Saints and the Liturgical Year

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December 19, 2015 - Saturday, 3rd Week of Advent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who through the child-bearing of the holy Virgin
graciously revealed the radiance of your glory to the world,
grant, we pray,
that we may venerate with integrity of faith
the mystery of so wondrous an Incarnation
and always celebrate it with due reverence.
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:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-12-19
 
December 20, 2015 - 4th Sunday of Advent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord,
your grace into our hearts,
that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son
was made known by the message of an Angel,
may by his Passion and Cross
be brought to the glory of his Resurrection.
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:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-12-20
 
December 21, 2015 - Monday, 4th Week of Advent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Hear in kindness, O Lord,
the prayers of your people,
that those who rejoice
at the coming of your Only Begotten Son in our flesh
may, when at last he comes in glory,
gain the reward of eternal life.
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:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

December 21 - St. Peter Canisius, Priest and Doctor of the Church (Optional Memorial):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who for the defense of the Catholic faith
made the Priest Saint Peter Canisius
strong in virtue and in learning,
grant, through his intercession,
that those who seek the truth
may joyfully find you, their God,
and that your faithful people
may persevere in confessing 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 in Holland, the Jesuit St. Peter (1521-1597) lived for many years in Germany, where he defended the Faith by writing and teaching. He founded several Catholic colleges, and his Catechism was published in nine languages and fifty-five editions.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on St. Peter Canisius, click links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/P/stpetercanisius.asp
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-12-21
 
December 22, 2015 - Tuesday, Fourth Week of Advent

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who, seeing the human race fallen into death,
willed to redeem it by the coming of your Only Begotten Son,
grant, we pray,
that those who confess his Incarnation with humble fervor
may merit his company as their Redeemer.
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:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-12-22
 
"ADVENT: A TIME TO OPEN OUR HEARTS TO THE LORD"

"On this last Sunday of Advent, so near the solemnity of Christmas, we are expected to give the final touches to the preparation we have been carrying out during the past weeks. The Lord is already at the gate. It is now for us to open wide the door of our hearts to welcome him as he deserves.

In practical terms, this means to have in ourselves a deep desire to do the Father’s will, as the eternal Son himself proclaimed when he was about to come into this world. It means to receive the Lord with the same eagerness, humility, and gratitude with which Elizabeth welcomed him, though still hidden in the womb of his earthly Mother, Mary Most Holy.

The Sun of the day of our salvation is about to rise. Let us open the doors and windows of our hearts that he may flood us with the splendor of his grace and the abundance of his peace!" ((Euchalette, 4th Sunday of Advent, 12/20/2015, p.1.)
 
December 20, 2015 - Fourth Sunday of Advent:

Today’s Scripture Readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

A reflection on today’s Scripture Readings from the Euchalette, 12/20/2015, p.4:

ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS MOLDED BY THE SPIRIT

"Mankind had a bad record from the very beginning of its history – the criminal record of shutting God out of its plans and life. Such an attitude had few exceptions in Abram, Moses, the prophets . . . . And even those exceptions were not always 100% clear. It was only with Mary that a different attitude started to prevail: an attitude of total openness to the action of God in one’s life and of full availability to cooperate with Him in the actualization of His plan.

Mary was the most open of all to the inspirations and promptings of the Holy Spirit. Like a very sensitive harp, she let the Spirit produce in her and through her the wonderful melody of man’s salvation which only the divine love can initiate and bring to completion. In this way, the miracle of the Incarnation took place, with the Trinity taking the initiative, and Mary responding freely and generously to the Spirit’s action in her. It is in response to the lead of the Spirit that Mary set out for Elizabeth’s house, to share with her relative the “Good News” she was carrying within her.

Like mankind before Mary and Christ, we, too, may have a bad record when it comes to “openness to God.” We may not be any better than Adam and Eve, or the people before the Flood (see Gn 6:5-6), or the builders of the Tower of Babel. (See Gn 11:3-4.)

