Author Archives: Steve Benner

MonicaMonica was born in North Africa of Christian parents in 332 and she was married to a pagan named Patricius, whom she converted to Christianity. They had three children of whom the most famous was her eldest child, the future Augustine. Indeed, Augustine ascribed his conversion to the example and devotion of his mother: “SheContinue reading “Oremus for Thursday, May 4, 2023”

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/5xe373t5 If you love me, keep my commandments, says the Lord,and I will ask the Father and he will send you another Paraclete,to abide with you for ever, alleluia. John 14 Almighty God,to whom all hearts are open,all desires, known,and from whom no secrets are hid:Cleanse the thoughts of our heartsby the inspiration ofContinue reading “Oremus for Wednesday, May 3, 2023”

AthanasiusAthanasius was born in about the year 296 of Christian parents and educated at the Catechetical school in Alexandria. He was present at the Council of Nicaea as a deacon, accompanying his bishop Alexander, whom he succeeded as Patriarch in the year 328. Athanasius held firmly to the doctrines of the Church as defined byContinue reading “Oremus for Tuesday, May 2, 2023”

Philip and JamesPhilip and James appear in the list of the twelve apostles in the first three gospels but are frequently confused with other early saints who share their names. In John’s gospel, Philip has a more prominent rôle, being the third of the apostles to be called by Jesus and then himself bringing hisContinue reading “Oremus for Monday, May 1, 2023”

Antiphon 1 Ant. I am the good shepherd, alleluia;I know my sheep and my own know me, alleluia, alleluia.V. The Lord is my shepherd; *there is nothing I shall want.Fresh and green are the pastures *where he gives me repose.Near restful waters he leads me; *he revives my soul. John 20, Psalm 23 Almighty God,to whom all hearts areContinue reading “Oremus for Sunday, April 30, 2023”

Catherine of SienaCatherine Benincasa was born in 1347, the second youngest of twenty-five children. Pious from her earliest years, she overcame family opposition to her vocation and became a Dominican tertiary at the age of eighteen. Nourished by a life of contemplative prayer and mystical experience, she devoted herself to active care for the poorContinue reading “Oremus for Saturday, April 29, 2023”

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/2rd5kjp3 I am the bread of life, says the Lord;whoever comes to me will not hungerand whoever believes in me will not thirst. John 6 Almighty God,to whom all hearts are open,all desires, known,and from whom no secrets are hid:Cleanse the thoughts of our heartsby the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,that we may perfectlyContinue reading “Oremus for Friday, April 28, 2023”

Christina RossettiChristina Rosetti, among the more important poets of the nineteenth century, was born in 1830 to a professor and his devout, evangelical wife. Her eldest sister, Maria, entered an Anglican convent and her poet-painter brother, Dante, was a leading figure in the Pre-Raphaelite movement of the nineteenth century. She suffered from poor health mostContinue reading “Oremus for Thursday, April 27, 2023”

Michael RamseyArthur Michael Ramsey (1904-1988) was the 100th Archbishop of Canterbury, serving from 1961-1974. Prior to his tenure as Archbishop he was the Bishop of Durham and Archbishop of York. According to one Ramsey scholar, his theology was (1) based on Scriptures, (2) the church’s traditions, and (3) reason and conscience. John Macquarrie stated that Ramsey’sContinue reading “Oremus for Wednesday, April 26, 2023”

Mark the EvangelistJohn Mark’s mother lived in Jerusalem, and Mark was a companion of Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. Paul and Barnabas parted company, and Mark went with Barnabas to Cyprus. The rift between Mark and Paul was not permanent, for we later hear of Mark as a companion of Paul, andContinue reading “Oremus for Tuesday, April 25, 2023”