Author Archives: Fr Matthew P. Schneider, LC

I have only seen one man die in my life. I had seen him only minutes before full of life. This is how it happened. When I was working in Cincinnati, we had a rare weekend free. We had arranged … Continue reading →

Looking over my shoulder, I can see the peak behind me. Before me lies the community lunching in the shade. I sit down exhausted and grab for the nearest grub. I just finished 6 miles, 3000ft up and back down … Continue reading →

At different times we have an opportunity to visit different cultural and religious sites here in Rome. One tradition started by St Phillip Neri was to visit a series of 7 churches. (He started it to counteract Mardi Gras.) Now … Continue reading →

I have just been reading Come, Be My Light by Mother Teresa. It includes a meditation she did while in the hospital in Rome in 1983. “Who is Jesus to me? Jesus is the Word – to be spoken. Jesus … Continue reading →

Reading, waiting for the others to finish, admiring the artwork, so sat I in St Peter’s. Then I realized something new. The statue right behind me had more carving work than first meets the eye. Before I tell you what … Continue reading →

It is quite an experience! Coming around the vestibule, and out through the gargantuan doors down the main aisle of St Peter’s carrying a huge processional cross. The whole procession behind follows the cross high above our heads. Only a … Continue reading →

Little errors are always bound to happen. On Good Friday, somehow my name failed to appear on the adoration list. I decided just to spend whatever time I could with Jesus – I probably spend an hour or two rather … Continue reading →

I get to breakfast a little before the community. The jam containers lie in the middle of the table. Today, amidst the dozen peach jams, there is one strawberry jam. I grab it and some fresh bread. At snack, a … Continue reading →

Card. Velasio de Paolis has clearly indicated that our most important reform is revising the constitutions. However, I am sure a few of you out there wonder what that means? To a certain extent it is a like a family … Continue reading →

“Obedience does not mean the execution of the orders that are given by a drill sergeant. It springs rather from the love of an order, and love of him who gave it. The merit of obedience is less in the … Continue reading →