Author: Eric Sammons

Scripture & Tradition: Twenty-Third Sunday After Pentecost
Epistle: Philippians 3.17-21;4. 1-3 Gospel: Matthew 9.18-26 Absolve, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the sins of Thy people; that we may be delivered by Thy goodness from the bonds of sins, which by our frailty we have committed. – From …

Scripture & Tradition: Twenty-Second Sunday After Pentecost
Epistle: Philippians 1:6-11 Gospel: Matthew 22:15-21 O God, our refuge and our strength, give ear to the holy prayers of Thy Church, and grant, that what we ask with faith, we may effectually obtain. – From the Collect for the …

Scripture & Tradition: Twenty-First Sunday After Pentecost
Epistle: Ephesians 6:10-17 Gospel: Matthew 18:23-35 O Lord, we beseech Thee, to keep Thy household in continual godliness that, through Thy protection, it may be free from all adversities, and devotedly given to serve Thee in good works to the …

Is Francis the Pope?
It’s hard to imagine the Catholic Church being in worse shape than it currently is. We have a colossal and ongoing sex abuse scandal among the clergy and hierarchy that continues endlessly like some demonic global Chinese water torture. Due …

Scripture & Tradition: Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King
Epistle: Colossians 1:12-20 Gospel: John 18:33-37 Almighty everlasting God, Who in Thy beloved Son, King of the whole world, hast willed to restore all things anew; grant in Thy mercy that all the families of nations, rent asunder by the …

Scripture & Tradition: Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Epistle: Ephesians 4:23–28 Gospel: Matthew 22:1–14 Almighty and merciful God, in Thy goodness keep us, we beseech Thee, from all things hurtful; that we, being ready both in body and soul, may accomplish those things which belong to Thy service. …

Scripture & Tradition: Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:4-8 Gospel: Matthew 9:1-8 Let the exercise of Thy compassion, we beseech Thee, O Lord, direct out hearts: for without Thee we are not able to please Thee. – From the Collect for the Eighteenth Sunday after …

Scripture & Tradition: Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost
Epistle: Ephesians 4:1-6 Gospel: Matthew 22:34-46 Grant, we beseech You, O Lord, that Your people may avoid the temptations of the devil, and with pure minds follow You, the only God. – From the Collect for the Seventeenth Sunday after …

Scripture & Tradition: Dedication of St. Michael the Archangel
Epistle: Apocalypse 1:1-15 Gospel: Matthew 18:1-10 O God, Who assign according to a wondrous order the duties of Angels and men, mercifully grant that our life on earth be guarded by those who continually stand in Your presence and minister …

The New Papolaters
Imagine the following three scenes from history: Scene 1: You are an English peasant living in 1187. Your life revolves around the Church calendar. You participate in her feasts and fasts. Holidays are the Holy Days, in which you can …