Posts
Candace’s Corner Try “St. Emilion Wines”
· National Oatmeal Month “My last name in German is oatmeal”
· Pray Day 7 of the Novena for our Pope and Bishops
· Tuesday: Litany of St. Michael the Archangel
· Bucket List trip: Acre “Crusader Stronghold”
· Carnival Time begins in Catholic Countries.
· Take down your Christmas Tree
· Spirit hour: Lamb’s wool
· Try: Huachinango
· Plan winter fun:
o Soak in hot springs
o Hit the snow slopes
o Ride a snowmobile
o Go for a dog sled ride
o Ride a hot air balloon
🍇 Candace’s Worldwide Vineyard Tour
Week 9: Israel (Galilee)
Theme: Covenant Vine, Prophetic Pouring
Dates: January 6–12, 2026
Base: Nazareth • Cana • Sea of Galilee
Seasonal Note: Winter pruning — the vine rests, the covenant deepens, and the hills hold prophetic silence.
🗓️ Tuesday, January 6 – Epiphany in Galilee
🌟 Epiphany Mass: Basilica of the Annunciation
✈️ Arrival: Tel Aviv → transfer to Nazareth
Approx. cost: ~$180 regional flight + $25 bus
🏨 Lodging: Mary’s Well Nazareth Hotel ($90/night)
🌙 Evening: Walk Nazareth’s Old City, toast with Galilee red wine
🔥 Symbolic Act — “Flame of Covenant”
Light a candle at the Basilica of the Annunciation, naming the revelation you seek this year.
🗓️ Wednesday, January 7 – Cana & Vineyard Blessing
🍷 Morning: Visit the Cana Wedding Church
🚶 Vineyard Walk: Bless a single vine with a covenant prayer
🍽️ Lunch: Local taverna (~$25)
🌱 Symbolic Act — “Prophetic Pouring”
Pour a drop of wine at the roots, asking for renewal in hidden places.
🗓️ Thursday, January 8 – Marian Clarity & Galil Mountain
🍷 Visit: Galil Mountain Winery (~$32 tasting)
📖 Journaling: Vineyard overlook
🥖 Shared Meal: Bread, olives, Galilee rosé
✨ Symbolic Act — “Marian Flame”
Name one mercy received and one joy shared.
⛪ Mass Option: Basilica of the Annunciation (daily Mass times vary)
🗓️ Friday, January 9 – Vineyard Walk & Prophetic Pause
🚶 Morning: Walk the Galilee hillsides
🙏 Pause: Mount Tabor shrine (Transfiguration)
🧺 Picnic: Local produce (~$15)
🌸 Symbolic Act — “Prophetic Pause”
Leave a flower or stone at the shrine as a sign of surrender and trust.
🗓️ Saturday, January 10 – Sea of Galilee Reflection
🚤 Morning: Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee ($20)
🍷 Visit: Tabor Winery ($30 tasting)
✍️ Reflection: Covenant clarity by the water
🌄 Symbolic Act — “Eucharistic Clarity”
Write a psalm of peace for the year ahead.
🗓️ Sunday, January 11 – Vineyard Benediction & Mass
🍷 Visit: Dalton Winery (~$28 tasting)
✍️ Writing: Compose a vineyard blessing for the next traveler
🥂 Evening: Toast with Galilee reserve wine
🌄 Symbolic Act — “Galilee Benediction”
Bless the hills and covenant vines with a spoken word of peace.
⛪ Mass (Sunday): Church of St. Joseph, Nazareth
🕚 Typical Sunday Mass: 11:00 AM
🗓️ Monday, January 12 – Pilgrim’s Covenant & Departure
🚶 Villages: Tiberias & Safed (Tzfat)
🍽️ Shared Meal: With vineyard families (~$25)
🔔 Symbolic Act — “Covenant Shared”
Light a candle for vineyard workers and their families.
✈️ Depart: Continue to next vineyard destination
🌍 Suggested Next Stop:
· Georgia (Kakheti): Kakheti Wine Region
· Armenia (Areni Valley): Areni-1 Cave Complex
💰 Estimated Total Cost: ~$640 USD
Includes:
- 6 nights lodging
- 5 vineyard tastings
- 2 symbolic meals
- 1 Sea of Galilee day trip + picnic
- Epiphany & Sunday Mass
January 6 Tuesday
Traditional Epiphany
St.
