The Role of the Chronicler The role of a chronicler, as I understand it, is to tell stories in such a way that readers can understand, at least to some extent, what the writer has seen and experienced. During Mass at the Divine Mercy shrine today, just before visiting the former concentration camp at Auschwitz, the preacher, Brother Christopher Fadok,…
“Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.”(John 11:5) Memorial of Martha, Mary and Lazarus Today’s liturgical celebration leads us to encounter the fraternity of Martha, Mary and Lazarus in Bethany, a family that according to Saint John the Evangelist (cf. John 11:5) was loved by Jesus, a family where Jesus found rest in the joy of friendship, but also,…
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom.”(Luke 12:32) I’d like to comment on God’s word by first recalling an event that happened to me when I was 29… I had undergone knee surgery. On my third night of hospitalization, while the pain was still acute, the nurse informed me that…
A Welcome for Servants “‘Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.’ What a marvellous text for a General Chapter of Provincials. Welcome, slaves!” With these words, the former Master of the Order of Preachers, Brother Timothy Radcliffe, began his homily today. Three Chapters, One Mission…
Sowing with Faith in Times of Fragility: A Word from the Heart of the Chapter The Power of Testimony in Preaching Readers of these notes may be surprised that the chronicler dedicates so much space to the sermons preached during the Chapter. This is because these commentaries on the Word are imbued with the life experience and Church experience of…
“Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”(Matthew 13:44) Homily for July 30, 2025Readings: Exodus 34:29–35 | Psalm 98 | Matthew 13:44–46General Chapter of Priors Provincial – Kraków Dear brothers and Sisters,As brothers we are gathered here in fraternity at Kraków for this General Chapter, the readings of today come to us…
The Embrace of Fraternity During the ceremony of taking the habit, which is a big and moving event in the Polish province, I heard a sentence that stuck in my memory. Immediately after the provincial dressed me in the habit, there was a sign of peace with all the brothers present. One of them embraced me warmly—even though we had…
Joyful Faces of Leadership Blessed Jordan of Saxony once wrote about Saint Dominic that:“the serene balance of his inner self was expressed outwardly through signs of kindness and cheerfulness on his face.” When I listened to the homily in which Brother Pascal Paulus from Pakistan recalled the image of Moses and his face shining after his encounter with God, I…
“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”(Matthew 6:10) Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola “God wills, humans dream, the work is born”“God wills, humans dream, the work is born.” This is the first line of the poem “O Infante” (The Infant) by the Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa (1888-1935). This famous poem, in which Pessoa exalts the…
The message of the beheading of John the Baptist captures the trauma many of those in Church leadership go through. To be a leader these day and age entails being ready to be beheaded. I have to be ready to see my head on the tray like John as a missionary. We need to see ourselves as John the Baptists…