Advent is for all of us an opportunity to evaluate our standing in this respect and to take appropriate action. If we decide to imitate Mary and Elizabeth in their openness to the Spirit, we may be sure that He will work wonders also in us, no matter how insignificant and weak we may consider ourselves. (See Mi 5:1.)

We need the Spirit to get out of ourselves, to show an interest in others and share with them the blessings we have received from the Lord, including our joy. (See attitude of Mary, Lk 1:46-49.)

We need to be open to the Spirit in imitation of Mary in order to have Christ formed in us, or better, in order to be molded unto him. If we cultivate such an openness and availability, we shall ever more become Christ-like in our thoughts, aspirations, attitudes, actions. And thus, we shall be totally committed to do our share in carrying out the Father’s plan of saving love as Christ did. (See Heb 10:5-7.)"
 
December 23, 2015 - Wednesday, 4th Week of Advent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Almighty ever-living God,
as we see how the Nativity of your Son
according to the flesh draws near,
we pray that to us, your unworthy servants,
mercy may flow from your Word,
who chose to become flesh of the Virgin Mary
and establish among us his dwelling,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
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:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

December 23 - Saint John of Kanty, Priest (Optional Memorial):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that by the example of the Priest Saint John of Kanty
we may advance in the knowledge of holy things
and, by showing compassion to all,
may gain forgiveness in your sight.
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.”

For more on St. John of Kanty, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/J/stjohnofkanty.asp
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-12-23
 
December 24, 2015 - Thursday, 4th Week of Advent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Come quickly, we pray, Lord Jesus,
and do not delay,
that those who trust in your compassion
may find solace and relief in your coming.
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:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-12-24

Note: This evening, we have the Vigil Mass of the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas).
 
December 25 - Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas):

Collect (Opening Prayer At the Vigil Mass):
“O God, who gladden us year by year
as we wait in hope for our redemption,
grant that, just as we joyfully welcome
your Only Begotten Son as our Redeemer,
we may also merit to face him confidently
when he comes again as our Judge.
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:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-12-25

Collect (Opening Prayer at Mass during the day):
“O God, who wonderfully created the dignity of human nature
and still more wonderfully restored it,
grant, we pray,
that we may share in the divinity of Christ,
who humbled himself to share in our humanity.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Note: “THE NEXT days of the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord show that the Nativity of the Lord is also a feast of Christ’s final coming, when he will be surrounded by his angels and saints, represented by St. Stephen [December 26], St. John the Apostle [December 27], and the Holy Innocents [December 28].” (Ordo.)​

Thank you, Lord for the gift of your Son,
for all the blessings you have given us this year,
in the past, and for all the blessings you will be giving us
in the coming years! Amen.

Wishing you all
a very Blessed Christmas
and a Happy New Year! 🙂
 
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grateful_child:
December 25 - Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas):

**Note: **“THE NEXT days of the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord show that the Nativity of the Lord is also a feast of Christ’s final coming, when he will be surrounded by his angels and saints, represented by St. Stephen [December 26], St. John the Apostle [December 27], and the Holy Innocents [December 28].” (Ordo.)
Click to expand...
December 26 - Saint Stephen, The First Martyr (Feast):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Grant, Lord, we pray,
that we may imitate what we worship,
and so learn to love even our enemies,
for we celebrate the heavenly birthday
of a man who knew how to pray even for his persecutors.
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

“St. Stephen was the first Christian martyred and one of the seven deacons who helped the Apostles. He died praying for his executioners; the similarities between his martyrdom and the Crucifixion of Our Lord show his perfect imitation of Christ even unto death. His name is included in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I).” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on St. Stephen, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/S/ststephen.asp
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-12-26
 
December 27, 2014 - The Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord [Christmas] -
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who were pleased to give us
the shining example of the Holy Family,
graciously grant that we may imitate them
in practicing the virtues of family life and in the bonds of charity,
and so, in the joy of your house,
delight one day in eternal rewards.
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:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

"The hidden life at Nazareth allows everyone to enter into fellowship with Jesus by the most ordinary events of daily life:

'The home of Nazareth is the school where we begin to understand the life of Jesus - the school of the Gospel. First, then, a lesson of silence. May esteem for silence, that admirable and indispensable condition of mind, revive in us … a lesson on family life. May Nazareth teach us what family life is, its communion of love, its austere and simple beauty, and its sacred and inviolable character … A lesson of work. Nazareth, home of the ‘Carpenter’s Son’, in you I would choose to understand and proclaim the severe and redeeming law of human work… To conclude, I want to greet all the workers of the word, holding up to them their great pattern, their brother who is God" (CCC533). (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on the Feast of the Holy Family, see links:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-12-27
www.ncregister.com/site/article/the-holy-family-at-christmas-model-of-faith-and-love

December 27 - Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist (Feast) which gives way to the Liturgy of the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph:

Collect:
“O God, who through the blessed Apostle John
have unlocked for us the secrets of your Word,
grant, we pray,
that we may grasp with proper understanding
what he has so marvelously brought to our ears.
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 Bethsaida, the fisherman St. John was called to follow Christ while mending his nets; he wrote a Gospel, three Epistles, and the Book of Revelation. With his brother St. James and St. Peter, St. John witnessed the Transfiguration. At the Last Supper, this ‘beloved disciple’ leaned on Our Lord’s breast, and at the foot of the Cross, Christ entrusted his own Mother to his care. St. John’s purity kept him close to Christ. He was exiled to the island of Patmos under Emperor Domitian.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on St. John, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/J/stjohn.asp
 
December 27, 2015 - Feast of the Holy Family:

Today’s Scripture Readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-12-27

A wise reminder/reflection from the Euchalette, 12/27/2015, p.1,4:

FAMILIES CENTERED IN GOD, WITH GRATITUDE AND HOPE

"By a happy coincidence, this year the Feast of the Holy Family falls on the last Sunday of the year. This gives us a further reason to raise our minds and hearts to God in gratitude for the many blessings He has granted our families during the year that is about to end. Although we may not be fully aware of all the blessings we have received from the Lord, the little we know is more than enough to bring us to thank Him with all our hearts, especially through this Eucharistic Sacrifice.

This is also the time to entrust our own family, as well as all the families throughout the world, to the protection of the Holy Family of Nazareth during the new year we are about to begin. May the Lord be he heart of our family. May we love and serve Him as Jesus, Mary, and Joseph did. May He watch over us as He loved and protected the Holy Family of Nazareth." (p.1;emphasis added.)

“It is in the family that the reform of society begins, because it is there that we learn to respect and help one another, we practise patience and justice, we learn to share and to love in an unselfish and practical manner.” (p.4; emphasis added.)​

O Holy Family of Nazareth, may your example teach our families to ever remain united in peace and mutual respect. O Lord, enable us to support one another, especially in times of trial; and may you grant each member of our family holiness of life, the gift of gratitude, good health, and stability in life. Amen.

Here’s Fr. Leo Clifford’s reflection on GRATITUDE:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6oQtWRAqYQ
 
December 28 - The Holy Innocents, Martyrs (Feast):

Collect:
“O God, whom the Holy Innocents confessed
and proclaimed on this day,
not by speaking but by dying,
grant, we pray,
that the faith in you which we confess with our lips
may also speak through our manner of life.
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:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

“This feast celebrates the memory of the male children King Herod ordered to be killed in his attempt to kill the infant Christ. These innocent victims thus bear witness to Christ in the world and God’s care for even the most helpless of people.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on the Holy Innocents, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/H/holyinnocents.asp
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-12-28
 
December 29, 2015 - Tuesday (Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Almighty and invisible God,
who dispersed the darkness of this world
by the coming of your light,
look, we pray, with serene countenance upon us,
that we may acclaim with fitting praise
the greatness of the Nativity of your Only Begotten 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:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

December 29 - St. Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr (Optional Memorial)

