Easter 2017 brought an unexpected challenge to the residents of St. Columban's Retirement Home, Bristol, Rhode Island. A fl ower wreath, hung on the chapel door as an Easter decoration, attracted the attention of a pair of local wild robins, who saw it as an ideal place to build their nest and raise a family.
March 25, 2018
Teach me, my Lord,
to be sweet and gentle in all the events of life,
in disappointments,
in the thoughtlessness of those I trusted,
in the unfaithfulness of those on whom I relied.
Let me put myself aside,
to think of the happiness of others,
to hide my little pains and heartaches,
so that I may be the only one to suffer from them.
March 24, 2018
The courage to believe,
to dare to believe
in the God who loves us!
The courage to dream,
to dare to dream
in the God who fills this world
with goodness and love!
The courage to hope,
to dare to hope
in the God of endless mercy!
The courage to believe,
to dare to believe
that You rose from the dead!
March 23, 2018
O Jesus,it is not the heavenly reward You have promised
which impels me to love You;
neither is it the threat of hell
that keeps me from offending You.
It is You O Lord,
it is the sight of You
affixed to the Cross and suffering insults;
it is the sight of Your broken body,
as well as Your pains and Your death.
March 22, 2018
At first
Mary didn’t sense
Your presence,
didn’t know it was You
there in the Garden.
When she realized,
her heart was filled
with joy.
How often You are
near to us
and we don’t realize
For You are never far
from any of us.
March 21, 2018
Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus
while before Your face I humbly kneel and,
with burning soul,
pray and beseech You
to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments
of faith, hope, and charity;
true contrition for my sins,
and a firm purpose of amendment.
March 20, 2018
Lord, at this time of Easter rejoicing
open our eyes that we may see You in others,
especially in the poor and suffering;
Open our hearts
that we may love You in others,
especially in those who need our forgiveness;
Open our spirits
that we may share You with others,
especially with those who feel far from You.
Amen.
March 19, 2018
You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
Say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress,
my God in whom I trust."
March 19, 2018
January 6, 2017, was the Feast of the Epiphany also known as in Chile as La Pascua de los Negros (Passover of the Blacks). During colonial times this celebration was a rare opportunity for the black and mestizo slaves to celebrate.
March 18, 2018
Almighty and Everlasting God,
You have given the human race
Jesus Christ our Savior as a model of humility.
He fulfilled Your Will by becoming Man
And giving His life on the Cross.
Help us to bear witness to You
By following His example of suffering
And make us worthy to share in His Resurrection.
The Columbans are a society of missionaries, including priests and lay people, who minister to people of various cultures as a way of witnessing to the universal love of God.