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Little Month of Saint Joseph - Day Five Meditation

3/5/2018

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" While Joseph thought on these things, behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep."—Saint Matthew 1: 20.

What honour for Saint Joseph thus to be deemed worthy of retaining her as spouse, who, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, had become the Mother of God! We must admit that he had, by his prudence and discretion, proved himself worthy of the high mission entrusted to him. In similar circumstances how many would by their precipitation have ruined all! Joseph is lord of his own mind and heart He takes time to reflect: Haec autem to cogitante.

Let us think before we act, think before we speak, think even before pronouncing interiorly, especially when our neighbour's honour is concerned. Let us wait for light from above, and when we have used all possible means, and applied all the resources of our mind and will, suddenly, and at the very moment when we least expect it, God will send His angel: Haec aviem eo cogitante, ecce angelus Domini apparuit in somnis ei. During sleep, in the hours of night, at the moment when we end our research, or at the moment when all is dark around, light will appear, inspiration will arrive, and the Divine Will be declared.

Watchword.—Reflect before you speak or act.

5. Patronage of Saint Joseph.

Saint Theresa relates that at the Feast of the Assumption Saint Joseph appeared and covered her with a mantle of brilliant whiteness, revealing to her at the same time, that she was justified from all her sins, and that he would obtain for her all the favours she desired.

Saint Theresa had dedicated the greater part of her convents to Saint Joseph, but after her decease, some of these houses were placed under her protection. The saint appeared to one of the religious and gave her this strict order: Tell the Father Provincial to remove my name from the houses and restore to them that of Saint Joseph.
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Little Month of Saint Joseph - Day 4 Meditation

3/4/2018

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" Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately."  Saint Matthew 1: 19.

The Holy Ghost proclaims Joseph a just man, and yet as being loth to accuse Mary therefore the holy Patriarch must have been convinced of the perfect innocence of his angelic spouse, if not so, Joseph's resolve would have been contrary to the law and therefore to justice also. Why, then, does Joseph meditate separation from Mary ? It is doubtless that he deems himself unworthy of remaining with her in whom such mysteries were being enacted. What anxiety must not he have suffered in reconciling obedience to the law, with the respect due to the virtue of Mary? Admire the wisdom of this just man, who finds in withdrawing himself a way of conciliation.

However strong the external evidence against our neighbour—let us beware of judging him—I reflect what regret it would have caused Saint Joseph had he allowed himself to judge according to appearances. Do you wish to spare yourself and your brethren sorrow—too often irreparable - judge not your neighbour, speak not and act not against his interests, save in case of publicity, of certainty, or of necessity.

Watchword.—Judge, not and you shall not be judged.
 
4. Saint Joseph and the Two Professors.

During the time that Father Lallemand was rector of the college at Bourges, as the Feast of Saint Joseph drew near the Rev. Father sent for two young professors, and promised to obtain for them any grace they desired, provided that they would exhort their pupils to devotion towards Saint Joseph.

The two religious gladly consented to the proposal, and their efforts were so successful that on the day of the Feast all their pupils received Holy Communion. The same day the two professors went to the rector, and each of them privately named the grace he desired. The first, the eminent Father Nouet, entreated the privilege of speaking and writing worthily of our Saviour. We do not know the favour desired by the other, we only know that it was obtained. As for Father Nouet, he, on the morrow of the Feast, returned to the rector, saying that he had changed his mind, as, on reflection, he
thought it his duty to ask for some grace more necessary to his own perfection. The rector replied that it was too late now, for Saint Joseph had already granted the favour at first requested.
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Little Month of Saint Joseph - Day Three Meditation

3/3/2018

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"When Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost."—Saint Matthew 1: 18.

Mary was confided to Saint Joseph as a precious deposit. The mission of this just man was to shield the virginity of Mary. Meanwhile the work of the Holy. Ghost is accomplished. Let us simply observe our rule of life, fulfil the duties of our calling, and God meanwhile will work out great things, accomplishing His designs, and inasmuch as we have been faithful to the mission entrusted to our care, God will associate us with Himself in the work that otherwise He would effect without our aid.

Joseph covers, so to speak, the Divine work; and thus God makes use of our words and example to give birth to Jesus in the hearts of men, whilst in reality it is His grace that effects these wonders.

3. Dignity of Saint Joseph.

On the Feast of the Annunciation Saint Gertrude beheld in vision all the saints of heaven bend the head each time the choir uttered the name of Joseph; they exchanged glances, testifying their happiness at the glory Saint Joseph enjoys in heaven, and the honour rendered to him on earth.
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Little Month of Saint Joseph - Day Two Meditation

3/2/2018

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 "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."—Saint Luke I. 26, 27.

This son of David, the descendant of kings, is in the world's sight nought but a simple workman, obliged to gain his bread by the sweat of his brow.
When God proposes working out some grand design, He renders lowly all the surroundings of the person whose greatness He intends to manifest That masterpiece of the Divine Wisdom, Power and Love, the Incarnation, was to be divested of all earthly splendour; therefore, during three hundred years the house of David was lost sight of among the other families of Judah, Zerubbabel is the last king who plays any part in history. The branch to which Joseph belonged fell into indigence, and as there is nothing so efficacious as poverty to ensure the world's neglect, Joseph was in a fit position to be associated in the Divine work.
 
