Christmastide Shopping Guide 2023

Christmastide Shopping Guide 2023

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

In This Issue

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1. From the Founders

5. Catholic Owned App

2. About Catholic Owned

6. Liturgical Living Guide

3. About This Guide

7. Our Business Sponsors

4. Christmastide Shopping Guide

8. Ultima Verba

Catholic Owned Magazine

GLORIA DEO REGINA CAELI

SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

Monsignor Oscar F Castaneda

OUR READERS OUR BUSINESS SPONSORS

FocalPoint Business Coaching Our Lady of Good Help Fertility Care Strimbu Holdings Thrive OB/GYN Velocity Warehouse Mother of Divine Grace School Open Hearts for Orphans The Men’s March Slaves of Jesus and Mary Matteo Onori & Brooke Joiner

Acknowledgements OUR CHRISTMASTIDE SHOPS All Saints Clay Co Annunciation Designs Behold Your Child Catholic Forge Della Madonna Rosaries Five Sisters Co Full of Grace Designs Heart Stuck on Paper Home Grown EA Kenneth’s Woodworking Shop Kingdom Come Co Mother of Divine Grace Bookstore Petit Saints Sculpa Studio The Knotted Rope The Threaded Poppy Violet Heart Studios Violets & Moss

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With content from the USCCB, the Douay-Rheims Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal, Papal Encyclicals, the FSSP, parish priests’ & deacons’ contributions, multiple saints’ writings and ancient texts, Dom Gueranger, O.S.B., Fisheaters, plus traditions handed down by the Holy Catholic & Apostolic Church.

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From the Founders

Dear Catholic Owned Readers, We are overjoyed to bring you this special edition of Catholic Owned Magazine! In these pages you will find Catholic Owned businesses with whom you can do your gift shopping this year.

You’ll also find a Liturgical Living Guide, curated with the intention of helping you live an authentically Catholic Advent and Christmastide effortlessly.

Our prayer is that this magazine will be an immense blessing for you personally, for all of our readers and for our advertisers. We hope to inspire and empower you to live your faith fully this season, drawing near to the Holy Family. May this magazine be a daily reference for you during this beautiful time awaiting the Savior and celebrating His long-awaited birth.

We also have a weekly publication, and have an app launching soon. So be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an issue at catholicowned.com!

Pray the Rosary, & Consider Marian Consecration.

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with fraternal affection,

MATTEO ONORI & BROOKE JOINER Co-Founders, Catholic Owned

About

Catholic Owned

Catholic Owned exists to propagate Knowledge of, Devotion to, and Love & Admiration for the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in reparation for the many sins & blasphemies against her.

We achieve this by helping Catholics forge practical connections in the marketplace.

One less compromise at a time, our community can be more free to pursue ever greater devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary- what is known to be the sweetest path to sainthood.

We have a weekly publication and an app launching soon. Please subscribe so you don’t miss an issue at catholicowned.com!

We are seeking devout Catholic readers & advertisers who share our vision for the future of connecting Catholics in the marketplace. Please email us at brooke@catholicowned.com if this describes you!

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Christmastide Shopping Guide In the following pages, you’ll find a curated group of Catholic Owned businesses, with offerings for everyone on your list. We encourage you to decide to Shop Catholic Owned this Advent & Christmastide!

To shop, simply click on the ad you like and go directly to the vendor’s site to place your order!

Kids Women start Men here! Everyone

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Petit Saints

Custom Saint Dolls for your Littles

“I’ve always loved St. Therese of Lisieux, but now that I’m a mom of 7, I’ve developed a special relationship with her mother, St. Zelie Martin.” -Beth, Owner

Grow your child’s love for the saints with these saintly companions. Made of linen & cotton blends, about 10 inches tall. In stock + custom orders limited, shop now to get yours in time for Christmas! Each doll is $45 plus shipping and $10 extra for appliquéd prop.

Blessed Imelda

St. Nicholas

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Solid Wood Swords & Shields

with natural oil finish. The perfect gift or costume accessory.

Buy any sword with a shield and get $5 off! *shipping not included Small Sword (10”) $15 / Medium Sword (16”) $20 Large Sword (22”) $30 / Axe (18”) $30 / Shield (13” diameter) $30

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Clothing for babies and children, along with accessories zipper pouches, drawstring backpacks, and headbands Everything is handmade in New Hampshire with love. New items are being added to the shop, including more Catholic-themed clothing. Custom orders are always welcome!

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“I’m a Catholic momma who loves to sew and share my gift with others. One of my favorite saints is Ste. Jeanne d’Arc. I have always greatly admired her strength, courage, and faithfulness, and look to her as an inspiration during challenging times.” -Hannah, Owner

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MOTHER OF DIVINE GRACE BOOKSTORE Offering classical literature for all the readers on your list

Timeless classics to enrich the season Mother of Divine Grace School is a Catholic distance education program based on Laura Berquist's Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum. Learn more.

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_________ ____________ Hand-crafted artisan jewelry made in the USA Centered around the images of antique and vintage medallions, crosses & crucifixes

“I was widowed at 36 years old with a 3 and 7 year old and I learned to trust in God in all things. St. Therese of Liseux is my favorite saint. She did all things for Jesus. We don’t always have the ability to do big things for our faith, but if we put together all the little things and joyfully praise and trust God, it keeps life in better perspective. My favorite Psalm is “Be Still and Know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10" -Melissa, Owner

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Modest clothing that will encourage women to embrace their finer femininity while still being fun, stylish, and won’t break the bank.

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“With each day I grow more and more in my faith. I want the women of our society to grow also, and that first starts with modesty.” -LaKeisha Shoemaker, Owner, wife & mom of 5

Save 10% w/code Catholic10 ALL ORDERS $75+ SHIP FREE! “My patron Saint is Juan Diego. I actually wanted my confirmation name to be Juan but, as you can imagine, my second grade teacher thought I should go with something a little more feminine. My favorite prayers and devotions are the novena prayer to Saint Jude as well as the Mary Undoer of Knots novena prayer.” -Emily, Owner

CHECK OUT MY ETSY SHOP My name is Emily Sheahan-Stahl. I create handmade clay earrings inspired and designed with the Saints and the Faith in mind. Shipping in the US. Check out my store to see all my designs!

_____________________ ______ “I chose Saint Joseph as my patron saint because he is the exemplar of what a man should be. He lived the ordinary life perfectly: obeying God unquestionably, faithful husband and father, and supported his family through his carpenter’s trade. I strive daily to model my life on his by loving and supporting my family and building good things with my hands.” -Phillip, Owner

Prayerfully made items designed to inspire our hearts to God, the Maker of all things

Furniture, home altars & keepsakes SHOP NOW

“Most recently I have been learning about St. Gemma who bore the stigmata and whose life was a testament to the power of faith and perseverance. I will never not be amazed by the gift that is the rosary which is my favorite devotion.” -Emily, Owner

Five Sisters Co. helps you transform your home into a sanctuary with our hand-poured soy candles.

Carefully crafted with clean ingredients, our seasonally inspired collections help you turn everyday moments into cherished rituals.

www.fivesistersco.com

Handcrafted corded stone rosaries and chaplets that combine beauty with durability at an affordable price.

