Great Catholic Homilies

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Posts Tagged ‘Mass’

New Mass prayers show us the true face of Christ

Friday, October 21st, 2011

Read bio Fr. Joseph Eddy30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Oct. 23, 2011
Fr. Joseph Eddy, O. de M.
Gospel: Matt. 22:34-40 “Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Complete homily: Recently our religious community went on retreat. Our retreat director spoke to us of many aspects of discipleship and of following Christ as Catholic religious. In one of his talks he used the analogy of the artist Rembrandt and his search for the true face of Jesus. As many of us know, the Philadelphia Art Museum is holding an exhibit entitle “Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus” till the end of October.

Blessed Virgin Mary of MercyIs God calling you to become a Mercedarian friar? Take our “7 Quick Questions” survey and find out. Fr. Joseph Eddy is the vocation director of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy, founded to redeem Christians whose faith is in danger.

Visit Fr. Joseph’s Facebook page, or the website of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy.

Rembrandt wanted to know how Jesus really looked. In the past, Jesus was placed within the context of different cultures and nationalities. He particularly was often seen as a European man who looked with piercing eyes at the viewer. These representations had their place and often lead many people to prayer. However, Rembrandt wanted to know the “real” face of Jesus as he was hundreds of years ago in the Middle East. Continue Reading…

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First Holy Communion — Jesus is the food for souls

Monday, May 9th, 2011

Fr. Anthony BrankinSaturday, May 7, 2011
Fr. Anthony Brankin
First Holy Communion Mass

Homily summary: When Fr. Brankin received his First Holy Communion as a boy, his teacher, Sr. Celeste Theresa, said that that day was the most beautiful day of their lives, because they received Jesus.

St. Jane de ChantalWalk on the spiritual path along with St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal into the Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Are you a lay person interested in plunging more fully into a way of daily devotion? Or considering a vocation to the monastic Visitandine tradition? Go to Visitation Spirit website.

Our children today look beautiful in their dresses and suits. But more beautiful are their hearts and souls. You have nothing but goodness and purity as you wait for Jesus to come inside. When you drink a glass of milk, all the calcium and vitamins go into your bones to make you beautiful, boys and girls. Your parents want the best for you. They also want your souls to be happy. Jesus is the food for souls — to be happy and good and holy. We are what we eat. Continue Reading…

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The power of the Holy Mass

Friday, March 18th, 2011

Go to bio of Fr. Pablo StraubLenten Mission, St. Odilo Parish
Mar. 15, 2011
Fr. Pablo Straub
MP3 Audio. English Length: 24 min.

Summary: Jesus’s Body and Blood are offered in sacrifice in the Holy Mass. Jesus is really made present at the Mass. When He said, “Do this in memory of Me,” he was turning the Apostles into priests. Every weekday, all over the world, four Masses are begun each second.

What keeps God from destroying the world in its many sins? Every time God the Father raises his hand, He sees His Son raised up — the host four times per second, the chalice four times per second.

Blessed Virgin Mary of MercyThe many allurements and problems of our modern world hold many Christians captive from knowing and practicing their faith. Help those whose faith is in danger. Become a Mercedarian friar. Visit Fr. Joseph Eddy’s Facebook page, or the website of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy.

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We have lost the sense that the Mass is a sacred action

Sunday, November 28th, 2010

First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 28, 2010
Fr. Anthony Brankin
Gospel: Luke 21:25-33. Signs of the end of the world
MP3 Audio

Summary: The new Missalettes are coming out. We will be singing the Introit, the propers of the Mass, the Lamb of God, and Kyria. Hymns, on the other hand, are artificial and clumsy. It is proper to sing the parts of the Mass.  Pope Benedict seems to be saying that we have lost the sense, the feeling, that the Mass is a sacred action. The Mass is real, supernatural, effective, and from God.

Saint Francis de Sales’ “little virtues” of gentleness, kindness, humility, and cheerful optimism shape the monastic life of the Visitation Sisters. Consider a life of prayer and teaching. Sisters of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary Washington, DC.

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Chant is the music of the Mass

Monday, September 13th, 2010

23nd Sunday in ordinary time, Sept. 5, 2010
Fr. Anthony Brankin
Gospel: Luke 14:25-33. Renounce all that you have.


Full homily text: I have always loved the special ceremony we call Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Since the time I was an altar boy, there was something about the incense and music and way it was celebrated with such dignity and solemnity and seriousness that I seemed to learn something about holiness and what it might be like to be before the throne of God in heaven. It is the most beautiful and solemn of Blessings. In fact it is the Blessing of Jesus Himself—because you will notice at Benediction the priest covers over his hands to signify that this is not his blessing. As beautiful though as Benediction is, it is not the Mass.

This homily is brought to you by the Georgetown Visitation Sisters, in Washington, D.C. Saint Francis de Sales’ “little virtues” of gentleness, kindness, humility, and cheerful optimism shape monastic life for these sisters

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