BIG C CATHOLICS

Saint Lucy prayed before the tomb of Saint Agatha that her ailing mother be cured. When her mother’s health was restored, St. Lucy immediately asked to remain a virgin and distributed her dowry among the poor. Upon hearing of this, the man to whom Lucy's parents had promised her in marriage against her will, reported her to the governor as a Christian. The judge condemned Lucy to be publicly humiliated in a place of shame. Lucy, with the help of the Holy Spirit, stood firm and professed her faith before the court. To God's servants the right words will not be wanting, for the Holy Spirit speaks in us. All who live piously and chastely are temples of the Holy Spirit. If I am dishonored against my will, my chastity will secure for me a double crown of victory. St Lucy, help us to remain steadfast in faith as we live in imitation of Christ.

St. Lucy professing her faith before Paschasius. Fr. Pius Parsch notes the memorial of Saint Lucy, December 13th, "can easily be harmonized with Advent themes. The very name Lucy pulsates with light, a living symbol amid the season's darkness (the days are now the shortest of the year). As a wise virgin, Lucy advances with a burning lamp to meet the Bridegroom. She typifies the Church and the soul now preparing their bridal robes for a Christmas marriage." She won the crown of martyrdom defending her purity. "St. Lucy a virgin of Syracuse, noble by birth and by her Christian faith, went to the tomb of St. Agatha at Catheria and obtained the cure of her mother, Eutichia who was suffering from a hemorrhage. Soon after, she gained her mother’s permission to distribute to the poor all the possessions which were to have served as her dowry. As a result of this charitable action, she was accused of being a Christian and brought before Paschasius the Prefect. When

In honor of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, [December 12th] here are ten amazing facts about the image of Our Lady as seen on Saint Juan Diego 's tilma that defy scientific explanation and argue in favor of its miraculous origin and divine provenance. Mary’s message of faith still speaks to us, 485 years later. Our Lady of Guadalupe first appeared on December 9th, 1531. According to the account, the Virgin Mary told Juan Diego, an Indian convert, to tell Bishop Juan de Zumárraga to build a chapel. Bishop Zumárraga asked Diego for a sign as proof that it was truly the Mother of God. Our Lady instructed Diego to gather some roses in his tilma [popular piety attests that Mary arranged the roses in the tilma herself] and present them to the bishop. As Diego did this, the roses fell to the floor, revealing the miraculous image of Mary as she appeared in real life. 1. There is no under-sketch or under-drawing on the image. Infrared photography has demonstrated that there is no

The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is December 12th. She first appeared on December 9th, 1531. According to the account, the Virgin Mary told Juan Diego, an Indian convert, to tell Bishop Juan de Zumárraga to build a chapel. Bishop Zumárraga asked Diego for a sign as proof that it was truly the Mother of God. Our Lady instructed Diego to gather some roses in his tilma [tradition attests that Mary arranged the roses in the tilma herself] and present them to the bishop. As Diego did this, the roses fell to the floor, revealing the miraculous image of Mary as she appeared in real life. All present praised her intercession and believed. See Ten Amazing Facts About the Miraculous Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe . In 1910 Our Lady of Guadalupe was declared Patroness of Latin America, and in 1945 Pope Pius XII declared her to be the Empress of all the Americas. O God, Father of mercies, who placed your people under the singular protection of your Son's most holy Mother, grant that

Joseph and Mary arrive at the inn. 14th century illumination Fr. Charles Irvin Senior Priest Diocese of Lansing ( Click here for today’s readings ) Nazareth was one of the most insignificant villages in Judah. When Jesus was first assembling His apostles we find the following exchange between two of them as reported in St. John’s gospel: Philip found Nathaniel and told him, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” But Nathaniel said to him, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” [John 1:45-45] Christianity goes beyond doctrines, moral norms, and teachings. It goes beyond how we behave. While all of those things are important, we need to recognize that Christianity essentially involves vision… seeing things as God sees them… seeing things in God’s Light… recognizing reality and truth. Pontius Pilate during the trial of Jesus asked the central question. Truth i

Each verse of this hymn corresponds to an O Antiphon . The original Latin hymn, Veni, Veni Emmanuel was taken from Psalteriolum Cantionum , Colgne, 1710. The author of the words and composer to the music is unknown. It is believed that the melody was of French origin and added to the text much later. (Listen to the hymn performed by the Christendom College Choir & Schola Gregoriana below.) Prayer: December 17, O Wisdom O Come, Thou Wisdom from on high, And order all things mightily To us the path of knowledge show And teach us in her ways to go. Refrain  Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. December 18, O Lord and Ruler O Come, O Come, Thou Lord of might: Who to Thy tribes on Sinai's height In Ancient times did give the law In cloud, and majesty, and awe. Refrain December 19, O Root of Jesse O Come, thou rod of Jesse's stem, From ev'ry foe deliver them That trust Thy mighty power to save, And give them victory o'

Fr. René J. Butler, M.S. Provincial Superior, La Salette Missionaries of North America Hartford, Connecticut ( Click here for today’s readings ) We are in Cycle A of the Sunday readings, in which the majority of the Gospel readings are from Matthew. In a few weeks we will be reading his account of Jesus’ Baptism. “Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” That was chapter 3 of Matthew. Today’s Gospel is from chapter 11. John needs to know: “Are you the one?” Strange, isn’t it? He knew him then. How can he now have doubts? What has changed is that John is now in prison! It would appear that this was not what he expected. Jesus’ answer is in two parts: 1.) Look around you. Everything prophesied in Isaiah 35 is being fulfilled—and more besides! 2.) Blessed is the one who takes no offense at me. What we have here is a beatitude! (There are many beati