A Word to Enkindle
The Witness of Little Souls, Part 1
A Word to Enkindle, July 21, 2023
I recently presided at a funeral for a child who was stillborn. In preparing, I became convinced that such children and their parents are powerful witnesses to Christian faith. In this column, I’d like to reflect on these children, and in the next two columns on their parents.
The privilege of being a priest
A Word to Enkindle, May 23, 2023
And yet the sacramental gift remains a gift. Every priest stores within his heart unspeakable sadness and massive joy, uncertainty in meeting needs and gratitude for the aid of the Holy Spirit.
The incarnational principle and Good Friday
A Word to Enkindle, April 07, 2023
Over two millennia of Church history, several standards of orthodoxy have served as the pillars on which a correct understanding of the Christian mysteries must be built.
Happiness as the blessed life
A Word to Enkindle, March 10, 2023
If you ask most people (other than Father Roch) “Do you want to be happy?”, they will likely answer “Yes!” without much hesitation. If you ask them “What is happiness?”, you are likely to get a splendid variety of secular and sacred answers: “Being at peace…getting or doing what I want…living freely…finding meaning in my life…a feeling of bliss…retiring when I want to…sweet vengeance on my enemy…union with God in prayer”. If you ask them, “Why should you be happy?”, they might look confused for a moment…and that moment could yield a fruitful reflection on the depths within oneself.
The science and theology of invention
A Word to Enkindle, February 14, 2023
We typically associate the word “invention” with modern scientific breakthroughs, brilliant and painstaking achievements by geniuses producing civilizational advancements and mastery over the forces of nature.
The evolution of worship
A Word to Enkindle, February 01, 2023
The universe is not dumbly there. Something marvelous is happening. The universe is moving. It is leading to a creature whose powers enable it to unite all creation in interior knowledge in order to offer it in loving friendship to the Creator. The structure of the universe leads to worship.
Praying with the O Antiphons
A Word to Enkindle, December 17, 2022
“Praying with the O Antiphons” by Fr. Thomas for Texas Catholic. Whenever people ask me how they can prepare themselves spiritually for Christmas, I invite them to read the lyrics of Christmas carols as prayers. Specifying which carols to employ is important; I am not aware of any mystical symbolism behind “Frosty the Snowman,” and […]
Eucharist
A Word to Enkindle, November 25, 2022
“Eucharist” by Fr. John for The Texas Catholic. You may know the Church in America is promoting a National Eucharistic Revival. After a few years of grassroots initiatives, it culminates with a major event in July 2024. Check out eucharisticrevival.org for details. Why have a revival? As the authors of the website write, “Our world […]
The Art of Dying
A Word to Enkindle, October 28, 2022
“The Art of Dying” by Fr. John for The Texas Catholic. Our diocese is blessed by the presence of institutions like the Catholic Medical Guild of Dallas and the St. Basil Society. Catholic medical professionals should look up these institutions, because they can find in them opportunities for friendship, networking and important continuing formation. Especially […]
Prison meditations on providence
A Word to Enkindle, October 12, 2022
“Prison meditations on providence” by Fr. Thomas for Texas Catholic. While awaiting a sham trial and certain execution for high treason, Thomas More prayed and wrote. Henry VIII had declared himself head of the Church of England, and the Catholic More, who had served the king loyally as chancellor, refused to break his spiritual allegiance […]