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“I’m a military wife; a hip, homeschooling mama of seven; a lover of hiking and all things outdoors; but most importantly, a Catholic! I love praying the rosary and want to help spread this devotion to as many people as I can! To Jesus through Mary!”

-Liza, Owner

Hi! I’m Caitlin. My Catholic faith inspires me to fight for life through beauty and art. I paint custom sonograms to show our culture the value of human life in a colorful, unique way!

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Handcrafted paper shrines using a variety of beautiful vintage images Each shrine comes with a battery-operated votive which gives the image a peaceful glow. There are many different saints & devotions to choose from, but custom orders are always available at no additional charge. There are also unique spiritual bouquet albums and mini shrine keepsake cards for the sacraments and other occasions.

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“My favorite prayer would have to be the rosary. I have so many wonderful memories of my family starting off our school day by praying together. It’s perfect for our car rides or falling asleep to, and I love praying it before Mass with the rest of the congregation. The rosary has gotten me through the worst of times as well. Momma Mary is always there.” -Jill, Owner

Offering practical gifts to help your family call to mind the Sacred in the midst of the ordinary

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Home of The Wanderlust Catholic Subscription Servicee

“I am currently on a break from teaching high school math in order to homeschool my two young boys. My favorite prayers include the Memorare and spending a few quiet moments with Jesus in Adoration.” -Elayne, Owner

Wild Things Leather Goods Small Batch Leather Goods, Made by Hand “St. Kateri had a deep love of nature and this amazing world God created for us.

She inspires our family to find God in nature, too!” -Sarah, Owner. wife & mom of 8

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“Several years ago I decided to design a rosary honoring Mother Teresa when she was about to be canonized. I found that making rosaries brought me a lot of peace to an otherwise hectic life and so Della Madonna Rosaries was created! My favorite saint is Saint Teresa of Calcutta, and my favorite prayer is the Hail Mary.” -Della,Owner

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Original sacred images of saints, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus Christ in the form of prints, keychains, and stickers

“Heart Stuck on Paper is the result of a response to God’s call to combine my love for Christ and His saints with my passion for creating beautiful pieces of art. My store is filled with different images of Mary, the Mother of God, because she inspires me to trust God with everything and say yes to Him each and every day.”-Josephine, Owner

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Liturgical Living Guide

We pray this guide will help you walk Advent with St. Joseph & Our Blessed Mother as they welcome the promised Savior

www.catholicowned.com Catholic Owned Magazine

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Advent + Christmastide Feasts December: Dedicated to the Immaculate Conception Dec. 3: First Sunday of Advent Dec 6: Feast of St. Nicholas Dec. 8: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Dec. 10: Second Sunday of Advent Dec. 12: Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Dec. 13: Feast of St. Lucy Dec. 17-23: The Golden Nights: O Antiphons Dec. 17: Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) Dec. 20: Ember Wednesday of Advent Dec. 22: Ember Friday of Advent Dec. 23: Ember Saturday of Advent Dec. 24: Fourth Sunday of Advent + Vigil of Christmas Dec 25: The Nativity of Our Lord Dec. 26: St. Stephen, Deacon & Protomartyr Dec. 27: St. John the Evangelist, Apostle Dec. 28: Childermas: the Feast of the Holy Innocents

January: Dedicated to the Holy Name & Childhood of Jesus Jan. 1: The Circumcision of Christ & Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Jan. 3: Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus Jan. 5: Twelfth Night Jan. 6: Epiphany Jan. 7: Feast of the Holy Family Jan. 13: Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ Feb. 2: Feast of the Purification / Presentation of Our Lord (Candlemas) 17

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The Annunciation

And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

And the angel being come in, said unto her: ‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.’ Who having heard, was troubled at his saying and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be.

And the angel said to her: ‘Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High.

And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father: and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. And of his kingdom there shall be no end.’

And Mary said to the angel: ‘How shall this be done, because I know not man?’

And the angel answering, said to her: ‘The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren: Because no word shall be impossible with God.’ And Mary said: ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word.’ And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:26-38 Our Lady’s journey to Bethlehem began long ago, when the Angel Gabriel visited her. It is then that she is first called “Full of Grace,” and it’s then that she gave her fiat.

We celebrate the Annunciation on March 25, nine months before The Nativity of Our Lord. While both anatomically and liturgically accurate, the date falls outside of Advent, but it still merits to be the starting point of walking Advent with Our Blessed Mother, as she has been preparing for the Savior this whole time.

Let’s put ourselves in her shoes for just a moment.

As a consecrated virgin, she knew the scriptures well. She was aware of the promise of a Savior.

She had lived a life free from sin, which was in all likelihood rather lonely, and she was betrothed to a wonderful man named Joseph. Things were going as they should, from all appearances.

Then, an angel appears. He greets her in a mysterious manner and asks her consent to be the Mother of God in a miraculous conception. Without hesitation, she says yes. An unconditional, fully aware fiat to what was a seemingly impossible reality.

Can you imagine Our Lady’s thoughts after the angel had departed from her?

We know that she quickly departed to go help her cousin, but for sure she was contemplating what had happened in her heart in the hours after the Annunciation. Do you think she was afraid? What about when she told St. Joseph? She had to have courage and face the reality of her fiat, even when it was hard.

Sometimes God asks us to do things that could seem unusual or even outrageous at the time. It can be easy to consider our circumstances, limitations or outward appearances before giving our answer to God. Of course prudence is advisable, but a properly formed conscience can make an unconditional fiat possible. May we follow Mary and give God our fiat this season.

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The Visitation

And Mary rising up in those days, went into the hill country with haste into a city of Juda. And she entered into the house of Zachary, and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb.

And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she cried out with a loud voice, and said, ‘Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord.’

And Mary said, ‘My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me; and holy is his name. And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him. He hath shewed might in his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy: As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.’ Luke 1:39-55 After the Angel had greeted her with that strange salutation, asked her to be the Mother of God and told her about her cousin’s miraculous pregnancy, Our Lady went in haste to help her cousin, Elizabeth. When she arrived, her cousin had another surprising detail to give to her, humbly recognizing Mary as the Mother of the Savior, aided by her own son, St. John the Baptist leaping in the womb of his mother.

We can imagine the joy felt by Our Blessed Mother, but she tells us just what was on her heart in her Magnificat. Surely she had been pondering these beautiful mysteries on the journey to the mountains where Elizabeth lived, and she was so happy to share with her cousin-- someone who could at least begin to understand where Mary was coming from.

After all, Elizabeth “got it” right when she heard Our 19

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Lady’s greeting. This must have been a tremendous grace and joy for Our Lady- to be able to share this wonderful blessing with someone else.

She was also hidden in her service of another during this time, another enormous grace when God is working on His plan in our lives. Being hidden in the service of others is something many religious do, learning from Our Lady.

As the Ark of the New Covenant, much of her life was hidden and spent in the service of God. We truly only get a glimpse of her life in the Gospels- just enough to understand her role in Salvation and to see how Our Lord wants us to take her into our own homes and hearts. The rest is up to us to ponder.

