Author Archives: Steve Benner

Vida ScudderVida Dutton Scudder was born on December 15, 1861, the child of Congregationalist missionaries in India. In the 1870s, Vida and her mother were confirmed in the Episcopal Church by Bishop Phillips Brooks. After studying English literature at Smith College and Oxford University, Scudder began teaching at Wellesley College. Her love of scholarship wasContinue reading “Oremus for Wednesday, October 9, 2024”

William Dwight Porter BlissWilliam Dwight Porter Bliss was born in Constantinople, Turkey, on August 20, 1856, the son of Edwin Elisha Bliss and Isabella Holmes (Porter) Bliss, who were Christian missionaries there. He attended Hartford Theological Seminary, where he first learned about religion in relation to social problems. His immediate work after seminary also greatly impacted the trajectory ofContinue reading “Oremus for Tuesday, October 8, 2024”

Henry Melchior MuhlenbergHenry Melchior Muhlenberg is the principal organizer of American Lutheranism. He was born in Einbeck, Germany, in 1711, and studied at Goettingen and at Halle. Lutherans in America at that time were found in a few scattered communities, of various national backgrounds, with no central organization, and with a grave danger of factionalism.Continue reading “Oremus for Monday, October 7, 2024”

Antiphon 1 Ant. All things are submitted to your will, O Lord, *and no one can resist your decisions; you have madeall things, heaven and earth, and all that is contained underthe vault of the sky; you are the master of the universe.V. Blessed are those whose way is blameless, *who walk in the law of the Lord!BlessedContinue reading “Oremus for Sunday, October 6, 2024”

Harry Emerson FosdickHarry Emerson Fosdick, America’s greatest liberal preacher of the 20th century, was at the forefront of theological and social thinking for more than 40 years. He was also a source of controversy as he brought to his country a prophetic voice of reasoned faith and enlightened hope. A man for all seasons, FosdickContinue reading “Oremus for Saturday, October 5, 2024”

FrancisFrancis was born in Assisi in central Italy either in 1181 or the following year. He was baptised Giovanni but given the name Francesco by his father, a cloth merchant who traded in France and had married a French wife. There was an expectation that he would eventually take over his father’s business but FrancisContinue reading “Oremus for Friday, October 4, 2024”

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/3mjx3phc I am the light of the world, says the Lord;whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,but will have the light of life. John 8 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 mayContinue reading “Oremus for Thursday, October 3, 2024”

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/3mjx3phc I am the light of the world, says the Lord;whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,but will have the light of life. John 8 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 loveContinue reading “Oremus for Wednesday, October 2, 2024”

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/pdbx9vkb Your merciful love, O God,we have received in the midst of your temple.Your praise, O God, like your name,reaches the ends of the earth;your right hand is filled with saving justice. Psalm 48 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 inspirationContinue reading “Oremus for Tuesday, October 1, 2024”

JeromeJerome was born at Strido near Aquileia on the Adriatic coast of Dalmatia, in about the year 342. He studied at Rome, where he was baptised. He tried the life of a monk for a time, but unsuccessfully. Following a dream in which he stood before the judgement seat of God and was condemned forContinue reading “Oremus for Monday, September 30, 2024”