When God abases and humbles you; when He deprives you of the means of action, of the elements of success; when He appears to frustrate and annihilate your every effort, do not be alarmed. In this very way He is about to effect, by you and in you, some great work. Men despise, or worse still, they forget you, and know you no more. This is the moment awaited by God. Now, will the Divine Power (such is the meaning of the name Gabriel) descend to visit you, and, as Mary and Joseph ofold, so you too are about to be summoned to concur in the carrying on of the Divine work, in the development of the Incarnation; in the perfecting of the mysterious Body of Christ, in the extension of the Church, and the reign of Jesus.

Watchword—Desire to be ignored, and to ignore oneself.

2. Devotion to Saint Joseph counselled by our Lady.

Father P. Balthazar Alvarez being sick, a religious presented him with an image of Saint Joseph, exhorting him to commend himself to the holy Patriarch. "You are right," replied the Father; "that is precisely what the Blessed Virgin counselled me to do." On hearing these words, a brother who had accompanied Father Alvarez in his journey to Rome, remembered that on quitting the Holy House of Loretto, the Father told him that he had just experienced a deep feeling of devotion to Saint Joseph. It is possible that was the moment when Our Lady exhorted the Father to confidence in her Holy Spouse.
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The Little Month of Saint Joseph - Meditations for March

3/1/2018

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The following is taken from the book titled, "The Little Month of St. Joseph"  Imprimatur 1886                               
                                                                                   PREFACE
The most reliable foundation for the glory and veneration due to Saint Joseph is to be found within the pages of the Gospel. Thirty-three texts, comprising all that the New Testament narrative reveals concerning Saint Joseph, have been selected by us as the groundwork of a course of short practical Meditations inciting to the imitation of the virtues of the Saint, as recorded in the Gospel. These thirty-three chosen texts will teach the faithful how best to honour the great Patron of the Church, and the reasons for placing unlimited confidence in his protection.

This little manual contains a daily exercise for the Month of Saint Joseph; but devotion to this Patron op the Universal Church should not be confined to one month, and as each Wednesday throughout the year has for a long time been dedicated to St. Joseph, a good way of carrying out this devotion might be to take for the subject of our Meditation some of the mysteries of the life of this great Saint as we find them recorded in the Gospel. Of the three Feasts in honour of Saint Joseph, the chief one is that celebrated on the 19th of March. The second in order is that of the Patronage, fixed for the Third Sunday after Easter; and the third, common to Our Lady and her chaste Spouse, falls on January 23d, and bears the name of Feast of the Espousals of the Blessed Virgin and Saint Joseph. Three of the daily readings would form a Meditation for each day of the Novenas preceding these Feasts, and each Meditation might be concluded by the recitation of the prayers authorized to be used in honour of the Saint, and which will be found at the end of this little book, in company with other devotions to the august Spouse of the Mother of our Lord.
                                                                    SAINT JOSEPH
                                                                ACCORDING TO THE GOSPEL
                                                                               1st Meditation

"And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called the Christ"                                                                                                          —Saint Matthew 1:16.

Descendant of the kings of Judah, Spouse of the Mother of God, foster-father of Jesus, representative also of the Eternal Father, Joseph holds, next to Mary, the highest rank to which a mere creature can be exalted; and such a man is passed unnoticed. No trait is cited, no word uttered, that can win him a place in the annals of the world. He is named but in conjunction with Jesus and Mary, and that only so far as their interests require.

How vain all earthly glory! Much is said of those who desire but oblivion, and true merit remains ignored. Let the world despise us, its contempt pass unheeded, and, far from feeling surprise, let us rejoice at being overlooked. The world has forgotten so many! We will repay oblivion by oblivion!

Watchword. —Heed neither the esteem nor the contempt of the world.

1. Saint Joseph's Place in Heaven.
An artist was commissioned by Pius IX to paint a picture of the proclamation of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception. When the sketch was submitted for approval, the sovereign pontiff, looking at it, exclaimed: "And Saint Joseph, where is he?" The artist pointed to a group lost in the clouds, replying: "That is the spot I reserve for him." "No," replied the Holy Father, pointing to a place at our Saviour's side; "there, and only there, must he be placed; for surely that is his post in heaven."
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Lent is Here - Sharing a few Lenten Projects Below

2/10/2018

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With Ash Wednesday fast approaching I thought I would share with you some of our past posts with  Lenten printables you may find useful.  May you all have a blessed and fruitful Lenten Season!

My Lenten Cross Printable

Stations of the Cross and Stabat Mater printing book.

Station of the Cross and Stabat Mater handwriting book.

Prayer for Everyday of Lent printing practice.

Prayer for Everyday of Lent handwriting practice.
 
Stations of the Cross Coloring Book.


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Lenten Lapbook and Tutorial

2/10/2018

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Sharing our Lenten Lapbook again for those who have asked for it. 
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Sacrifice after Sacrifice, Prayer by Prayer,
The day of our Redemption
will soon be here.