May we enter into the hiddenness of the life of Our Lady, and especially into the quietest moments alone with the Savior.

As mothers can begin to understand, there are many private moments between mother and child. Truly flesh of her flesh, it can seem as if mother and child are one for a time.

With many graces, may we stay with Momma Mary in this hiddenness and oneness with the Holy of Holies for this season.

Dec. 6, St. Nicholas

St. Nicholas was born during the third century in the village of Patara in Asia Minor. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned.

The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals —murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, 343 AD in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave.

This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas.

Today, St. Nicholas is celebrated with a distant connection to the modern day Santa Clause, but his feast day can still be celebrated without this commercialization.

Some traditions include leaving shoes or stockings out on the night of December 5. Children can receive chocolate coins, oranges, candy canes, or toys, prayer cards, or books. Some families give the annual ornament or nativity set at this time, as a way to start the season. Serving the poor is also emphasized in the tradition of St. Nicholas.

The following prayers are traditionally said today: “St. Nicholas, my special protector, from that bright throne where thou dost enjoy the vision of thy God, in pity turn thine eyes upon me; obtain for me from GOD that grace and assistance of which, in my present necessities, spiritual and temporal, I am most in want, and especially the grace of N______ , if such be expedient for my eternal welfare. Remember, moreover, O glorious

and holy Bishop, our Sovereign Pontiff, the Holy Church, and this City of Rome. Bring back to the right way of salvation those who live steeped in sin or buried in the darkness of ignorance, error, and heresy. Comfort the sorrowing, provide for the needy, strengthen the weak-hearted, defend the oppressed, help the sick; let all experience the effects of thy powerful intercession with Him who is Supreme Giver of all good. Amen.

Pray a Pater, Ave, and Gloria V. Pray for us, blessed Nicholas.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. O God, who hast honored and ceasest not daily to honor thy glorious Confessor and Pontiff, blessed Nicholas, with innumerable miracles; grant, we beseech Thee, that by his merits and prayers we may be delivered from the fire of hell and from all other dangers. Through Christ our Lord Amen.”

Wishing you & yours a blessed Feast of St. Nicholas!

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Dec. 8, Immaculate Conception A holy day of Obligation in the United States, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception celebrates when Our Lady was conceived in the womb of St. Anne.

The parents of Mary were St. Joachim and St. Anne and were devout in their faith. It is believed that they tithed two thirds of their income- one third to the Temple, one third to the poor, and then they lived on just one third.

Seeing how abundantly God chose to bless them for their generosity is remarkable. They became the parents of the Immaculate Conception, and the grandparents of the King of Kings.

We know that God exists outside of time and space, so it’s easy to see that the sacrifice of His Son was applied to Our Lady preemptively, preventing the stain of original sin from ever touching her soul. This was all in Divine Providence: God knew she would say yes when He asked her to be the Mother of His Son. It is, of course fitting that the New Ark of the Covenant would be free from sin. The flesh from which Our Lord’s flesh would come must have had to be pure and undefiled.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains: 490 To become the mother of the Savior, Mary “was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role.” The angel Gabriel at the moment of the annunciation salutes her as “full of grace”. In fact, in order for Mary to be able to give the free assent of her faith to the announcement of her vocation, it was necessary that she be wholly borne by God's grace.

491 Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, “full of grace” through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception.

Her Immaculate Conception is the reason why she was Assumed into Heaven (and never died), as the pain of sin is death. Many also believe she did not suffer in the miraculous virginal childbirth of the Savior, as suffering in childbearing was a punishment from Original Sin. The Papal Encyclical on the Immaculate Conception is Ineddabilis Deus, by Pope Bl. Pius IX, in 1854. Today is a wonderful day to spend some time reading it in its entirety HERE. The encyclical closes with this hoped-for result for the faithful: “Let them fly with utter confidence to this most sweet Mother of mercy and grace in all dangers, difficulties, needs, doubts and fears. Under her guidance, under her patronage, under her kindness and protection, nothing is to be feared; nothing is hopeless. Because, while bearing toward us a truly motherly affection and having in her care the work of our salvation, she is solicitous about the whole 21

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human race. And since she has been appointed by God to be the Queen of heaven and earth, and is exalted above all the choirs of angels and saints, and even stands at the right hand of her onlybegotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, she presents our petitions in a most efficacious manner. What she asks, she obtains. Her pleas can never be unheard.”

This day is extra special for us at Catholic Owned, because we are consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Our stated purpose is to spread devotion to her Immaculate Heart.

Dom Gueranger, O.S.B writes: “The feast of the blessed Virgin's Immaculate Conception is the most solemn of all those which the Church celebrates during the holy time of Advent...Let us, then, celebrate this solemnity with joy; for the Conception of Mary tells us that the Birth of Jesus is not far off.”

A beautiful way to honor Our Lady would be the pray the Rosary, attend Mass, and pray the Litany of the Immaculate Conception, which was written in 1476 by Pope Sixtus IV. It is for private use only and can be found HERE. Wishing you & yours a blessed Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception!

Dec. 12, Our Lady of Guadalupe Mexico in the early 16th century was a brutal land ruled by the Aztecs, a people whose demonic religion involved human sacrifice. Scholars estimate that between 20,000 to 250,000 people per year were sacrificed to the Aztecs' gods. Conquered by Hernan Cortes in 1519-1521, just ten years later, against this backdrop of generations of brutality, a beautiful miracle occurred.

Our Lady of Guadalupe first introduced herself as the Mother of God and the mother of all humanity when she appeared on Tepeyac Hill in Mexico in 1531. An indigenous peasant, Juan Diego, saw a glowing figure on the hill. The lady spoke to him in his own language and sent him to the bishop of Mexico, a Franciscan named Juan de Zumarraga. The bishop was to build a chapel in the place where the lady appeared in order for her to show and share her love and compassion with all those who believe.

Afterwards, Juan Diego visited Archbishop Juan de Zumárraga, of what is now Mexico City. Zumárraga dismissed him in disbelief and asked that the future Saint provide proof of his story and the Lady’s identity.

Juan Diego returned to the hill and encountered Our Lady again. The Virgin told him to climb to the top of the hill and pick some flowers to present to the Archbishop as the sign.

Although it was winter and nothing should have been in bloom, Juan Diego found an abundance of a type of roses he did not recognize. The Virgin bundled the flowers into Juan Diego’s tilma. When Juan Diego presented the tilma to te Archbishop, the exotic flowers fell out and he recognized them as Castilian roses, which are not found in Mexico.

What was even more significant, however, was that the tilma had been miraculously imprinted with a colorful image of the Virgin herself.

The actual tilma, preserved since that date and showing the familiar image of the Virgin Mary with her head bowed and hands together in prayer, represents the Virgin of Guadalupe. It remains perhaps the most sacred object in all of Mexico.

The story is best known from a manuscript written in the Aztec’s native language Nahuatl by the scholar Antonio Valeriano. It was written sometime after 1556.

