Vatican Year-In-Review

John Paul II's death

Recalling John Paul II's last Holy Week, Benedict XVI said that "with his words and deeds, he gave us great things; but no less important is the lesson he gave us from the chair of suffering and silence." John Paul II spoke to the world "through his silent suffering, transforming it into a great message," Benedict XVI stressed. "The response that took place worldwide to the Pope's death was a moving manifestation of recognition of the fact that, in his ministry, he gave himself totally to God for the world," he noted.

Papal election

Benedict XVI also referred briefly to his own election on April 19 as John Paul II's successor in the Chair of the Apostle Peter. He acknowledged that it is "a task well beyond anything I could have imagined as a vocation for me. Therefore, only thanks to an act of trust in God was I able to pronounce in obedience my 'yes' to this election." "As then, I also ask all of you today for your prayers, as I count on their strength and support," he added.

World Youth Day

The first international apostolic trip of this pontificate was in August, for World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany, another event mentioned by Benedict XVI. Recalling the joy of the more than 1 million young people gathered for the event, the Holy Father said that the Church learned a lesson from that meeting: the importance of Eucharistic adoration. "Given the threat of each one making himself his own criterion, it is essential to emphasize adoration," he asserted.

Synod of Bishops

The world Synod of Bishops, held in October, closed out the Year of the Eucharist convoked by John Paul II. Benedict XVI said that the episcopal summit became a witness for the world of the Church's faith in the real presence of the risen Christ in the Eucharist, "with his flesh and blood, body and soul, with his divinity and humanity." "For me it is moving to see how everywhere, in the Church, the joy is awakening of Eucharistic adoration and how its fruits are manifested," he said.

Vatican II, plus 40

The Holy Father dedicated most of his evaluation to the 40th anniversary of the close of the Second Vatican Council, observed Dec. 8. "Forty years after the Council we can confirm that the positive is greater and more alive than would seem in the agitation of the years around 1968," Benedict said. "Today we see that the good seed, despite its slow development, does however grow and so our profound gratitude grows for the work carried out by the Council." Countering those who believe that the ecumenical summit implied a rupture for the Church with the past, the Pope added: "The Church, both before and after the Council, is the same one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church, journeying through time."

(Zenit)

New Year's Eve, Time for Reflection

We are into the seventh day of Christmas. This year, it falls on New Year's eve. It is a day spent in different ways which include a day of reflection, a day to give thanks to God for the year past and the coming of the new year.

New Year's Eve, along with its innocent gaiety, is really a day for serious reflection. It is true that for the Christian the real beginning of the year takes place with the First Sunday in Advent, and the children should be taught to make their annual day of recollection before that Sunday, which celebrates the New Year of grace. However, on the eve of the civil New Year as well the children may join their parents in a holy hour, in prayer and thanksgiving for the gifts and benefits which God has given them in the past year, and pray for necessary graces in the forthcoming civil year.

Today we also commemorate the feast of St. Sylvester — bishop of Rome in 314. In Europe, the last day of the year is named after him and is fittingly called "Sylvester". Constantine gave him the Lateran Palace, which became the cathedral church of Rome. Many legends exist about Sylvester. He supposedly cured Constantine from leprosy and later baptized him on his deathbed. He was pope for twenty four years during the reign of Constantine.

(Catholic Culture)

The Family's Vocation

Benedict visits families at Santa Marta Dispensary at the Vatican. He said, "the fundamental vocation of the family in being the first and fundamental place for welcoming life". Read more here.


"Wheeeeh...look at me, I'm flying to Papa!"

The Holy Family: School of Holiness

On the sixth day of Christmas, we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we love you, save souls!

The holiness of the family is the chief way and the necessary path to construct a new and better society, and restore hope for the future to a world oppressed by so many threats. Therefore, may Christian families of today be able to learn in the school of the Holy Family, that center of love and limitless giving. The Son of God became small and like all those born of woman he received a mother's continual care. Mary, ever a virgin, daily dedicated her own life to the sublime mission of motherhood, and for this also all nations today call her blessed. Joseph, appointed to protect the mystery of the divine sonship of Jesus and the virginal motherhood of Mary, fulfilled his role conscientiously in silence and obedience to the divine will. What a school! What a mystery!

We must rediscover the living meaning of the human and Christian prerogative of the family and its undeniable function: to be a community profoundly united in love so as to offer the new life a warm and secure nest in which the new human being can be taught to esteem himself and others, to recognize true values, and to know and love the heavenly Father, "from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named" (Eph 3:15).

Dear brothers and sisters, let us pray to Jesus, Mary and Joseph that everywhere the unequalled gift of the sanctity of the family will be reborn.

-Pope John Paul II, feast of the Holy Family, Dec. 27, 1987.

(Priests For Life)

Get New Year Indulgences and Apostolic Blessings!

Indulgence alert from The Cassock and Cotta, via Recta Ratio.

On Dec. 31, 2005, New Year's Eve, the Pope will lead the singing of the Te Deum, in the Vatican basilica, in thanksgiving for the blessings of the passing year.

If you would like to get an apostolic blessing, watch it live on Saturday, December 31 on CTV. Just click here ==>Vatican TV (6:00 pm Rome; 9:00 a.m. U.S. PST; 12:00 p.m. U.S. EST)

December 31 Indulgence:

A PLENARY INDULGENCE is granted when the Te Deum is recited publicly on the last day of the year. Otherwise a partial indulgence is granted to those who recite the Te Deum in thanksgiving.

January 1 Indulgence:

A PLENARY INDULGENCE is granted when the Veni, Creator Spiritus is recited on the first of January.

St. Thomas Beckett's Fidelity

Today is the fifth day of Christmas. We remember the martyrdom of St. Thomas Beckett, Archbishop of Canterbury. His story shows us that fidelity to God is the highest aspiration and honor, even if it means death in the hands of the monarchy. He served only one King, Jesus and he loved Him unto death. What is not told in the following account is that after his death, King Henry repented by putting on a sack cloth and walked barefoot while eighty monks flogged him in public.

As an Archdeacon of Canterbury, St. Thomas Becket was also chancellor to England's King Henry II, twelve years younger then himself. Both men liked each other. Thomas went along with the King insofar as his conscience permitted. When Archbishop Theobald of Canterbury died King Henry, who in those days had some say in such affairs, recommended St. Thomas as his successor. He figured that by placing Thomas in such a position he could then have more control over Church affairs. A mistake he was soon to regret.