André Bessette
Genesis, Chapter 31, Verse 42
This is Jacob speaking about his treatment from his
father-in-law Laban. We see that Laban feared
Isaac; Jacobs father because God was with him. People who know the Lord radiate
a presence; it affects their whole being. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is
real. God’s Holy presence changes us physically, mentally and in a deeper sense
within the heart. We are new people. In a similar way Moses face radiated this
presence so much his face had to be covered because its glowing terrified the
Israelites. In earlier postings we discussed how Sarah; Abraham’s wife was
exquisitely beautiful at an advanced age. Those who radiate the presence of God
seek His will. They have the right intention giving all things to God. They
avoid mortal sin and obey the laws of God. They cherish God in their hearts and
seek to do those things that please God. At times we find ourselves so
engrossed with our day-to-day activities and worry about the mundane; much like
Saint Martha forgetting “the better part”. If we are to radiate His presence,
we must be in His presence. Perhaps
today would be a good day to develop the practice of putting one item on your
daily “To Do” list that you know will please God. We should above all; avoid
thinking of ourselves too much, honor our own and others bodies and work hard
to create a better world.
Copilot’s
Take
On this Traditional Epiphany Tuesday, the Church
invites us to contemplate the quiet radiance of God’s presence, a light that
not only guided the Magi but also transformed the lives of the humble and
faithful, as seen in Jacob’s testimony and in the life of St. André Bessette.
Jacob could say with confidence that “the God of Abraham and the fear of Isaac”
had been his defender because a life lived in God’s presence becomes
unmistakably marked by His protection and favor. St. André embodied this same
truth: frail in body yet luminous in spirit, he carried the peace and strength
of the Holy Spirit in a way that drew thousands to seek healing and hope.
Epiphany reminds us that God manifests Himself through those who dwell in His
presence, and that this radiance is not reserved for the great but is offered
to all who, like André, choose the “better part” and give God the gold of their
will, the incense of their prayer, and the myrrh of their daily sacrifices.
Today, as we honor both the manifestation of Christ and the humble saint who
bore His light, we are invited to place one deliberate act of love on our daily
path, so that God’s presence may shine through us into a world hungry for His
mercy.
Epiphany —
Tuesday, January 6
A
Devotional for the Weekday of the Manifestation
WHAT mystery does the Church honor
today?
Today the Church continues to
contemplate the mystery of the Manifestation, by which Christ revealed His
divine identity not only to Israel but to the nations. While the solemn feast
emphasizes the three great epiphanies — the Magi, the Jordan, and Cana — the
weekday invites us to linger more deeply on the journey of the heart that leads
to Christ.
The
Church recalls especially:
1.
The steadfast seeking of the Wise Men, who followed the light given to
them.
2.
The obedience of Christ in the Jordan, sanctifying the waters for our
salvation.
3.
The quiet transformation at Cana, where divine generosity begins to
overflow.
These
mysteries teach us that God reveals Himself not only in great signs, but also
in the humble, hidden, and daily moments of grace.
Why does the
Church continue the Epiphany celebration throughout the week?
Because
the mystery of Epiphany is not exhausted in a single day.
It is a seasonal revelation, a dawning light that spreads:
·
from a star in the heavens,
·
to the waters of the Jordan,
·
to the jars of Cana,
·
and finally into the hearts of all who seek Him.
The
Church desires that we, like the Magi, persevere in our search, follow the
inspirations of grace, and allow Christ to manifest Himself in every corner of
our lives.
EPISTLE (Weekday
Meditation): Isaiah 60:1–3
“Arise,
shine, for your light has come.”
The prophet’s words echo again today, calling the soul to rise from weariness,
discouragement, or routine.
The Epiphany light is not a distant star but a present illumination, guiding
the faithful through the shadows of the world.
What does
this light accomplish?
·
It reveals Christ to those who seek Him.
·
It draws nations and individuals toward truth.
·
It expands the heart, making room for divine joy.
The
Epiphany light is both gift and summons: a gift of revelation, and a summons to
walk in that revelation.
GOSPEL (Weekday
Meditation): Matthew 2:1–12
The
Gospel of the Magi is read again in spirit today, not to repeat the story, but
to deepen its meaning.
What does
the journey of the Wise Men teach us today?
·
That God uses signs suited to each soul — a star for astronomers,
Scripture for Israel, grace for all.
·
That the path to Christ often passes through confusion, delay, and
opposition, as it did through Herod’s court.
·
That true worship requires opening our treasures — not merely our minds,
but our hearts.
