As we enter the sacred season of Advent, a time of preparation, reflection, and anticipation, we are reminded of the importance of readiness—not only in our spiritual lives but also in how we engage with the world around us. Advent is far more than a countdown to Christmas; it is a call to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ, the Prince of Peace, into our lives and into a world longing for hope. In an age often marked by chaos, division, and uncertainty, Advent invites us to pause, to breathe, and to be renewed by the…

From the time I was a child of only eight or nine years, the Rosary has been a gentle, steady rhythm in my life. I still remember walking to the grotto of my home parish in the evenings, a small boy with a big devotion, praying each decade with a simple heart. It was my daily routine every evening and I know that should I miss one day I would not have peace in my heart. What began as a childhood habit has grown into a lifelong source of strength and grace. Now, as a young priest serving at Saint…

It is with great pleasure that I respond to the request of Fr. Shaji M Lucka CSC to testify to you of the miraculous power of the Rosary. It’s been three years since I started praying the Rosary daily with a group called the Friends of the Holy Rosary, known by the French name “Les Amis du Saint Rosaire.” I must acknowledge that many things have changed in my life. It feels as if my relationship with the Lord has a different aroma, one that smells more like a rose. It has gained more credibility. That change has had a…

If we were to scroll past a news item today that says “A mother gave birth to a baby boy in a stable in a town called Bethlehem, because there were no rooms for them in the inns. Also, the child is believed to be the savior of the world, and the mother stayed a virgin,” how many seconds or minutes would we spend with this news before we continue scrolling? Will we even continue thinking about it? As young adults in this era, many of our lives are bombarded with information, whether by our environment or our own habits.…

As we celebrate this holy season of Christmas during the Jubilee Year 2025, we are reminded of our call to be Pilgrims of Hope. In this sacred time, we are invited to walk together with faith and courage, fanning the flame of hope that has been given to us — a flame first kindled in the humble manger of Bethlehem. As the Principal of St. Mary Catholic Secondary School in Hamilton, my greatest gift this season is witnessing our students live out the social teachings of our Church in such meaningful and inspiring ways. Since September, our community has come…

Congratulations, Fr. Shaji, on the opening of your sparkling new residence for Holy Cross Family Ministries in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Thank you for your gracious invitation to attend the blessing, during which you showed exceptional hospitality, generosity, and kindness. No detail was overlooked — from the warm welcome, décor, prayer booklets, music, and blessing to the attention shown to everyone in attendance and the delicious Indian meal shared by all. Fr. Shaji, you made the celebration truly unforgettable, and we were honoured to be part of it. What a joy it was to witness the unwavering support and blessing given…

This special and awesome event in Niagara Falls in the diocese of St. Catharines occurred on September 15th, 2025, the Feast Day of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows, the patron saint of the Holy Cross Fathers. It was attended by an eclectic audience being led by the Most Reverend Bishop Gerard Bergie of the diocese of St. Catharines. Present also were Rev. Frank Wagner, CSC (English Canada House Superior) ; Rev. Claude Grou, CSC ( Provincial, Province of Canada) ; Rev. Pinto Paul, CSC (HCFM International Director); Rev. Shaji M.L. CSC ( HCFM National Director), many other Holy Cross…

The power of the Holy Spirit never ceases to amaze when you heed His promptings. In the Marian month of May, the writer visited the Brothers of Les Paurves de Saint-Francois, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec (the “Brothers”) at their home on May 19th, 2025. He was accompanied by twenty-five parents and children, members of HCFM, Montreal. He celebrated holy Mass in both English and French. The Brothers sang as beautiful as a choir of angels glorifying God with their chants and songs. The Montreal HCFM visitors played guitar and accompanied the Brothers in singing hymns. A large family styled meal was later…

I was born and raised in the Philippines. After graduating from college I struggled looking for a job and felt so hopeless. But I never lost hope praying day and night that through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary I would find employment and thus be able to support myself and find a better life. I can say now that I wouldn’t be where I am now if my prayers were not answered. When I talk to some of my friends and hear their problems the first thing I do is to pray for them, praying for the intercession…