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As we prepare for Lent, which starts on Ash Wednesday we thought we would share a tutorial on piecing together our Lenten Lapbook. At the bottom of this post are the files for the lapbook. Just below is a tutorial on making a single copy of the lapbook.  Thank you to my dear friend CeAnne for making this tutorial for us its beyond my ability.

What you will need:
 - 16 Sheets of Cardstock (regular paper will do if that is what is to be had)
- 2 sheets of Address Labels (We used Avery's 1" x 2 5/8" #8160)
Again if all that is had is card stock or plain paper, use scissors and glue to accommodate.
- 1 or 2 purple file folders (any purple will do,we used this box so that we could use the other colors for things such as blue in May for our Blessed Mother, but these or these over on Amazon will work too.  (And no I'm not an affiliate ;) )
- A color printer (black will do too, just color items in by hand)
- Scissors
- Glue
- 1 sandwich bag that seals
-Stapler
-Small piece of purple ribbon or string
-Willing hands and a Lenten spirit!

Start by Printing and Prepping Your Pieces

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Please note: When printing, check your printer settings. All printers are different, but on mine the default is not set to a specific printer. In my print screen, I have to open the page setup, select my printer. If I print without doing this the size of the image on the paper is not right. Its very important when printing on the address labels that this is done right. 

Print Your Cover - There are two Choices

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1.) Print one of the two Lenten Lapbook covers, for EACH of the Lapbooks you plan on making. Carefuly and slowly color the picture of Our Lord that you chose. Cut out along the edges of the image. 

Print the History of Lent and All for Jesus Booklets

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2.) Print the History of Lent and All for Jesus Booklets, in color, double sided.  Cut along the outside edge of both books, DO NOT CUT DOWN THE MIDDLE (insert mother voice here to children… may need to be repeated, or maybe tri-peated? ;) ) Fold down the middle of each booklet. Either at this point or once your lapbook is put together, read with your child the History of Lent. Then fill out the All for Jesus Book with things that your child plans on doing more of and things that your child will plan on doing less of during Lent. Set aside these books as we will put the lapbook together once all the elements are ready to go.

Print the Countdown Cross

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3.) Print one copy, per lapbook you are making, of the Lenten Countdown Cross. Print in Color, single sided on card stock (if you are using card stock). Cut on the outside edge of the cross. DO NOT (in mother voice again) cut the lines inside the cross. Set aside for later.

Print the Holy Week Matchbox Booklets

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4.) Print the Holy Week Matchbox Booklets AND the Passion Sunday File (with other pieces),   2 sided, in color. Cut each piece out around the outside bounding box. Set aside for later.

Print the Stations Pocket & Resurrection Flip Book

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5.) Print out the Stations Pocket and Resurrection flap book. Single sided, in color. Cut along the outside edges, do not cut the lines inside the book. 

If you want color the outside flaps of the Resurrection Flip book yellow and write He has Risen! On one flap. Using the picture of the Resurrection (printed in the step above), glue it to the inside square of the flap book. Fold the sides in starting with the top flap, then counter clock-wise. The last flap gets tucked under the first to hold it closed. For th e Stations pocket, fold the large flap back on the line then fold in the side flaps. Glue the back of the side flaps to the back flap to make a pocket.5.) Print out the Stations Pocket and Resurrection flap book. Single sided, in color. Cut along the outside edges, do not cut the lines inside the book. 

Print the Stations of the Cross

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7.) Print the Stations of the Cross. Cut to fit the pocket that was printed above, so that they are all similar in size making sure not to cut off any words or parts of the picture. We have one child that was able to do this fine and the other I drew lines around with a ruler and blue pen to give him some guides. If you wish, lovingly, reverently, while meditating on each picture, color the pictures of Our Lord's Way of the Cross. 

Now Print your Stickers

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8.) Print the Sacred Heart and Flower Stickers on the address labels. Make sure to check your printer settings (see above). Print single sided in color. Cut down each set of 5 (with the Avery labels there is a non sticker gutter there) and then cut down each row. Store in a plastic bag. The Sacred Heart Stickers will be used to count down the days of Lent with on the count down cross. The flowers are placed on the Crown of Thorns for every good deed and sacrifice the child does so that by Easter they have turned the Crown of Thorns into a wreath of flowers for Jesus.

Putting it All Together! Lets start with folding the folder!

First open your file folder like a book….

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Next, fold the right side to the middle of the folder...

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Once you have folded the right side in it will look like this...

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Now fold the other side so that it lines up with the cut of the side you just folded.

When you get it folded it will look like this, divided into 4 sections. Since that branding mark was showing inside our folder, I turned it over and creased the folds in the opposite direction.
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Time to start placing the pieces in their new home….

