The monumental twin towers of Durham Cathedral were build around 1200. Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

Originally built in the late 12th century by Bishop Hugh Le Puiset as part of an enlargement of Durham Cathedral and its monastic buildings, these cloisters were remodelled to their present form in the early fifteenth century, and the tracery later … [More]

Simeon prophesied that a sword would piece Our Lady's heart (cf Lk 2:35), hence this is a medieval heraldic device for the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is one of the bosses in the medieval gatehouse leading into the close of Durham Cathedral. Source: … [More]

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

A cheering sign of Spring! Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

An avenue of cherry trees which runs across the Meadows in Edinburgh is now in bloom. Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

"O most august and blessed Virgin Mary! Holy Mother of God! Glorious Queen of heaven and earth! Powerful protectress of those who love thee, and unfailing advocate of all who invoke thee! Look down, I beseech thee, from thy throne of glory on thy … [More]

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

Evocative of the Pentecostal tongues of fire, these red leaves turn to green, just as the liturgical colours return to the green of 'Ordinary Time' this week. Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

"The Virgin Mary teaches us what it means to live in the Holy Spirit and what it means to welcome the newness of God in our life. She conceived Jesus by the work of the Spirit, and every Christian, each one of us, is called to welcome the Word of … [More]

"The dove descending breaks the air With flame of incandescent terror Of which the tongues declare The one discharge from sin and error. The only hope, or else despair Lies in the choice of pyre or pyre- To be redeemed from fire by fire. Who then … [More]

"Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. And they were amazed and … [More]

"When Pentecost day came round, they had all met in one room, when suddenly they heard what sounded like a powerful wind from heaven, the noise of which filled the entire house in which they were sitting; and something appeared to them that seemed … [More]

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

"From the beginning till now the entire creation, as we know, has been groaning in one great act of giving birth; and not only creation, but all of us who possess the first-fruits of the Spirit, we too groan inwardly as we wait for our bodies to be … [More]

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

The tower of St Nicolas' cathedral in Fribourg is 74 metres high, nicely framed here by maple trees in the bas ville. Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

Looking across the valley of the Sarine that runs through the 'basse ville", the picturesque medieval town of Fribourg, Switzerland. Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

Begun in the 13th-century, this is the parish church of St Maurice in Fribourg, which was once an Augustinian convent and church. Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

Inside the medieval church of St Maurice in Fribourg, also known as "L'église des Augustins". The Baroque reredos in the east end is by Peter Spring, and dates to 1593. Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

"In this month of May, I would like to recall the importance and the beauty of the prayer of the Holy Rosary. Reciting the Hail Mary, we are led to contemplate the mysteries of Jesus, to reflect, that is, on the central moments of his life, so that, … [More]

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

The Cathedral of St Nicolas in Fribourg, built in the Gothic style, dominates the center of the medieval town of Fribourg (Switzerland). It is built on a rocky outcrop 50 metres above the river Sarine (Saane). The main body of the church was started … [More]

"I Jesus have sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star." – Revelation 12:16, which is part of today's Second Reading at Mass for the 7th Sunday of Easter. Detail … [More]

"Grant, we beseech You, Almighty God, that we, who believe Your Only Begotten Son our Redeemer to have ascended on this day to heaven, may ourselves also dwell in mind amongst heavenly things." – Collect for the Ascension. Today, 12 May 2013, is … [More]

"I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. The … [More]

"I saw that there was no temple in the city since the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb were themselves the temple, and the city did not need the sun or the moon for light, since it was lit by the radiant glory of God and the Lamb was a lighted torch … [More]

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

"Almighty God, you have shown us the light of your truth through Saint Catherine of Siena, by granting us to know ourselves in you and you in us. By her prayers and through this knowledge, may we advance in virtue and so love and serve you more … [More]

"To you, eternal Father, I offer anew my wretched life that I may see the reformation of your sweet spouse, the holy Church, alleluia; eternal God, I seek that spouse from you, alleluia." – Magnificat antiphon for the feast of St Catherine. This … [More]

"I tell you nothing but that you should remain in the holy and sweet love of God. Sweet Jesus, Jesus, love, alleluia." Detail from the west window of the former priory church of Hawkesyard, Staffordshire. Today, 29 April, is the feast of St … [More]

"Almighty God, you made Saint Catherine burn with divine love in contemplating the Lord’s passion and in the service of your Church. Through her intercession, grant that your people, united in the mystery of Christ, may always rejoice in the … [More]

