Saint Wiborada of St Gall – The Hidden Flame of Solitude and Scripture - PLUS FREE GIFT!

There are saints whose names echo through the centuries — Francis, Thérèse, Dominic, and Clare — and then there are others, so hidden that even devout Catholics might never have heard of them. 

Yet, in the quiet corners of heaven, their intercession burns just as brightly. 

One of these hidden flames is Saint Wiborada of St Gall, a woman of prayer, silence, courage, and an almost fierce love for the Word of God.

She lived and died in the tenth century, in what is now Switzerland, during a time of uncertainty and fear. Yet her legacy reminds us that holiness does not always stand on a grand stage; sometimes it kneels in a small, stone cell — praying unseen, loved by God alone.

Lord, guard Your priests, Your chosen few...

 

Lord, guard Your priests, Your chosen few, With hearts aflame and faith made new. Protect their hearts, their words, their way, And keep them close to You each day.

As I love God so much, I find it hard to offer up my pains and troubles to him

There is a strange and quietly painful contradiction in the Christian life that we don’t often talk about. It’s this: sometimes the deeper our love for God becomes, the harder it feels to bring Him our sufferings.

It sounds illogical at first. 

Shouldn’t love mean we share everything? 

Shouldn’t a child run to their loving Father when they are hurting? 

Yes, of course - and we know this in our heads. But in the depths of our hearts, many of us who are striving to live closely with Christ, especially in the Catholic tradition, can feel an invisible wall when it comes to offering up our own pains.

We hold back, not because we don’t trust God, but because we love Him so much that we simply don’t want to cause Him any more sorrow.

An easy prayer to remember...

For the souls in purgatory suffering there,

the cleansing furnace which they bear,

Father quench those flames for their pain to cease,

and lead them home... to Heaven... and peace. 

Praying for the souls in Purgatory

For the souls in purgatory suffering there,

the cleansing furnace which they bear,

Father quench those flames for their pain to cease,

and lead them home... to Heaven... and peace.

The 24/7 Catholic Monthly - 1st November 2025 - All Saints and All Souls

Welcome to the November edition of The 24/7 Catholic Monthly. 

This month, the Church turns her gaze toward heaven and eternity. It is a time of joyful honour and solemn prayer.

 The glory of All Saints Day meets the compassion of All Souls Day, reminding us that we are all on a journey—pilgrims bound for glory, with the communion of saints cheering us on.

November is the month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory, a time to remember those who have gone before us, and to lift them in prayer and love. It is also a month to renew our own longing for heaven. The saints show us what we are called to be. The souls remind us to live well, and die in grace.

What If?

Imagine that we are told — with absolute certainty — that tomorrow is our last day on this earth. Not a warning, not a guess, but a certainty. We know that when the sun sets tonight, it will be the last time we draw breath, the last time we hear the voice of a loved one, the last opportunity to embrace, to pray, or to repent.

If we truly believed tomorrow was our final day, how many of us would hesitate to go to Confession today? How many of us would allow pride, embarrassment, or fear to keep us from this beautiful sacrament of mercy and healing?

He stays close to us, wanting us to obey him so that we can spend eternity with him.

He never leaves our side for long. His presence is constant — a whisper in the quiet, a shadow at the edge of thought, a suggestion just when we're weakest. 

He doesn't always reveal himself in obvious ways, but he's there, patient, persistent, persuasive. 

He seems to know us better than anyone else, and at times it feels as though his will for our lives might even align with our own desires. After all, he speaks in the language of comfort, ease, and self-justification — and who could resist something that feels so familiar, so reassuring, so much like what we already want?

He tells us that obedience to him will bring us peace. That if we follow his lead, we will find freedom from guilt, acceptance from others, and the joy of doing what feels right. His voice rarely shouts — it murmurs. It adapts. It bends itself to suit our mood and moment....

The Golden Glow Of Autumn In Our Blessed Mother’s Garden

There are the days in October when sunlight feels almost sacred — when it lingers longer than expected on every leaf, softening the edges of the world. It is as though Heaven itself leans a little closer to the earth. 

This is the golden glow of autumn — that brief and holy time when creation bows gracefully toward its rest, clothed in splendour before surrendering to stillness.

