July is laden with witnesses to emulate. Every other day is a saintly memorial, including four American figures who rose above great adversities: Blessed Charlie Rodríguez Santiago (13), Kateri Tekakwitha (14), Blessed Stanley Rother (28), and Blessed Solanus Casey (30).

Are you getting enough rest in your life?

Look out over the average assembly and what do you see? For one thing, you see that there is no average assembly.

Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: “Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You’ve concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that’s the way you like to work.”

In the rectory parlor, with his head buried in his hands, he poured out his story in Spanish that needed to be translated for me to understand.

A troubled boy was brought into a childcare facility, and from the time he hit the front door of his new dorm he disrupted everything. He was loud and abusive, and he refused any help and defied all instructions.

Merciful God, we turn to you in the hope that we may better praise, bless, and give you thanks.

Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.