Archives for January 2021

The Calling of Saints Peter and Andrew (detail), Master of the Brussels Initials from a missal commissioned by Bishop Cosimo de’ Migliorati of Bologna, c1389–1404; J Paul Getty Museum

Follow me!

Sunday 24 January 2021

There’s a real and powerful immediacy to the exchange on the shores of Galilee. Our Lord calls to Simon Peter and Andrew, and then to James and John — how do they react? Indeed, the question for us is how are we going to react?

The wine of Heaven

Monday 18 January 2021

How we need to hear these sage words of Our Lady, “Do whatever he tells you.” They are simple words but the means by which we gain salvation, fulfil our vocation, are animated in the Spirit, encounter the wonder of his glory, and glimpse the heavenly banquet of the Kingdom.

Plenary Indulgence for the Tenth Anniversary of the Ordinariate

Friday 15 January 2021

The Apostolic See has granted a Plenary Indulgence to mark the tenth anniversary of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham.

The Baptism of Christ, Pietro Perugino (1446–1523) and his workshop, c.1482 (detail)

The transformation of Baptism

Sunday 10 January 2021

There was nothing new about baptism as an idea, ritual cleansings were a common part of religious practice; so when S. John started to preach his baptism, it was an idea which was easily understood. But this particular baptism was something entirely different.

Blessing of the House at Epiphany

Thursday 7 January 2021

It’s customary to bless the house each year at Epiphany, with chalk and water which has been blessed for the purpose. You may have been able to obtain some; it’s generally distributed after Mass at Epiphany, and many churches make it freely available during the days afterward. Even if you’re isolating and can’t get it […]

Announcement of Easter and the Moveable Feasts 2021

Thursday 7 January 2021

The announcement of the year’s liturgical calendar, following an ancient tradition, is made after the Gospel reading in the Mass of the Epiphany.