From a sermon by a sixth century African author
The disciples spoke in the language of every nation. At Pentecost God chose this means to indicate the presence of the Holy Spirit: whoever had received the Spirit spoke in…
From the treatise On the Trinity by Saint Hilary, bishop
Our Lord commanded us to baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. In baptism, then, we profess faith in the Creator,…
From a commentary on the gospel of John by Saint Cyril of Alexandria, bishop
After Christ had completed his mission on earth, it still remained necessary for us to become sharers in the divine nature of the Word. We had to give up our…
From a letter by Saint Boniface, bishop and martyr
In her voyage across the ocean of this world, the Church is like a great ship being pounded by the waves of life’s different stresses. Our duty is not to…
From the treatise On the Holy Spirit by Saint Basil the Great, bishop
The titles given to the Holy Spirit must surely stir the soul of anyone who hears them, and make him realize that they speak of nothing less than the supreme…
From the homily at the canonization of the martyrs of Uganda by Saint Paul VI, pope
The African martyrs add another page to the martyrology—the Church’s roll of honor—an occasion both of mourning and of joy. This is a page worthy in every way to be…
From a sermon by Saint Augustine, bishop
Today our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven; let our hearts ascend with him. Listen to the words of the Apostle: If you have risen with Christ, set your hearts on…
From the Acts of the martyrdom of Saint Justin and his companion saints
The saints were seized and brought before the prefect of Rome, whose name was Rusticus. As they stood before the judgment seat, Rusticus the prefect said to Justin: “Above all,…
From a homily by Saint Bede the Venerable, priest
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior. With these words Mary first acknowledges the special gifts she has been given. Then she…