Fr. John Bayer

A Word to Enkindle, May 13, 2026

Do you ever feel like you are going through the motions without passion as you carry out your responsibilities? At times, we all can — even monks.

A Word to Enkindle, April 13, 2026

Every morning, monks and nuns — and many lay people — arise early for morning prayer. The Latin name for this prayer, “laudes,” means “praises.” Often the psalms that make up morning prayer are indeed full of expressions of praise. One has inspired in me a reflection on the liturgy.

A Word to Enkindle, March 09, 2026

We have all surely experienced how difficult it can be to engage socially and politically as Catholics. Our faith pushes us into the uncomfortable position of prophetically challenging all political parties and calling everyone to conversion. Today, it can be especially difficult to exercise this prophetic mission, simply because the situations we should critique — the basic facts of the matter and their context — can be so difficult to ascertain (and contemporary media sadly makes our task even more difficult). This is a serious difficulty, since Jesus commands us not to judge by appearances (cf. Jn 7:24).

A Word to Enkindle, February 09, 2026

Discerning whether to offer or receive Communion can be a challenge, spiritually and pastorally; but such discernment can always also be fruitful.

A Word to Enkindle, January 19, 2026

I recently enjoyed a wonderful apocalyptic novel, “Lord of the World,” by the British author and priest, Robert Hugh Benson. I was excited to read this book because I learned that recent popes (such as Benedict XVI, Francis, and Leo XIV) have spoken about it as a prophetic reflection of our times.

A Word to Enkindle, December 01, 2025

With Thanksgiving Day coming up, and given the social climate in our country, I am moved to reflect on the connection between love and criticism.

A Word to Enkindle, October 31, 2025

“Finding God in the ecotone of faith and life” by Fr. John for The Texas Catholic. As Catholics, how should we imagine our relationship with the world? We often talk about “walls” and “doors” and “bridges” to explain how the Church should either connect to the world for the sake of evangelizing it or separate […]

A Word to Enkindle, September 29, 2025

“‘The Benedict Option’” by Fr. John for The Texas Catholic. Rod Dreher’s “The Benedict Option” (2017) has been on my list of things to read for a long time. As a Cistercian monk rooted in the Benedictine tradition and apostolically engaged as a priest and teacher, I basically felt like it was required reading, given […]

A Word to Enkindle, August 25, 2025

“Looking for signs of discernment” by Fr. John for The Texas Catholic. I recently read a book about discernment and the spiritual life that I’d recommend to just about anyone but especially to the young: Stacey Sumereau, “Adventure Awaits: How to Interpret Your Desires and Hear God’s Voice” (Ave Maria Press, 2025). It is short […]

A Word to Enkindle, June 09, 2025

“Freedom and the rise of contemporary gambling” by Fr. John for The Texas Catholic. Gambling is growing in our country — and quickly. My impression is that we have work to do to be informed about what is happening and to let ourselves be formed by what the Church teaches, lest so much happen without […]