January 21st, 2012
Full sermon text: We may have heard it said that we are on “a pilgrimage in this life.” Today this phrase may not have as much of an impact because culturally we are not as familiar with the concept of a pilgrimage. The Catholic dictionary defines pilgrimage as a journey to a sacred place undertaken as an act of religious devotion. Pilgrimages have a long rich history in Christian culture. Going back to the beginning of Christianity, the faithful would make these spiritual journeys to such places as the Holy Land and Rome.
Why is there growth in this Order?
God is blessing us with new men, strong in the faith, eager to serve Him under our charism. Why? Go to our website and read, “Ancient Order of Friars Sees Vitality in U.S.”
Is God calling you to become a Mercedarian friar? Visit Fr. Joseph’s Facebook page. 
It was done for a variety of reasons: to venerate the relics of a saint, ask a special favor of God, beg for the cure of an illness, express thanks to God, and/or as an act of penance for sin. For two thousand years of Christian history, pilgrimages have been a part of life. Today, we do still see it done though on a smaller scale. In my hometown of Scranton, PA, a group of faithful will travel for miles on foot through the early hours of the morning to arrive at the Basilica of St. Ann in time for the patronal feast day of the grandmother of Jesus. On a much smaller scale, my own family would also often take Sunday drives when I was a child to nearby churches or to visit the graves of our relatives. Continue Reading…
Tags: Baptism, Body of Christ, Kingdom of God, pilgrimage
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January 20th, 2012
Epiphany, 2012
Fr. Anthony Brankin
Gospel: Luke 2:1-14 “You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths”
Complete sermon text: I guess it is somewhat strange, but today—even though it is two days later after the “real” date, we are celebrating the Feast of the Epiphany. And we do this because America is such a non-Catholic, non-Christian, non-religious country. Officially, at least, all our politicians and all our laws, of course, are either against the practice of religion or ignore it entirely.
Now if we lived in a little village in a happily Catholic country, then naturally on the 6th of January—the Twelfth Day of Christmas to be exact—no one would have to go to work—and everyone would go to church; and we would have a beautiful Mass, and three men would dress like the Three Kings, and pass out candy and little gifts to the children; and they would even bake cakes with tiny little figures of the Baby Jesus inside— and whoever found the little figurine would be declared “King!” Continue Reading…
Tags: Epiphany, Mother Mary Agreda, novena, Three Kings
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January 19th, 2012
Sermon summary: In today’s reading, we hear of Christ’s critics. Our Lord healed on the Sabbath, and his critics were over the edge on scrupulosity. You don’t revolve your life around not working.
What stuck with Deacon Scott during his ordination?
The church in Sardinia was breathtaking, and the Mercedarian tradition of 600 years on the island was remarkable. But what impressed Deacon Scott, from Virginia, at his deaconate ordination recently? Read, “A Mercedarian Journal From Rome.”
Visit our Facebook page.
Even in our day, Jews follow the same laws. In Chicago when I was growing up, they would pay a girl five cents to light their stove in the evening so as not to break the Sabbath. Continue Reading…
Tags: Sabbath, Sunday, work
Posted in Fr. Brankin, Modern culture | Comments Off
January 16th, 2012
The Chicago Tribune’s story yesterday, “Losing His Vocation, Not His Religion,” is an unfortunate one, about Fr. Jim Hearne, a priest who is leaving active ministry. Fr. Hearne has fallen in love, and now wants to get married and have a family. The general tone of the article is that celibacy is too difficult and unreasonable a requirement to expect it of all men.
There is something missing here about celibacy. The Tribune reports that Fr. Hearne is now a security guard. So he is now guarding the goods of others, whereas before he was the guardian of men’s souls. Continue Reading…
Tags: celibacy, Chicago Tribune, Fr. Hearne, priesthood
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January 15th, 2012
Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012
Fr. Anthony Brankin
Gospel: John 1:35-42 “Look, there is the Lamb of God.”
Sermon summary: Years ago we were taught that the Catholic Church was the one true Church, and no other group was the true Church founded by Christ. The Church is not just a group who gathers in the Church who believe in Jesus Christ.
The Bean Queen of Georgetown Rules
The bean, or Epiphany Queen, of the Georgetown Visitation can request special things. Whichever sister finds the bean or medal in her piece of cake after supper is Queen-for-a-Year and is treated in a special way. Go to our Live + Jesus blog and read about what Sr. Mary Philomena got to wear that day.
Are you called to a life of the “little virtues” of gentleness, humility, and cheerful optimism? Consider the Sisters of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary, Washington, DC.
When the Pope, or the Pope and bishops in union with him give us a teaching, it is the authority of God himself. The Church teaches us about the Bible, about how to get along. It teaches with the authority of God. Continue Reading…
Tags: Church, muslim, religion, salvation, truth
Posted in Fr. Brankin, Modern culture, Moral life, The media, faith, pope | Comments Off
Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012
