Saints and the Liturgical Year

[grateful_child]

November 28, 2014 - Friday, 34th Week in Ordinary Time:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Stir up the will of your faithful, we pray, O Lord,
that, striving more eagerly
to bring your divine work to fruitful completion,
they may receive in greater measure
the healing remedies your kindness bestows.
Through 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.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

For information on St. Catherine Laboure and St. James of the Marches, see link:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-11-28

 

[grateful_child]

November 29, 2014 - Saturday, 34th Week in Ordinary Time:
“Today is the last day of the Liturgical Year. Tomorrow, Advent begins with the First Sunday of Advent.”

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Stir up the will of your faithful, we pray, O Lord,
that, striving more eagerly
to bring your divine work to fruitful completion,
they may receive in greater measure
the healing remedies your kindness bestows.
Through 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.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

For information on St. Saturninus, see link:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-11-29

 

[grateful_child]

November 30, 2014 - 1st Sunday of Advent:
The Advent Season begins today.

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God,
the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ
with righteous deeds at his coming,
so that, gathered at his right hand,
they may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom.
Through 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.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-11-30

“When the Church celebrates *the liturgy of Advent *each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming.” (CCC 524) (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

In Ordinary Time, the Feast of St. Andrew, the Apostle is celebrated:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“We humbly implore yur majesty, O Lord,
that, just as the blessed Apostle Andrew
was for your Church a preacher and pastor,
so he may be for us a constant intercessor before you.
Through 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.”

“Born at Bethsaida, St. Andrew was a disciple of St. John the Baptist before he became a follower of Christ, to whom he also brought his brother, St. Peter. According to tradition, St. Andrew peached in Greece and was martyred on an X-shaped cross.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on St. Andrew, the Apostle, see link:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/A/standrew.asp

 

[grateful_child]

December 1, 2014 - Monday, 1st Week of Advent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Keep us alert, we pray, O Lord our God,
as we await the advent of Christ your Son,
so that, when he comes and knocks,
he may find us watchful (name removed by moderator)rayer
and exultant in his praise.
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.ewtn.com/devotionals/Advent/30.html

For information on St. Edmond Campion, see link:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-12-01

 

[grateful_child]

December 2, 2014 - Tuesday, 1st Week of Advent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Look with favor, Lord God, on our petitions,
and in our trials grant us your compassionate help,
that, consoled by the presence of your Son,
whose coming we now await,
we may be tainted no longer
by the corruption of former ways.
Through 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.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.ewtn.com/devotionals/Advent/1st.html

For information on St. Bibiana, see link:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-12-02

 

[Amiciel]

November 30, 2014 - 1st Sunday of Advent:
The Advent Season begins today.

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God,
the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ
with righteous deeds at his coming,
so that, gathered at his right hand,
they may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom.
Through 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.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-11-30

“When the Church celebrates *the liturgy of Advent *each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming.” (CCC 524) (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

Today is the beginning of a new Liturgical Year. It is also the beginning of ‘the Year of the Poor’.

Sharing this reflection from today’s Euchalette, p. 1:

"Rediscovering Our Need to Be Saved."

"Today we begin a new liturgical year: the series of seasons and weeks during which we will reflect on and re-live the saving events of the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us wish one another a happy and holy liturgical year!

This First Sunday of Advent reminds us not only of the need to be saved, but also of our duty to be always ready to welcome the Lord. He already came as a frail Child when he was born in Bethlehem. But we have to remember that he constantly comes to us as our Savior and in our neighbor. He is about to come to us in this Eucharistic celebration in order to help us make sense of all that happens to us and around us. Let us open our hearts to welcome the Lord.

As we begin the Year of the Poor, let us pray for those who live in poverty and lack even the most basic necessities. May this Eucharist empower us to come to their aid and uplift them." (The Euchalette, November 30, 2014, p.1; emphasis added.)

 

[Amiciel]

November 30, 2014 - 1st Sunday of Advent:
The Advent Season begins today.

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God,
the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ
with righteous deeds at his coming,
so that, gathered at his right hand,
they may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom.
Through 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.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-11-30

“When the Church celebrates *the liturgy of Advent *each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming.” (CCC 524) (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

Sharing this reflection from the Euchalette, First Sunday of Advent, November 30, 2014, p.4:

THE LITURGICAL YEAR

"The **‘Jesus Phenomenon’ **is so rich and far reaching that the Church devotes the entire year to recall and re-live the main events of his life, even as she looks forward to his Second Coming. This happens in a very special manner in the Church’s official public worship called ‘Liturgy’. The structuring of the different periods of each year around the important events in the life of Jesus is what is commonly known as 'Liturgical Year.’

