1 Cor 7:32-35
I should like you to have your minds free from all worry. The unmarried man gives his mind to the Lord’s affairs and to how he can please the Lord; but the man who is married gives his mind to the affairs of this world and to how he can please his wife, and he is divided in mind. Read More
Heb 11:1-2,8-19
Only faith can guarantee the blessings that we hope for, or prove the existence of realities that are unseen. It is for their faith that our ancestors are acknowledged. It was by faith that Abraham obeyed the call to set out for a country that was the inheritance given to him and his descendants, and that he set out without knowing where he was going. Read More
Heb 10:32-39
Remember the great challenge of the sufferings that you had to meet after you received the light, in earlier days; sometimes by being yourselves publicly exposed to humiliations and violence, and sometimes as associates of others who were treated in the same way. Read More
Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas
Mk 4:21-25
He also said to them, ‘Is a lamp brought in to be put under a tub or under the bed? Surely to be put on the lamp-stand? For there is nothing hidden, but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light. Anyone who has ears for listening should listen!’ Read More
Heb 10:11-20
Every priest stands at his duties every day, offering over and over again the same sacrifices which are quite incapable of taking away sins. He, on the other hand, has offered one single sacrifice for sins, and then taken his seat for ever, at the right hand of God, where he is now waiting till his enemies are made his footstool. Read More
First of all, I would like to thank the Lord and St. Agnes for bringing the story so close to us through the ministry of Harpa Dei. Perhaps some of us can repeat for ourselves the words that are put into the mouth of St. Ambrose at the end: “This girl has captivated me, she has conquered my heart.”
So be it! Read More
Scene 15:
AMBROSE: Brethren, remember ye what Abraham said in the parable of the rich man: “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead”. (Luke 16:31). Well, that is exactly what happened when Claudius had been raised from death. That generation, which had not believed the eloquent testimony of so many martyrs, repented not of their deeds at the sight of that mighty sign, nor did they give glory to the God of heaven (Rev 16:9, 11). Read More
Scene 12:
THE PREFECT: I open the last session of this trial for the public and solemn pronouncement of the sentence on the accused.
Arise, accused, and hear the sentence which the Supreme Court of Rome will now pronounce upon you!
In the name of the Godly Emperor, the Holy City of Rome and the Roman people. Accused of high treason and blasphemy is the young virgin Agnes, aged 12, daughter of Honorius Placidus and his wife Laurentia. Read More
Scene 7:
CLAUDIUS: I have come to bring public charges against the virgin Agnes, daughter of the patrician Honorius Placidus and his wife Laurentia. I bring charges against this Agnes for blasphemy and high treason. As there is danger of escape, I request immediate arrest.
AMBROSE: This is how little Agnes, barely 12 years old, was chained and locked up in a dungeon… Read More
Part I
Bride of Christ
SCENE 1:
A woman sees a man who looks a little lost…
FAITHFUL: Are you new here in Milan?
PAULINUS: Yes, I’ve just come from a long journey and am returning to Rome, but I had to stop here.
FAITHFUL: You look like a clergyman.
PAULINUS: I am.
FAITHFUL: Well, I suppose you don’t want to miss the sermon of our bishop Ambrose today. Hasten, for we are past the third hour. The celebration of the holy mysteries must have begun already! Listen, they are singing the Hallelujah right now!
PAULINUS: speaking to himself:
Ah, of course, the great Ambrose, bishop of Milan…
