This Month in Viri Mariae - November 2025

This month, Viri Mariae gathered again in the spirit of prayer, fraternity, and formation. November always carries a special weight in the life of the Church, as we turn our thoughts to the Holy Souls in Purgatory and offer prayers and sacrifices for their repose. It is a month that draws our hearts to reflection on eternity and the mercy of God.

Spiritual Talk: The Psalms and the Way of the Just

Our spiritual reflection was led by Tom R, who guided us through the first Psalm using the commentaries of Denis the Carthusian and St Robert Bellarmine. The Psalter, he reminded us, is not only a book of prayer but a complete school of the spiritual life. In it we learn how to live in constant dialogue with God in every circumstance of life.

Psalm 1 stands as a gateway to the whole Psalter. It speaks of the man who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night. Such a man is like a tree planted by running waters, bearing fruit in due season. Tom reflected on how this image reveals the inner rhythm of the spiritual life: steady, rooted, and nourished by grace. The just man is not swayed by the counsel of the wicked but keeps his mind fixed on divine truth, allowing the law of the Lord to shape every thought and action. In a world filled with noise and distraction, the Psalms invite us to return to simplicity, silence, and steady meditation on the Word of God.

Temporal Talk: Almsgiving and the Care of the Poor

James gave our temporal talk this month on the theme of almsgiving, drawing deeply from the writings of the Fathers and the encyclical Rerum Novarum. He reminded us that almsgiving is far more than a social gesture or an act of material generosity. It is a participation in the mercy of God Himself. As St Thomas teaches, we are stewards, not owners, of what we possess. What we give to others in charity is, in truth, only returning what belongs to God.

The early Church understood this intimately. Collections for the poor, the service of the deacons, and the community of goods were all expressions of a living charity rooted in faith. James encouraged us to be mindful of how we use our resources, to give with discretion and joy, and to remember that in the poor we meet Christ Himself. To give alms with a cheerful heart is to store up treasure in heaven and to purify our own souls of selfishness.

Sent Forth: Witness in the Workplace

Following the talks, our discussion turned to the challenges many face in the modern workplace. Michael, who works in the medical field, shared the pressures he encounters in an environment often hostile to the moral teachings of the Church, especially concerning the sanctity of life. The conversation reminded us that faithfulness often takes quiet forms: patience, perseverance, and integrity of conscience. Even when we cannot speak openly, to remain steadfast and peaceful is itself a powerful witness. Holiness in the workplace is rarely about grand gestures but about quiet fidelity.

Holy Endeavours: Prayers for the Holy Souls

Our holy endeavour this month has been to pray and offer sacrifices for the souls in Purgatory. The Church grants a plenary indulgence to those who visit a cemetery and pray for the faithful departed during the first eight days of November. We encouraged all the men to make a visit to a cemetery during this month and to continue offering prayers, rosaries, and acts of penance for those who await the vision of God.

May our prayers and sacrifices this month unite us more closely with the Communion of Saints. As the liturgical year draws to a close, may we remember that our lives, too, are a pilgrimage toward eternity. The Psalms teach us to hope in God, almsgiving teaches us to love in deed, and perseverance teaches us to remain faithful in all things.