By Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR For you, Eternal Shepherd, do not desert your flock, but through the blessed Apostles  watch over it and protect it always, so that it may be governed by those you have appointed shepherds to lead it in the name of your Son. (Preface I of the Apostles, Roman Missal, 2011.) I spoke in another article about…

By Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR We are the soldiers of peace, we are the army of the peacemakers, fighting for God and peace, Deo et paci militantibus. Persuasion, good example, loyalty to God are the only arms worthy of the children of the Gospel. (Sermon of St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) preaching in defense of the Jews.) Now without a…

Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR Matthan [became] the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah. Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah, fourteen generations. (Mt…

Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR Though he was in the form of God, [Jesus] did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave…he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above…

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.)…