Saint John the Apostle, Model of Friendship
Today, December 27th, the Church celebrates the feast of Saint John, the apostle. Of all the disciples (Peter being the exception), John seems to be held in the highest esteem, both by later Christians...
View ArticleThe Holy Innocents and Rachel
Three days after Christmas, the Church celebrates the feast of the Holy Innocents. Innocent children under two years of age in the surrounding region of Bethlehem were murdered at the hands of Herod,...
View ArticleFeast of the Holy Family
Today, the Sunday between Christmas and New Year’s Day, the Church celebrates the feast of the Holy Family. Strictly speaking, the feast celebrates the familial tie between Jesus, his mother, Mary, and...
View ArticleSolemnity of Mary, Mother of God and Our “Yes”
Today’s feast, formerly known as The Circumcision of Jesus, was replaced by Pope Paul VI in 1974 as the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. The law prescribed by Moses in Genesis 17:12 asked that males...
View ArticleFeast of the Baptism of Our Lord
We close the Christmas season with Christ’s baptism in the river Jordan by John (i.e., the baptism of our Lord). This is the third Epiphany of the Christmas season and the last time we will hear ‘We...
View ArticleOpen to Letter to Musicians Before Holy Week
Dearest Singers, Just a few thoughts about what’s about to happen.. We’re about to enter Holy Week starting on Palm Sunday. It’s an intense week that begins at Christ’s triumphant entrance into...
View ArticleHoly Thursday
We begin the Triduum – three continuous days where we enter the Passion, death and Resurrection of Christ – one continuous service that leads us from complete darkness into light starting on Thursday...
View ArticleGood Friday: Commending our Spirits
Good Friday. How can we call this day “good”? The red glows with the blood of Christ and the austere Church reflects the emptiness felt by the death of a friend. We enter in silence, as the clergy...
View ArticleEaster Vigil
Darkness has fallen on us. The alleluias have fallen to their most silent. The ropes of the church bells left un-pulled. Statues have been covered, the crucifix is veiled, and not a single flower fills...
View ArticleGospel Reflection for First Sunday of Advent
Happy Advent to all! from Catholic Majority! Welcome to our preparation time before Christmas. Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming,whether in the evening, or at...
View ArticleGospel Reflection for Wednesday, First Week of Advent
“At that time: Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there.” (Matthew 15:29) When was the last time you walked by the sea, went up on a mountain, or simply sat?...
View ArticleGospel Reflection for Thursday, First Week of Advent
Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” –Matthew 7:21 Words are cheap. St....
View ArticleGospel Reflection for Friday, First Week of Advent
As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can...
View ArticleGospel Reflection for Second Sunday of Advent
Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy...
View ArticleGospel Reflection for Monday, Second Week of Advent
by Gretchen Pacheco, Guest Contributor to Catholic Majority In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was...
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