St. Sylvester I, Pope/Confessor

SAINT SYLVESTER
Pope and Confessor (280-335)

St. Sylvester was born in Rome of Christian parents named Rufinus and Justa. His father soon died, and the saint remained in the care of his mother. Sylvester had a teacher, the presbyter Quirinus, who gave him a fine education and raised him as a true Christian.

When he reached the age to dispose of his fortune, he took pleasure in giving hospitality to Christians passing through the city. He would take them with him, wash their feet, serve them at table, and in sum give them in the name of Christ, all the care that the most sincere charity inspired. One day Timothy of Antioch, an illustrious confessor of the Faith, arrived in Rome. No one dared receive him, but Sylvester considered it an honor. For a year Timothy, preaching Jesus Christ with unflagging zeal, received at Sylvester's dwelling the most generous hospitality. When this heroic man had won the palm of martyrdom, Sylvester took up his precious remains and buried them during the night. But he himself was soon denounced to the prefect and accused of having hidden the martyr's treasures. He replied, "Timothy left to me only the heritage of his faith and courage." The governor threatened him with death and had him imprisoned, but Sylvester said to him, "Senseless one, this very night it is you who will render an account to God." And the persecutor that evening swallowed a fish bone, and died in fact that night.

Fear of heavenly chastisements softened the guardians, and the brave young man was set at liberty. Sylvester's courageous acts became known to St. Melchiad, Pope, who elevated him to the diaconate. He was a young priest when persecution of the Christians grew worse under the tyrant Diocletian. Idols were erected at the street corners, in the market-places, and over the public fountains, so that it was scarcely possible for a Christian to go abroad without being put to the test of offering sacrifice, with the alternative of apostasy or death. During this fiery trial, Sylvester strengthened the confessors and martyrs, and God preserved his life from many dangers. It was indeed he who was destined to succeed the Pope who had recognized his virtues.

His long pontificate of twenty-one years, famous for several reasons, is remembered in particular for the Council of Nicea (where our Credo comes from), the Baptism of Constantine, and the triumph of the Church (over Arianism). Some authors would place Constantine's Baptism later, but there are numerous and serious testimonies which fix the emperor's reception into the Church under the reign of St. Sylvester, and the Roman Breviary confirms that opinion. Constantine, while still pagan and little concerned for the Christians, whose doctrine was entirely unknown to him, was attacked by a kind of leprosy which soon covered his entire body. One night Saints Peter and Paul, shining with light, appeared to him and commanded him to call for Pope Sylvester, who would cure him by giving him Baptism. In effect, the Pope instructed the royal neophyte and baptized him. Thus began the social reign of Jesus Christ: Constantine's conversion, culminating in the Edict of Milan in 313, had as its happy consequence that of the known world.

St. Sylvester became renowned as an expert on Holy Scripture and as a staunch defender of the Christian Faith. During the reign of the emperor Saint Constantine the Great, when the period of persecution had ended for the Church, the Jews arranged a public debate to determine which faith was true. St. Constantine and his mother, the holy Empress Helen, were present together with a large crowd.

St. Sylvester spoke for the Christians, and the Jews had one hundred and twenty learned rabbis led by Zambres, a magician and sorcerer. Quoting the sacred books of the Old Testament, St. Sylvester convincingly demonstrated that all the prophets foretold the birth of Jesus Christ from the all-pure Virgin, and also His voluntary suffering and death for the redemption of the fallen race of mankind, and His glorious Resurrection.

The saint was declared the victor in the debate. Then Zambres tried to resort to sorcery, but the saint obstructed the evil by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Zambres and the other Jews came to believe in Jesus Christ, and they asked to be baptized.

St. Sylvester guided the Roman Church for more than twenty years, earning the esteem of his flock. At the last when St. Silvester approached towards his death, he called to him the clergy and admonished them to have charity, and that they should diligently govern their churches, and keep their flock from the wolves. He died peacefully in old age in the year 335.



Never forget to thank God daily for having made you a member of His indefectible Church, and grow daily in your attachment, devotion, and loyalty to the Vicar of Christ. Remember: Ubi Petrus, ibi ecclesia: Where Peter is, there the Church is.

Sunday within the octave of Christmas

This is the Sunday within the octave of Christmas, 2017. We are still contemplating the great mystery of Christmas. I had an epiphany of my own this morning, when I finally realized that when God said at the beginning of the world, "Let there be Light", He was referring to Christ already. What a dope I am. Anyway, I'm going to let our beloved Abott Gueranger, as he always does, explain about this day we are celebrating.

'...Thus the Church, or, more correctly, God--for God is the first author of the cycle of the year--shows us how the Incarnate Word, who came to save mankind, desires to give mankind confidence by this His adorable familarity.

We have already shown that the Birth of our Lord took place on a Sunday, the Day on which, in the beginning of the world, God created Light. We shall find, later on, that his Resurrection also was on a Sunday. This the first day of creation, and the first of the week, was consecrated by the old Pagans to the Sun: with us Christians, it is most sacred and holy, on account of the two risings of our divine Sun of Justice--His Birth and His Resurrection. Whilst the solemnity of Easter is always kept on a Sunday, that of Christmas falls by turns on each of the days of the week--we have already had this difference explained to us by the Holy Fathers: but the mystery of Jesus's Birth is more aptly and strongly expressed, when its anniversary falls on a Sunday...

The Child that is born of Mary and is couched in the Crib at Bethlehem, raises his feeble voice to the Eternal Father, and calls him, My Father! He turns towards us and calls us My Brethren! We, consequently, when we speak to his Father, may call him Our Father! This is the mystery of adoption, revealed to us by the great event we are solemnizing. All things are changed, both is heaven and on earth: God has not only one Son, he has many sons; henceforth we stand before this our God, not merely creatures drawn out of nothing by his power, but children that he fondly loves. Heaven is now not only the throne of his sovereign Majesty; it has become our inheritance, in which we are joint-heirs with our Brother Jesus, the Son of Mary, Son of Eve, Son of Adam, according to his Human Nature, and (in the unity of Person) Son of God according to his Divine Nature. Let us turn our wondering and loving thoughts first to this sweet Babe, that has brought us all these blessings, and then to the blessings themselves, to the dear inheritance made ours by Him. Let our mind be seized with astonishment at creatures having such a destiny! and then let our heart pour out its thanks for the incomprehensible gift!'

And, to paraphrase the Abbot in another place: The Church (thanks to God) gives this Divine Infant to her faithful children in Holy communion (Christ always was, always is, and always will be), in order that they may carry him in their hearts, and bids them guard him against the snares laid for him by his and their enemies. Let the Christian, therefore, take heed lest Jesus should be taken from him. Let him, by strict watchfulness and by good works, crush the tyrant, sin, that seeks the life of the Divine Guest of his soul.

We need to be constantly vigilant in all that we do.

EPISTLE (Gal. 4:1-7). Brethren, as long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all: but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father: so we also, when we were children, were serving under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law: that he might redeem them who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father. Therefore now he is not a servant, but a son; and if a son, an heir also through God.

GOSPEL (Lk. 2:33-40). At that time, Joseph and Mary, the mother of Jesus, were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold, this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted: and thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day. Now she at the same hour coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel. And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew and waxed strong, full of wisdom: and the grace of God was in Him.


These are things that we are to acknowledge and accept, and strive to understand.

On the Nativity of our Lord

I am going to post this from a book I have entitled "Half-Hours with the Servants of God", published in 1891.  I know it's after Christmas, but am entering this since I can.  And, I want to.


"And she brought forth her first-born Son, wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger."  Luke ii, 7

The first part is by Laurent Juillard du Jarry, who was born in 1658, at Jarry, a village near to Saintes.
Soon after he was ordained, he became celebrated as a preacher, and, in addition to this, he was acknowledged to be an excellent poet.  He died in 1730 at the Priory of Notre Dame du Jarry, in the diocese of Saintes.


THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD

"My brethren, let us gaze upon the Son of God in the poverty of His birth.  What does He not say to us there?  Let us enter in spirit into the stable; we shall hear a voice issuing therefrom, saying---

Blush at having beautiful houses like unto palaces, such grand furniture, so much useless apparel, whilst I have only a crib instead of a bed, and two vile animals for company.

