Since we are still in the 12 Days of Christmas that lasts from December 25th through January 7th, here is a good reminder of the history of the Christmas tree.
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Friday, January 4, 2019
Thursday, January 3, 2019
Prayer Vigil with Pope Francis ahead of Synod © Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk, October 4, 2014
Guest Post By David Martin
Pope Francis is again advocating that the Our Father be changed. It was reported last month that the pope is expected to approve a change in the translation of the Lord’s Prayer, the famous biblical petition that has been recited by Christians for 2000 years.
The Italian Episcopal Conference [CEI] has submitted the proposed change to the Vatican for approval, changing the line "lead us not into temptation" to "abandon us not when in temptation," reported the Italian newswire service Ansa and the U.K. Express.
It was in December 2017 that Francis first proposed that the Lord's Prayer be changed, arguing that the translation used for centuries in many parts of the world, including the Italian and English versions, go against the teachings of the Church and Bible.
In the centuries-old recited prayer, followers of the Christian Faith call upon God to "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
Speaking to Italian broadcasters on December 7, 2017, Francis argued this was incorrect, saying, "It is not a good translation because it speaks of a God who induces temptation."
"A father doesn’t do that, a father helps you to get up immediately," Francis said in an interview on Italian television. "It's Satan who leads us into temptation, that’s his department."
So Christ taught us to invoke a God who leads us into temptation? To think that the Messiah's instruction to mankind on how to pray—as penned by the Evangelists as the infallible Word of God and as followed for 2000 years by all the Saints and members of Christ—is now incorrect! It appears that it is the pope who is leading us into temptation.
To say that the proposed "reform" of the Our Father warrants respect is to say that Catholics for 2000 years have been misled by the Our Father. Moreover, it instigates doubts about the whole of Sacred Scripture and the age-old direction of the Church. It appears that it is Pope Francis who is leading us into temptation.
To say that the proposed "reform" of the Our Father warrants respect is to say that Catholics for 2000 years have been misled by the Our Father. Moreover, it instigates doubts about the whole of Sacred Scripture and the age-old direction of the Church. It appears that it is Pope Francis who is leading us into temptation.
Francis purports to criticize the English and Italian translations of the Our Father, when he knows full well that it is the original manuscript he is criticizing. The original text from the Lord's Prayer, as taken from the Latin Vulgate, reads: et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo, which translated is: "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." (Matthew 6:13). This is also the same in the Greek: καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν, ἀλλὰ ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ.
Hence, this is not a translation issue, but a scriptural issue. The English translations of the Our Father as recited today are correct, because they are taken from the Vulgate, which is the official version of Holy Scripture, the source from which all authentic translations must directly or indirectly be taken.
The pope's initiative is entirely uncalled for. Never in the 2000-year history of the Church has it occurred to any pope or saint that the Lord's Prayer stood in need of change, so why is Francis calling into question something so central to the Faith—the "perfect prayer" given to us by Christ Himself on the Mount—and at a time when the Church is undergoing the worst debacle of its 2000-year history? What is needed today is that rock-solid stability of old to offset the new order of change that has misled the Church since Vatican II, so why is Francis leading us into the temptation of change?
It appears he is upset over the idea of being led away from temptation, since he is led by the temptation of globalism and change. The Bible threatens him to give up his change, so instead of humbly admitting that scripture is correct he judges that it is "incorrect, in the same way he has denied the miracle of the loaves and has judged that evangelization is "solemn nonsense."
The Church's mission is precisely to evangelize and lead us away from the temptation of this world that we may arrive at the shores of everlasting peace. God in His mercy wants us all to know that this world is not our common home, but rather a quagmire of temptation, and that our true home is in Heaven with God and the Saints who said the un-revised Our Father during their lives.
Therefore, as children of God who obey the Father's commands, we take the Father's hand and ask Him to lead us not into temptation, but away from all evil, because if we chase after temptation—especially the temptation to change the Bible and the doctrines of the Faith—God will let go of our hand, and in His permissive will He will lead us, not only into temptation, but into the very fires of hell. And by the way, Papa, this condemnation is forever.
Christ warns of the dire consequences of changing but one word of Holy Scripture. He says to St. John in the Apocalypse: "If any man shall add to these things, God shall add unto him the plagues written in this book." (Apoc. 22:18)
Let us therefore reverence the words of Christ in the Gospel, remembering that all Scripture is "inspired of God." (2 Timothy 3:16) "Neither let us tempt Christ: as some of them tempted, and perished by the serpents." (1 Cor. 10:9)
Monday, December 31, 2018
UPDATE (January 13, 2019, at 9:20 AM CST): The final 2019 Saint for the Year Drawing has now taken place and all results are now below. Thank you for all 375 people who participated. Sadly only 5 people have donated to this project which takes hours to prepare for and hours more to conduct. I hope though that everyone through this grows in grace, invokes their patron often in 2019, and makes ever great spiritual progress. To those who wish to contribute, please send in a donation below and leave any comments on what you get out of this devotion in the comments box. God bless!
UPDATE (January 7, 2019, at 11:50 AM CST): The next Saint for the Year Drawing has now taken place and all results are now below. On additional drawing will take place next Sunday on the 13th so you may still sign up if you haven't yet. Also, for anyone looking for a prayer to your saint, you may always use the Prayer to Venerate Any Saint.
