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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Holy lives of inspiration | Why pray?
Thomas Merton, a great Trappist monk, is one of those people whose life exemplifies how a seemingly isolated monastic existence could still become powerful for global connection and spiritual insight. He embodied the idea that deep contemplation could lead to profound engagement with the world’s struggles, rather than withdrawal from them. Through his spiritual insights, shared from his monastic setting, he influenced many spiritual seekers worldwide. He highlighted that true spiritual life involves connecting with God through our daily experiences, rather than separating from the world. In today’s Gospel reading, we have Jesus who had spent time preaching and feeding the crowds, sending his disciples off across the Lake while he took some time to pray, to be in communion with God the Father. No sooner had the disciples set off than a turbulent storm struck the sea of Galilee. They were gripped with fear for their lives despite being experienced fishermen. For Jesus, although he was not with them in the boat, he nonetheless was aware of their struggles. Prayer did not remove him from the disciples. While in prayer, he perceived their trouble and decided to come to their rescue.
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Learn more about our faith | Why pray?
Saint Brother André Bessette for me represents a towering witness to the efficacy and power of prayer. The efficacy of prayer arising from a wounded soul, of prayer confident of God’s Providence, of prayer offered for the good of others, of prayer leading to the salvation of souls, of prayer united to the heavenly family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus. Alfred Bessette’s family profoundly shaped his spirituality. Tragedy struck young Alfred, the future Brother André, early, with the death of his father when Alfred was just nine years old, followed by his sweet mother's passing three years later. Orphaned and alone, he experienced firsthand the pain of loss and vulnerability.
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Brief and contemporary inspiration focused on hope and family prayer will be delivered to your inbox! Articles include live video, written word, and links to resources that will lead you and your family deeper into faith.
Learn more about our faith | Why pray?
As the director of the Formation program for seminarians of the Congregation of Holy Cross, there is a term I used frequently as I cautioned the young men in formation. “Please don’t jump ahead of oneself.” Some with an ambitious mind wanted to act like deacons already. They were focusing too much on future outcomes even before completing the current stages of training. Of course, the dangers of becoming overly confident and unrealistic can be significant. No growth takes place then. Why am I saying all this, we just celebrated the birth of Jesus a few days ago and here we are with today’s Gospel already highlighting the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry after John the Baptist’s arrest. It might sound like jumping ahead of oneself.
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Learn more about our faith | Strengthening family unity | Why pray?
“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see” This is a beautiful phrase that Jesus uses to encourage his disciples and those who were listening to him that they carry a special favor in their hands. They have been blessed because they are witnessing what important figures in the past longed for but never got to. Jesus, in announcing this blessing, also highlights the special and unique relationship He shares with the Father: He states that “all things have been delivered to me by my Father” His mission is to reveal that Father to us. To make Him accessible and intelligible to us as humans.
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Learn more about our faith | Strengthening family unity | Why pray?
Good morning, beloved friends, and a blessed welcome to this first week of Advent! The Church invites us to prepare our hearts for Christ's coming—both celebrating His birth at Christmas and anticipating His return in glory.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Why pray?
I’d like you to imagine you’re on a dusty road near Jericho, or perhaps a road near where you live, and you encounter a man who is blind and forced to beg, sitting in the shadows, ignored or maybe even forgotten by those around him. Suddenly, a crowd stirs—Jesus of Nazareth is passing by! This man, though isolated by his blindness, doesn't hesitate or overthink the situation. Instead, he cries out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Despite the crowd's rebukes to him, he shouts louder; his faith is unyielding. Jesus stops, calls him near, and asks, "What do you want me to do for you?"
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