Musings on Saint Thomas the Apostle
Recently I transitioned to new ministries. In the process of unpacking, setting up my cell and becoming familiar with my new ministerial responsibilities, I am
Recently I transitioned to new ministries. In the process of unpacking, setting up my cell and becoming familiar with my new ministerial responsibilities, I am
Heaven is open! Again, I say heaven is open! My heart is pondering that insight as I write this article days before the solemnity of
One of the things that opened my heart to a call to the priesthood was my experience of the sacrament of Confession. The liberation my
As I write this article, the surreal nature of the global Coronavirus (Covid-19) situation is pervading my spirit. It is one thing to read about
The humility God has shown to humanity never ceases to astound me. The Incarnation of the Lord is the poignant foundation stone of that spirit
Since returning to active ministry after my leg amputation last year, I made a commitment to go to the gym regularly. I need to strengthen
Even as a religious order priest, I live in the world. But the world I find myself in currently focuses a great deal on the
Recently, I was on the NYC subway system, returning from Manhattan to the Bronx. It was early rush hour. The subway car wasn’t packed, but
I am in a moment of transition. I am preparing to return to active ministry in the Bronx at our Carmelite Parish there, but I
At a recent Sunday liturgy, the Church heard Jesus speaking to His disciples about a fire that He desires to see set ablaze on the
An oratory should be built as conveniently as possible among the cells, where, if it can be done without difficulty, you are to gather each
The month of July is important for every Carmelite because in July the Order celebrates one of its spiritual founders and guides: the Virgin Mary,
My parents had me baptized as a baby, but I was not raised as a Catholic (a story I have recounted in another article); consequently,
I recently underwent a medical emergency that required an amputation of the remainder of my left foot and part of my leg. I am now
Reflection is important and even necessary for the spiritual life. “Reflection” comes from a Latin word meaning “to bend back.” The spiritual life calls for
The cry for mercy has filled the lungs of the Church since her birth from the pierce side of Christ on the Cross. This cry
As a Carmelite friar and priest in the Archdiocese of New York, I hear quite regularly the religious laments from the socially-liberated class that sees
I was baptized when I was a baby but not raised as a Catholic. My parents were young when they had me, and I was
One of the fundamental characteristics of contemplation for a Carmelite is the understanding that it is an invitation: an invitation into another’s presence. God invites
Words have power. As Christians, we believe that we are saved by the Word of God, Jesus Christ. Yet, even in human language words have
In the wake of the Pennsylvania Sexual Abuse report and the former Cardinal McCarrick’s dark revelation, I have received a multitude of emails, social media
By the time this article is released I will have celebrated my first anniversary of priestly ordination. The gift of the priesthood and my consecrated