What is this festival?
IT is the festival on which the Church venerates the humility and obedience of Mary who, though not subject to the law of Moses, which required purification and presentation in the temple, yet subjected herself to it. From this comes the name Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or the Presentation of Jesus in the temple. It is also called Candlemas, because before Mass on this day the candles used in divine service are blessed and carried in procession.

Why are the candles blessed on this day and carried in procession?
In remembrance of the presentation of Jesus to His Heavenly Father on this day, when the aged Simeon called Him: A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of the people of Israel, (Luke ii. 32.) and to remind us that, like the five wise virgins, we should go to meet Christ with the light of faith and good works.

With what intention are candles blessed?
With the intention of obtaining from God by their pious use and the prayers of those who devoutly carry them, health of body and soul; that our hearts, through the doctrine
of Jesus and the grace of the Holy Ghost, may be interiorly enlightened; and that the fire of the love of God may be kindled in our hearts, purify them from all remains of sin, and make us partakers in the joyous light of heaven, which will never be extinguished.

The Introit of the Mass is:
We have received Thy mercy, O God, in the midst of Thy temple: according to Thy name, O God, so also is Thy praise, unto the ends of the earth: Thy right hand is full of justice. Great is the Lord, and exceedingly to be praised: in the city of our God, in His holy mountain. (Ps. xlvii.) Glory &c.
 
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH. Almighty, everliving God, we humbly beseech Thy Majesty, that as Thine only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in the substance of our flesh; so we also may, with purified hearts, be presented unto Thee. Thro'. &c.

LESSON. (Malach. iii. i 4.) THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD: Behold, I send my Angel, and he shall prepare the way before my face. And presently the Lord, whom you seek, and the Angel of the testament, whom you desire, shall come to his temple. Behold, he cometh, saith the Lord of hosts, and who shall be . able to think of the day of his coming, and who shall stand to see him? For he is like a refining fire, and like the fuller's herb: and he shall sit refining and cleansing the silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and shall refine them as gold and as silver: and they shall offer sacrifices to the Lord in justice. And the sacrifice of Juda and of Jerusalem shall please the Lord, as the days of old, and the ancient years : saith the Lord Almighty.

EXPLANATION. The angel or messenger who shall prepare the way for the Lord, is John the Baptist, (Matt. xi. 10.) and the long desired Ruler and Messiah is Christ, who on this day comes into his temple. He is called the Angel of the testament, because He has arranged between God and man a new and far more excellent covenant than God had made with the Jews; inasmuch as He has given to the Christians not merely temporal but eternal good. This Angel of the testament, Christ, came the first time in all the humility of a little child into the temple, but His second coming at the end of the world will be terrible. The prophet likens Him to a fire which purifies the gold, and to that herb with which cloth is whitened in the fuller's machine; under which figures he alludes to the severity of judgment, with which Christ will judge the just and the unjust. Pure as refined gold, and as the white linen (corporal) on which the Body of Christ is laid in the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, must be the heart of those who receive Christ in the blessed Sacrament, or seek worthily to offer the holy Sacrifice with the priest.

GOSPEL. (Luke ii. 22 32.) AT THAT TIME, After the days of Mary's purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried Jesus to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord, as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Ghost was in him. And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law: he also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word, in peace: Because my eyes have seen thy salvation: which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: a light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Why was Jesus brought into the temple of Jerusalem?
That He might be offered to God, who had commanded the Jews to offer their first-born sons to Him in grateful commemoration of the destroying angel having spared their first-born at the departure from Egypt, when all the firstborn of the Egyptians were slain. (Exodus xii. 12.) These children had to be redeemed afterwards by certain gifts. (Exodus xiii. 13.)

How soon after birth was this offering to be made?
On the fortieth day; for according to the law the mother's impurity lasted for this length of time after the birth of a boy, after which she went to the temple, and in order to be declared purified, made her offering of purification. (Lev. xii.)

Was Mary subject to this law of purification?
No, for she had not, like other mothers, conceived in sin, and, therefore, did not need purification ; but she placed herself with her divine Child among sinners and fulfilled the law by which these were bound. "Nothing", says St. Bernard, "was impure in her conception, nothing impure in her birth; there was nothing to be cleansed, for the Child itself was the origin of all purity, and came into the world to purify it from sin.' Truly, O happy Virgin, thou wast not in need of purification, but thou wouldst pass as a woman among women, as thy Son also passed for a child among children."

Why did Mary comply "with the law of purification?"
She did this to give us an example of obedience and true humility, for she interiorly thought little of herself and wished externally to be so regarded; to teach us to thank God for the favors He has shown to our ancestors, for the law of the Jews was given to encourage them to gratitude for the preservation of the first-born of their ancestors from the hands of the destroying angel; (Exodus xii. 12.) and in order not to scandalize, by being regardless of this law, those who did not know that she was not required to observe it.

Learn, O Christian, from Mary's example to be truly humble and obedient, to be grateful to God for the benefits which your ancestors and parents have received, and to be on your guard never to give scandal, by failing to observe the commandments of God and His Church.

Why did not Mary offer a lamb as did the rich, (Lev. xii. 6). but merely, like the poor, a pair of doves?
Because she was poor, and was not ashamed to appear as such before the world. Mary loved humility and the poverty connected with it. Be not ashamed, therefore, if thou art poor, love poverty the more; but if rich, be poor in spirit, and love the poor and distressed.