Blush in those magnificent rooms wherein you try to be sheltered from the least inconveniences of the season, whilst a half-exposed stable leaves Me a prey to all the hardships of a cold season.

Blush at the aversion you have for every kind of humiliation, at the precautions you take to continue in a condition that flatters your vanity, at the artifices you employ to conceal a poverty you ought to be proud of, at the contempt you display to all who are not within the pale of your society.

Blush to bear, perchance, the insignia of the poverty and humiliations of Jesus Christ in your state of life, and yet try to aspire to the pomp and luxury of the world shining around.

Let us contemplate this scene as faith points out; let us enter this manger in spirit; let us see this hidden Deity, Who, in the darkness of night, when all creatures are silent--in want of every necessity, and is made poor to enrich us.

This Child is born in an empty stable, deserted by every one; it is the God Who created them, and Whom they obey; it is the everlasting Wisdom which assists at all the councils from the beginning of time.

This divine wisdom, hidden in the limbs of an Infant, was begotten in the brightness of the saints.

Ungrateful, deluded man, you who have not wished to know this divine wisdom in the richness of His beauty, see Him now in the poverty of a stable!  Laden as you have been with so many benefits and blessings, you have not recognized the hand which has spread them over you with such profusion; you have closed your ears to that striking voice which appeals to you with as many mouths as there are creatures:  O man, adore thy God!  His ingenious love has suggested another voice to persuade you:  He teaches you through the poverty of the crib:  "Now, therefore, my children, hear me."  (Proverb viii)

Ah, my brethren! what does not this divine Child say, that eternal Word which is now so silent?

 No occasion to seek for rules of piety to lead us on, for we learn all that we need know and practice in this adorable book.  All the prophets, all the doctors, all the Apostles speak through the mouth of Him Who has opened theirs.  The stable at Bethlehem is the school where all Christians ought to study the science of salvation.  All the ways to heaven, every path of virtue, begin and finish through Him Who is the Alpha and the Omega, and being the way, the truth, and the life, He has opened the way to heaven to all.

"Providence of my God", exclaims St. Bernard, "how wonderful art Thou!  Carnal and animal creatures have no conception of the works of God.  Even wisdom itself is made Flesh to make it intelligible to men of flesh."

It is no longer through men, full of a holy fear, that God proclaims His oracles; mysterious messages in shrouded language no longer issue from the mountain top amidst thunder and lightning; these are heard no more.  It is from the farther end of a grotto, it is from the height of a crib, it is in the silence of night, it is the mouth of a Child wrapped in swaddling-clothes that the Incarnate Wisdom exclaims, "Behold, to thee wisdom is manifested in the flesh."

Come, ye profound philosophers, ye refined politicians, ye clever men--enter into the stable; there is your lyceum, your academy; deposit your proud learning, your studied lessons, your captious rhetoric at the feet of this adorable Doctor; Who exposes the vanity, errors, and littleness of everything.

Let all the fire of eloquence, all the pride of wisdom, all the subtlety of philosophy, all the refinements of policy, disappear at the sight of this divine Child:  "Ecce tibi in carne exhibetur sapientia."

Preachers of the Gospel, happy organs of that eternal Word Who sends you; you who, as well as St. John the Baptist, are only voices to proclaim the glory of God in every temple, kneel before this Child and acknowledge the Master Who has loosened the tongues of the prophets and Apostles, Who has inspired the martyrs and young virgins with words that astonished tyrants and confounded pagan philosophers; and when you shall have adored Him silently and humbly, lost in wonder, speak and consecrate every ornament of eloquence to the praise and glory of Him Who has endowed you with gifts.

Happy the docile listeners who, opening their hearts to that invisible Preacher Who speaks to them through your mouths, can hear the voice of our Lord in those of men!

Teach us, then, O Child divine!  We speak in Your place simply to exhort Christians to hear You instead of hearing us."

Du Jarry
On Christmas-tide



"Would you wish to know Who He is, Who is born in this way?  Learn, then, Who He is, and how mighty is He.  It is the Word of the Eternal Father, the Creator of the universe, the Peace of the world, the Saviour of men, He Who is the joy and hope of the just.

The glory of this Child was, that a virgin should bring Him forth into the world, and the glory of the Virgin Mother was, that she should have for a Son, a Man Who was at the same time God."

St. Augustine
Sermo de Tempore
 

St. Thomas, Archbishop of Canterbury

We have, this past week, seen St. Stephen, the protomartyr, St. John the Evangelist, the killing of the Holy Innocents ( also called, the FLOWERS OF THE MARTYRS), all to brought to eternal life. Today we see St. Thomas of Canterbury, also called Thomas 'a Becket. (the movie 'Becket')

His life was something that we hopefully will see in these coming times. He was an Archbishop of the Church, and defender of the Faith. He would put the Church before the wishes of the local authorities, this time being another Henry, this one the 2nd. After banishment because he refused the king's word ahead of the Church's authority, he would be put to death in his own church, beheaded and his brain scattered all over the church to show the others what would happen if they refused the order of the king.

(Will we see any Church authorities these days succumb to the world to save their necks, or will they 'man up' to save the Church? Already we see prosecutions in the Middle East, those who have given their lives for the Church. Will we see it here? How many will truly be a witness? The word martyr means 'witness'. It sure doesn't seem that there are many who will be witnesses for the Faith. To me, at least.)

A synopsis of his life:

SAINT THOMAS BECKET
Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr
(1117-1170)

St. Thomas, son of an English nobleman, Gilbert Becket, was born on the day consecrated to the memory of Saint Thomas the Apostle, December 21, 1117, in Southwark, England. He was endowed by both nature and grace with gifts recommending him to his fellow men; and his father, certain he would one day be a great servant of Christ, confided his education to a monastery. His first employment was in the government of the London police. There he was obliged to learn the various rights of the Church and of the secular arm, but already he saw so many injustices imposed upon the clergy that he preferred to leave that employment rather than to participate in iniquity. He was perfectly chaste and truthful, and no snares could cause to waver his hatred for any form of covert action.

He was employed then by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who sent him on missions to Rome and permitted him to study civil law at the University of Bologna (Italy) for an entire year. After a few years, witnessing his perfect service, he made him his Archdeacon and endowed him with several benefices. The young cleric's virtue and force soon recommended him also to the king, who made of him his Lord Chancellor. In that high office, while inflexible in the rendition of justice, he was generous and solicitous for the relief of misery. He was severe towards himself, spending the better part of every night in prayer. He often employed a discipline, to be less subject to the revolts of the flesh against the spirit. In a war with France he won the respect of his enemies, including that of the young king Louis VII. To St. Thomas, his own sovereign, Henry II, confided the education of the crown prince. Of the formation of the future king and the young lords who composed his suite, the Chancellor took extreme care, knowing well that the strength of a State depends largely on the early impressions received by the elite of its youth.

When Archbishop Theobald of Canterbury died, the king insisted on the consecration of St. Thomas in his stead. St. Thomas at first declined, warning the king that from that hour their friendship would be threatened by his own obligations to uphold the rights of the Church against infringement by the sovereign, whose tendencies were not different from those of his predecessors. In the end he was obliged by obedience to yield. The inevitable conflict was not long in coming. Saint Thomas resisted when the king's courtiers drew up a list of royal "customs" at Clarendon, where the parliament of the king was assembled, and Henry obliged all the bishops as well as the lords to sign a promise to uphold these without permitting any restrictions whatsoever. Many of these pretended "customs" violated the liberties of the Church, and some were even invented for the occasion. St. Thomas, obliged in conscience to resist, was soon the object of persecution, not only from the irritated king but by all who had sworn loyalty to his nefarious doings.

St. Thomas took refuge in France under the protection of the generous Louis VII, who resisted successfully the repeated efforts of Henry to turn away his favor from the Archbishop. The Pope at that time was in France, and he, too, was besieged by Henry's emissaries, but knew well how to pacify minds and protect the defender of the Church. Thomas retired to a Benedictine monastery for two years, and when Henry wrote a threatening letter to its abbot, moved to another. After six years, his office restored as the Pope's apostolic legate, a title which Henry had wrested from him for a time, he returned to England, to preach again and enforce order in his see. He knew well that it was to martyrdom that he was destined; it is related that the Mother of God appeared to him in France to foretell it to him, and that She presented him for that intention with a red chasuble. By this time the persecuted Archbishop's case was known to all of Christian Europe, which sympathized with him and elicited from king Henry an appearance of conciliation.