Prior to our marriage, one of the prayers that Maureen and I often shared together was the rosary. Forty years later—having just celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary—it remains a daily part of our life. The rosary has been our anchor through both joys and challenges, in good times and in hard times. It has steadied not only our marriage, but also our family. Throughout our marriage, we prayed for world peace, the healing and conversion of others, the faithful departed, the unborn and for a child we had adopted spiritually. In time, God blessed us with the birth of our…

A reflective prayer. Oh dear Our Lady, you always hear our pleas for help and we always know we are not unaided. When we are not in need, you gently remind us of your gracious presence by the numerous feast days in your honour during the calendar year, the many prayers written to you and every time we recite the rosary. Help us to ponder happenings especially our trials and tribulations as you did even at the foot of the cross without trying to take charge and manage them our own way. You help us to see the marvellous yet…

When I think of Mary as the “Mother of Hope,” I am reminded that hope is not always loud or dramatic. Sometimes, it looks like quiet trust, like saying yes when the road ahead is unclear. Mary’s life was full of those moments. And when we try to follow God’s will through the joys and struggles of daily life, her example is both comforting and inspiring. Mary’s “yes” at the Annunciation was not a one-time act of faith; it was the beginning of a lifelong journey of trust. She did not know what lay ahead, but she trusted the One…

In a world where humanity often stumbles beneath the weight of despair and disillusionment, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary shines like a radiant example—a profound sign of hope and victory even in the modern world. It is not merely a pious tradition or a theological doctrine; it is a divine proclamation that human destiny is not death, but life. Not decay, but glory. Not abandonment, but fulfillment in God. Mary, the Mother of Jesus, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory at the end of her earthly life. Why is this mystery so important for us today?…

As a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend and parishioner there are many intentions for which to pray. The Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a perfect prayer in which to include these many intentions in my prayer time. I offer each Rosary or each decade or even each Hail Mary for the needs I am aware of that day. I am very fortunate that the Rosary is prayed in community before each weekday Mass in my parish. I also belong to a group who prays the Rosary for the intentions of the students and teachers in…

“Ever since the Word became Flesh, I have not undertaken a greater movement than the Flame of Love of my heart who rushes to you.” The Blessed Virgin Mary – (The Flame of Love of The Immaculate Heart of Mary, The Spiritual Diary by Elizabeth Kindelmann). In the Marian month of May, 2025, our Lady blessed us in a special way. Specifically, on the weekend of May 17th and 18th, 2025, the Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary retreat was held at St. Joseph’s Oratory. The Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a…

My mother, with unwavering faith and devotion, started a Rosary group to keep families united in prayer. Even as she battled cancer and endured the excruciating pain of open sores, she never wanted to miss a single opportunity to connect with the group and pray the Rosary. Her deepest hope and desire were that this group would never cease gathering in prayer.To be honest, at that time, I wasn’t the most committed member. Ijoined the prayers occasionally, without fully appreciating the strengthand grace that flowed from them. But after her passing, somethingwithin me changed. It feels as if she continues…

Each bead we say lights up the way to Bethlehem’s star, which guides our day. Leading up to Christmas is always so busy. Decorations, present shopping, invitations to all the different events and sometimes it feels like it’sburdensome.A great way to stay centered on Christ this year is to pray the dailyrosary. It in many ways is like going over to Mama Mary’s house forsome hot tea, coffee or hot cocoa whichever you prefer, and flippingthrough old photo albums with her she’ll point to each picture and sharewith you her insights on what took place at that time.Through each mystery…

En nuestro mundo acelerado y a menudo abrumador, donde la temporada navideña parece enfatizar el estar ocupados por encima de la paz, “Rosario en la mano y Navidad en el corazón” nos ofrece una invitación que nosancla de nuevo en la esencia de la Navidad: la paz, el amor y la presencia de Cristo en nuestras vidas. Este mensaje resalta lanecesidad de la oración, especialmente a través del Rosario, como fuentede renovación espiritual y conexión con Dios, como lo experimentó yenseñó el Venerable Patrick Peyton.Rosario en la mano, Navidad en el corazónEl Rosario, que el Venerable Patrick Peyton promovió célebrementecon…

Con fe y esperanza, el camino es recto, para dar labienvenida a Cristo en la noche de Navidad. Una tarde,al entrar en la sala de juegos del Hospital Sick Kids,escuché mi nombre en la pequeña voz de Cathy. Ellaestaba acostada en el suelo suavemente calentado, dondeestaba prisionera de la parálisis que restringía sus frágiles músculos. Susclaros ojos azules brillaban con alegría. Su boca se transformaba en unagigante sonrisa. Todo su cuerpo delicado temblaba con alegría. Me hizouna señal con el dedo. Tenía un secreto que contarme. Me arrodillé a sulado y susurró su secreto en mi oído con una voz…

