In Your Presence

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai at Lancemore Centre in Toronto on May 11, 2025. We all must grow in fraternity. If the centres is like a garden, all the flowers need light, all need water. There is always somebody caring for the cleanliness, showing interest in people coming. Let us examine how we cultivate this special atmosphere around us.

Music: Regi Stone, All Heavens Declares. Straight Arrow records, 2003.

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai on April 27, 2025 at Lyncroft Centre in Toronto.

John 20, 21-23: After saying this he breathed on them and said:

‘Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive,they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.’

He had to breathe on them to give them that power. The breath of the Holy Spirit, like a sweet aroma that touched them, that they breathed in, and somehow stayed in them as a supernatural power.

Music: Original track by Michael Lee of Toronto.

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai at St. Aidan's parish in Toronto, on April 22, 2025.

The nature of the Easter Octave is that it be filled with joy. This year it is mingled with a sorrow, and upheaval in which we feel orphaned, but also weighed down by the urgency of the moment. The Church really needs a shepherd. It needs its vicar. We are forlorn.

Dic nobis Maria, quid vidisti in via?
Tell us, Mary: say what thou didst see upon the way.

A big concern had been who would remove the stone. We must nurture the optimism that is proper to Easter, and maintain it all our life.

The joy of Easter Monday, is mingled now with the sorrow from the news of the death of Pope Francis. He has been called back to the Father. A man who gave himself totally to the service of the Church. It happens at the end of the UNIV congress in Rome, and when the Ordinary General Congress of Opus Dei begins. We will offer the Mass for the repose of his soul. This meditation was preached on April 21, 2025 at Lyncroft centre in Toronto, minutes after hearing about the death of Pope Francis.

Music: Michael Lee of Toronto.

A meditation preached at Kintore College on April 15, 2025, Holy Wednesday.

Matt 26, 25: One of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you?’ They paid him thirty silver pieces, and from that moment he looked for an opportunity to betray him. Such painful words, at an agonizing time for our Lord. He was chosen as one of the apostles. One for who he had dreams. The most painful realities are not physical. It is the weight of abandonment, betrayal and rejection.

Music: Michael Lee, of Toronto

Thumbnail: Giotto, Betrayal of Jesus, fresco in Padua, Scrovegni chapel 1304.

A meditation was preached at Lyncroft Centre in Toronto on March 30, 2025. The story of the Prodigal Son is a story of conversion, an account of the role that bonds have in our life, and how we must be more aware of them, and strengthen them.

Music: Regi Stone "How Can I tell You", Experience Music 2002, released 2015.

Thumbnail: Pompeo Batoni prodigal son (Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien) Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.

A meditation preached in Ernescliff College, Toronto, on March 28, 2025.

Its been 100 years since that day in which a young 23-year Josemaria Escriva was ordained to the priesthood in the Basilica of Our Lady of El Pilar in Zaragoza, Miguel de los Santos.  
There are things that we invite into our soul that leave us with a permanent imprint, a mark, an impression, like a long-lasting, expensive perfume that can become attractive to those around us. This is the story of the expansive grace of a man's ordination to the priesthood.

Thumbnail: Josemaría Escrivá

as a seminarian in Saragossa.

Music: Original track by Michael Lee of Toronto

Today is a solemnity, in which the exclusive focus is this intimate dialogue between a celestial creature, and the holiest woman ever created. Imagine the angel, see her bow in reverence, we hear her response, we image her fear, we sense concern, her slight confusion about her becoming mother, the reassuring response of the angel, his promise that ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God". That is shadow of the Holy Spirit. It was a reference to the to the shekinah. The holy of holies. (Exodus 13:21-22)

That power now we understand is by the coming of the Holy Spirit, and he notes emphatically: “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Lk 1:37).”

A meditation preached in Ernescliff College on March 25, 2025

Preached on March 21, 2025 at Kintore college in Toronto. What is the nature of penance and mortification during lent?

This is the most important of penance:To prepare the way so that Christ might actually live in us.

Augustine would say: A vessel must be empty if it is to be filled, and if we are to be filled with the life of God we must be utterly empty of self.

Music: Original track by Michael Lee of Toronto.

Thumbnail: Duccio, The Temptation of Christ on the Mountain, 1308-11, Frick Collection, New York.

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai at Lyncroft Centre, Toronto, on March 19, 2025. Joseph was in a state of emotional upheaval, until God told him in a dream what was happening with Mary. He knew what he had to do. He did not turn around in circles.

