Oremus.
Reminíscere miseratiónum tuárum, Dómine, et fámulos tuos ætérna protectióne sanctífica, pro quibus Christus, Fílius tuus, per suum cruórem instítuit paschále mystérium. Per eúndem Christum Dóminum nostrum. Amen.
℟. Amen
Let us pray.
Almighty and merciful God, who hast restored us by the Passion and Death of Thy Christ: preserve within us the work of Thy mercy; that by our entering into this mystery we may ever live devoutly. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
℟. Amen
While it is true that prayer effects a transformation for the better in the person praying it's primary purpose is not self-help therapy. We have the assurance of faith that prayer *always* effects a transformation for the better in the spiritual realm even if we do not see its effects in the world.
The distinction is between criticising what Israel *does* and opposing that Israel *is*. Given the history of the world, having one State which is guaranteed not to collude in the persecution of Jews is something which reasonable people can concede is not entirely unreasonable on the face of it.
The object upon which the mind is set determines its condition-being steadfast when it is occupied with what is steadfast, and restless when occupied with what is unsteady.
St Symeon the New Theologian
The Holy Sepulchre is rather more intimately connected to the history of Holy Week than Al Aqsa is to the history of Eid al Fitr. Secondly, all mass public gatherings are prohibited, what was prevented here was a gathering of five people in a most Holy place used during all previous conflicts.
A while ago my brother William Hepburn was killed in an accident. His widow, Frances, and orphaned son Matthew asked me to read the poem 'Instructions' by Arnold Crompton at the funeral. Here I re-read it and ask that of your charity you pray for Bill, Frances and Matthew
youtu.be/s5Ck076VDss?...
The Ascension of the Lord
What is key here is that it is a bodily ascension. Eternal perfection, eternal happiness...now involves the full human person, body, soul and spirit...
“Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, ascended to the Father…”
The Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ
“Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, risen from the dead…”
It might be more theologically accurate to say ‘risen from death’ because He is the first of those who will die no more...
The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
There is no greater distance than that between the Triune Godhead and the broken, suffering Man on the Cross..
“Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, crucified for me…”
The Way of the Cross
The Via Dolorosa, the long walk from the Praetorium to Calvary, has haunted the imagination for two thousand years.
“Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, carrying His Cross for our sins…”
The Crowning with Thorns
Here we meditate on a savage mockery which is also a foreshadowing of a glorious truth...Christ is King..will be crowned in the sight of all Men (male and female)...
“Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, crowned with thorns…”
The Scourging at the Pillar
Here we meditate on the brutality of the soldiers of most powerful army in the known world inflicting extreme torture on a defenceless victim...
“Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, cruelly scourged…”
The Sorrowful Mysteries
The Agony in the Garden
We meditate on the anguish of Our Lord in Gethsemane.
“Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, in His agony of spirit…”
The Finding in the Temple
“…Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, found by thee after three days…”
This Mystery, like its two immediate predecessors is both a self-contained episode and a foreshadowing of how the story will unfold.
The Presentation in the Temple
Here we meditate on the firstborn son being offered to God as a whole-sacrifice in line with the Law of Moses..
“…Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, offered by thee to the Father…”
The Nativity of Our Lord
“…Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, born in the House of Bread…”
The name ‘Bethlehem’ means ‘house of bread’ and it is not a random coincidence that the Bread of Heaven was born there.
The Visitation
We meditate on Our Lady’s visit to St Elizabeth.
“…Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, accompanying thee to St Elizabeth..”
Which reminds us that we are doing a relatively unusual thing, meditating about two pregnant ladies...
The Annunciation
We meditate on St Gabriel’s encounter with Mary where she consents to become the Mother of the Son of God.
“…Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit…”
On The Most Holy Rosary of the Virgin Mary
..where you have an existing prayer..and you wish both to say it and to focus your mind on a specific object of contemplation or meditation then you add a relevant word or short phrase to that prayer..
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2026/02/27/o...
The Institution of the Eucharist
Here we meditate on that great Mystery which the Catechism describes as the source and summit of Christian life.
“Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, sacrificing His Body and Blood…”
The Way of the Cross
The Via Dolorosa, the long walk from the Praetorium to Calvary, has haunted the imagination for two thousand years.
“Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, carrying His Cross for our sins…”
On The Most Holy Rosary of the Virgin Mary
The first new post on thoughtfully catholic in just over a year. I share my approach to praying this most characteristic of Catholic devotions.
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2026/02/27/o...
Curious thing. When the likes of the BBC or Sky report frequently on Farage it is decried as giving him publicity he does not deserve, when the leader of the Liberal Democrats mentions him 30 times in a single speech, but the Prime Minister not once, it is a brilliant strategy.
She supposes that the values of 'true Christianity' align perfectly with those of British Humanism. But stops short of the idea that the values of British Humanism are so close to Christianity because it first came into existence in a Christian country at a time when most people went to church.
October 6, the Feast of St Bruno founder of the Carthusians, is nearly upon us. I expect most of you have already planned for the big day but if not my top tips are-
-stay off social media
-pray a lot
-read a lot
-go for a walk
-be still and silent.
And finally-
'Mary Magdalene & the Dead Christ'
This piece has had fewer clicks than pretty much anything else I have ever written, possibly because it includes the word 'dead' in the title. Anyway, I'll provide a link here in case you want to buck the trend.
'Addictive Internet Images and the Sorrows of Mary'
"..Don’t subjugate your mind to those whose only desire for you is that you give them money, immerse your mind in the things that mean most not just to you but to this suffering-yet-beautiful world..."
If you answer the question 'are you one of the good guys?' by listing the things you believe then it would be quicker and more honest to say 'no'.
Because if you don't understand the difference between being right and being good then you are not, in fact, one of the good guys.
From early morning, freeing oneself from everything, it is necessary to keep remembrance of God, by prayer and silence of the heart.
(St Gregory of Sinai)
Would you like to combine the Orthodox practice of prayerful stillness (hesychia) with Catholic meditation on Jesus?
Then try this 👇