What does the Church do, exactly, during the ‘liturgical year’? Essentially, she RECALLS all the past great events of salvation history, and also LOOKS FORWARD to its glorious conclusion. But while recalling the past and looking forward to the final ‘Day of the Lord,’ the Church also RE-LIVES those past saving events and already BEGINS TO EXPERIENCE the bliss of the world to come. Therefore, we do not simply recall the wonderful things the Lord has done for us in the past and hope for what He has in store for us in the future, but we also enjoy their ‘actualization’ and partial ‘anticipation’. This means that God makes ‘operative’ for us today His saving interventions of the past and of the future. Thus, they become ‘real’ for us as they were real for those who have actually participated in the past, and as they will be real for all at the end of time."
(Read on for continuation of thought; emphasis added.)

 

[Amiciel]

**The Liturgical Year **- continued:

"There is still another very important thing that the Church does in the liturgy: she CONSECRATES and SANCTIFIES THE PRESENT, i.e., the people of today, their activities, their problems, their sufferings and achievements. Everything we do is offered up to the Father through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit.

This ‘amazing grace’ becomes a reality particularly in the Sacraments, and it is somehow ‘encapsulated’ in the weekly observance called ‘SUNDAY’, and most especially in the celebration of the EUCHARIST.

Sunday is, for us, *‘the Day of the Lord’ *in a unique manner, because it is the day in which we not only worship God as Creator and Lord of the universe and thank Him for all the blessings He has granted us, but especially because it is the day when we commemorate and re-live the resurrection and glorificationof Jesus Christ and the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, which marked the birth of the Church.

It should be noticed that we do all this as a community of believers, and not just as individuals. We become our true selves only when we are in communion with God and our neighbor. The Lord offers His salvation to every human being not in isolation, but as a member of the community of believers, the Church. This is why we are expected to worship the Lord, not only as individuals, but also as members of a community of persons who share the same faith and commitment."(Euchalette, First Sunday of Advent, November 30, 2014, p. 4; emphasis added.)

 

[grateful_child]

December 3 - St. Francis Xavier, Priest (Memorial):
(Today, December 3, 2014, is Wednesday of the 1st Week of Advent.)

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who through the preaching of Saint Francis Xavier
won many peoples to yourself,
grant that the hearts of the faithful
may burn with the same zeal for the faith
and that Holy Church may everywhere rejoice
in an abundance of offspring.
Through 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.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

“Born in Navarre, Spain, he studied in Paris, where St. Francis (1506-1552) became one of the original seven members of St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Society of Jesus. St. Francis proclaimed the Gospel in India, China, and Japan, bringing 30,000 souls to Christ.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on St. Francis Xavier, see link:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/F/stfrancisxavier.asp

Advent Thoughts - Wednesday, 1st Week of Advent:
www.ewtn.com/devotionals/Advent/2nd.html

 

[grateful_child]

December 4, 2014 - Thursday, 1st Week of Advent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Prepare our hearts, we pray, O Lord our God,
by your divine power,
so that at the coming of Christ your Son
we may be found worthy of the banquet of eternal life
and merit to receive heavenly nourishment from his hands.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

December 4 - Saint John Damascene, Priest and Doctor of the Church (Optional Memorial):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Grant, we pray, O Lord,
that we may be helped by the prayers
of the Priest Saint John Damascene,
so that the true faith,
which he excelled in teaching,
may always be our light and our strength.
Through 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.”

“Born in Damascus, St. John (675-749) served as finance minister to the caliph before his ordination. He dedicated himself to study and writing, producing both works of dogmatic theology as well as many hymns. One of the principal defenders of the use of images in religious worship, he is considered the last Father of the Church.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on St. John Damascene, click link:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/J/stjohndamascene.asp

 

[grateful_child]

December 3 - St. Francis Xavier, Priest (Memorial):
(Today, December 3, 2014, is Wednesday of the 1st Week of Advent.)

