SeasonsJanuary 20, 2022O Magnum Mysterium
"Christmas never stops tugging at us, as this igNation series illustrates in its seasonal exploration of that strange dance between religion and popular culture and deeply grafted traditions, expectations, and associations. This is the time of year when sentimentalism overpowers even the most auster
SeasonsJanuary 18, 2022A New Day Dawns
If your Christmas tree could talk what might it say after Christmas??
SeasonsJanuary 15, 2022Home Alone, Christmas 2021!
" there comes a realization that community is at the heart of the mystery of Christmas, the mystery of the Incarnation"
SeasonsJanuary 10, 2022What will you bring? Epiphany 2022
T.S.Eliot wrote that the Magi had " a cold coming" in "the very dead of winter." Even so, they brought special gifts. What do we bring to Christ?
SeasonsJanuary 09, 2022Out of the Hidden Life – Baptism of the Lord – 2022
"Many people find themselves reflecting back on their own hidden life and experiencing a closer kinship with Jesus. In other words, they allow themselves to advance in wisdom, age, and grace along with Jesus."
SeasonsJanuary 06, 2022Are You Ready for Christmas??
"We may not like the person, but as disciples we are called by that infant born this sacred night, to love them"
SeasonsJanuary 05, 2022Mary, Did you Know?
As we end the 2019 Christmas season, a modern Christmas song invites controversy.
SeasonsJanuary 04, 2022Close to Winter
Images of a deep and dark December call to mind the music of Simon annd Garfunkel.
SeasonsJanuary 03, 2022Unique Trailblazers
"St. Bernard of Clairvaux says it best, “They fall on their faces, they revere him as king, they worship him as God. He who led them has instructed them too. He who urged them on by means of the star has himself taught them in their inmost heart.”
SeasonsJanuary 01, 2022Mary, Mother of God + World Day of Prayer
"Today’s First Reading offers a suitable blessing for us as we start the civic year. Perhaps it also helps all of us to approach this new year with peace."
SeasonsDecember 31, 2021New Year’s Eve 2021
"As you look back, what have you learned about yourself, about the world, about life?"
SeasonsDecember 30, 2021Tomorrow a new year
For the poet, 2021 was both " a year like no other" and "the same as all the rest."
SeasonsDecember 29, 2021My First Memories of Christmas
My first memories of Christmas were when y family was interned by the Nazis.
SeasonsDecember 28, 2021A Christmas Prayer
The gloom of our world is really only a shadow. Behind the gloom, yet still within our reach, is joy. Take joy for your heart this Christmas.
SeasonsDecember 27, 2021Gifts, Wisdom, Questions
Some questions about the gifts brought for the infant Jesus.
SeasonsDecember 26, 2021The Holy Family – “A Kind of school.”
"Pope Paul VI laments on “how I would like to return to my childhood and attend the simple yet profound school that is Nazareth!”"
SeasonsDecember 25, 2021Christmas 2021 – Speaking some words to the close and holy darkness
The editor and writers of igNation send Christmas greetings to our readers and their families. We truly hope that we are making a difference in the lives of each one of you.
SeasonsDecember 24, 2021Christmas Eve 2021
These winter days are physically dark. There is something magical about darkness when it is imbued with a sense of the sacred, when we are not fearful of the darkness.
- SeasonsDecember 23, 2021
How Far is it to Bethlehem?
"Reflecting on his first Christmas as a monk at the Gethsemane monastery in Kentucky, Thomas Merton said, “Christ always seeks the straw of the most desolate cribs to make his Bethlehem.” "
SeasonsDecember 22, 2021What I’m Asking for Christmas
When I’m faced with major shock I find going to mass puts me at the foot of the cross, where I feel supported.
SeasonsDecember 21, 2021Bearers of Light
"At this Christmas time when we are called to be bearers of light, bearers of hope: let us be guided by Jesus who came to bring light and hope to this world that needs it so much."
SeasonsDecember 20, 2021hr Kinderlein kommet
"This season always reminds me of Jesus’ words in St. Mark’s Gospel, words I often proclaim at Baptisms: “Let the little children come to me. Do not hinder them.” My consolation is that Baptism makes me a child of God. "
SeasonsDecember 19, 2021The Joy of Love Given and Received – 4th Sunday
"Advent calls forth the child within each of us and reminds us of our longing. "
SeasonsDecember 15, 2021“Life Has Changed for Me”- a letter on my return to Canada
"Please count on my continued prayers, and if you are in the area, do visit us."
SeasonsDecember 14, 2021The Season and The First National Day of Reconciliation
"We the Catholic Bishops of Canada express our profound remorse and apologize unequivocally.""
SeasonsDecember 12, 2021The Sacrifice of Love – Third Sunday of Advent
"s there someone in my circle who most needs love and acceptance right now? Have I heard about a stranger or group of people who need love? How can I offer that gift?"
SeasonsDecember 10, 2021Prepare Ye The Way
"To survive in this fragile world, the Christmas story must be made relevant once again in our lives."
SeasonsDecember 09, 2021Purple Pink
"Our Christmas goal? to try to love like Him serving others, striving to stay free from sin."
SeasonsDecember 05, 2021The Call to be Loving – Second Sunday of Advent
"Like Mary, we are invited to bring Christ into the world. This takes place through our acts of love, often simple acts."
SeasonsDecember 02, 2021In The Shadow of Peter
"Like Andrew brought Peter to Jesus, are we willing to move out of our shadows to bring others to meet the infant Jesus of Bethlehem?"
SeasonsNovember 28, 2021Looking For Love – 1st Sunday of Advent
"The grace that this little book offers for this First Week of Advent is to become aware of the ways God offers us a path to fullness of life."
SeasonsNovember 21, 2021The Leadership of Jesus – Christ the King 2021
"Jesus follows in the line of King David and acts as shepherd in the Gospel. He stands in sharp contrast to the so-called leaders referred to in today’s Gospel and to many authorities in our world."
SeasonsNovember 14, 2021Stay Alert! – 33rd Sunday November 14
"Remaining alert means that we are paying attention to all that is happening within and without and around and above and below."
SeasonsNovember 01, 2021For All The Saints . . All Saint’s Day – 2021
“A saint doesn’t live on the interest of his income, or even on his income; he lives on his capital, he gives all his soul.” In other words, a saint shows total dedication to God and to the neighbour.
SeasonsSeptember 22, 2021Beginning of Fall
"Fall includes the possibility of new beginnings, the chance to start over. But this season has often been associated with melancholia. The endless opportunities of summer are gone and winter is on the horizon."
SeasonsJune 27, 2021How desperate are we for Jesus’ healing? – Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jesus the Healer is the subject of today's blog and of so much more.
SeasonsJune 20, 2021Fathers Day – 2021
"What are the gifts that fathers need today? It’s definitely a more challenging world than I experienced as a child. But fatherhood is strong enough to survive and discover creative ways of offering life."
SeasonsJune 15, 2021An Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart
The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
SeasonsMay 29, 2021My First Communion 1950 and Easter
"The 'real' Presence has been always central to my Faith. Perhaps it is no wonder that in my elder years I have come to associate my First Communion experience with the celebration of its institution on the Holy Thursday during the Easter Triduum."