Birth/Death, Michael D. O’Brien WITHIN only a week of his elevation to the Seat of Peter, Pope Francis I has already given the Church his first encyclical: the teaching of Christian simplicity. There is no document, no pronouncement, no publication—just the powerful witness of an authentic life of Christian poverty. With nearly […]
AS I read Pope Francis’ installation homily, I couldn’t help but think of my little encounter with the Blessed Mother’s alleged words six days ago while praying before the Blessed Sacrmament. Sitting in front of me was a copy of Fr. Stefano Gobbi’s book To the Priests, Our Lady’s Beloved Sons, messages that have […]
GOD wants to slow us down. More than that, He wants us to rest, even in chaos. Jesus never rushed to His Passion. He took the time to have a last meal, a last teaching, an intimate moment of washing another’s feet. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He set aside time to pray, […]
The “empty” Chair of Peter, St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome, Italy THE past two weeks, the words keep rising in my heart, “You have entered dangerous days…” And for good reason. The enemies of the Church are many from both within and without. Of course, this is nothing new. But what is new is the […]
Photo by Oli Kekäläinen First published on April 17th, 2011, I woke up this morning sensing the Lord wanted me to republish this. The main point is at the end, and the need for wisdom. For new readers, the rest of this meditation can also serve as a wake-up call to the seriousness […]
World Youth Day WE are entering a most profound period of purification of the Church and the planet. The signs of the times are all around us as the upheaval in nature, the economy, and social and political stability speaks of a world on the verge of a Global Revolution. Thus, I believe […]
SINCE Pope Benedict XVI renounced his office, I have received several emails asking about papal prophecies, from St. Malachi to contemporary private revelation. Most notable are modern prophecies that are completely opposed to one another. One “seer” claims that Benedict XVI will be the last true pope and that any future popes […]
As I asked Our Blessed Mother to guide my writing this morning, immediately this meditation from March 25th, 2009 came to mind: HAVING traveled and preached in over 40 American states and nearly all of Canada’s provinces, I have been afforded a wide-ranging glimpse of the Church on this continent. I have met many […]
Jesus Meets Veronica, by Michael D. O’Brien IT was a noisy hotel. I was eating some lousy take-out, watching some lousy television. So, I turned it off, set the food outside my door, and sat on my bed. I began thinking about a broken-hearted mother I prayed with after my concert the night before… […]
Hope of the Drowning, by Michael D. O’Brien AFTER a talk I gave to a group of university students on what the popes have been saying about the “end times”, a young man pulled me aside with a question. “So, if we are living in the “end times,” what are we supposed to […]
From an American reader in Colorado: I sense in this night’s wind that my country is at the tipping point, that we are about to experience ‘Change’ but it is not what many are expecting, it is not the social transformation that has been slickly advertised and promised this campaign season.
…That evening before he said grace at the dinner table, he placed his hands upon the heads of my brothers and me and prayed the Living Word upon us from Jeremiah 1:4-5… ‘Now the Word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to The nations.”
I’LL never forget that day. I was praying in my spiritual director’s chapel before the Blessed Sacrament when I heard in my heart the words: Lay hands on the sick and I will heal them. I trembled in my soul. I suddenly had images of devout little women with doilies on their heads […]
On the first Friday of this month, also the Feast day of St. Faustina, my wife’s mother, Margaret, passed away. We are preparing for the funeral now. Thanks to all for your prayers for Margaret and the family. As we watch the explosion of evil all over the world, from the most shocking blasphemies […]
“Flight Into Egypt”, Michael D. O’Brien Joseph, Mary, and the Christ Child camp in the desert at night as they flee to Egypt. The stark surroundings accentuate their plight, the danger they are in, the darkness of the world. As the mother nurses her child, the father stands watch and plays gently on a flute, […]
FAITH is the oil which fills our lamps and prepares us for Christ’s coming (Matt 25). But how do we attain this faith, or rather, fill our lamps? The answer is through prayer. Prayer attends to the grace we need… —Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), n.2010 Many people begin the new year making […]
From the XIII Station of the Cross, by Fr Pfettisheim Chemin “WOULD you pray over me?” she asked, as I was about to leave their home where she and her husband took care of me during my mission there in California several weeks ago. “Of course,” I said. She sat down in a chair […]
THERE is much on my heart to write and speak about in the days ahead that is serious and important in the big scheme of things. In the meantime, Pope Benedict continues to speak lucidly and candidly about the future the world faces. It is no surprise that he is echoing the warnings of […]
A vacuum has been created in the souls of the youth generation—whether in China or America—by an onslaught of propaganda which centers on self-fulfillment, rather than on God. Our hearts are made for Him, and when we do not have God—or we refuse Him entry—something else takes His place. This is why the […]
As more and more people are waking up to the growing persecution of the Church, this writing addresses why, and where it’s all heading. First published December 12th, 2005, I have updated the preamble below… I will take my stand to watch, and station myself on the tower, and look forth to […]
IN early 2007, a powerful image came to me one day during prayer. I recount it again here (from The Smoldering Candle): I saw the world gathered as though in a dark room. In the center is a burning candle. It is very short, the wax nearly all melted. The Flame represents the […]
From a reader: You mention the Charismatic Renewal (in your writing The Christmas Apocalypse) in a positive light. I don’t get it. I go out of my way to attend a church that is very traditional—where people dress properly, remain quiet in front of the Tabernacle, where we are catechized according to Tradition from […]
WELL, we’re off to a bang already! Our motorhome sprung a leak, the batteries suddenly died, and a brake part has been delayed. Perhaps more concerning are the winter storms that are ravaging the mountain passes that we have to go through when we eventually get rolling (today?). Blessed be God, now and […]