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Glue HALF of your cover piece to the left side, of the front of your file folder.
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Glue the Crown of Thorns to the lower right of the cross. The middle of the Crown will have the crease of the folder behind it, that is ok, it will fold with the folder.
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Open your folder like a book and glue your Lenten Cross Count Down in the center.
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Add the History of Lent Book to the left top side of the folder. Glue the All for Jesus book to the top right of the folder. 
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Fold your Holy Week Match Books: Fold the picture part at the line over the text. For the two small ones that will be the only step, just folding them in half.
If the matchbook is longer, fold UP the bottom part under the picture part.
Glue in your lapbook in order (Palm Sunday, Passion Sunday, Maunday Thursday, Black Friday and Holy Saturday) placing the glue on the back part which should be white allowing the book to still open. 
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Glue the back of the Stations of the Cross pocket to the lower left hand corner. Glue the Prayer in Commemoration of Our Lord's Passion between the Crown of Thorns and All for Jesus book. To the back of the folder staple the bag at the top between the seal of the bag on only the BACK side of the seal. Then place your stickers inside and this will allow you to seal and re-seal the bag while keeping the stickers with the lapbook for the next 40 days.
Punch a hole in the flap of the front cover and also in the side of the file folder just opposite. Tie a ribbon or string in a bow to secure the lapbook closed. Write My Lenten Lapbook and place authors name on it.

Enjoy using your lapbook through- out Lent to encourage sacrifices, to teach children to forget themselves and think of others and also to pray to Our Dear Lord.

stations_of_the_cross.pdf
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inserts_for_lapbook.pdf
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flower_stickers.pdf
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sacred_heart_stickers.pdf
File Size: 77 kb
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Planner Survey - Printed Version

1/31/2018

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I would like to know how many people would prefer a printed version of our planner
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Little Therese Coloring Book

1/22/2018

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Several years ago we posted the book, "Little Therese" a chapter at a time with a coloring picture.  You can find those posts here. We have taken all of those coloring pictures and put them in one book.  It is available for a free download here or below.
therese_color_book.pdf
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Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary or Candlemas

1/15/2018

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                                            CANDLEMAS

This is one of the oldest feasts of our Lady, and in Rome in the 7th century it ranked next to the Assumption. Everyone received a candle, which had been blessed at Mass, and afterwards walked in procession with it. The procession recalled the journey of Mary and Joseph to the temple, the burning candles, Simeon's words that the child in his arms was a "light for the revelation of the gentiles." And how appropriate is this symbolic burning candle! "A candle is made of wick and wax; so was Christ's soul hid within the manhood; also the fire betokeneth the Godhead; also it betokeneth our Lady's motherhood and maidenhood, lighted with the fire of love."

If anything still remained of the Christmas candle, or the Christmas block, it was lighted on this day. Now-a-days, one could light up the Christmas candle and these smaller candles whenever the family are together, or at meal-times, or let them burn before a statue of our Lady.

This day was called the "Wives' feast," and "our Lady's-churching," and it is in memory of this that even today women carry a candle at their churching, even though of course theirs is a ceremony of thanksgiving, and Mary's was that of ritual purification.
                                                       - A Candle is Lighted - Imprimatur 1945 -

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Twelfth Day of Christmas - Epiphany

1/6/2018

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                             EPIPHANY TRADITION - THE BLESSING OF THE HOME

                                                                         EPIPHANY
(We gather round the crib with lighted candles and say:)
 
All:    A child is born in Bethlehem, alleluia!
          Full joyous sings Jerusalem, alleluia, alleluia!
          From the Orient, behold the star, alleluia.
         And holy kings come from afar, alleluia, alleluia.
 
The father reads the gospel for the Feast of the Epiphany, St. Matthew 2:1-12

All:  From the East came the magi to Bethlehem to adore theLord; and opening their treasures, they offered costly gifts  gold to the Great King, incense to the True God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial, alleluia.

While the father sprinkles the rooms with holy water, the mother and children recite the magnificat:

My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid,
for behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed,
Because He who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His Name;
And His mercy is from generation to generation
toward those who fear Him
He has shown might with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones
and has exalted the lowly.
The hungry He has filled with good things
and the rich He hath sent empty away.
He has given help to Israel His servant,
Mindful of His mercy -
As He promised our fathers -
toward Abraham and his descendants forever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.    Amen.
 
All:       From the East came the Magi to Bethlehem  to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures, they offered  costly gifts:  gold to the Great King, incense to the True God, and myrrh in symbol of  His burial, alleluia.

Father:   Many shall come from Saba.

All:        Bearing gold and incense.

Father:   O Lord, hear my prayer.

All:        And let my cry come onto Thee.

Father:   Let us pray:  O God, who by the guidance of a star didst this day reveal Thy Only-Begotten Son to the Gentiles, grant that  we who know Thee by faith may be brought to the contemplation of the heavenly majesty.  Through the same Jesus Christ.

All:        Amen.

All:       Be enlightened and shine forth, O Jerusalem, for thy light is come and upon thee is risen the glory of the Lord, Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary.

Father:   Nations shall walk in thy light, and kings in the brilliance of  thy rising.

All:        And the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

Father:  Let us pray:  O Lord, Almighty God, bless this house that it may become a shelter of health, chastity, self-conquest, humility, goodness, mildness, obedience to the         Commandments, and thanksgiving to God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Upon this house and those who dwell herein may Thy blessing remain forever.  Through Christ our Lord.

All:        Amen.
 
With chalk the lintels above the door are marked with the initials of the three kings and with crosses.