How did it come to pass that Simeon met the Saviour in the temple?
Because he was a pious and faithful servant of God, it had been promised him that he should not die, until he had seen the Saviour. When Jesus was brought into the temple, Simeon was inspired by God to go there also, and when he found Jesus there, he by divine inspiration knew Him to be the Messiah, and gave testimony of Him. See how God rewards those who sincerely love and serve Him, giving Himself to them to be known always more and more!

Why was Simeon ready to die when he had held Jesus in his arms?
Because his wish was fulfilled; for since he had not only seen with his own eyes, but had held in his arms the Desired of all nations, for whom the patriarchs had so vainly longed, what more could he wish than to leave this miserable world, and commend his spirit into the hands of his Saviour?

Why did Simeon call Jesus a light for the revelation of the Gentiles ?
Because Jesus had come into the world as the true light, (John i. 9) which was to free the Gentiles from the darkness of superstition and idolatry, and from the blindness and slavery of Satan, as well as to conduct the Jews out of the bondage of the Mosaic Law into the liberty of the children of God. (Gal. iv. 31.)

PRAYER. Heavenly Father! look down from Thy throne of mercy upon the face of Thy Anointed in whom Thou art well pleased. Behold, He is this day offered to Thee in the temple for the sins of His brethren. Let this offering please Thee, and move Thee to have compassion on us sinners. In consideration of His humility and obedience, forgive us our pride and disobedience, and grant us, that purified by His blood, we may one day, having like Simeon departed this life in peace, behold Thee as the eternal Light which shall never be extinguished in the temple of Thy glory, be presented to Thee by Mary, our beloved Mother, and love and praise Thee forever.  Amen.

INSTRUCTION ON CHURCHING.
In the Jewish law (Lev. xii.) women for forty days after the birth of a boy, and for eighty after that of a girl, were regarded as unclean and kept out of the temple, and required, at the end of that time, to bring a lamb as a holocaust, and a dove as a propitiatory sacrifice to the temple, and be pronounced pure by the prayer of the priest. This law does not, it is true, apply to Christian women, because the Church has abolished the Jewish ceremonies: but the Church, nevertheless, permits them to remain absent from church for six weeks, or so long as circumstances may require, after the birth of a child, in order to take care of their health. This should be remembered by husbands, who should see that their wives have the necessary quiet and attendance which nature requires for recovery after the birth of a child. The Church desires that at the end of this time the mother, following Mary's example, should resort to the church to obtain the blessing of the priest,thank God for her delivery, offer the child to God, praying with the priest for the grace to bring up her offspring in sanctity and piety. This comprises the Churching of women, which is a very old and praiseworthy custom and should not be neglected. This practice was not instituted to prevent their being harmed by the devil, by malicious persons, or by ghosts, and it would be not only a foolish fear, but a superstition to be condemned, if one were to suppose that a woman were liable to harm if she should go abroad before she were churched. The delicate health of women and of children is generally owing to their having injured themselves by want of proper care and attention.

PRAYER. Almighty and beneficent God! who didst impose upon our mother Eve, in punishment for her sin, that she should give birth to her children in pain: I offer to Thee all the pains which I have thus suffered in atonement for my sins, and thank Thee, that I have safely brought a child into the world, whom I now offer to Thee, according to the example of the Mother of Thine only-begotten Son, for Thy holy service, whom I shall zealously endeavor to educate for Thy honor. Give me but this grace through the intercession and merits of this most blessed Mother. Bless me and my child, and grant, that we may here live in accordance with Thy divine will, and receive eternal salvation. Through Christ, our Lord, &c. Amen.

Welcome then time's threshing pain,
And the furrows where each grain
Like a Samson, blossom shorn
Waits the resurrection morn.
- Father Tabb -

O my Jesus, give me to understand how full of Thy love is every day of my life. How every breath that buffets me, every creature that hurts me, every pang that troubles me, is only a messenger of Thine to make me lift my heart up out of the mists of worldly existence to Thee who art my all.
                                                                                                 - Bishop Hedley -

 On a table are placed the following requisites:
1. The chalice for the mass, prepared as usual and covered with white veil and burse, unless the Feast of the Purification falls on one of the privileged Sundays, when the color should be violet.
2. A white chasuble, stole, and maniple. 3. The censer and incense-boat.
4. The holy water vessel and aspersory.
5. A dish or plate, with a slice of bread and a vessel of water for washing the celebrant's     hands, together with a towel for wiping them.
6. The wine and water-ruets, and the finger-towel.
7. A book or books containing the antiphons, to be recited during the procession.

On the altar the ornaments—viz., the antependium and tabernacle veil— are violet, but beneath them are similar ornaments of white. The violet ones are removed before the mass begins, unless, as above, the day be one of the privileged Sundays, for which violet is the proper color. The flowers and other movable ornaments are also removed from the altar during the blessing of the candles, etc., but are replaced before the mass. At the epistle corner is placed the missal on its stand. In the sanctuary, at the epistle corner, is placed a table covered with a white cloth. On this are placed the candles to be blessed, and over all another white cloth is drawn. Near the table stands the processional cross. In the sacristy are prepared for the celebrant, amice, alb, cincture, violet stole, and cope.

THE BLESSING OF THE CANDLES.
The celebrant, having put on the vestments, proceeds to the altar. At the foot of the altar he makes the proper reverence, ascends the steps kisses the altar, and goes to the missal at the epistle corner. Having turned towards the missal, he says, Dominus vobiscum, and reads the five prayers which follow. Before each one he says Oremus, but neither disjoins his hands nor bows. While saying the words, he makes the sign of the cross over the candles with his right hand, keeping, meantime, his left on the altar. Having recited the fifth prayer, he puts incense into the censer, blessing it with the usual formula; then takes the aspersory and sprinkles the candles while saying the Asperges me, &c., and afterwards incenses them. He may then deliver a short instruction to the people on the institution and meaning of the Feast of the Purification, and on the symbolism of the blessed candles.

THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE CANDLES.
The celebrant, immediately after incensing the candles, goes to the centre of the altar, kneels on the upper step, and takes from the altar one of the blessed candles, previously placed there by the server, kisses it, and hands it to the server. He then rises and returns to the missal, and reads, in an audible tone, the antiphons and the canticle. Having repeated the antiphons, the celebrant proceeds to distribute the candles to the people kneeling at the rails. He begins at the epistle side, and proceeds to the other extremity of the sanctuary, after which he returns again to the epistle side, and so on. When all have received candles, he goes to the epistle side of the altar, and there, standing on the floor, washes his hands, after which he comes to the front of the altar, makes the proper reverence, and goes up to the missal, and reads the antiphons and prayers.

THE PROCESSION.
If it is customary to have the procession, the celebrant, having said the prayer Exandi, after the distribution of the candles, goes to the middle of the altar, and receives from the server a lighted candle and a book containing the antiphons to be recited during the procession. Then, turning towards the people, he says Procedamus in pace, or sings it, if there is a choir. The choir, where there is a competent one, will also sing the antiphons during the procession. The procession may go outside the Church, or may be confined to the interior, according to custom or circumstances. If it goes outside, the Responsory Obtulerunt is begun when it returns. Arrived at the altar, the celebrant gives his candle to the first server, and goes to the bench to vest for mass. He puts off the cope and violet stole, and' puts on white vestments, unless the day be one of the privileged Sundays, the color for which is violet.

The server removes the violet ornaments from the altar and replaces the flowers. If the mass is of the Feast, lighted candles should be held during the Gospel, and from the Sanctus to the Communion.

- The Manual of the Holy Catholic Church, Imprimatur 1906 -

                     Lord, if thou wilt. (Matt. viii. 2.)
THOSE who in adversity as well as in prosperity, perfectly resign themselves to the will of God, and accept whatever He sends them with joy and thanks, possess heaven, as St. Chrysostom says, while yet upon earth. Those who have attained this resignation, are saddened by no adversity, because they are satisfied with all that God, their best Father, sends them, be it honor or disgrace, wealth or poverty, life or death. All happens as they wish, because they know no will but God's, they desire nothing but that which He does and wills. God does - the will of them that fear Him. ' (Ps. cxliv. 19.)

In the lives of the ancient Fathers we find the following: The fields and vineyards belonging to one farmer were much more fertile and yielding than were his neighbors'. They asked how it happened and he said: they should not wonder at it, because he always had the weather he wished. At this they wondered more than ever: How could that be? "I never desire other weather," he replied, "than God wills; and because my desires are conformable to His, He gives me the fruits I wish." This submission to the divine will is also the cause of that constant peace and undimned joy of the saints of God, with which their hearts have overflowed here below, even in the midst of the greatest sufferings and afflictions. Who would not aspire to so happy a state? We will attain it if we believe that nothing in this world can happen to us except by the will and through the direction of God, sin and guilt excepted, for God can never be the cause of them. This the Holy Ghost inculcates by the mouth of the wise man: Good things and evil, life and death, poverty and riches, are from God, (Ecclus. xi. 14.) that is, are permitted or sent by God; all that which comes from God, is for the best, for God doeth all things well. (Mark vii. 37.) Whoever keeps these two truths always in mind, will certainly be ever contented with the will of God, and always consoled; he will taste while yet on earth the undisturbed peace of mind and foretaste of happiness which the saints had while here, and which they now eternally enjoy in heaven, because of the union of their will with the divine will.
                                                          - Goffine's Devout Instruction, Imprimatur 1880 -

THIS great saint was born at Sales, three leagues from Annecy. His parents were Francis of Sales and Frances of Sionas. Before his birth his pious mother offered her child to God, begging He would preserve it from the corruption of this world, and rather deprive her of the comfort of seeing herself a mother than suffer her to give birth to a child who should ever become His enemy by sin. Her first care was to inspire him with the most profound respect for the Church and all holy things; and she had the consolation of seeing in him a recollection and devotion at his prayers far above his age. She often repeated to him those words of Queen Blanche of Castile to her son St. Louis IX, King of France: "I had rather see you dead, than hear you had committed one mortal sin." The young Francis was very beautiful, and the sweetness of his countenance won the affection of all who saw him; but the meekness of his temper, the pregnancy of his wit, his modesty, tractableness and obedience were far more valuable qualifications. He showed an early inclination for the ecclesiastical state, and with great difficulty obtained his father's consent to receive the tonsure in the year 1578, and the eleventh of his age. He afterwards entered the school of the Jesuits in Paris, and went through rhetoric and philosophy with great applause; he also acquired a knowledge of the Greek and Hebrew languages. But his principal concern was a regular course of piety, by which he labored to sanctify himself and all his actions. His chief resort, during his stay at Paris, was to some churches, that especially of St. Stephen des Grez, as being one of the most retired. Here he made a vow
of perpetual chastity, putting himself under the special patronage of the Blessed Virgin. God to purify his heart permitted a dense darkness to overspread his mind, and a spiritual dryness and melancholy to overwhelm him. He seemed, from a perfect tranquillity and peace of mind, to be almost brought to the brink of despair. Seized with
the greatest terror, he passed days and nights in tears and lamentations, and suffered more than can be conceived by those who have never felt the severity of such interior conflicts. His pious preceptor endeavored in vain to discover the cause of these troubles, and to suggest a remedy. At last Francis, being at prayer in the same church of St. Stephen, cast his eyes on a picture of our Blessed Lady, and, prostrating himself on the ground as unworthy to address the Father of all consolation, he begged that she would be his advocate, and procure him the grace to love God with his whole heart. That very moment he found himself eased of his grief as of a heavy weight taken from his heart, and his former peace and tranquillity restored, which he ever after enjoyed. He was eighteen years old when his father recalled him from Paris, and sent him to Padua to study law; here two years later he received the degrees of doctor with great applause and pomp, in the presence of forty-eight doctors. His father wished him to form a very favorable alliance, and obtained in his behalf from the duke of Savoy, documents creating him councellor of the parliament of Chamberry. Francis modestly, but firmly, refused both; yet dared not propose to his parents his design of receiving holy orders. He had recourse to his cousin, Lewis of Sales, a priest and canon of Geneva,
who obtained the consent of his parents, but not without the greatest difficulty. He was appointed by the Pope to the provostship of the Church of Geneva, then vacant. He delivered the word of God with a mixture of majesty and modesty; his first sermons gained him an extraordinary reputation, and were accompanied with incredible success. His piety, his charity to the poor, his disinterestedness, his care of the sick and those in prison, endeared him to all.