In such light, even the simplest corner of the parish can seem touched by eternity. Behind Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in New Milton lies a quiet space that seems made for this season — Our Blessed Mother’s garden, wild yet peaceful, small yet filled with meaning.

It is not the kind of garden you find in glossy books or perfect rows. It is the kind of place where beauty whispers, where holiness hides among fallen leaves, and where anyone weary in soul can sit for a while and simply be.

Were the ‘Good Ol’ Days’ Really That Good? - What the Bible Tells Us About Harkening Back to Days Gone By

It’s easy to become wistful about the past. Whether it’s black-and-white photographs of smiling families around the dinner table, memories of high street shops bustling with familiar faces, or the sense that “things were simpler back then”, many people—especially as they grow older— tend to reflect fondly on the so-called “good ol’ days”.

We find ourselves longing for a time when moral values seemed more widely shared, when church pews were full, and when children respected their elders. 

In many cases, there’s a sense of spiritual loss as well—especially in the face of today’s secular culture, where God is often sidelined in public life.

But here’s the question: were the “good ol’ days” really that good? More importantly, what does Sacred Scripture say about nostalgia, longing for the past, and the temptation to believe that we’ve lost something irreplaceable?

Let’s take a deeper look.

The 24/7 Catholic Monthly - 1st October 2025 - Month of the Holy Rosary

Welcome to the October edition of The 24/7 Catholic Monthly. 

As autumn settles in, the Church offers us two spiritual treasures to warm the soul: the Rosary, a meditation on Christ through the eyes of Mary, and the Little Way of St Thérèse of Lisieux, a humble path of trust and love.

In this month, we are called to childlike confidence and contemplative simplicity. The Rosary and the Little Way are not relics of the past—they are lifelines for today.

When Phones Go Off During Mass – Can’t We Connect to Our Father Without Disconnecting from Our Phones?

It happens too often to be surprising anymore.

Just as the priest elevates the Host, just as the congregation slips into that sacred silence before the “Behold the Lamb of God,” it happens....

... jarring ringtone...

... tinny pop song... 

... notification chime... 

The sanctuary, meant to echo heaven, is momentarily hijacked by the unmistakable sound of someone’s phone.

Embarrassed shuffling follows. 

Sometimes a frantic hand reaching into a handbag. Sometimes a face that stares forward in stony denial. And sometimes, the person just answers it - yes, even in church.

We’ve grown so accustomed to this kind of intrusion that we may no longer notice the deeper question it raises:

Can we truly connect with our Heavenly Father… if we never disconnect from our phones?

Let’s Take a Closer Look at “Woman, My Hour Has Not Yet Come” (John 2:4)

“When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’

And Jesus said to her, ‘O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come.’  

His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’” — John 2:3–5 (RSV-CE)

The Wedding at Cana is a story of joy, crisis, and divine intervention. It is a story of family, celebration, and the glory of Christ revealed in a quiet Galilean town. But at its heart lies a profound exchange between Jesus and His mother that has stirred the thoughts and prayers of Christians for centuries.

“Woman, my hour has not yet come.” What does Jesus mean? Why does He speak to His mother in this way? And why does Mary, after this seemingly hesitant reply, persist with the confident words: “Do whatever he tells you”?

This moment is not simply about wine at a wedding. It is about God’s plan of salvation, the unique role of Mary, and the faith to obey Christ. Let’s take a closer look.

Back to School with the Saints: Study Tips from Heaven

By now, students and pupils should all be back at school and colleges. The long summer holidays are over, and with sharpened pencils, fresh notebooks, and perhaps a little nervousness, young people across the country are returning to their studies. 

For some, this is an exciting time of opportunity; for others, it is heavy with pressure and anxiety. Parents and teachers, too, share the challenge of nurturing minds and guiding hearts in a world that often makes education feel like a competition rather than a calling.

But as Catholics, we know we are never left to face these challenges alone. Heaven is full of helpers who once walked the road of life before us. The saints, our elder brothers and sisters in Christ, stand ready to guide us, encourage us, and intercede for us. They remind us that study is not merely about facts and exams, but about preparing our minds and souls to serve God.

In this reflection, we will look at what the saints teach us about study, perseverance, and prayer. We will draw upon Scripture (RSV-CE), explore practical tips for students, and close with a devotional and poems.