Joseph’s response was immediate: “When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him” (Mt 1:24). Obedience made it possible for him to surmount his difficulties and spare Mary.

The imagination has been called "The Crazy Woman of the House." How can Joseph intercede to help us put our imagination under better control?

Music: Original track by Michael Lee of Toronto

Thumbnail: Mosaic from St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai to university students at Ernescliff College in Toronto on March 11, 2025.

Matt 5, 20: Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.

He speaks of virtue that is not deep. Only surface depth. Merely appearance. Its a real challenge that the Lord offered us. He wants something deeper, a more authentic line from you and me.

Music: Original track of Michael Lee of Toronto, Ontario.

Thumbnail: J. Kirk Richards of the judgment of Christ by Pilate.

A meditation preached at Ernescliff College by Fr. Eric Nicolai on Sunday March 9, 2025.

Luke 4, 1: Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit through the wilderness, being tempted there by the devil for forty days.

We picture now led by the spirit, docile and at one with God’s plan. He is not resisting. As man, as the word incarnate, he is fulfilling his purpose, that now starts within moment of human detachment. 

Why does Jesus go to the desert? Why did he need to go out?

Music: Michael Lee of Toronto 

Thumbnail: Roualt, 1937

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai at Kintore College, Toronto, on March 1, 2025.

Convertímini ad me in toto corde vestro, in ieiunio et fletu, et in planctu, dicit Dóminus. Turn to me with all your heart, in fasting, and in weeping, and in mourning, says the Lord.

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai at Lyncroft Centre in Toronto on March 1, 2025.

The ancient hymn that I have heard you sing so beautifully right here is the Anima Christi, the soul of Christ.

O bone Jesu, exaudi me. Intra tua vulnera absconde me. Ne permittas me separari a te.

O good Jesus, hear me. Within your wounds conceal me. Do not permit me to be parted from you.

The wounds of Christ, a sign of the intensity of His love for us. They would not heal if he had not risen. What do they mean for us today?

Music: Original music by Michael Lee of Toronto.

Thumbnail: Caravaggio, The Incredulity of Saint Thomas 1601, Sanssouci Picture Gallery, Potsdam.

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai at Lyncroft centre in Toronto on February 23, 2025.

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. (Lk 6, 27)

They are jarring words, fighting words, discordant for our secularized society, but nevertheless, true and authentic divine words that seem to ask so much of us. They have been handed down to us over the centuries so that they be like the blueprint of our life.

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai at Cedarcrest Centre on February 14, 2025. This is a new audio, the last was the wrong file uploaded by mistake

Mother of Fair Love. Learning how to love with the help of Our Lady. It is not in the Litany. Mater Pulchrae Dilectionis, Mother of Fairest Love. Beautiful love.

Beauty is a wounding experience that moves us beyond our mundane lives, creating a longing for something greater. Beauty and truth are intrinsically linked. The absence of one can lead to the denial of the other, and both are essential to human flourishing.

Music: Komm, süsser Tod, BWV 478, played on guitar by Bert Alink.

A meditation about heaven, preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai during a retreat at Cedarcrest Conference Centre in Belfountain, Ontario, on February 15, 2025.

Pope Benedict XVI emphasized that heaven is not an abstract concept or imaginary place, but the true reality of God's presence. He said heaven is not a departure from the world but a "new mode of presence to the world. Its not a physical location in the cosmos.

Music: 'Moonlight' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com

Thumbnail: The oculus of the Pantheon, Rome.

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai on December 31, 2024 at Shelbourne Conference centre in Valparaiso, IN.

The story of St. Gregory the Great (590 to 604) having a vision of Christ during his Mass. Christ is surrounded by all the instruments of the passion. It became a devotional piece to meditate on the cross, to look upon it, and dicern its layers of meaning in our life.

Music: Helios relaxing music Into The Woods

Thumbnail: Simon Marmion, The Mass of St. Gregory, 1460, Art Gallery of Ontario, Canada.

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai to High School students in Beamsville, Ontario ,on February 2, 2025.

Today is the feast of the presentation. It is a feast of pour Lady, but really focused on Our Lord who is being presented by his parents in the temple. It was the law of Israel that each first born should be presented to the Lord, 40 days after his birth. They are complying with the Mosaic Law. It is his mission. He is presented, offered, given over, and his parents do so with faith, knowing his purpose more than anyone.

Music: Original track by Michael Lee, of Toronto.

Thumbnail, Peter Paul Rubens, Presentation in the Temple, sketch, 1632, Naala Nura, ground level, Grand Courts.