What
treasures does Christ desire from us today?
·
Gold — the surrender of our will to His kingship.
·
Frankincense — the rising incense of prayer.
·
Myrrh — the offering of our sacrifices, purity, and self‑denial.
Weekday Epiphany Prayer
O God, Who didst reveal Thy Son to the nations by the
light of a star,
grant that the brightness of Thy grace may ever guide our steps.
As the Wise Men persevered in their seeking,
so may we persevere in faith,
following every inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit.
May we offer Thee today
the gold of obedience,
the incense of prayer,
and the myrrh of self‑sacrifice,
that Christ may be manifested in us,
and we may one day behold the glory of Thy majesty.
Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Epiphany is
one of the greatest feasts of the liturgical year.
The twelfth day after Christmas, it concludes
Christmastide proper by celebrating the "manifestation," or epiphaneia,
of Christ to the Gentiles. To this day the Eastern churches consider Epiphany
more important than Christmas. The Holy Spirit's guidance of these wise men to
the Holy Land through the aid of a star signifies the calling of all nations,
not just the Jews, to the New Covenant. But this "manifestation" to
non-Jews also calls to mind other manifestations of our Lord's divinity. The Nativity
continues to be remembered as the first crucial manifestation, but so too does
the Baptism of our Lord in the Jordan, since it affirms both His
divinity as well as His humanity. And the wedding of Cana comes to mind
because it was Christ's first public manifestation of His power with the
transubstantiation of water into wine. (It also comes to mind because the
Gospel uses the word "manifest" (ephanerosen) to describe this
event (Jn. 2.11).)
Finally, the manifestations of Jesus Christ during His
earthly existence ineluctably lead us to consider His final manifestation in glory, a
manifestation for which we have longed throughout Advent and Christmastide.
Hence St. John Chrysostom says in his sermon on Epiphany:
There
are two manifestations of Christ, not one. The first is the one which has
already happened, His epiphany in the present. The second is the one of the
future which will come at the end of time with great splendor and glory. You
have heard read today what St. Paul writes to Titus about both of these
epiphanies. Concerning the first he says, "The grace of God our Savior has
appeared to all men..." About the second he writes, "We look for the
blessed hope and glorious coming of our great God and Savior, Jesus
Christ" (Titus 2.11-13) (On the Baptism of Christ).
It is for
these reasons that St. Gregory Nazianzus refers to Epiphany as the "the
Holy light of the manifestations."
The Three Kings
The
Gospel of Matthew mentions only that several Magi -- respected priestly
scholars from Persia and other neighboring countries -- came to worship the
Christ Child from the East. Tradition, however, has added a few details: that
there were three of them, that they were kings, and that their names were
Gaspar, Melchior, and Baltasar. Devotion to the three kings is a marked feature
of Epiphany and was traditionally encouraged in a number of ways. From
Christmas onward, for example, the figurines of the Magi, which had been kept a
distance from the crèche, were brought closer and closer until it reached the
crèche on Twelfth night. Another traditional observance was the solemn blessing
of a home on the Feast of the Epiphany, after which the initials of the Magi
would be written on the frame of the door, together with the year and several
crosses that connected all of the letters and numbers. There is even a special
blessing for the chalk in the Roman ritual.
Blessing of Water
The
commemoration of our Lord's Baptism in the Jordan led to a number of impressive
blessings concerning water. In Palestine, the river Jordan itself was blessed,
with throngs of the faithful immersing in it three times to obtain the
blessing, while in Egypt, the whole Christian population and its livestock
would show up for the blessing of the Nile and do the same thing. In Byzantium,
Epiphany water was blessed in church and then distributed. Rome followed this
custom, instituting it on the Vigil of the feast. The formula for the blessing
may be found in the Roman ritual.
Magi Plays
Like
Christmas, Epiphany was a favorite time for caroling; and like all great
solemnities from the Middle Ages, Epiphany encouraged mystery plays. These were
called Magi plays and featured the story of the Nativity, the slaughter of the
Innocents, and the visit of the Magi. They were also quite boisterous: the
character of Herod was portrayed as a raving lunatic, wreaking havoc with his
wooden spear: hence Shakespeare's line about overacting-- "it out-herods
Herod!" (Hamlet III.ii). Variations of these mystery plays have survived
into the present day.
Feasting
And also
like all great solemnities, Epiphany was a day for great feasting. Though the
dishes varied, one consistently popular custom was Kings' or Twelfth-night
cake, which included a small object that identified its finder as the
"king" for the day. Many countries also use this occasion for the
exchange of gifts.
