Catherine, my Catherine! You waited until the exact moment To call me forth to that Place of death and Life Upon which crucifixions and resurrections are Not only necessary but desired. For this do I give thanks today. I never knew you so personally before then But now I come to you as a spiritual son Understanding that my deep faith is purely a gift Accepting that my suffering is the surest path to Christ Believing that my repentance is warranted Praying that I hear the uncreated silence of the Holy Spirit Sacrificing that I follow the will of God. For this do I give thanks today. Believing so my spiritual sons and daughters have faith in God Knowing so my spiritual sons and daughters see God intimately Seeking so my spiritual sons and daughters can stay close to the path of God Serving so my spiritual sons and daughters dedicate everything to God Loving so my spiritual sons and daughters adore God above all else Praying so my spiritual sons and daughters contemplate God Offering so my spiritual sons and daughters lay down their lives for others. For this do I give thanks today. I am eternally grateful to you, Catherine, for calling me up yet another hill where faith in God once reigned and the desire to be more like you outstripped the enticement of the world. The feast of Catherine the Great Martyr of Alexandria (+305) is November 25. She was the highly educated daughter of the governor of Alexandria who became Christian at 14 years old. After leading hundreds of people to convert, she was imprisoned, tortured, and killed by the age of 18. At the top of St. Catherine's Hill (300 feet above Winchester, UK), a thicket of beech trees contains the site of the 12th-century chapel dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria. This is the location of where the altar would have been positioned within the copse of beech trees.

How often do you wake up wishing your life was different? Probably more than you care to admit. The good news is that you're not alone. The bad news is that you already know you need to change. The scary news is that you have to ask yourself: "Do I really want to change?" Humans are creatures of habit. Patterns are created for us when we're young. As we grow up, we break some of the bad habits we lived at home. Then we pick up a whole new set of bad habits along the way. This seems like a never-ending process. We damage ourselves. Then we repair ourselves. We damage ourselves. Then we repair ourselves. We hurt others along the way, too. And, of course, we should do our part to help them heal. But more often than not, we just shrug our shoulders and continue worshipping at the altar of ourselves. The truth is that we don't have to live that way. We shouldn't live that way. From the very beginning of Christianity, we tried to learn for ourselves and attempted to teach others about love, mercy, forgiveness, sacrifice, and gratefulness. But we didn't and don't always live up to the promises of Christ and the love of the Holy Spirit. In fact, knowing ourselves as we do, we realized that even if we have a deeply sacramental life, we still fall short. That's where humility comes in. Like the publican in the story from Luke 18, we find ourselves in need of praying what came to be called The Jesus Prayer : "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." This is a simple and powerful prayer that strikes at the heart of the need to face the truth about ourselves, and the strength that it takes to be more faithful to God and sacrificial toward others. Simply put, it's what we're all called to do. This is indicated at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1–8, Mark 9:2–13, Luke 9:28–36) when Peter, James, and John saw Jesus glorified. Peter recounts this story in his second epistle (1:16-18) and adds (in verses 19-21) what is important for all of us. "So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." You can be moved by the Holy Spirit. You can choose to change today! To learn more about the theology of the uncreated light developed by St. Gregory Palamas, whose feast is November 14, click here , here , and here . More information on hesychastic practice can be found here . An icon of St. Gregory Palamas.

St. Nicholas the Sicilian - you who lived an ascetical life on Mount Neotaka in Euboea (the island of Evia) - pray for us to see the same light that showed you where to build a church. We also implore you, most-ready intercessor of those who honor you, to strike a different kind of rock, so that the living waters of the Most Holy Spirit may spring forth from this work of ours. Megalynarion : Rejoice, delightful offshoot of Sicily, adornment of Evia, dwelling-place of virtue. All-blessed Nicholas, treasury of love, our Evia, remember O Father. An icon of St. Nicholas of Sicily , whose feast takes place on August 23.