Ma mère, avec une foi et une dévotion inébranlables, acréé un groupe du chapelet pour que les familles restentunies dans la prière. Alors qu’elle luttait contre le canceret endurait la douleur atroce des plaies ouvertes, elle n’ajamais voulu manquer une seule occasion de se connecterau groupe et de prier le chapelet. Son espoir et son désir les plusprofonds étaient que ce groupe n’ait jamais à s’occuper d’une seulepersonne.Pour être honnête, à l’époque, je n’étais pas le membre le plusengagé. Je participais occasionnellement aux prières, sans apprécierpleinement la force et la grâce qui en découlaient. Mais après son décès,quelque chose a…

Avec foi et espoir, le chemin est bon pour accueillir leChrist dans la nuit de Noël. Un après-midi, alors quej’entrais dans la salle de jeux de l’hôpital pour enfantsmalades, j’ai entendu la petite voix de Cathy appeler monnom. Elle était allongée sur le sol légèrement chauffé oùelle était retenue prisonnière par la paralysie qui entravait son fragilecorps. Ses yeux bleus clairs, sa bouche s’étire en un gigantesque sourire.Tout son corps frêle tremblait de joie. Elle m’a fait signe avec sondoigt. Elle avait un secret à me confier. Je m’agenouillai à côté d’elle etelle me chuchota son secret à l’oreille d’une…

Dans notre monde au rythme rapide, souvent accablant, où la saison des fêtes peut sembler mettre l’accent sur l’activité plutôt que sur la paix, « Perles dans les mains et Noël au cœur » offre une invitation à revenir à l’essencede Noël : la paix, l’amour et la présence du Christ dans nos vies. Ce message souligne la nécessité de la prière, en particulier àtravers le chapelet, comme source de rajeunissement spirituel et deconnexion avec Dieu, comme l’a expérimenté et enseigné le vénérablePatrick Peyton, CSC.Le chapelet, dont le vénérable Patrick Peyton a fait la célèbrepromotion avec sa phrase « La…

Reflections based on the readings for Christmas: Isaiah 9.2-4, 6-7, PS. 96, Titus 2. 11-14, Luke 2. 1-16 There is a story of a father who came home to see that his 5-year-old daughter had torn the wrapping paper off the gifts he had already wrapped for his friends. He was upset and did not know what to do about it, when his daughter presented him with a big box covered with torn pieces of his wrapping paper. The Father took the box and opened it eager to find out what his child had given him. But the box was…

“Oh that today you would hear God’s voice! Harden not your hearts”. Listen to God speaking in the silence of our hearts. I always experienced and believe that in the silence of the hearts, we hear the voice of God’s loudest. It takes a lot of practice, self-disciple to turn off, let go or stop other voices in this noise filled modern world. Reflecting on these words, Pope Francis questions “When a people, a community, closes its ears and becomes deaf to the Word of God, it seeks other voices, other lords, and it ends up involving idols, the idols…

Story There is a story of a woman who had a bad habit of shopping, which put her in a bad financial situation. She went to her pastor to ask for advice. The pastor listened to her and said that her bad habit was caused by temptations from the devil and she should confront it with prayer and words from the Bible like Jesus said: “Get behind me Satan.” The woman was grateful for the advice, however when she came back to see the pastor, she told him how she fell into temptations and bought an expensive dress. The Pastor…

During the first wave of the COVID-19 19 crisis, I was called to Anoint a patient who was dying of the Virus. With lots of fear, I went to hospital, following all the rules, came to the unit, consulted the staff. Having been traumatized by all the news I heard, I was nervous as I was putting on the protection gowns and equipment. The Nurse looked understood my fear: She asked me “do you want me to come with you?” with one breath I said “yes please”. She too put on the gowns, and we both went in and anointed…

A Seven year old girl was completing her history assignment. She was not able to find an answer for one of the questions. So she asked her mother: “Mom, how did The First World War begin?” – Her mother who was a teacher answered her: “oh! that is in 1914, when Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated by Siberian youth.” – “Oh! No! That is not the reason behind that world war” quickly her dad who was also a teacher corrected her. “It was because during that time the social political system was corrupt, there was a real economic crisis and no…

