BIG C CATHOLICS

Far into the night, at the coldest time of the year, in a chilly grotto, more suitable for a flock of beasts than for humans, the promised Messiah – Jesus – the savior of mankind, comes into the world in the fullness of time. There are none who clamor around him: only an ox and an ass lending their warmth to the newborn infant; with a humble woman, and a poor and tired man, in adoration beside him. Nothing can be heard except the sobs and whimpers of the infant God. And by means of his crying and weeping he offers to the Divine justice the first ransom for our redemption. He had been expected for forty centuries; with longing sighs the ancient Fathers had implored his arrival. The sacred scriptures clearly prophesy the time and the place of his birth, and yet the world is silent and no one seems aware of the great event. Only some shepherds, who had been busy watching over their sheep in the meadows, come to visit him. Heavenly visitors had alerted them to the wondrous event, inv

CNA/EWTN News reports: After months of anticipation, the miracle allowing for the canonization of Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta has officially been approved by the Vatican, though as of now no specific date for the event has been given. Rumors of the canonization have been building for months. However, the Vatican made it official in a Dec. 18 communique, which also recognized the heroic virtue of Fr. Giuseppe Ambrosoli of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus, giving him the title "Venerable." Though Pope Francis met with Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, mere days ago to advance several causes of canonization, including an American, he met with the cardinal again in a private audience on his birthday, Dec. 17. In the course of the meeting the Pope accepted the miracle attributed to Mother Teresa which had been being studied, namely, the healing of a Brazilian man inexplicably cured of brain abscesses. Although

We have all heard the Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas". To most it's a delightful nonsense rhyme set to music. However, it had a serious purpose when it was written. It is much more than a repetitious melody with memorable phrases and a list of strange gifts. Catholics in England during the period 1558 to 1829, [when Parliament finally emancipated them] were not permitted to practice their faith in public or in private because being Catholic was a crime. "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was composed to be a "catechism song." It's purpose was to help young Catholics learn their faith when to be caught with anything showing adherence to Catholicism could get one imprisoned, hanged or drawn and quartered. The latter was a particularly gruesome punishment. It involved disembowelling a person [while still alive] after which the accused's limbs were tied to four large horses, and the victim was literally torn apart. The song

The Christmas Novena begins on December 16th and concludes on Christmas day. This devotion honors the Incarnation of Christ and is prayed especially for an end to abortion. Let us not forget that an unplanned [but greatly prophesied] pregnancy saved humanity. Join thousands of others worldwide in praying for more protections and a greater respect for all human life. There is no better time to reflect on the most vulnerable of this world than during Advent and Christmas when we prepare for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ who came to us as a small baby. Advent also reminds us that Christ will come again at the conclusion of history, not as a helpless infant, but as a triumphant King and just Judge, at whose name every knee will bend. A God who became so small could only be mercy and love.   — St. Thérèse of Lisieux Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of t

In Matthew’s Gospel, an angel appears to Joseph in a dream and tells him, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." [Matthew 1:21]. The verse immediately afterwards states, "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,' which means 'God is with us'" This begs the question, why isn’t Jesus named Emmanuel? Matthew 23 quotes the prophet Isaiah who some 300 years earlier predicted, "Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel." [Isaiah 7:14] In this context, "name" does not refer to the name Joseph and Mary were to call their Son. It is rather, a designat

Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591) was born and died in Spain. His parents were destitute and could not afford to give him training in any profession. Hence, John became the servant of the sick in the hospital of Medina. In 1563, he entered the Carmelite friars as a lay brother. Perceiving his unusual talents, the friars ordained him a priest. John was about to join the more severe Carthusians Order when the saintly Teresa [of Avila] persuaded him to remain and assist her in reforming the Carmelites. The reform caused John much suffering and brought him many trials. These difficulties served to detach him from creature comforts. John had a great devotion to Our Lord's Passion and voluntarily sought out humiliations. When Our Lord asked him what reward he desired for his labors, John answered: "To suffer and to be despised for Thee." He died embracing the crucifix. Because of St. John's profound writings on mystical theology, Pope Pius XI proclaimed him a Doctor of

The following websites were featured in our "Blog of Note" series which began in April. Each blog is faithful to the Magisterium and seeks the fullness of truth by way of promoting the Gospel of Life and the imitation of Christ. Many appear on our blogroll. All will repay frequent, thoughtful visitation. May's Blog of Note: Catholic Crossing The World Wide Web boasts thousands of Catholic sites. “Blogs of Note,” is a new monthly series featuring blogs and blog authors who are faithful to the Magisterium and worthy of your time. I am pleased to highlight a new addition to the Catholic blogosphere. Catholic Crossing is an online clearinghouse of information, bringing you the best in Catholic Media. If you are looking for faithful, thoughtful articles of interest to orthodox Catholics, with a focus on theology, the complementarity of faith and reason, and other issues relevant to the life of the Church, visit this site. June's Blog of Note: Happy Catholic