My dear St. Sabinus of Sicily, you served God's people by using your gifts of discernment and wonderworking. And sought the omnipresent company of God in silence. I beg your intercession today for a brotherhood of men who are committed to healing God's people through the sacrament of confession and contemplating the Most Holy Trinity all the days of their lives. An icon of Saint Sabinus, Bishop of Catania, whose feast is celebrated on August 15.

O saint who hails from Calabria, I implore your intercession before God to gather the men and women who are called to this brotherhood, to this sisterhood, to this church on fire with the Holy Spirit. St. Gregory of Cassano ... of Cerchiara ... of Burtscheid (d. 4 November 999), I ask you to show them the path ... your path ... of solace and spiritual growth ... of unceasing and spontaneous prayer ... of a deep and meaningful relationship with God ... of an unrelenting focus on the will of God ... of an unwavering love for His people ... of a dedication to wisdom, holiness, and knowledge ... of gentleness, humility, and faith. O Gregory. .. You who were respected for your invaluable spiritual guidance. .. You who dedicated your life to nurturing the spiritual growth of monastics and members of the community... You whose monastery flourished spiritually and intellectually... You whose teachings and writings became renowned... You who were a counselor and advisor... You who offered guidance and wisdom... You who left behind a legacy of profound piety, scholarship, and devotion... You who earned the respect and admiration of all who encountered you... I ask you ... help me in this difficult task ... help me to help them ... as unworthy as I am. An icon of St. Gregory of Burtscheid (c. 930 - 4 November 999), also known as Gregory of Cerchiara or Gregory of Cassano. His feast day is November 4.

Place us under the protection of your veil Theotokos Like all those caves, grottos, and underground churches Which heard all the prayers and pleas Of men and women Seeking an end to their suffering and the Renewing of a life lived in Faith Hope Love and the Joy that lasts for all eternity. Above is an icon of the Holy Protection of the Theotokos. This feast commemorates the appearance of the most holy Theotokos in the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople in the tenth century, as recorded in the life of Saint Andrew the Fool for Christ's sake. While the multitudes of the faithful were gathered in church, Epiphanius, the friend of Saint Andrew, through the Saint's prayers, beheld the Virgin Mary above the faithful and spreading out her veil over them, signifying her unceasing protection of all Christians. Because of this we keep a yearly feast of gratitude, imploring our Lady never to cease sheltering us in her mighty prayers. The Feast is celebrated on October 1 (October 14 on the Julian Calendar). In the 1950s, the Church of Greece began to observe the Feast on October 28.

My Dearest Edward (1003-1066), known as the Confessor because you professed your undying faith and suffered persecution for it, intercede for me that I remain prayerful, strong, and worthy of Christ's call during these times of unbelief and treachery. Keep my spiritual sons and daughters safe and help them know at an ever-deepening level that God loves them and calls them close. Amen. An icon of Edward the Confessor written by Aidan Hart .

When the night sinks with a rising moon Silence illumines the universe In it is found the flame of the Spirit And all those angels lighting the path. When the day rises with an obstreperous sun Noise invades like the armies at Blachernae With torches lit, demons walk about Setting fires ablaze with talk of better days ahead. These are opposite realities. They are like night and day. You must choose. Moon Light Reflection on Sea · Free Stock Photo

I know of the rain Its droughts and its drenches Its drops and its drizzles. I know of the rain It's soft and it's subtle It's hard and it's harrowing. I know of the rain It's birth and it's death It's love and it's hate I know the rain because It contains all the beginnings I have ever had And all the endings I could ever conceive. So let it keep raining. In its ebb and flow It is life And when it stops raining I will know Without a shadow of a doubt All I ever was and all I ever am Is a figure A man Loved by God Existing for all eternity Bathed in the illuminated darkness. Close Up Shot of Water Droplets · Free Stock Photo