UPDATE (January 1, 2019, at 1:10 PM CST): The Saint for the Year Drawing has now taken place. Unlike some sites that offer a similar devotion, my devotion is manually done. In a single jar I have likely around 1,000 saints name and these are drawn for you after the High Mass said for the Octave Day of Christmas. As the drawing occurs, I pray the Litany of Saints (and continue to repeat it until all names are drawn). The saint names on paper are also blessed with Holy Water and/or Blessed Salt prior to the drawing.
My devotion does not skew to modern saints, saints whose names we all know, or even saints celebrated on the traditional calendar. I include all canonized saints so you will likely see many names here you don't recognize. Spend the time to learn about these holy men and women!
Please note, overseeing this devotion is very time intensive and as of yet none of the 315 names submitted has donated to help support this initiative. If you find this devotion helpful and would like to support A Catholic Life in the next year, please submit a donation. Your donation is especially important since I am not currently working professionally aside from my writing/speaking/catechesis work so the donation is quite helpful to me and to this blog.
It is my hope that you will pray to your special patron this year, remember them on their feast day, and invoke their intercession. As mentioned in my post on the devotion, this takes up considerable time for me each year so thank you for those who have (or will) donate a small donation (even $5 - $10) for all of the time involved. Unfortunately, if few people donate I likely won't be able to continue to do this devotion in future years.
Please join me in praying the Litany of Saints and asking for a holy 2019 for all of us. For my own listing of the saints, please click here to learn more about the saints.
Lastly, those who would still like to participate may leave names in the comments box. There will be two remaining drawings: one on January 6th (Feast of the Epiphany) and the following Sunday of January 13th (Octave Day of the Epiphany).
SPONSOR: This Devotion is being sponsored this year by CatechismClass.com. Whether you are looking for godparent preparation courses, Sacramental preparation for your children, or just to better learn the Faith as an adult, CatechismClass.com has courses for all ages and walks of life. Check out CatechismClass.com's affordable programs and make it a resolution in 2019 to learn and live the Faith better than ever before.
You can read about the past devotions at the following posts:
- 2006 Saint for the Year Devotion
- 2007 Saint for the Year Devotion
- 2008 Saint for the Year Devotion
- 2010 Saint for the Year Devotion
- 2011 Saint for the Year Devotion
- 2012 Saint for the Year Devotion
- 2013 Saint for the Year Devotion
- 2014 Saint for the Year Devotion
- 2015 Saint for the Year Devotion
- 2016 Saint for the Year Devotion
- 2017 Saint for the Year Devotion
- 2018 Saint for the Year Devotion
When will the saints be drawn? This year I will start the drawing of saints on the Octave Day of Christmas after the morning's Solemn High Mass and after the recitation of both the Veni Creator Spiritus and the Litany of Saints. Drawings will occur as the Litany of Saints are again recited. That means results will likely be posted in the early afternoon (US Pacific Time) on January 1st.
How do I enter? Just add the names of everyone (you and your family) that you want to be included in the drawing in the comment box below. DO NOT also email them to me. Please leave all entries here in the comment box.
This year, saints will be posted here after the drawing is complete.
What is the Saint for the Year Devotion? Here is my post on this from years past to clarify the matter. This is from the person that draws all of the saints. I don't draw the saints. I will merely pass on your name or screen name to her so that she will draw a saint for you. Also, I will pass on the name of any of your family or friends that would like to participate. This isn't superstition. St. Faustina did the same thing!
Last year hundreds of people received saints to be their special patron, and there were miraculous connections. It was truly amazing. We pray that this year the Holy Ghost will again work so that all participants receive a saint that they will be able to pray to for aid throughout the entire year:
Saint for the Year
I want to tell you about the practice of picking a saint at random to be your “holy protector” for the year. Actually, the saint is the one who chooses us though. The tradition of letting a saint “pick you,” is not a new one. St. Faustina wrote about it in her diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul. The excerpt is below.Please pass this message on through your blogs and/or email distribution lists, letting all of the Catholic Blogsphere have the chance to participate.
“There is a custom among us of drawing by lot, on New Year's Day, special Patrons for ourselves for the whole year. In the morning during meditation, there arose within me a secret desire that the Eucharistic Jesus be my special Patron for this year also, as in the past. But, hiding this desire from my Beloved, I spoke to Him about everything else but that. When we came to refectory for breakfast, we blessed ourselves and began drawing our patrons. When I approached the holy cards on which the names of the patrons were written, without hesitation I took one, but I didn't read the name immediately as I wanted to mortify myself for a few minutes. Suddenly, I heard a voice in my soul: ‘I am your patron. Read.’ I looked at once at the inscription and read, ‘Patron for the Year 1935 - the Most Blessed Eucharist.’ My heart leapt with joy, and I slipped quietly away from the sisters and went for a short visit before the Blessed Sacrament, where I poured out my heart. But Jesus sweetly admonished me that I should be at that moment together with the sisters. I went immediately in obedience to the rule.”Excerpt from Divine Mercy in My Soul, the Diary of St. Faustina"
I have a container full of names ... I will be glad to pick out the name for you and send you the name if you prefer. I am so excited by my saint(s) ... I already picked mine. Well, I should say that they picked me ... I have Saints Marcus and Marcellianus ... they are twin brothers who were sent to prison before their death. St. Sebastian visited them continually in prison and helped keep their faith alive. They are buried near St. Felix and are specifically honored in Spain.