Father:  Let us pray.  O Lord God, bless this chalk to make helpful to man.  Grant that we who use it with faith and inscribe with it the names of Thy saints Caspar, Melchior, and Baltassar upon the entrance of our homes, may through their merits and petition enjoy physical health and spiritual protection.  Through Christ our Lord.

All:        Amen.

The father then writes the initials of the names of the Magi separated by crosses and the year above the door in this manner.
20 + C + M + B + (year)

In conclusion the following hymns are sung or prayed:
The star of Jacob leadeth them, alleluia!
From Saba to blest Bethlehem, alleluia, alleluia!
Gold, myrrh, and incense pure they bring, alleluia.
To Mary's Child, God, Man and King, alleluia, alleluia!
 
SING: We Three Kings of Orient Are        

A coloring picture can be found below:                                 

epiphany_-_january_6th.pdf
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Avoid Their Company

1/2/2018

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                                              Shame, shame, shame on you Jorge Bergoglio!
Dear Readers,  I am sickened by this man and what he does!  The Churches teaching on participating in other faiths is below. He is not guarding the deposit of Faith as it has been handed down to us by the apostles he is attempting to destroy it! 

"Then if any man shall say to you: Lo here is Christ, or there, do not believe him. For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders, insomuch as to deceive (if possible) even the elect." Matt 24: 23, 24

Comm: Lo, here is Christ.  These words are very aptly applied by Catholics to the conventicles of heretics; and would Christians attend to the injunctions of their divine Master, "Go ye not out: believe it not, we should not see the miserable confusion occasioned in the Catholic Church, by unsteady Christians; who are guilty of schism, in forsaking the one true fold, and one shepherd, to follow their blind and unauthorized leaders. E.

The language of Holy Scripture is unmistakable: all religion other than that of Christ and His Church arises from false teachers, false teachers who are deceivers and antichrists, says Saint John                 (2 John 7 ); liars who organize their followers into sects of perdition, says Saint Peter; impostors who teach the doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1,2), ravening wolves and perverters (Acts 20:29, 30), enemies of the Cross of Christ, says Saint Paul (Philippians 3:18).

Of Saint Paul's command in 2 Corinthians 6:14ff., "Do not be yoke fellows with unbelievers. For what partnership have innocence and iniquity? What has light in common with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? How can a believer have part with an unbeliever?"; of this command, the fathers who prepared the Rheims New Testament say, in their note upon this passage: "Here is forbidden dealing with unbelievers in prayers, or meetings at their schismatical service, or other worship service whatsoever."

"Give a heretic one warning, then a second," says Saint Paul, "and after that avoid his company; he is perverted, and in sin, and is self-condemned" (Titus 3:10, 11). In their note on this text the translators of the Rheims New Testament declare that "heretics must not marvel if we warn all Catholic men, by the word of the Apostle in this place, to take warning against them, and to shun their preaching, books and meeting-places." Saint Paul, writing to the Ephesians, elaborates upon Our Saviour's warning that we "must beware of false prophets" (Matthew 7:15). "Let no one deceive you with empty arguments," he says, "these are what brings down the wrath of God on unbelievers; do not associate with them" (Ephesians 5:6, 7). Here is an express command not to have any contact with those who teach false religion, to avoid their meetings and sermons, lest we be deceived by them, and incur the anger of Almighty God, provoking Him to withdraw His grace from us and leave us to ourselves, in punishment of our disobedience.

The same Apostle renews this command in his Epistle to the Romans. "Brethren," he says to them, " I beg of you, watch out for those who are causing dissension and scandals, contrary to the doctrine you have learned, and avoid their company. Such men do not serve our Lord Christ but their own belly; by their pleasing speeches and flatteries they seduce the hearts of the innocent" (Romans 16:17, 18). See
here whom we are to avoid: those who cause dissension contrary to the traditional doctrine. Aid why we are to avoid them: because they are not servants of Christ but slaves to themselves whose appeal is not to faith and reason but to emotions and passions.

"Now these avoid," Saint Paul commands his beloved disciple Saint Timothy, speaking of false teachers, even though Timothy was a bishop of the Church, and fully instructed by the Apostle himself in all the truths of the Faith; because, besides the danger of seduction, which none can escape who voluntarily expose themselves to it, all such communication is evil in itself, and therefore to be avoided by all, and especially by bishops and priests, whose bad example would be most poisonous to others.

Saint John the Evangelist says of the doctrine of the Faith that "if any one comes to you who does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house; do not even greet him; to greet him is to share the guilt of his wicked works" (2 John 10, 11). If the holy Apostle declares that even greeting such people is a participation in their wickedness, what would he say of going to their meeting-places, hearing their sermons or joining in their prayers? It is a great and damnable sin in any one to do any of these things, but a much greater crime in those who are learned and powerful.

                                                        The Church's Constant Practice

The conduct of the Catholic Church in this matter has been uniformly the same in all ages with what the Holy Scripture teaches. She has always forbidden her children to have any communication, in religious matters, with those who are separated from her, and this she has sometimes done under the most severe penalties. In the Apostolic Canons, which are for the most part handed down from the apostolical age, it is thus decreed:

"If any bishop or priest or deacon shall join in prayer with heretics, let him be suspended from communion." Also: "If anyone, clergy or lay, shall go into the synagogue of the Jews, or the meetings of heretics, to join in prayer with them, let him be deposed and deprived of communion."

