William Hemsworth's Blog, page 38

Catholic prayer of coronation of a king from the 8th century

For many centuries the Catholic Church created various rites to bless new kings and queens throughout Europe. These rites were different in each country, but all shared similar prayers to bless a new monarch. Here is an English translation of a Latin prayer that is attributed to Archbishop Egbert of York (732-766), according to the Catholic Encyclopedia. […]

Catholic prayer of coronation of a king from the 8th century

Common courtesy is uncommonly important, now more than ever

Recently, I saw a question on a message board that asked, “If you’re a person who doesn’t adhere to common courtesies, can you explain why?” The first answer given was, “Because it’s a pointless waste of time that isn’t all that important.” I thought the answer was interesting, particularly because it showed that lack of […]

Common courtesy is uncommonly important, now more than ever

Pope Francis: Jesus calls us to set our sights on heaven

After the prayer, the Holy Father noted two beatifications that happened on Saturday, one in Spain and one in Uruguay. The first bishop of Uruguay, Bishop Jacinto Vera, was beatified in Montevideo. The bishop, who died in 1881, “witnessed to the gospel with powerful missionary ideals in the very difficult times of civil war,” the […]

Pope Francis: Jesus calls us to set our sights on heaven

Our Only Certainty is in Jesus

A reflection on the readings for May 7, 2023, the Fifth Sunday of Easter. An experience that Fr. John Kavanaugh, S.J., had with Saint Teresa of Calcutta can help us to reflect on our desire for clarity, and God’s invitation to trust. Long ago, Fr. Kavanaugh worked at Mother Teresa’s Home for the Dying Destitutes […]

Our Only Certainty is in Jesus

Sunday Mass Readings

Sunday, May 7 Fifth Sunday of Easter Roman Ordinary calendar St. Rosa Venerini (1656-1728) Acts of the Apostles 6,1-7. As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right […]

Sunday Mass Readings

Christ is the Answer

We live in a world where politics has become the dominant force in shaping values, beliefs, and decision-making processes.  Political considerations such as power, interests, and ideology have replaced philosophical considerations such as ethics, morality, and reason. Instead of engaging in rational debate, politicians and institutions prioritize gaining power and implementing their agenda, often at […]

Christ is the Answer

HHS relents, Catholic hospital can keep sanctuary candle

A Catholic hospital’s accreditation was in jeopardy after the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) took umbrage at a lit sanctuary candle in the building’s chapel. The St. Francis hospital of Oklahoma, which stands as the 12th largest hospital in the nation, sought help from the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty and intended […]

HHS relents, Catholic hospital can keep sanctuary candle

Catholic hospital told to extinguish sanctuary candle or risk losing accreditation

From OSV News:  A Catholic hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, said the federal government has presented it with a choice to either extinguish a candle in its chapel’s sanctuary or risk its ability to treat patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, jeopardizing its ability to operate at all. The hospital is […]

Catholic hospital told to extinguish sanctuary candle or risk losing accreditation

Blessed Piotr Edward Dankowski, priest and martyr in Auschwitz

Poland is a nation apart. Bullied, oppressed, butchered, tortured, wiped off the map of Europe, condemned to disappear, swallowed by its too-powerful Russian, Prussian, and Austrian neighbors – still it has managed, like a phoenix, always to rise from its ashes. This miracle is the fruit, for the most part, of its Catholic faith. This includes […]

Blessed Piotr Edward Dankowski, priest and martyr in Auschwitz

Vatican to send representative of Pope Francis to British coronation ceremony

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Catholic archbishop of Westminster, will give a blessing during the coronation ceremony. It will mark the first time since the Reformation that a Catholic prelate is formally participating. Other Christian leaders from across the United Kingdom have also been invited to formally bestow a blessing on the new king. The Order of […]

Vatican to send representative of Pope Francis to British coronation ceremony