OK now ... here are a couple of immediate ironies in regard to these saints ... I have a SPECIAL place in my heart for twins! As a child, I LOVED reading the story about St. Sebastian. I had a children's book of saints and I think I wore out the pages on St. Sebastian! Felix is my grandfather's name! Silvia, our exchange student, is from Spain! I am so excited to have these two saints to walk through 2006 with me! I'm looking forward as to where and how they will intercede for me.
So, please leave it below in the comment box when you ask to participate. If you wish to remain anonymous, please leave your initials instead of your name. Anonymous requests without names or initials will NOT be part of the drawing. Do not add the same request more than once. If your comment is posted below, it will count.
Note: DO NOT email me your entries. Leave all submissions here in the comments box.
So, comment below and pass this message on throughout the entire Catholic Blogsphere!
Results of the Drawing
Name | Saint |
Jay | St. Thomas the Apostle |
Kelly | Blessed Jane of Aza |
Emily | St. Gabriel Lalemant |
Kyla | St. Adelaide of Italy |
Suzanne | St. Leudwinus |
Sue | St. Tironensian Order |
Missy | St. Anthony of Egypt |
John | Blessed Augustine Novello |
Joe | Blessed John of Fiesole |
Jen | St. Sigo |
Josh | St. Rhipsime |
Joan | St. Padre Pio |
Matthew W | St. Anthony of Padua |
Anna S | St. Ava of Denain |
Natalia S | St. Theophilus of Corte |
Sergei S | St. Jan Sarkander |
Diane W | St. Hyacintha of Mariscotti |
Chris W | Blessed Basil Hopko |
Mark W | St. Crispin |
Michelle W | Blessed James Salomonio |
Michael W | St. Marcellus I |
Rick | St. Quadratus of Herbipolis |
Theresa (Terry) | St. Agatha |
Nicole | Blessed Alvarez |
Gary | St. Quintian of Rodez |
Brandon | St. Gosbert of Osnabruck |
Brynn | Blessed Andre Duliou |
Baby to be born in May | St. Walric |
Kristin | St. Cecelia |
Jim | St. Richard of Vaucelles |
Stephen | St. Ioannes Pak Hu-jae |
Michael | St. Dominic de Guzman |
Kelsey | St. Vitus |
Douglas | Pope St. Silverius |
Michelle | Blessed Lawrence of Ripafratta |
Shaun | St. Theophilus of Corte |
Stephanie | St. Hilarion |
Christina | St. Martha |
Bryan | Blessed Aaron of Cracow |
Gianna | Blessed Columba |
Leilani | St. Nonno of Porto Romano |
Dominic | Pope St. Linus |
Madison | Blessed Robert |
Darla | St. Anthony Zaccaria |
Jeff | St. Leudadd of Bardsey |
Garrison | St. Jeanne-Marie de Maille |
Alex | St. Albert the Great |
Lucas | Blessed John of Salerno |
Kiora | St. Bernadette Soubirous |
Carolyn | St. Timothy |
Joseph | St. Cecelia |
Kathryn | St. Phililp the Apostle |
Laura L. | St. Crispin |
Gordon L. | St. Adelbert |
Dorothea T. | St. Joan Elizabeth Bichier des Ages |
Matthew L. | St. Anselm of Canterbury |
Ben E. | Blessed John Liccio |
Jeannie E. | St. Adelbert |
Felicity E. | St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi |
Sarah E. | St. Jeanne de Lestonnac |
Veronica E. | St. Wenceslaus |
Joseph E. | St. Mary Magdalene |
Patricia R. | St. Simeon, Bishop and Martyr |
Monica M. | St. Adelaide of Italy |
Michael Patrick M. | St. Bartholomew |
Robert James M. | St. Pretextatus |
Diane S. | St. Hitto of Saint-Gaul |
Kellen M. | Blessed Guillaume-Nicolas-Louis Laclerq |
Shannon L. | Blessed Francis de Posadas |
Baby L. | The Seven Holy Brothers |
jmr1979 | St. Ennodius |
Katie | St. Peter Chanel |
Bob | Blessed Sadoc and Companions |
Elizabeth L. | St. Thomas Aquinas |
Barbara B. | St. Sigo |
Kim L. | Blessed John Liccio |
Michelle D. | Blessed Andrew of Peschiera |
Janine D | St. Ennodius |
Kyle D | St. Margaret Mary Alacoque |
William T. | Blessed Sadoc and Companions |
Julie T. | St. Rita of Cascia |
Blake T. | Blessed John of Fiesole |
Scott T. | St. Hitto of Saint-Gaul |
Ruth S. | St. Crispin |
Ryan | Blessed Robert |
Jeremy | St. Adelin of Seez |
Debbie | Blessed Giles of Assisi |
Cathleen | St. Raymond of Toulouse |
Tim W | St. Sylvester |
Jeffrey D | St. Simeon-Francois Berneux |
Michael D | Blessed Jane of Portugal |
Francis D | Blessed William Andleby |
Nicholas D | St. Hilary of Poitiers |
Dominic D | Holy Maccabees |
Peter D | St. Louise de Marillac |
Andrew D | St. Joseph of Leonissa |
Max D | St. Maturus the Novice |
James D | St. Jane Frances de Chantal |
Mason C | Blessed Diana |
Griffin C | St. Alena |
Elijah C | St. Maurice |
Isaac C | St. Lambert of Vence |
Nathan B | St. Boniface |
Dominic B | Blessed Stephana |
Kathy R | St. Colman |
Lois F. | St. Crescentianus |
Harry Tucci | St. Julio Alvarez Mendoza |
