Posts by Sr. Mary Valerie Schneider

On the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church, Pope Francis issued his apostolic letter “Patris Corde,” “With a Father’s Heart.”  It’s a short easy-read describing how Joseph loved Jesus. Joseph’s was “a love placed at the service of the Messiah who was growing to maturity in his…

When Solomon asked for “an understanding heart,” to judge the people, God answered the request: “I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you” (1 Kgs. 3:12). Some say wisdom comes with age.…

What are your favorite books of the Bible? I love Luke’s Gospel, Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, and Deuteronomy. Surprised by that last one? A book that explains the Law of Mount Sinai and recaps the themes and events of the Pentateuch is not a page-turner. However, in this month of Valentines, one can find…

On this feast of the Presentation we read of Simeon and Anna, two persons who immediately recognized the Christ of the Lord. Simeon “came in the Spirit into the temple” just as Mary and Joseph brought their Child. Simeon had been “awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” He knew…

Valentines replaced Christmas cards several weeks ago, so it’s not too early to write about hearts, which I’ll often do this month. One of the first Scripture passages about hearts is from the Book of Exodus. It’s the account of Moses pleading with the Lord that someone else should speak to the Israelites about leaving…

Pope Francis spoke of healthcare workers as “the saints next door” and “the antibodies to the virus of indifference.” The Gospel tells us that those who lose their lives save their lives (Mk. 9:24).  Doctors, nurses, and others in the forefront of the pandemic are willing to lose their lives so that others may live.…

The Gospel passages early in Ordinary Time are full of optimism. Jesus comes to Galilee to proclaim the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand.” Jesus tells the Eleven to “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel.”  Jesus claims everyone is his family: “For…

“The deepest truth is our union with the Absolute, Infinite Being, with God That’s the root of our reality” (Beatrice Bruteau). Our days can be dull, unfulfilling, seemingly pointless. Or the events around us can be chaotic, even irrational. But beneath our days that hardly resemble reality, there is the deepest root of our reality:…

Our nation has many stories from the myths about Paul Bunyan to the biographies of Presidents. Its overarching story is one of justice, peace, liberty, dignity. It’s from our stories that we create our present and our future. Are we a more truthful people, because we’ve heard the story of George Washington’s “I cannot tell…

Mercy is God’s nature. God’s merciful love holds nothing back. As the psalmist says, “His mercy endures forever.” A wave of mercy is poured out over all humanity. As Saint Faustina quotes God in her diary, “I am Love and Mercy itself. There is no misery that could be a match for My Mercy. .…