A few words which the capricious Henry spoke to certain courtiers who hated Thomas, sufficed for the latter to decide to do away with the prelate who contravened all their unchristian doings. They violated a monastic cloister and chapel to enter there while he was assisting at Vespers; the Saint himself prevented the monks from resisting the assassins at the door. Refusing to flee the church as the assassins summoned him to do, he was slain before the altar, by cruel and murderous repeated blows on the head.

The murderers followed him. 'Absolve', they cried, 'and restore to communion those whom you have excommunicated, and restore their powers to those whom you have suspended.' He answered, 'There has been no satisfaction, and I will not absolve them.' 'Then you shall die,' they cried, 'and receive what you deserve.' 'I am ready,' he replied, 'to die for my Lord, that in my blood the Church may obtain liberty and peace. But in the name of Almighty God, I forbid you to hurt my people whether clerk or lay.'

Then they lay sacrilegious hands on him, pulling and dragging him that they may kill him outside the church, or carry him away a prisoner, as they afterwards confessed. But when he could not be forced away from the pillar, one of them pressed on him and clung to him more closely. Him he pushed off, calling him 'pander', and saying, 'Touch me not, Reginald; you owe me fealty and subjection; you and your accomplices act like madmen.'

The knight, fired with a terrible rage at this severe repulse, waved his sword over the sacred head. 'No faith', he cried, 'nor subjection do I owe you against my fealty to my lord the King.'

Then the unconquered martyr seeing the hour at hand which should put an end to this miserable life and give him straightway the crown of immortality promised by the Lord, inclined his neck as one who prays and joining his hands he lifted them up, and commended his cause and that of the Church to God, to St. Mary, and to the blessed martyr Denys. Scarce had he said the words than the wicked knight, fearing lest he should be rescued by the people and escape alive, leapt upon him suddenly and wounded this lamb who was sacrificed to God on the head, cutting off the top of the crown which the sacred unction of the chrism had dedicated to God; and by the same blow he wounded the arm of him who tells this. For he, when the others, both monks and clerks, fled, stuck close to the sainted Archbishop and held him in his arms till the one he interposed was almost severed.

Then he received a second blow on the head but still stood firm. At the third blow he fell on his knees and elbows, offering himself a living victim, and saying in a low voice, 'For the Name of Jesus and the protection of the Church I am ready to embrace death.'

Then the third knight inflicted a terrible wound as he lay, by which the sword was broken against the pavement, and the crown which was large was separated from the head. The fourth knight prevented any from interfering so that the others might freely perpetrate the murder.

 As to the fifth, no knight but that clerk who had entered with the knights, that a fifth blow might not be wanting to the martyr who was in other things like to Christ, he put his foot on the neck of the holy priest and precious martyr, and, horrible to say, scattered his brain and blood over the pavement, calling out to the others, "Let us away, knights; he will rise no more." He died, saying: "I die willingly, for the name of Jesus and for the defense of the Church."

 The actions of the Pope in this conflict make clear what all of history teaches: the lives of the Church's Saints themselves comprise the history of the world. The humility of Thomas had prompted him, after a moment of weakness he had manifested in a difficult situation, to judge himself unfit for his office and offer his resignation as Archbishop. The Pope did not hesitate a moment in refusing his resignation. He judged with apostolic wisdom that if Thomas should be deprived of his rank for having opposed the unjust pretensions of the English royalty, no bishop would ever dare oppose the impingements of iniquity on the Church's rights, and the Spouse of Christ would be no longer sustained by marble columns, but by reeds bending in the wind.

KNIGHTS. Where is Becket, the traitor to the King?
Where is Becket, the meddling priest?
Come down Daniel to the lions' den,
Come down Daniel for the mark of the beast.

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you marked with the mark of the beast?
Come down Daniel to the lions' den,
Come down Daniel and join in the feast.

Where is Becket the Cheapside brat?
Where is Becket the faithless priest?
Come down Daniel to the lions' den,
Come down Daniel and join in the feast.

THOMAS. It is the just man who
Like a bold lion, should be without fear.
I am here.
No traitor to the King. I am a priest,
A Christian, saved by the blood of Christ,
Ready to suffer with my blood.
This is the sign of the Church always,
The sign of blood. Blood for blood.
His blood given to buy my life,
My blood given to pay for His death.
My death for His death.

KNIGHTS. Absolve all those you have excommunicated.
Resign the powers you have arrogated.
Restore to the King the money you appropriated.
Renew the obedience you have violated.

THOMAS. For my Lord I am now ready to die,
That His Church may have peace and liberty.
Do with me as you will, to your hurt and shame;
But none of my people, in God's name,
Whether layman or clerk, shall you touch,
This I forbid.
...
Now to Almighty God, to the Blessed Mary ever Virgin, to the blessed John the Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, to the blessed martyr Denys, and to all the Saints, I commend my cause and that of the Church.

T. S. Eliot

Murder in the Cathedral

St. Thomas of Canterbury, pray for us that we might not be weak when and if the time comes for us to decide.

HOLY INNOCENTS

Three days ago, we celebrated the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Our redemption had begun. St. Stephen's day was celebrated next because he was the first one to be martyred after Christ died. Next, we had St. John the Apostle, because he leads us to the hidden Truth of our Faith; the Truths that lead many away. Today, we think about the Holy Innocents, the babies who were slaughtered by Herod, thinking he would get this Christ child. So these kids were actually the first to die for Christ. They didn't even know why. But I'm sure they are well taken care of.

The Feast of the Holy Innocents
by Father Francis Xavier Weninger, 1876

By the Holy Innocents, who are honored as martyrs today by the Catholic Church, we understand those happy infants, who, by the command of King Herod, were put to death, for no other cause than that the new-born King of the Jews might be deprived of life. When Christ was born, Herod, well known for his cruelty, reigned at Jerusalem. He was not of the Jewish nation, but a foreigner, and was therefore hated by the Jews. Herod knew this well; hence he feared that they would dethrone him, and he had several illustrious persons executed, whom he suspected of aspiring to the throne. Meanwhile it happened that the three Magi or Kings from the East came to Jerusalem, to find and adore the new-born King, who had been announced to them by a star; as they doubted not that they would learn more of Him in the capital of Judea. They therefore asked without hesitation: "Where is He, that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to adore Him."This question seemed very strange to the Jews, and the news of it spread through the whole city, until it reached the King. His fear can hardly be described; for he already believed his crown and sceptre lost. To escape the danger in which he supposed himself, he called the chief priests and scribes together, and inquired of them where the Messiah should be born. They answered: "In Bethlehem, according to the Prophets." Satisfied with this answer, Herod had the three wise men brought to court, and speaking very confidentially with them, he asked diligently when and where the star had appeared to them. After this, he advised them to go to Bethlehem and inquire after the new-born child, and when they had found and adored it, to return and inform him, as he wished to go and adore it also. These words of the king, who was not less cunning than cruel, were only a deceit, as he had already resolved to kill the new-born Child.

Meanwhile the Magi followed the advice of the king, and, guided by the star, which again appeared to them when they had left Jerusalem, went to Bethlehem, found and adored the divine Child, and offered gold, frankincense and myrrh, as we read in Holy Writ. Having finished their devotion, they intended, in accordance with king Herod's wish, to bring him word that they had happily found the Child. An angel, however, appeared to them in their sleep and admonished them not to return to Jerusalem, but to go into their own country by another way; which they accordingly did. When Herod perceived that they had deluded him, it was too late, and his rage was boundless. Hearing of what had taken place in the temple, at the Purification of Mary, that the venerable Simeon had pronounced a child, which he had taken into his arms, the true Messiah, the King's heart was filled with inexpressible fear and anxiety. The danger in which he was, as he imagined, of losing his crown, left him no peace day or night. He secretly gave orders to search for this child; but all was of no avail; it could not be found.