Isabella Tucci | St. Maurice |
Flikie | St. William of Pontoise |
Lucy D | St. Peter of Juilly |
Gemma D | St. Patrick |
Anne D | Blessed Gonsalvo |
Sarah K. | St. Joseph of Leonissa |
Ruth K. | St. Julie Billiart |
John K. | St. Catherine of Genoa |
Rachel D. | Blessed Augustine of Biella |
Ralph D. | St. Germana |
Maggie D. | St. Ceollach |
Muriella A. | St. Facundinus of Taino |
Alexander | Our Lady of Carmel of the Maipu |
Mary K. | St. Rose Philippine Duchesne |
Mark K. | St. Polycarp |
Mary Ann | St. Bruno |
Lorny | St. Titus |
Gary | St. Louis Gabriel Taurin Dufresse |
Sheila | St. Norbert |
Joe | St. John of Bridlington |
Steve | St. Patroclus of Troyes |
Chris | St. Prosper of Aquitaine |
Parker | St. Sigo |
Sara | St. Raymond of Barbastro |
Brian | Blessed Odo of Beauvais |
Brandon | St. Anthony of Padua |
Shauna | St. Catherine of Genoa |
Nicholas | Blessed Dalmatius |
Levi | St. John Nepomucene Neumann |
Milo | St. Simon of Lipnica |
Josemaria Paulo Carvalho-Von Verster | St. Pierre Dumoulin-Borie |
Christina | St. Padre Pio |
Susan M | St. Nicholas of Myra |
Richard M | St. Louis Gabriel Taurin Dufresse |
Gregory M | St. Valentine of Rome |
Frederick M | St. Claudian of Perga |
Chad M | St. Iraenaus of Lyons |
LK | St. Cosmas |
TK | St. John Bosco |
GAH | St. Edward the King |
SF | St. Tironensian Order |
CR | St. Emily de Vialar |
JT | Blessed Francis de Capillas |
FBA | St. Jerome |
SMA | St. Guarinus of Sitten |
CGA | St. Padre Pio |
Brandon | Blessed Diana |
Rachel | St. Paulinus of Trier |
Sydnie | St. Juliana Falconieri |
Kalab | St. Therese of Lisieux |
Fred | Blessed Josefa Naval Girbes |
Elaine | Blessed James Benefatti |
Sandy | St. Juan Diego |
Dick | Blessed Matthew Carrieri |
Dave | St. Augustine of Canterbury |
Robert | Pope St. Silverius |
Sue Anne | St. Clare |
Autumn | St. Venant de Viviers |
Abbie | St. Benedict Joseph Labre |
Austin | St. Rosa Venerini |
Trey | St. Aymard of Cluny |
Kierra | St. Giusta de Sardegna |
Liam | St. Charles Garnier |
Lincoln | St. Agatha |
Leah | Blessed Odo of Beauvais |
Lilly | St. Juliana of Nicomedia |
Jean | St. Wenceslaus |
Patrick | St. Conon, Bishop of the Isle of Man |
Michele | St. Juan Diego |
Amelia | St. Frances of Rome |
Fiona | St. Charles Borromeo |
Isabella | St. Stanislaus Kostka |
Patrick Gerard | St. Emily de Vialar |
Timothy | St. Joseph Marchand |
Michael | St. Ebontius |
Mary Ellen | St. Prosper of Aquitaine |
Dylan | Holy Maccabees |
Francesco | St. Andrew Fournet |
Mary | Blessed Margaret of Costello |
Kristine | Blessed Marcolino |
Joey V | St. Iraenaus of Lyons |
Sean G | St. William of Pontoise |
Elizabeth "Lisa" B. | St. Aloysius Gonzaga |
Marian E. | St. Florentius of Carracedo |
Kim | St. Poemus of Membressa |
Danny | Blessed James of Voragine |
Aaron | St. Gregory of Nyssa |
Sharra | Blessed Aimo |
Andrew | Blessed Frances Gil |
Stormy | St. Dogmael of Wales |
Francesca Jameelah | St. Basil the Great |
Cindy | Blessed Andre de Soveral |
Dustin | St. Hugh of Novara |
Lila | St. Kevoca of Kyle |
Hailey | St. Raymond of Barbastro |
MC | St. Guido Maria Conforti |
AC | St. Elzear of Sabran |
Michael B | St. Patroclus of Troyes |
Matthew B | St. James the Greater |
Max B | St. Rigobert of Rheims |
Bruce B | Blessed Stephana |
Joyce B | St. Noel Chabanel |
Jennifer B | St. Antoine Daniel |
Kevin B | St. Petroc |
Tony B | Blessed Odo of Beauvais |
Janet B | Blessed Andrew of Peschiera |
Linda Q | St. John of God |
BEM family | St. Theodore Guerin |
MS | Blessed Filip Geryluk |
RS | St. Acius of Amiens |
JC | St. Anastasius |
Heidi M. | St. Nazarius the abbot |
Kaytlyn M. | St. Poemus of Membressa |
Sara G. | St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier |
Bernadette F. | Blessed Terence |
Heather S. | St. Ansgar |
Melani T. | St. Josemaria Escriva |
Cynthia S. | St. Elizabeth of Hungary |
Anna | St. Vincent of Saragossa |
Meg | St. Joseph, the foster Father of Jesus Christ |
Catherine | St. Nazarius of Rome |
Katie | St. Athanasius |
Brandon | Blessed Alphonsus and Companions |
Amy | St. Adelelmus of Flanders |
Jocelyn | St. Polycarp |
Glenna | Blessed Chiara Badano |
David | St. Filippo Smaldone |
Madalena | Blessed Dalmatius |
Kevin | Our Lady of Fatima |
ABG | St. Hugh of Novara |
VBG | St. Chrysanthus |
JJL | St. James the Greater |
JSL | St. Pretextatus |
AMBG | St. Maximilian Kolbe |
JLG | St. Agatha |
Roman | St. Augustin Schoeffler |
Valerie V | Blessed James Benefatti |
Olindo V | St. Charles of St. Andrews |
Katie V | St. Guido Maria Conforti |
Richard V | Blessed Francis de Posadas |
