World at Prayer blog from Family Rosary - Reflections of Family and Faith

Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C.

Father Wilfred J. Raymond, C.S.C. (Father Willy), a native of Old Town, Maine, is the eighth of 12 children. He joined the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1964 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1971. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Stonehill College in 1967 and a master’s in Theology from the University of Notre Dame in 1971. He served in ministry at Stonehill College (1979-1992), Holy Cross leadership (1994-2000), National Director of Family Theater Productions, Hollywood (2000-2014), and President of Holy Cross Family Ministries (2014-2022). In addition to English, he is conversant in French and Spanish. He remains a diehard fan of the Boston Red Sox, even though he has served as Chaplain for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Strengthening family unity

The Narrow Way - Family Reflection Video

By: Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C. June 27th, 2023

During these days of summer, many families assemble to pray, play, talk, and work together. These past two weeks, our Holy Cross family assembled all the Holy Cross Brothers and Priests of North America at the University of Notre Dame, about 350 of us, to renew our commitment to God and our friendship in Holy Cross. It was a wonderful time to renew old friendships and meet new younger brothers.

Mary, Mother of God and Blessing Our Children

By: Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C. January 1st, 2023

Today the Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. On this day, the launching of a new year, it has been a tradition in many Catholic cultures for the father or grandfather to bless the children one by one.

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celebration | feast-day | holy-family

Celebrating Our Holy Family

By: Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C. December 30th, 2022

It is always exciting to flip through photos on your phone, pick your favorites, send them to your family and friends, and share a smile (or two) about the joyful memories you had together. Today, just like our old photos, we recall the moments shared during Christmas week.

Nothing Can Take My Joy - Family Reflection Video

By: Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C. August 24th, 2022

“Do you believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree?” (Under the fig tree is code for learning to know God and His ways in the scriptures.) Nathanael is flabbergasted and wide-eyed in surprise at what Jesus has disclosed about him. “You will see greater things than this. You will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Self-Sacrificing Love: Family Reflection Video

By: Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C. August 12th, 2022

Below is the beautiful “Exhortation Before Marriage” from the 1962 Roman Ritual. In the Catholic marriage rite before Vatican Council II, many priests used this to form at least part of their sermon.

Holy lives of inspiration

Modest Gifts of Great Impact - Family Reflection Video

By: Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C. August 1st, 2022

The wedding of Princess Diana (Lady Diana Spencer) in 1981 was watched by 750 million people. She died in an accident at 36 years old on August 31, 1997. More than 2.5 billion people watched her funeral in 1997. At her funeral, singer Elton John brought tears to the eyes of hundreds of mourners in Westminster Abbey when he sang: “Candle in the Wind, Goodbye England’s Rose.”