Last week as I was talking about the Call of the First Four Disciples with my second graders, I told them that the thing to note about the story was how quickly and unquestioningly the disciples responded to Jesus’ call. Just as important, I also told them, was to know that all of us are … More Poetic Obedience

St. Anthony is one of those saints recognized by a wide range of honorifics, among them St. Anthony, Abbot, St. Anthony of Egypt, St. Anthony the Anchorite, St. Anthony, Father of Monasticism, and, of course, St. Anthony the Great. Though my favorite remains—and resonates with me particularly on this year’s celebration of his feast—St. Anthony … More Feast: St. Anthony of the Desert

I was steered toward this poem by a Benedictine friend in England. It is singularly beautiful on its own, but certainly has a special resonance for monastics. Enjoy. Brother Frank Walks the Abbey Woods by Brian Volck

New Year’s resolutions go back at least to the Romans, who began each year making promises to Janus, the god of transitions, for whom January is named. In these more secular times, the gods displaced, oracles such as the New York Times advise devotees to make resolutions that are “specific” and “measurable”: exactly how many … More Prologue to a New Year

I’m the catechist for the second graders in the Religious Ed. program at my parish, and among my charges this year is a boy named Michael. As with any teacher these days, I’m always on the lookout for—or am informed beforehand of—any students who may have special needs. In this case, the director of the … More Michael at the Manger