stceceliastgabriel

The Popes and Our Mother

The papal conclave of 1914 resulted in the election of Pope Benedict XV, who would reign during the intensely difficult period from 1914-1922. When the First World War broke out less than two months before Benedict’s election, many believed it would be a short, decisive conflict. But by the end of 1914 the sides had settledContinue reading “The Popes and Our Mother “

Tales of Conclaves Past

This week, members of the College of Cardinals of the Catholic Church will perform their most important function, which is to elect a new pope. The election takes place during what is called a “conclave,” which comes from the Latin words, con and clavis, which literally means “with key,” referring to a room with aContinue reading “Tales of Conclaves Past “

Pope Francis, R.I.P.

The first time I heard the name Jorge Bergoglio was the evening of March 13, 2013, when he stepped out on the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica as Pope Francis. I was a deacon, in my second-to-last year of studies in Rome, only months away from priestly ordination. Just weeks earlier I had been sittingContinue reading “Pope Francis, R.I.P. “

Looking Up

In his Easter homily last year, Pope Francis reflected on St. Mark’s account of the resurrection, which begins with the women going to Jesus’ tomb at dawn. Having had to bury the Lord in haste on Good Friday before the start of the Passover Sabbath, they returned on Sunday to perform the proper anointings ofContinue reading “Looking Up “

Sanctified along the Way

“Hallow” is the number one Christian prayer app in the world. This Lent, it has featured daily readings from The Way, a spiritual classic first published in 1934 by St. Josemaria Escriva, the founder of Opus Dei. The Way is a book filled with short, paragraph-long meditations on various subjects. The intended audience for theseContinue reading “Sanctified along the Way “

Seeking What Is Hidden

This weekend you will notice that the statues in our churches are covered with violet veils. It is part of a very old tradition that on the fifth week of Lent images are veiled to mark our entrance into what’s called Passiontide, the final two weeks of Lent. Lent can seem like a disorienting time.Continue reading “Seeking What Is Hidden “

Putting in the Work

Shannon Sharpe is considered to have been one of the best tight ends to ever play professional football. He won two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos and one with the Baltimore Ravens and retired from the NFL in 2003 as league leader in receptions, touchdowns, and receiving yards at his position. These days, heContinue reading “Putting in the Work “

Being Healed

This Friday (3/28) at 7pm we will be hosting what’s called a “Healing Mass” at St. Cecilia Church. While every Mass is a source of healing in a certain sense, this Mass will have a particular focus on the healing of the sick and the suffering. The main celebrant of the Mass will be Fr.Continue reading “Being Healed “

The Greatness of St. Patrick

A priest friend of mine who grew up in the Chicago area once shared with me the story of his Confirmation. The bishop, upon arrival, decided he wanted to meet with the young men and women he would be confirming that afternoon, including my friend. He went around the room and shook their hands, askingContinue reading “The Greatness of St. Patrick “

Fasting for the Word

There are some years when Lent sneaks up on you. It has happened more than once in my life that I have found myself in the first weekend of Lent without a clear idea of what my Lenten discipline would be. Perhaps this has happened to you as well. And in those cases, if you’reContinue reading “Fasting for the Word “