Acts 1, 1-11
In my earlier work, Theophilus, I dealt with everything Jesus had done and taught from the beginning until the day he gave his instructions to the apostles he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, and was taken up to heaven. He had shown himself alive to them after his Passion by many demonstrations: for forty days he had continued to appear to them and tell them about the kingdom of God. Read More
A short book review
Before we come close to Pentecost and after the Ascension of the Lord, wich prepare ourselves in a novena for the most holy feast of Pentecost, I would like to present a book shortly after our broadcasts on St. Joan of Arc. It was written by Robert Hugh Benson, an English Catholic priest in 1907, with the title “Lord of the World”. Read More
We have dedicated three programmes to St. Joan of Arc. Every day we pray in our community that we may better understand her mission and that her honor may be fully established.
Why do we pray in this way?
As already mentioned in the last broadcasts, Joan of Arc was often not properly understood. One could not imagine that God would intervene in the course of history in such a way and bring about such a change in a wartime event through a young girl. This continues to this day. Read More
Part 3: Passion and martyrdom
For Joan, the hardest part of her mission now came. Now she was to bear the whole burden of the cross, to taste the suffering that no one who is fully at the service of his Lord is spared.
It would not have been enough for the English to simply take Joan captive and then execute her, knowing full well that the French people would have considered her a martyr. This could have even encouraged them in their efforts to continue the liberation of the country! Their aim was therefore to prove publicly that Joan was a heretic and a witch who had achieved her victories through an alliance with the devil. Read More
Part 2: Joan’s mission
Now begins the mission of Saint Joan of Arc at the head of the French troops.
Her very presence showed the soldiers and officers that God would intervene concretely in the situation of France. Thus, the population and the combatants regained their courage and bravery, and believed in the mission of the Maiden.
Her presence was so impressive that many people saw her as an angel of God. Read More
Part 1: The Call
Today, 16 May, we celebrate the centenary of the canonization of Saint Joan of Arc. For us, who prepare these daily meditations, this is a great feast, because we are very united to this saint in many ways. Therefore, we want to dedicate the meditations of the next three days to her. There will be a lot to tell, because Saint Joan, the Maid of Orleans, is the best documented person of the Middle Ages. Her mission is more than extraordinary! We also hope to glorify in this way God, our Father, who so gifted this saint, who, unfortunately, is often misunderstood. Furthermore, we are convinced that the mission of St. Joan of Arc is of great importance, especially in our difficult times. Read More
Jn 15, 12- 17
This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you. No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do what I command you. I shall no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know the master’s business; I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father. You did not choose me, no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last; so that the Father will give you anything you ask him in my name. My command to you is to love one another. Read More
The last part of this letter is about the freedom of the church. The signatories clearly state the right of the Church to regulate the sacramental life without interference from state authorities. The letter says:
“Finally, as Pastors responsible for the flock of Christ, let us remember that the Church firmly asserts her autonomy to govern, worship, and teach. This autonomy and freedom are an innate right that Our Lord Jesus Christ has given her for the pursuit of her proper ends. Read More
It may be difficult for us to imagine that such a crisis like the pandemic could be exploited by evil powers on various levels to install possible forms of rule which would then control humanity and guide it according to their ideas! Read More
Before we enter into the last phase of the preparation for Pentecost and, in accordance with the coming High Feast, deal with the teaching and the person of the Holy Spirit, I would like – leaving the used rythm for a while – to first draw attention to a letter which has been signed in these days by several cardinals and bishops, as well as by scientists and various lay people. Read More