Sara V | St. Magloire |
Violet V | St. Laurent-Joseph-Marius Imbert |
SRN | St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows |
GAN | St. Anthony of Egypt |
AJN | St. Augustin Schoeffler |
JMN | St. Adelelmus of Flanders |
Ronald F | Blessed Francis Gil |
Joan F | Blessed Francis de Capillas |
George Fincik | St. Floribert of Liege |
Mark Angelo | St. Phililp the Apostle |
Jenna S | Blessed James of Bevagna |
Christine Mac | St. Maruontus |
Robert Mac | Blessed William Andleby |
Casey Mac | St. Bernard of Thiron |
Colin Mac | St. Mary Magdalene |
Steven P. | St. Domnin |
Brian P. | St. Theodosius of Antioch |
Sr. Eva DiC. | St. Alexander of Jerusalem |
Joseph DiC. | St. Crescentianus |
Joseph P. McC. | St. Fabiola of Rome |
AnnMarie | St. Martin de Porres |
maribeth santos | St. Clotsindis of Marchiennes |
Jan B | Blessed James Salomonio |
Dennis T | St. Baldwin of Rieti |
Joan T | St. Bernadette Soubirous |
Charis favour | St. Joan of Arc |
Christopher | Blessed Basil Anthony Moreau |
Teresa | Blessed Odo of Beauvais |
Marie | St. Aloysius Gonzaga |
Christine | St. Anthony Zaccaria |
Joshua | St. Projectus |
Noah | Blessed Francis Gil |
The Rohlena family | St. Anthony of Padua |
Helen Bruni | Blessed Anthony della Chiesa |
Katharine | St. Bede the Venerable |
Terry | St. Poemus of Membressa |
Katharine | St. Theodosius of Antioch |
Gemma | Pope St. Sixtus II |
Paul | St. John Bosco |
Jenny | St. Jean-Louis Bonnard |
Gemma | St. Matthias |
Amy | Blessed James of Bevagna |
Mia | St. Madeleine Sophie Barat |
Charlotte | St. Sebastian of Aparico |
Mark | St. Anthony of Egypt |
Alfie | Blessed Basil Anthony Moreau |
Jovita | Blessed Jane of Portugal |
Katharine O'Brien | St. Joan of Arc |
Daniel | St. Charles of St. Andrews |
Amy | St. Aloysius Gonzaga |
Elaine | Blessed Filip Geryluk |
Graham | St. Peter Chanel |
Andy M | St. Giles |
Maryann | Blessed Sebastian of Aparicio |
Steve S | Blessed Columba |
Jill | St. Benedict |
Steve | St. Dominic Savio |
Erica | Blessed Aaron of Cracow |
Dean | St. Alexis Falconieri |
Chelsea S | St. Julian the Hospitaller |
Judy | St. Joan of France |
David | St. Paul Miki |
Deanna | St. Hilary of Poitiers |
Larry | St. Auspicius of Toul |
Kaitlyn | St. Rita of Cascia |
Jordan | St. Vincent de Paul |
Jamie | St. John Cantius |
David | St. Ambrose |
Xavier D | Blessed Dominik Trcka |
Jacob D | Blessed Julia Rodzinska |
PATRICE | St. Richard of Vaucelles |
RAYMOND | Pope St. Telesphorus |
SAM L | St. Auspicius of Trier |
KELLY S | Blessed Augustine of Biella |
JENNIFER | Blessed Margaret of Costello |
"THAT ONE DUDE" | St. Francis of Assisi |
ALLISON | St. Leudwinus |
SARAH | St. Kiaran |
LAUREN | St. Catherine of Siena |
COREY | St. Prosper of Aquitaine |
RILEIGH | St. Aderald |
AMIERA | Blessed John of Fiesole |
GIOVANNI | St. Hyacintha of Mariscotti |
FRANNIE | St. Julio Alvarez Mendoza |
Jimmy W. | St. Guido Maria Conforti |
Carolyn W. | St. Gundenis of Carthage |
Andy B. | St. Kevoca of Kyle |
John | St. Peter Fourier |
Kathy | St. Cajetan |
Mary | St. Augustin Schoeffler |
Adam | Pope St. Anacletus |
David | St. Jeanne-Marie de Maille |
Mary Anne | St. Scholastica |
Jane | St. Francis of Assisi |
Thomas | St. Hugh of Novara |
Daniel | Blessed Marie |
Lucy | St. Colette of Corbie |
Monica | St. Catherine of Siena |
Nick | St. Gordian |
Peter | St. Caldeoldus of Vienne |
Claire | St. Willibald |
Lily | St. Bernadette Soubirous |
Susie | St. Barnabas |
Baby #3 | Blessed Margaret of Savoy |
Jim | St. Alexis Falconieri |
Rebecca | St. Paul of the Cross |
Johnny D | St. Joan of France |
Debbie | St. Henry II |
Joe | St. Francis of Assisi |
Thomas | St. Auspicius of Toul |
David | St. Januarius |
Stephanie | St. Marie of the Incarnation |
Veronica A | St. Leudwinus |
Kristen A | St. Damien of Molokai |
Roman B | Blessed Bartholomew of Vincenza |
Louise T.M | St. Gregory of Tours |
Jeffrey A.M | St. Titus |
Joshua J.M | St. Fugatius the Missionary |
Addie M. | Blessed Andrew of Peschiera |
Mischa M | St. Rhipsime |
Hannah Sofia M | St. Nicholas of Myra |
Jessica N | St. Joseph of Leonissa |
BN | St. Frances Cabrini |
Hannah K | St. Filippo Smaldone |
Young K | St. Leontius |
K Family | St. Adelaide of Italy |
TD | St. Magnus of Fossombrone |
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Wednesday, December 26, 2018
For most Catholics, our encounters with the Sacrament of Penance are in a confessional. But can you ask a priest who is passing through an airport or walking down the street to hear your confession?
