-
The Life of Matt Talbot
Author’s Note: It is easy to discount the life of Matt Talbot as an exemplar of holiness, if we see only a man who was once an alcoholic, as this illness is not experienced by everyone. But there is something deeper at the core of Matt’s life and in the authentic message of his holiness – it is the power of prayer, which touches the heart of God, to Whom nothing is impossible. Prayer changes us and it changes those around us. Prayer is the beginning of our response to that ‘universal call to holiness’ directed at each and every one of us, as the Second Vatican Council reminded us so clearly.…
-
Our Lady of Lourdes
The Apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes to Bernadette Soubirous in the Grotto of Massabieille Original text – © Will Ross Official The Soubirous Family The Soubirous family lived in the far north of the little town of Lourdes, in the Lapaca district. A large stream flowed there, and on this stream there were seven mills; one of them was known as the Boly Mill, and this had been the residence of the Soubirous. Francois Soubirous leased the mill from relatives of his wife, Louise. In many ways, it was the trade of the miller which had brought the couple together. They had married in the parish church on 9th January…
-
Whom Jesus Loved
Of all the Biblical Saints, none has ever fascinated me – nor inspired me – as much as Saint John the Beloved Disciple, whose feast day the Church celebrates today. Traditions tells us that St John the Beloved Disciple and St John the Evangelist are one and the same person, even if there are questions surrounding the authorship of the Johannine epistles and the Book of Revelation. John fascinates me for three very particular reasons. The first of these reasons is the Gospel written by John. This one is entirely different to the other three – ‘Synoptic’ -Gospels. Whereas those describe the imminence of God, John’s work focusses on the…
-
Stuart – A Tribute
Just very occasionally, someone very special touches your life and the experience changes you forever. Those special people are like the brightest of lights, whose gentle glows illuminates not only the room, but far, far beyond. Catholics give such people a very particular name, one given rarely and never given easily – we call them saints. Tonight, I sit here with the certainty that my own life – and the lives of a great many others – have been touched by such a person, such a saint. His name was Stuart Rogerson and he died earlier today. Many of you know him already but I want to spend a little…
-
A Luminous Reflection
Pope Francis spoke today and he touched on a subject he has mentioned on many occasions in the past. He spoke about holiness and reminded us that it is not something only for the greatest among us, but is an invitation extended to each and every one of us. He said – A saint is a luminous reflection of the Lord of history. The path of holiness is universal. It is a call directed toward each of us that begins with Baptism and is unique and unrepeatable for each person. Christianity is itself the seeking to be a reflection of the Lord, so that something of His own divine light…
