monastery
“It isn’t fair!” – Lenten Reflection by Bro. Michael
“It isn’t fair!” You have surely heard a whining child blurt out this exclamation at some time or other. You may even have found yourself somewhat amused by the child’s narrow view of a distressing situation. But if we are all honest with ourselves, how often have we used this same phrase—even if only whispered…
What do you seek? What do you ask? – Reflection by Cruz Gallegos
Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish, had recourse to the LORD. She lay prostrate upon the ground, together with her handmaids, from morning until evening, and said: “God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, blessed are you. Help me, who am alone and have no help but you, for I am taking…
“There is something greater than Jonah here” – Reflection by Kolbe Peloquin
While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. At the…
“Christ Calls Us to Freedom” – Reflection by Ty Taylor
In the epic film “Braveheart,” we follow William Wallace in his struggle against the British. We watch as he ultimately sacrifices his life, bellowing his fierce battle cry: FREEEEDOOMMM! My friends, Christ calls us to pray the Our Father from our heart in freedom. “Forgive us—as we forgive those who trespass against us.” It’s tough—the…
“Come” – 2/15 Lenten Reflection
Children often become empowered in their mischief by “don’t” statements. A boy who was perfectly content will be roused to disobedience if his mother shouts, “Don’t touch the cookies that I just made.” Timmy seemed so good, but now he is left disobedient and crying out for more. In a similar fashion, the Israelites reacted…
Hold Nothing Back: Reflection by Fr. Brendan
Christians are crazy! In a world where most define themselves by what they do, Christians define themselves by whose they are. Yep, you read that correctly, Christians define themselves by whose they are. The Scriptures on this First Sunday of Lent remind us all that our true identity is found not in our accomplishments, our…
Seminarians Celebrate TET: Experience Other Cultures
At 3:30 pm Monday afternoon, Conception students and staff left their desks and activities to join in the TET Celebration in the Student Union put on by the Vietnamese community at Conception. A yearly event, TET is a shortened version of Tet Nguyen Dan, which is the most important celebration of the Vietnamese culture. It is…
2/13 Lenten Reflection by Hayden Charles
In his commentary on Luke’s account of the call of the apostle Matthew that we hear in the Gospel today, St. Bede says that Jesus “saw [Matthew] through the eyes of mercy and chose him.” Our Holy Father, Pope Francis chose this phrase as his episcopal motto when he became a bishop, and it remains…
2/12 Lenten Reflection by Ben Rogers
“A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn,” (Ps. 51:17). I once heard that true humility was recognizing things the way things really are. In reality, we all struggle with temptations. We all have failed in our love for our neighbor at some point. We are selfish, and we don’t even recognize…
2/11 – Lenten Reflection by Chris Davis
Self-knowledge leads to self-mastery; self-mastery enables self-giving; self-giving is living as Christ. This mantra for priestly formation expresses in so many words that the aim of a seminarian’s entire formation is to become like Jesus, a living self-gift of love poured out for others. This progression from self-knowledge to self-gift is far from being exclusive…