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Tag: saints

Servant of the Servants

Posted on by Tim Hinkle

September 3, 2025

St. Gregory the Great

Colossians 1:1-8; Luke 4:38-44

St. Gregory was given the additional title “the Great” for good reason. A well-educated monk and deacon when elected pope, he was called to lead the Church near the end of the 6th century.  It was a time of great political, economic, social and ecclesial turmoil. Famine, violence and plague threatened people physically and various divisions and heresies threatened them spiritually.

Following the example of Jesus in today’s gospel, Gregory was a man of deep prayer and compassion for the suffering. He was also an able administrator and politically adept. Above all, he desired to be a good pastor. Among his most notable writings was Pastoral Care, which remains a guide for bishops to the present day. Instead of emphasizing papal primacy, he chose to call himself “the servant of the servants of God.”

One of the lasting legacies of St. Gregory the Great is his enumeration of the Seven Deadly Sins (pride, anger, envy, gluttony, greed, sloth and lust) and their corresponding Seven Heavenly Virtues (humility, patience, gratitude, temperance, charity, diligence and chastity). He not only knew what St. Paul calls “the grace of God in truth,” he embodied it in his life and ministry.

3 de septiembre de 2025

San Gregorio Magno

Colosenses 1:1-8; Lucas 4:38-44

San Gregorio recibió el título adicional de «Magno» por una buena razón. Monje y diácono muy culto cuando fue elegido papa, fue llamado a dirigir la Iglesia a finales del siglo VI. Era una época de gran agitación política, económica, social y eclesiástica. El hambre, la violencia y la peste amenazaban físicamente a la gente, y diversas divisiones y herejías la amenazaban espiritualmente.

Siguiendo el ejemplo de Jesús en el evangelio de hoy, Gregorio era un hombre de profunda oración y compasión por los que sufrían. También era un administrador capaz y un hábil político. Por encima de todo, deseaba ser un buen pastor. Entre sus escritos más notables se encuentra Pastoral Care, que sigue siendo una guía para los obispos hasta el día de hoy. En lugar de enfatizar la primacía papal, optó por llamarse a sí mismo «el siervo de los siervos de Dios».

Uno de los legados perdurables de San Gregorio Magno es su enumeración de los siete pecados capitales (orgullo, ira, envidia, gula, avaricia, pereza y lujuria) y sus correspondientes siete virtudes celestiales (humildad, paciencia, gratitud, templanza, caridad, diligencia y castidad). No solo conocía lo que san Pablo llama «la gracia de Dios en la verdad», sino que la encarnó en su vida y en su ministerio.

Asistencia de traducción por DeepL.com®

Motivation

Posted on by Tim Hinkle

Memorial of St. Monica
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13; Psalm 139; Matthew 23;27-32

What motivates you?

Today’s readings and memorial offer us several different ways to get motivated or to motivate others. Jesus’ confrontation with the scribes and Pharisees represents perhaps the most “in your face” form. He gives them an old-fashioned tongue-lashing, calling them “hypocrites” and accusing them of being like “whitewashed tombs” whose ritual observances and holy appearance belie their inner corruption and hostility toward him and his gospel.

In his letter to the church at Thessalonica, St. Paul offers an alternative: exhortation, encouragement and gratitude. In contrast to the scribes and Pharisees, the members of that church were relatively new to faith in God. They needed a pat on the back more than a kick in the pants.

St. Monica motivated her son Augustine’s conversion to Christianity not so much by what she said but by what she did. Sometimes to his chagrin and despite his efforts to get away from her, she insisted on staying close to him not only physically but even more in her prayers and example of holiness. It took years, but her persistence was rewarded and her son joined her in the communion of the saints.

We’re all motivated in different ways. God, Psalm 139 reminds us, knows just what we need. May we be open and remain grateful for that gift. jc

27 de agosto de 2025
Memoria de Santa Mónica
1 Tesalonicenses 2:9-13; Salmo 139; Mateo 23:27-32

¿Qué te motiva?

Las lecturas y la conmemoración de hoy nos ofrecen varias formas diferentes de motivarnos o motivar a otros. El enfrentamiento de Jesús con los escribas y los fariseos representa quizás la forma más «directa». Les da una reprimenda a la antigua usanza, llamándolos «hipócritas» y acusándolos de ser como «sepulcros blanqueados» cuyas observancias rituales y apariencia santa ocultan su corrupción interior y su hostilidad hacia él y su evangelio.

