Blog Posts from Capuchin Retreat

The Conventional Wisdom

Viva Cristo Rey!

The life of Blessed Miguel Pro wasn’t long—he was only 36 years old when he died—but it was full. He ministered in his native Mexico during a time of rampant anticlericalism and persecution of the Church.

Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

In the 18th century, more than 1400 years after the Lateran Basilica was first dedicated, Pope Clement XII had an inscription placed over the entrance. It was, of course, in Latin; and it proclaimed this massive cathedral the “mother and head of all churches of Rome and the world.”

Good Shepherd

It is interesting to me that the image of Jesus as Good Shepherd has remained so popular and appealing to people down through the centuries. Most of us have no direct contact with sheep or shepherds, and yet there seems to be some sort of comfort or assurance that people feel with this kind of imagery.

Life and Peace

We are early in the Easter Season. With Easter and Resurrection, our thoughts turn to life. In the northern hemisphere we also experience the convergence of Easter with spring, and so we welcome the signs of new life in nature.

The Paschal Mystery

Writing this on Good Friday. This day has always had a note of sadness to it, for obvious reasons, I think. We think of what happened to Jesus. We think of what human beings are capable of doing to each other.

A Lonely Figure

As I reflect on the Gospel passages of these past two weeks and look to Palm Sunday and Holy Week, I see Jesus as presented as a lonely figure. In the Gospel of John, Jesus is shown confronting his critics by himself. If his disciples are present, they are not in evidence.