The Institute for Christian Formation

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The Institute for Christian Formation Resources for Living Faith at Home, at Church, and at School.

May God grant us a restful night and a peaceful death…
10/17/2026

May God grant us a restful night and a peaceful death…

“From the rising of the sun to its setting let the name of the Lord be praised.” (Psalm 113:3)
10/16/2026

“From the rising of the sun to its setting let the name of the Lord be praised.” (Psalm 113:3)

Friday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time - October 16, 2026“Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet...
10/16/2026

Friday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time - October 16, 2026

“Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:6-7)

Today’s Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101626.cfm
Lectio Divina: https://www.ocarm.org/en/lectio-divina/2656-lectio-divina-october-2026/file

Reflection: Almighty God, Creator of All, you who have counted every hair on our heads and know when each sparrow falls to the ground, calm all of our fears and strengthen us so we may speak boldly in the light proclaiming our faith for all to hear. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today’s Saint - Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque – October 16 Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque was a 17th century French mys...
10/16/2026

Today’s Saint - Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque – October 16


Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque was a 17th century French mystic who promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and First Friday devotion. Pray the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus today:
https://www.usccb.org/prayers/litany-sacred-heart-jesus

Image:
Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque Contemplating the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Giaquinto Corrado, 1765

Morning OfferingO Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of th...
10/16/2026

Morning Offering

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the salvation of souls, the reparation of sins, the reunion of all Christians, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father this month. Amen.
(Fr. François-Xavier Gautrelet, 1844)

Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church - Thursday, October 15, 2026“When Jesus left, the scr...
10/15/2026

Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church - Thursday, October 15, 2026

“When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.” (Luke 11:53-54)

Today’s Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101526.cfm
Lectio Divina: https://www.ocarm.org/en/lectio-divina/2656-lectio-divina-october-2026/file

Reflection: How do we handle the truth about ourselves? There is the saying that “the truth hurts.” While we often ask for honest feedback from others, how often do we behave like the scribes and Pharisees in today’s Gospel? Unhappy that Jesus once again calls them out on their hypocrisy, rather than changing their ways they lash out at Jesus and try to trick him into saying something they can use against him. Let’s take a look at our own behavior. How do we accept truthful feedback that we might not want to hear? Is it time to change our attitude?

Image:
Woe unto You, Scribes and Pharisees
James Tissot
1886-1894
Brooklyn Museum

Today’s Saint - Saint Teresa of Jesus (Teresa of Avila), Virgin and Doctor of the Church – October 15 “Let ...
10/15/2026

Today’s Saint - Saint Teresa of Jesus (Teresa of Avila), Virgin and Doctor of the Church – October 15

“Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you. Everything passes away except God.”

St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila) was a 16th century Spanish mystic who reformed the Carmelite Order, and along with Saint John of the Cross founded the Discalced Carmelite friars and nuns. She wrote spiritual classics such as “The Interior Castle” and “The Way of Perfection.” She died in 1582, and was beatified in 1814 and canonized in 1622. In 1970 she was the first woman proclaimed Doctor of the Church. Learn more about Saint Teresa from this General Audience given by Pope Benedict XVI in 2011:
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2011/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20110202_en.html

Image:
Saint Teresa of Jesus
Iconographer: Liette McManaman
21st Century
Used with permission
www.liettesprayericons.net

Morning OfferingO Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of th...
10/15/2026

Morning Offering

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the salvation of souls, the reparation of sins, the reunion of all Christians, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father this month. Amen.
(Fr. François-Xavier Gautrelet, 1844)

Image:
Teresa of Ávila
Peter Paul Rubens, 1615
The Kunsthistorisches Museum
Vienna, Austria

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Cincinnati, OH
45220

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