The Council of Carthage held in 398, at which the great Saint Augustine was present, enacted that: "No one must either pray or sing psalms with heretics; whosoever shall communicate with those who are cut off from the communion of the Church, whether clergy or layman, let him be excommunicated."

Pope Paul IV wrote thusly to the Catholics of England, at a time when the most severe persecutions were raised against them, unless they agreed to go from time to time to the Protestant church:
"Great has been the grief of our mind for the calamities you have had to undergo for your adherence to the Catholic Faith; and as we understand that these trials are become more severe at present, our affliction is increased exceedingly. We are informed that you are compelled, under the most grievous penalties, to go to the churches of heretics, to frequent their meetings, and be present at their sermons. But we are fully persuaded that you who with so much fortitude and constancy have hitherto endured almost infinite miseries that you might walk without stain in the law of the Lord will never consent to be defiled by communicating with those who have forsaken the Divine law. Nevertheless, urged by the zeal of our duty, and by our paternal care for you, we admonish and command you that on no account you go to the churches of heretics, or hear their sermons, or join in their rites, lest you incur the wrath of God, for it is not lawful for you to do such things without dishonouring God, and hurting your own souls."

The constant practice of the Church shows that any attempt to authorize or excuse communication in religion with those who are separated from her falls under the curse pronounced by Saint Paul on all novelty in religion, and is contrary to the Gospel which has been preached from the beginning and handed down from the holy Apostles.

                                                                    The Law Unalterable

No power on earth can  make that allowable which the law of God forbids; and to say that because there are those Who do go to heretical churches and hear heretical sermons and read heretical books,without being censured, it is therefore allowable, is the same as to say that because great numbers curse and lie and drink to excess it is therefore allowable to commit these sins. No, the law is by no means altered by the fact that it is widely disobeyed; it stands as a testimony against those who flaunt it, and though they here and now escape the censure of men, they will not escape the just punishment of their transgression at the tribunal of God.

                                                                          Sinful Curiosity

Whatever is a sin to do, is a sin to appear to do; and it is evident that whoever goes to non-Catholic churches, even though his motive is mere curiosity and no more, appears to join with what is done there, whatever be in his own mind; and Our Lord not only condemns those who deny Him in their hearts, but also all those who deny Him before men, whatever be the inward disposition of their hearts.

Do not the texts of Scripture we have cited forbid the very going to such places at all, do they not command us to avoid them? and how can one be said to avoid them who goes to them, whatever his intention? Does not the Scripture say that there is no fellowship, no participation, no concord, no part, no agreement between the faithful and the unbeliever? and how can this be said of one who goes to their religious meetings, is present at their service, and hears their preachings? Does not the Scripture expressly affirm that he who so much as greets them, communicates in their wicked works? how much more he who honours their meetings with his presence?

As for the motive of curiosity, it is certainly a disgrace for a Christian to fly to such an excuse for doing a thing forbidden by any lawful authority, but much more for doing what is so frequently, so severely, and for such important reasons, forbidden by the law of God and of His Church. Whatever useful purposes curiosity may serve in the acquisition of knowledge, however blameless it may be when employed about innocent objects, yet curiosity is, without doubt, a very great sin in itself when to gratify it a person either does what is criminal, or prohibited by lawful authority, or exposes himself to the danger of doing so.

                                                          The Learned No Less Obliged

It is no argument to say that a person might go to see and hear what passes among heretics so long as he is well grounded in the true Faith, and so unlikely to be seduced from it.  Even if we grant that such a person would run no risk o losing his faith, yet this is only avoiding one of those reasons for which going to heretical places is forbidden.  It would still be, at least in the eyes of the world, a seeming approbation of the heresy, and a transgression of an express command of God and His Church, and a very grievous scandal to the faithful.  In fact, the scandal arising from the example of such more learned people must be greater than from others, because every one of the faithful well knows that it is a sin to go to such places, and therefore all must be more offended to see a person who ought to know his duty better than others acting so contrary to it, and the weaker sort among them will be more influenced to do the same from the example of such a person, than if less learned and less instructed in his religion. But even the most learned cannot answer for themselves when, contrary to their duty, they culpably expose themselves to the danger. Saint Paul assures us that "it is by grace that you are saved, with faith for its instrument, and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8).

Our faith, then, being God's gift, our perseverance in it is no less so. If therefore a person, though ever so learned, offends Almighty God by doing what is dishonourable to His holy Faith, is this not provoking God to withdraw that gift from him, of which by his disobedience he renders himself unworthy?

In the primitive ages, Tertullian and Tatian were most learned men, and great champions of the Catholic Faith, having written many excellent things in defense of it, yet by exposing themselves to these very dangers they were miserably seduced, lost their faith, and fell into the most unreasonable heresies.

It is impossible that there should be any solid reason in favour of falsehood capable of convincing the understanding of a person who is well instructed in the Faith of Jesus Christ, but the most learned and best instructed are not proof against their own passions, and the seductions of the heart, and therefore can have no security against these if they culpably expose themselves to the danger, by which they offend God, and provoke Him to withdraw His grace from them, and leave them a prey to their passions. On this account was the command to avoid all fellowship with false teachers given to all without exception, to the learned as well as to the unlearned, to priests as well as to people.