After long pondering how he might escape the danger, his unbounded ambition led him to an act of cruelty unprecedented in history. He determined to murder all the male children, in and around Bethlehem, that were not over two years of age, as he thought that thus he could not fail to take the life of the child so dangerous to him. This fearful design was executed amidst the despairing shrieks of the parents, especially the mothers. How many children were thus inhumanly slaughtered is not known, but the number must have been very large. Yet the tyrant gained not his end; for, the divine Child was already in security. The Gospel tells us that an Angel appeared during the night to St. Joseph, saying to him: "Arise, take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt, and remain there until I tell thee. For, it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him." St. Joseph delayed not to obey, and fled, the same night, with the child and his mother, into the land indicated to him. (They ended up in a place named Heliopolis, which I believe has something do with the Sun. Or Son?)

As this had happened before Herod executed his cruel determination, God thus frustrated the plot. Herod soon after, received his just punishment. Several terrible maladies suddenly seized him, as Josephus, the Jewish historian, relates. An internal fever consumed him, and all his limbs were covered with abominable ulcers, breeding vermin. His feet were swollen; his neck, shoulders and arms drawn together, and his breast so burdened, that the unfortunate man could hardly breathe, while his whole body exhaled so offensive an odor, that neither he nor others could endure it. Hence, in despair, he frequently cried for a knife or a sword, that he might end his own life. In this miserable condition, he ceased not his cruelties, and only five days before his death, he had his son, Antipater, put to death. As he had good reason to believe that the entire people would rejoice at his death, he wished at least to take to the grave the thought that many should grieve, if not for him, at least for their friends and relatives. Hence, he had the chief men of the nobility imprisoned, and gave orders to his sister Salome, that, as soon as he had closed his eyes, they were all to be murdered. This order, however, was not executed by Salome, who justly loathed its cruelty. In this lamentable condition, the cruel tyrant ended his life, but began one in eternity whose pains and torments were still more unendurable, and from which he cannot hope ever to be released; while the innocent children massacred by him, rejoice for all eternity in the glories of heaven, giving humble thanks to God for having thus admitted them into His presence. The Catholic Church has always honored them as martyrs; because, though not confessing Christ with their lips, as many thousands of others have done, yet they confessed Him with their death, by losing their lives for His sake.




Let us also remember all of those innocents who have died through abortion, never even having a chance to get a breath. Also, keep praying for those who perpetrate this horrid crime, and for those in favor of it, that they repent before their judgment day. We still pray for them, as horrible as they are.

St. John, Apostle

 

Today is the day we honor St. John, the Apostle and Evangelist. I shall refer to the writings of the Abbot Gueranger, who puts things in a way I can only copy:

Nearest to Jesus' Crib, after St. Stephen, stands John, the Apostle and Evangelist. The first gave his blood for Christ, while the second gave his virginity. The first stands as a type of Martyr, while the second is honored as the Prince of Virgins.

St. John was of the family of David, as was our Blessed Mother. He is consequently a relation of Jesus. This same honor belonged to St. James the Greater, his brother; as also to St. James the Less and St. Jude, both sons of Alpheus, (who I believe was related to St. Joseph, maybe as a brother). When our Saint was in the prime of his youth, he left not only his boat and nets, not only his father Zebedee, but even his betrothed, when everything was prepared for the marriage. He followed Jesus, and never once looked back. Hence the special love which our Lord bore him. Others were Disciples or Apostles, John was the Friend of Jesus. The cause of this our Lord's partiality was, as the Church tells us in the Liturgy, was that John had offered his Virginity to the God-Man. Let us, on this his Feast day, enumerate the graces and privileges that came to St. John from his being the Disciple whom Jesus loved.

This very expression of the Gospel, which the Evangelist repeats several times--The Disciple whom Jesus loved--says more than any commentary could do. St. Peter, it is true, was chosen by our Divine Lord to be the Head of the Apostolic College, and the Rock whereon the Church was to be built: he, then, was honored most; but St. John was loved most. Peter was bid to love more than the rest loved, and he was able to say, in answer to Jesus' thrice repeated question, that he did love him in this highest way: and yet, notwithstanding, John was more loved by Jesus than was Peter himself, because his Virginity deserved this special mark of honor.

Chastity of soul and body brings him who possesses it into a sacred nearness and intimacy with God. Hence it was that at the Last Supper--that Supper which was to be renewed on our Altars to the end of the world, in order to cure our spiritual infirmities and give life to our souls--John was placed near to Jesus, nay, was permitted, as the tenderly loved Disciple, to lean his head upon the Breast of the God-Man. Then it was that he was filled, from their very Fountain, with Light and Love: it was both a recompense and a favor, and became the source of two signal graces, which make St. John an object of special reverence to the whole Church.

Divine Wisdom wishing to make known to the world the Mystery of the Word, and commit to Scripture those profound secrets which, so far, no pen of mortal had been permitted to write, the task was put upon John. Peter had been crucified, Paul had been beheaded, and the rest of the Apostles had laid down their lives in testimony of the Truths they had been sent to preach to the world; John was the only one left in the Church. Heresy had already begun its blasphemies against the Apostolic Teachings; it refused to admit the Incarnate Word as the Son of God, Consubstantial to the Father. John was asked by the Churches to speak, and he did so in language heavenly above measure. His Divine Master had reserved to this his Virgin-Disciple the honor of writing those sublime Mysteries which the other Apostles had been commissioned only to teach--AND THE WORD WAS GOD, and this WORD WAS MADE FLESH for the salvation of mankind. Thus did our Evangelist soar, like the Eagle, up to the Divine Sun, and gaze upon Him with undazzled eye, because his heart and senses were pure, and therefore fitted for such vision of the uncreated Light. If Moses, after having conversed with God in the cloud, came from the divine interview with rays of miraculous light encircling his head: how radiant must have been the face of St. John, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge! (Col. ii 3); how sublime his writings!; how divine his teaching! Hence the symbol of the Eagle, shown to the Prophet Ezechiel (Ezech. i 10; x 14), and to St. John himself in his Revelations (Apoc. iv 7), has been assigned to him by the Church: and to this title of The Eagle has been added, by the universal Tradition, the other beautiful name of Theologian.

This was the first recompense given by Jesus to his Beloved John--a profound penetration into divine Mysteries. The second was the imparting to him of a most ardent charity, which was equally a grace consequent upon his angelic purity, for purity unburdens the soul from grovelling egotistic affections, and raises it to a chaste and generous love. John had treasured up in his heart the Discourses of his Master: he made them known to the Church, and especially that divine one of the Last Supper, wherein Jesus had poured forth His whole Soul to his own, whom He had always tenderly loved, but most so at the end. He wrote his Epistles, and Charity is his subject: God is Charity--he that loveth not, knoweth not God--perfect Charity casteth out fear--and so on throughout, always on Love. During the rest of his life, even when so enfeebled by old age as not to be able to walk, he was forever insisting upon all men to love each other, after the example of God, Who had loved them and so loved them! Thus, he that had announced more clearly than the rest of the Apostles the divinity of the Incarnate Word, was par excellence the Apostle of that divine Charity which Jesus came to enkindle upon the earth.

But our Lord had a further gift to bestow, and it was sweetly appropriate to the Virgin-Disciple. When dying on His Cross, Jesus left Mary upon this earth. Joseph had been dead now some years. Who then shall watch over His Mother? Who is there worthy of the charge? Will Jesus send His Angels to protect and console her? Surely, what man could ever merit to be to her as a second Joseph? Looking down, He sees the Virgin-Disciple standing at the foot of the Cross: we know the rest, John is to be Mary's adopted son: Mary is to be John's Mother. Oh! wonderful Chastity, that wins from Jesus such an inheritance as this! 'Peter', says St. Peter Damian, 'shall have left to him the Church, the Mother of men; but John shall receive Mary, the Mother of God, whom he will love as his own dearest Treasure, and to whom he will stand in Jesus' stead; while Mary will tenderly love John, Jesus' Friend, as her son.  (Remember, at the Cross She became our Mother also)

Can we be surprised after this, that St. John is looked upon by the Church as one of her greatest glories? He is a relative of Jesus in the flesh; he is an Apostle, a Virgin, the Friend of the Divine Spouse, the Eagle, the Theologian, the son of Mary; he is an Evangelist, by the history he has given of the Life of his Divine Master and Friend; he is a sacred Writer, by the three Epistles he wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost; he is a Prophet, by his mysterious Apocalypse, wherein are treasured the secrets of time and eternity. But is he a Martyr? Yes, for if he did not complete his sacrifice, he drank the Chalice of Jesus, when, after being cruelly scourged, he was thrown into a caldron of boiling oil before the Latin Gate at Rome. He was therefore a Martyr in desire and intention, though not in fact. If our Lord, wishing to prolong a life so dear to the Church, as well as to show how He loves and honors Virginity, miraculously stayed the effects of the frightful punishment, St. John had, on his part, unreservedly accepted Martyrdom.