Matt 25 Tells about the stewards and their talents. Some five talents, others two. But the guy with one talent hid it, buried it, and gave it back.  Like he wanted a refund. He did t open the package. It was still wrapped in plastic. Still with the bubble wrap. 

What good is a talent that is buried in the ground? What will I do with it when I die?

Music: Original music by Michael Lee from Toronto

Thumbnail: Simone Barabino, The Death of Saint Joseph, Philbrook Museum of Art, 1620.

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai at Hawthorn School in Toronto, on January 23, 2025.

There is one line by St. Josemaria that might encapsulate a mystery, and a mission. A fundamental truth that is both very clear, yet very mysterious. Both exciting and scary. Something that applies to all of us and is clear as the day, but is interpreted as not really applying to us, but just to a few.

There is something holy, something divine, hidden in the most ordinary situations (Conversations, 114)

It is that something that is still mysterious, still not fully articulated, perhaps vague or tenuous that we still need to bring to life, and apply to ourselves today with hope.

This meditation was preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai on at Lyncroft centre in Toronto, January 19, 2025.

You may have heard that Pope Francis has published his autobiography, published by Penguin Canada, now that he is an old man, and his pontificate has lasted longer than anyone expected.

Here is what he tells his readers: “If one day you are overcome by fears and worries, think of that episode in the Gospel of John, at the marriage at Cana (John 2:1– 12), and say to yourselves: The best wine has yet to be served.”

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai on January 15, 2025 in Kintore College, Toronto.

The Gospel today from Mark 1:29-39, tells us about some of the sick that Jesus healed, and the demons that he expelled.

We see this at the beginning of the Jubilee Year of Redemption. It is a year of hope, as described by the Bull of Indiction, Spes non confudit, established by Pope Francis.

Music: Regi Stone, Regi Stone, All Heaven Declares, 2003 Straight Arrow Records. Released in 2003.

Thumbnail: Pope Francis opening the Holy Doors.

This is the last meditation of a retreat preached at Shellbourne Conference Centre in Valparaiso, IN, on December 31, 2024.

Mark 6: When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.

Music: Regi Stone, All Heavens Declares Catholic music on Youtube

A meditation preached at Shellbourne Conference Centre in Valparaiso, Indiana, during a retreat on December 27, 2024.

Gen 2, 15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

With all the Christmas cards we’ve received, and the emails, and our own nativity scene, it is easy for us to imagine what happened that evening, and to see the warm glow of the child giving off divine light, he is the light of the world, amidst that dark and damp and musty place for animals. Mary and Joseph are warmed by the glow too.

Yet there is a tinge of reproach in John's description. John says it at the very beginning of the account of the incarnation itself. “He came to his own people, and his own did not receive him.” (Jn 1, 11).

Music: Die Schonsten Deutsche Weihnachtslieder, begins with Holy Night. @christmasworldbyzyxmusic3882

Thumbnail: Adoration of the Shepherds by Jean Baptiste Marie Pierre (1714-1789). Detroit Institute of Art.
@christmasworldbyzyxmusic3882

A meditation preached at Lyncroft Centre in Toronto on December 20, 2024.

With the scene of the annunciation to Mary, redemption has begun. But the last thing the angel mentioned was meant to show that the incarnation takes place within the larger context of the family, Mary’s family, but also Elizabeth's family. God decided that Elizabeth should bear a son. Mary would participate in this, to give support.

The unity of the members of a family - and, with more reason if they are children of God through Baptism - manifests the unity of God, his Creator: "The Christian family is a communion of persons, reflection and image of the communion of the Father and of the Son in the Holy Spirit”. (CCC 2207).

This is the time to contribute to family warmth. Provide affection and service. St. Josemaria often explained that the model of our family life is in the Holy Family of Nazareth. He liked so much to imagine the personal and close relationship that Jesus, Mary and Joseph had, that he said to his spiritual daughters and sons: "to this Family we belong."

Music: relaxing-piano-music-248868

Thumbnail: Thomas Kinkade HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

Preached on Gaudete Sunday at Lyncroft Centre, Toronto, December 15, 2024.

Phil 4, 4: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

There are the surface aspects of our life, there are the edges. Some days were good, other days not so much. But deep on the river bed there is calm.

Music: relaxing-piano-music-248868

Fr. Eric Nicolai preached this meditation at Lyncroft Centre, Toronto on December 9, 2024, solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, her preservation from all sin, meant that not even a tiny shadow of darkness existed in her soul. Knowing this was the product of a process.  First the Christian people realized it, then theologians discussed it, and gradually the Church became more and more aware of what it means to say she was full of grace, the holiness of the mother of God.

