Author Archives: Steve Benner

Cornelius the CenturionAll that we know about Cornelius is contained in the Acts of the Apostles (chapters 10–11). He was the first Gentile converted to the Christian faith, along with his household. The author of Acts considered Cornelius’ conversion very momentous for the future of Christianity. He records that it occurred as the result ofContinue reading “Oremus for February 4, 2026”

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/p478xrzb To you, I lift up my soul, O my God.In you, I have trusted; let me not be put to shame.Nor let my enemies exult over me;and let none who hope in you be put to shame. Psalm 25 Praise to you, God of our salvation.You come to our help and set us free.May yourContinue reading “Oremus for February 3, 2026”

The Presentation of Jesus in the TempleThis day marks the completion of forty days since the birth of Jesus, when Mary and Joseph took the child to the Temple in Jerusalem. The requirement in Levitical law was for Mary to be ‘cleansed’, the completion of her purification following the birth of a male child. UntilContinue reading “Oremus for February 2, 2026”

Antiphon1 Ant. Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice; *seek the Lord and be strengthened;seek his face for evermore.V. Give thanks to the Lord; proclaim his name. *Make known his deeds among the peoples. Psalm 105 Blessed are you, creator of heaven and earth; amid the immensity of the universe, you are mindful of usContinue reading “Oremus for February 1, 2026”

Menno SimonsMenno Simons (1496 – January 31, 1561) was an Anabaptist religious leader from Friesland (today a province of The Netherlands). His followers became known as Mennonites. Against the reputation that Anabaptists had earned for disrupting society and for violence, Menno Simons was a man of peace. Although small in number, the movement he inspired has made a majorContinue reading “Oremus for January 31, 2026”

Coretta Scott KingAlthough best known for being the wife of famed civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King created her own legacy in the movement to end injustice. She also worked to continue her husband’s legacy after his death. Coretta Scott was born in Marion, Alabama on April 27, 1927 and marriedContinue reading “Oremus for January 30, 2026”

Lydia, Dorcas and PhoebeThe commemoration of these three devout women follows directly on the observance of three of Paul’s male co-workers in the Lord. It is a reminder that though the first century was a patriarchal time from which we have very few women’s voices, the apostles and indeed the whole early church depended onContinue reading “Oremus for January 29, 2026”

Thomas AquinasThomas Aquinas was the greatest thinker and teacher of the medieval church. He was born in 1225 and became a Dominican. He offered the church a deep theological understanding of the physical world as conveying divine truth, even though faith is needed for other aspects of God’s truth. His profound thought and gentle spiritContinue reading “Oremus for January 28, 2026”

John ChrysostomBorn in Antioch in 347, John earned his nick-name, “the golden-mouthed” (Chrysostom), for his brilliant preaching. He was much attracted to the ascetic tradition, which became popular in the fourth century, and preached vigorously on the need for a disciplined Christian lifestyle. He was made patriarch of Constantinople in 398 against his will. HisContinue reading “Oremus for January 27, 2026”

Timothy, Titus and SilasTimothy and Silas are mentioned in The Acts of the Apostles. Timothy’s father was Greek and his mother a Jewish believer. Paul chose him as a companion for his mission to Asia Minor but had him circumcised because the “Jews who were in those places” knew that his father was a GreekContinue reading “Oremus for January 26, 2026”