...Let us unite our homage with that given him by these favored inmates of his court. Yesterday the sight of the Palm in Stephen's hand animated us,, and we offered to or Jesus the promise of a stronger Faith: today the Wreath that decks the brow of the Beloved Disciple breathes upon the Church the heavenly fragrance of Virginity: a more intense love of Purity must be our resolution, and our tribute to the Lamb.


Our Collect for today:

Mercifully, O Lord, enlighten thy Church: that being taught by Blessed John, thine Apostle and Evangelist, she may come to thy eternal rewards.

Reflection: Saint John is a living proof of Our Lord's beatitude: "Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8)

St. Stephen, Martyr

 

Yesterday. we celebrated the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The beginning of our salvation is at hand. Today, we honor St. Stephen, the first martyr after Christ's Ascension. He had chastised the Jews, told them of their errors, and was stoned to death for it. But, he reached the goal that is promised to all, us included, who remain faithful to the end in the Truth.

He was head of the seven disciples whom the Apostles named as deacons, to execute the works of charity which their mandate to preach did not permit them to carry out. Stephen manifested all the qualities one could wish for in a minister of charity and of the Gospel. He knew Scripture to perfection and was steeped in its divine spirit; he was endowed with invincible force because he feared nothing in the service of God. Everywhere in Jerusalem, he was proving Jesus of Nazareth to be the Messiah, and working great prodigies to confirm the truths he taught.  He was renowned for his virtues and worked such great wonders and signs among the people that the Jews from five different synagogues became alarmed and summoned him before the Sanhedrin.  Some believe he was the cousin of Saul, later Saint Paul; in any case, the latter, still a fire-breathing Pharisee, took offense at his boldness and presided at the scene of his martyrdom by stoning. The fervent deacon, insensible to his own fate, defended Christ before the Jerusalem tribunal with a perfection which enraged the proud authorities of Jerusalem, unwilling to recognize a humble carpenter of Nazareth for their Saviour. He boldly upbraided the chief priests with their hard-hearted resistance to the Holy Spirit. And when he accused them of putting to death, just as their forebears had treated the prophets who foretold Him, the long-awaited Just One announced by Moses, they stoned him without further delay. (Acts of the Apostles, chapter 7)


I will let a great Liturgical Poet, Adam of St. Victor, give us this day's meditation:

'Yesterday the world exulted, and in its exultation celebrated the Birth of Jesus.
Yesterday the Angelic Choir in great joy stood round the King of heaven.

The Protomartyr and Deacon Stephen, illustrious for his faith, illustrious for his holy life, illustrious also for his miracles, on this day triumphed, and in his triumph, vanquished the unbelieving Jews.

These enemies of the Light rage like savage beasts at seeing their own defeat.
Flinch not, Combatant! Thou art sure of thy reward: fight and persevere, O Stephen!

Withstand the false witnesses, and confute by thy answers the synagogue of Satan.

Thine own Witness is in heaven, a Witness true and faithful, and he is Witness of thine innocence.

Thy name is The Crowned: it behooves thee to suffer, so to win thy Crown of glory.
For a Crown which is to last forever, what are torments which last but an hour, and are followed by victory?

Thy death will be thy Birth: thy last pang will introduce thee into eternal life.

Full of the Holy Ghost, Stephen fixes his gaze on the heavens above: Seeing there the glory of God, he pushes on to victory, he pants for the crown.

Behold, Stephen! on God's right hand is thy Jesus, and he is fighting for thee.
Boldly tell it to the crowd that the heavens are opened for thee, and that Jesus shows Himself to thee.

He then commends his spirit to his Saviour, for whom he deems it sweet to be thus stoned to death.

Saul makes himself guardian of the garments of all that cast the stones: casting thus himself each stone they throw.

But Stephen, compassionating their madness, falls on his knees, and prays that this sin be not laid to the charge of his murderers.
Thus did he sleep in Christ, who thus imitated Christ: and now forever lives with Christ: Stephen, first of Martyrs.

St. Augustine and common report assure us that he raised up six men in Africa.
When, through God's mercy, his relics were discovered, the earth, which was parched by a drought, received a plentiful rain.

The very fragrance that came from his relics put diseases and demons to flight. Truly, then, is he worthy of praise and honour and eternal remembrance.

O Martyr, whose name is so dear to the Church! refresh our fainting world by celestial fragrance. Amen.'



Maybe we should ask St. Stephen for prayers and guidance, that if we are ever in the position to give our lives for Christ, as he did, we could be as strong. Amen.

CHRISTMAS DAY

Every year our Holy Mother the Church invites us to make our way back to Bethlehem. And, when we arrive, what is it that we see there? Nothing but "three poor people who love one another," as the poet Paul Claudel says in 1936, nothing but three poor people who "will change the face of the earth,". (How much truer can this be said?)

Christ is born today of a Virgin. Our redemption is at hand. In this season of giving, God the Father has given us the greatest Gift of all, His Son. Come, let us adore Him!

Glory to our newborn King!

Born in a dark, cold cave,
Light of the World,
Word made Flesh of humble handmaid
King of kings made Himself poor
sinners’ slave, miscreants’ knave…
crucified on wooden stave

Born in abject poverty
of lowly handmaid’s virginity
Fruit of the womb, conceived without sin
for them no room left in the inn.
For Him, the Star of Bethlehem,
the King, by Whom mankind was made,
by Whose Blood our debt was paid.

Nowhere for the Son of Man
to lay His regal crown,
no place, no space for His Grace,
Savior of the human race.

In King David’s town
a lowly shepherds’ stable,
all that could be found
for the Good Shepherd;
Humility profound.

Star shone brightly overhead
o’er Bethlehem, House of Bread,
illuminating the Infant’s bed,
a wooden trough
from which beasts were fed,
ox and ass in Master’s shed.
His parents' tears of joy;
Word Made Flesh, our Living Bread,
Magnificent Baby Boy!

Shepherds hasten from field nearby
to worship Him; the prophets’ cry,
the Good Shepherd, the Lamb of God,
Divine Son, cloaked in human bod;
pious retinue gathered ‘round
brilliant Babe hallowed ground
in humble homage, they bowed down.

How can this be?
Eternal Wisdom, Infinity,
Maker of land and sea,
housed within a tiny body of flesh and blood.

The Incorrupt, the Most Holy,
dons corruptible humanity,
bearing Adam’s depravity,
clothed in the habit of sinful man.

The Alpha and Omega,
who can understand?
The Beginning and the End,
who can comprehend?
The Son of God,
the Most High,
most low does descend.

Hark! the herald angels sing;
Glory to our newborn King
we render Him hymns of praise,
to Him we tender, our hearts, we raise
Sursum corda! to Christ our King:
Wonderful, Counsellor,
God the Mighty, Prince of Peace,
Joy of heaven and earth,
Maker of His Blessed Mother,
Divine Child of Virgin Birth

What mind can grasp?
What eye can see?
who can fathom the depth,
the riches, the sublimity,
the wonder of this Mystery,
the Majesty, the Magnanimity.

God’s ineffable Charity,
Thy great Gift to humanity…
O Most Blessed Nativity!

Benediction, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, honour, and power, and strength to our God for ever and ever. Amen.


"He, Who would call Himself the 'living Bread descended from Heaven', was laid in a manger, literally, a place to eat".  Bishop Fulton Sheen  (remember, Bethlehem means 'a place of bread)

MERRY CHRIST MASS!

