Lord, give me grace and strength of character to tear myself away promptly from what, if not bad, is less good, and to give myself earnestly, self-denyingly, perseveringly, to the better and the best. COMMENT: Fr Doyle always wanted to choose the hard thing, he always wanted to do the best thing. Thus, his prayer doesn’t just refer to tearing himself promptly away from bad things, but even from things …
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July 8, 2012
We continue today with an excerpt from the original letter detailing some of the work Fr Doyle had to undertake towards the end of April, 1916. After these stressful days were ended, Fr Doyle was given a few days rest, and he was able to remove and change his clothes for the first time in over two weeks! Such was his exhaustion from serving the soldiers that he slept …
April 28, 2012
One hundred years ago this weekend, the Titanic sank with the loss of 1,514 lives. There is, understandably, a lot of media interest in the event. While it is historically interesting to remember the disaster on this centenary anniversary, we must not forget to pray for these 1,514 souls, even if they died over 100 years ago. A lot of the coverage, in Ireland at least, has mentioned Fr …
April 14, 2012
Instead of a normal post we have two announcements for readers in Dublin and one general administrative announcement. Sorry for all of those readers who are not based in Dublin, we will return to normal service tomorrow. Today is St Valentine’s Day in the traditional Catholic calendar. Of course, marketers have managed to create something entirely different from this feast. Sadly, it is now a day that celebrates lust …
February 14, 2012
St Agatha I was meditating on my desire to die a martyr’s death for Jesus, and then asked myself if I was really in earnest, why did I not begin to die to myself, to die to my own will, the inclinations and desires of my lower nature. I wish to die a martyr’s death but am I willing to live a martyr’s life? To live a crucified life “seeking …
February 5, 2012
You seem to be suffering, my dear child, from a very common religious malady – discouragement and want of patience with yourself, looking for and expecting to see great results from your efforts to become holier. You forget what a clog the body is on the soul, and how in spite of the most generous intentions and determination, it prevents us, time after time, from carrying out our plans. You …
December 1, 2011
The Ladder of Divine Ascent, based on the writings of St John Climacus The reason I find it so hard to love God, why I have so little affection for Him, is because of my attachment to venial sin and my constant deliberate imperfections. I have, as it were, been trying to run with an immense weight round my feet; I have tried to reach the unitive way without passing …
November 10, 2011
“Jesus has suffered so much for me to atone for my sins” The Fruit of the Third Week The thought that Jesus has suffered so much for me to atone for my sins and past careless life in religion, has filled me with a great desire to love Him in return with all my heart, I feel, too, a growing hunger and thirst for suffering and mortification, because it makes …
November 8, 2011
I was greatly struck and helped yesterday by these words of the Imitation (of Christ): My child: let me do with you what I will: I know what is good for you”. They gave me courage to place myself without reserve in God’s hands. How happy I feel now that I have done so and made my sacrifice. COMMENT: These brief notes were written during Fr Doyle’s retreat and immediately …
November 3, 2011
St Ignatius Loyola To be indifferent does not mean to desire things which are hard to nature, but a readiness and determination to embrace them when once the will of God is known. In this sense I think I am indifferent about going to the Congo. But I must force myself to be willing to accept the way of life which God seems to be leading me to and wants …
September 7, 2011