Question: May I ask a priest in a public place like an airport to hear my confession?
The Sacrament of Confession is ordained by God as the means by which mortal sins performed after Baptism are forgiven. A Catholic may not "pray to God himself" as some falsely allege - our Lord Jesus Christ in His order for the world instituted the Sacrament and gave the power to forgive sins to priests to exercise in His name (cf. John 20:21-23). He never told a single soul to pray directly to Him for forgiveness; rather, He respected the order He instituted - it was our Lord Himself who after curing the lepers told them, "Go, show yourselves to the priest" (Luke 17:14).
The Sacrament of Confession requires proper form and matter. The matter for the validity of the Sacrament is threefold: 1) a contrite heart of a sinner who intends to amend his life, 2) confession of all mortal sins in number and kind since one's last valid Sacramental Confession, and 3) the intent to carry out the penance prescribed (cf. Canon 4 of Fourteenth Session of the Council of Trent).
The form is the exactly worded formula of absolution: "God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit."
Furthermore, the Sacrament of Confession requires a validly ordained Catholic priest who possesses the faculties to forgive sins in the name of Christ Himself. For this matter, it is helpful to turn to the Code of Canon law which will also provide us an answer to our original question.
Do not delay and allow thoughts of "does the priest have permission to hear my confession" enter into your mind. If you need to avail yourself of this Sacrament, do not delay!
Read more >>
Question: May I ask a priest in a public place like an airport to hear my confession?
The Sacrament of Confession is ordained by God as the means by which mortal sins performed after Baptism are forgiven. A Catholic may not "pray to God himself" as some falsely allege - our Lord Jesus Christ in His order for the world instituted the Sacrament and gave the power to forgive sins to priests to exercise in His name (cf. John 20:21-23). He never told a single soul to pray directly to Him for forgiveness; rather, He respected the order He instituted - it was our Lord Himself who after curing the lepers told them, "Go, show yourselves to the priest" (Luke 17:14).
The Sacrament of Confession requires proper form and matter. The matter for the validity of the Sacrament is threefold: 1) a contrite heart of a sinner who intends to amend his life, 2) confession of all mortal sins in number and kind since one's last valid Sacramental Confession, and 3) the intent to carry out the penance prescribed (cf. Canon 4 of Fourteenth Session of the Council of Trent).
The form is the exactly worded formula of absolution: "God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit."
Furthermore, the Sacrament of Confession requires a validly ordained Catholic priest who possesses the faculties to forgive sins in the name of Christ Himself. For this matter, it is helpful to turn to the Code of Canon law which will also provide us an answer to our original question.
Can. 965 A priest alone is the minister of the sacrament of penance.
Can. 966 §1. The valid absolution of sins requires that the minister have, in addition to the power of orders, the faculty of exercising it for the faithful to whom he imparts absolution.
§2. A priest can be given this faculty either by the law itself or by a grant made by the competent authority according to the norm of ⇒ can. 969.
Can. 967 §1. In addition to the Roman Pontiff, cardinals have the faculty of hearing the confessions of the Christian faithful everywhere in the world by the law itself. Bishops likewise have this faculty and use it licitly everywhere unless the diocesan bishop has denied it in a particular case.
§2. Those who possess the faculty of hearing confessions habitually whether by virtue of office or by virtue of the grant of an ordinary of the place of incardination or of the place in which they have a domicile can exercise that faculty everywhere unless the local ordinary has denied it in a particular case, without prejudice to the prescripts of ⇒ can. 974, §§2 and 3.
§3. Those who are provided with the faculty of hearing confessions by reason of office or grant of a competent superior according to the norm of cann. ⇒ 968, §2 and ⇒ 969, §2 possess the same faculty everywhere by the law itself as regards members and others living day and night in the house of the institute or society; they also use the faculty licitly unless some major superior has denied it in a particular case as regards his own subjects.And thus, we come to our answer which is addressed in Canon 967.2. A priest who possesses the faculty to hear confessions habitually, by virtue of his office or by grant of his ordinary can validly hear confessions anywhere unless expressly denied by the ordinary of the place. This is not done, at least I have never heard of it being done. So yes, a priest with faculties to hear confessions can hear them anywhere - at the airport while he is passing through, while on vacation, while on a cruise ship, etc.