Christmas Eve

(Note:  This year Christmas Eve is on Sunday, so the Christmas Eve Mass takes precedence over Sunday Mass.  Just so you know.)

I read this poem in my union paper one year, which is usually filled with socialistic tripe, but this time they actually printed something I could relate to. It was written by Lance Corporal James Schmidt, and is a variation on his original one, and was published in the 'Leatherneck' magazine in 1991. It is about our soldiers in Afghanistan, but I think it could be for all those serving all over the world. I feel sorry for them, since they have to regurgitate the drivel given by the government, and, therefore, cannot express their beliefs in God anymore without being punished. This soldier has nailed the sentiments. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Keep these brave people in your prayers.

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give,
and to see just who in this home did live.
No stocking hung by mantle, just boots filled with sand,
on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
a sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,
curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle, the room is such disorder,
not how I pictured a United States Soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?
curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realized the families that I saw this night
owed their lives to these soldiers
who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world, the children would play,
and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas Day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more.
my life is my God, my Country, my Corps."

The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still
and we both shivered from the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "Carry on Santa, it's Christmas Day; all is secure."

One look at my watch, and I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend,
and to all a good night."

The original King sized bed!


I'd like to add something this year. It concerns the Infant beliefs in Italy, for one. This one is about the 'Divine Bambino'. Enjoy:

This is the "Nativity' scene there.

The Church of Santa Maria di Ara Coeli on the Capitoline Hill in Rome is built on the ruins of ruins of a temple to Juno Moneta, on the steps of which the Roman Senate used to meet (and where, by the way, Roman coins used to be minted, hence our word "money"). According to legend, the earliest extant text of which derives from the late 4th century, Emperor Augustus, consulted the Tiburtine Sibyl -- the sibyl who prophecied from the town of Tibur (the modern town of Tivoli) -- after he learned he was to be honored as a god. The Sibyl prophesied that "the King of the Ages" would soon come, and as she did, the Emperor had a vision of the Virgin standing on an altar, surrounded by a bright halo and holding the Infant. A voice said: "This is the altar of the Son of God." An altar to this future King was raised on the pagan site and became known as the "Altar of Heaven" (Ara Coeli). And of course, Our Lord was born during Augustus's reign.

In the 6th century, a church was built over the site. Over the ages, it was enlarged, first housing Byzantine monks, then the Benedictines, and then the Franciscans, who still tend the place today.

Inside this church is housed a statue of the Baby Jesus carved in the 15th century by a Franciscan friar in Jerusalem, from an olive wood tree that is said to have grown in the Garden of Gethsemani. It is said that the friar ran out of paint when he was making it, and so angels came and finished it while he slept. It is also said that when it was being transported from the Holy Land to Rome, it fell overboard when the ship that was carrying it was caught in a storm -- only to wash up on the shores of Livorno, at the feet of the Franciscan who was awaiting its arrival.

Down through the centuries, the statue became associated with many miraculous cures, and it was often carried to the bedsides of those who were sick or dying (this used to be effected by transporting the image in a golden carriage dedicated by the people of Rome just for this purpose; now a less ornate carriage is used). Letters and prayer requests are sent from all over the world to the church of Santa Maria di Ara Coeli to be placed near the statue as a sign of prayer.

The chapel of the Holy Bambino is continually visited by pilgrims from all parts of the world. Mothers, before giving birth, visit Aracoeli to receive a special blessing and also bring their children to be consecrated to the Divine Child. From time immemorial, the Bambino, like I said, has been carried to the sick-bed of the faithful and oftentimes one could see in the Campidoglio Square a long line of carriages awaiting their turn.

The ever-increasing fame of this miraculous image moved Pope Leo XIII and the Vatican to order its coronation which took place with solemn rites on May 2, 1897. This fame is attested to by the numerous letters of petition and thanksgiving which the Divine Infant receives daily from devout people from all corners of the globe; the little ones and the great of the world write to Him as to a dear friend. During Christmas time the children of Rome uninterruptedly come before the crib to sing jubilantly to the new-born Babe.

The statue is kept in the sacristy (a copy sits in a private chapel on the premises), but on Christmas Eve, it is brought out and unveiled at the sound of the Gloria, processed to a nativity scene, placed in Mary's lap, and kept there until the Feast of the Epiphany (6 January). On that day, the statue is taken to the top of the staircase outside the church so that Romans might blow it kisses as the zampognari and pifferai (bagpipers and flautists) play, and then returned to its private chapel. Nowadays, all of these purposes are served by use of a second copy, as the original was stolen in February of 1994.

Il Bambino

Prayer to the Santo Bambino

Divine Bambino,
In my difficulties: help me
From the enemies of my soul: save me
In my errors: enlighten me
In my doubts and pains: comfort me
In my solitudes: be with me
In my infirmities: invigorate me
When others despise me: encourage me
In temptations: defend me
In difficult hours: strengthen me
With your Sacred Heart: love me
With your immense power: protect me
And, into your arms,
when I die: receive me.
Amen

One look at my watch, and I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend,
and to all a good night."


Let's not forget those who can't be home during these times.

Legend of the Christmas Rose

A well-known English plant, the Helleborus niger or "Christmas Rose," is a true Christmas flower. Sometimes known as the "Snow Rose" or "Winter Rose," it blooms during the depths of winter in the mountains of Central Europe. One of the easiest and most rewarding of garden plants to grow, the ability of the Christmas Rose to bloom during the darkest months of the year when everything else is frozen solid, makes it a valuable asset to any garden. The Christmas Rose produces flowers from late Fall until early Spring. These evergreen perennials grow to be approximately 15 inches tall and have shiny, dark green leaves of a leathery texture. Each flower stalk bears a single 2 inch to 4 inch white bloom (often tinged with pink).
By tradition, the Christmas Rose (whose roots are poisonous) should be planted by the door in order that it might welcome Jesus Christ into the home.



LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS ROSE

 The Legend of the Christmas Rose is a charming tale of a little shepherd girl named Madelon.

As Madelon tended to her sheep one cold and wintry night, Wise Men and shepherds passed by Madelon's snow-covered field bearing gifts for the Christ Child. Following, Madelon saw the Magi present gold, myrrh and frankincense to the baby...even the humble shepherds had brought fruits, honey and doves to give to the babe...but Madelon had nothing, not even a simple flower for the Newborn King. Standing outside the stable where Jesus had been born, poor Madelon wept, wishing that she had a gift she could carry to the infant. A watching Angel, taking pity on Madelon, caused the snow at the feet of the small girl feet to vanish, thus revealing a most beautiful white flower whose petals were tipped with pink, formed by the Angel from the tears which had fallen from the eyes of the little shepherdess. Overjoyed, Madelon presented her gift at the manger of the baby Jesus...her gift of the Christmas Rose.


The Legend of the Christmas Rose also has some foundation in this 15th Century poem:

A Rose has sprung from a tender root,
From Jesus, as those of old have sung,
And it bore a flower,
In the middle of a cold winter,

When half spent was the night.
Isaiah foretold it, the Rose I have in mind;
Is Mary the pure, the little flower has brought us.
From God's eternal wisdom, she bore a Child,
And remained pure.

The Flower, so small, whose sweet fragrance fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere;
True man and truer God, helps us out of all sorrows,
Saves from sin and death.

Oh Jesus, until we leave this misery,
Let your help guide us into joy,
In Your Father's Kingdom, where we eternally praise You.
Oh God, allow us this.

Translated from the early 15th century German poem "Es ist ein Ros' Entsprungen." Author unknown.

(I'm sure Christ doesn't need or want anything but for us to give ourselves to Him.)

The True Meaning of Christmas

In 1965, Charles Schultz had a 'Dickens' of a time getting this show to appear on any network.  The reason:  'TOO RELIGIOUS' of a theme.  And, here we are 52 years later, the show 'Charlie Brown Christmas' is one of the most viewed shows of this season.  Go figure!  Anyway, enjoy!  Linus says it all.

Friday before Christmas

The following hymn is taken from the poet Prudentius:

Come forth, sweet Babe! Child of chastity, Child of a Virgin Mother! Come, O thou, our Mediator, Man and God.

