Be Silent

In this meditation we look at the events of the Presentation and marvel at the fortitude of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We think also how God needs us also to be "strong and courageous souls who can enter all kinds of environments with a sure step" (St Josemaria Escriva).

The conversion of St Paul reminds us at the beginning of a new year of the importance of using our time well to study, to pray and to deepen in our friendships. A meditation by Fr James Hurley.

The third Monday of January has been dubbed 'Blue Monday' since it is taken to be the most depressing day of the year: it is Monday, it is winter, the Christmas fun is over and has left us in debt, our New Year's resolutions have failed and we have put on weight – but perhaps above all because now our life seems so prosaic. It is especially now that St Josemaria's invitation to 'turn the prose of ordinary life into heroic verse' becomes so relevant.  A meditation by Fr Gavan Jennings

As we begin a new year we can ask St Josemaria to help us have a youthful spirit in carrying out our mission. The Lord gives us a fresh grace each day so we have every reason to go forward, like St Josemaria, with confidence and joy. A meditation by Fr Donncha O hAodha.

The Feast of the Epiphany is the manifestation of our Saviour to the Gentiles and inspires us all to discover Christ in our work and interests as the Wise men did. A meditation by Fr Pat Gorevan.

How very suitable it is, that having just celebrated the birth of our Lord, we now celebrated the feast of the Holy Family. The meeting of the Holy Family with Simeon and Anna at the Presentation in the Temple added to Mary and Joseph's Joy, for a joy shared is a joy amplified. 

But Mary too must have pondered Simeon words especially when he spoke of a sword piercing her heart too.  This reminds us how the Holy Family was not exempt from sufferings and trials.  So joys and sorrows will be part of the path of holiness for every family.

Today, the family that is Opus Dei renews the Consecration to the Holy Family of the families of all the members of Opus Dei which St Josemaría first made in 1951. A meditation by Fr Tom Dowd.

“He himself is our peace “ (Eph 2:14). As we celebrate Christmas Day, we welcome the Child Jesus and realize that as St Paul says, He, in person, is our peace. In unison with the prayer of the Prelate of Opus Dei we confidently implore our newborn Saviour for the gift of peace in the world, in the Church, in our families and in our hearts. A meditation by Fr Donncha O hAodha.

The Immaculate Conception helps us prepare our hearts to welcome Jesus as Mary did. She shows us how God comes close to us and dwells within us. A meditation by Fr Pat Gorevan.

In the Gospel of the first Sunday of Advent, Jesus instructs his listeners to stay awake. We must approach the coming feast of the Nativity of Christ with a spirit of wakeful vigilance – fostering an interior recollectedness even if externally we are surrounded by premature celebrations of Christmas.