The realization that she was redeemed in a unique way, right from the moment of her conception.

Music: Regi Stone, All Heaven Declares, YouTube music

Fr. Eric Nicolai peached this meditation on December 4th, 2024 at Kintore College.

Today’s Gospel is from St. Matthew St. Matthew 15, 29-37, about the multiplication of loaves and fish.

Crowds had followed him. So many people were attracted to him. And Matthew gives a brief description of these people: they were lame, blind, deformed, mute, and many others. These people with all these infirmities could not have gotten there on their own. 

They needed friends or family to get around, or to help them understand what Jesus was saying. All this moved the heart of Jesus. He was moved by the suffering, he saw people hindered by their limitations and their pain, but I think he saw beyond that, he was also touched by the generous solidarity of people around them. People helping them to get their food, to protect them, guide them, and encourage them.

Music: Regi Stone All Heaven Declares from Catholic Music Youtube channel

Image: Jean-Francois Tissot, Life of Christ, 1890s.

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai on December 3, 2024 at Ernescliff College, Toronto.

Jesus addresses a word of hope to His disciples: “Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand” (Luke 21, 28). During the time of advent, a time of preparation for the coming of the Lord, we may feel a faint whisper of sadness, maybe discomfort. The Lord invites us to stand erect.

This is what the life of Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552) was like. What an example of zeal and apostolate.

Music: Regi Stone, All Heaven Declares, from Catholic Music Youtube channel

Fr. Eric Nicolai preached this meditation on November 24, 2024, the solemnity of Christ the King in Lyncroft Centre, Toronto.

John 18, 33: ’Are you the king of the Jews?’ Pilate asked. Jesus replied, ‘Do you ask this of your own accord, or have others spoken to you about me?’

Thinking it would placate Jesus, he had the inscription placed over his head on the cross: Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews. In Hebrew, Greek, and Latin: Jesus Nazarenus, Rex Judaeorum…  Different characters and languages that suggested his own universal kingship in the universal church.

Latin was the languages of the conquerors, Greek was more universal, like English today, and Hebrew, the local dialect.

Music: Regi Stone All Heaven Declares from Catholic Music Youtube channel

Thumbnail: Diego Velazquez, Crucifixion, 1632, Prado Museum, Madrid.

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai on November 20, 2024 at Hawthorn School for Girls in Toronto.

J.R. R. Tolkien was chided by his contemporary fantasy writers for saying that the best fantasy has happy endings. For many them, the realism came in the dark, terrifying tales that ended in tragedy. But our faith tells us that death is a doorway to a happy ending, and we can prepare for it now, as we consider the kingdom of Christ.

Music: Regi Stone, All Heaven Declares. From Catholic music YouTube channel.

Thumbnail: West portal of Chartres Cathedral, Christ Pantocrator.

Fr. Eric Nicolai preached this meditation in Lyncroft Centre in Toronto, on November 2, 2024. Saint Josemaria faced a lot of opposition when he started his apostolic endeavours. In the Way he said: "God wants a handful of men 'of his own' in every human activity. And then... 'pax Christi in regno Christi — the peace of Christ in the kingdom of Christ'. "

We have to help him reign really with our apostolate. He wants to need us. He wants us to be docile subjects. He wants us to go out there and stir things up. 

Pope Francis speaks of hacer lio. ¡Hagan lío! Pero un lío que nazca de conocer a Jesús. Shake things up. I think you would say: “make a mess!” Messiness is a good things. Later we will clean up what must be cleaned. “stir up trouble!” or “shake things up!”

Music: Regi Stone, All Heaven Declares, From Catholic Music Youtube Channel. 2003 Straight Arrow Records. Released on: 2003-01-01 Main Artist: Regi Stone Composer: Darlene Zschech Lyricist: Darlene Zschech Music Publisher: Hillsongs

Thumbnail: Shove Memorial Chapel, Colorado College.

After the Solemnity of the Solemnity of All Saints, and the Feast of All Souls, we want to examine ourselves to see if Christ truly reigns in our hearts, if he is there at the core of our being. This meditation was preached at Lyncroft Centre in Toronto on November 2, 2024.

Music: Regi Stone, All Heaven Declares, from Catholic Music Youtube channel.

Thumbnail: A stained-glass window of Jesus wearing a crown at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, photo/Gregory A. Shemitz.