Thomas was born in the city of London in 1118. His father was a Norman knight, Gilbert, who had become a prosperous merchant in London; his mother was also Norman. To his mother he owed his early piety, his devotion to our Lady, and generosity to the poor. As a boy Thomas liked to play field sports. After school at Merton priory and Paris he became, at twenty-one, financial clerk to a relative in the city. Three years later he was employed by Archbishop Theobald.

At thirty-six years old Thomas had warned the King against recommending him for Archbishop of Canterbury, as conflicts over Church issues would certainly be unavoidable. With a Cardinal's insistence Thomas accepted the office. He was ordained a priest and then a bishop. He immediately led a more austere and spiritual lifestyle and devoted himself to the interests of the Church. To the Kings displeasure he gave up his office as chancellor.

Soon the new Archbishop found himself opposing policies of the King. Conflicts reached a crisis point when in 1164 the King demanded assent to the Constitutions of Clarendon, which brought back customs of the past that were contrary to the law of the Church and the practice of the papacy. Thomas gave in for a short time but then he opposed the King. Facing threats of death or imprisonment Thomas fled to France where Pope Alexander III was residing. Together they tried to settle the controversy and bring back peace to the Church in England.

Thomas returned to Canterbury in 1170 under a tentative peaceful accord reached with the King while he was in France. Thomas' opponent, the Archbishop of York, told the King that while Thomas lived he would never have peace. The King responded to him by exclaiming angrily, "Who will rid me of this meddlesome priest?"

Four knights hearing this thought they would gain the King's favor by getting rid of Thomas. On December 29th the knights followed Thomas to the Cathedral and killed him. Thomas was canonized by the Pope two years later and King Henry II in 1174 did public penance at the Shrine of St. Thomas of Canterbury. Because so many miracles occurred at this Shrine it became, for the rest of the Middle Ages, the wealthiest and most famous one in all of Europe.

St. Thomas is an example for us today of a person who kept priorities straight in his allegiance to both his country and his Church. When the two came in conflict, he correctly chose to obey the Church. His last words are reported to have been "I accept death for the Name of Jesus and for the Church."

From the government and sometimes at work there is pressure from those in authority and those around us to compromise our allegiance to the beliefs and morals the Church has given us. At times like this we, like St. Thomas, are called upon to oppose misguided authority for the sake of Christ and His Church. Jesus warned His followers of persecution.

May we, like St. Thomas, remain steadfast in our uncompromising fidelity to Christ and His Church.

(Monks of adoration)

Here's a little quiz: Can you name another martyr saint from England who defied the King's demands? Hint: The first name is also Thomas.

The Holy Innocents, Martyrs

Today is the fourth day of Christmas. We remember the innocent children slaughtered by King Herod as a way of disposing of the Hebrew King. Little did he know that the King's Throne would be a manger.

Today, dearest brethren, we celebrate the birthday of those children who were slaughtered, as the Gospel tells us, by that exceedingly cruel king, Herod. Let the earth, therefore, rejoice and the Church exult — she, the fruitful mother of so many heavenly champions and of such glorious virtues. Never, in fact, would that impious tyrant have been able to benefit these children by the sweetest kindness as much as he has done by his hatred. For as today's feast reveals, in the measure with which malice in all its fury was poured out upon the holy children, did heaven's blessing stream down upon them.

"Blessed are you, Bethlehem in the land of Judah! You suffered the inhumanity of King Herod in the murder of your babes and thereby have become worthy to offer to the Lord a pure host of infants. In full right do we celebrate the heavenly birthday of these children whom the world caused to be born unto an eternally blessed life rather than that from their mothers' womb, for they attained the grace of everlasting life before the enjoyment of the present. The precious death of any martyr deserves high praise because of his heroic confession; the death of these children is precious in the sight of God because of the beatitude they gained so quickly. For already at the beginning of their lives they pass on. The end of the present life is for them the beginning of glory. These then, whom Herod's cruelty tore as sucklings from their mothers' bosom, are justly hailed as "infant martyr flowers"; they were the Church's first blossoms, matured by the frost of persecution during the cold winter of unbelief.

-St. Augustine

(Catholic Culture)

Today let us also remember in our prayers all the unborn children.

O! Mary Mother of Jesus and Our Mother,

Together with St. Michael, the Archangel

and the heavenly army of Angels,

Protect the unborn.

And all innocent children of God.

Ask our Heavenly Father to forgive and

Convert those who advocate or

Practice abortion,

And to instill in them respect and

Reverence for all human life and dignity.

Grant this world that peace and justice

that can only come from following

Your Son, Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

St. John, Beloved Apostle of Jesus

We celebrated yesterday, December 27th, the third day of Christmas on the feast of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist. He was a fisherman by trade; the son of Zebedee and Salome and the brother of St. James the Great.

We learn from him a great many virtues:

Devotion and loyalty to God for he was the only apostle who remained at the foot of the Cross;

Holy zeal for he outran St. Peter at the tomb of Our Lord;

Purity of heart for he was the first to recognize the Risen Lord at Lake Tiberias;

Deep love for the Mother of God for he was the first guardian of Our Lady;

Patience and Charity for he trusted in God during affliction and persecution.

St. John, the son of Zebedee, and the brother of St. James the Great, was called to be an Apostle by our Lord in the first year of His public ministry. He became the "beloved disciple" and the only one of the Twelve who did not forsake the Savior in the hour of His Passion. He stood faithfully at the cross when the Savior made him the guardian of His Mother. His later life was passed chiefly in Jerusalem and at Ephesus. He founded many churches in Asia Minor.

He wrote the fourth Gospel, and three Epistles, and the Book of Revelation is also attributed to him. Brought to Rome, tradition relates that he was by order of Emperor Dometian cast into a cauldron of boiling oil but came forth unhurt and was banished to the island of Pathmos for a year. He lived to an extreme old age, surviving all his fellow apostles, and died at Ephesus about the year 100.

St. John is called the Apostle of Charity, a virtue he had learned from his Divine Master, and which he constantly inculcated by word and example. The "beloved disciple" died at Ephesus, where a stately church was erected over his tomb. It was afterwards converted into a Mohammedan mosque.

John is credited with the authorship of three epistles and one Gospel, although many scholars believe that the final editing of the Gospel was done by others shortly after his death. He is also supposed by many to be the author of the book of Revelation, also called the Apocalypse, although this identification is less certain.

Catholic Online

Rejoice Jesus Christ is Born!

This wonderful sermon by St. Peter Canisius via The Real Presence reminds us that without Christmas Day, we would be worse off than unbelieving pagans.

