Author Archives: Steve Benner

Absalom Jones (1746-1818)Absalom Jones was born a house slave in 1746 in Delaware. After being sold to a store owner in Philadelphia at sixteen, he eventually bought his own freedom in 1784.At St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church, he served as lay minister for its Black membership. The active evangelism of Jones and that of hisContinue reading “Oremus for Tuesday, February 13, 2024”

Fanny CrosbyFanny Crosby was the most prolific writer of hymn texts and gospel songs in the American evangelical tradition of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. She wrote more than eight thousand sacred texts in addition to other poetry.Frances Jane Crosby was born in Putnam County, New York, on March 24, 1820. Although notContinue reading “Oremus for Monday, February 12, 2024”

Antiphon 1 Ant. Come, let us worship God * and bow down before the Lord;let us shed tears before the Lord who made us,for he is the Lord our God.V. Come, let us ring out our joy to the Lord; *hail the rock who saves us.Let us come into his presence, giving thanks; *let us hail him withContinue reading “Oremus for Sunday, February 11, 2024”

ScholasticaMuch less is known about Scholastica than her famous brother, St Benedict. She too was born at Nursia, central Italy, around the year 480. At an early age she chose to consecrate herself to God, but probably continued to live at home. Only after Benedict moved to Monte Cassino did she settle at Plombariola nearby, joiningContinue reading “Oremus for Saturday, February 10, 2024”

Daniel EganDaniel Egan, a Bronx native, joined the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement in 1935 and was ordained a priest. A turning point in his life came in 1952, as he was preaching in a church and noticed a woman in grave distress. She confessed that she was a drug addict struggling to kick herContinue reading “Oremus for Friday, February 9, 2024”

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/ypfm8yec Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be consoled.Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,for they shall have their fill. Matthew 5 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 Thursday, February 8, 2024”

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/h3ebwvj2 To you I call; for you will surely heed me, O God;turn your ear to me; hear my words.Guard me as the apple of your eye;in the shadow of your wings protect me. Psalm 17 Almighty God,to whom all hearts are open,all desires, known,and from whom no secrets are hid:Cleanse the thoughts ofContinue reading “Oremus for Wednesday, February 7, 2024”

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/y4eddx4h Arise, Jerusalem, and look to the Eastand see your children gathered from the rising to the setting of the sun. Baruch 5 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 youandContinue reading “Oremus for Tuesday, February 6, 2024”

The Martyrs of JapanIn 1597 twenty-six Christians (some priests or monks, but mostly lay folk, including three altar boys) were put to death near Nagasaki as part of a persecution aimed at wiping out Christianity in Japan. Sub-sequently, many more Christian converts were put to death. The teaching of Christianity was proscribed until the middleContinue reading “Oremus for Monday, February 5, 2024”

Antiphon1 Ant. Render secure my footsteps in your paths *so that my feet do not slip; incline your ear and hear my words;display your wonderful mercies, O Lord,Savior of those who place their hope in you.V. O Lord, hear a cause that is just; *pay heed to my cry.Turn your ear to my prayer: *no deceit isContinue reading “Oremus for Sunday, February 4, 2024”