Though thou didst come, in time, from the mouth of the most high Father, and becamest incarnate at the angel's word; yet hadst thou, O eternal Wisdom, dwelt forever in the bosom of thy Father.

This eternal Wisdom manifested itself when it made heaven, light, and the other creatures; by the power of the Word were all these made, for the Word is God.

But having thus created the world, and fixed the laws of the universe, this Creator and Maker still left not His Father's bosom.

Until at length thousands of years rolled on, and then He deigned to visit the world grown old in sin.

For man, blinded with passion, paid adoration to empty vanities, and believed that brass, or stiff blocks of stone and wood, were God.

Abandoned to idolatry, they became the slaves of the treacherous enemy, and plunged their enslaved souls into the dark abyss.

But the Son of God compassionated this destruction of His fallen creatures; for it was the ruin of His Father's image.


I'm going to end with the PRAYER before the Epistle from last Sunday:

Incline your ear to our prayers, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and brighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of Your visitation.

COME LORD JESUS!

 

St. Thomas, Apostle/Martyr

 

Today is the day of St. Thomas, the Apostle. How many of us have doubted something at some time, only to have it made known in only a way we, as individuals, could perceive?

SAINT THOMAS
Apostle and Martyr
(† First Century)

St. Thomas was another one of the fisherman on the Lake of Galilee whom Our Lord called to be His Apostles. By nature slow to believe, too apt to see difficulties and to look at the dark side of things, he had nonetheless a very sympathetic, loving, and courageous heart. Even if we are skeptical of things, we can still believe in miracles, and that Christ Himself is present at the Holy Mass.

When Jesus spoke to His apostles of His forthcoming departure, and told His faithful disciples that they already knew the Way to follow Him, Thomas, in his simplicity, asked: "Lord, we know not whither Thou goest, and how can we know the way?"

When the Master during a journey turned back to go toward Bethany, near Jerusalem, to the grave of Lazarus, the apostle Thomas, knowing of the malevolent intentions of the Jerusalem religious authorities, at once feared the worst for his beloved Lord. Yet he cried out bravely: "Let us go then and die with Him!"

After the Resurrection his doubts prevailed, and while the wounds of the crucifixion remained vividly imprinted in his affectionate memory, he could not credit the report that Christ had risen. He said that he would not believe unless he saw the wounds in His hands, and probed the wound in His side. Then, eight days later, at the actual sight of the pierced Hands and Side, and the gentle rebuke of his Saviour, his unbelief vanished forever. His faith and ours have always triumphed in his joyous utterance: "My Lord and my God!"  (This is why we say this phrase at the elevations of the Flesh and the Blood at the Consecration at Mass. At least we should be saying it at the Elevations.)

That St. Thomas, after the dispersion of the Apostles, went to India, where he labored and died at Meliapour, is a certain fact of history. The Roman Breviary states that he preached in Ethiopia and Abyssinia, as well as in Persia and Media. Surely his was a remarkable history, reserved for the inhabitants of Christ's glory to see in its fullness some day.

Before he died in Meliapour, he erected a very large cross and predicted to the people that when the sea would advance to the very foot of that cross, God would send them, from a far-distant land, white men who would preach to them the same doctrine he had taught them. This prophecy was verified when the Portuguese arrived in the region, and found that the ocean had advanced so far as to be truly at the foot of the cross. At the foot of this cross was a rock where Saint Thomas, while praying fervently, suffered his martyrdom by a blow from the lance of a pagan priest. This happened, according to the Roman Breviary, at Calamine, which is in fact Meliapour, for in the language of the people the word Calurmine means on the rock (mina). The name was given the site in memory of the Apostle's martyrdom.


When St. Francis Xavier came to India, the signs of blood were still to be seen on the cross where this murderous deed was committed; and more than once drops of blood appeared on this cross during the celebration of Mass, when crowds of people were present. St. Xavier, shortly after his arrival in India, went to the tomb of St. Thomas, and passed many days and nights there in prayer. He begged God fervently to bestow upon him the Spirit and zeal of this holy Apostle, that he might be able to restore the Christian faith which St. Thomas had preached there, but which had gradually been entirely exterminated. Before undertaking any important work, he went, if possible, to the tomb of St. Thomas; and when this was impossible, he invoked the holy Apostle's intercession, and endeavored to follow his example in all things.


Reflection: Cast away all disquieting doubts, and learn to triumph over outlived weaknesses as Saint Thomas did, who by his ignorance has instructed the ignorant, and by his incredulity has served the faith of all ages.

(On a similar note, I had one of these experiences once. I, once upon a time, went to the Novus Ordo, and was the commentator, who read announcements, intentions, etc. Anyway, I had been told by someone during the time when I was converting, that Angels were present at the Consecration of the Mass. It actually made some sense to me, who knew nothing at that time. Anyway, it was Easter time at this church. On the altar was NOTHING, except the risen Christ on a cross. I had received Holy Communion, while kneeling on the altar, and had returned to my spot, where I was the commentator. This man came up  from my left to receive Him in Holy Communion.  He was carrying a little boy of maybe three years of age. The little boy began pointing to the ceiling, and asking dad who all those people were. The dad, who I now suspect did not believe, said "no one was there." I knew at that time what I had heard was true. That was for me! I believe this child had seen the multitude of angels, and this confirmed my Faith even more. To paraphrase what Our Lord had said: "...be as little children...")

Thomas was called unbelieving by Christ, although he disbelieved only one article, the resurrection. Hence, it is clear that he who doubts, or rejects only one article of faith, cannot be counted among true Catholics, although he believes all the others. A Catholic must believe every truth revealed by the Almighty, be it great or small, as God cannot fail either in small things or great. The offense which we do to God by denying even the smallest article of faith, is as great as if we denied an important one, or all of them together; for, it is just as if we said: God has been deceived, or He has deceived us in revealing this article. Whether this is said of great and important articles, or of one that is small, makes but little difference; or if we desire to make a difference, we must say that it is a greater offense to God to ascribe to Him a fault in a small matter than in a great; for, what can be more blasphemous than to maintain that the Almighty has been deceived in a trifling matter, or that He intends to deceive us? They should ponder on this, who sometimes entertain doubts about an article of faith, or even go so far as to say that in some matters, they agree with non-Catholics, and consider them right. These are no longer Catholics. Their faith is lost; and if they do not repent, as St. Thomas did, they will go to perdition, because they are incredulous. They are disobedient who obey nine of the Commandments but not the tenth. What is the fate of the incredulous? Christ Himself pointed it out when He said: "Who believes not in the Son, will not see life, but the wrath of God will remain with him." (John viii.)



(Let's get off our high horses and be more like the innocent babes of this world. Then, and only then, can we see more clearly what we need to know.)


I would like to add someone to your prayers. His name is Fr. Joseph Rinaldo. He is with 'The Servants of Charity', which is located in Chelsea, MI. They help those who can't make it in the world, and have pretty much given up on by their families. Today is the 50th anniversary of his ordination, along with Fr. Fortunato Turati, who is his close friend. Fr. Rinaldo is quite a guy, and knew some very important people in his life. St. Padre Pio is the one who told him to leave his homeland of Sicily, since he was speaking out against the Mafia. He told him that if stayed, the mob would have to kill him. Padre Pio said to go to the USA to avoid this end. Fr. Rinaldo also knew Bishop Fulton Sheen, and was friends with him. This was one of the first religious Fr. Rinaldo met upon landing in the U.S.  He also, in his frequent visits to India, and served Mother Teresa's nuns. He also, when a boy server stationed in Rome, met Pope Pius XII, and was invited into the Pope's residence to have breakfast, after being near the Pope's room between serving Masses. The boys needed to serve wherever they were called to, and were ready at the moments notice. They must have had some 'off' time to be where they were at the time. So you see, he has met some of the real 'bigs' within the Church's history. Please pray for him as he is winding down in the waning hours of his life.

He is a Bible scholar, and has been to most of the places in Scripture, knows the layouts, and knows when and why the New Testament was written. I could listen to him all day to his stories of his life. Quite interesting, to say the least. Some people get tired of his stories, but they are maybe more than a little ignorant of what importance these stories have, even to us. He had to endure Nazi oppression in his childhood, but he persevered to the priesthood, and is still serving, not just the needy, but helps us understand what we need to know. Please keep him and his fellow 'Servants' in your prayers.