Christmas Is Nothing If Not a Day for Universal Joy

“If Therefore there was ever a good reason to rejoice over the birth of any child, it must surely be to-day on the birthday of Jesus, the Son of Mary, who alone of all men is called and truly is ‘God with’ us’—of whom alone it can be said that ‘the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us.’ Christmas Day is nothing if not a day of universal joy. Children should rejoice because on this day God Himself became as one of them; virgins, because a Virgin brought forth and remained unstained even after giving birth; wives, because one of their number became the Mother of God; sinners, because their Mediator and Saviour and Healer has come to redeem them; the just, because their Reward exceeding great has been born into the world. In fine, all faithful Christians should rejoice that their Creator and Lord has taken on human flesh and begun His reign over the hearts of men, not only as God, but also as the Son of Man among the children of men.

“Were we not to celebrate the Feast of Christmas as joyfully and as solemnly as we should, we would be worse than the stiff-necked Jews or unbelieving pagans, who for all their sins at least were not wanting in due respect for the birthdays of the great ones who lorded over them. Do I say worse than infidels and Jews? Worse than the beasts of the field who cannot show their appreciation of God’s becoming man because they do not know Him, but we know Him and know what His coming in our flesh has meant to us. If you do not believe me, believe the Catholic Church which for so many centuries has gone to the limit of propriety in exulting over the birth of her Redeemer. If you will not even believe the Church, at least listen to the Angel who was sent from heaven to announce the tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people, believers and pagans, Jews and Gentiles—to all without exception.”

Boxing Day

Happy Boxing Day to all who celebrate it.

In the United Kingdom, it's a day of watching football!

In Australia, it's a day for yacht races and cricket matches.

In most of Europe, the day is remembered as St. Stephen's day.

In North America, it is a day of consumerism, when many retail stores sell their products at discounted rates.... sigh : (

Origins of Boxing Day

A popular Christmas custom in Britain is "Boxing" on the feast of St. Stephen, December 26. Originating in medieval times, the priests would empty alms boxes in all churches on the day after Christmas and distribute the gifts to the poor. There is a similar tradition in Germany.

In imitation of this Church practice, the workers, apprentices, and servants kept their own personal "boxes" made of earthenware in which they stored savings and donations throughout the year. At Christmas came the last and greatest flow of coins, collected from patrons, customers, and friends. Then, on the day after Christmas, the box was broken and the money counted. This custom was eventually called "boxing" (giving and accepting presents). Each present is "boxed", and the day of present-giving is "boxing day."

A similar custom prevailed in Holland and some parts of Germany. Children were taught to save their pennies in a pig-shaped earthenware box. This box was not to be opened until Christmas, and consequently was called the "feast pig." From this custom, we now have our piggy banks.

(Catholic Culture)

St. Stephen, Martyr

Today is the second day of Christmas. Follow the twelve days of Christmas here.

Stephen's name means "crown," and he was the first disciple of Jesus to receive the martyr's crown. Stephen was a deacon in the early Christian Church. The apostles had found that they needed helpers to look after the care of the widows and the poor. So they ordained seven deacons, and Stephen is the most famous of these.

God worked many miracles through St. Stephen and he spoke with such wisdom and grace that many of his hearers became followers of Jesus. The enemies of the Church of Jesus were furious to see how successful Stephen's preaching was. At last, they laid a plot for him. They could not answer his wise argument, so they got men to lie about him, saying that he had spoken sinfully against God. St. Stephen faced that great assembly of enemies without fear. In fact, the Holy Bible says that his face looked like the face of an angel.

The saint spoke about Jesus, showing that He is the Savior, God had promised to send. He scolded his enemies for not having believed in Jesus. At that, they rose up in great anger and shouted at him. But Stephen looked up to Heaven and said that he saw the heavens opening and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

His hearers plugged their ears and refused to listen to another word. They dragged St. Stephen outside the city of Jerusalem and stoned him to death. The saint prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" Then he fell to his knees and begged God not to punish his enemies for killing him.
After such an expression of love, the holy martyr went to his heavenly reward. His feast day is December 26th.

From Catholic Online.

Christmas Urbi et Orbi

Hat tip to Danny at Irish and Dangerous, for the Pope's Urbi et Orbi Christmas message via The Vatican.

December 25, 2005 was the second time the Pope appeared at the loggia, the first time was on April 18, 2005 upon his election as Pope. See the wonderful photos courtesy of Mexico Siempre Fiel.

"I bring you good news of a great joy … for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord" (Lk 2:10-11).

Last night we heard once more the Angel’s message to the shepherds, and we experienced anew the atmosphere of that holy Night, Bethlehem Night, when the Son of God became man, was born in a lowly stable and dwelt among us. On this solemn day, the Angel’s proclamation rings out once again, inviting us, the men and women of the third millennium, to welcome the Saviour. May the people of today’s world not hesitate to let him enter their homes, their cities, their nations, everywhere on earth! In the millennium just past, and especially in the last centuries, immense progress was made in the areas of technology and science. Today we can dispose of vast material resources. But the men and women in our technological age risk becoming victims of their own intellectual and technical achievements, ending up in spiritual barrenness and emptiness of heart. That is why it is so important for us to open our minds and hearts to the Birth of Christ, this event of salvation which can give new hope to the life of each human being.

Wake up, O man! For your sake God became man" (Saint Augustine, Sermo, 185. Wake up, O men and women of the third millennium!

At Christmas, the Almighty becomes a child and asks for our help and protection. His way of showing that he is God challenges our way of being human. By knocking at our door, he challenges us and our freedom; he calls us to examine how we understand and live our lives. The modern age is often seen as an awakening of reason from its slumbers, humanity’s enlightenment after an age of darkness. Yet without the light of Christ, the light of reason is not sufficient to enlighten humanity and the world. For this reason, the words of the Christmas Gospel: "the true Light that enlightens every man was coming into this world" (Jn 1:9) resound now more than ever as a proclamation of salvation. "It is only in the mystery of the Word made flesh that the mystery of humanity truly becomes clear" (Gaudium et Spes, 22). The Church does not tire of repeating this message of hope reaffirmed by the Second Vatican Council, which concluded forty years ago.

Men and women of today, humanity come of age yet often still so frail in mind and will, let the Child of Bethlehem take you by the hand! Do not fear; put your trust in him! The life-giving power of his light is an incentive for building a new world order based on just ethical and economic relationships. May his love guide every people on earth and strengthen their common consciousness of being a "family" called to foster relationships of trust and mutual support. A united humanity will be able to confront the many troubling problems of the present time: from the menace of terrorism to the humiliating poverty in which millions of human beings live, from the proliferation of weapons to the pandemics and the environmental destruction which threatens the future of our planet.

