Today, the anniversary of Fr Doyle’s heroic death, we shall consider the role of serenity and peace in Fr Doyle’s life. One of the remarkable things about Fr Doyle was his profound interior peace, even in the midst of objectively horrific circumstances. This is something that we can also identify in the lives of canonised saints – they all had a rare serenity, even when facing death. St Thomas More …
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August 16, 2022
The Catechism of the Catholic Church has the following to say about the fruits of the Holy Spirit: 1832 The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory. The tradition of the Church lists twelve of them: “charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity”. We have considered the 3 theological virtues and the 4 cardinal …
August 15, 2022
The feast of the Assumption was an important date for Fr Willie. He made his religious vows on this day in 1893, and always felt that that Our Lady obtained special graces for him on this day. Perhaps our Blessed Mother will have special graces in store for us as well today? Here is his account of Mary’s protection on August 15th, 1916 (a year before his death) during one …
August 15, 2022
The Catechism of the Catholic Church has the following to say about the virtue of temperance. 1809 Temperance is the moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods. It ensures the will’s mastery over instincts and keeps desires within the limits of what is honourable. The temperate person directs the sensitive appetites toward what is good and maintains a healthy discretion: …
August 14, 2022
I have told you all my escapes, dearest Father, because I think what I have written will give you the same confidence which I feel, that my old arm chair up in Heaven is not ready yet, and I do not want you to be uneasy about me. I am all the better for these couple of days rest, and am quite on my fighting legs again. Leave will be possible …
August 14, 2022
The Catechism of the Catholic Church has the following to say about the virtue of fortitude. 1808 Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions. It …
August 13, 2022
While praying for light to know what God wants from me in the matter of mortifying my appetite, a voice seemed to say: “There are other things besides food in which you can be generous with Me, other hard things which I want you to do.” I thought of all the secret self-denial contained in constant hard work, not giving up when a bit tired, not yielding to desire for …
August 13, 2022
The Catechism of the Catholic Church has the following to say about the virtue of justice. 1807 Justice is the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor. Justice toward God is called the “virtue of religion.” Justice toward men disposes one to respect the rights of each and to establish in human relationships the harmony that promotes equity with …
August 12, 2022
We will return to our discussion on the last days of the life of Fr Willie in a few days time when we get closer to the anniversary of his death later next week. For now, however, we shall have one of Fr Willie’s thoughts. ‘What is it to thee? Follow thou Me’ (John 21: 22). This thought came to me: I am not to take the lives of others …
August 12, 2022
Today we will consider the virtue of prudence in the life of Fr Willie. We will take a bit more care in doing so as prudence is not as straightforward as it first appears… The Catechism of the Catholic Church says the following about the virtue of prudence: 1806 Prudence is the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right …
August 11, 2022