Today the Church celebrates the great feast of the Apostles, Saints Peter and Paul, including their bold missionary spirit, of which we are heirs. As Pope Francis said at the canonization of another missionary, Saint Junípero Serra, “We are indebted to a tradition, a chain of witnesses who have made it possible for the Good […] [Read more]
Archive for June, 2017
The Convocation of Catholic Leaders and the Joy of the Gospel
Thursday, June 29th, 2017Freedom for Mission and Mission for Freedom
Monday, June 26th, 2017The Fortnight for Freedom initiative is a call to pray, reflect and contribute to a better understanding of – and respect for – religious freedom in a way that lifts up all people. The theme this year is Freedom for Mission. Mission is fundamental to being a complete Christian. Saint John Paul II affirmed that […] [Read more]
Jubilee Couples Show the Joy of Love
Friday, June 23rd, 2017For every priest, witnessing and blessing the marriage of a couple in the name of the Church is a special joy. Their standing before the altar signifies that Christ is present with them that day. Just as Jesus performed his first miracle at the wedding feast of Cana, he continues to be with couples every […] [Read more]
“Blessed are the Peacemakers”
Wednesday, June 21st, 2017Last week we reflected on Jesus’ teaching on the Beatitudes and learned that by their contradiction to the ways of the world, they inherently call us to conversion – to turn to the way of the Lord and see with eyes of faith. In light of the scourge of war and other acts of violence […] [Read more]
Corpus Christi and Love for our Father
Sunday, June 18th, 2017The Church Universal lifts up for us today throughout the world the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, known in Latin as Corpus Christi. Here in the U.S., today it is also Father’s Day, and it is quite fitting that this feast of the Eucharist should be celebrated alongside this day in which […] [Read more]
2017 Ordination to the Priesthood
Saturday, June 17th, 2017Watch live from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception as I ordain four men to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Washington. [Read more]
The Ordination of Our Newest Priests
Friday, June 16th, 2017One of the most joyful days of the year for our family of faith will unfold tomorrow at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception as I ordain four new priests to serve Christ, his Church, and all they encounter. Three of these soon-to-be new priests are pioneer members of our Saint […] [Read more]
Finding the Happy Life in the Beatitudes
Tuesday, June 13th, 2017Occasionally at Sunday Mass, instead of reciting the Creed we renew our baptismal commitments, including renouncing the empty promises of those things that are not of God. This renunciation of worldly false promises, together with virtue and grace, is necessary to lead a life in the Spirit and have a truly happy and prosperous life. […] [Read more]
A Listening Church and Helping Young People in Vocational Discernment
Saturday, June 10th, 2017The Church of Washington rejoices today with the ordination of four men as transitional deacons. While they will now enter into their final year of seminary formation, their pathway to ordination did not begin with their entrance into the seminary. Their spiritual journey began with their first personal contact with Christ through the sacraments of […] [Read more]
Justice and Law
Wednesday, June 7th, 2017Every society in history has had some conception of justice and, on the personal level, even from an early age we have an intuitive sense of it. Like wisdom, temperance and fortitude, justice is a personal virtue, but it is also an obligation in our relations with God and others. As Pope Francis notes, “Justice […] [Read more]