May the God who became man out of love for humanity strengthen all those in Africa who work for peace, integral development and the prevention of fratricidal conflicts, for the consolidation of the present, still fragile political transitions, and the protection of the most elementary rights of those experiencing tragic humanitarian crises, such as those in Darfur and in other regions of central Africa. May he lead the peoples of Latin America to live in peace and harmony. May he grant courage to people of good will in the Holy Land, in Iraq, in Lebanon, where signs of hope, which are not lacking, need to be confirmed by actions inspired by fairness and wisdom; may he favour the process of dialogue on the Korean peninsula and elsewhere in the countries of Asia, so that, by the settlement of dangerous disputes, consistent and peaceful conclusions can be reached in a spirit of friendship, conclusions which their peoples expectantly await.

At Christmas we contemplate God made man, divine glory hidden beneath the poverty of a Child wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger; the Creator of the Universe reduced to the helplessness of an infant. Once we accept this paradox, we discover the Truth that sets us free and the Love that transforms our lives. On Bethlehem Night, the Redeemer becomes one of us, our companion along the precarious paths of history. Let us take the hand which he stretches out to us: it is a hand which seeks to take nothing from us, but only to give.

With the shepherds let us enter the stable of Bethlehem beneath the loving gaze of Mary, the silent witness of his miraculous birth. May she help us to experience the happiness of Christmas, may she teach us how to treasure in our hearts the mystery of God who for our sake became man; and may she help us to bear witness in our world to his truth, his love and his peace.

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES!

Advent Novena: Day Nine

Opening Prayer:

Father, all powerful and ever-living God, we give You thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord. When He humbled Himself to come among us as a Man, He fulfilled the plan You formed long ago and opened for us the way to salvation. Now we watch for the day, hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours, when Christ our Lord will come again in His Glory.

Day Nine

Almighty Father, give us true faith and love to celebrate the mystery of God made man. May we who celebrate the birth of Your Son as Man rejoice in the gift of eternal life when He comes in glory. May we share more fully in His Divine life, for He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever. Amen.

In memory of the coming of our Lord and Savior, we beg You, Father, to grant us the graces we need to be prepared for His coming to our souls on Christmas. We ask in particular this favor: (mention your request). For the love Jesus, Your Son, has shown us in becoming man to save us, we beg You to grant our prayers, if it be Your holy will. Amen. (Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory)

The History of the Creche

One of the most beautiful Christmas traditions is setting up a creche during the Advent season. A creche is a model of the scene at the manger on the first Christmas in the stable at Bethlehem. A creche can be a small model, set up in the home or a large scene set up at a church or lawn.The word creche is from the French word for manger.

The French word comes from the Italian word Greccio. Greccio was the town where the first manger scene was set up by St. Francis of Assisi, in 1223. Before that time, many churches had built mangers, but these early mangers were covered with gold, silver, and jewels. They were much fancier than the original manger in which the Christ child was laid.

St. Francis wanted people to remember that Jesus was born in a humble stable. He asked a farmer friend of his to help by bringing an ox, a donkey, a manger and some straw to a nearby cave. On Christmas Eve, St.Francis and the people of Greccio met in this cave. By candlelight,they acted out the story of Jesus' birth.

(Source: Bill Petro)

Blessing of the Christmas creche

Advent Novena: Day Eight

Opening Prayer:

Father, all powerful and ever-living God, we give You thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord. When He humbled Himself to come among us as a Man, He fulfilled the plan You formed long ago and opened for us the way to salvation. Now we watch for the day, hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours, when Christ our Lord will come again in His Glory.

Day Eight

Father, creator and redeemer of mankind, You decreed and Your word became Man, born of the Virgin Mary. May we come to share the Divintiy of Christ, Who humbeld Himself to share our human nature. Renew us by the coming feast of Your Son's birth.

In memory of the coming of our Lord and Savior, we beg You, Father, to grant us the graces we need to be prepared for His coming to our souls on Christmas. We ask in particular this favor: (mention your request). For the love Jesus, Your Son, has shown us in becoming man to save us, we beg You to grant our prayers, if it be Your holy will. Amen. (Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory)

The Pope Is Joyfully Busy

Dec. 22: He will hold a reception for the leaders of the Roman Curia, to exchange Christmas greetings.

Dec. 24: On Christmas Eve the Pope will preside at midnight Mass in the Vatican basilica.

Dec. 25: At noon, he will deliver his Urbi et Orbi blessing, with his Christmas message to the world, from the loggia of the basilica.

Dec 26: the feast of St. Stephen, the Pope will hold another Angelus audience.

Dec. 28: he will make his usual weekly public audience on Wednesday.

Dec. 31: New Year's Eve, the Pope will lead the singing of the Te Deum, in the Vatican basilica, in thanksgiving for the blessings of the passing year.

Jan. 1: he will celebrate Mass for the feast of Mary, Mother of God. He will also formally deliver his message for the World Day of Peace, with all members of the Vatican diplomatic corps invited to attend.

January 6: Ordaining new bishops on the feast of the Epiphany

January 8: baptizing babies on the feast of the Baptism of Christ.

January 9: the Pope will his annual address to the Vatican diplomatic corps, giving his rundown on the most important questions on the international scene.

Advent Novena: Day Seven

Opening Prayer:

Father, all powerful and ever-living God, we give You thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord. When He humbled Himself to come among us as a Man, He fulfilled the plan You formed long ago and opened for us the way to salvation. Now we watch for the day, hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours, when Christ our Lord will come again in His Glory.

Day Seven

Father, keep us faithful to Thee that through our Lord Jesus, Your Son, we may be helped through life and brought to salvation.

In memory of the coming of our Lord and Savior, we beg You, Father, to grant us the graces we need to be prepared for His coming to our souls on Christmas. We ask in particular this favor: (mention your request).

For the love Jesus, Your Son, has shown us in becoming man to save us, we beg You to grant our prayers, if it be Your holy will. Amen. (Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory)

Pope Asks For Continued Prayers

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI recalled the "fright" he felt at being elected pope, telling cardinals during his year-end speech Thursday that he never imagined he would be chosen and only agreed to it because he had great faith in God.

Benedict reviewed what he called the "great events" that affected the Roman Catholic Church in 2005, highlighting the suffering and death of Pope John Paul II, the 40th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and the World Youth Day celebrations in Cologne, Germany.

He left the April 19 conclave that elected him pope to the end of the lengthy speech, saying he felt "not a little bit of fright" when he was chosen by the College of Cardinals to succeed John Paul.

