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"The light of His grace streamed in upon her unobstructed and the radiant colors of all the virtues were found in the clear crystal of her purity."  Sr. Mary Jean Dorcy, O.P. Child Mary by Kristyn Brown This reflection from the Magnificat for today's Feast of the Immaculate Conception by Sister Mary Jean Dorcy, O.P. is just perfect.  Light.  Pure, radiant light, free of Original Sin from her conception and full of grace.  That is the Immaculate Conception, Mary.  Beauty, stre

"How sweet to my tongue is your promise, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" Psalm 119:103 In writing this post on St. Ambrose in remembrance of his feast day, I have to share that I am staring a bit at a blank page--very much as he is portrayed above in this painting by Matthais Stom. I am at a bit of a loss for words to reflect upon when writing about someone of such huge importance and impact. However, I must admit that it is a bit of a fun idea, isn't it, to think that one

Reflection on the Gospel Reading Matthew 3:1-12 The figure and message of John the Baptizer was harsh and yet attractive. Living a solitary existence John emerged from the desert (now in Transjordan), clothed in the rough garb reminiscent of the ancient prophets, preaching a startling simple message: Reform your lives because the reign of God is at hand! Unpolished, straightforward in his criticism of contemporary society, John’s spreading reputation from Jerusalem, all Judea

“Make me brave to speak my mood, O my Jesus, as I would! Or teach me, which I rather seek, What to do and what to speak. — ANACREONTIC HYMN — St. John Damascene When I stood under the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel for the first time, a new level of understanding about the creation of the world and the final judgement sank into my heart. A couple of hours later, I felt the same as I stood before the Pietà in St. Peter’s, contemplating Christ’s passion and death. When we create