The Feast of the
Holy Family
Held on
the Sunday after Epiphany, the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and
Joseph holds up the domestic life of Jesus, his mother, and foster father as
the perfect model for all Catholic households. As Pope Leo XIII explains, there
is a lesson in this family for everyone: for fathers, for mothers, for
children; for nobility (the Holy Family was from the royal house of David), for
the poor (they gave up their possessions in fleeing to Egypt), and so on. There
are no prescribed or uniform customs for the feast, but that does not mean no
observances were made. The following is an account from Father Weiser of Holy
Family Sundays at our own parish, Holy Trinity German Church, in the 1940s. The
annual Holy Childhood procession, on the feast of the Holy Family, is one of
the most attractive ceremonies. In former years this procession was called the
"Shepherds' Procession" as the children marched through the church
dressed as shepherds and shepherdesses -- a lovely relic of popular medieval piety
(Holy Trinity Parish, 1844-1944, p. 37). This feast is also an ideal time to
pray any of the devotions to the Holy Family that are given in the Raccolta,
the Church's old official list of indulgences. The fact that many of these
prayers are no longer indulgenced does not make them any less meaningful or
worthy of use.
Epiphany Facts & Quotes[1]
·
Epiphany
Day is celebrated as a public holiday in Sweden, Finland and Iceland. Denmark
and Norway do not have the day off but do hold special mass and church
services. The day is also a holiday throughout much of Eastern Europe.
·
Frankincense,
a perfume, and myrrh, anointing oil, were traditional gifts for kings during
the time of Christ. Bodies were also prepared for burial with these
items. These were the gifts that the wise men brought to the baby Jesus.
·
In
Latin American culture, Epiphany, which means 'manifestation', is celebrated
with plays and special songs that celebrate the coming of the three kings, or
magi. Children place boxes
of hay under their beds for the magi' camels, and in return they receive gifts.
·
In
some Eastern Orthodox Christian communities, Epiphany is celebrated by a
procession to the nearest river, lake, or pond. The priest blesses the
water and he throws a cross in the waves. People dive into the water to
retrieve the cross, and the one who finds it is thought to be particularly
blessed in the New Year.
·
It’s
a time to focus on the guiding star and the three men who out of curiosity
followed the star to Jesus, - Martin Modeús of the Church of Sweden
Epiphany Top Events and Things to Do
·
Take
down any decorations, you should have taken these down on Knut’s Day, the day
before Epiphany, but if you’ve been too busy eating, today is the day to get
them down.
·
Sing
We Three Kings, a traditional Epiphany hymn telling the story of the
magi.
·
Go
to an Orthodox service and witness a Epiphany procession. This often
includes pageantry of colorful robes and a large bowl of water centered in the
middle of the church. Churches are often decorated with flowers and
greenery.
·
In
some Western churches, church members share king cake, similar to the pastry
served on Mardi Gras in New Orleans. A coin or bean is cooked into the
cake, and whoever receives them gets to wear a crown for a day.
·
Watch
a Christmas themed movie. Our favorites include
1) Fanny and Alexander (1982), this film depicts a family in Uppsala,
Sweden during the 1900s and is a national favorite.
2) Santa Claus (1990)
3) Elf (2003), Will Ferrell’s modern Christmas classic
Home Blessing for the Feast of Epiphany[2]
Today would also be a good time to honor your Father
in heaven by marking your home in chalk; publicly stating who’s you are.
Every
year the Carmelite Pre-novitiate Community at Carith House in Chicago on the
Feast of the Epiphany blesses their home. We invite you to adopt this custom in
your family. The family gathers to ask God’s blessing on their home and on
those who live in or visit the home. It is an invitation for Jesus to be a
daily guest in our home, our comings and goings, our conversations, our work
and play, our joys and sorrows.
A
traditional way of doing this is to use chalk to write above the home’s
entrance, 20 + C + M + B + 25. The letters C, M, B have two meanings. They are
the initials of the traditional names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and
Balthazar. They also abbreviate the Latin words Christus mansionem
benedicat, “May Christ bless the house.” The “+” signs represent the cross
and 2025 is the year.
Blessing the Chalk
V. Our help is the name of the Lord:
R. The maker of heaven and earth.
V. The Lord shall watch over your going
out and your coming in:
R. From this time forth for evermore.
Let us pray.
