By the Master of the Registrum Gregorii (a collection of the letters of Gregory the Great). From Wikipedia.

Almighty and everlasting God, who gavest thy servant Saint Gregory a great apostleship in the Church, and among manifold cares an earnest longing to convert the . . . → Read More: Saint Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome and Doctor

I Cor. 13: The Bible’s most terrifying passage

Somebody recently asked me why my sermons so often end with a reflection on our Christian obligation to love our fellow men. I replied that it is the subject of the most frightening passage in the whole of the Bible: The 13th Chapter of the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians.

Some might . . . → Read More: I Cor. 13: The Bible’s most terrifying passage

On the Kalendar: Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, Doctor

March from Les Petites Heures d'Anne de Bretagne

“March”, kalendar page from Les Petites Heures d’Anne de Bretagne (The Little Hours of Queen Anne of Bretagne), by the Maître des Triomphes de Pétrarque. From Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris (France).

Gregory the Great, the first Pope of that name, is one of the most widely regarded doctors of the church . . . → Read More: On the Kalendar: Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, Doctor