There is a story of Grandpa and Grandma, who once had a quarrel. The next day Grandpa forgot all about it, but Grandma was still angry and did not talk to him. Nothing that Grandpa did, could bring Grandma out of her sullen silence. Then Grandpa had an idea, wherever Grandma went, he went behind her and was searching for something. She went to the living room, the kitchen and the bedroom, he followed her and was searching for something. Finally, grandma had enough, She shouted out “What on earth are you looking for?” Grandpa with a glee smile said.…

There is a story of a selfish woman who died and was standing for her final judgment. St. Peter opened the Book of life to find if she did something good without expecting anything in return. Without finding any good deed, he asked if she remembers anything good she has done to someone. After much thinking, she said: “one time I had given a carrot to my neighbor.” St. Peter said that a good deed may help her to enter heaven. So He said he will hold the carrot and then she can hold on to another end and climb…

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. – “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy. – “It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.” – The grandson thought about it for a…

In the book Values for Life, the author presents a story of Diogenes, the Greek philosopher, who was standing at the street corner one day laughing like a man out of his mind. – “What are you laughing about?” asked a passerby. – “Do you see that stone in the middle of the street? Since I got here this morning, ten people have stumbled on it and cursed it but not one of them took trouble to remove it so that others wouldn’t stumble. Everyone thinks that it is somebody else’s responsibility and not ours.” Based on the readings I…

We all have expectations, fears and imaginations of our unknown future. This could lead us to have two kinds of feelings: Being Joyous – as the Second Coming of Christ could bring feelings of joy, hope and peace. Or Being Judged – as it could fill us with regrets and fears for not believing in God’s love and showing mercy to one another. As believers in Christ, we are called ‘not to be hindrance on others’ path in following Christ’s command to love God and one another. The Second Coming of Christ should not fill us with pride or idleness…

In his autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi tells how in his student days in South Africa he became deeply interested in the Bible, especially in the Sermon on the Mount – in particular the Beatitudes the Gospel that we heard today. He became convinced that Christianity was the answer to the caste system and discrimination that had plagued India for centuries and he seriously considered becoming a Christian. One day he went to a church to attend Mass and get instructions. He was stopped at the entrance and gently told that if he desired to attend Mass he was welcome to do…

In the Gospel, the beatitudes challenge how we live in our today’s society. They challenge our cultural experiences and confront our selfish attitudes So we can live a blessed life in the kingdom of God. Culture preaches to have more, to become richer, have more money, Christ says to be poor in spirit then you win heaven. Culture says to enjoy the instant happiness, Christ says blessed are you when you cry and sweat for your happiness. Culture says to become powerful and great, Christ says to be humble to be a servant. Culture says use any corrupt and unjust…

Mary, Mother of Sorrows, is the paternal feast of the Congregation of Holy Cross celebrated on September 15. Blessed Virgin Mary is the perfect example for us to follow who “stood by the cross of Jesus… who knew grief… a woman who bore much she could not understand and who stood fast. To her many sons and daughters, whose devotions ought to being them to her side, she tell much of this daily cross and its daily hope. (Constitutions of Holy Cross, 8 # 120). In the challenges of life and crisis of faith, we dare to hope with Mary…

One day a great intelligent professor was crossing a river on a ferryboat to the other shore. The scholar asked the Boatman, “Do you know about Philosophy? Have you learned any great philosophers in your life?” The boatman said, “No, Sir.” The scholar said, “Half of your life has been wasted.” “Okay professor says “Since you are always on the water, do you know about Science, Geology, and Marine life?” He says, “No sir.” Then the scholar says: “three forth of your life has been wasted.” Suddenly there arose a storm and the small boat was about to sink. The…

Once when Leonardo Da Vinci was painting the “Last Supper” he became angry with his assistant. His temper flared as he bashed out with bitter words. Returning to his work he attempted to brush a few delicate lines on the face of Jesus. But he was so troubled that he could not regain his composure. Unable to continue he finally left his painting material and went to look for the man and asked his forgiveness. Only after his felt forgiven, and he felt right with his conscience he could go back and complete the face of Jesus. Remember In a…