Over 20 million people visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe each year, now situated on the very same hill on which she appeared. The Virgin of Guadalupe was declared Queen of Mexico and is Patroness of the Americas. Mary’s appearance to Juan Diego as one of his people is a powerful reminder that Mary—and the God who sent her— accepts all peoples. In the context of the sometimes rude and cruel treatment of the Indians by the Spaniards, the apparition was a rebuke to the Spaniards and an event of vast significance for the indigenous population. While a number of them had converted before this incident, they now came in droves. According to a contemporary chronicler, nine million Indians became Catholic in a very short time. Our Lady of Guadalupe cries out to us that God’s love for and identification with the poor is an age-old truth that stems from the Gospel itself.

Wishing you & yours a blessed Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe!

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Dec. 13, St. Lucy

“Lucy, a virgin of Syracuse, illustrious by birth and by the Christian faith, which she had professed from her infancy, went to Catania, with her mother Eutychia, who was suffering from a flux of blood, there to venerate the body of the blessed Agatha.

Having prayed fervently at the tomb, she obtained her mother's cure, by the intercession of St. Agatha. Lucy then asked her mother that she would permit her to bestow upon the poor of Christ the fortune which she intended to leave her. No sooner, therefore, had she returned to Syracuse, than she sold all that was given to her and distributed the money amongst the poor.

When he, to whom her parents had against her will promised her in marriage, came to know what Lucy had done, he went before the prefect Paschasius and accused her of being a Christian. Paschasius entreated and threatened, but could not induce her to worship the idols; nay, the more he strove to shake her faith, the more inflamed were the praises which she uttered in professing its excellence. He said, therefore, to her: We shall have no more of thy words, when thou feelest the blows of my executioners. To this the virgin replied: Words can never be wanting to God's servants, for Christ our Lord has said to them: When you shall be brought before kings and governors, take no thought how or what to speak; for it shall be given to you in that hour what to speak; for it is not you that speak, but the holy Spirit that speaketh in you. Paschasius then asked her: Is the holy Spirit in thee? She answered: They who live chastely and piously, are the temple of the holy Spirit. He said: I will order thee to be taken to a brothel, that this holy Spirit may leave thee. The virgin said to him: The violence wherewith thou threatenest me would obtain for me a double crown of chastity.

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Whereupon Paschasius being exceedingly angry, ordered Lucy to be dragged to a place where her treasure might be violated; but, by the power of God, so firmly was she fixed to the place where she stood, that it was impossible to move her. Wherefore the prefect ordered her to be covered over with pitch, resin, and boiling oil, and a fire to be kindled round her. But seeing that the flame was not permitted to hurt her, they tormented her in many cruel ways, and at length ran a sword through her neck. Thus wounded, Lucy foretold the peace of the Church, which would come after the death of Diocletian and Maximian, and then died.”

Prayer to St. Lucy: “O Saint Lucy, named from the light, full of confidence we present ourselves before thee, to ask of thee a holy light, which may render us cautious in avoiding the ways of sin and escaping the darkness of error. We beg also, through thy intercession, for the preservation of the light of our eyes, together with abundant grace to use it always in accordance with the will of God and without injury to our souls. Grant, O blessed Lucy, that, after venerating and thanking thee for thy powerful patronage on earth, we may come at last to rejoice with thee in the paradise of the eternal light of the divine Lamb, thy sweet spouse Jesus. Amen.”

From The Liturgical Year by Dom Geuranger, O.S.B.

Journey to Bethlehem

After sharing with her betrothed about the visit from the Archangel Gabriel and the miraculous conception of the Savior, an angel visited him too. He reassured St. Joseph of the validity of what Our Lady had said. Truly, God provided everything necessary for Our Lady to bring forth the Savior.

Mary then walked her pregnancy with grace, first serving her cousin and then returning home, even facing ridicule and rejection from the townspeople. As the time for the birth of Our Lord drew near, the couple learned that they needed to go on a long journey to Bethlehem for the census. It was about 90 miles of grueling, dangerous travel.

It is likely it took 9-10 days for the Holy Family to slowly make the trip, with temperatures dipping into the 40s overnight. Simple food and water had to be carried.

There were also wild animals, rain, and desert robbers to contend with. All of this plus riding on a donkey from dawn until dusk for ten days. Imagine this at the late stage of pregnancy Our Lady was in!

Finally, after the long journey the Holy Family arrived in Bethlehem, the “house of bread,” only to find the town completely full because of the census. After all of this travel and difficulty, they knocked on doors looking for a place to rest.

As a good husband and father would, St. Joseph searched for a solution. He couldn’t have nothing for his wife and Son, not now. Trusting in God, he searched.

Mary knew the birth of the Lord was imminent, which

certainly added urgency to St. Joseph’s searching. Finally the innkeeper offered what little he had--a mere stable was all that was available for the Savior. Where animals live, and what we know to be true poverty.

For women who have given birth, the sheer terror of not having a safe place for the baby to be born can be enough to stop labor. Once the birth is imminent, it can be quite primal, but the mother is still wanting the very best for her child. She will generally seek privacy and security.

That’s a tall order when one is so far from home, away from her own mother and everyone that she knows. And yet, God provided for Mary, just what she needed in that exact moment. In the moment of the innkeeper giving what little he had, God provided for the birth of His Son. Have you ever been in a dire circumstance, in which you rejoiced for even the smallest of graces? You know, the deep-down gratefulness in your soul?

My guess is that this is how Our Lady and St. Joseph both felt when the innkeeper showed them that stable. A roof over her head for birthing the Savior of the world. We can imagine her fiat once again, and the relief for St. Joseph that there was something for them.

For sure, the Holy Family rejoiced for the great mercy that was that poor stable, because even here, even ten days’ journey from home, God had provided them a place, from an innkeeper offering what little he had. It wasn’t what any of us would choose, and yet it was just what they needed. They rejoiced, and they eagerly awaited the birth of the Savior. May we join them in grateful, joyful expectation.

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Embertide of Advent Dec. 20: Ember Wednesday of Advent Dec. 22: Ember Friday of Advent Dec. 23: Ember Saturday of Advent

Winter is the time in which we reflect, as cold and snow have blanketed the terrain around us in most of the world.

For Christians, Winter symbolizes Hope: though the world now appears lifeless and reminds us of our own mortality, we have hope because of the Resurrection of the One Whose Nativity we eagerly await.

In the new Code of Canon Law, Embertides are voluntary but the practice is growing in popularity once again. In Advent, they are a beautiful tradition in the richness of the season of preparing for the birth of the promised Savior.

These special days occur four times per year and are spent fasting and partially abstaining. This is done in penance and with the intentions of thanking God for the gifts He gives us in nature and beseeching Him for the discipline to use them in moderation.

The Israelites had fasted weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but Christians changed the fast days to Wednesdays (the day on which Our Lord was betrayed) and Fridays (the day on which He was crucified). The weekly two day fasts were later amended in the Roman Church to keeping only Fridays as penitential days, (and the requirement eliminated later on) but during Embertides, the older, two-day fasts are restored.

Saturdays (the day He was entombed) were added to these Ember times of fasting and are seen as a sort of culmination of the Ember Days.

Ember Days are generally favored for priestly ordinations, prayer for priests, first Communions, almsgiving and other penitential and charitable acts, and prayer for the souls in Purgatory.

