The Church concludes its liturgical year with the feast of Christ the King. The kind of “king” that Jesus was reveals the kind of disciple that we are called to be. Jesus came to give new life, to forgive sins, to reveal the depth of God’s love for us, and to uplift our spirits and sights to God.................…

In Chapter One of his latest book, The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity, author Matthew Kelly observes:

“If you get the man or woman right, you get the world right. Such a simple message................…

Earlier this week, the world commemorated the moment when the guns finally fell silent on the Western Front, as the armistice mercifully put an end to the “war to end all wars.” It had begun with thousands of young men eagerly marching off to the front................…

Occasionally in life we find ourselves facing a moment which is a life changing and challenging experience. It can be full of joy like seeing your first-born granddaughter for the first time or getting your first job after college. It can also be unhappy like losing a loved one or a job.    

This week we celebrate the Feast of All Saints, one of the most beautiful feasts of the entire Church year. The early Church called all believers, "saints." And the Second Vatican Council reminded us that the call to "holiness" is a universal one...............…

Back in the day, the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales ran a summer camp near the head of the Chesapeake Bay along the Elk River near North East, Maryland. This is not far from where centuries before Major General William Howe landed British forces in late August 1777..............… 

A recent addition to my daily routine has been a light evening jog through Washington DC’s Brookland neighborhood. With the oppressive humidity of summer finally past, my daily run has become a rather pleasant experience..............…

God’s vision for His created world was perfect! After we were created, God expected us to get along. If anyone needed help, neighbors would be their helpers..............… 

St. Francis de Sales was a gifted spiritual guide. Beginners on the spiritual journey often thought that “bigger was better.” Long vigils, prolonged fasting, harsh disciplines and hair-shirts—these are the kinds of spiritual practices that they thought people who aspired to holiness ought to practice.............…

“Leafy falls fell all around my open-eyed awe of death.”

One wonders what the writer has in mind with that final line of a poem on Autumn. Here are my thoughts about it............…

A few days ago we celebrated the feast of the Holy Cross. We venerate the Cross of Christ because it was the means of his redemptive death on our behalf. It is a “holy” Cross, therefore, because of its role in our salvation...........… 

“Never miss an opportunity to do good. If you neglect an opportunity for doing good in the hope that something better will turn up, you will often lose the first and fail to find the second.”..........… 

On a recent reflection on "Desire and Duty," we saw the importance of doing or embracing God’s will for us at each passing present moment of daily life. In that context we quoted Francis de Sales, "At hundreds of times during the day let us join our life to God’s love"..........…

We have all been called to be disciples of Christ. Our call to discipleship includes: the character of those who are called to be disciples; the need for discernment and decision in following Jesus;.........… 

Early in her friendship with Francis de Sales, Jane de Chantal received some sound advice from Francis on how to attain to Christian holiness while living the busy life of a recent widow and mother of four young children.........…

This week the Church celebrates the beautiful feast of the Assumption of Mary into heaven, body and soul. St. Francis de Sales has some powerful reflections on this feast........…   

I write this reflection during a pause in the retreat schedule for the three postulants who became Oblate novices on Saturday, August 4, 2018. It is such a privilege to share these days of retreat with three fine young men.......… 

Each Monday morning, the provincial sends a newsletter to the Oblates throughout the province entitled, “Prayer Matters.” New to the role of provincial, I have just begun sending this to my fellow Oblates. When I think about the title of this communication, many interpretations come to mind.....…   

St. Francis de Sales was a man of great balance. He knew the importance of taking time from the busyness of life just to kick back a little and relax a bit.
In one of his writings he makes that point in this way....…   

All 12 young soccer players and their coach have been rescued from a dark and flooded cave in Thailand. What those boys and their parents experienced is truly incredible. Young boys, huddled together, hungry, tired, and scared..........…