BIG C CATHOLICS

"Mary, the all-holy ever-virgin Mother of God, is the masterwork of the mission of the Son and the Spirit in the fullness of time. For the first time in the plan of salvation and because his Spirit had prepared her, the Father found the dwelling place where his Son and his Spirit could dwell among men. In this sense the Church's Tradition has often read the most beautiful texts on wisdom in relation to Mary. Mary is acclaimed and represented in the liturgy as the 'Seat of Wisdom.'"  — Catechism of the Catholic Church 721 _____________________________________________________ O God, who through the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary bestowed on the human race the grace of eternal salvation, grant, we pray, that we may experience the intercession of her, through whom we were found worthy to receive the author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A plenary indulgence may be gained by reciting or singing the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus on the first day of the year. This hymn calls on the Holy Spirit's guidance, protection and blessing before endeavoring something new. In addition to its place in the Pentecost liturgy, the Veni Creator Spiritus has also been assigned as the official opening prayer for Church councils and synods.  Requirements for Obtaining a Plenary Indulgence on New Year's Day: ◗ Recite or sing the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus  (Come, Holy Spirit, Creator Blest) on the first day of the year. ◗ Say one "Our Father" and one "Hail Mary" for the Pope's intentions . ◗ Worthily receive Holy Communion [ideally on the same  day]. ◗ Make a sacramental confession within 20 days of New Year's Day. ◗ For a plenary indulgence, be free from all attachment to sin, even  venial sin [or the indulgence is partial, not plenary]. Come, Holy Spirit, Creator Blest Come, Holy Spirit,

A plenary indulgence may be gained by reciting or singing the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus on the first day of the year. This hymn calls on the Holy Spirit's guidance, protection and blessing before endeavoring any new venture. In addition to its place in the Pentecost liturgy, the Veni Creator Spiritus  is devoutly recited as the opening prayer for Church councils and synods. [ Listen to it in Gregorian chant .] Requirements for Obtaining a Plenary Indulgence on New Year's Day: ◗ Recite or sing the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus on the first day of the year. ◗ Say one "Our Father" and one "Hail Mary" for the Pope's intentions . ◗ Worthily receive Holy Communion [ideally on the same  day]. ◗ Make a sacramental confession within 20 days of New Year's Day. ◗ For a plenary indulgence, be free from all attachment to sin, even  venial sin [or the indulgence is partial, not plenary]. Come, Holy Spirit, Creator Blest Come, Holy Spirit, Creator

◗ Pray more ◗ Read Scripture ◗ Keep holy the Sabbath ◗ Sin less ◗ Go to confession frequently ◗ Attend Eucharistic adoration ◗ Eat less ◗ Honor your father and mother ◗ Spend less ◗ Spend more time with family ◗ Read a Psalm a day ◗ Live more simply ◗ Find a patron saint ◗ Go on a spiritual retreat ◗ Find a good Catholic smartphone app [and use it] ◗ Add a new devotion to your prayer routine [Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Novenas, etc.] A New Year's Prayer Almighty God, who through the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary bestowed on the human race the grace of eternal life, grant, we pray, that we may experience the intercession of her, through whom we were found worthy to receive the author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, be especially blesses in this new year. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever. Amen.

Mary, the all-holy ever-virgin Mother of God, is the masterwork of the mission of the Son and the Spirit in the fullness of time. For the first time in the plan of salvation and because his Spirit had prepared her, the Father found the dwelling place where his Son and his Spirit could dwell among men. In this sense the Church's Tradition has often read the most beautiful texts on wisdom in relation to Mary. Mary is acclaimed and represented in the liturgy as the 'Seat of Wisdom.' — Catechism of the Catholic Church 721 __________________________________________________________ O God, who through the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary bestowed on the human race the grace of eternal salvation, grant, we pray, that we may experience the intercession of her, through whom we were found worthy to receive the author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

◗ Pray more ◗ Read Scripture ◗ Keep holy the Sabbath ◗ Sin less ◗ Eat less ◗ Honor your father and mother ◗ Spend less ◗ Spend more time with family ◗ Read a Psalm a day ◗ Live more simply ◗ Find a patron saint ◗ Find a good Catholic smartphone app [and use it] ◗ Add a new devotion to your prayer routine [Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Novenas, etc.]

A plenary indulgence may be gained by reciting or singing the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus on the first day of the year. This hymn calls on the Holy Spirit's guidance, protection and blessing before endeavoring something new. In addition to its place in the Pentecost liturgy, the Veni Creator Spiritus has also been assigned as the official opening prayer for Church councils and synods. [ Listen to it in Gregorian chant .] Requirements for Obtaining a Plenary Indulgence on New Year's Day: ◗ Recite or sing the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus on the first day of the year. ◗ Say one "Our Father" and one "Hail Mary" for the Pope's intentions . ◗ Worthily receive Holy Communion [ideally on the same  day]. ◗ Make a sacramental confession within 20 days of New Year's Day. ◗ For a plenary indulgence, be free from all attachment to sin, even  venial sin [or the indulgence is partial, not plenary]. Come, Holy Spirit, Creator Blest Come, Holy Spiri

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, our Lady's greatest title. This feast is the octave of Christmas. In the modern Roman Calendar only Christmas and Easter enjoy the privilege of an octave. From today's Gospel: The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. — Luke 2: 16-21 May you have a most blessed and holy New Year.

A plenary indulgence may be gained by reciting or singing the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus on the first day of the year. This hymn calls on the Holy Spirit's guidance, protection and blessing before endeavoring something new. In addition to its place in the Pentecost liturgy, the Veni Creator Spiritus has also been assigned as the official opening prayer for Church councils and synods. [ Listen to it in Gregorian chant .] Requirements for Obtaining a Plenary Indulgence on New Year's Day: ◗ Recite or sing the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus on the first day of the year. ◗ Say one "Our Father" and one "Hail Mary" for the Pope's intentions . ◗ Worthily receive Holy Communion [ideally on the same  day]. ◗ Make a sacramental confession within 20 days of New Year's Day. ◗ For a plenary indulgence, be free from all attachment to sin, even  venial sin [or the indulgence is partial, not plenary]. Come, Holy Spirit, Creator Blest Come, Holy Spiri