To receive the joy of Christmas, we must deny ourselves courageously, which enables us to bow low humbly to receive the Infant King from the manger of the cattle stall to the manger of our hearts. If our hearts are clean of any sin that would block His royal entry into the deepest secret of…

Idleness is the enemy of the soul; and therefore the brethren ought to be employed in manual labor at certain times, at others, in devout reading … On Sunday also let all devote themselves to reading, except those who are appointed to the various functions. But if anyone should be so careless and slothful that…

At the beginning of the fourth chapter of his Rule, Saint Benedict emphasizes the primary importance of love as the greatest instrument, and indeed the goal, of every good work his monks would seek to accomplish:  First of all, love the Lord God with your whole heart, your whole soul and all your strength, and…

As Christians, we focus particularly on the fundamental importance of belief in Jesus Christ as Lord (meaning “Master”), Teacher, and Savior.  As Catholics, we especially highlight Jesus’ fulfillment of the threefold office of being Prophet, Priest, and King.  Belief in Jesus Christ, however, involves much more than stating Jesus’ qualities at a level of mere…

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