BIG C CATHOLICS

"When the pyre was ready, Polycarp took off all his clothes and loosened his under-garment. He made an effort also to remove his shoes, though he had been unaccustomed to this, for the faithful always vied with each other in their haste to touch his body. Even before his martyrdom he had received every mark of honor in tribute to his holiness of life. There and then he was surrounded by the material for the pyre. When they tried to fasten him also with nails, he said: 'Leave me as I am. The one who gives me strength to endure the fire will also give me strength to stay quite still on the pyre, even without the precaution of your nails.' So they did not fix him to the pyre with nails but only fastened him instead. Bound as he was, with hands behind his back, he stood like a mighty ram, chosen out for sacrifice from a great flock, a worthy victim made ready to be offered to God. Looking up to heaven, he said: 'Lord, almighty God, Father of your beloved and blessed

Saint Proclus, the 5th century patriarch of Constantinople, is best known for his defense of Mary as the Mother of God against the bishop Nestorius. The following reading is excerpted from one of his homilies for the Feast of the Epiphany. ____________________________ Christ appeared in the world, and, bringing beauty out of disarray, gave it luster and joy. He bore the world’s sin and crushed the world’s enemy. He sanctified the fountains of waters and enlightened the minds of men. Into the fabric of miracles he interwove ever greater miracles. For on this day land and sea share between them the grace of the Savior, and the whole world is filled with joy. Today’s feast of the Epiphany manifests even more wonders than the feast of Christmas. On the feast of the Saviour’s birth, the earth rejoiced because it bore the Lord in a manger; but on today’s feast of the Epiphany it is the sea that is glad and leaps for joy; the sea is glad because it receives the blessing of holines

The text of this hymn recited in the Mass and Divine Office during Advent comes from the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 45:8) in the Vulgate. It is a plea of the Prophets, the Patriarchs and the entire Church, who together await the Messiah. Speaking to the mystery of Christ’s impending coming, the imagery unites the celestial and the terrestrial as the heavens prepare for the Savior to descend and the earth prepares to welcome him. As rain comes down from the sky and quenches the earth, only to evaporate back, so too will the Messiah save his people and ascend to heavenly glory. We recall our past offenses and sins and seek forgiveness as we await the birth of Christ for our redemption and that of everything in creation. Rorate Coeli Prayer Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the Just One. Be not angry, O Lord, and remember no longer our iniquity : behold the city of thy sanctuary is become a desert, Sion is made a desert. Jerusalem is desolate, the house o

From a letter from Saint Clare of Assisi, virgin, to Saint Agnes of Prague Behold the poverty, humility and love of Christ Happy indeed is she who is granted a place at the divine banquet, for she may cling with her inmost heart to him whose beauty eternally awes the blessed hosts of heaven; to him whose love inspires love, whose contemplation refreshes, whose generosity satisfies, whose gentleness delights, whose memory shines sweetly as the dawn; to him whose fragrance revives the dead, and whose glorious vision will bless all the citizens of that heavenly Jerusalem. For his is the splendor of eternal glory, the brightness of eternal light, and the mirror without cloud. Queen and bride of Jesus Christ, look into that mirror daily and study well your reflection, that you may adorn yourself, mind and body, with an enveloping garment of every virtue, and thus find yourself attired in flowers and gowns befitting the daughter and most chaste bride of the king on high. In this mir