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who through the preaching of Saint Francis Xavier
won many peoples to yourself,
grant that the hearts of the faithful
may burn with the same zeal for the faith
and that Holy Church may everywhere rejoice
in an abundance of offspring.
Through 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.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

“Born in Navarre, Spain, he studied in Paris, where St. Francis (1506-1552) became one of the original seven members of St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Society of Jesus. St. Francis proclaimed the Gospel in India, China, and Japan, bringing 30,000 souls to Christ.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on St. Francis Xavier, see link:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/F/stfrancisxavier.asp

Advent Thoughts - Wednesday, 1st Week of Advent:
www.ewtn.com/devotionals/Advent/2nd.html

The link to catholicculture.org was left out this morning because the website was not available then. The problem has now been resolved:

More information on St. Francis Xavier from:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-12-03

 

[grateful_child]

December 4, 2014 - Thursday, 1st Week of Advent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Prepare our hearts, we pray, O Lord our God,
by your divine power,
so that at the coming of Christ your Son
we may be found worthy of the banquet of eternal life
and merit to receive heavenly nourishment from his hands.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

December 4 - Saint John Damascene, Priest and Doctor of the Church (Optional Memorial):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Grant, we pray, O Lord,
that we may be helped by the prayers
of the Priest Saint John Damascene,
so that the true faith,
which he excelled in teaching,
may always be our light and our strength.
Through 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.”

“Born in Damascus, St. John (675-749) served as finance minister to the caliph before his ordination. He dedicated himself to study and writing, producing both works of dogmatic theology as well as many hymns. One of the principal defenders of the use of images in religious worship, he is considered the last Father of the Church.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on St. John Damascene, click link:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/J/stjohndamascene.asp

The link to catholicculture.org was left out this morning because the website was not available then. The problem has now been resolved.

More information on St. John Damascene and on St. Barbara from:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-12-04

Advent thoughts - Thursday, 1st Week of Advent:
www.ewtn.com/devotionals/Advent/3rd.html

 

[grateful_child]

December 5, 2014 - Friday, 1st Week of Advent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Stir up your power, we pray, O Lord, and come,
that with you to protect us,
we may find rescue
from the pressing dangers of our sins,
and with you to set us free,
we may be found worthy of salvation.
Who live and reign with God the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

For information on St. Sabbas, see link:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-12-05

Advent 2014 from EWTN:
www.ewtn.com/devotionals/Advent/4th.html

 

[grateful_child]

December 6, 2014 - Saturday, First Week of Advent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who sent your Only Begotten Son into this world
to free the human race from its ancient enslavement,
bestow on those who devoutly await him
the grace of your compassion from on high,
that we may attain the prize of true freedom.
Through 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.”

Today’s Scripture Readings and reflection:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

December 6 - Saint Nicholas, Bishop (Optional Memorial):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“We humbly implore your mercy, Lord:
protect us in all dangers
through the prayers of the Bishop Saint Nicholas,
that the way of salvation may lie open before us.
Through 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.”

“Present at the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea where he signed the document affirming the divinity of Christ, St. Nicholas (d. ca. 346) was consecrated Bishop of Myra in modern-day Turkey and is known for his compassion to the poor.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

“Nicholas, + 4th c., Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor; model pastor noted for charity; popularized as Santa Claus; patron of Russia, Greece, Sicily, and Lorraine, and of children and sailors.” (ORDO.)

For more on St. Nicholas, click links:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-12-06
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/N/stnicholas.asp

ADVENT 2014 from EWTN:
www.ewtn.com/devotionals/Advent/5th.html

 

[grateful_child]

December 7, 2014 - 2nd Sunday of Advent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Almighty and merciful God,
may no earthly undertaking hinder those
who set out in haste to meet your Son,
but may our learning of heavenly wisdom
gain us admittance to his company.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-12-07​

December 7 - St. Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Memorial):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who made the Bishop Saint Ambrose
a teacher of the Catholic faith
and a model of apostolic courage,
raise up in your Church men after your own heart
to govern her with courage and wisdom.
Through 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.”

“While St. Ambrose (340-397) was serving the imperial government and yet a catechumen, he was elected Bishop of Milan. He distinguished himself through apostolic zeal, service to the poor, and effective care of the faithful. An articulate opponent of Arianism in the West, he converted and baptized St. Augustine.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on St. Ambrose, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/A/stambrose.asp​

ADVENT 2014 from EWTN:
www.ewtn.com/devotionals/Advent/6th.html

 

[grateful_child]

December 8, 2014 - The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Solemnity):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin
prepared a worthy dwelling for your Son,
grant, we pray,
that, as you preserved her from every stain
by virtue of the Death of your Son, which you foresaw,
so, through her intercession,
we, too, may be cleansed and admitted to your presence.
Through 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.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

“Pope Bl. Pius IX solemnly defined the traditional belief of the Church: the Blessed Virgin Mary was conceived free from all stain of Original Sin. Her Immaculate Conception is the most beautiful fruit of the work of redemption accomplished by her Son, Jesus Christ. Chosen to be the Mother of the Savior, God did not allow sin to contaminate her, which makes her a model of holiness of life for all Christians.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

This Marian Solemnity goes back to the 7th century as the “Conception of Mary by St. Anne.” In 1708, Pope Clement XI made it a solemnity for the entire Church through his Bull, Commissi Nobis. In 1942, Pope Pius XII declared Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception as the Principal Patroness of the Philippines. (Ref. ORDO.)