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who gave the Martyr Saint Thomas Becket
the courage to give up his life for the sake of justice,
grant, through his intercession,
that, renouncing our life
for the sake of Christ in this world,
we may find it in heaven.
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 London, St. Thomas (1118-1170) studied in Paris. He was named chancellor to the king and later was consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury. A conversion followed his appointment as archbishop; he absorbed himself in his duties, defending the right of the Church against King Henry II, who exiled him for six years. Upon his return, St. Thomas endured trials and was martyred by agents of the king.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on St. Thomas Becket, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/T/stthomasbecket.asp
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-12-29
 
December 30, 2015 - Wednesday, Sixth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that the newness of the Nativity in the flesh
of your Only Begotten Son may set us free,
for ancient servitude holds us bound
beneath the yoke of sin.
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:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-12-30
 
December 31, 2015 - Thursday, Seventh Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Almighty ever-living God,
who in the Nativity of your Son
established the beginning and fulfillment of all religion,
grant, we pray, that we may be numbered
among those who belong to him,
in whom is the fullness of human salvation.
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:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

December 31 - Saint Sylvester I, Pope (Optional Memorial):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Come, O Lord, to the help of your people,
sustained by the intercession of Pope Saint Sylvester,
so that, running the course of this present life under your guidance,
we may happily attain life without end.
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.”

“St. Sylvester (d.335) served the Church when the Arian heresy and the Donatist schism had provoked great discord. After the Peace of Constantine, he contributed to the expansion of the Faith throughout the Roman world.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on Pope St. Sylvester, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/S/stsylvester.asp
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-12-31
 
With December 31, we reach the end of our calendar year 2015. Thank you all who have visited this thread during the year.

Most of all, thank you, Lord, for all the blessings we received in the past and during 2015. Thank you, too, for all the blessings that will still come our way!

Happy New Year to everyone!
 
January 1 - Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God (Holy Day of Obligation):
Today is also World Day of Prayer for Peace.

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who through the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary
bestowed on the human race
the grace of eternal salvation,
grant, we pray,
that we may experience the intercession of her,
through whom we were found worthy
to receive the author of life,
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:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

"Today’s feast commemorates the important role Our Lady had in God’s work of salvation. It reminds us of the singular dignity accorded by God to Mary, as Mother of God. And, as is Mary’s role, her feast today points us to Jesus, the newborn Prince of Peace.

It is likewise a fitting occasion for renewed adoration of the newborn Prince of Peace, for listening once more to the glad tidings of the angels, and for imploring from God, through the Queen of Peace, the supreme gift of peace … (Marialis Cultus, 1974). This day, therefore, has been instituted as World Day of Prayer for Peace." (quote from Saints Corner, post # 211, Our Eucharistic Journery Group.)

“This oldest feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrates the mystery of her being the Mother of Jesus Christ, true God and true Man. It is the principal feast of Mary, because her divine Motherhood is the reason why she received the special privileges of Immaculate Conception and Assumption into heaven. Mary is the Mother of Christ and the Mother of the Church.” (ORDO.)

For more on the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/S/solemnityofmary.asp
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2016-01-01
 
January 2 - Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church (Memorial):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who were pleased to give light to your Church
by the example and teaching
of the Bishops Saints Basil and Gregory,
grant, we pray,
that in humility we may learn your truth
and practice it faithfully in charity.
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:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

"St. Basil (329-379) was a brilliant student born of a Christian family in Caesarea, Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey). He fought the Arian heresy vigorously. He followed the monastic way of life before being elected Archbishop of Caesarea in 370. Monks of the Eastern Rites still follow the monastic rule he wrote.

St. Gregory (329-389) was also from Cappadocia. A friend of St. Basil, he also followed the monastic way of life before being elected Archbishop of Constantinople in 381, in which capacity he fought against the Arian heresy at its height. He is called ‘The Theologian’ because of his great learning and talent for oratory." (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on Sts. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, see links:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2016-01-02
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/B/stbasilthegreat.asp
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/G/stgregorynazianzen.asp
 
Our Advent preparation has taken us safely to the Christmas Season. And now, as we approach January 1, the start of a New Year, our Mother Church invites us to start the year right by continuing our journey with Mary, the Holy Mother of God.

January 1 has been designated by the Church as The Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God.

Inviting you to read on The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God from:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=13541838#post13541838
 
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