Darkness and Light – John’s Gospel
The structure of John’s gospel, from which virtually all our gospel readings are taken in the Easter season, is mostly built around specific feasts of the Jewish liturgical year, celebrated
Continue readingThe first “Christians”
Today’s first reading from Acts (11:19-26) describes how, because of the persecution which broke out after the stoning of St Stephen many of the earliest disciples move away from Jerusalem
Continue readingThe Martyrs of England and Wales
In this country today is kept as the feast of the Martyrs of England and Wales, incorporating two formerly separate feast days (today and in October) for those who had
Continue readingFourth Sunday of Easter: Vocations Sunday
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is always observed as the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The Holy Father’s message for today can be read on the Vatican website: CLICK
Continue readingSt Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria
Today the Church honours one of the most important theologians of the early Church, St Athanasius. He was bishop of Alexandria in Egypt for much of the fourth century, in
Continue readingCAFOD Coronavirus Appeal
CAFOD launched its coronavirus emergency appeal on 30 April. The effects of coronavirus on developing countries where CAFOD works are likely to be devastating. Families without enough to eat and
Continue readingSt Joseph the Worker
The feast of St Joseph the Worker was established on 1 May by Pope Pius XII after the Second World War to associate the Catholic Church with Labour day, which
Continue readingPius V – Pope and Saint
Today the Church in its calendar honours St Pius V, who was pope from 1566 until 1572. He had been a Dominican friar, and unlike many popes of this period
Continue readingSt Catherine of Siena
I reflected last week on St George’s day that one of the purposes of patron saints is to inspire us by their teachings and example and give us coherence and
Continue readingStephen – the first martyr
In the narrative we hear from the book of Acts at Mass this week about St Stephen, the first deacon and the first martyr, we don’t hear the speech he
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