Spiritual advice from the Desert Fathers (as reported by Saint John Cassian) no. 8: Abba Chaeremon on the pathway to chastity
“Lord, father and God of my life, do not let my eyes be proud; turn envy away from me, do not let…
2022
What the Legenda Aurea tells us about the ascension of Christ to heaven
Forty days after the day of Christ‘s resurrection, the Church celebrates His glorious ascension into heaven. As this feast day draws near,…
The origin and meaning of the Minor Rogations before Ascension Thursday as explained in the Legenda Aurea
The Minor Rogations The three days before the Thursday of the Ascension of Christ are traditionally known as Rogation days. The Latin…
Spiritual advice from the Desert Fathers (as reported by Saint John Cassian) no. 7: Abba Isaac on persistence in prayer
“Do not lose heart at prayer; do not neglect to give alms.“ Ecclesiasticus (Jesus ben Sirach) 7: 10 “Various factors which may…
Spiritual advice from the Desert Fathers (as reported by Saint John Cassian) no. 6: Abba Serenus and Abba Isaac on the power of the Sacrament of all sacraments
“Do not refuse yourself the good things of each day, do not let your share of what is lawfully desired pass you…
Spiritual advice from the Desert Fathers (as reported by Saint John Cassian) no. 5: Abba Theodore on being “ambidextrous“ like Ehud and on why we should always “desire to advance“
“Blessed is one who discovers Wisdom, one who acquires discernment! She is more rewarding than silver, her yield is more valuable than…
Spiritual advice from the Desert Fathers (as reported by Saint John Cassian) no. 4: Abba Sarapion on eight principal vices
“(…) don’t start a war without wise advice.“ “A sage can scale a garrisoned city and shutter the rampart on which it…
Spiritual advice from the Desert Fathers (as reported by Saint John Cassian) no. 3: Abba Daniel on Judges 3: 1-4
“One who walks with the wise becomes wise, one who mixes with fools is fooled.“ “Better gain wisdom than gold, choose understanding…
Spiritual advice from the Desert Fathers (as reported by Saint John Cassian) no. 2: Abba Paphnutius on the beauty of a soul filled with virtue
“Is not Wisdom calling? Is not Understanding raising her voice? On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossways, she takes her…
Spiritual advice from the Desert Fathers (as reported by Saint John Cassian) no. 1: Abba Moses the Ethiopian on the gift of discretion and on moderate fasting
Having had the pleasure recently, on the 4th February, to visit the Abbey of Saint Victor in Marseille, which was founded by…