My last name was fashioned in Calabria... A crossroads of Greeks and Italians, Arabs and Ottomans, Egyptians and Normans, Jews, Muslims, and a few others. But what's most important, To me at least, are the Romans and Byzantines. My middle name was formed in a family... Over many centuries and Passed from generation to generation In Italy and now America. Worn by tribulation, Buffeted by triumph, and And most importantly, Inspired by saints... Specifically, the one who founded

Somewhere deep inside, Beneath my titles, My work, My relationships, My words, and If I'm being honest, My own noise ... There is a flame burning. I did not kindle it. It was given as a gift. It was fostered by saints, (and, oddly, some sinners too). I tended to it by Sacrament and Silence (not nearly enough ... yet!) And it has never once been extinguished ... Ever! This is the great, joyful secret of my life (it could be yours too, by the way). God is not far away. The ligh

There is another who wears our face. He rises before us in the morning and Speaks before we have a thought. He keeps our appointments, Answers to our names, and Carries around our favorite sins like relics. The old Germanic tales said that To see your double was to see your death. Perhaps they were right. Perhaps he is the death we have been living. Saint Paul called him the old man, The self we must put off, Forged from ten thousand small consents. He is a distorted copy of

God is the source and summit of everything. Despite that fact that we often choose to live our lives on a dark and tumultuous sea, He is always with us. He strengthens us, too. You see, God gave us a firm foundation of faith. And He calls us to build a tabernacle for Him within ourselves so that we may know Him more intimately every day of our lives. Put simply, we are never alone. Listen to Christ, follow the Holy Spirit, partake of the sacraments, and live the mystical life

Love is the one thing God asks of us that He first gave to us. Before we could offer anything back, He loved us into existence. We often treat love as a feeling that Arrives and departs on its own schedule. Scripture treats it as a choice, A willingness to remain when remaining costs something. That is why divine love is beautiful. Anyone can feel affection. But it takes grace to keep loving on the days When affection has gone quiet. And love is what will outlast us. Our know

Freedom is transfiguration The self ... Opened ... Illumined ... Indwelt by the ineffable God. On Tabor ... The veil between Heaven and earth thinned ... Christ was transfigured ... Apostles beheld uncreated light. The mystery's promise? Humanity's destiny ... Radiant with uncreated glory! Tabor's end and Upper room's beginning! Freedom is Pentecost(al) Winds blow while Hidden chains disappear Tongues of fire ... Set people ablaze. Contemplation stills the heart Confession un

We are broken and fragmented! And the Lord tells us why. "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon" (Matthew 6:24). To heed His words and understand how this works, we must seek clarity, stability, and wholeness within and among the five parts of the self: physical, intellectual, emotional, relational, and spiritual. In other words, we must build st

We are not alone! On this day of Pentecost, we are reminded that God ... the Holy Spirit ... lives amongst us and leads us to live the lives we were meant to live. This mystical relationship is given to us out of pure love, through the sacraments, and by our deep desire to repent and be close to Him. So, go into your room ... be alone in your spiritual mind and spiritual heart ... seek God ... hope for an eternity with Him! Pray in peace, and for peace. Celebrate today and fo

Do not be blind. Do not be deaf. Do not lie to yourself. Each of us must make sure not to obstruct the divine work of God within. By doing this, we will see the work of the Holy Spirit and hear the calling of Christ. Let us love God with all our heart and soul. Sunday of the Blind Man If you have a question or prayer request, please reach out here. If you can donate, please click here.

Letting go is rarely a single act It is a quiet, repeated trust. We release what we cannot carry. Old failures, for example Relationships we could not save Versions of ourselves we have outgrown, too. When we discover that release is not abandonment But freedom And that nothing can separate us from the love of God Or each other We finally understand that we are Already seen, already heard, already kept. That's when we let go without forgetting or excusing And guilt loses its