He was naturally of a hasty and passionate temper, but by studying in the school of a God who was meek and humble of heart, he learned that important lesson to such perfection, as to convert his predominant passion into his characteristical virtue. The Calvinists ascribed principally to his meekness the wonderful conversions he made amongst them. St. Francis converted no less than seventy-two thousand of them. In 1599 he was raised to the episcopate of Geneva. Immediately after his consecration he performed the visitation of his diocese, reformed several monasteries and corrected many abuses. St. Francis instituted the Order of the Visitation, designing it to be such, that all, even the sickly and weak might be admitted into it. Humility, piety, charity, meekness and simplicity were to be the necessary requirements of its members.

In the year 1622 having received an 'order from the duke of Savoy to confer at Avignon with Louis XIII. who had just finished the civil wars in Langnedoc, he took leave of his friends, saying he should never see them again. He was received by the king, queen-mother, and all the princes at Avignon with the greatest marks of honor and esteem. Though indisposed he performed all his functions on Christmas-day and St. John's in the morning. After dinner he began to fall gradually into apoplexy and happily expired on the 28th of December, in the year 1622, the fifty-sixth of his age, and the twentieth of his episcopacy. His body was embalmed and laid near the high altar in the church of the monastery of the visitation at Annecy. Innumerable miracles have been wrought by
his intercession.

The spirit of ardor, authority, sagacity and power to lead, with a strong love for his crucified Lord, are the chief characteristics of St. Francis. In him as in St. Paul, we see untiring activity, burning zeal and wonderful tact, eloquence and defiance of opposition and persecution, and like this great apostle he became all to all for the salvation of souls. To St. Francis was given the peculiar commission of making felt the sweetness of charity, and leading men to salvation by this path, rather than by that of austerity and penance.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH. O God, who didst wish blessed Francis, Thy confessor and bishop, to become all things to all for the salvation of souls : grant propitiously that, imbued with the sweetness of Thy charity, we may, directed by his counsels and aided by his merits, attain eternal joys. Thro'. &c.
                                                   - Goffine's Devout Instruction, Imprimatur 1880 -
A Coloring page of St. Francis deSales can be found here.

Let us never ask of God precisely our own ease by delivery from our tribulation, but pray for his aid and comfort by which ways Himself shall best like.
                                                                                                       -Blessed Thomas More-

I try my best to carry without much complaining and in a practical way, for my poor soul's sanctification, the long foreseen miseries of the disease, which, after all, is a providential agent to detach the heart from all earthly affection and prompts much the desire of a Christian soul to be united — the sooner the better — with Him who is her only life.
                                                                            - Father Damien (in one of his last letters) -

My God! I believe so firmly that Thou watchest over all who hope in Thee and that we can want for nothing when we rely upon Thee in all things, that I am resolved for the future to have no anxieties, and to cast all my cares upon Thee.
                                                                                                - Father de la Colombiere -

One of the things that strikes me is the immense amount of spiritual funds thrown away in the world by people not making good use of the daily trials and worries of this life. , , .                                                                                                     - Mother Henrietta Kerr -

But if doing well, you suffer patiently this is thanksworthy before God. For unto this are you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example that you should follow His steps.
                                                                                                                          - Saint Peter -

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 Bernardino says the same: "Does grief bow us heavily, then we but the more loudly call on Jesus."
 
Never yet was human being in urgent need, and on the point of perishing, who invoked this help-giving name, and was not powerfully sustained. It was given us for the cure of all our ills; to soften the impetuosity of anger, to quench the fire of concupiscence, to conquer pride, to mitigate the pain of our wounds, to overcome the thirst of avarice, to quiet sensual passions, and the desires of low pleasures. If we call to our minds the name of Jesus, it brings before us His most meek and humble heart, and gives us a new knowledge of His most loving and tender compassion.

The name of Jesus is the purest, and holiest, the noblest and most indulgent of names, the name of all blessings and of all virtues; it is the name of the God-Man, of sanctity itself. To think of Jesus is to think of the great,infinite God who, having given us His life as an example, has also bestowed the necessary understanding, energy and assistance to enable us to follow and imitate Him, in our thoughts, inclinations, words and actions. If the name of Jesus reaches the depths of our heart, it leaves heavenly virtue there. We say, therefore, with our great master, St. Paul the Apostle: If any man love not our Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema, (i. Cor. xvi. 22.)

