By Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR What is urgently called for is a general mobilization of consciences and a united ethical effort to activate a great campaign in support of life. All together, we must build a new culture of life. (Pope John Paul II, Encyclical Evangelium Vitae, 1995.) In Chapter 3 of the Acts of the Apostles, St. Peter uses…

By Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR I arise today / Through the strength of the love of cherubim, / In the obedience of angels, / In the service of archangels, / In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward, / In the prayers of patriarchs, / In the preaching of the apostles, / In the faith of confessors, / In…

By Fr. Benedict Groeschel Our Blessed Lord left the world without leaving any written message. His doctrine was Himself. Ideal and History were identified in Him. The truth that all other ethical teachers proclaimed, and the light that they gave to the world was not in them, but outside them. Our Divine Lord, however, identified Divine Wisdom with Himself. It…

By Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR Plant deep within us, Lord, all the virtues, that we might be devout in divine matters, discerning in human affairs, and burdensome to no one in fulfilling our own bodily needs. (Prayer To Acquire The Virtues, St. Thomas Aquinas, 1225-1274.) When we call Jesus, the “Example of Virtue” we mean that He was more than…

By Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light. (Mt 11:28-30) Have you ever…

By Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR O Lord Jesus, King of Martyrs, to those who must suffer torment and violence, hunger and fatigue, be Thou the invincible strength sustaining them in their trials and assuring them of the rewards pledged by Thee to those who persevere unto the end. (Pope Pius XII, “Prayer for the Church of Silence,” July 16, 1957.)…

By Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my son; this day I have begotten you”? Or again: “I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me”? And again, when he leads the first-born into the world, he says: “Let all the angels of God worship him.” (Heb…

By Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR  Ite, omnia incendite et inflammate! Go forth, set the whole world on fire, and inflame all things!    (Words of St. Ignatius Loyola for Jesuits going to the foreign missions, 1540-1555.) In virtually every country I have visited in my many travels over the years you can find in that nation’s capital the equivalent of…

By Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me: As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free, While God is marching on. Glory, glory, hallelujah! –“Battle Hymn of the Republic,” verse 5, Julia Ward Howe,…

By Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone. For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful. (Isaiah…