Blog Archives

Glory to God

Posted on by Fr. Joseph McLaughlin, O.Praem.

Today’s Word:

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom God’s favor rests” (Luke 2:14)

On This Date…

On December 25, 1121, Saint Norbert and about forty companions professed religious vows in the little chapel of Saint John the Baptist in Premontre, France, and so was born the Norbertine Order. Saint Norbert asked his companions to live by the Rule of Saint Augustine. According to a biography of Saint Norbert, “By the profession of this Rule, on Christmas Day, one by one they voluntarily enrolled themselves into that city of blessed eternity.”

On December 25, 1914, about 100,000 British and German soldiers along a 500 mile front observed a voluntary truce for Christmas; they shared food and drink, songs and games, and faith in Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

At Mass today we heard these words: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom God’s favor rests”. May God’s peace, which rested on Saint Norbert and his companions, and on the soldiers, rest on us this Christmas Day.

– Father McLaughlin

 

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Peace on Earth

Posted on by Fr. Joseph McLaughlin, O.Praem.

Today’s Word:

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom God’s favor rests. (Luke 2:14)

Missa in Nocte: Introit, Norbertine Fathers of Saint Michael’s Abbey

On this Date…

Ruins of Chapel of Saint John the Baptist

Ruins of Chapel of Saint John the Baptist

On December 25, 1121, Saint Norbert together with about 40 companions professed religious vows in the little chapel of Saint John Baptist in Prémontré, France. And so was born the Norbertine Order.

Saint Norbert asked his companions to live by the Rule of Saint Augustine. According to the biography of Saint Norbert, “By the profession of this Rule, on Christmas Day, one by one they voluntarily enrolled themselves into that city of blessed eternity.”

At Mass today, we heard these words: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom God’s favor rests.” May God’s peace, which rested on Saint Norbert and those first Norbertines, also rest on us this Christmas Day.

– Father McLaughlin

Remembering Lives of Service

Posted on by Fr. Joseph McLaughlin, O.Praem.

Today’s Word:

She, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.
(Luke 21:4)

On This Date…

On Saturday, November 25, 1893, Abbot Bernard Pennings, O.Praem., age 32, reached his first mission in America – Our Lady the Snows Parish in Delwiche, Wisconsin. In his first letter to his mother he wrote, “Although the journey was long and difficult, we did not suffer at all, thanks to your prayers and those of our friends and acquaintances.”

On November 25, 1963, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, age 46, was buried in Arlington National Cemetery after the Mass of Christian Burial at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew in Washington, D.C. Leaders of 92 nations attended the Funeral Mass, and one million people lined the route from the US Capitol to the Cathedral. An eternal flame marks the grave in Arlington.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus commends a poor widow who gave two small coins, saying, “She, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.” During this week of Thanksgiving, we recall the lives and service of Abbot Pennings and President Kennedy.

– Father McLaughlin