St. Thomas, pray for us that we have the eyes of Faith you did. Remember, as St. Paul states in his epistle to the Hebrews: "...without Faith it is impossible to please God. For he that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and rewards them that seek him."

Thursday before Christmas

The following hymn is taken from the Anthology of the Greeks:
Thy womb, O Mother of God, is the heap of wheat of the Canticle; carrying, in an ineffable manner, the ear of corn, which, like no other, grew without being sown; thy Child is the Word, and thou wilt give Him birth in Bethlehem's cave: He is is will lovingly feed every creature with the knowledge of God, and free the human race from deadly hunger.

Whence comest thou, O pure Virgin? Thy father and mother, who are they? How dost thou carry thy Creator in thy arms? Mother, and yet a Virgin! These are great graces, and stupendous mysteries, which have been done in thee, all-holy creature! We adorn the cave as it behooves us, and we look for the star in the heavens: the Magi are coming from the east to our western world, to see the Saviour of men shining in thy arms as a bright torch.

O Mary! fair palace of our Master, how is it thou comest into so poor a cave, there to give birth to the King our Lord, O all-holy Virgin, bride of God?

Eve, indeed, by the crime of disobedience brought a curse into the world: but thou, Virgin-Mother of God, by the flower thou bearest, hast made blessing bloom in the world; therefore do we all magnify thee.

The Mother of God, when the birth of Christ was near, spoke thus to her spouse: 'Be not sad, Joseph, finding that I am Mother; for thou shalt see Him Who is to be born of me, and thou shalt rejoice and adore Him as thy God.' Let us commemorate this divine Mother, saying: Be glad, O full of grace! the Lord is with thee, and with us by thee.

Ember Days

On the Wednesday of Ember week in Advent, the Mystery of the Annunciation is commemorated by many Churches.  The Mass is sung early in the morning.  That Mass is sometimes called the Golden Mass, Rorate Mass, or the Messias Mass.  On that occasion the Church is illuminated, as a token that the world was still in darkness when the Light of the world appeared.  The Mass is called the Golden Mass possibly because in the Middle Ages the whole of the Mass or at least the initial letters were written in gold, or on account of the special, great, or 'golden' grace, which, at that time, is obtained by the numerous prayers.  It is called Rorate Mass after the first words of the Introit of the Mass:  Rorate Caeli; and called the Messias Mass because the Church, like our Lady, expresses on that day her longing for the arrival of the Messias.


Today, as well as Friday and Saturday of this week are known as 'Ember Days'. Following is what it is all about:

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8:

All things have their season,
and in their times all things pass under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.
A time to kill, and a time to heal.
A time to destroy, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh.
A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather.
A time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to get, and a time to lose.
A time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew.
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak.
A time of war, and a time of peace.


Four times a year, the Church sets aside three days to focus on God through His marvelous creation. These quarterly periods take place around the beginnings of the four natural seasons that "like some virgins dancing in a circle, succeed one another with the happiest harmony," as St. John Chrysostom wrote.

These four times are each kept on a successive Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday and are known as "Ember Days," or Quatuor Tempora, in Latin. The first of these four times comes in Winter, after the Feast of St. Lucy; the second comes in Spring, the week after Ash Wednesday; the third comes in Summer, after Pentecost Sunday; and the last comes in Autumn, after Holy Cross Day. Their dates can be remembered by this old mnemonic:

Sant Crux, Lucia, Cineres, Charismata Dia
Ut sit in angaria quarta sequens feria. Which means:

Holy Cross, Lucy, Ash Wednesday, Pentecost,
are when the quarter holidays follow.

These times are spent fasting and partially abstaining (voluntary since the new Code of Canon Law) in penance and with the intentions of thanking God for the gifts He gives us in nature and beseeching Him for the discipline to use them in moderation.



I. The meaning of the law of fasting and abstinence. 1. The law of fasting requires that only one full meal be taken a day; but it does not forbid that, in addition to this, some food be taken in the morning and in the evening in accordance with the approved custom of one's locality. This law does not forbid the eating of fish and flesh at the same meal, and it permits one to take his full meal either at noon or in the evening, as he may wish.

2. The law of abstinence requires that one abstain from meat, as well as soup or broth made from meat; it does not forbid the use of eggs, butter, milk, cheese, etc.

3. The days of abstinence are all the Fridays of the year; this is in memory of our Lord's death on Good Friday. But when Friday falls on a Holyday, e.g., Christmas, meat may be eaten.

4. The times of fasting are:

(a) the Ember Days, i.e., Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in a week of each of the four seasons of the year. The purpose of these fasts is to consecrate each season of the year by some days of mortification, to thank God for His graces, ask His blessing upon the harvest, and to pray for those whom it is customary to ordain to the priesthood at those times,

(b) The vigils of Pentecost, Assumption, All Saints, and Christmas. These days are called vigils because in ancient times the faithful used to spend the night before them in watching, prayer and fasting,

(c) The longest, strictest and most venerable fast of the year is that of Lent, which goes back to the times of the Apostles. It commemorates our Lord's forty days' fast in the desert, associates us with His suffering by the practice of penance, and prepares us for the great feast of Easter. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and terminates at noon on Easter Saturday.

5. The days of both fasting and abstinence are: (a) Ember Days; (b) the vigils mentioned above: (c) Ash Wednesday and the Fridays and Saturdays in Lent.


II. The obligation of the law of fasting and abstinence.

 l. Fasting in general is of the natural law, because nature and common sense teach us that it is necessary for subduing the passions, elevating the mind to spiritual things and making satisfaction for sin. Hence it has been practiced at all times, as we learn from the Old Testament (Exod. xxiv. 18; Jonas iii. 10; Dan. i. 15; I Esdras. viii. 23, etc.). Moreover, fasting has its basis in the law of mortification laid down by our Lord (Luke xiii. 5). But as neither the natural, nor the divine law has fixed the time and circumstances for observing fast and abstinence, the Church, in virtue of her divinely given authority of making laws that are for the advantage of the faithful, has determined the days, the times, and the manner of fasting and abstaining.

2. The law of abstinence binds all those who have completed their seventh year. The law of fasting obliges all who have completed their twenty-first year, and who have not yet entered upon their sixtieth year.

3. Reasons which excuse from the law of fasting and abstinence are: (a) infirm health, which would be made worse by fasting; (b) necessary work that is incompatible with fasting; (c) works of charity or piety for which there is some necessity, or which are more valuable than fasting, e.g., waiting on the sick, making a pilgrimage.

4. Those who are in doubt as to whether they are excused from fasting or abstinence should consult their confessor. Dispensations may be granted by parish priests (See Code, ec. 1243 ff.).


EXHORTATION,

1. Those who are able to fast should do so gladly and cheerfully in memory of the great event which Lent commemorates, and for the sake of the great blessings it brings with it.

2. Those who are excused from fasting and abstinence should remember that they are not exempt from the law of mortification and self-denial which they can fulfill by saying extra prayers, hearing Mass when possible on week days, giving alms to the poor or for holy purposes, refraining from unnecessary amusements, delicacies, etc.

Catechism of the Council of Trent, Part IV.  The point is also beautifully made (of the seasons) in the eighth Psalm:

O Lord our Lord, how admirable is thy name in the whole earth! For thy magnificence is elevated above the heavens. Out of the mouth of infants and of sucklings thou hast perfected praise, because of thy enemies, that thou mayst destroy the enemy and the avenger. For I will behold thy heavens, the works of thy fingers: the moon and the stars which thou hast founded.

What is man that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him? Thou hast made him a little less than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honour: And hast set him over the works of thy hands. Thou hast subjected all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen: moreover the beasts also of the fields. The birds of the air, and the fishes of the sea, that pass through the paths of the sea. O Lord our Lord, how admirable is thy name in all the earth!

 Be mindful of your effects on our dear earth and don't allow people to "politicize" the issue of our stewardship of God's creation! But to be mindful of nature, it helps to actually see her first. Go outside and look! And praise God for all you see, hear, smell, feel, and taste as you allow His glorious works to touch your senses!