Author Archives: Steve Benner

Gregory of NyssaGregory of Nyssa was born at Caesarea in what is now Turkey around the year 330, the child of an aristocratic Christian family. Unlike his elder brother Basil, he was academically undistinguished, but ultimately proved to be the most original of the group of the theologians known as the Cappadocian Fathers. He wasContinue reading “Oremus for March 9, 2026”

Antiphon Ant. The sparrow has found herself a home, *and the turtledove 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 e ver.V. How lovely is your dwelling place, *O Lord of hosts.My soulContinue reading “Oremus for March 8, 2026”

Perpetua and Her CompanionsPerpetua, a young woman of twenty-two, her slave Felicity, and three men, all recently baptised, were thrown to the beasts in the arena in Carthage in 203. A contemporary diary details the events of their sufferings and witnesses to their willingness to die in order to fulfil their following of Jesus. TheContinue reading “Oremus for March 7, 2026”

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/2up5tr2v Look to your covenant, O Lord,and forget not the life of your poor ones for ever.Arise, O God, and defend your cause,and forget not the cries of those who seek you. Psalm 74 Merciful God,we confess that we have sinned against youin thought, word, and deed,by what we have done,and by what we have leftContinue reading “Oremus for March 6, 2026”

Jean-Pierre de CaussadeJean-Pierre de Caussade (born 1675) was a French Jesuit who died on this day in 1751. He was appointed spiritual director of a community of nuns and decided to share with them his ideas on the spiritual life. The material was published a century after his death as Self-Abandonment to Divine Providence. The bookContinue reading “Oremus for March 5, 2026”

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/4a5jdna4 As for me, in justice I shall behold your face;I shall be filled with the vision of your glory. Psalm 17 Merciful God,we confess that we have sinned against youin thought, word, and deed,by what we have done,and by what we have left undone.We have not loved youwith our whole heart and mind and strength.WeContinue reading “Oremus for March 4, 2026”

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/yckjdem9 Holy Father, keep in your name those you have given me,that they may be one as we are one, says the Lord. John 17 God of mercy,you sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost.We confess that we have strayed from youand turned aside from your way.We are misled by pride,for we see ourselvesContinue reading “Oremus for March 3, 2026”

John WesleyBorn at Epworth Rectory in Lincolnshire, John Wesley was the son of an Anglican clergyman and a Puritan mother. He entered Holy Orders and, following a religious experience on this day in 1738, began an itinerant ministry which recognised no parish boundaries. This resulted, after his death, in the development of a world-wide MethodistContinue reading “Oremus for March 2, 2026”

Antiphon Ant. I shall meditate upon your commandments which I greatly love;I will extend my hands towards your commandments which I love.V. I have said, “O Lord, my portion *is to obey your words.”With all my heart I implore your favor; *as with your promise, have mercy. Psalm 119 Almighty God,you love us, but we have not lovedContinue reading “Oremus for March 1, 2026”

Martin BucerMartin Bucer (11 November 1491 – 28 February 1551) was a German Protestant reformer based in Strasbourg who influenced Lutheran, Calvinist, and Anglican doctrines and practices. Bucer was originally a member of the Dominican Order, but after meeting and being influenced by Martin Luther in 1518 he arranged for his monastic vows to beContinue reading “Oremus for February 28, 2026”