Loving God, bless this chalk which you
have created, that it may be helpful to your people; and grant that through the
invocation of your most Holy Name that we who use it in faith to write upon the
door of our home the names of your holy ones Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar,
may receive health of body and protection of soul for all who dwell in or visit
our home; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Instructions for Blessing the Home
Using the
blessed chalk mark the lintel of your front door (or front porch step) as
follows:
20 + C +
M + B + 25 while saying:
The three Wise Men,
Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star of God’s Son who became human
two thousand and twenty-five years ago. May Christ bless our home and remain
with us throughout the New Year. Amen.
Then
offer the following prayer: Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the
gladness of your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of
your love; and grant that we may manifest your love to each other and to all
whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of
you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and
forever. Amen
“Chalking
the door” is a way to celebrate and literally mark the occasion of the Epiphany
and God’s blessing of our lives and home. With time the chalk will fade. As it
does, we let the meaning of the symbols written sink into the depths of our
heart and be manifest in our words and actions the Latin words, Christus
mansionem benedictat, “May
Christ bless the house.”
Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God
remains in him and he in God. We have come to know and to believe in the love
God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God
in him. In this is love brought to perfection among us, that we have confidence
on the Day of Judgment because as he is, so are we in this world. There
is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do
with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love. We love
because he first loved us. (1 Jn 4:15-19)
Bl.
Andre Bessette - Day Thirteen[3]
Brother
André spent most of his days in a narrow lodge, with only a table, some chairs
and a bench as furnishings. He was attentive to the needs of all, smiling,
obliging. In the evening, he would engage in the difficult work of maintaining
the parlor and hallway floors. He was on his knees until late at night,
washing, polishing, and waxing by the dim light of a candle. — Abbey of
Saint-Joseph de Clairval
The use
of candles is one of the loveliest Christmas customs that we can keep on using
throughout the year. Now, more than ever, Christmas is a festival of light in a
dark world, a time to hold our candles high, and to teach our children all the
little ceremonies which make life gracious and full of meaning. No matter how
long we live, nor how learned we become, we may travel the world over, and find
nothing more beautiful than candlelight on the face of a child. "Now the
Lord be thanked because we have light." — Dorothy Albaugh Stickell
·
Day
Thirteen Activity (Candles for the Domestic Church)
·
Recipe
(Yule Spice Cake)
Catholic Calendar[4]
Read: The Epiphany marks
the arrival of visitors, identified in Scripture as magi, to the place where
Jesus was born. Although we know virtually nothing about them, we do know they
brought three gifts:
·
Gold,
a symbol of wealth and power, identifies the recipient as a king.
·
Frankincense,
the crystalized resinous sap of a tree used as incense and as an offering, is
symbolic of prayer.
·
Myrrh,
another resinous tree sap, was used in healing liniments and as an embalming
ointment. Myrrh is an odd gift for a child—so, even at the beginning of
Jesus' life on earth, this gift foreshadows his death.
Reflect: Practice the
ancient art of Lectio Divina today and reflect
on the readings on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.
Pray: Say a blessing on your
home on the Epiphany.
Act: Did you wish
someone a Merry Christmas today?
The
Christmas season continues until Sunday, which is the Feast of the Baptism of
the Lord. An easy way to evangelize is to wish someone a Merry Christmas during
the Christmas season after December 25 and explain why. The liturgical season
of Christmas begins with the vigil Masses on Christmas Eve and concludes on the
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
Epiphany: The Holy
Light of the Manifestations (January 6)[5]
Traditionally today is the Feast of the Epiphany or
the day the three kings presented gifts to Christ. They are an example of men
who overcame great obstacles and their own fears
to come and present gifts to our Lord. They also being wise men knew that they
could not trust Herod when he asked them to return to him and tell him where
Christ was. It is not always possible to get to a win-win situation and we must
also use our wisdom as the three Kings did and know when we must fight, run, do
nothing, compromise or prepare for growth. Christ reveals Himself not just to
the Jews, but to the Gentiles, as the visitation of the Magi makes clear that
the Light of Christ did not come to illuminate one nation but all, and so on
the Feast of the
Epiphany
we celebrate His first manifestation (epiphaneia) to the Gentiles, the
three Magi who followed His star from the East. This manifestation also leads
us to consider other "firsts" -- the first manifestation of His
mission at His Baptism and the first manifestation of His power at the wedding of
Cana. Hence both are also remembered on the Feast of the Epiphany.
St.