                                                                Goffine's Devout Instruction, Imprimatur 1880

What is resignation? It is placing God between ourselves and pain.
                                                                                           - Madame Swetchine -

Look up towards Christ and stretch yourself out, defenceless, upon the Cross on which He died and on which you must sacrifice yourself with Him.
                                                                                                                    - Pere Didon, O.P. -

 There is an ancient tradition that when the time came for the Virgin Mary to be betrothed, her guardians ordered lots to be drawn, so that God Himself might choose a worthy spouse for the Temple ward.

The order was that the candidates for Mary's hand should each deposit in the Temple over night a rod of almond tree. When the morning came and all were assembled at the place appointed, it was found that the smooth rod of Joseph, son of Jacob, had blossomed into beautiful flower and leaf. This sign was held by all as a testimony of Joseph's worthiness. Tradition goes on to say that another young candidate, Agabus by name, in despair at seeing himself put aside, broke his rod, left the world, and dedicated his life to God.

This legend is depicted by Raphael in his famous work, "The Marriage of the Virgin," preserved in the Brera, Milan. He represents the Jewish high priest joining the hands of Mary and Joseph, whilst Joseph places the ring on Mary's finger.

The Gospel words are few but precise. Mary is called "a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph of the house of David." Joseph is a "just man," Mary's "husband," and Mary is his "espoused wife." Of the ceremonies of Jewish espousals and marriage at the time of our Lord, it would be easy to write a chapter, for many details are known of the customs of that day. But these are not to our purpose now. We want rather to look at St. Joseph "in the day of his espousals, in the day of the joy of his heart" (Can. of Can. 3, xi.).

Let us think of St. Joseph then. He would have in his heart the bounding joy of a lover beloved Mary, the Virgin of the Temple, had placed her hand in his. He was to wait but a few months to take her to a home of his own making, endow her with his fortune, nourish her with his earnings, protect her with his life. Though he knew the high aspirations of Mary's heart on the happy day of his espousals, he was far from understanding the wonderful destiny of his spouse. Little by little he learnt how sublime was his office, how exalted his charge. Like all great saints, he had to pass through a time of supreme agony, but the full light of Heaven changed a death-like fear into ecstatic wonder and admiration. He learnt from angelic lips that she whom he worshiped was the Spouse of the Holy Ghost, the Mother of the Son of God, of the Messiah of prophecy. And he was to stand aside like an angel guardian and become a virgin protector to a virgin mother, a foster-father to a heaven-born Babe. No' wonder we never hear St. Joseph speak, no wonder writers and painters have depicted him as old. He was grave, but his gravity was of thought, not of age; his silence was the fruit of meditation, not of senses dulled by years.

Think of the steps of St. Joseph's greatness. He began by the pure love of a spotless virgin. Gradually, as the mystery unfolded itself, the earthly love turned to enraptured veneration, and Mary became to him a trust from the God of his fathers, a divine treasure to be guarded from every shadow of ill. In the little cottage of Nazareth he was overflowingly happy. The months rolled on, and Cyrinus, governor of Judea, ordered the enrollment to carry out the decree of Caesar Augustus. Then Joseph journeyed with Mary to Bethlehem, and there in the stable at midnight received from her arms the Christ of God. Thus, from being Mary's spouse and protector, he became the foster-father of the Son of God. Through his love for Mary and his faithful service to her, he was found worthy to take that higher mission of Guardian of Jesus, This is why on today's feast St. Joseph is particularly commemorated. For him it was the beginning of his happiness, the first step to his unrivaled dignity.
                                        ~Manual of the Holy Catholic Church, Imprimatur 1906~

There is a coloring picture to be found here:

There is nothing to do here but lovingly to endure all that God sends us; blindly to accept in advance all that it may please Him to send in future.
                                                                                                 -Father Ramiere, S.J.-

So sorry, I inadvertently put February's Quotes for the 18, 19 and 20th instead of January's.  So here are the correct ones. 

JANUARY EIGHTEENTH
The more we fear crosses the more reason we have to think we stand in need of them. Let us not therefore be dejected when the hand of God layeth heavy  ones upon us.
                                                                                                         -Fenelon
JANUARY NINETEENTH
I do not ask, O Lord, that life may be
A pleasant road;
I do not ask that Thou wouldst take from me
Aught of its load.
I do not ask my cross to understand,
My way to see;
Better in darkness just to feel Thy hand,
And follow Thee.
                                                                                                        -Adelaide Procter-
JANUARY TWENTIETH
O Jesus! Thou hast suffered so much for me, let me therefore suffer for Thee!
                                                                                                         -St. Aloysius-

We should thank God not only for the temporal favors that He vouchsafes to send us, but even for the afflictions and humiliations with which He visits us. We should bless Him, not only when as a Father He fondles us, but also when as a physician He holds to our lips the cup of sorrow and tribulation. We should kiss the hand that strikes, as well as the hand that caresses us; for whether He smiles or caresses, He is always our Father.
                                                                                                           -Cardinal Gibbons-

We have added a couple more coloring pictures for January, St. Timothy and St. John Bosco.  The Saints for February that we have added are:  Catherine de Ricci, Bernadette, Brigid of Ireland, Matthias the Apostle, The Apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes, Cyril of Jerusalem, Ethelbert, King,  John of Matha, The Marriage of Mary and Joseph and Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows. 

Learn to suffer and to be silent if you wish to live in peace and to attain to great virtue.
                                                                                                      - St. John of the Cross -

IN the Introit of this day's Mass the Church calls upon all creatures to thank God for the Incarnation of His only-begotten Son.