I beseech you, my dear St. Symeon, to help us find, have, and hold onto holy and healthy relationships. I do not ask this of you lightly. You and your spiritual father, Symeon the Pious, exemplified for the rest of us what it means to seek God together. As you wrote in the Divine Eros (p. 279): Following him without care, I continued on, I rejoiced with unspoken joy, O Logos, seeing him following your footsteps and often conversing with You. But I also saw You, the good Master, together with my guide and father, I had ineffable love and desire, I was beyond faith and hope, and ‘Behold,’ I said, ‘I see the things to come, and the Kingdom of Heaven at hand, (Mt 3.2) and also the good things that eye has not seen, ear has not heard, I see before my eyes' (1 Cor 2.9). And having these, what more shall I hope for, or in what other things will I show my faith? For there will not be another thing greater than them. What a glorious example of shared divine love! Please pray for us, St. Symeon, that we may focus on healing. Please pray for us, St. Symeon, that we may seek healthy relationships. Please pray for us, St. Symeon, that we may be dedicated to confessing our sins. Please pray for us, St. Symeon, that we may be devoted to growing in faith. Please pray for us, St. Symeon, that we may live in holiness with one another. Please pray for us, St. Symeon, that we may lovingly serve the Lord. Please pray for us, St. Symeon, that we may embrace sacrificial love. Please pray for us, St. Symeon, that we may learn to share God's love with others. Please pray for us, St. Symeon, that we may commit to unceasing prayer. Please pray for us, St. Symeon, that we be made ready to hear the uncreated silence. Please pray for us, St. Symeon, that we be made worthy to see the uncreated light. An icon of St. Symeon the New Theologian.

My Dearest Thomas, You followed Christ You disregarded the world You hid His teachings in your inner room. You were illumined by the divine fire of the knowledge of God You imitated the Master You became an Apostle. You enlightened those in error You pulled the souls of the pious out of the deep sea of ignorance You caught the minds of the darkened with the Holy Spirit. You were counted worthy to touch the side of the Logos with your hand You examined with your finger the wounds of the nails that had pierced Him You pronounced in deep repentance: "Thou art both my God and Lord." I pray you intercede for me with Christ our God to save my soul. I am still ignorant of the fullness of the gifts He has given to me. I am still slow on the true path He has planned for me. I am still selfish with my time and talent. The truth is that I am deeply sad because I am still His unworthy servant And yet, your example gives me hope. With faith and love, I humbly ask that you walk with me on every step of this journey. Yours in Christ, Fr. Thomas Icon of St. Thomas. "Christ's Apostle, who was filled with God's divine grace, he who was His genuine and faithful servant in all truth, all-lauded Thomas exclaimed aloud in deep repentance: Thou art both my God and Lord" ( Kontakion of Apostle Thomas, Fourth Tone ).

Technically speaking, Bruno, I am not allowed to ask your intercession For you belong on the other side of a line Involving arguments, which have become threadbare and wearisome Born before the schism Somewhere West of an imaginary line But died after the schism Having given the Western Church A rather Eastern way of prayer. It is clear to all of us who know you... You were obedient to the will of God ...studying secular letters and sacred literature ...acting as canon of a Cathedral ...serving as rector of a school ...offering students excellent teaching and much affection ...providing stability in the struggle with a dishonest archbishop ...refusing the hierarch's crown ...answering the call to contemplation ...giving up all worldly possessions ...journeying to the mountain ...building a monastery ...assisting (with great reluctance) a former student who started the Crusades and ...being permanently relocated to Calabria away from your brothers whom you brought to the Chartreuse. You who were deemed worthy of suffering persecution for the Name of Jesus, lead me down the path of obedience You who led with the authority of a father and the tenderness of a mother, show me the path of love, mercy, and forgiveness. You who were a man thirsting for God and seduced by the absolute, teach me prayer. Yes... that kind of prayer... sweet, sweet silent prayer before God. Information for this post was gathered directly from the Carthusian Order , which Bruno founded in 1084.