Author: Timothy
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Bernardino Realino
St Bernardino Realino (1530-1616) was born into a noble family at Carpi in Northern Italy. Following a good early education, underpinned by strong Christian values, he embarked on a degree in medicine at the University of Bologna but later switched to law. He received a doctorate in 1563. St Bernardino was considered a brilliant academic…
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Jesus Heals the Gadarene Demoniacs
Extract: When Jesus met two demon-possessed men, the demons cried out, “Son of God, leave us alone”. (Matthew 8:29) Jesus cast the demons into a nearby herd of pigs which immediately rushed into a lake and were drowned. Thought Simply seeing Jesus in the distance was enough to make the demons fearful and beg to be…
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St Benedict (Day 1)
Background: St Benedict was the son of a Roman noble. His twin sister was Saint Scolastica. St Benedict lived mainly a hermit-like life, becoming a greatly respected figure through his sanctity, prayer life and numerous miracles. He founded many monasteries as well as the great Benedictine Monastery of Monte Cassino. He predicted the day of…
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July 2025
For Formation In Discernment Let us pray that we might again learn how to discern, to know how to choose paths of life and reject everything that leads us away from Christ and the Gospel. Prayers: Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be… Almighty Father, we make this prayer through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord…
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St Oliver Plunkett (Day 9)
Background: St Oliver Plunkett was born in Ireland. He studied in Rome and in 1654 was ordained a Priest. He was unable to return to Ireland immediately after his ordination. This was due to wars between Irish Catholics and English/Irish Protestants. On his eventual return, he became a central figure in the reorganising of the ravaged Roman Catholic…
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Jesus Stills The Storm (2)
Extract: Jesus was asleep in a boat when a storm developed. His disciples were terrified and woke Him up. Jesus said, “You people of little faith” and “got up and rebuked the winds and the sea”. The storm immediately subsided. (Matthew 8:26) Thought Lord Jesus, you reign over the whole universe but I sometimes forget!…
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Oliver Plunkett
St Oliver Plunkett (1625 -1681) was born in County Meath, Ireland. His family were of noble heritage. He received a good education and chose to join the priesthood. He studied in Rome and was ordained a Priest in 1654. St Oliver was unable to return to Ireland immediately after his ordination. This was due to…
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Challenging Professed Followers
Extract: A man offered to follow Jesus wherever he went. Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens, and the birds in the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head”. (Matthew 8:20) Thought Jesus didn’t seem to refuse the mans offer but he warned him that he would have no safe…
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Ramon Llull
Bl. Ramon (1232 – 1315) was born into a wealthy family in Palma, Majorca. He received a good education, married and had two children. He was a tutor to various members of the royal family. Bl. Ramon described his early years as wasteful, compiling worthless songs and poems. He changed his lifestyle dramatically when one…
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St Oliver Plunkett (Day 8)
Background: St Oliver Plunkett was born in Ireland. He studied in Rome and in 1654 was ordained a Priest. He was unable to return to Ireland immediately after his ordination. This was due to wars between Irish Catholics and English/Irish Protestants. On his eventual return, he became a central figure in the reorganising of the ravaged Roman Catholic…