Let all the earth adore Thee, O God
and sing to Thee: let it sing a psalm
to Thy name. (Ps. Ixv. 4.) Shout with joy to God all the earth, sing ye a psalm to His name: give glory to His praise. (Ps. Ixv. 1-2.) Glory be to the Father, &c.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH. Almighty and eternal God, who disposes! all things in heaven and on earth: mercifully hear the supplications of Thy people, and give Thy peace to our times. Through our Lord, etc.

EPISTLE. (Romans xii. 6 16.) BRETHREN: We have different gifts, according to the grace that is given us: either prophecy, to be used according to the rule of faith, or ministry in ministering, or he that teacheth in doctrine, he that exhorteth in exhorting, he that giveth with simplicity, he that ruleth with carefulness, he that sheweth mercy with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Hating that which is evil, cleaving to that which is good: loving one another with the charity of brotherhood: with honour preventing one another: in carefulness 'not slothful: in spirit fervent: serving the Lord: rejoicing in hope: patient in tribulation: instant in prayer: communicating to the necessities of the saints: pursuing hospitality: bless them that persecute you: bless and curse not. Rejoice with them that rejoice, weep with them that weep: being of one mind, one towards another: not minding high things, but consenting to the humble. Be not wise in your own conceits.

EXPLANATION. St. Paul in this epistle exhorts every Christian to make good use of the gifts of God; if one receives an office, he must see well to it, so that he can give an account to God of the faithful performance of his duties. He exhorts especially to brotherly love which we should practice by charitable works; such as, receiving strangers hospitably, giving alms to those who are in need, and to those who by misfortune or injustice have lost their property; he commands us, at the same time, to rejoice in the welfare of our neighbor, as we rejoice at our own good fortune, and to grieve at his misfortunes as we would over those which befall us.

How is brotherly love best preserved?
By the virtue of humility which makes us esteem our neighbor above ourselves, consider his good qualities only, bear patiently his defects, and always meet him in a friendly, respectful, and indulgent manner. Humility causes us to live always in peace with our fellow-men, while among the proud, where each wishes to be the first, there is continual strife and dissatisfaction. (Prov. xiii. 10.)

INSTRUCTION FOR SUPERIORS.
THOSE have to expect a severe sentence from God, who merely for temporal gain, seek profitable offices, and thrust themselves therein whether capable or not, and if capable care very little whether they fulfil the duties required, or perhaps make the fulfilment of them depend upon bribes. Of such God makes terrible complaint: Thy princes (judges) are faithless, companions of thieves: they all love bribes, they run after rewards. They judge not for the fatherless; and the widow's cause comes not into them. (Isati. 1. 23.) A most severe judgment shall be for them that bear rule. (Wisd. vi. 6.)

ASPIRATION. Grant us, O Lord, Thy grace, that according to Thy will, we may follow the instructions of St. Paul in regard to humility and love, have compassion upon all suffering and needy, think little of ourselves, and descend to the lowest, that we may, one day, be elevated with them in heaven.

GOSPEL. (John II. 1 - 11.) AT that time there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the marriage. And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: They have no wine. And Jesus saith to her: Woman, what is it to me and to thee? my hour is not yet come. His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye. Now there were set there six water-pots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures apiece. Jesus saith to them: Fill the water-pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And Jesus saith to them: Draw out now, and carry to the chief steward of the feast. And they carried it. And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water; the chief steward calleth the bridegroom, and saith to him: Every man at first setteth forth good wine; and when men have well drank, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee: and manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

Why was Christ and His mother present at this marriage?
In order to honor this humble and God-fearing couple who, with faithful hearts, had invited Him and His mother to their wedding; to give us an example of humility; to assist them in their poverty, and save their good name by changing water into wine; to reveal His dignity as the Messiah to His disciples by this miracle; and to sanctify by His presence the marriages that are contracted in the spirit of the Church. Alas ! how few marriages of our time could Jesus honor with His presence, because He is invited neither by fervent prayer, nor by the chaste life of the couple: He is excluded rather, by the frequent immorality of the married couple and their guests.

Why was Mary interested in this married couple?
Because she is merciful, and the Mother of Mercy, and willingly assists all the poor and afflicted, who fear God. From this incident, St. Bonaventure judges of the many graces which we can hope for through Mary, now that she reigns in heaven; "For", says he, "if Mary while yet on earth, was so compassionate, how much more so is she now reigning in heaven'" He gives the reason by adding: "Mary now that she sees the face of God, knows our necessities far better than when she was on earth, and in proportion to the increase of her compassion, her power to aid us has been augmented." Ah! why do we not take refuge in all our necessities to this merciful mother, who although unasked assists the needy?

Why did Christ say to Mary: Woman, what is it to me and to thee?
This seemingly harsh reply of Christ was no reproach, for Mary had made her request only through love and mercy, and Christ calls those blessed who are merciful, but He wished to show that in the performance of divine work, the will of His heavenly Father alone should be consulted. He meant to remind her that He had not received the gift of miracles from her as the son of woman, but from His eternal Father, in accordance with whose will He would do that which she asked when the hour designed by God would come. Though the hour had not come, yet He granted the wish of His mother, who knew that her divine Son refused none of her requests, and so she said to the servants: "Whatsoever He shall say to you, do ye." Behold the great power of Mary's intercession! Neglect not, therefore, to take refuge to this most powerful mother!

What are we taught by the words: My hour is not yet come?
These words teach us, that we should in all things await God's appointed time, and in things belonging to God and His honor, act only by divine direction, without any human motives.