Blessed Carlo Acutis – A Millennial Witness Of The Eucharist And Lessons For The Young And Old

When the Church raises a young person to the altars, it always gives us pause. Saints are not meant to be distant figures, frozen in stained glass or tucked away in dusty hagiographies. 

They are living reminders that holiness is possible here and now — in every age, culture, and circumstance. And in our own times, God has given us a powerful sign of hope in the life of Carlo Acutis, a London-born teenager who grew up in Milan, and whose love for the Eucharist and for souls has captured the attention of the whole world.

Carlo is being recognised as the first saint of the digital generation, a child of the new millennium who knew computers, video games, and the internet, yet never lost sight of what really mattered. 

His canonisation, under Pope Leo XIV, is not only a moment of joy for the Church but also a profound reminder: holiness is not confined to monasteries or ancient times. It can flourish in the heart of a teenager, even amidst Wi-Fi signals and mobile screens.

The 24/7 Catholic Monthly - 1st September - Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary

Welcome to the September edition of The 24/7 Catholic Monthly. 

This month, we walk with Our Lady in her sorrows—not as a defeat, but as the pathway to the triumph of the Cross.

 September is traditionally dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, whose feast is celebrated on 15 September, the day after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

Her pierced heart mirrors the heart of Christ: silent, faithful, enduring. Let us lean into that sorrow—not to wallow in pain, but to find meaning, love, and strength in suffering united with Jesus.

The Wild Garden Behind Our Lady of Lourdes Church in New Milton

It is a part of the parish grounds that most people pass without noticing — tucked behind the Catholic church, close to the church hall. 

From the main road, there is nothing to suggest what lies there. 

Parishioners and others walk by on their way to Mass or meetings, perhaps pausing to greet a friend or enter the hall itself for one of the many activities held there, many people not realising that just a few steps away is a place set apart, waiting in stillness... the wild garden of Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic Church, New Milton — a space unlike any other in the parish.

A 10-Day Journey Through the Psalms to Lift Your Heart plus FREE gift!

He heals the brokenhearted,
and binds up their wounds." — Psalm 147:3 (RSV-CE)
(Plus FREE GIFT)

Step into ten days of reflection, prayer, and poetry inspired by the Psalms — designed to refresh your soul, strengthen your spirit, and bring you closer to God. 
Plus a free gift in with final edition

Each day offers a short scripture, a heartfelt reflection, a guided prayer, and an original poem to help you:

• Find peace in the storms of life.

• Trust God’s timing and care.

• Heal from sorrow and brokenness.

• Delight in the Lord and lift your heart in praise.

Take ten days to pause, pray, and experience the Psalms in a fresh, life-giving way. Your heart and soul deserve this quiet, restorative journey with God.

This series is completely free, and your email is only used to send you these reflections — no marketing, no selling, no hidden agendas. Once the series ends, all email addresses are permanently deleted from the list used for this series

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Missing the Beauty of God's Creation With Heads Bowed Down… but not to God...

There is a strange kind of reverence that has crept into our daily lives. 

One sees it on buses, in cafés, in waiting rooms, on walks through the countryside - even in churches. 

It is the bowed head... but not in prayer... not in contemplation of the Divine... not even in shame or humility... 

... instead, we see heads bowed toward tiny glowing screens - fingers scrolling, tapping, swiping. 

A posture once reserved for worship has become routine for digital distraction...

Why The 24/7 Catholic?

I named this blog The 24/7 Catholic because it expresses a desire that I had  tugging at my heart. I want to live my Catholic faith every day, every hour, every minute. All the time. Not just on Sundays, not just at Mass, not just when I’m feeling inspired - but 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That’s what it means to follow Christ, right?

At least, that’s what I aspire to do...

... and yet, more often than not, I fall short...

This blog is for people like me - those of us who want to be saints, but who find ourselves slipping, stumbling, and sometimes just plain giving up. 

It’s for people who want to live the faith 24/7 but don’t always know how. 

People who go to Confession and mean it - but then snap at someone ten minutes later. 

People who say their Rosary while mentally ticking off their to-do list. 

People who love Jesus with all their hearts - but still struggle with doubt, distraction, despair, and daily demands.

This is The 24/7 Catholic - not because I’ve mastered it, but because I need to be reminded of it every single day...