Do not delay and allow thoughts of "does the priest have permission to hear my confession" enter into your mind. If you need to avail yourself of this Sacrament, do not delay!
Guest Post By David Martin
The Feast of Christmas is a sublime mystery that radiates throughout the earth each year unto the edification of many. To think that the Creator of all things was born into the world as man!
Yet there is still a greater mystery, and that is that the Creator assumed human flesh and became man. This occurred, not when Christ was born, but upon the Blessed Virgin's “fiat” after the angel Gabriel announced to her that she was to be the Mother of God. It was then that the Holy Ghost miraculously engendered Christ in the womb of Mary, who had never nor would ever know man corporeally.
The Mystical City of God by Venerable Mary of Agreda, which has the backing of five centuries of popes, provides a beautiful insight as to what occurred in Mary's soul immediately after the Archangel entered her chamber and announced that she would bring the Son of God into the world.
And too, it would add another star in Our Lady's crown in that it would cause people to take a closer look at this infallible Church teaching concerning how Holy Ghost engendered Christ in the Blessed Virgin without the aid of man. It would place the spotlight right on the miracle!
This no doubt would shed increased light on why Catholics Hail Mary, since it was through the Archangel's salutation to Mary—"Hail, full of grace" (Luke 1:28)—that God opened up the story of man's redemption. This plan for man’s redemption would have never been fulfilled had Mary not consented to God’s proposal.
For she was preordained from the beginning of time to be that spotless receptacle through whom the Messiah was to be channeled into the world. Her predestined role was set in motion when she said "Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum."
It is an error to think that God would have chosen another woman to birth the Messiah had Mary said no to God. In the same way that God did not choose another Eve after her fall, neither would He have chosen another Mary had she declined from assisting the Almighty. Mary was the second Eve who reversed the mistake of the first Eve, thus opening the way for man's salvation. And how interesting to note that Ave providentially is Eva spelled backwards!
Hence we are indebted to Mary. Like the shepherds who "came with haste" and "found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger" (Luke 2:16), we too must approach Our Lady if we ever expect to see her Son. For it is Mary who brings Christ to man, without whom we will never know Christ. For God has given her complete custody over the children of earth. If Mary doesn't show us her Son, who will?
Our reflection on the mystery of the Annunciation should serve to deepen our reflection on the mystery of Christmas, whereby we understand that it concerns Mary's divine motherhood. After all, who do we congratulate at a baby shower, the mother or the child? And whereas we indeed congratulate and prostrate ourselves before the Christ Child at Christmas, we may not leave the mother out of the picture, for it is her Son Whom we celebrate at Christmas. Like the shepherds who came in haste, we too must ask Mary's permission to see her Son, which if we do, we will be given the necessary grace to know who Christ truly is.
Read more >>
The Feast of Christmas is a sublime mystery that radiates throughout the earth each year unto the edification of many. To think that the Creator of all things was born into the world as man!
Yet there is still a greater mystery, and that is that the Creator assumed human flesh and became man. This occurred, not when Christ was born, but upon the Blessed Virgin's “fiat” after the angel Gabriel announced to her that she was to be the Mother of God. It was then that the Holy Ghost miraculously engendered Christ in the womb of Mary, who had never nor would ever know man corporeally.
The Mystical City of God by Venerable Mary of Agreda, which has the backing of five centuries of popes, provides a beautiful insight as to what occurred in Mary's soul immediately after the Archangel entered her chamber and announced that she would bring the Son of God into the world.
Her most pure heart, as it were by natural consequence, was contracted and compressed with such force, that it distilled three drops of her most pure blood, and these, finding their way to the natural place for the act of conception, were formed by the power of the Divine and Holy Spirit, into the Body of Christ Our Lord. Thus the matter, from which the most holy humanity of the Word for our Redemption is composed, was furnished and administered by the most pure heart of Mary and through the sheer force of her true love. At the same moment, with a humility never sufficiently to be extolled, inclining slightly her head and joining her hands, She pronounced these words, which were the beginning of our salvation: "Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum" (Luke 1:31).
At the pronouncing of this "fiat," so sweet to the hearing of God and so fortunate for us, in one instant, four things happened. First, the most holy Body of Christ Our Lord was formed from the three drops of blood furnished by the heart of most holy Mary. Secondly, the most holy Soul of the same Lord was created, just as the other souls. Thirdly, the Soul and the Body united in order to compose His perfect humanity. Fourthly, the Divinity united Itself in the Person of the Word with the humanity, which together became one composite being in hypostatic union; and thus was formed Christ true God and Man, Our Lord and Redeemer. This happened in springtime on the twenty-fifth of March, at break or dawning of the day, in the same hour, in which our first father Adam was made.One has to wonder if maybe the Feast of the Annunciation will one day be raised to the same solemnity as Christmas, whereupon it too would be a holy day of obligation. At a time when pro-life vs. pro-death is becoming the big issue on earth, this would serve mightily to remind people that life begins when we are conceived, not when we are born.
And too, it would add another star in Our Lady's crown in that it would cause people to take a closer look at this infallible Church teaching concerning how Holy Ghost engendered Christ in the Blessed Virgin without the aid of man. It would place the spotlight right on the miracle!
This no doubt would shed increased light on why Catholics Hail Mary, since it was through the Archangel's salutation to Mary—"Hail, full of grace" (Luke 1:28)—that God opened up the story of man's redemption. This plan for man’s redemption would have never been fulfilled had Mary not consented to God’s proposal.