What does the scarcity of wine signify?
In a spiritual sense the want of wine may be understood to signify the lack of love between married people, which is principally the case with those who enter this state through worldly motives, for the sake of riches, beauty of person, or who have before marriage kept up sinful intercourse. These should ask God for the forgiveness of their sins, bear the hardships of married life in the spirit of penance, and change the wrong motives they had before marriage; by doing so God will supply the scarcity of wine, that is the lack of true love, and change the waters of misery into the wine of patient affection.
 
Why did Christ command them to take the wine to the steward?
That the steward, whose office required him to be attentive to the conduct of the guests, and to know the quality of the wine, should give his judgment in regard to the excellence of this, and be able to testify to the miracle before all the guests.

ASPIRATION. O my most merciful Jesus! I would rather drink in this world the sour wine of misery than the sweet wine of pleasure, that in heaven I may taste the perfect wine of eternal joy.

                      INSTRUCTION ON THE HOLY SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY.

What is Matrimony?
MATRIMONY is the perfect, indissoluble union of two free persons of different sex, for the purpose of propagating the human race, mutually to bear the burdens of life and to prevent sin. (I. Cor. vii. 2.)

Who instituted Matrimony?
God Himself, the Creator sof all things. (Gen. I . 27 28.) He brought to man the helpmate, whom He formed from one of the ribs of Adam, that she who came from his heart, might never depart therefrom, ,but cling to him in the indissoluble bond of love. (Gen. ii. 18, 24.) To this original, divine institution Christ refers, (Matt. xix. 4 6.) and the Church
declares the bond of marriage perpetual and indissoluble.

Is Matrimony a Sacrament?
Yes; according to the testimony of the Fathers, the Church has held it such from the times of the apostles, which she could not do, had Christ not raised it to the dignity of a Sacrament. St. Paul even calls it a great Sacrament, because it is symbolical of the perpetual union of Christ with His Church; and the Council of Trent declares: "If any one says that Matrimony is not really and truly one of the seven Sacraments of the Church instituted by Christ, but an invention of men that imparts no grace, let him be anathema." (Cone. Trid, Sess. 24. c. i.)

What graces does this Sacrament impart?
The grace of preserving matrimonial fidelity inviolate: the grace of educating children as Christians; of patiently enduring the unavoidable difficulties of married life, and of living peaceably with each other. Married people are indeed greatly in need of these graces, in order to fulfill their mutual obligations.

What is the external sign in the Sacrament of Matrimony?
The union of two single persons in Matrimony, which according to the regulations of the Council of Trent, (Cone. Trid. Sess. 24. c. i) must be formed publicly in the presence of the pastor, or with his permission before another priest, and two witnesses.

What preparations are to be made to receive the grace of this Sacrament?
1. The first and best preparation is a pure and pious life.
2. The light of the Holy Ghost should be invoked to know whether one is called to this state of life.
3. The parents and the father-confessor should be asked for advice.
4. The choice should be made in regard to a Christian heart, and a gentle disposition rather than to beauty and wealth.
5. The immediate preparation is, to purify the conscience, if it has not already been done, by a good general confession, and by the reception of the most holy Sacrament of
the Altar. Before their r;;arriage the young couple should ask their parents' blessing, should hear the nuptial Mass with devotion, with the intention of obtaining God's grace to begin their new state of life well, and finally they should commend themselves with confidence to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her spouse St. Joseph.

Why are there so many unhappy marriages?
Because so many people prepare the way by sins and vices, and continue to sin without interruption, and without true amendment until marriage, therefore always make sacrilegious confessions, even perhaps immediately before marriage. Besides this many enter the married life on account of carnal intentions, or other earthly motives; in many cases they do not even ask God for His grace; without any proper preparation for such an important, sacred act, on their marriage day they go to church with levity and afterwards celebrate their wedding with but little modesty. Is it any wonder that such married people receive no blessing, no grace, when they render themselves so unworthy?

Why did God institute married life?
That children might be brought up honestly and as Christians, and that they should be instructed especially in matters of faith; that married people should sustain each other in the difficulties of life, and mutually exhort one another to a pious life; and lastly, that the sin of impurity might be avoided. For they who in such manner receive matrimony as to shut out God from themselves, and from their mind, and to give themselves to their lust, as the horse and mule which have not understanding, over them the devil hath power. (Tob. vi. 17.)

With what intentions should the married state be entered?
With such intentions as the young Tobias and his bride had, who before the marriage ceremony, ardently prayed God for His grace, and took their wedding breakfast in the fear of the Lord. (Tob. xiv. 15.) Hence God's blessing was with them until death. If all young people would enter the married state thus, it would certainly be holy, God pleasing and blessed, and the words of St. Paul, spoken to wives, would come true unto them: Yet she shall be saved by bearing children, if she continue in faith, and love, and sanctification with sobriety, (I. Tim. ii. 15)

Why are the bans of marriage published three times in Church?
That all impediments which would render the marriage unlawful may be made known. Such impediments are: consanguinity, clandestine marriages, &c. Therefore, any one who is aware of such impediments, is bound to make them known to the pastor.

Why is the marriage performed in the presence of the parish-priest?
Because the Catholic Church expressly declares that those marriages which are not performed in presence of the pastor, or with his permission before another priest, and two witnesses, are null and void; (Cone. Trid. Sess. xxiv. c. i.) and because the blessing of the priest, which he imparts in the name of the Church, gives the couple, if they are in a state of grace, strength, fortitude and grace to be faithful to each other, to endure all trials patiently, and to be safe from all the influences of the evil enemy. (Note: In the absence of a priest we may be validly married by following Canon 1098)

Why do they join hands before the priest, and two witnesses?
By this they bind themselves before God and His Church to remain true to each other, and to be ready to assist each other in all adversities. The bridegroom puts a ring on the bride's finger which should remind her of her duty of inviolable fidelity; to this end the priest signs and seals this holy union with the unbloody Sacrifice of the New Law.