                                                        Even Refutation a Poor Excuse

But might a well instructed person go to such heretical meetings that he might be the better able to confute the heretics? This case is the same, as to the danger, as that of reading bad books with the design of confuting them. To read bad books is forbidden by the law of God, by the natural law, and by the law of the Church, precisely because of the danger of being seduced by them to evil. Even a person thoroughly learned and in no probable danger of being seduced by them cannot read them with a safe conscience, even with the design of confuting them, unless he has received permission from his spiritual superiors to do so. Should he read them without such leave, he runs the risk of being hurt by them, all his learning notwithstanding, in punishment of his disobedience to what the law of God requires of him. But if he has the required permission, and reads with the intention of confuting them, he may do it lawfully; and he has reason to hope that God will preserve him from danger.

In like manner, if a learned person, by permission of his lawful superiors, should go to the meetings of those of a false religion, precisely to learn their ways and teachings that he may be able the better to confute them, this will take away the sin as to this one point of exposing himself to the danger; but this will not excuse the other evils of his doing so, namely, its being an apparent communication with
a false religion, a seeming approbation of it, and a source of offense and scandal to the faithful, most of whom, hearing of his doing so, and not knowing either the permission he has got, or the intention with which he goes, cannot fail to be greatly offended and scandalized by it.

So except in circumstances where all these evils could also be prevented, such permission could not be granted; and though granted, would not, I fear, give him full security before the tribunal of God—especially when it is considered that there seldom or ever can be a necessity for granting such permission, since the teachings of all false religions can easily be known from their books, or from the relation of others, without doing a thing so detrimental to the honour of the true religion, and so obnoxious in the eyes of all pious members of the Church of Christ.

Source: The Works of Bishop Hay, "The Sincere Christian,"  Imprimatur 1871
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The Most Holy Name of Jesus

1/1/2018

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O sweet Jesus, in Whose Holy Name every knee should bow in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, give unto us a perpetual fear and love of Thy Holy Name, that we may praise and magnify it forever.  Amen.

O sweet Jesus, with the angels let me praise Thee; with the shepherds let me see Thee; with St. Joseph let me find Thee.

O sweet Jesus, with Thy holy Mother I will embrace Thee; with the Magi I will adore Thee.

O sweet Jesus, with Thy spouses let me love Thee; with Thy servants let me serve Thee, live for Thee, honor Thee and follow Thee.

O sweet Jesus, with all Thy chosen friends especially the saints of Christmas-tide, let me proclaim Thee, suffer for thee, and finally die for Thee, O Jesus, Who art my Model, my Master, and my King.  Amen.
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The Seventh Day of Christmas - The Feast of the Circumcision

1/1/2018

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                                                      Building on a Solid Foundation
THE Church places the name of Jesus at the beginning of the year to teach us the important truth that the new year can become a happy year only when Jesus lives in our hearts.

Today, my dear children, as we start the new year, we are going to do some building. Each and every one of us is erecting a building in the course of our daily lives; we are placing stone upon stone every day till the building is completed and the Great Architect accepts or rejects the work we have done.

Once there was a great architect who had built great cities and little villages, marble palaces and simple thatched cottages. Some of his buildings were very grand; others were very simple; but all were well built. These houses were let to different people to live in, and some took care of them, but others did not. The great architect had two servants in his workshop. He taught them how to build, and always gave them three pieces of advice: first, Always build on a good foundation; second, Always choose good materials; third, build slowly. After a time the great architect sent his servants into a new country and told them each to build a good stone house. The two servants went to the new country, and there they found many people building, some well, others badly; one servant remembered his master's advice, Always build on a good foundation. So he got workmen together and looked about for a spot to build on. When he found it he cleared away all the soil and rubbish, until he came to solid rock. Remembering his master's second rule, Always choose good materials, he hewed seven pillars of stone to support the roof, and to each pillar he gave a name. The first pillar he called Faith; the second, Obedience; the third,Love; the fourth, Truth; the fifth, Gentleness; the sixth, Prayer, and the seventh, Work. And he did not forget the third rule, Build slowly. On top of the roof, high over all, he fixed a great stone cross, so that whenever the sun was shining the house was under the shadow of the cross. At last, the house was finished. Now what was the other servant doing? He went to work in a very different way. He laughed at his companion for taking so much pains, and went down to the riverside, where the sand lay smooth and yellow. He began to build there, and forgot all about his master's advice, Always build on a good foundation. He also forgot the advice about building slowly; he hurried on the work, so that he might finish his work and enjoy himself. Neither did he choose good materials for his building, but used any wood or stone which came in his way. Instead of the seven pillars of the house, this builder had but one, and that was called Selfishness. At last his house was finished.

The winter came and the wind roared, and the storm raged, and the floods rose and beat upon the houses. The gentle summer stream became a foaming torrent, which dashed against the walls of the buildings. But the waves beat and the lightnings flashed in vain against the one house, and in vain the wind shrieked at the windows; the house stood firm. Why, my children? Because it was founded upon a rock, and was well built of good materials.