Today is the feast of St Catherine, who was born in Siena, Italy, in 1347. One of twenty-five children, while still a small girl she vowed her virginity to God under the inspiration of divine grace and, despite the objections of her family, she … [More]

"‘My little children, I shall not be with you much longer... I give you a new commandment: love one another; just as I have loved you, you also must love one another. By this love you have for one another, everyone will know that you are my … [More]

"I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth; the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared now, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the holy city, and the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, as beautiful as a bride all … [More]

"Then the One sitting on the throne spoke: ‘Now I am making the whole of creation new’ he said. ‘Write this: that what I am saying is sure and will come true.’" – Apocalypse 21:5, which is part of today's Second Reading at Mass. My sermon … [More]

"Whatever you ask for in my name I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask for anything in my name, I will do it.’" – John 14:13-14, which is part of today's Gospel. Today's sermon here considers how we can understand … [More]

"Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house; if there were not, I should have told you. I am going now to prepare a place for you, and after I … [More]

"In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. " – … [More]

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

In the traditional Dominican calendar, today is the Feast of the Holy Crown of Thorns. It commemorates the day in 1238 when two Dominican friars, Jacques and André de Longjumeau, were sent by St Louis IX of France to bring the precious relic of the … [More]

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

Our new chapel of St Albert the Great was awarded The Building of the Year, and best Woodwork by the Edinburgh Architectural Association last night. A photo review from the last few months has been posted online here. What a joy it is to pray in our … [More]

"God raised you as his own gardener, O George, for you have gathered for yourself the sheaves of virtue. Having sown in tears, you now reap with joy; you shed your blood in combat and won Christ as your crown. Through your intercessions, forgiveness … [More]

"The image of George most familiar to us today, the saint dressed in a white tunic bedecked with a red cross, astride his stallion, and skewering a dragon as he rescues a fair maiden, depends more on a late medieval and Renaissance ideal of this mile … [More]

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

"So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them. I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out … [More]

"“Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd of our souls, you who know your sheep and know how to reach the human heart: Stir the hearts of those young people who would follow you but who cannot overcome doubts and fears. You who are the Word of the Father … [More]

"Jesus said: ‘The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life; they will never be lost and no one will ever steal them from me. The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone, and no … [More]

"They will never hunger or thirst again; neither the sun nor scorching wind will ever plague them, because the Lamb who is at the throne will be their shepherd and will lead them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away all tears from … [More]

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

"So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." And … [More]

"This is the house of God and the gate of heaven" – from the Office of Lauds for the Dedication of a Church. Today in the Archdiocese of Edinburgh, we celebrate the feast of the anniversary of the Dedication of the Cathedral of Saint Mary. This … [More]

Spring has arrived in Edinburgh, bringing with it gusts of wind and rain... Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

Last night's moon over Edinburgh on a clear night. Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

"Jesus said to the crowd: ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst. But, as I have told you, you can see me and still you do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me … [More]

St Bernadette, visionary of Lourdes, died today in 1879. She was beatified in 1925 and canonized in 1933. She is the patron saint of sick persons and also of the family and poverty. The following is an account of her last words: "At the words of the … [More]

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all therein, saying, "To him who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might for ever and ever!" And the four living … [More]

"When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs. A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of … [More]

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

"About this time, when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenists made a complaint against the Hebrews: in the daily distribution their own widows were being overlooked. So the Twelve called a full meeting of the disciples and addressed … [More]

"They preached every day both in the Temple and in private houses, and their proclamation of the Good News of Christ Jesus was never interrupted". – Acts 5:42, which is part of today's First Reading at Mass. This stained glass window is in the … [More]

"Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness … [More]

"They arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said, "Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life." And when they … [More]

"The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed for his own use anything that he had, as everything they owned was held in common... None of their members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell … [More]

"Knowing that she was a virgin, the blessed one courageously answered the angel: "Your surprising words seem hard for my mind to accept: how can you speak of a birth that is to come from a conception without seed? And why do you cry, Alleluia?" – … [More]

"When Gabriel hit the bright shore of the world, Yours were the eyes saw some Star-sandaled stranger walk like lightning down the air, The morning the Mother of God Loved and dreaded the message of an angel." – Thomas Merton. The Annunciation is … [More]

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

"We may all be tempted by the disbelief of Thomas. Suffering, evil, injustice, death, especially when it strikes the innocent such as children who are victims of war and terrorism, of sickness and hunger, does not all of this put our faith to the … [More]

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr

"When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and had been … [More]

"Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. … [More]

"And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them. Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you, … [More]