A meditation preached at Lancemore centre in Toronto on November 4, 2024. In 2017, the Prelate of Opus Dei said this: “the current situation of evangelization makes it more necessary than ever to give priority to personal contact with people. This relational aspect is at the heart of the mode of doing apostolate that Saint Josemaria found in the Gospel narratives.” (Pastoral Letter, 14 February 2017, no. 9.)

Personal contact leads to friendship, and friendship is an expression of charity. That charity in Opus Dei gives us strong bonds. We live this charity through real fraternity. Like the phrase from Proverbs: Frater qui adiuvatur a fratre quasi civitas firma. A brother helped by his brother is like a strongly walled city. (Prov. 18, 19)

Music: Choir of the Roman College of Holy Mary in Rome.

Thumbnail: Nicaea in the Nuremberg chronicles.

Fr. Eric Nicolai preached this meditation at Lyncroft Centre in Toronto on th Solemnity of All Saints, November 1, 2024.

St. John the Apostle tells about his tremendous vision: After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (Rev 9, 9-10)

The uncountable throng represents the spiritual offspring of Abraham, i.e., those who imitated his faith (Rom 4:11-17).  The Lord had promised to make Abraham the father of many nations (Gen 17:5) and to give him progeny too numerous to count (Gen 15:5). He made him look up to the sky, and look at the stars. These same stars still lok down upon us, and invite us to look up.

Music: Carlos Gardel (1890 – 1935), Soledad, arranged for guitar by Bert Alink.

Thumbnail: Vincent Van Gogh, The Starry Night, 1889, Museum of Modern Art.

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai in Lyncroft Centre in Toronto, on October 27 2024. The focus is blind Bartimaeus and the heart of Jesus.

Mark 10:46-52: As Jesus left Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus (that is, the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting at the side of the road. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and to say, ‘Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me.’ And many of them scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he only shouted all the louder, ‘Son of David, have pity on me.’ Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him here.’ So they called the blind man. ‘Courage,’ they said ‘get up; he is calling you.’ So throwing off his cloak, he jumped up and went to Jesus. Then Jesus spoke, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Rabbuni,’ the blind man said to him ‘Master, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has saved you.’ And immediately his sight returned and he followed him along the road.

Music: Carlos Gardel, Soledad, arranged for guitar by Bert Alink.

Thumbnail: Pompeo Batoni, Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Church of the Gesù in Rome (1767)

Fr. Eric Nicolai preached this recollection at Hawthorn School in Toronto on October 23 2024.

We are preparing the centennial of Opus Dei, founded on October 2, 1928.

It was a shower of grace, that Saint Josemaria received on that day. We must ensure that we maintain the beauty of this charism, to ensure that it never go stale, or lose its vibrancy.

Music: Choir of the Roman College of Holy Mary.

Thumbnail: Cover of The Way published by Doubleday.

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai on October 18, 2024 at Lyncroft Centre in Toronto. Luke the Evangelist was born a Greek and a Gentile from Antioch in Syria. Luke is symbolised by the ox, a symbol of strength and of sacrifice. But also Luke wanted to preserve the face of Mary for us. He is the painter of Mary: Tradition says he produced the first devotional icons of the mother of God. He preserved her yes to her vocation. He'll help preserve our yes to the vocation to Opus Dei.

Music: Carlos Gardel (1890-1935), Soledad, arranged for guitar by Bert Alink.

Thumbnail: Luke Painting the Virgin, by Giorgio Vasari 1565 Basilica della Santissima Annunziata, Florence.

Fr. Eric Nicolai evokes the nature of the apostolate with young people in Opus Dei, which is entrusted to the intercession of the Archangel Raphael. It is known as the St. Raphael work. He gave this meditation at Lyncroft Centre in Toronto, on October 5, 2024.

"I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord" (Tob 12:15) Saint Raphael, whose name means "God has healed" because of his healing of Tobias’ blindness in the Book of Tobit. He is the angel that heals.

Our words must have that healing power, if we invoke him. Healed from anxiety and worry. Healed from selfishness. Healed really from any suffering. But that healing is in the soul, in our soul. This is why with Raphael's intercession, our words can give hope to young people.

Thumbnail: Rembrandt, Abraham serving the three angels at Mambre, 1646 (private collection)

Music: Ave Verum, St. Anthony's Latin Choir, from Musica Sacra Per Annum.

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai on October 15th at Lyncroft Centre in Toronto.

Lk 1, 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. 