For she was preordained from the beginning of time to be that spotless receptacle through whom the Messiah was to be channeled into the world. Her predestined role was set in motion when she said "Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum."
It is an error to think that God would have chosen another woman to birth the Messiah had Mary said no to God. In the same way that God did not choose another Eve after her fall, neither would He have chosen another Mary had she declined from assisting the Almighty. Mary was the second Eve who reversed the mistake of the first Eve, thus opening the way for man's salvation. And how interesting to note that Ave providentially is Eva spelled backwards!
Hence we are indebted to Mary. Like the shepherds who "came with haste" and "found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger" (Luke 2:16), we too must approach Our Lady if we ever expect to see her Son. For it is Mary who brings Christ to man, without whom we will never know Christ. For God has given her complete custody over the children of earth. If Mary doesn't show us her Son, who will?
Our reflection on the mystery of the Annunciation should serve to deepen our reflection on the mystery of Christmas, whereby we understand that it concerns Mary's divine motherhood. After all, who do we congratulate at a baby shower, the mother or the child? And whereas we indeed congratulate and prostrate ourselves before the Christ Child at Christmas, we may not leave the mother out of the picture, for it is her Son Whom we celebrate at Christmas. Like the shepherds who came in haste, we too must ask Mary's permission to see her Son, which if we do, we will be given the necessary grace to know who Christ truly is.
Monday, December 24, 2018
The Christmas tree represents the Tree of Life in the Garden of Paradise. But that tree was but a figure of the true Tree of Life which it foreshadowed--the Tree of the Cross upon which Our Lord Jesus Christ Redeemed us by His Death, and obtained for us the life of supernatural grace. Thus, our Christmas tree is also a symbol of Christ Himself, Who hung upon the Cross for love of us. The ornaments and decorations which we place upon the tree represent our acts of love, prayer, and sacrifice, by which our souls are adorned with the beauties of Divine Grace, merited for us by Our Divine Lord upon the Cross. The bright lights shining upon the tree represent Christ as the Light and Life of the whole world. Finally, the gleaming star on top of the tree is a reminder of the Star of Bethlehem, guiding the Three Holy Kings to the stable cave. This radiant star is also a symbol of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who as the Mother given to us from the Cross--the Tree of Life--by our Savior Himself, guides weary mankind to the foot of the manger, wherein lies her Divine Son, the Light of the World, and the Lord and Savior of all mankind.
Traditional Blessing of a Christmas Tree Pre-Vatican II (1955):
Sometime during the evening of December 24th, the Father or other head of the family [Leader:] blesses the Christmas Tree after it has been decorated. It will be lit during the Blessing. The others [All:] make the responses.
[Leader:] O God, come to my assistance.
[All:] O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
[Leader:] Then shall all the trees of the forest exult before the Lord, for He comes.
Psalm 95
"Cantáte Dómino cánticum novum"
1. Sing to the Lord a new song; * sing to the Lord, all you lands.
2. Sing to the Lord; bless His name; * announce His salvation, day after day.
1. Tell His glory among the nations; * among all peoples, His wondrous deeds.
2. For great is the Lord, and highly to be praised; * awesome is He beyond all gods.
1. For all the gods of the nations are things of nought, * but the Lord made the heavens.
2. Splendor and majesty go before Him; * praise and grandeur are in His sanctuary.
1. Give to the Lord, you families of nations, give to the Lord glory and praise; * give to the Lord the glory due His name!
2. Bring gifts, and enter His courts; * worship the Lord in holy attire.
1. Tremble before Him, all the earth; * say among the nations: The Lord is king.
2. He has made the world firm, not to be moved; * He governs the peoples with equity.
1. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; * let the plains be joyful, and all that is in them!
2. Then shall all the trees of the forest exult before the Lord, for He comes; * for He comes to rule the earth.
1. He shall rule the world with justice * and the peoples with His constancy.
2. Glory be to the Father and to the Son * and to the Holy Ghost.
1. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.
[Leader:] Then shall all the trees of the forest exult before the Lord, for He comes.
[Reader:] A Reading from the Prophet Isaiah:
Thus saith the Lord: The land that was desolate and impassable shall be glad, and the wilderness shall rejoice and shall flourish like the lily. It shall bud forth and blossom, and shall rejoice with joy and praise: the glory of Libanus is given to it: the beauty of Carmel and Saron, they shall see the glory of the Lord and the beauty of our God. Now, O Lord, on us have mercy.
[All:] Thanks be to God.
[Leader:] And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse.
[All:] And a flower shall rise up out of his root.
[Leader:] O Lord, hear my prayer.
[All:] And let my cry come to Thee.
[Leader:] Let us pray. O God, who hast made this most holy night to shine forth with the brightness of the True Light, deign to bless this tree (the tree is sprinkled with holy water) which we adorn with lights in honor of Him who has come to enlighten us who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. (The tree is lit.) And grant that we upon whom is poured the new light of Thy Word made flesh may show forth in our actions that which by faith shines in our minds. Through Christ our Lord.
[All:] Amen.
Adapted from Elsa Chaney, The Twelve Days of Christmas (Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1955) pp. 43-45, Imprimatur: +Peter W. Bartholome, DD, Archbishop of Saint Cloud.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links on this blog are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, for instance, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made by those who click on the Amazon affiliate links included on this website. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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