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— Today we honor the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Devotion to Sts. Joachim and Anne is an extension of the veneration due Mary, Mother of God.

* * *** “Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?'” (Jn 20:15)

— St. Thomas Aquinas named her ‘apostle to the apostles’… all four gospels identify Mary as a prime witness to the Resurrection and she was asked by Jesus himself to announce the news to the Apostles.

* * *** We honor the unnamed First Martyrs in Rome who endured much suffering under the reign of Nero.

— In AD 64, a great fire destroyed large sections of Rome and many believed Nero was to blame for matters of his own interest. To deflect suspicion from himself, Nero accused the Christians of the arson and increased his efforts to persecute them. Christians were seen as an unpopular and expanding group “given to […]

* * *** We honor Sts. Peter and Paul with the highest order of liturgical feast.

— St. Peter, “Leader of the Twelve,” was chosen by Jesus at the Sea of Galilee: “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” (Mt 16:18) — St. Paul, “Apostle to the Gentiles,” was […]

* * *** The Immaculate Heart of our Blessed Mother… model of purity and perfect love for God.

— “In all perils and needs, the faithful have fled prayerfully to her protection. As Virgin and Mother, Mary remains for the Church a ‘permanent model.’ .. Hence, as Christians raise their eyes with faith to Mary in the course of their earthly pilgrimage, they ‘strive to increase in holiness.’ Mary, the exalted Daughter of […]

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“His most Sacred Heart never ceased, and never will cease, to beat with calm and imperturbable pulsations. Likewise, it will never cease to symbolize the threefold love with which He is bound to His heavenly Father and the entire human race…” (HAURIETIS AQUAS, Pope Pius XII) — The Solemnity of The Most Sacred Heart of […]

“John the Baptist is ‘more than a prophet.’ In him, the Holy Spirit concludes his speaking through the prophets… John ‘came to bear witness to the light.’ In John’s sight, the Spirit thus brings to completion the careful search of the prophets and fulfills the longing of the angels.” (CCC 719)

— We honor the birth of St. John the Baptist with the highest order of liturgical feast. As the Forerunner of the Savior, St. John prepared the way for Jesus, instructing his followers to turn and follow the “Lamb of God.” (Usually celebrated on June 24, this year the Solemnity is moved to June 23 […]

The Holy Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” (CCC 1324)

— “And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And likewise the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in […]

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” (Mt 28:19-20)

— The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity is celebrated today, the Sunday following Pentecost… “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you!” (Jn 14:18)

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