Since Zacharia doubted, unsure perhaps of his authenticity, needed more proof, as though seeing an angel were not enough, Gabriel had the power to silence him. To give him time to reflect. In quiet.

Saint Josemaria invoqued Saint Gabriel as the patron with the work with Supernumeraries, married people in general.

Music: Michael Lee, from Toronto

Thumbnail: Duccio di Buoninsegna (1255–1319), Annonciation, circa 1307.

A meditation preached at Lyncroft Centre, Toronto, on September 29, on the feast of the three Archangels, St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael.

Today’s Gospel from the 26th Sunday of Ordinary time does refer to a man casting out devils, and these spirits are bad angels. They too were created by God, but then they disobeyed, freely, they chose wrongly, out of pride.

St. Josemaria evoked them for the first time in October, 1932 while on retreat in Segovia. He established each one to intercede over the apostolates of Opus Dei.

Music: Original music by Michael Lee, of Toronto.

Thumbnail: Archangel Michael Vanquishing Satan, painting by Raphael Sanzio 1518, in the Louvre.

Preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai at Kintore College, Toronto, September 25, 2024. Today we evoke the courage and resilience of these men and women who came to evangelize the New World: Jean de Brebeuf and Isaac Jogues. They arrived in Quebec after a treacherous journey from France. They travelled to Georgian Bay and established a community among the Hurons.

Music: 'Undertow' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com

Fr. Eric Nicolai preached this meditation to a group of High School boys in the OneUp program at Ernescliff College, Toronto. Matthew 9:9-13: "As Jesus was walking on, he saw a man named Matthew sitting by the customs house, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him."

By this short description, Matthew became one of the apostles of Jesus. Chosen specifically by Jesus himself. Jesus wants him to be part of this great adventure in the early church. He pointed at him, and Matthew pointed at himself, and all the publicans seem to point only at their own money, such as the 1599 painting by Caravaggio of the Call of St. Matthew in Rome.

Music: 'Jul' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com

Thumbnail: Caravaggio, The Call of St. Matthew in the Contarelli chapel in the church of San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome.

Fr. Eric Nicolai preached this meditation on September 10, 2024, to a group of priests at Saint Aidan's parish in Toronto. The subject is the figure of Zacchaeus in Luke 19: “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it they all murmured, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”

A meditation by Fr. Eric Nicolai in Lyncroft Centre, Toronto, on the occasion of the exaltation of the Holy Cross, September 14, 2024.

The cross is the instrument on which the Lord was executed. It was a Roman instrument of torture, state-sponsored terrorism. Jesus gave an explanation in mysterious words. Enigmatic, somewhat cryptic, evoking an image, a movement, a veiled, almost dream-like quality. 

John 3, 13-17: Jesus said to Nicodemus: ‘No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.’

What does this mean for those who look upon the cross?

Music: 'Life In Motion' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com

Thumbnail: Apse mosaic from San Clemente Romano, Rome. 

In the Gospel of the 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Jesus takes the deaf man aside, away from the crowd. By the finger of God a real connection is made, and he can now hear the Word of God. It is by the finger of God that Jesus will write something in our hearts during prayer. This meditation was preached on September 8, 2024 at Ernescliff College in Toronto.

Music: Original music by Michael Lee.

Thumbnail: Orans figure from the Catacomb of Priscilla in Rome.

Fr. Eric Nicolai preached this meditation on August 29, 2024 at Kintore College, Toronto.

Matt 14, 1-12: The account of Herod’s court, with the trendy crowd, an atmosphere of sensuality, a mood of decadence, the latest fashions, everyone vying for attention and positioning themselves in the right place to be noticed. Naturally alcohol was predominant for everyone. Certainly no self-restraint, and as a result, all judgment was disordered, immature, uncontrolled and even abusive.
He was blinded by his own passions, because of what he saw. One of the greatest services we can render to people today is to awaken in them the desire for personal prayer, that silent, interior prayer of the heart so recommended by all the saints in the Christian tradition. 
London)

Music: 'Undertow' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com

Fr. Eric Nicolai preached this meditation at Lyncroft Centre in Toronto on August 25th, 2024, the twenty-first Sunday of Ordinary time (year B).

The focus is John 6, the denouement of the passages on the bread of life.

John 6, 60-62: After hearing his doctrine many of the followers of Jesus said, ‘This is intolerable language. How could anyone accept it?’ Jesus was aware that his followers were complaining about it and said, ‘Does this upset you? What if you should see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before?

‘It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh has nothing to offer. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

Music: FALL - Adrian Berenguer (Album Singularity)