Al-le-lu-ia

"In the Gospel we just heard, Jesus tells his Apostles to put their faith in Him, for he is "the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14:6)

"Christ is the way that leads to the Father, the truth which gives meaning to human existence, and the source of

that life which is eternal joy with all the saints in his heavenly Kingdom. Let us take the Lord at his word!

Let us renew our faith in him and put all our hope in his promises!" -Pope Benedict XVI April 20, 2008 (Homily from Yankee Stadium)

Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us, humbly prostrate before your altar. We are yours and yours we wish to be; but to be more surely united with you, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your most Sacred Heart through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Many, indeed, have never known you; many, too, despising your precepts, have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your Sacred Heart. Be King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you; grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger. Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one shepherd. Be King also of all those who sit in the ancient superstition of the Gentiles, and refuse not to deliver them out of darkness into the light and of . Grant, O Lord, to your Church, assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace and order to all nations, and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to It be glory and honor forever. Amen.

Read Matthew 27:35-50. What virtues do I see exemplified by Jesus on the cross? What did Jesus disdain on the cross? What did he desire? In what ways can I practice these virtues?

St. Thomas writes of the Holy Eucharist: "[Jesus] keeps nothing back. He places all the riches of His love into the sacramental gift. In this gift He presents to us all the love of His Incarnation, all the merits of His life and His works, the entire price of Redemption."

fruitful in good works without presumption, quick to revive my neighbor without haughtiness, and quick to edify others by word and example without simulation.

Grant me, O Lord, an ever-watched heart that no alien thought can lure away from you;

May I also receive the benefits of your grace, in order to taste your heavenly joys and contemplate your glory.

Books available:

The Aquinas Prayer Book
Your key to better prayer:
The complete prayers and hymns
of St. Thomas Aquinas

Rich with doctrinal exactitude and a moving beauty of expression, the prayers and hymns of St. Thomas Aquinas have long been considered to be among the Church's greatest treasures.

Now you can bring these treasures into your own prayer life with The Aquinas Prayer Book - the first complete English language collection of these stirring prayers.

This handy and beautiful leatherette volume brings you all of St. Thomas' known prayers and hymns in their Latin originals, along with new English translations. These translations render the originals with superb precision and a soul-fortifying eloquence that rivals St. Thomas' own masterly use of Latin.

A number of these prayers have never before been translated into English. Prayer and praise . . . for all times and occasions These works are not meant just to be read, but to be prayed. After all, these are the prayers that St. Thomas himself used to bring radiant order to his own spiritual life: upon rising, before setting to work, during periods of meditation, before Confession and Holy Communion, and even as he received the Last Rites. Their subjects are as varied as your own daily spiritual needs. Each one will deepen your faith, enlighten your understanding, and lift your heart to God.

Two respected Catholic men of letters collaborated to make this unique collection possible: Robert Anderson, an Aquinas expert and professor of philosophy, and Catholic poet Johann Moser, whose own poems have been acclaimed by Russell Kirk, Thomas Howard, Fr. George Rutler, and others.

Together, these men have produced a work remarkable for its accuracy, its beauty, and, above all, for its profound spirituality. Now you, too, can pray those prayers that helped make St. Thomas Aquinas one of the Church's most renowned and revered saints.

Before and After Communion
To the Most Holy Sacrament
For the Forgiveness of Sins

Lauda, Sion, Salvatorem
Pange, Lingua, Gloriosi
At the Elevation of the Body of Christ

The essentials of the Catholic Faith - clearly, comprehensively, and beautifully explained by one of the Church's greatest thinkers!

Although St. Thomas Aquinas was one of the Church's most intellectually powerful theologians, few know that he also wrote a great deal that's well within the reach of ordinary believers.

In fact, as you'll find in The Aquinas Catechism, St. Thomas had a remarkable ability to communicate the Faith - including both its most complex and its simplest elements - in plain language. Here you'll find his deeply insightful, straightforward, and clear explanations of the Apostles' Creed, the Commandments, and the Sacraments - as well as of the Our Father and the Hail Mary.

In other words, this book will give you a basic course in the Catholic Faith, taught by the Church's greatest theologian.

Above all, let St. Thomas teach you how to explain, defend, and live your Faith . . . with the clear-sighted wisdom of a saint!

"St. Thomas' great influence has been a function of the simplicity and clarity of his writing."
Karl Keating Catholicism and Fundamentalism

"A marvelous companion and comparison document for the contemporary Church's Catechism."
The Very Rev. Peter Stravinskas The Catholic Answer

"St. Thomas wrote that 'three things are necessary for the salvation of man: to know what he ought to believe, to know what he ought to desire, and to know what he ought to do.' The wisdom and life-changing power of this maxim will reverberate mightily in all who ponder the truths contained in The Aquinas Catechism." -Patrick Madrid Search and Rescue and Surprised by Truth

Two years before he died, St. Thomas Aquinas - probably the greatest teacher the Church has ever known - was asked by his assistant, Brother Reginald, to write a simple summary of the Faith of the Catholic Church for those who lacked the time or the stamina to tackle his massive Summa Theologica.

In response, the great saint quickly set down - in language that non-scholars can understand - his peerless insights into the major topics of theology: the Trinity, Divine Providence, the Incarnation of Christ, the Last Judgment, and much more.

Here, then, is not only St. Thomas' concise statement of the key elements of his thought, but a handy reference source for the essential truths of the Catholic Faith.

"A gem, a precious pearl, a masterpiece!" Peter Kreeft Fundamentals of the Faith

Thomas Aquinas at his clearest and best. A treasure. Ralph McInerny First Glance at Thomas Aquinas

An invaluable introduction to St. Thomas' wisdom and insight. Edward Cardinal Egan Archbishop of New York

St. Thomas will show you: Why faith is reasonable, not blind Why evil can never be as powerful as good

Why the truths that you can know
only through Revelation are nevertheless rational

St. Thomas is a master of the spiritual life. L'Osservatore Romano (official Vatican newspaper)

Improve your own spiritual life by carrying this pocket edition of his meditations where ever you go. In them, St. Thomas recalls Christ's words, "Be ye perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect," and shows you how to fulfill His command in the midst of your everyday duties.

Read and meditate on a few pages when you awaken, before work, or perhaps during a quiet moment after dinner. Do so and you'll soon see the amazing difference it makes in your life: you'll come to love God tenderly, and you'll find it easier to do His will.

Serenity: how you can attain it (and why it's absolutely essential to the life of every Christian)

St. Thomas' stern (but wise) warning to parents and priests - and to anyone who cares for souls!

God loves everyone just the way he is. Read this book to find out what the truth really is

The one attribute of God that offers you consolation - even if you're very wicked

And much more to help you grow holy, one day at a time!
St. Thomas is rightly esteemed as the bulwark and glory of the Catholic Faith. Pope Leo XIII

It is remarkable how the truths of the Faith spoken in the 13th century are so applicable today.
Worship