In the hustle and bustle of a busy holiday season, one can easily see the beauty in this short period of penance and fasting. With their proximity to the Nativity of the Lord, it’s the perfect time to slow down, reflect on the blessings in our lives, pray for the souls who have gone before us, and prepare for a truly joyous celebration when the Savior is born. It’s also a great time to serve the poor or do other charitable acts before the full festivities begin.

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All things have their season, and in their times all things pass under heaven.

A time to be born and a time to die.

A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.

A time to kill, and a time to heal.

A time to destroy, and a time to build.

A time to weep, and a time to laugh.

A time to mourn, and a time to dance.

A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather.

A time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.

A time to get, and a time to lose.

A time to keep, and a time to cast away.

A time to rend, and a time to sew.

A time to keep silence, and a time to speak.

A time of war, and a time of peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Fasting Rules for Advent Embertide Fasting consists of the following: One full meal and two smaller meals, that when combined, do not equal a full meal.

Ember Wednesday of Advent– Fasting & Partial Abstinence: meat is allowed during the main meal of the day.

Ember Friday of Advent- Fasting & Abstinence: No meat is allowed. Fish, eggs and cheese are allowed.

Ember Saturday of Advent– Fasting & Abstinence: No meat is allowed. Fish, eggs and cheese are allowed.

How much fuller our Gloria in excelsis Deo will be after these Ember days.

Wishing you & yours a blessed Embertide of Advent!

Dec. 24, Vigil of Christmas

And the angel said to them: ‘Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people: For, this day, is born to you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will.’ Luke 2:10-14 Shepherds were simple people- not high ranking in society and generally not of a social class. When Our Lord was born, shepherds out at pasture keeping watch over their sheep were arguably the least likely people to receive a Heavenly visitor, let alone be the first to hear the news of the birth of the newborn King from angels of Heaven.

And yet, that’s just what happened.

Try for a moment to imagine the shepherds, who were going about their important but mundane job of taking the sheep out to pasture. It was late, it was quiet, and some were maybe dozing in the fields. Suddenly, the sky opens up and there shines a great light in the darkness.

Suddenly, an figure emerges from the light and begins speaking to the shepherds. Other angels then start singing Gloria in excelsis Deo, and playing harps and other small instruments.

What is even more incredible is the message that the angel brings- that Christ, the long-awaited Savior is born! And those simple shepherds can go and find Him right now. He is nearby, in fact. All the shepherds see this miraculous sight and they agree to go and find the King.

Hastily, they follow the Star.

Can you imagine the discourse between the shepherds on that walk? Did all of them believe? Did the sheep comply and follow, or was it a struggle to get them to come too? Imagine that walk in the middle of the night, and then actually coming across that stable below the Star.

Being simple people in the lower rungs of social class, the shepherds did not expect to be the first ones to find out about the birth of the Savior. And yet as they approached that stable, it was clear that they were the first. What awe and wonder they must have approached the stable with!

May we approach the Holy Family with similar humility and wonder. Wishing you & yours a blessed Vigil of Christmas!

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Dec. 25, Nativity of Our Lord

It didn’t take long after St. Joseph and Our Lady settled into the stable before the Savior was born. Our Blessed Mother had no blankets, no midwife, no diapers, no clothes. No little baby hats or pajamas. And for sure no little footprint on a birth certificate. None of the comforts we know of or expect at a birth today.

Following the miraculous birth in which her virginity was preserved, the Mother of God wrapped the newborn King in whatever she could find. In their perfect poverty, they used what they had available, and they rejoiced for each blessing that appeared and met their needs. Amazingly, the very items that the Holy Family could find and use happened to be the symbols that would so perfectly foretell the future of this King. The swaddling cloths that foretold the cloths He would be wrapped in after His Passion; the manger in which she laid him down to rest that foretold He would be the Bread of Life.

Then, the Shepherds arrive and they find the scene just as the angel had described. Can you imagine their amazement when they heard the cry of the newborn King?

Our Lady sees these shepherds approaching their 27

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humble accommodation. She doesn’t have to wonder for long, because they soon fall down on their knees to worship the infant Jesus. Imagine her great amazement, seeing these people who just had a Heavenly visitor arriving and worshipping her Son! We can imagine the joy in the Immaculate Heart of the Mother seeing her Son venerated rightly! The Gospel tells us that she kept these amazing things, reflecting on them in her heart.

What about St. Joseph? Perhaps when the ragged shepherds approached in the darkness, his initial posture would have been protective. How this would change as the shepherds recounted their heavenly tale and bowed down to worship the newborn King! His choice to obey God was reaffirmed in the most beautiful way when those shepherds fell down in worship.

In those quiet moments on Christmas night, the beauty of the scene abounds: the precious voice of the newborn King, the animals shifting in the stable, the adoration of the new Mother and Foster Father of the Christ Child, the peaceful sound of the tiny infant nursing, the shepherds falling down in worship, and the whole scene illuminated by the Star and the promise of the Savior.

Venite adoremus Dominum- stay awhile with Him and His Holy Family in the peace and beauty of His Nativity.

Wishing you & yours a blessed and very merry Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord!

Dec. 26, St. Stephen, Deacon & Protomartyr

“...hearing these things [Stephen’s teachings on Christ] they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed with their teeth at him. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looking up steadfastly to heaven, saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. And he said: Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. And they, crying out with a loud voice, stopped their ears and with one accord ran violently upon him. And casting him forth without the city, they stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, invoking and saying: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And falling on his knees, he cried with a loud voice, saying: Lord, lay not his sin to their charge: And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the Lord. And Saul was consenting to his death.” Acts 7:54-59

St. Stephen was the first deacon and the very first martyr of the Church Age, stoned to death by the Jews, including Saul, who later converted and became St. Paul. Because St. Stephen was the first Deacon, and because one of the Deacons' role in the Church is to care for the poor, St. Stephen's Day is often the day in which food is served to the poor or gifts of clothes, money or food are made for the needy.

The Feast of Stephen on the 26th recalls the highest class of martyrdom -- that offered by both deed and the will, also known as “martyr by will, love and blood.”

“My brothers, Christ made love the stairway that would enable all Christians to climb to heaven. Hold fast to it, therefore, in all sincerity, give one another practical proof of it, and by your progress in it, make your ascent together.” -St. Fulgentius of Ruspe (460533) Catholic Owned Magazine 28

Dec. 27, St. John the Evangelist, Apostle

The Feast of St. John the Evangelist recalls the second highest class of martyrdom, what some refer to as a dry martyrdom.

It’s the martyrdom offered by those we call "confessors," which means those who suffered for the Faith, would die for the Faith, but, in fact, didn't have to. St. John was a martyr by "will and love." He was the longest living of the Twelve and was in fact the only Apostle who did not die a martyr’s death, although that was not due to a lack of trying by his captors.

St. John is an exemplary model of chastity, and he wrote the Gospel of John, the three Epistles of John and the Book of Revelation.

St. John was of course the one who, with St. Peter, made the arrangements for the last Passover meal. He sat next to Our Lord at the Last Supper, and was the only one who followed Our Lord and Our Lady all the way to the Cross, the Beloved Disciple.