"Such a job was completely beyond anything I could ever have imagined as my vocation," he told the cardinals and Roman curia gathered in the Sala Clementina of the Vatican's Apostolic Palace. "As such, it was only with a great act of faith in God that I could say in obedience my 'yes' to this choice."

He asked the prelates for their continued prayers.

Read more here.

The Austere Life of Pope Benedict XVI

This article is a wonderful account of the Holy Father's life in the Vatican. It has been translated from Italian by a Ratzinger fan club member and an excerpt is presented here.

The austere life of a Pope who loves silence By Herve Yannou, Figaro correspondent in Rome

The Vatican prepares to celebrate the first Christmas in the pontificate of Benedict XVI.

On this occasion, we look into the daily routine of the German who became Pope on April 19. The creche has been installed at the foot of the obelisk on St. Peter’s Square, in the shadow of the giant fir that is this year’s Vatican Christmas tree. In this early morning hour, the bronze gates that constitute the official entrance to the Vatican, with Swiss Guards on duty, are still closed. It is 5:30 a.m. A light goes on in the right-hand corner of the third floor of the Apostolic Palace (1)*. Benedict XVI is awake. *[Numbers in parentheses refer to location on the floor plan in the accompanying illustration]

In Rome, there are no secrets but mysteries. Since his election, the rooms occupied up there by the Pope have not always revealed their mysteries. With Benedict XVI, the doors of the pontifical apartments have closed once again. John Paul II kept an open door. He received guests every morning for his private mass, almost never ate lunch or dinner alone. It was easy then to glean bits of information after these pontifical meals. These days, his successor’s guests do not expect to be fed. Benedict XVI has maintained the austere life style he led before he became Pope. Except for a small number of privileged guests, he does not receive anyone in his private quarters. The Pope governs the Church from this “ivory tower”, out of sight and more importantly, away from the ears of indiscreet listeners. More than ever, silence is golden for the Bavarian Pope.

Read the rest here.

What To Give Our Priests For Christmas

Prayers make better presents for priests than most items, say some

By Carla Banks-Williams
Catholic News Service

COLUMBUS, Ohio (CNS) -- How many rosaries, crucifixes and Bibles does a priest receive for Christmas? Answer: enough to open a Catholic book and gift shop.

Parish secretaries, administrators and family members of priests all agree -- priests do not need any more sacramentals as gifts.

Read more here.

The Light of Christmas

LIGHT OF CHRISTMAS, A SYMBOL OF GOOD THAT CONQUERS EVIL

VATICAN CITY, DEC 21, 2005 (VIS) - "The light of Christmas" was the theme of Benedict XVI's special catechesis in today's pre-Christmas general audience, which was held in St. Peter's Square in the presence of 15,000 people.

"Today's audience is taking place in a climate of joyful and eager expectation as we await the imminent Christmas festivities," said the Pope, adding that many symbols help us to understand the mystery of Christmas, "among them that of the light, which is one of the richest in spiritual significance."

Read more here.

The Pope's Camauro

Pope Benedict XVI, wearing the traditional camauro on his way to the Wednesday general audience, December 21, 2005.


The camauro is the white fur-trimmed red bonnet reserved to Popes in place of the biretta. No Pope since John XXIII (d. 1963) has used it.


The camauro, like the biretta, evolved from the academic cap of the Middle Ages. Unlike the biretta, however, it did not evolve much. The camauro in its present form was established by the twelfth century. (Source: The Camauro)



Click here and see his namesake, Pope Benedict XIV wearing the camauro.

(Images from Associated Press)

Catholic blogworld reports with delight. Read Bettnet.com's "Santa Pope" ; Curt Jester's "Ho Ho Holy See" and Relax it's Papal attire".

Advent Novena: Day Six

Opening Prayer:

Father, all powerful and ever-living God, we give You thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord. When He humbled Himself to come among us as a Man, He fulfilled the plan You formed long ago and opened for us the way to salvation. Now we watch for the day, hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours, when Christ our Lord will come again in His Glory.

Day Six

O Lord God, our sins bring us unhappiness. Hear our prayers for courage and strength. May the coming of our Redeemer, Jesus Your Son, bring us the joy and peace so that He may always reign in our hearts.

In memory of the coming of our Lord and Savior, we beg You, Father, to grant us the graces we need to be prepared for His coming to our souls on Christmas. We ask in particular this favor: (mention your request). For the love Jesus, Your Son, has shown us in becoming man to save us, we beg You to grant our prayers, if it be Your holy will. Amen. (Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory)

Come Lord Jesus!

VIRTUAL ADVENT CALENDAR

Prayer to the Coming Savior

Jesus, our Lord, save me from my sins.
Come protect me from all dangers and lead me to salvation.

Come! Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with
power and love: teach me to walk in the paths of knowledge!

Come! Leader of ancient Israel, giver of the Law of Moses on
Sinai: rescue me with Your mighty power!

Come! Flower of Jesse's stem, sign of God's love for all His
people: save me without delay!

Come! Key of David, opening the gates of God's eternal Kingdom:
free the prisoners of darkness!

Come! Emmanuel, God's presence among us, our King, our Judge:
save us, Lord our God!

Come! King of all nations, source of Your Church's unity and faith:
save all mankind Your own creation!

Come! Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, Sun of Justice:
shine on those lost in the darkness of death!

Come! Lord Jesus, do not delay: give new courage to Your people
who trust in Your love. By Your coming, raise us to the joy of Your
Kingdom, where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever. Amen.

(From the Treasury of Novenas)

Advent Novena: Day Five

Opening Prayer:

Father, all powerful and ever-living God, we give You thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord. When He humbled Himself to come among us as a Man, He fulfilled the plan You formed long ago and opened for us the way to salvation. Now we watch for the day, hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours, when Christ our Lord will come again in His Glory.

Day Five

Eternal Father, help us to look forward in hope to the coming of our Savior. May we live as He has taught, ready to welcome Him with burning love and faith. Let Your glory dawn to take away our darkness, and may we be revealed as a child of light at His coming. Let the light of His coming free us from the darkness of sin and renew His life within us.

In memory of the coming of our Lord and Savior, we beg You, Father, to grant us the graces we need to be prepared for His coming to our souls on Christmas. We ask in particular this favor: (mention your request). For the love Jesus, Your Son, has shown us in becoming man to save us, we beg You to grant our prayers, if it be Your holy will. Amen. (Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory)

Advent Novena: Day Four

Opening Prayer:

Father, all powerful and ever-living God, we give You thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord. When He humbled Himself to come among us as a Man, He fulfilled the plan You formed long ago and opened for us the way to salvation. Now we watch for the day, hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours, when Christ our Lord will come again in His Glory.

