Jul 21, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Monday of week 16 in Ordinary Time
Saint Laurence of Brindisi, Priest, Doctor
First reading: Exodus 14:5-18
In today’s reading, Moses finds himself caught between two overwhelming forces: the pursuing Egyptian army, full of strength and fury, and the panicked Israelites, who doubt the very liberation they had long awaited. It is a moment of impossible tension, one that mirrors the crossroads we often face when fear rises, and faith is tested. Yet, in the face of this crisis, Moses does not give in to despair or react with frustration; instead, he proclaims a powerful truth: “Have no fear! Stand firm, and you will see what the Lord will do to save you today.” This is the voice of a man rooted not in certainty of outcomes, but in certainty of God’s faithfulness. Moses reminds us that salvation is not earned through human strength but received through trust. When circumstances press us on every side, our calling is not to panic or retreat, but to remain firm, believing that the Lord who led us here will not abandon us now. Let’s reflect: When I feel overwhelmed by fear or pressure, do I choose to stand firm in faith, trusting that God will act even when I see no way forward?
Don Giorgio
Jul 20, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Genesis 18:1-10; Colossians 1:24-28
On this 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the encounter between Abraham and the three mysterious visitors under the oak of Mamre invites us to contemplate the mystery of the Holy Trinity—three persons, one God, acting in perfect unity. These visitors not only foretell the birth of Isaac but also foreshadow the redeeming presence of the Triune God who enters human history to fulfill His promises. Saint Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, speaks of the glorious mystery now revealed to all nations: Christ, the visible image of the invisible God, dwelling in us. Redemption is not the isolated work of the Son alone but the loving act of the Father who sends, the Son who saves, and the Spirit who sanctifies. This divine unity and mutual self-giving reveal the very heart of God—a communion of love that now reaches out to draw all humanity into fellowship. As Christians, we are not merely recipients of grace but witnesses to this mystery, called to reflect the glory of the Trinity in how we live, love, and share the Good News. Let’s reflect: Do I live in a way that reflects the unity, love, and mission of the Holy Trinity, allowing the mystery of God’s presence to be revealed through my words and actions?
Don Giorgio
Jul 19, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Saturday of week 15 in Ordinary Time
First reading: Exodus 12:37-42
Today’s reading recalls the sacred night of Israel’s liberation, when the Lord Himself kept vigil, faithfully watching over His people as He brought them out of bondage. This was not merely a historical moment, but the beginning of a lasting remembrance—a vigil to be kept throughout the generations as an expression of love and gratitude. Liberation, as Scripture shows us, is never the final destination; it is the starting point of a life lived in faith, attentiveness, and devotion. In the Blessed Virgin Mary, we find the perfect embodiment of such a response: her heart was constantly awake to God’s presence, rooted in silent prayer, patient waiting, and unwavering obedience. Her life teaches us that true freedom is not passive but lived consciously, with a spirit ready to respond to grace at every turn. Today, we are invited to look inward and ask ourselves: Do I live with spiritual vigilance and heartfelt gratitude, honoring God’s saving love by remembering what He has done and allowing it to shape each day of my life?
Don Giorgio
Jul 19, 2025 | NEWS
Deacons at the tomb of Sister M. Dulcissima Hoffmann SMI
On Thursday morning, July 3, deacons from various parts of Poland arrived in Brzezia with their wives. They were accompanied by Fr. Jan Rosiek, their spiritual guide, and by a desire to meet the one who, though quiet and hidden, left a deep mark on the hearts of many: the servant of God, Sister M. Dulcissima Hoffmann, SMI.
This visit was part of an ongoing retreat in Rudy, a former Cistercian pearl of spirituality, where deacons are spending days of reflection under the slogan: “Do not let your hope be taken away.” It was this phrase that became particularly meaningful in Brzezie, a place where hope not only does not fade, but blossoms anew.
The meeting began at the tomb of Sister Dulcissima, where the Chaplet of Divine Mercy was recited together. The silence of prayer was broken only by the rustling of linden leaves and the quiet murmur of heartbeats.
“She is our saint. I have felt her presence many times in my life,” confessed Deacon Marek Czogalik from the Diocese of Gliwice with emotion. “Dulcissima instilled hope in people. And she continues to do so.”
After praying together, I invited our pilgrims to a more personal encounter—both with the life story of this exceptional Silesian mystic and with Jesus himself. We visited the memorial room in our convent, a place where everyone can pause for a moment to reflect on the traces of her simple yet deeply moving life. I also encouraged them to enter the chapel—that small space of silence where the heart of our community beats every day.
And because spiritual experiences are best rooted in an atmosphere of kindness and closeness, there was also a traditional Silesian refreshment: coffee and homemade cake. Such ordinary hospitality, as simple as the life of Sister Dulcissima, has been part of everyday life in our Brest monastery for years – a place that lives with open doors and an open heart.
In the convent chapel, surrounded by silence and prayer, the participants recited Vespers and then attended Holy Mass presided over by Fr. Jan Rośka from Rud. It was a moment full of gratitude, gentle emotion, and spiritual depth.
One of the thoughts that particularly accompanied me that day was that the Gospel needs people—hearts ready to witness and mouths ready to speak. We must talk about Jesus constantly—gently, with love, but also with courage—at every moment and on every occasion.
The saints also ask for a voice. They want to be noticed—not for themselves, but to point to God. They seek spiritual friendship, closeness of hearts that are willing to listen to their stories. And when this happens, their lives become signposts for others—silent, yet full of light.
I am happy to say that Sister Dulcissima is becoming more and more well-known. More and more people are coming to Brzezia to entrust their concerns to her, to ask for help, to find hope. It is extremely moving that from this quiet corner of Silesia, a light is spreading – humble, yet clear.
I would like to add that the constant ringing of the bell at the convent door speaks for itself—on that day, it announced the arrival of a 55-person pilgrimage from Krzelów. These are simple, everyday sounds, yet full of meaning. They say one thing: Dulcissima lives in people’s hearts. Her quiet, hidden life is taking root more and more widely – because where there is holiness, people return. I invite you to visit Brzezie in Racibórz.
S. Małgorzata Cur
Jul 18, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Friday of week 15 in Ordinary Time
First reading Exodus 11:10-12:14
In today’s reading, the blood of the lamb marked on the doorposts becomes a sign of deliverance for the Israelites, a powerful prefiguration of the saving blood of Christ poured out for our redemption. Just as that blood shielded them from death and marked the beginning of their liberation, so the blood of Jesus frees us from the slavery of sin and opens the way to new life. This act is not merely symbolic, it is deeply personal, revealing the cost of our salvation and the depth of God’s love. It reminds us that redemption is not a distant hope but a lived reality, written not on doorposts but upon the heart of every believer who receives Christ with faith. As we recall this moment, we are called to live as people marked by the blood of the Lamb, not in fear, but in the freedom and gratitude that come from knowing we have been claimed, protected, and saved by a love that never fails. Let’s reflect: Do I live each day with the awareness and gratitude that I have been redeemed and set free by the saving blood of Christ?
Don Giorgio
