These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.

THURSDAY, WEEK XXI, ORDINARY TIME—Saint Monica, August 27

I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 1:4-7)

Today is the feast of Saint Monica which is joined with tomorrow’s feast of Saint Augustine, her son. Theirs is a mother-son story that touches every heart. At the end of her life, they were in Ostia, Italy, the seaport for the City of Rome, waiting for the ship that would take them home to Africa. Monica was gravely ill and Augustine was very anxious because the ship was delayed in arriving. Monica told him, “Son, don’t worry about my body, bury me wherever I die. But remember me always at the Altar of the Lord.” And that is the privilege we all enjoy . . . we can remember our departed loved ones always at the Altar of the Lord.