As the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15, Msgr. Fred Dolan shares a reflection on the life of faith modeled by Our Lady and how we too can be filled with a trust and joy that is unable to be shaken by difficulties.

Looking to her example, Msgr. Dolan explains that our life of faith can also prosper through contemplative prayer, docility to the Holy Spirit, and trust in the will of God as we seek to share the light of Christ in the world today.

In honor of this great feast of the Assumption, how will you continue to learn from Mary and ponder important things in your heart and to think deeply about the will of God in your life?

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In our meditation of the week: Fr. Peter Armenio leads us to listen and reflect on the meaning of the Transfiguration of the Lord and how it should transform us today.

The Transfiguration of Jesus encourages us in our commitment to discipleship. When we commit to protracted prayer - deep, silent, concentrated prayer - we can see God through our eyes of faith and deeds of love. The mystery of Our Lord’s Transfiguration helps the apostles to trust in the Cross and to believe that there is no such thing as a failure when we follow Christ. By deeply meditating on the scene of Transfiguration, we begin to see him, to take on his capacity for self-giving love, and we become more empowered to give of ourselves with the heart of Jesus.

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In our meditation of the week: Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the life and mission of St. Josemaria Escriva, describing him as an “envelope with terrific content,” a reference to his profound spiritual legacy. Fr. Peter focuses especially on St. Josemaria’s love for the Eucharist and how he transmitted that love to others.

Listen now to reflect on:

• How St. Josemaria centered his life on the Eucharist, calling it the source of strength for Christian life and apostolate.
• Why the laity, living in the middle of the world, are uniquely called to spread the Gospel.
• The transformative power of ordinary life when lived in friendship with Christ and deep Eucharistic devotion.
• How personal holiness doesn’t require extraordinary gifts but faithfulness in daily duties, love for the Mass, and love for others.
• The legacy of St. Josemaria, especially as the “saint of the ordinary,” who reminds us that every Christian is called to be a saint where they are planted.

Fr. Peter also shares personal anecdotes St. Josemaria's humility and fatherly love, offering a holy example and encouragement for us to also be witnesses of joy and humility in the world.

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In our meditation of the week: Fr. Leo Austin reflects on the spirit of the Jubilee of Youth, inviting young people, and all who are young at heart, to rediscover the joyful call of Christ amidst the challenges of life.

Drawing from the parable of the wheat and weeds (Matthew 13), Fr. Leo reminds us that the Christian journey is not about eradicating every difficulty or fixing every flaw immediately. Like the disciples who gathered around Jesus after their missions, we are called to walk with Christ, grow stronger through adversity, and deepen our hope rooted in Him.

Listen now to reflect on:

• How the Jubilee of Youth is a celebration of hope—a call to embrace life’s mission with confidence and joy.
• The quiet strength we find when we recognize that God does not promise an easy path but promises his loving presence in every moment.
•  Why God allows trials to remain—not to discourage us, but to lead us to maturity, resilience, and deeper faith.
• How prayer, the sacraments, and Christian community anchor us like the Cross on the stormy seas of life, offering true hope and direction.

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In our meditation of the week:Fr. Fred Dolan reflects on the dramatic showdown between the prophet Elijah and the 450 prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18), commemorated in the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Fr. Fred highlights Elijah’s courage in standing alone for the truth and explains how Catholics today are called to live with similar conviction in a world that often abandons its spiritual foundations.

Listen now to reflect on:

• Elijah’s bold witness on Mount Carmel in defense of the true God
• How modern society imitates idolatry through rootlessness and cultural fads
• Pope Francis’s warning about building lives without strong spiritual roots
• The vital role of doctrine, Church history, and daily study in forming conviction
• How God's grace, the power of truth, and a friendly approach, help us conquer false prophets


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In our meditation of the week: Fr. Leo Austin reflects on the presence of the Blessed Virgin Mary in every step of the way of our lives and vocation. Marking the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the Shrine of Torreciudad (Spain), Fr. Leo  draws from the Gospel of Luke, the life of St. Josemaria Escriva, and the Church’s mission to recall and praise Mary’s role in guiding us with strength, peace, and joy.

Listen now to reflect on:

• Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth as a model of divine initiative and joyful urgency
• St. Josemaria’s miraculous healing and enduring gratitude to Our Lady
• Torreciudad as a visible expression of Marian devotion and mission
• Pope Leo’s call to renew the Church through dedication to our interior lives
• How Mary strengthens our interior life and vocation with peace and purpose
• The assurance of Mary’s presence in temptation, sorrow, and daily life

As mentioned in the meditation: Pocket Crucifix, Marian Shrine of Torreciudad - Official Website

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In our meditation of the week:Msgr. Fred Dolan explores the spiritual and societal impact of our growing dependence on digital devices, particularly among the young. Drawing on insights from Professor Jonathan Haidt’s "The Anxious Generation" and recent cultural trends, the meditation helps us bring to our prayer the devastating effects of our digital age on our attention, mental health, and spiritual life.

Listen now to reflect on:

• The transformation from play-based to phone-based childhood and its devastating effects
• The physical and psychological harms linked to Gen Z's digital habits
• How constant screen exposure fragments attention and weakens human connection
• Four practical norms to reclaim childhood: delay smartphones, limit social media, phone-free schools, and encourage free play

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In our meditation of the week: On the 50th anniversary of St. Josemaria Escriva’s entrance into heaven (June 26, 1975), we reflect on the enduring legacy of his life and message. Msgr. Dolan explores the central theme of divine filiation - the foundation of Opus Dei’s spirit, and how it empowers ordinary Christians to become contemplatives in the middle of the world.

Listen now to reflect on:

• The moment in 1931 when St. Josemaria grasped his identity as a beloved child of God
• How divine filiation filled his heart with joy and shaped the spirituality of Opus Dei
• The meaning behind “Omnia in bonum” and “Ad maiora natus sum”
• Why a personalized “plan of life” helps us turn each day into a symphony of prayer
• St. Josemaria’s impact on those around him - from young students to scientists and engineers

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In our meditation of the week: On the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Fr. Javier del Castillo leads us in a profound meditation on the central mystery of our faith: the Blessed Trinity. Through Scripture, Church teachings, and insights from St. Josemaria Escriva, we are invited to deepen our relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Listen now to reflect on:

• Why the Trinity created us out of a desire to share eternal love
• How each Person of the Trinity is distinct yet inseparable
• What the Church Fathers and early Councils taught against heresies like Arianism
• How Jesus Christ is our gateway into communion with the Trinity
• St. Josemaria’s devotion to the Trinity—and his image of “1-0-3” as a sign of humility
• Why intellectual humility is essential for contemplating this mystery
• How baptism initiates our filial relationship with each Person of the Trinity


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In our meditation of the week: Fr. Peter Armenio invites us to contemplate the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Queen of Apostles—our model of total self-giving and the one who brings us to Jesus through her “yes.” He highlights Mary’s quiet but powerful presence from Genesis to Revelation and the vital role she plays in our vocation to holiness and evangelization.

Listen now to reflect on:

• Why Mary’s “yes” is the model for every Christian apostolate
• The connection between Mary and the Eucharist as “Woman of the Eucharist”
• Mary’s presence and role in the spiritual battle for souls
• How her example teaches us to give ourselves totally to God
• St. Josemaria’s confidence in Our Lady in times of suffering and discouragement

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