Swaddling Clothes and a Manger

December 25, 2015By

Christmas Midnight Mass 2015
We should pay special attention to the repetition of the phrase “swaddling clothes” in the Gospel account for today.  The importance of these swaddling clothes is found in the care and love shown to the Holy Infant.  Even though this Child was rejected by so many and was forced to be laid in a filthy feeding trough for animals found in a dark cave, there are those who still loved Him and cared for Him.  This is the story of Christ’s entire life – rejected by many but ardently loved by a few.  The Savior entered the world through the painless, virginal birth of His Mother.  This birth prophesied the Resurrection, in which Our Lord passed through the tomb with new life, while leaving the tomb shut.  On this feast, we celebrate the stupendous moment in which our Redeemer first appeared to mankind in the Flesh.  God the Father became father in a new way today, and all Heaven celebrates the birth of His Son.  On this feast, our sorrows are lifted and we look forward to a greater day to come.
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Anticipate Christmas Joys

December 13, 2015By

Gaudete Sunday 2015
The “O” Antiphons are sung every day from December 17th to the feast of the Nativity. Antiphons are citations from Holy Scripture or prayers created by the Church that demonstrate the theme of the day, recited before and after the Psalms of the Divine Office. The “O” Antiphons are very ancient petitions to God the Son in preparation for the end of time. These prayers refer to the Son of God as “Wisdom,” “Adonai,” “Root of Jesse,” and other titles full of meaning. We should pray these antiphons to help us prepare for the real purpose of Christmas.

The liturgical color of rose is a combination of the violet color representing penance and the white representing joy. Penance is found in the hatred of sins and the intention never to commit them again. Mortification is related to penance but refers to acts which put our evil inclinations to death. Through mortification we deny ourselves even those things which are permissible, in order to strengthen us on the road to sanctity. The joy of this day comes from our proximity to the great feast of Christmas, in which we have a foretaste of the everlasting joys of Heaven.
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The Triumph of the New Eve

December 8, 2015By

Feast of the Immaculate Conception 2015
Although the Blessed Mother was given the unique privilege of being preserved from Original Sin, this does not mean that she was not redeemed.  It simply means that she was redeemed in a more perfect, anticipatory manner.  She was conceived with an initial plenitude of grace, yet her share in God’s life continually increased in her until she was taken back to Heaven.  Adam was made God-like with the gift of Sanctifying Grace and mankind was meant to remain in perfect harmony with the Divine.  Because Adam was made master of creation, he was given a sign to show his subordination to God – the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.  The devil brought evil into the world by convincing Eve to tempt Adam.  We see in the book of Genesis how quick God is to offer mercy after we fall.  Immediately after the sin of Adam was revealed, God promised a Savior who would come through the new Eve, the woman never touched by sin.
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The Remains of Sin

November 2, 2015By

All Souls Day 2015

Very few in our day remember the souls of the departed because of the false belief in the universal salvation of all men.  In assisting the suffering souls in Purgatory, we gain friends who will intercede for us.  We must never waste the time we have been given, because the way we choose to spend our moments on earth will make the difference between an eternity in Heaven or Hell.  Many souls can be released on this day, especially through the intercession of the Virgin Mary.  All our sins have a debt of punishment attached to them.  If we pray our penance well, we could remit our entire debt of temporal punishment, but if we die with these dispositions of soul, we would rather throw ourselves into the punishments of Purgatory than remain in the presence of the infinitely perfect God.
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Pray for a Merciful Heart

October 18, 2015By

21st Sunday after Pentecost 2015
Most of us can think of a time during our life when we were slow to forgive one who asked for forgiveness.  The terrible crime of refusing forgiveness to those who sincerely ask for it is in direct contradiction to the Our Father, in which we ask that God forgive our trespasses as we forgive others.  Spiritual reading and the Holy Rosary are powerful weapons against the devil, as well as some of the greatest aids to living a true Christian life.  Every Catholic should be familiar with the 15 promises that the Blessed Mother made to those who devoutly pray the Rosary.
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The Importance Of The Rosary

October 11, 2015By

Sermon From
20th Sunday After Pentecost 2015
This year marks the 500th anniversary of the birth of St. Teresa of Avila and her feast is this week.  Her quotes show her to be a traditionalist and a teacher of prayer.  Today is also the feast of the Divine Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Last week was the feast honoring the Rosary and we are reminded of the importance of this powerful sacramental, what it is and how we should pray it efficaciously.  At Fatima the Blessed Mother revealed to the three children on October 13, 1917 when the Miracle of the Sun took place her identity as the Lady of the Rosary.  Besides the Rosary she taught them how to offer up their daily little sacrifices in reparation for the sins of the world and for their own sanctification.
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Restoration Through The Rosary

September 20, 2015By

17th Sunday after Pentecost 2015
There was only one religion started by Our Lord, and we should never be swayed to think otherwise.  Centuries ago, when devotion to the Holy Rosary had begun to decrease, a terrible plague was sent throughout Europe as a chastisement.  The Blessed Mother and Our Lord appeared to Blessed Alan de la Roche and instructed him to promote the Rosary through his preaching.  By his efforts, this devotion was restored.  In our own day the Holy Rosary is often ignored or suppressed.  We should be on fire for the defense of Our Lord and His Mother and use the Holy Rosary as a prayer of penance to make up for the sins of mankind.
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Her Sacrificial Heart

September 15, 2015By

Feast of the Seven Sorrows 2015
The Epistle for this Mass makes reference to Judith of the Old Testament who was a type of the Blessed Virgin.  The seven swords depicted in the Immaculate Heart represent seven key moments of suffering in the life of our Holy Mother, however, her life was filled with many sorrows.  We have been given a privilege to live in times of great trials in the Church in which we may suffer for Our Lord.  Everything that Christ merited on the Cross He willed to share with His associate, His Virgin Mother.  Few remember that the basis of this feast is found in the Immaculate Conception, which prepared the Blessed Mother to be a pure victim.  Her suffering was made far greater because of her sensitivity of soul and her deep hatred of sin.  She has her Immaculate Heart in Heaven to this day so she might compassionate us in the sorrows of our life.
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Heartfelt Gratitude To God

August 23, 2015By

13th Sunday after Pentecost 2015

The Old Law was given to the Hebrews to protect them from the evil practices of the pagan world.  We can follow their example today by remaining on guard against worldly influences and striving to be examples for those outside the Church.  The Gospel informs us of the importance of gratitude.  We should daily thank God, from the bottom of our hearts, for the gifts we are continually given.  The Holy Mass is not only an act of worship, but the most perfect thanksgiving offered to God.

The Octave Day of the Assumption is the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  Our Lord desires that we honor His Mother’s heart, which endured so much anguish for our sakes.  We must all surrender to the Immaculate Heart of the Mother of God.
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