Here is a video by Anthony Khoury in Washington, Ill. who very earnestly prays the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be and Oh My Jesus with the rest of his family as he calmly films a very powerful, fast moving tornado. He makes a comment before praying, “I hope nobody’s hurt.” Given the massive amount of destruction in this town and the very low number of fatalities, perhaps his prayers were answered. He and his family seemed much more concerned for others than for themselves. Great example, Anthony and family!

Watch it here!

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The Life of S. of God Zachary of Alemquer, Confessor, First Order (Early 1200s) for the Franciscan Saint of the Day for Jan 23.  Zachary of Alemquer was an early follower of St Francis who was sent to Spain and Portugal to start friaries and many miracles were attributed to him  and was able to strengthen the faith of many and grow the Franciscans throughout Portugal

Reflection is on the power of prayer, Ask and you will receive as God promised and will keep his promise
we must have firm trust and perseverance
Prayers are not always answered as we expect, often giving the greater gifts of humility and patience

Also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eI7oQpRv3qo

Read by Fr. Ignatius Manfredonia, FI from Marion Habig’s ‘The Franciscan Book of Saints’ Revised Edition, Franciscan Herald Press, ISBN: 978-0819907516

Playlist of Franciscan Saints: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TxcAETrU_k&list=PLejh_e0-LN4wErRczZGry4TXytCZFiLCm

Ave Maria!

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The post Jan 23 – S. of God Zachary of Alemquer – Franciscan Saint of the Day first appeared on AirMaria.com.

Fr Matthias gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Aug 16, 2023, on how picking up pizza can be a delicious analogy for praying in the name of Jesus.

In the Gospel, Jesus assures us that when we pray in His name, our prayers will be answered. To pray in Jesus’ name signifies asking the Father for what Jesus desires for us. It’s about aligning our will with His.

Consider a simple analogy: A benefactor ordered pizza for our community. I had to retrieve it using the benefactor’s name, not knowing the toppings chosen. Similarly, when we pray in Jesus’ name, we trust in what He has chosen for us. If we don’t pray in His name or ask for something contrary to His will, we miss out on the blessings He has prepared.

Our Lord always exceeds our expectations. For instance, the pizza, given on a Friday, had no meat, respecting our practice of abstaining from meat. This shows the thoughtfulness of the donor, much like how God thinks of our best interests.

Praying in our own name holds no divine promise. But praying in Jesus’ name comes with a divine guarantee. Let’s embrace this way of prayer and witness its power.

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Stephen of Hungary – Opt Mem – http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=409
Readings: Wednesday 19th Week of Ordinary Time – http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081623.cfm
1st: deu 34:1-12
Resp: psa 66:1-3, 5, 8, 16-17
Gsp: mat 18:15-20

More on the Readings: http://dev.airmaria.com/r?m=1136&r=1471

Also on Facebook: https://fb.watch/msHZoprQt3/
and YouTube: https://youtu.be/SEKFE5stJTs

The post Praying in the Name of Jesus – Aug 16 – Homily – Fr Matthias first appeared on AirMaria.com.

Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Aug 20, 2023 on the account of the Canaanite woman who persevered in her request for Jesus’s help.

Jesus’ interaction with the Canaanite woman is often misunderstood. His silence and seemingly harsh words are not due to prejudice, but a test of her faith. Remember, Jesus is God, and he loves all, as shown when he spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/4. Jesus’ mission was to save all, not just the Jews. The Canaanite woman’s plea, “have pity on me, Lord, Son of David,” shows her faith in Jesus as the Messiah – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2samuel/7. Despite being ignored, she persists, showcasing her deep faith and humility. Her response, “even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters,” is profound and possibly prophetic. It hints at the rejection of Jesus by the Jews – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/11 and the subsequent acceptance of Christ by the Gentiles. This aligns with St. Paul’s teachings that the Jews’ rejection led to the reconciliation of the world. The Canaanite woman’s faith is rewarded when her daughter is healed. Her story reminds us that sometimes God tests our faith, not because He is indifferent, but to strengthen our relationship with Him. As St. John Chrysostom teaches, we should persist in prayer and be thankful, regardless of the outcome. Let us also seek the intercession of our Blessed Mother to obtain the graces we need. The Canaanite woman’s words also hint at the prophecy that the house of God will become a house of prayer for all peoples – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/56. In the end, all nations will praise God, and all will be children of Mary.

Ave Maria!

Mass: 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Sunday
Readings:  – http://usccb.org/bible/readings/082023.cfm
1st: isa 56:1, 6-7
Resp: psa 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
2nd: rom 11:13-15, 29-32
Gsp: mat 15:21-28

More on the Readings: http://dev.airmaria.com/r?m=783

Also on Facebook:
and YouTube: https://youtu.be/Qp_CKh6kQAA

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Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Feb 10, 2025, on how St. Scholastica and St. Benedict, twin saints devoted to God, shared a final spiritual conversation before her miraculous prayer brought down a storm, keeping them together one last night before her soul ascended to heaven in the form of a dove.

St. Scholastica and St. Benedict, twin siblings in spirit and holiness, dedicated their lives to God through monastic life, preserving faith and learning amid the collapse of the Roman West (Proverbs 9:10). Once a year, they met for a day of prayer and conversation. During their last meeting on February 7, 547, St. Scholastica, moved by love (1 John 4:16), asked her brother to stay longer and speak of heaven. When he refused due to monastic discipline (Matthew 5:37), she turned to God in prayer (James 5:16), and immediately a storm arose, preventing St. Benedict from leaving. St. Gregory the Great (CCC 2683) observed that her request was granted because “she loved more,” affirming that prayer born of charity is powerful (1 Corinthians 13:2). Three days later, St. Benedict saw her soul ascend to heaven in the form of a dove, a sign of the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:22). After her death, her relics were laid in his tomb, symbolizing their eternal unity in Christ (John 11:25). Their legacy continued through monasticism, safeguarding faith and knowledge for future generations (CCC 2182). Even in World War II, their tomb remained miraculously unharmed, a testament to divine protection (Psalm 91:11). Their story echoes Christ’s teaching on love’s triumph over law (Mark 12:33), reminding us that true holiness flows from a heart surrendered to God.

For Further Reading
Sirach 33:15 – NAB – “All things come in pairs, one opposite the other” – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/sirach/33?15
1 John 4:16 – NAB – “God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God” – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/4?16
James 5:16 – NAB – “The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful” – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/james/5?16
Catechism of the Catholic Church #2683 – The Saints as intercessors – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2683.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church #2182 – Importance of worship and communal prayer – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2182.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1023 – The souls of the just are in heaven – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1023.htm

00:00 – Introduction
00:10 – Pairs in Creation and Saints
00:44 – Life of St. Scholastica
01:58 – Fall of Rome and Monasticism
02:42 – St. Scholastica and St. Benedict
03:31 – Their Annual Spiritual Meetings
04:49 – The Miracle of the Storm
06:06 – St. Scholastica’s Death and Vision
07:07 – Monte Cassino and WWII Bombing

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Scholastica – Mem – http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=240
Readings: Monday 5th Week of Ordinary Time – http://usccb.org/bible/readings/021025.cfm
1st: gen 1:1-19
Resp: psa 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 24, 35
Gsp: mar 6:53-56

More on the Readings: http://dev.airmaria.com/r?m=1034&r=1383

Also on Facebook: https://fb.watch/xFUyB8wkTy/
and YouTube: https://youtu.be/yKLa_Q5gb-Q

The post Power of St. Scholastica’s Prayer – Feb 10 – Homily – Fr John Lawrence first appeared on AirMaria.com.