Maria Esperanza, 1928 – 2004 The cause for canonization of Maria Esperanza was opened January 31, 2010. This writing was first published on September 15th, 2008, on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. As with the writing Trajectory, which I recommend you read, this writing also contains many “now words” that we need […]
WITHIN the Christmas narrative lies the pattern of the end times. 2000 years after its first telling, the Church is able to peer into the Sacred Scripture with a deeper clarity and understanding as the Holy Spirit unveils Daniel’s book—a book that was to be sealed “until the end time” when the world would […]
IT was Servant of God, Maria Esperanza (1928-2004), who said of our present generation: The consciences of this beloved people must be violently shaken so that they may “put their house in order”… A great moment is approaching, a great day of light… it is the hour of decision for mankind. —The Antichrist and […]
IF the Illumination is to occur, an event comparable to the “awakening” of the Prodigal Son, then not only will humanity encounter the depravity of that lost son, the consequent mercy of the Father, but also the mercilessness of the elder brother. It is interesting that in Christ’s parable, He does not tell us […]
ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS Soul-soothing music… life-giving message led by Mark Mallett These are not normal times. Ask the average passerby if "something strange" is going on in the world, and the answer will almost always be "yes." But what? There will be a thousand answers, many of them conflicting, several speculating, often adding more […]
THE Holy Father has been greatly misunderstood not only by the secular press, but by some of the flock as well. [1]cf. Benedict and the New World Order Some have written me suggesting that perhaps this pontiff is an “anti-pope” in kahootz with the Antichrist! [2]cf. A Black Pope? How quickly some run from […]
The Prodigal Son, the Return by Tissot Jacques Joseph, 1862 THE Lord has been speaking non-stop since I arrived here in Paray-le-Monial. So much so, that he has been waking me up to converse in the night! Yes, I would think I was crazy too if it were not for my spiritual director ordering […]
FEAST OF THE BIRTH OF MARY LATELY, I have been in a near hand-to-hand combat with a terrible temptation that I don’t have time. Don’t have time to pray, to work, to get done what needs to be done, etc. So I want to share some words from prayer that really impacted me […]
THOSE who have been following the prophetic pulse in the Church will likely not be surprised at the turn of world events unfolding by the hour. A Global Revolution is slowly picking up steam as the foundations of the post-modern world begin to give way to a “new order.” Hence, we have arrived […]
I AM the spiritual head of my wife and children. When I said, “I do,” I entered into a Sacrament in which I promised to love and honor my wife until death. That I would raise the children God may give us according to the Faith. This is my role, it is my duty. […]
I remember a young man coming to my house several years ago with marital problems. He wanted my advice, or so he said. “She won’t listen to me!” he complained. “Isn’t she supposed to submit to me? Don’t the Scriptures say that I am the head of my wife? What’s her problem!?” I knew the […]
WHEN my spiritual director asked me to write further about “false prophets,” I pondered on how they are often defined in our day. Usually, people view “false prophets” as those who predict the future incorrectly. But when Jesus or the Apostles spoke of false prophets, they were usually speaking about those within the Church […]
THE Ark God has provided to ride out not only the storms of past centuries, but most especially the Storm at the end of this age, is not a barque of self-preservation, but a ship of salvation intended for the world. That is, our mentality must not be “saving our own behinds” while the rest […]
It’s May 21, 2011, and the mainstream media, as usual, are more than ready to pay attention to those who brandish the name “Christian,” but espouse heretical, if not crazy ideas (see articles here and here. My apologies to those readers in Europe for whom the world ended eight hours ago. I […]
Crucifixion, by Michael D. O’Brien AS I watched again the powerful movie The Passion of the Christ, I was struck by Peter’s pledge that he would go to prison, and even die for Jesus! But only hours later, Peter vehemently denied Him three times. At that moment, I sensed my own poverty: “Lord, without your grace, […]
Lot Fleeing Sodom, Benjamin West, 1810 THE waves of confusion, calamity, and uncertainty are pounding upon the doors of every nation on earth. As food and fuel prices soar and the world economy sinks like an anchor to the seabed, there is much talk of refuges—safe-havens to weather the approaching Storm. But there is a danger […]
THE Age of Ministries is ending… but something more beautiful is going to arise. It will be a new beginning, a restored Church in a new era. In fact, it was Pope Benedict XVI who hinted at this very thing while he was still a cardinal: The Church will be reduced in its dimensions, it […]
THE past 24 hours since writing After the Illumination, the words have been echoing in my heart: Like a thief in the night… Concerning times and seasons, brothers, you have no need for anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief […]
WATCHING the snow fall outside the window of my retreat, here at the base of the Canadian Rockies, this writing from the Fall of 2008 came to mind. God bless you all… you are with me in my heart and prayers…
Thanks to all those who responded to my computer woes here and donated so generously your alms and prayers. I have been able to replace my broken computer (however, I am experiencing several “glitches” in getting back on my feet… technology…. ain’t it great?) I am so deeply grateful to all of you for your […]
WHEN Heaven promises “refuge” to us in this present Storm (see The Great Storm), what does that mean? For Scripture appears to be contradictory.
IMAGINE it’s Christmas morning, your spouse leans over with a smile and says, “Here. This is for you.” You unwrap the gift and find a small wooden box. You open it and a waft of perfume rises from little resin chunks. “What is it?” you ask. “It’s myrrh. It was used in ancient times […]
Christ In Front Of Pontius Pilate by Henry Coller Recently, I was attending an event where a young man with a baby in his arms approached me. “Are you Mark Mallett?” The young father went on to explain that, several years ago, he came across my writings. “They woke up me up,” he said. “I […]