Day Four

Almighty God, help us to look forward to the glory of the birth of Christ our Savior, His coming is proclaimed joyfully in all the world. We await His healing power. Let us not be discouraged by our weaknesses as we prepare for His coming. Keep us steadfast in Your Love. Give us the joy of Your love to prepare the way for Him. Help us to serve You and our neighbor.

In memory of the coming of our Lord and Savior, we beg You, Father, to grant us the graces we need to be prepared for His coming to our souls on Christmas. We ask in particular this favor: (mention your request). For the love Jesus, Your Son, has shown us in becoming man to save us, we beg You to grant our prayers, if it be Your holy will. Amen. (Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory)

A Christmas Card, A Rosary and More

Via Antonia's World, we learn of Pope Benedict's Christmas presents to the Vatican employees. In addition, they receive a Christmas bonus in their paychecks. Read more here.

The Pope's Messages As Christmas Draws Nears

THE CHRISTMAS TREE

"The Christmas tree is a sign of the "brilliant light" of Jesus", says Benedict XVI. "At Christmas the joyful announcement of the birth of the Redeemer resounds in all parts of the globe: The hoped-for Messiah was made man and dwelt among us," the Holy Father told his guests in the Hall of Blessings in the Apostolic Palace. "With his luminous presence," Benedict XVI continued, "Jesus has dissipated the shadows of error and sin and has brought to humanity the joy of divine blind love, of which the Christmas tree is a sign and a reminder." (Zenit)

THE REAL CHRISTMAS GIFT

The Pope wearing the traditional white winter coat after visiting Santa Maria Consolatrice Parish.

..."joy is the true gift of Christmas, and not the expensive gifts that cost time and money."

"In today's world, God is absent," Benedict said. "People need anesthesia to live. They live in a dark world." Benedict said joy liberates people. "With a smile, an act of kindness, a little help, forgiveness, you can bring joy, and that joy will come back to you," the pope said. More here

THE CULTIVATION OF SILENCE IN A NOISY WORLD

Let's allow ourselves to be "infected" by the silence of St. Joseph! It is so lacking in this world which is often too noisy, which is not favorable to recollection and listening to the voice of God. In this time of preparation for Christmas, let us cultivate interior recollection so as to receive and keep Jesus in our lives. Read entire article here.

Advent Novena: Day Three

Opening Prayer:
Father, all powerful and ever-living God, we give You thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord. When He humbled Himself to come among us as a Man, He fulfilled the plan You formed long ago and opened for us the way to salvation. Now we watch for the day, hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours, when Christ our Lord will come again in His Glory.

Day Three
Almighty Father, You loved the world so much You gave Your only Son to free us from the ancient power of sin and death. Help us who wait for His coming, and lead us to true liberty. Free us from our sins, and make us whole. Hear our prayers and prepare us to celebrate the incarnation of Your Son.

In memory of the coming of our Lord and Savior, we beg You, Father, to grant us the graces we need to be prepared for His coming to our souls on Christmas. We ask in particular this favor: (mention your request).

For the love Jesus, Your Son, has shown us in becoming man to save us, we beg You to grant our prayers, if it be Your holy will. Amen.

(Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory)

Advent Novena: Day Two

Opening Prayer:

Father, all powerful and ever-living God, we give You thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord. When He humbled Himself to come among us as a Man, He fulfilled the plan You formed long ago and opened for us the way to salvation. Now we watch for the day, hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours, when Christ our Lord will come again in His Glory.

Day Two

Lord our God, help us to prepare well for the coming of Christ Your Son. May He find us waiting, eager in joyful prayer. God of mercy and consolation, help us in our weakness and free us from sin. Hear our prayer that we may rejoice at the coming of Your Son.

In memory of the coming of our Lord and Savior, we beg You, Father, to grant us the graces we need to be prepared for His coming to our souls on Christmas. We ask in particular this favor: (mention your request).

For the love Jesus, Your Son, has shown us in becoming man to save us, we beg You to grant our prayers, if it be Your holy will. Amen.

(Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory)

Advent Novena Begins: Day One

Advent Novena begins today. The novena is from December 16 to 24. You may pray from your desktop.

Opening Prayer:

Father, all powerful and ever-living God, we give You thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord. When He humbled Himself to come among us as a Man, He fulfilled the plan You formed long ago and opened for us the way to salvation. Now we watch for the day, hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours, when Christ our Lord will come again in His Glory.


Day One

O Lord God, Your Son’s future coming was proclaimed by all the prophets. The Virgin Mother bore Him in her womb with love beyond all telling. John the Baptist was His herald and made Him known when at last He came. In His love He has filled us with joy as we prepare to celebrate His birth. When He comes, may He find us watching in prayer, our hearts filled with wonder and praise.

In memory of the coming of our Lord and Savior, we beg You, Father, to grant us the graces we need to be prepared for His coming to our souls on Christmas. We ask in particular this favor: (mention your request).

For the love Jesus, Your Son, has shown us in becoming man to save us, we beg You to grant our prayers, if it be Your holy will.

Pope Names New Bishop of San Francisco

According to Recta Ratio, our new local bishop of San Francisco has been named as Most Reverend George Hugh Niederauer, currently Bishop of Salt Lake City.

Update: Announcement of appointment of San Francisco Archbishop by Pope Benedict

Awaiting The Christ Child

[Edit] We are awaiting the birth of Baby Jesus in Bethlehem in a manger. The Word made Flesh Who saves us from sin. What would it be like to approach the Child Jesus lying in the manger and bring Him into your arms and kiss Him? He would gaze at you with His pure and innocent infant eyes with so much love that you would never want to part with Him again. But soon you would have to place Him back in His Crib, with the hope that someday you will join Him again in Heaven, this time never to be parted from Him again. He is and will always be our Joy and our Peace. Let us be ready to kiss the Christchild when He comes on Christmas. Rejoice! The Savior is near!


Why does the Pope kiss babies? The same reason why we are all inclined to kiss babies, because they bring joy and peace to the human heart and because he loves them. It is also to bless them and to testify to the world that children are gifts from God. Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them" (Matthew 19:14). We must always bring our children to the Lord and we also must be like little children. Let us prepare for Him, the King Who is to come!

The Pope's Schedule In Coming Days

From Catholic World News

Dec. 15: The Pope will greet the students and teachers of Rome in the Vatican basilica, at the conclusion of a Mass to be celebrated by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the Pope's vicar for the Rome diocese.

Dec. 16: He will make a similar appearance after Mass to greet Italian soldiers.