He took Our Blessed Mother into his home and cared for her as his own mother, as Our Lord told him to do. The special love and care that the Beloved Disciple had for Our Lady is something worth considering.

Imagine, they had witnessed the Passion of the one they both loved so dearly, accompanying Him together. Before that, John had been with Jesus since He called him in the first year of His public ministry, even leaving behind his betrothed to follow the Messiah. Following the Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Our Lord, John was the guardian of Mary, providing for her needs and protecting her.

For her, John was a priest, which meant he could celebrate the Mass. This was the only way for Our Lady to be once again united with her Dearly Beloved Son, in the Holy Eucharist. How much her Immaculate Heart longed to receive Our Lord!

It’s easy to imagine her meticulously caring for the altar linens and priestly vestments as well-- so carefully ensuring no particles were lost and that the priest was vested properly.

How much Our Lady must have loved St. John and the other Apostles for their ability of bringing her Son to her once again in the Blessed Sacrament!

Another joy is to consider the conversations between the two.

Did Our Blessed Mother share stories from Jesus’ childhood?

What burning questions did John ask Our Lady? In the quiet moments at meal times, in the mundane tasks of the day, or on a walk with Mary? To hear her laugh, to see her knowing smile, or to receive advice from her- so many special graces St. John received from simply obeying Our Lord!

After the Assumption of Mary, John went to Ephesus. It is said John was banished in the late 1st century, during the reign of the Emperor Domitian, after being plunged into boiling oil in Rome and suffering no injuries. It is also said that all those 29

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who witnessed the miracle in the Colosseum were converted to Christianity.

He was banished to the Greek Island of Patmos, where it is believed he wrote the Book of Revelation. St. John died in Ephesus after 98 AD. A prayer for today: “O glorious Apostle, who, on account of thy virginal purity, wast so beloved by Jesus as to deserve to lay thy head upon his divine breast, and to be left, in his place, as son to his most holy Mother; I beg thee to inflame me with a most ardent love towards Jesus and Mary. Obtain for me from our Lord that I, too, with a heart purified from earthly affections, may be made worthy to be ever united to Jesus as a faithful disciple, and to Mary as a devoted son, both here on earth and eternally in heaven. Amen.”

May we take Mary as Our Mother & serve Christ, all the way to the end, as St. John did!

Dec. 28, Feast of the Holy Innocents The Holy Innocents are the children mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 2.

Herod “the Great,” king of Judea, was unpopular with his people because of his connections with the Romans and his religious indifference. Hence he was insecure and fearful of any threat to his throne.

He was a master politician and a tyrant capable of extreme brutality. He killed his wife, his brother, and his sister’s two husbands, to name only a few.

Herod was “greatly troubled” when astrologers from the east came asking the whereabouts of “the newborn king of the Jews,” whose star they had seen. They were told that the Jewish Scriptures named Bethlehem as the place where the Messiah would be born. Herod cunningly told them to report back to him so that he could “go and worship him also.” The magi found Our Lord, offered Him their gifts, and worshipped Him. Then, warned by an angel, the three kings took another route to avoid Herod on their way home.

Herod became furious when he realized the kings were not returning and “ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under.”

Meanwhile, St. Joseph was visited by an angel in a dream and told to leave, so the Holy Family swiftly made their flight into Egypt.

As Bethlehem was a small town, the number of these Holy Innocents was probably no more than 25, but they are glorious martyrs who died not only for Christ, but in His place, so that He could die in ours. These baby boys were the very first martyrs.

The Feast of the Holy Innocents on the 28th recalls the sort of martyrdom done in deed only, but not of the will as they were too young to have such a desire. They were martyrs by blood alone, but it is said that "that God supplied the defects of their will

by His own acceptance of the sacrifice."

Turning for a moment to the mothers of Bethlehem, we can imagine their immense suffering, which had been foretold: Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying: A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning; Rachel bewailing her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. Matthew 2:17-18 While our Christmas joy is tinged with sadness on this particular day, we celebrate these martyrs’ glorious place in heaven and their incredible gift to us all. Had they not taken the place of Christ in that sacrifice, we shudder to imagine the consequences.

Let us give thanks for these first martyrs!

Wishing you & yours a blessed Feast of the Holy Innocents!

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The Circumcision of Christ & Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

On this day, we recall the circumcision of the Lord, and we also honor Mary, Mother of God. First, the circumcision was Our Lord's submitting to the Mosaic Law. By getting circumcised on the eighth day of His human life, He was in obedience to the Law as given in Genesis 17:1012.

Epiphanius in Aquinas's Catena Aurea gives us four more reasons why. "First indeed to shew the reality of His flesh, in opposition to Manichæus and those who say that He came forth in appearance only. Secondly, that He might prove that His body was not of the same substance with the Deity, according to Apollinaris, and that it descended not from heaven, as Valentinian said. Thirdly, to add a confirmation to circumcision which He had of old instituted to wait His coming. Lastly, to leave no excuse to the Jews. For had He not been circumcised, they might have objected that they could not receive Christ uncircumcised."

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“But this day is not exclusively devoted to the Circumcision of Jesus. The mystery of this Circumcision forms part of that other great mystery, the Incarnation and Infancy of our Saviour - a mystery on which the Church fixes her heart not only during this Octave, but during the whole forty days of Christmastide. Then, as regards our Lord’s receiving the Name of Jesus, a special Feast, which we shall soon be keeping, is set apart in honour of it. There is another object that shares the love and devotion of the Faithful on this great Solemnity. This object is Mary, the Mother of God. The Church celebrates today the august prerogative of this divine Maternity which was conferred on a mere creature, and made her the co-operatrix with Jesus in the great work of man’s salvation...She adores him, him who is her Son. She has the right to call him her Child; and he, God as he is, calls her in strictest truth his Mother.” -Dom Gueranger, O.S.B., Liturgical Year Thus, Mary is indeed the Mother of God. On this day, a plenary indulgence can be acquired, under the usual conditions, by reciting the Veni, Creator Spiritus, which can be found HERE

Jan. 3-Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus

In the commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai, and handed down to us, we are told to honor the name of God. St. Paul tells us in his Letter to the Philippians, “That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.” The name of Jesus was first spoken by the angel Gabriel and is the cause of adoration by the heavenly court. It is a name reverenced especially during the Mass, as the General Instruction of the Roman Missal instructs the priest to bow his head at the mention of Jesus’ name (see No. 275). It is a name that evil fears, and when invoked can cast out demons. We honor and celebrate the name of Jesus because the name of God deserves reverence.

By celebrating this feast, we seek to make reparation for the irreverent use of God’s name and restore it to proper dignity.

So honored is His Holy Name that educated Catholics, in addition to priests, bow their heads (men removing their hats) at the sound of "Jesus" (or "Iesus" in Latin), both inside and outside of the liturgy. To protect the sacredness and honor due the Holy Name, when hearing the Name of the Lord taken in vain, it is right to pray "Sit nomen Dómini benedíctum!" ("Blessed be the Name of the Lord"), to which the reply, if overheard, is "Ex hoc nunc, et usque in sæculum!" ("from this time forth for evermore!").

