Author Archives: Steve Benner

BonifaceBorn at Crediton in Devon in about the year 675, Winfrith took the name Boniface when he entered the monastery in Exeter as a young man. He became a Latin scholar and poet and was ordained when he was thirty years old. He rejected a safe ecclesiastical career in England and became a missionary inContinue reading “Oremus for Saturday, June 5, 2021”

Pope John XXIIIPope John XXIII changed the landscape of twentieth century Christianity. Born in Northern Italy in 1881, Angelo Roncalli was trained in Roman Catholic schools from an early age. After military service, Roncalli was ordained a priest in 1904. His passion for social justice for working people and for the poor was formed earlyContinue reading “Oremus for Friday, June 4, 2021”

The Martyrs of UgandaOn June 3, 1886, thirty-two young men, pages of the court of King Mwanga of Buganda, were burned to death at Namugongo for their refusal to renounce Christianity. In the following months many other Christians throughout the country died by fire or spear for their faith. These martyrdoms totally changed the dynamicContinue reading “Oremus for Thursday, June 3, 2021”

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/555e7rrf How great is the goodness, Lord,that you keep for those who fear you. Psalm 31 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 perfectly love youand worthily magnify your holy name;through Christ ourContinue reading “Oremus for Wednesday, June 2, 2021”

Justin MartyrJustin was born of a pagan family at the beginning of the second century in Palestine. As a young man he explored many different philosophies before at the age of thirty embracing Christianity. He continued to wear the distinctive dress of a professional philosopher, and taught Christianity as a philosophy first at Ephesus, andContinue reading “Oremus for Tuesday, June 1, 2021”

The VisitationThis feast commemorates the visit of the Blessed Virgin to her cousin Elizabeth, recorded in the Gospel according to Luke (1:39–56). Elizabeth, who was then carrying John the Baptist, greeted Mary with the words, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Mary broke into the song of praiseContinue reading “Oremus for Monday, May 31, 2021”

Trinity Sunday For another form of worship in the home based on today’s lessons in the Revised Common Lectionary, go to https://blogs.elca.org/worship/4179/ Antiphon1 All power has been given to me in heaven and on earth, alleluia*go therefore and teach all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son andContinue reading “Oremus for Sunday, May 30, 2021”

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/tfhwfsb8 Bless the Lord, O my soul,and never forget all his benefits. Psalm 103 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 perfectly love youand worthily magnify your holy name;through Christ our Lord. Amen. Music:Continue reading “Oremus for Saturday, May 29, 2021”

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/228vra7b Come to me, all who labor and are burdened,and I will refresh you, says the Lord. Matthew 11 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 perfectly love youand worthily magnify your holyContinue reading “Oremus for Friday, May 28, 2021”

John CalvinJohn Calvin was the premier theologian and leader of the Reformed wing of the Protestant Reformation. He was born in France in 1509. His father wanted him to study law, whichhe did for a time, but Calvin’s own passions were theology, languages, rhetoric and the literary sciences. Around 1534, he underwent a major conversionContinue reading “Oremus for Thursday, May 27, 2021”