Category: The Daily Collection

The Daily Collection is a series of reflections based on the “Collect” of the Mass, which most people call the opening prayer. This section breaks down that prayer and provides a few points of reflection on that prayer. Maybe the reflection will be profound and helpful, maybe it will seem kind of hum-drum, and maybe you’ll have your own insights that are better than mine – great! The goal is to get you to notice the prayer in the first place. They are often beautiful, if not a little dense, and starting to recognize their existence and meaning is just one more way to achieve the “Full, Conscious, Active participation” at Mass called for by the Second Vatican Council. It’s a small way to help you on your way to ordinary holiness.

St. Andrew the Apostle

Posted on by Father Albert
Collect taken from the Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle and Martyr Collect: We humbly implore your majesty, O Lord, that, just as the blessed Apostle Andrew was for your Church a preacher and pastor, so he may be for us a constant intercessor before you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son... "We humbly implore your majesty, O Lord, that, just as the blessed Apostle Andrew was for your Church a preacher and pastor" -  Every time we celebrate an Apostle, we recall the importance and majesty of God's word and the need for men to proclaim it to the world. "so...Read More

Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

Posted on by Father Albert
Collect taken from Thirty-Second Week of Ordinary Time.Collect: Almighty and merciful God, graciously keep from us all adversity, so that, unhindered in mind and body alike, we may pursue in freedom of heart the things that are yours. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son... "Almighty and merciful God, graciously keep from us all adversity,"- There is nothing wrong with asking God to make our lives easier. He does care for us and prayers for a better life are not wasted. But, that prayer has to keep in mind the wider perspective."so that, unhindered in mind and body alike, we may pursue in...Read More

St. Albert the Great

Posted on by Father Albert
Collect taken from the memorial of St. Albert the Great, Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor. Collect: O God, who made the Bishop Saint Albert great by his joining of human wisdom to divine faith, grant, we pray, that we may so adhere to the truths he taught, that through progress in learning we may come to a deeper knowledge and love of you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son... "O God, who made the Bishop Saint Albert great by his joining of human wisdom to divine faith," -- St. Albert was not only a theologian, but a philosopher and a scientist as well....Read More

Dedication of St. John Lateran Basilica

Posted on by Father Albert
Collect taken from the feast of the dedication of St. John Lateran. Collect: O God, who from living and chosen stones prepare an eternal dwelling for your majesty, increase in your Church the spirit of grace you have bestowed, so that by new growth your faithful people may build up the heavenly Jerusalem. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son... "O God, who from living and chosen stones prepare an eternal dwelling for your majesty,," -- We are those chosen and living stones, so this prayer is meant to evoke a sense of awe and wonder that God has chosen us as his dwelling place....Read More

Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time

Posted on by Father Albert
Collect taken from Thirty-First Week of Ordinary Time. Collect: Almighty and merciful God, by whose gift your faithful offer you right and praiseworthy service, grant, we pray, that we may hasten without stumbling to receive the things you have promised. Through our Lord Jesus Christ... "Almighty and merciful God, by whose gift your faithful offer you right and praiseworthy service," - As the letter to the Hebrews tells us, without faith it is impossible to please God. So, we praise God who gives us the faith that enables us to please. Also, we are grateful for the gift of the Liturgy, which...Read More

St. Charles Borromeo

Posted on by Father Albert
Collect taken from the memorial of St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop Collect: Preserve in the midst of your people, we ask, O Lord, the spirit with which you filled the Bishop Saint Charles Borromeo, that your Church may be constantly renewed and, by conforming herself to the likeness of Christ, may show his face to the world. Who lives and reigns... "Preserve in the midst of your people, we ask, O Lord, the spirit with which you filled the Bishop Saint Charles Borromeo," -- St. Charles was known to be a great reformer and a holy man. Once again, as Catholics we recognize that...Read More

All Saints Day

Posted on by Father Albert
Collect taken from the Solemnity of All Saints Day. Collect: Almighty ever-living God, by whose gift we venerate in one celebration the merits of all the Saints, bestow on us, we pray, through the prayers of so many intercessors, an abundance of the reconciliation with you for which we earnestly long. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son... "Almighty ever-living God, by whose gift we venerate in one celebration the merits of all the Saints," -- Not only does God share his own goodness, but He grants us the joy of celebrating His grace in the lives and accomplishments of brothers and sisters...Read More

Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

Posted on by Father Albert
Collect taken from Thirtieth Week of Ordinary Time. Collect: Almighty ever-living God, increase our faith, hope and charity, and make us love what you command, so that we may merit what you promise. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son... "Almighty ever-living God, increase our faith, hope and charity," - These three theological virtues are supernatural, so they cannot be formed by our own power. We must ask God to grant us these abilities and to increase them as we cooperate. "and make us love what you command, so that we may merit what you promise." - Not only does God give...Read More

St. Anthony Mary Claret

Posted on by Father Albert
Collect taken from the optional memorial of St. Anthony Claret, bishop. Collect: O God, who for the evangelization of peoples strengthened the Bishop Saint Anthony Mary Claret with admirable charity and long-suffering, grant, through his intercession, that, seeking the things that are yours, we may earnestly devote ourselves to winning our brothers and sisters for Christ. Who lives and reigns... "O God, who for the evangelization of peoples strengthened the Bishop Saint Anthony Mary Claret with admirable charity and long-suffering," -- God's response to needs in the Church is to raise up saints. St. Anthony's sanctity is evident in his charity and endurance,...Read More

St. John of Capistrano

Posted on by Father Albert
Collect taken from the optional memorial of St. John of Capistrano, priest. Collect: O God, who raised up Saint John of Capistrano to comfort your faithful people in tribulation, place us, we pray, under your safe protection and keep your Church in everlasting peace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son... " O God, who raised up Saint John of Capistrano to comfort your faithful people in tribulation," -- Drawing on our belief that God does not abandon his people, we acknowledge the providence at work in St. John's life. In a time of plague, Church division, and Turkish invasion, St. John served as...Read More