When we reach our own Judgement Day, it is this name that we must utter in hopes of being spared from eternal damnation.

The sweet Name of Jesus produces in us holy thoughts, fills the soul with noble sentiments, strengthens virtue, begets good works, and nourishes pure affections. All spiritual food leaves the soul dry, if it contain not that penetrating oil, the Name Jesus. When you take your pen, write the Name Jesus: if you write books, let the Name of Jesus be contained in them, else they will possess no charm or attraction for me; you may speak, or you may reply, but if the Name of Jesus sounds not from your lips, you are without unction and without charm. Jesus is honey in our mouth, light in our eyes, a flame in our heart. This name is the cure for all diseases of the soul. Are you troubled? think but of Jesus, speak but the Name of Jesus, the clouds disperse, and peace descends anew from heaven.

Have you fallen into sin? so that you fear death? invoke the Name of Jesus, and you will soon feel life returning. No obduracy of the soul, no weakness, no coldness of heart can resist this holy Name; there is no heart which will not soften and open in tears at this holy name. Are you surrounded by sorrow and danger? invoke the Name of Jesus, and your fears will vanish. -St. Bernard of Clairvaux Wishing you & yours a blessed Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus!

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Jan. 5-6 Twelfthnight & Epiphany

The beauty of the Epiphany recalls Christ revealing Himself as Divine three times: first to the Magi, second, at His Baptism, and third with His miracle at the wedding feast at Cana. All three of these Divine Revelations are traditionally believed to have happened on the same calendar date.

In this first Revelation, three Magi from the East entered Jerusalem bearing gold, frankincense, and myrrh for the newborn King, having travelled about 1000 miles from Persia. Their gifts were significant: -the gold as a sign of His Kingship.

-the frankincense- a gum resin (i.e., dried tree sap) from the Boswellia tree, native to Somalia and southern coastal Arabia- as a sign of His Deity.

-the myrrh- a brownish gum resin from the Commiphora abyssinica tree, native to eastern Africa and Arabia, and used in embalming- as a sign of His death. It has analgesic properties, too, and was offered, mixed with wine, to Christ on the Cross, which He refused (Mark 15:23). Nicodemus also brought myrrh to annoint Our Lord's Body after death (John 19:39).

The three Magi- meaning members of the priestly class are seen as the "first fruits of the Gentiles"-

those outside of Israel who came to the faith. They were willing to take the risk in order to go searching long distances for the truth, in what they discerned was a monumental event, and they worshipped the Christ Child with the finest things that they had when they found Him. And seeing the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him; and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:10-11.

Similar to the shepherds, the magi were in total amazement when they laid eyes on the newborn King, and they fell down worshipping Him. They were likely speechless, and one at a time reverently presented their gifts to the Christ Child.

May we also fall down and worship the King when we encounter Him in the Blessed Sacrament, reverently offering Him our very best every chance we get.

Today is when the Magi reach family Nativity. Catholic families exchange gifts on this day, too. A beautiful tradition is the Blessing of the Home on the Feast of the Epiphany. Full prayers can be found HERE. Venite adoremus Dominum!

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Feast of the Holy Family

There are many hidden years of Our Lord’s time with the Holy Family, and today is the day to contemplate those years.

We know that the Christ Child was obedient to His parents, and that they had peace in their home. The Child Jesus learned from His father the carpentry trade, and they worked hard together. We can only imagine the joy in their home!

It's a good day to think of the ways that your family can better emulate the Holy Family. How can you, as a mother, make your heart more like the heart of Our Lady? How can you, as a father, make your heart more like St. Joseph's? How can you, as a daughter or son, better honor your parents and grandparents by embracing the Sacred Heart of Christ and emulating Christ's submission and obedience?

Consecration to the Holy Family O Jesus, our most loving Redeemer, who having come to enlighten the world with Thy teaching and example, didst will to pass the greater part of Thy life in humility and subjection to Mary and Joseph in the poor home of

Nazareth, thus sanctifying the Family that was to be an example for all Christian families, graciously receive our family as it dedicates and consecrates itself to Thee this day. Do Thou protect us, guard us and establish amongst us Thy holy fear, true peace and concord in Christian love: in order that by living according to the divine pattern of Thy family we may be able, all of us without exception, to attain to eternal happiness.

Mary, dear Mother of Jesus and Mother of us, by the kindly intercession make this our humble offering acceptable in the sight of Jesus, and obtain for us His graces and blessings.

O Saint Joseph, most holy Guardian of Jesus and Mary, help us by thy prayers in all our spiritual and temporal needs; that so we may be enabled to praise our divine Savior Jesus, together with Mary and thee, for all eternity. Amen.

Say an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be three times.

Wishing you & yours a blessed Feast of the Holy Family!

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Jan. 13, Baptism of Our Lord St. John the Baptist, the prophet whom prophets foretold, heralded the Christ during Advent when he leapt in his mother’s womb. Now, at the end of the liturgical Christmastide season, St. John gives testimony once again.

The Gospel reading for today comes from the first chapter of John, verses 29-34: The next day, John saw Jesus coming to him, and he saith: Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him Who taketh away the sin of the world. This is He, of whom I said: After me there cometh a man, who is preferred before me: because He was before me.

And I knew Him not, but that He may be made manifest in Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

And John gave testimony, saying: I saw the Spirit coming down, as a dove from heaven, and He remained upon him. And I knew Him not; but He Who sent me to baptize with water, said to me: He upon Whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining upon Him, He it is that baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

And I saw, and I gave testimony, that this is the Son of God. Even more importantly than the witness of a voice of one crying in the desert, ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths,’ the Father Himself and the Holy Ghost give testimony. St. Matthew's account of this Divine testimony is more explicit. From the third chapter of his Gospel: And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him. And behold a voice from heaven, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

This Divine testimony helps us see why Our Lord Jesus Christ- the Sinless One, the 35

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Pure and Unspotted Lamb- would be baptized at all: so that He would be known for Who He is, so that He would be made manifest.

In addition to this reason, St. Thomas Aquinas (d. 1274), in his Summa Theologica, gives us three other reasons for the fittingness of St. John baptizing Christ. One is so that Christ might sanctify Baptism, a sentiment expressed by St. John Chrysostom (d. 407) when he wrote "In truth, Christ needed not baptism, neither his nor any other; but rather baptism needed the power of Christ." Another is so that John, by baptizing, "might accustom men to the Baptism of Christ." And the last is so that "by persuading men to do penance, he might prepare men to receive worthily the baptism of Christ."

The implications for us are crystal clear: Our Lord Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God and the Messiah, and that we are to be baptized, confess our sins and do penance.

Our Lord shows us how to be born again or "born from above,” which is necessary for Salvation.

Wishing you & yours a blessed Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ!

Feb. 2, Feast of the Purification / Presentation of Our Lord / Candlemas Today is a day of purification, renewal, and hope. On this day, exactly 40 days after Christmas, we commemorate Mary's obedience to the Mosaic law by submitting herself to the Temple for the ritual purification, as commanded in Leviticus 12:2-8.

