St. Gemma and the Gospel of Suffering - A Homily by Dcn. Bruce Sullivan

In the homily he delivered for our May Vespers service, Deacon Bruce beautifully explored the life of St. Gemma and the lessons she teaches us about the “Gospel of suffering,” to use St. John Paul II’s term. Why do good people suffer? How can a good God allow all the suffering in our world? What is the connection between our suffering and that of Jesus?

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Breaking Open the Word - 5th Sunday of Easter, Year C

St. John could have truthfully written that “The dwelling of God is in the heavens, and He will reign as sovereign forever.” However, what the Lord said to him was rather different: “The dwelling of God is with the human race. He will dwell with them … and God Himself will always be with them as their God.” Of all the features He could have chosen to highlight in His description of the new creation, God focuses on His closeness to humanity.

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Nun Myths Debunked: You Have to Be Perfect

This third “nun myth” is more than just a myth — it can actually be one of the Devil’s insidious ways of blocking a religious vocation! Like many other misconceptions, it seems quite reasonable at first glance: the religious life, especially the cloistered contemplative life, is a very high calling, and it would seem that only those who have reached a considerable degree of holiness should even be allowed to consider such a vocation.

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Breaking Open the Word - 5th Sunday of Lent, Year C

This Sunday, we began the time traditionally known as “Passiontide” – those days leading up to the great feasts of our Redemption during Holy Week. How fitting, as we turn to a greater focus on Our Lord’s suffering out of love for us, that Mother Church offers us a beautiful Gospel about Christ’s love and mercy towards a particular sinner.

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