André Bessette
Brother André expressed a saint's faith by a
lifelong devotion to Saint Joseph.
Sickness and weakness dogged André from birth. He
was the eighth of twelve children born to a French-Canadian couple near
Montreal. Adopted at twelve, when both parents had died, he became a farmhand.
Various trades followed: shoemaker, baker, blacksmith-all failures. He was a
factory worker in the United States during the boom times of the Civil War.
At twenty-five, he applied for entrance into the
Congregation of the Holy Cross. After a year's novitiate, he was not admitted
because of his weak health. But with an extension and the urging of Bishop
Bourget, he was finally received. He was given the humble job of doorkeeper at
Notre Dame College in Montreal, with additional duties as sacristan, laundry
worker and messenger. "When I joined this community, the superiors showed
me the door, and I remained forty years."
In his little room near the door, he spent much of
the night on his knees. On his windowsill, facing Mount Royal, was a small
statue of Saint Joseph, to whom he had been devoted since childhood. When asked
about it he said, "Someday, Saint Joseph is going to be honored in a very
special way on Mount Royal!"
When he heard someone was ill, he visited to bring
cheer and to pray with the sick person. He would rub the sick person lightly
with oil taken from a lamp burning in the college chapel. Word of healing
powers began to spread.
When an epidemic broke out at a nearby college,
André volunteered to nurse. Not one person died. The trickle of sick people to
his door became a flood. His superiors were uneasy; diocesan authorities were
suspicious; doctors called him a quack. "I do not cure," he said
again and again. "Saint Joseph cures." In the end he needed four
secretaries to handle the eighty thousand letters he received each year.
For many years the Holy Cross authorities had tried
to buy land on Mount Royal. Brother André and others climbed the steep hill and
planted medals of Saint Joseph. Suddenly, the owners yielded. André collected
two hundred dollars to build a small chapel and began receiving visitors there
smiling through long hours of listening, applying Saint Joseph's oil. Some were
cured, some not. The pile of crutches, canes and braces grew.
The chapel also grew. By 1931 there were gleaming
walls, but money ran out. "Put a statue of Saint Joseph in the middle. If
he wants a roof over his head, he'll get it." The magnificent Oratory on
Mount Royal took fifty years to build. The sickly boy who could not hold a job
died at ninety.
He is buried at the Oratory and was beatified in
1982. On December 19, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI promulgated a decree recognizing
a second miracle at Blessed André’s intercession and on October 17, 2010, Pope
Benedict XVI formally declared sainthood for Blessed André. — Saint of the
Day, Leonard Foley, O.F.M.
Things to Do:
·
Read more about the life of St. André.
·
Learn more about the Holy Cross Brothers, the order of which Bl.
André was a member. Pray for an increase in vocations and for those who are
already living the religious life.
·
If you live close to St.
Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal, make a
pilgrimage. If that's not possible make a virtual pilgrimage.
·
Say a prayer for the sick who were so dear to the
heart of Brother André.
·
Try the recipes offered to sample authentic French-Canadian
food.
Bible in a
Year Day 189 Follow the Lord
Fr. Mike explains why it's important to focus on our own journey
with the Lord over those around us while highlighting the leadership of King
Josiah. He also reminds us how the mistakes of past kings had led Israel down a
dark path. Today's readings are 2 Kings 23, 2 Chronicles 34, and Proverbs
8:1-21.
Litany
of Trust
“Deliver me,
Jesus, from the fear that trusting You will leave me more destitute.”
This petition names a fear that often hides beneath our attempts at control—the suspicion that if we truly surrender to God, we will lose more than we gain. It is the quiet anxiety that obedience will cost too much, that letting go will leave us empty, that divine invitations will strip us of what little security we have.
Epiphany shines light on this fear.
The God who reveals Himself does not reveal scarcity; He reveals generosity.
The One who called the Magi across deserts did not abandon them in the dark.
Trust did not impoverish them; it led them to the very presence of Christ.
To pray this line is to confess that we sometimes cling to what is familiar, even when it is small, because we fear that God’s path will demand too much. But the Gospel shows that trust is not depletion—it is transformation. What we place in God’s hands is not diminished; it is made whole.
This petition invites us to release the belief that God’s will threatens our well‑being. It calls us to see that divine love does not lead us into emptiness but into a deeper fullness than we could create on our own.
To pray these words is to step into Epiphany’s light and discover that God does not lead us into destitution, but into abundance.
Daily Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph
by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: Restoring
the Constitution
·
Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Rosary
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