From today’s Gospel, from St Luke: ‘And he told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart’. St Cyril of Alexandria commented: ‘The fountain of every blessing is Christ; “Who of God was also made unto us wisdom”: for in Him we are made wise, and filled […]

As we remember the Lord’s Passion on this Friday, and perhaps have the opportunity to make the Stations of the Cross, let us pray for all who are suffering as a result of the pandemic – those who have caught the disease, those who care for them, those who are bereaved, and all who are […]

From today’s Gospel, from St Luke: ‘The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, “Lo, here it is!” or “There!” for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you’ – or, with the alternative reading, ‘within you’. St Gregory of Nyssa wrote: ‘Or, perhaps, the […]

Today we celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Sr Rosemary Clare, professed on this day fifty years ago. We give thanks for her faithful years of service all these many years, and ask for a fresh outpouring of grace on her for the years still to come. ‘Ecce ancilla Domini’ … as is our motto. May […]

Here is an extract from a homily by Pope St Leo the Great, fifth century, delivered on the anniversary of his elevation to the pontificate: ‘As often as God’s mercy deigns to bring round the day of His gifts to us, there is, dearly-beloved, just and reasonable cause for rejoicing, if only our appointment to […]

The apse mosaic, pictured below, is full of interesting detail: for instance, the cross above the hill of paradise has four rivers of life flowing from it. The saints alongside the cross are Our Lady (with the donor Pope kneeling at her feet), with Saints Francis, Peter and Paul, and on the other side Saints […]

Today we remember all those who have given their lives for their country, all who have died through war and those who, alive, even now grieve for loved ones lost in war. ‘O God, merciful and strong, who crush wars and cast down the proud, be pleased to banish violence swiftly from our midst and […]

Here is part of a prayer to Mary, by St Anselm of Canterbury: ‘Mary, great Mary, most blessed of all Marys, greatest among all women, great Lady, great beyond measure, I long to love you with all my heart, I want to praise you with my lips, I desire to venerate you in my understanding, […]

Here are the last words of our New Testament reading today, from Philippians: ‘Therefore, my brethren, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved’. These are words eminently suitable for a time of pandemic; when all seems chaos, we are exhorted to stand firm – […]

Today’s Gospel reading. From St Luke, gives us the parables of the Lost Sheep, and the Lost Coin. St Ambrose comments: ‘You had learned above to avoid negligence, to avoid arrogance, to acquire devotion, not to be captive to the affairs of the world, not to prefer what perishes to what lasts. But as human […]