Author Archives: Steve Benner

The Martyrs of Japan, 1597Almost fifty years after Francis Xavier had arrived in Japan as its first Christian apostle, the presence of several thousand baptised Christians in the land became a subject of suspicion to the ruler Hideyoshi, who soon began a period of persecution. Twenty-six men and women, Religious and lay, were first mutilatedContinue reading “Oremus for Saturday, February 6, 2021”

Antiphon1 Ant. O Lord, if you were to take in-to account our iniquities, who would withstand the test? But forgiveness abides with you, O God of Israel.V. Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; *Lord, hear my voice!O let your ears be attentive *to the sound of my pleadings. Psalm 130 AlmightyContinue reading “Oremus for Friday, February 5, 2021”

Antiphon1 Ant. My heart declared to you: * Your countenance have I sought; I shall ever seek your countenance, O Lord;do not turn your face from me.V. The Lord is my light and my salvation; *whom shall I fear?The Lord is the stronghold of my life; *whom should I dread? Psalm 27 Almighty God,to whom allContinue reading “Oremus for Thursday, February 4, 2021”

Antiphon1 Ant. The Lord will overshadow you with his pinions, *and you will find refuge under his wings. His faithfulness will encompass you with a shield.V. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, *and abides in the shade of the Almighty,says to the Lord, “My refuge, *my stronghold, my God in whom IContinue reading “Oremus for Wednesday, February 3, 2021”

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 Tuesday, February 2, 2021”

Antiphon1 Ant. The sparrow has found herself a home, * and the turtle dove a nest in which to lay her young: at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God! Blessed are they who dwell in your house, they shall praise you for ever and ever.V. How lovely is your dwellingContinue reading “Oremus for Monday, February 1, 2021”

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/3307/ 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 hisContinue reading “Oremus for Sunday, January 31, 2021”

Antiphon1 Ant. The Lord has become my protector; * he has brought me forth into free spacesand open he delivered mebecause he was well pleased with me.V. I love you, Lord, my strength; *O Lord, my rock, my fortress, my savior;my God, my rock where I take refuge; *my shield, my saving strength, my stronghold.I cryContinue reading “Oremus for Saturday, January 30, 2021”

Antiphon1 Ant. I will extol you, O Lord, * for you have drawn me up, and have not let my foes rejoice over me. V. O Lord, I cried unto you and you healed me.O Lord, you have lifted up my soul from the grave, *restored me to life from those who sink into theContinue reading “Oremus for Friday, January 29, 2021”

Thomas AquinasThomas Aquinas has been described as the greatest thinker and teacher of the mediæval church. Born at Rocca Secca, near Aquino, in Italy, Thomas was educated first by the Benedictines at Monte Cassino and then at the University of Naples. Against his family’s wishes, he joined the mendicant Dominican Order of Preachers. His profound,Continue reading “Oremus for Thursday, January 28, 2021”