Dear Friends of Casa Juan Diego, The joy of Christmas comes as a great gift, breaking into the despair, sadness, and fear of violence that surrounds us and others in many parts of the world. All the hype about Christmas shopping (since July 4) simply cannot drown out the Good News of this Silent Night:… continue reading
The Incarnation: Receiving the Lord in the poor, the stranger, the broken-hearted
November 18, 2024 by
It seems that sometimes we Catholics neglect to mention that the Lord Jesus explicitly told us why he was sent by the Spirit of the Lord, as he quoted the Old Testament prophecy. Recent experiences reminded us. We received a call from a hospital asking if we could accept an 18-year old mother of tiny… continue reading
Can We Survive the Storms Around Us? Insights from Henri de Lubac, SJ
September 20, 2024 by
Sometimes we ask ourselves how we can keep going in the midst of the storm around us, the people with all their needs, their anxieties, the traumas they carry with them, their health problem. We have to ask the Lord to be with us each day as he calmed the sea for the disciples during… continue reading
Reconstructing the Social Order Through the Works of Mercy in an Age of Migration: Reflections from the Houston Catholic Worker
June 12, 2024 by
“You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name,” Exodus 20:7. To “misuse” God’s name is to appropriate his name to justify self-interest, violence, murder….. (La Civiltá Cattolica) The fabric of our social order is being harmed and even destroyed… continue reading
The Cosmos, the Glory of God, and the Mystery of Iniquity: Reflections from the Houston Catholic Worker
February 17, 2024 by
The great interest in the cosmos today, from the Big Bang theory to new discoveries and wonders of science, the galaxies revealed in new telescopes, new awareness of the mysteries of the animal world, and the whole world, is inspiring people to celebrate the wonders of the universe. Along with these awe-inspiring discoveries is a… continue reading
The Center of Our Story – The Incarnation
December 4, 2023 by
“Today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.” Christmas at Casa Juan Diego is like Christmas all over the world. Given the many countries that our guests call home, you could say that the world gathers at Casa Juan Diego for Christmas. The festivities begin… continue reading
Advent Reflection
November 10, 2023 by
“You promised that you would come, and actually made good your promise. But how, O Lord, how did You come? You did it by taking a human life as Your own. You became like us in everything: born of a woman, You suffered under Pontius Pilate, were crucified, died, and were buried. And thus You… continue reading
The Crown of Martyrdom, the Cult of the Dead, and Recent Martyrs
June 6, 2023 by
Martyrs for the Faith – Then and Now Some of the most well-known martyrs who died for their faith are from the earliest years of the Church – beginning with Jesus the Christ himself and then Stephen and many others martyred in Roman times. Over the centuries, Christians have continued to face persecution and martyrdom…. continue reading
The Visitor: Recognizing Jesus in Disguise at the parish
March 10, 2023 by
One Sunday in July, at my parish church, a homeless man sat on a bench outside. Just before Mass started, he walked in to attend. Then, after Mass, he stood under an awning where his fellow congregants greeted one another. He was ignored. Yet everywhere this man sat or stood, Christ was present in his… continue reading
A Christmas Feast for the Whole Universe, From Many Countries Migrants Come to Casa Juan Diego
November 26, 2022 by
“The star came to rest above the place where the child was. At the sight of it the wise men were filled with great joy, and that great joy should fill our hearts as well. It is the same as the joy the shepherds received from the glad tidings brought by the angels. Let us… continue reading
