A Catholic Monthly Magazine

Domus Australia (Comments Off)

from the Address at the Opening of Domus Australia in Rome, 19 October 2011

“Our earthly lives”, the Holy Father said, “are spent journeying towards that ultimate goal, where ‘no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him’. Here on earth, the Church’s long tradition of pilgrimage to holy places serves to …

Resolutely he took the road (Comments Off)

When I was a student at St Bedes College, Christchurch, Fr Frank Wall was ushered in to speak to us at assembly. He had a tape recorder with him and promised to play the voice of “a Maori nightingale” which he did after his rousing pep talk. I remember the large auditorium filled with the rich voice of a soprano. It could have been Kiri …

Make Hospitality Your Special Care (Romans 12:13) (Comments Off)

The run up to Christmas is a time to think about hospitality. It is said that hospitality is the special care of Christians. Why is this? Surely people outside Christianity can be generous hosts and hostesses?

My dictionary defines hospitality as liberal entertainment of strangers or guests. What does the word liberal mean? Is it a word to which the life of Christ gives …

‘Defender of the Faith’ (Comments Off)

This historical title has modern resonance. Trish O’Donnell reflects on the history and its implications

The Gospel of Matthew – Part 7 (Comments Off)

This is the final installment of Joe McHugh’s series.The chapters covered are featured in the liturgy of Holy Week.

The chief priests and elders decide to put Jesus to death, but they caution one another, “Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.” But Jesus’ death will occur during the …

View from the pews (Comments Off)

One of the advantages of being editor of the Messenger is that I get to visit parishes all over NZ, and some in Australia, and have the privilege to join in the Sunday liturgies. During this period of familiarisation with parts of the new English translation it has been particularly interesting seeing how people cope with the new Ordinary of the Mass. In NZ we …

The Mystery of Faith (Comments Off)

There is a very strange phrase in the old Roman Canon. While it is not scriptural it was found right in the middle of a scripture quote as part of the words of institution; said over the cup. It is the fourth line below:

In the pre-Vatican mass we did not usually hear this phrase because the priest said the words very quietly. Those …

Unsung Heroes (Comments Off)

HAVE you ever wanted to be a hero?

I have. Who am I kidding; I still do. I want to do extraordinary things. I used to want to save the world. (And I sympathise with the humorists among you who add – “from people like Bill!”) And, despite the promises I make to myself, it would be a safe bet to say that I’ll go …

January Saints (0)

Saint Fulgentius (468-533)

Born in Africa of a senatorial family, Fulgentius was at an early age appointed procurator of his province at Carthage. At the age of twenty-two, he resolved to embrace monastic life and was accepted into a monastery, renouncing all his goods on behalf of his mother and younger brother. He suffered much under Arian Vandal persecution.

Elected bishop of Ruspe in 508, …

Changing Landscapes (Comments Off)

I live across the road from an ‘occasional’ pond. When there is prolonged rain, the pond fills. A huge variety of life is attracted: swans, gulls, mallards, wading birds, frogs, model boat enthusiasts, and sculptors who create public works of art, such as the “Loch Ness Monster”!

When the rains stop and the water begins to dry up, other creatures appear. Rabbits, sparrows, butterflies, people …

Jesus’ Mother lived by faith (Comments Off)

This article was prompted by an earlier article on what Jesus knew.

Scripture writer Brother Kieran gives a scholarly reflection on what Jesus and Mary knew.

One of the great challenges presented to the Gospel reader today is to look beyond the literal level of the text to see the meaning below the text.  This is the challenge presented in article 126 in the Catechism …

The Divine Indwelling (Comments Off)

Where is God? Since God is everywhere we can find him in all things by stirring up our faith. Although he is everywhere there is a special place of presence that I wish to discuss in this article, namely, his presence in our own hearts.

St. Teresa urgently asks the question, where must we seek God? She cites Augustine who says, that he sought God …