Mary, of course, didn't need this purification but she submitted out of obedience to the Law. Our Lady and St. Joseph also presented Jesus to the Temple for His "redemption," also per the Law. This is why this day is also known as "Feast of the Presentation" Luke 2:22-24 Also commemorated on this "Feast of Light" or Feast of the Candles" is the prophecy of Holy Simeon, the "just and devout" man of Jerusalem who had been inspired by the Holy Ghost to know that he would live to see the "consolation of Jerusalem," and led to the Temple by the Spirit. Also commemorated is the encounter with the aged widow, Anna the Prophetess, who lived in the Temple and confessed Christ upon meeting Him. Before Simeon gave this prophecy to Our Lady, he referred to her Infant Son as the Light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and because of this, light and candles play an important role before and during the Mass, hence the most common name for this Feast - "Candlemas."

At the Temple, it was Simeon to whom Mary presented Jesus, and we read of his prophesy in St. Luke’s Gospel, 2:33-35: Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.”

From here, we also begin to learn about the Immaculate Heart of Mary, depicted with a sword piercing it.

Verse 33 tells us: And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. We can try to imagine the thoughts and feelings of St. Joseph and Our Lady- in the midst of obeying the Law, the unexpected words of Simeon and Anna left them with much to ponder in their hearts, both at that moment and over the years to come.

God can work similarly in our lives, in fact. In the midst of obeying Him, He can give us special glimpses into the plan. It isn’t always clear immediately, but may we continue in obedience until all is revealed.

Wishing you & yours a blessed Candlemas!

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About Our Business Partners

The businesses in our directory are local, vetted, recommended members of our South Florida community. They have all committed to the

Founding Pillars of Catholic Owned

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Faithful to the Magisterium Regularly practicing, sincere Catholic in good standing Prays the Rosary or practices other sincere devotion(s) Operates business in accordance with the principles of the Catholic faith

We help Catholics forge practical connections in the marketplace, which means you can make one less compromise at a time.

SUBSCRIBE to our weekly publication to never miss an issue!

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Business Directory

Business Services

FocalPoint Coaching, Roberto Munoz

Providing Business Coaching, Executive Coaching, Sales Skills Training, Assessments (DISC, Sales Skills, EQ), Leadership Development Workshops. Serving Florida & beyond.

Ph: (954) 684-9083 Email: rmunoz@focalpointcoaching.com Website: robertomunoz.focalpointcoaching.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertomunoz2/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rmunozcoach/

Doctors & Medical Services

Thrive OB/GYN, Dr. Ana Garcia Iguaran

We are a concierge obstetrics practice, we come to your house for prenatal care We deliver our patients in Palm beach, Broward and Dade counties (hospital birth only) Contact us for details.

Ph: 954-743-6076 Email: manager@thriveobgyn.hush.com Website: www.dranagarciaiguaran.com

Our Lady of Good Help Fertility Care, Katherine Hernandez

Providing the Creighton Model Fertility Care System as an effective and life-affirming way for single women and married couples to discover the truth of their reproductive health and embrace the gift of their fertility.

Women and couples can also be referred to a Natural Procreative (NaPro) Technology Medical Consultant to treat reproductive health conditions and evaluate the underlying causes of infertility and miscarriage.

Services provided via telehealth.

Website: Fertility Care - Our Lady of Good Help Fertility Care Email: katherine@ourladyofgoodhelpfertilitycare.com LinkedIn: Our Lady of Good Help Fertility Care: Company Page | LinkedIn

Home Services Strimbu Holdings, Andrei Strimbu Providing high end general contracting services, complete remodeling, plus all styles of flooring and gardens. Serving Broward County & beyond.

Ph: 954-632-1956 Email: strimbuholdings1@gmail.com Email: strimbuflooring@gmail.com

Recreation

Velocity Warehouse, Robert Tanon

Service provider for race car drivers. By racers and for racers, we strive to be a one-stop shop for everything racing. We offer race car storage, transportation, track support, race prep, rentals, coaching, builds, modifications, & sales of racing gear, equipment, & tires. Specializing in Mazda MX5 Miatas, RX8s, & RX7s. Serving Fort Lauderdale, all of Florida & beyond.

Ph: 888-300-1270 Address: 740 NW 57th St. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 Email: info@velocitywarehouse.com Website: www.velocitywarehouse.com Facebook: www/facebook.com/velocitywarehouse Instagram: www.instagram.com/velocitywarehouse

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Catholic Owned Magazine

Business Directory

Nonprofits (For End of Year Giving) Mother of Divine Grace School, Laura Berquist

Offering a Catholic, classical approach to distance learning. Providing K-12 curriculum, ongoing training for parent educators & Learning Support classes. Serving over 6,300 students worldwide & WASC Accredited.

Ph: (805) 646-5818, Mon-Thu 8am to 4pm PT Email: receptionist@modg.org Website: Mother of Divine Grace School (modg.org) Facebook: Facebook Instagram: @modgschool Twitter: @MODGSchool Pinterest: https://pin.it/7njdXmv YouTube: https://youtube.com/@modgschool783

Open Hearts for Orphans, Lisa Murphy

Providing resources for orphaned, abandoned, and at-risk children around the world with medical intervention, meeting basic needs, providing “Say Yes” grants to families in the adoption process, and through the advocacy of our ARISE program. openheartsfororphansorg@gmail.com Ph: 561-827-2222 Email: openheartsfororphansorg@gmail.com Website: https://openheartsfororphans.org/ Donations can be made on the website, via Meta, Paypal, Venmo, text-to-give or by mailing a check.

Text “GIVE” to 561-375-2700.

For stock donations, please email: donate@openheartsfororphans.org Check donations may be mailed to: Open Hearts for Orphans P.O. Box 8074 Delray Beach, FL 33482

The Men’s March, Jim Havens & Fr. Stephen Imbarrato

In participation with God’s grace, we will abolish the ongoing, daily mass murder of innocent children in our nation by (1) providing an opportunity for real men to gather together and maximize their influence in a brotherhood of authentic love for vulnerable women and children all throughout the Nation; (2) educating and inspiring all to LEAD ON LIFE without exception and without compromise according to their state in life; (3) demanding the U.S. Supreme Court take up a case to affirm PERSONHOOD NOW for every preborn child.

Email: jimhavens@themensmarch.com Website: www.themensmarch.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themensmarch/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themensmarch Tune into The Simple Truth: https://thestationofthecross.com/programs/the-simple-truth/

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Ultima Verba

We pray this special issue has helped you walk the season of Advent & Christmastide more faithfully and with more joy and devotion than ever before.

May we always share in the awe and wonder of the shepherds and the Magi when finding the newborn Savior, when we encounter Him in the Eucharist. May we bring our best gifts-- that is our very lives-- to the stable to offer them unreservedly to the King. And may we grow in love and affection for Mary, the Mother of God and Mother of all humanity, who is the Mediatrix of All Graces, and whose fiat made our very Salvation possible.

As this joyous season comes to a close, we turn our attention to the childhood of Our Lord, and walk towards Lent and Holy Week. May we immerse ourselves in the hiddenness of the Holy Family during this time. Last, we encourage all our readers to Pray the Rosary & Consider Marian Consecration. May God bless you abundantly.

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Deo Gratias