Today’s Solemnity is the Patronal Feastday of the United States of America.

For more on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, see links:
www.ewtn.com/faith/teachings/maryc3a.htm
www.ewtn.com/faith/teachings/marya2.htm
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-12-08

Advent 2014 from EWTN:
www.ewtn.com/devotionals/Advent/7th.html

 

[Amiciel]

December 8, 2014 - The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Solemnity):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin
prepared a worthy dwelling for your Son,
grant, we pray,
that, as you preserved her from every stain
by virtue of the Death of your Son, which you foresaw,
so, through her intercession,
we, too, may be cleansed and admitted to your presence.
Through 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.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

“Pope Bl. Pius IX solemnly defined the traditional belief of the Church: the Blessed Virgin Mary was conceived free from all stain of Original Sin. Her Immaculate Conception is the most beautiful fruit of the work of redemption accomplished by her Son, Jesus Christ. Chosen to be the Mother of the Savior, God did not allow sin to contaminate her, which makes her a model of holiness of life for all Christians.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

Advent 2014 from EWTN:
www.ewtn.com/devotionals/Advent/7th.html

Additional articles on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception:

Preparing for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, December 8.
by Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC (December 5, 2014).
www.thedivinemercy.org/news/story.php?NID=2927&em=em437

What’s the case for the Immaculate Conception?
By Dr. Robert Stackpole, STD (December 5, 2014).
www.thedivinemercy.org/news/story.php?NID=3756&em=em437

The ‘Immaculate Conception’ (an excerpt from Mark Miravalle’s book 'Meet Your Mother’.)
www.thedivinemercy.org/news/story.php?NID=6111&em=em437

 

[grateful_child]

December 9, 2014 - Tuesday, 2nd Week of Advent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who have shown forth your salvation
to all the ends of the earth,
grant, we pray,
that we may look forward in joy
to the glorious Nativity of Christ.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

December 9 - Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin (Optional Memorial):

Collect (Optional Memorial):
“O God, who by means of Saint Juan Diego showed
the love of the most holy Virgin Mary for your people,
grant, through his intercession,
that, by following the counsels our Mother gave at Guadalupe,
we may be ever constant in fulfilling your will.
Through 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.”

“The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Juan (1474-1548) and asked him to tell the Bishop of Mexico she desired a shrine to manifest her love for all people. Our Lady left a miraculous portrait of herself on his tilma, which is preserved to this day.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on St. Juan Diego, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/J/stjuandiego.asp
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-12-09

Advent 2014 from EWTN:
www.ewtn.com/devotionals/Advent/8th.html

 

[grateful_child]

December 10, 2014 - Wednesday, 2nd Week of Advent:

Collect (opening Prayer):
“Almighty God, who command us
to prepare the way for Christ the Lord,
grant in your kindness, we pray,
that no infirmity may weary us
as we long for the comforting presence
of our heavenly physician.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

For information on St. Melchiades, click link:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-12-10

 

[grateful_child]

December 11, 2014 - Thursday, 2nd Week of Advent:

Collect (opening Prayer):
“Stir up our hearts, O Lord,
to make ready the paths
of your Only Begotten Son,
that through his coming,
we may be found worthy to serve you
with minds made pure.
Through 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.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

December 11- Saint Damasus I, Pope (Optional Memorial):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Grant, we pray, O Lord,
that we may constantly exalt the merits of your Martyrs,
whom Pope Saint Damasus so venerated and loved.
Through 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.”

“Of Spanish descent, St. Damasus I (305 - 384) summoned the First Ecumenical Council of Constantinople to defend the Church against schismatics and heretics. He promoted the veneration of martyrs; he commissioned St. Jerome’s translation of the Bible, and he changed the liturgical language of the Western Church to Latin.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on St. Damasus I, click links:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-12-11
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/D/stdamasusi.asp

Advent 2014 from EWTN:
www.ewtn.com/devotionals/Advent/10th.html