Dec. 18: the Pope will make the first visit of his pontificate to a parish in Rome, traveling to Santa Maria Consolatrice, which was once his titular parish, in the Casalbertone section. He will celebrate Mass there in the morning, returning at midday for the Angelus audience in St. Peter's Square.

Dec. 22: He will hold a reception for the leaders of the Roman Curia, to exchange Christmas greetings.

Dec. 24: On Christmas Eve the Pope will preside at midnight Mass in the Vatican basilica.

Dec. 25: At noon, he will deliver his Urbi et Orbi blessing, with his Christmas message to the world, from the loggia of the basilica.

Dec 26: the feast of St. Stephen, the Pope will hold another Angelus audience.

Dec. 28: he will make his usual weekly public audience on Wednesday.

Dec. 31: New Year's Eve, the Pope will lead the singing of the Te Deum, in the Vatican basilica, in thanksgiving for the blessings of the passing year.

Jan. 1: he will celebrate Mass for the feast of Mary, Mother of God. He will also formally deliver his message for the World Day of Peace, with all members of the Vatican diplomatic corps invited to attend.

The pontifical household still has not announced whether Pope Benedict will continue with two traditions for the beginning of the new year: ordaining new bishops on January 6, the feast of the Epiphany; and baptizing babies on January 8, the feast of the Baptism of Christ. (The former ceremony is traditionally held in St. Peter's Basilica, while the latter is in the Sistine Chapel.)

However it has been confirmed that the Pope will his annual address to the Vatican diplomatic corps, giving his rundown on the most important questions on the international scene, on January 9.

Publishers Meet In The Vatican

Father Joseph Fessio, SJ is in Rome to present safeguarding policies to the Vatican and to international publishers who hold rights to Cardinal Ratzinger's work.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Companies that have held the rights to publish the written works of the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger met at the Vatican to discuss the limits and obligations of those rights. The Dec. 13-16 meeting was called to discuss "common editorial policies to protect the thought of Joseph Ratzinger," said Jesuit Father Joseph Fessio, whose Ignatius Press holds the English-language rights to works written by Pope Benedict XVI prior to his election.

Read more here.

The Pope Blesses the Bambinelli

Pope Benedict blessed the "Bambinelli" that children brought with them to bring it home carrying a message of Christmas peace to their families. Pope John Paul II also did this during the Advent season and Benedict continues the tradition.

"The Crib Can Help Us"
VATICAN CITY, DEC. 11, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave today at the recitation of the midday Angelus.

* * * Dear Brothers and Sisters: After celebrating the solemnity of Mary's Immaculate Conception, we enter these days in the evocative atmosphere of preparations for this coming holy Christmas. In the present-day consumer society, this period suffers, unfortunately, a sort of commercial "contamination," which runs the risk of altering its authentic spirit, characterized by recollection, sobriety, a joy that is not exterior but profound.

Therefore, it is providential that, as a door of entrance to Christmas, the feast exists of the Mother of Jesus, who better than any one, can guide us to know, love and worship the Son of God made man. Therefore, let us allow her to accompany us; may her sentiments encourage us to predispose ourselves with sincerity of heart and openness of spirit to recognize the Son of God in the Child of Bethlehem, come to earth for our redemption.

Let us walk with her in prayer and accept the reiterated invitation addressed to us by the Advent liturgy to remain in expectation, in a vigilant and joyful expectation, as the Lord will not delay: He comes to deliver his people from sin. Continuing a beautiful and consolidated tradition, in many families the crib begins to be prepared, as if to relive with Mary these days full of trepidation that preceded Jesus' birth. To set up the crib at home can be a simple but effective way of presenting the faith and transmitting it to one's children.

The manger helps us to contemplate the mystery of God's love who revealed himself in the poverty and simplicity of the Bethlehem cave. St. Francis of Assisi was so overwhelmed by the mystery of the Incarnation, that he wanted to present it again in Greccio with the living manger, thus becoming the initiator of a long popular tradition which still keeps its value for evangelization today. The crib can help us, in fact, to understand the secret of the true Christmas, because it speaks of humility and the merciful goodness of Christ, who "though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor" (2 Corinthians 8:9).

His poverty enriches those who embrace it and Christmas brings joy and peace to those who, as the shepherds, accept in Bethlehem the words of the angel: "And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger" (Luke 2:12). It continues to be a sign also for us, men and women of the 21st century. There is no other Christmas.

As our beloved John Paul II did, in a few moments I will also bless the images of the Child Jesus that the children of Rome will place in the crib in their homes. With this gesture, I want to invoke the Lord's help so that all Christian families will prepare to celebrate with faith the forthcoming Christmas feasts. May Mary help us to enter into the genuine spirit of Christmas. [Translation by ZENIT]

[After praying the Angelus, the Holy Father greeted pilgrims in several languages. In English, he said:] On this Third Sunday of Advent I welcome the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present for our Angelus prayer. As we prepare for the Lord's coming at Christmas, let us open our hearts more fully to his grace and to the hope held out by the Gospel. With great affection I invoke upon you and your families God's blessings of joy and peace.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Patroness of the Americas

I made a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico in August 2002, a month after Pope John Paul II canonized St. Juan Diego. Immediately, one falls in love once again with Our Lady as soon as you witness the thousands of people lining up to venerate her image. Mass is said on the hour, every hour and there is a continuous flow of pilgrims from other parts of Mexico and around the world.

She calls everyone of her children to come with faith and trust as in the front of the Basilica are her immortal words to Juan Diego in 1531 on the hill of Tepayac, "No estoy yo aquí que soy tu Madre? " (Am I not here who is your Mother?"). She brings all her children to her Divine Son.

One thing I noticed in the Basilica's gift shop. The people had displayed a huge image of Our Lady of Guadalupe beside the Shroud of Turin. Until that time, I had not yet seen such a beautiful testimony to the real living images of Our Lord and Our Lady.


Mesoamerica, the New World, 1521: The capital city of the Aztec empire falls under the Spanish forces. Less than 20 years later, 9 million of the inhabitants of the land, who professed for centuries a polytheistic and human sacrificing religion, are converted to Christianity. What happened in those times that produced such an incredible and historically unprecedented conversion?

In 1531 a "Lady from Heaven" appeared to a poor Indian at Tepeyac, a hill northwest of Mexico City; she identified herself as the Mother of the True God, instructed him to have the bishop build a temple on the site and left an image of herself imprinted miraculously on his tilma, a poor quality cactus-cloth, which should have deteriorated in 20 years but shows no sign of decay 469 years later and still defies all scientific explanations of its origin.

It apparently even reflects in her eyes what was in front of her in 1531!