Can the bond of marriage be dissolved in the Catholic Church?
A valid marriage, contracted with the free consent of each of the parties, can according to the plain doctrine of the Scriptures, the constant teaching and practice of the Church, be dissolved only by the death of one of the parties. If the pope or a bishop, for important reasons, gives a divorce, this is only partial, and neither can marry again while the other lives. Such a marriage would not be valid. How pure and holy are the doctrine and practice of the Catholic Church in this the most important and sacred of all human relations, preserving its inviolability and sanctity; while, on the contrary, by means of the wanton doctrine of the heretics, which for trivial reasons entirely dissolves the marriage contract, this sacred union is made the deepest ignominy of mankind, and the play-ball of human passions and caprice!

What is thought of mixed marriages, or marriages between Catholics and Protestants?
The Catholic Church has always condemned such marriages, because of the great dangers to which the Catholic party is unavoidably exposed as well as the offspring. Such marriages promote indifference in matters of religion, by which the spiritual life of the soul is destroyed; they are a hinderance to domestic peace, cause mutual aversion, quarrels, and confusion; they give scandal to servants; they interfere with the Christian education of the children, even render it impossible, and they frequently lead to apostasy and despair. But the Catholic Church condemns especially those mixed marriages, in which either all or a number of the children are brought up in heresy, and she can never bless and look upon those as her children who do not fear to withdraw themselves and their own children from the only saving faith, and expose them to the danger of eternal ruin. Therefore, those Catholics who enter the matrimonial union with Protestants, although the marriage if lawfully contracted is valid, commit a mortal sin if they permit their children to be brought up in heresy, and should it not be their full intention to bring up their children in the Catholic faith at the time of their marriage, they would commit a sacrilege.

What should the newly married couple do immediately after the ceremony is performed?
They should kneel and thank God for the graces received in this holy Sacrament, in such or similar words: "Ratify, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that which by Thy grace Thou hast wrought in us, that we may keep that which in Thy presence we have promised unto the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." That they may keep their promise made at the altar, they should always remember the duties laid down to them by the priest at the time of their marriage, and the exhortations which are taken from the epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians, (Eph. v. 29. 31.) wherein he instructs married people how they should comport themselves towards each other, and recalls to them as an example the union of Christ with His Church, and His love for her. To the husbands he says, they should love their wives as Christ loved His Church, for which He even gave Himself up to death; from this is seen, that men should assist their wives even unto death, in all need, and not treat them as servants. To the wives St. Paul says, that they as the weaker should be in all
reasonable things obedient to their husbands, as the Church is obedient to Christ; for as Christ is the head of the Church, so is the husband the head of the wife. Experience proves there is no better way for women to win the hearts of their husbands than by amiable obedience and ready love, while, on the contrary, a querulous, imperative deportment robs them of their husbands' affections, and even causes them to be regarded with aversion. St. Paul says further; that husbands should love their wives (and consequently wives their husbands) as their own bodies, because married people are, as it were, one. They shall be two in one flesh; no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, as also Christ doth the Church. (Eph v. 29. 31.) How unjustly and barbarously do those act, who, instead of loving one another, rather hate and outrage each other, and cause the loss of their property, and by detraction steal their honor! These do not consider that he who hates and disgraces his partner in life, hates and disgraces himself; while according to thewords of St. Paul he who loves her, loves himself. If married people would remain in constant love and unity, it is most necessary that they should patiently bear with each other's infirmities, wrongs, and defects, exhort one another with mildness and affection, keep their adversities, trials, and sufferings as much as possible to themselves, and complain in prayer only to God, who alone can aid them. By impatience, quarrels, and complaints the cross becomes only heavier and the evil worse. Finally, not only on their wedding day, but often through life, they should earnestly consider, that they have not entered the married state that they may inordinately serve the pleasures of the body, but to have children who will one day inhabit heaven according to the will of God; as the angel said to Tobias: "For they who in such manner receive matrimony, as to shut out God from themselves and from their mind, and to give themselves to their lust as the horse and mule, which have not understanding, over them the devil hath power." (Tob. vi. 17.)

PRAYER. Most merciful Jesus! who didst work Thy first miracle at the wedding in Cana by changing water into wine, thereby revealing Thy divine power and majesty, and honoring matrimony: grant we beseech Thee, that Thy faithful may ever keep sacred and inviolate the holy sacrament of Matrimony, and that they may so live in it truthfully, in the fear of the Lord, that they may not put an obstacle in the way of obtaining heaven for themselves, and their children.
                                            - Goffine's Devout Instruction, Imprimatur 1880 -

We have added coloring pictures for: St. John Bosco, St. Timothy, St. Catherine de Ricci, St. Bernadette, St. Brigid of Ireland, St. Matthias, the Apostle, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Cyril of Jerusalem, St. Ethelbert, King, St. John of Matha, the Marriage of Mary and Joseph and St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows.

Our latest issue of our Gazette is now available to be downloaded on our down

What is death? It is but the leap of a child springing into his Father's arms.
                                                                               ~ Father Tesnieres, SSS., D.D. ~

When we feel us too faint, remember Christ's strength. In our fear, let us remember Christ's painful agony that Himself would (for our comfort) suffer before His passion, to the intent that no fear should make us despair.
                                                                                        - Blessed Thomas More -