Introduction The story is told of a priest who, years ago, ran afoul of his bishop. It seems that this particular priest preferred a quiet and pleasant life; sadly, he had a reputation for not breaking a ministerial sweat. Nevertheless he imagined himself to be diligent and hard-working. Indeed, his definition of work was expansive....Read More

Introduction In these violent days when people are being killed by beheading, burning, and even crucifixion, many because of their Christian faith, today’s Scripture readings and our feast, St. Paul Miki and his companions, should have special resonance in our lives. What light does today’s liturgy shed on our violent world and the role which...Read More

Last week, in honor of Catholic Schools Week, I had the pleasure of visiting several of our Catholic schools. Three of the schools I visited happened to be sponsored by women religious. The schools – Mount de Sales Academy in Catonsville, Notre Dame Preparatory School in Towson, and The Catholic High School of Baltimore in East Baltimore...Read More

Introduction This afternoon we gather to celebrate in the Archdiocese of Baltimore the World Day of Consecrated Life, a celebration that is part of an entire year which our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has dedicated to consecrated life. Perhaps a word of explanation might be helpful for those of you in the Basilica this afternoon...Read More

Scroll down for Spanish I am delighted to be here with so many of my fellow priests and especially with so many young men who are open to a priestly vocation. It gives me great hope to see so many who are willing to say yes to God’s will in your life.  A vocation is...Read More

Introduction I am happy to return to Mount De Sales not only for Catholic Schools Week but also to celebrate with you the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, the great Dominican priest and theologian, arguably the greatest theologian in the history of the Church. So to Sister Mary Thomas, the Dominican Sisters, to the faculty...Read More

Introduction I’m happy finally to be here at St. Casimir’s and to have an opportunity to offer a Sunday Mass. I’m in the process of visiting all 153 parishes of the Archdiocese for Sunday Mass and at last count I’m up to about 103 – so, in the words of the poet, Robert Frost, I...Read More

Hundreds of thousands of people were expected in Washington, D.C., this week for the annual March for Life, held each year on the anniversary of the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision. Among those scheduled to participate in the March for Life were hundreds of parishioners and students from our own archdiocese. Bishop...Read More