Her message of love and compassion, and her universal promise of help and protection to all mankind, as well as the story of the apparitions, are described in the "Nican Mopohua", a 16th century document written in the native Nahuatl language.

There is reason to believe that at Tepeyac Mary came in her glorified body, and her actual physical hands rearranged the roses in Juan Diego’s tilma, which makes this apparition very special.
An incredible list of miracles, cures and interventions are attributed to Her. Yearly, an estimated 10 million visit her Basilica, making her Mexico City home the most popular Marian shrine in the world, and the most visited Catholic church in the world next to the Vatican.

Altogether 24 popes have officially honored Our Lady of Guadalupe. His Holiness John Paul II visited her Sanctuary four times: on his first apostolic trip outside Rome as Pope in 1979, and again in 1990, 1999 and 2002.

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated on December 12th. In 1999, Pope John Paul II, in his homily from the Solemn Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, during his third visit to the sanctuary, declared the date of December the 12th as a Liturgical Holy Day for the whole continent.

During the same visit Pope John Paul II entrusted the cause of life to her loving protection, and placed under her motherly care the innocent lives of children, especially those who are in danger of not being born.

From: Sancta.org and Image from Answers.com

Other wonderful information:

Homily of Pope John Paul on the Canonization of St. Juan Diego

The Apparitions

Tomorrow Is Gaudate Sunday

From Apostleship of Prayer

On Gaudate Sunday, the Church calls us to “Rejoice!” because Christmas is fast approaching. As we rejoice in the dignity of the human person which God revealed to us by becoming a human being, and as we pray that all people may find the answer to their questions in the Lord Jesus, we reflect on words from Fr. Benedict Groeschel’s book of Meditations “Behold, He Comes.”

Anyone can be happy, given the right set of circumstances; only the believer can rejoice. To rejoice is to have a joy that the world cannot take away. Such joy cannot be derived from a moment of sin or shallow success; it is much deeper, and cannot be taken away by time or chance or mishap or by the certainty of death. There are other kinds of joy, of course.

Respectable joy, such as what you see in old photographs of a party, or a prize won at sports, or at a wedding reception. The joy of a new job, a new home, a new baby. Thank God for such joys. But they fade.There is one joy that never fades. It is the joy of Christian hope. Sorrow cannot erode it, and time cannot carry it away. It is the joy of eternal life.

While we may find ways to preserve some of the simple joys of life, true eternal joy outshines them all. For it is only in the humble birth of the Son of God that passing joys have some hope of not disappearing like shadows. The Son of God was also a child of earth. His mother cuddled Him. The awe of the shepherds did not entirely displace ordinary feelings of delight at the sweet but mysterious baby. The people of His village were later surprised by His words and wisdom.

He became one of us. Rejoice because the passing joys of human life do not have to disappear forever. This Child will show us how to see them all in the mystery of endless day. Most precious of all joys are those that come from love. More than all else we do not want to be separated forever from those we love. He came that we may be forever with Him—and with them. Rejoice!

Have We Room For Him In Our Inn?

Advent is a time to reflect on how we have behaved this year. Have we been good or have we been bad? Have we been like the innkeeper in the Infant Narratives who turned the Holy Family away because "there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke: 2, 7)?

What are we doing this Advent season to prepare for the coming of the Lord? How are we making use of these weeks to prepare for Christmas? Shopping? Decorating? Getting anxious over what to cook and what to wear? Eating and drinking to our hearts content?

Are we ready to welcome Jesus to our "inn"? How are we preparing our "inn" for the coming of Christ? Are we sweeping it and cleaning off the accumulated dust by going to Confession? Are we decorating our "inn" with flowers by our prayers and reflections? Are we serving the fruits of our labor by helping the poor, the needy, even the neglected among our family, relatives and friends whom we ought to spend time with in order to reconcile with them?

Perhaps the present culture has focused too much on the material gain rather than the spiritual gain of Christmas. Archbishop Chaput of Denver certainly believes so. It is now time to drop the shopping bags and pick up our lamps and prepare ourselves for the coming of the King.

Denver, Dec. 09, 2005 (CNA) - As the Catholic Church approaches the second half of Advent, and with it, the coming of Christmas, Denver’s Archbishop Charles Chaput is asking whether or not American culture really has room for Christ…or simply a secular construct of His birthday.

He begins his column, printed in Wednesday’s Denver Catholic Register, by citing a 1955 essay by author and Christian apologist, C.S. Lewis, who’s Chronicles of Narnia are slated to hit movie theaters this week.

Read more.

Mary Is Key To Council

Pope Benedict makes his way to the Spanish Steps in Rome where he paid homage to the statue of the Blessed Mother as did his predecessor, Pope John Paul II.

Vatican City, Dec. 08, 2005 (CNA) - During his extensive homily, on the occasion of the feast of the Immaculate Conception, celebrating the same day the 40th anniversary of the closing of the Vatican II Council, Pope Benedict said during the Mass celebrated in Saint Peters Basilica, that the Virgin Mary is “the key” to interpret the council documents. The Holy Father began his homily reminding the 40th anniversary of the closing of the Vatican II council, which happened in the same Basilica of Saint Peters.

“A Marian cornice that surrounds the Council. Really, it is much more than a cornice, it is a complete guiding of its path. It sends us, as the Counciliar Father refered to the image of the Virgin, that lives through the Word of God, that meditates in her heart, the words that come to her from God, which added as in a mosaic, teaches us to understand them.”

The Pope remarked that still remains “ indelible in my memory the moment in which, listening to the words “‘Mariam Sanctissimam declaramus Matrem Ecclesiae’, ‘we declare Mary Most Holy as Mother of the Church,' spontaneously the Fathers of the Church were lifted from their seats and applauded, giving homage to Mary, our Mother, Mother of the Church.”

According to Pope Benedict, “the Council strived to tell us this: Mary is so much linked to the great mystery of the Church, that She and the Church are inseparable as She is from Christ.” In Mary Immaculate, we find the essence of the Church in an unreformed way,” the Pope added. We should learn from her, how to become “ecclesial souls,’ as the counciliar fathers expressed it.

In the evening, on the Spanish square in Rome, Pope Benedict will give homage for the first time in his pontificate to the image of the Immaculate Conception, presenting to her a bouquet of flowers. The Pope looks up to the statue of the Blessed Virgin of the Immaculate Conception in Piazza di Spagna, where he offered her a bouquet of roses and bestowed his apostolic blessings upon the faithful.

An archived 2003 photo of firefighters laying flowers in preparation for the feast of the Immaculate Conception in the Piazza di Spagna in Rome. (from Associate Press via BBC.)

All images from Associated Press.