En su carta a la iglesia de Tesalónica, san Pablo ofrece una alternativa: exhortación, ánimo y gratitud. A diferencia de los escribas y fariseos, los miembros de esa iglesia eran relativamente nuevos en la fe en Dios. Necesitaban una palmada en la espalda más que una patada en el trasero.

Santa Mónica motivó la conversión de su hijo Agustín al cristianismo no tanto por lo que dijo como por lo que hizo. A veces, para disgusto de él y a pesar de sus esfuerzos por alejarse de ella, insistía en permanecer cerca de él, no solo físicamente, sino aún más en sus oraciones y en su ejemplo de santidad. Le llevó años, pero su persistencia fue recompensada y su hijo se unió a ella en la comunión de los santos.

Todos nos motivamos de diferentes maneras. Dios, nos recuerda el Salmo 139, sabe exactamente lo que necesitamos. Que podamos estar abiertos y permanecer agradecidos por ese don. jc

Asistencia de Traducción por DeepL.com®

2025 Lenten Series: Pilgrims of Hope

Please join us for the return of our annual Lenten Series! This lecture series will take place every Wednesday over the course of five weeks and will be hosted by both the Solanus Casey Center and the Capuchin Retreat Center. Each week, from March 12 – April 9, both locations will host a Mass, a simple meal of soup and bread, and a presentation on our topic. The topic for this year is “Pilgrims of Hope”, based on the church’s Jubilee Year 2025. The presentations will highlight the lives of Saints and Blesseds who exemplified this spirit of hope in their lives and offer guidance for our own spiritual journeys.

The Solanus Casey Center will host these events during the daytime hours, while the Capuchin Retreat Center will host the same event during the evening hours, allowing you to choose which venue and time works better for your schedule.

Calendar of Events:

March 12: A Word of Hope
Based on Bl. Solanus Casey
Presented by Br. Steve Kropp, OFM Cap.

March 19: A Journey of Hope
Based on Ss. Louis and Zelie Martin
Presented by Ms. Sally McCuen, OFS

March 26: Signs of Hope
Based on Bl. Carlo Acutis
Presented by Br. Benoy Joseph, OFM Cap.

April 2: Appeals for Hope
Based on Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati
Presented by Br. Julius Milton, OFM Cap.

April 9: Anchored in Hope
Based on St. Francis of Assisi
Presented Br. Daniel Victor, OFM Cap.

Solanus Casey Center Lenten Series Schedule:

Noon: Mass
12:30 PM: Simple Soup and Bread Lunch
1:00 PM: Presentation
2:00 PM: (Optional) Blessing of the Sick Service

Capuchin Retreat Center Lenten Series Schedule:

5:30 PM: Simple Soup and Bread Dinner
6:00 PM: Presentation
7:00 PM: Mass

Cost and Registration:

Both events have a small ask of $10 per talk. To register for the events at Capuchin Retreat, please visit ofmcap.cc/LentenSeriesCRC or click the Register button below. There is no registration required for events at the Solanus Casey Center.

Transitus of Saint Francis

Please, join the Capuchins and the whole Franciscan family as we commemorate the Transitus – the passing into eternal life – of Saint Francis of Assisi. The service will begin at 7 PM, followed by some refreshments.

Tonight is when all the Franciscans around the globe and all who cherish the memory of St. Francis gather to remember and tell stories.

We have a simple story to tell: the story of Francis’ Transitus – or passage – from this life to eternal life.

And we tell the story in the simple and faith-filled words of Thomas of Celano, one of the early biographers of Francis.

We tell this story to remember our heritage, renew our Christian faith, and evoke our Christian hope, after the example of our Seraphic Saint. Francis of Assisi

Peace and all Good,

The Capuchin Friars & Staff

Capuchin Retreat Center

Morning of Reflection: Hospitality to Holiness – Journey of Blessed Solanus Casey

NOTE: Speaker/topic change!

Join us for this Morning of Reflection focusing on the life and ministry of Blessed Solanus Casey, the humble Porter of St. Bonaventure. The presenter will be Br. Michael Sullivan, OFM Cap., who served as the Provincial Minister for the Province of St. Joseph during the 2017 Beatification of Blessed Solanus Casey.

Agenda:

  • Optional 8:00 a.m. Mass in the Chapel
  • Registration at 9:00 a.m.
  • Program starts at 9:15 a.m.
  • Lunch served at Noon
A $40 dollar suggested donation includes coffee, tea and snacks.
Click the “Register” button below to register online with Eventbrite or call the office to reserve your spot at (248) 651-4826.

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