We must pray without tiring, for the salvation of mankind does not depend on material success… but on Jesus alone. - St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open the doors of hope. - Pope Benedict XVI
Accept this saving host, O Lord, which we offer you on the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We firmly believe that she was shielded from all stain of sin by Your prevenient grace; may we be freed from all our faults through her holy intercession. Secret prayer in the 1962 Missal for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Virgin Mary, conceived without sin, patroness of our country - pray for us!
Let your door stand open to receive Him, unlock your soul to Him, offer Him a welcome in your mind, and then you will see the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace, the joys of grace. Throw wide the gate of your heart, stand before the sun of the everlasting everlasting light. ~ St. Ambrose December 7 is the feast of St. Ambrose of Milan, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. St. Ambrose of Milan - pray for us!
The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic Gods giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves. -St. Nicholas of Myra December 6 is the feast of St. Nicholas of Myra, Bishop and Confessor. As the Archbishop of Myra Nicholas participate in the council of Nicea in AD 325 where he forcefully stood against the Arian heresy. St. Nicholas is remembered for his generosity for those in need, care for children, and concern for sailors. Today he is the patron of children, sailors, brewers, Russia and Greece. St. Nicholas of Myra - pray for us!
O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here, Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan's tyranny ; From depths of hell Thy people save, And give them victory o'er the grave. Rejoice ! Rejoice ! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, Thou Dayspring, from on high, And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death's dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice ! Rejoice ! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, Thou Key of David, come And open wide our heav'nly home ; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery. Rejoice ! Rejoice ! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, Adonai, Lord of might, Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height, In ancient times didst give the law In cloud and majesty and awe. Rejoice ! Rejoice ! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.
“Listen to me, people of all nations, men, women, and children, all of you who bear the Christian name: If any one preach to you something contrary to what the holy Catholic Church has received from the holy apostles and fathers and councils, and has kept down to the present day, do not heed him. Do not receive the serpent’s counsel, as Eve did, to whom it was death. If an angel or an emperor teaches you anything contrary to what you have received, shut your ears.” – St. John of Damascus in his Apologia Against Those Who Decry Holy Images. December 4 is the feast of St. John Damascene (675-749), a Syrian monk and priest who is remembered as a Doctor of the Church. St. John Damascene - pray for us!
No one can ever excel in great things who does not first excel in small. - St. Francis Xavier December 3 is the memorial of St. Francis Xavier. St. Francis Xavier was one of the first men to take vows as a Jesuit in 1534. He then traveled as a missionary through India, SE Asia and Japan. Today St. Francis Xavier is honored as the patron Saint of navigators, missionaries and many locales - from Green Bay, Wisconsin to Goa India.
Make known to me your ways, LORD; teach me your paths. Guide me by your fidelity and teach me, for you are God my savior, for you I wait all the day long. Psalm 25:4-5
