The Annunciation Every day we pray the Our Father and every day we also pray the Hail Mary – and you teach your children to do the same. How wonderful, then, that we have come together as the homeschooling community in the Archdiocese of Baltimore on this Feast of the Holy Name of Mary. In...Read More

Words of Welcome Every day we pray the Our Father and the Hail Mary. We pray these prayers as children of our loving Father, adopted through Baptism. By baptism we are the brothers and sisters of Christ. And thus we also invoke the holy name of Mary for we are her spiritual sons and daughters....Read More

I. Introduction We open this new formation year here at St. Mary’s Seminary by celebrating together the Memorial of St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine. St. Monica is remembered for the many tears she shed. Perhaps one goal not only for this new formation year but indeed for our lives – is not make...Read More

Introduction: Nova et Vetera In the years following the II Vatican Council, and in the teaching of successive Popes, the Church’s main focus has been on evangelization. This includes bringing the light and love of the Gospel to places where it has never been heard, to far-flung countries. It also includes re-igniting the flame of...Read More

Introduction To tell you the truth, I always feel a little uneasy when I celebrate the patronal feast of the Missionaries of Charity. It’s not that I’m uneasy with the Missionaries of Charity – I practically grew up with you! Nor is it the case that I’m uneasy with the Blessed Virgin Mary. I can’t...Read More

Introduction Well, here we are again, gathered for the Catholic Schools Convocation. Gracing us with their presence is Bishop Madden, a true friend of our schools, together with priests and religious women and men who lead and support Catholic schools in so many ways. I am delighted to greet Dr. Edmondson, the Superintendent of Catholic...Read More

Introduction It’s a joy to return to Westernport to offer Mass here at St. Peter’s. The last time I was here, I was the still-new Archbishop of Baltimore. Now I have a few more miles on my odometer and it’s great to be back. Among the reasons I’m so happy to be here is that...Read More

Introduction A newspaper clipping survives that describes the sermon which a Dominican priest delivered at Father McGivney’s funeral Mass. It says that “Father Higgins’ remarks occupied about forty minutes, and many were moved to tears.” If I were to speak for forty minutes this afternoon there would not be tears but desperation. So, in the...Read More