Now, let us look at the other house. It seemed strong enough in fair weather, but when the storm came the sandy foundation began to sink and tremble. The one pillar, called Selfishness, began to totter and give way, and soon the whole building fell to pieces like a house of cards; then the flood swept away the ruins and the poor, foolish builder was whirled down the torrent with the wreckage.

My dear boys and girls, this is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. You know, of course, that God is the great Architect, who has built up all the cities and villages, and the mountains and islands. We are all His servants, and He sends us into this world, a new country to build. What are we building? Good lives, lives which will stand and last forever? Remember the lessons of the architect. First, we must build on a good foundation, and our foundation must be Jesus Christ, the Rock of Ages. Next, we must choose good materials with which to build our lives. What are they, do you think? Good companions, good books, good works, innocent amusement.And, thirdly, remember to build slowly. Good lives are built up on little things and bit  by bit. Great generals and statesmen and lawyers and clergymen become great slowly by learning; so do good Christians. Then we must remember the seven pillars of our house.

The first pillar must be Faith in God, in believing all He has revealed and all that His Church teaches. And then comes Obedience, for if we believe in God we must be obedient to Him. We must obey His commandments and those of His Church. Then there must be Love, love of God and to one another; no good life can be built up without the pillar of love. Next come Truth and Honesty. Every noble life is built up on Truth and Honesty. And we must not leave out Gentleness, which makes our building so sweet and beautiful. Nor must we omit prayer, including the sacraments, without which we cannot erect a good building; nor Work, that we may be useful to ourselves and helpful to others. These are the seven pillars that keep up a good Christian life. And above all, my children, there must be the Cross of Christ. Our life cannot be good, cannot be what God loves, unless we deny ourselves and prefer His will to our own—that is, living under the shadow of the Cross.

We have looked at the house built on the rock, the holy life founded on Jesus. Now look at the house which fell, the life which was lost. The foundation of sand is this world's pleasure and sin, and the pillar is selfishness; such a life cannot stand against the storms—the temptations, sorrows and losses of this life—which come to all of us. Remember that the flood beat against both houses; so, also, troubles and temptations come to good and bad alike, but only the lives founded on Jesus can stand against them.

Now I want you to ask yourselves a very serious question: "What am I building?" Children, on this, the first day of the year, just ask yourselves: "What kind of a building am I putting up? Have I a good foundation? Am I following out the plans of the Architect as my teachers daily show me in school and in church?" You are still very young, and now is the time to lay the foundation of your future happiness or your future ruin. We all are the builders of our fortunes. God grant we may build as the Great Architect teaches us to build!

This year will be a new year for you if you lay aside everything that is sinful and endeavor daily to become more perfect. Let no day pass without practising some self-denial, and give your whole, entire love to God. If you spend every day in His service, the new year will be a happy one for you. And when God calls you from your earthly home the angels will welcome you into His mansions beyond the skies.
Source: Anecdotte - Sermonettes for Children's Mass, Imprimatur 1921

A coloring page for today can be found below.
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New Years Day - "Behold, I make all things new" Apoc. 21: 5

1/1/2018

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A GLADDENING thought for the New Year! And who so fit to bring it as the Divine Child on His Name Day, when He was called Jesus, because He came to save His people from their sins? The world was old when He came—old, and hardened in wickedness, so sodden in corruption that it was hard to
see how it could be cleansed unless by fire. Renovation seemed too late. But desire had not died out in the world, and where desire is, renovation may always follow.

Behold, I make all things new," He said when the fulness of time had come. Behold! —that bugle note of Scripture, calling to Attention; that word which has ushered in God's greatest mysteries: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord!" "Behold the place where the Lord was laid!" "Behold, I am with you all days!" "Behold, He cometh and every eye shall see Him!" I make all things new — I to whom all things are possible, who can restore the first robe, and make that which was scarlet white as snow.

All things —a new heaven and a new earth; heaven at peace again with the earth renewed in Christ; angels and men united in one brotherhood, under one and the same Head; a new Gospel brought to the world, a new fire to cleanse, inflame, and expand the hearts of men.

How cold and hard was the old world before He came—society divided between tyrants and slaves; on one side an appalling selfishness, luxury, and cruelty, on the other a misery without limit and without hope. No protection for the weak, no justice for the oppressed, no mercy for the poor. Not a hospital for the sick, not a refuge for the homeless, the needy, the aged, the orphan, the failures of life. "Men, lovers of themselves, covetous, haughty, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, wicked, without affection...without kindness," says St. Paul. As to humility, for a virtue unknown to it, the world had not even a name.

He came. "When all things were in quiet silence and night was in the midst o f her course, Thy Almighty Word came down from Heaven," and His Spirit renewed the face o f the earth. The heathen world was renewed to the very core. Wherever the influence of the Gospel prevailed, and in the measure in which it prevailed, pagan ideals, institutions, laws, society—all were transformed. A new Covenant succeeded to the old, a new Church to the Synagogue that had proved unfaithful to its trust, a Church with new authority, new privileges, new means of grace, a new Tabernacle of God with men, whence all good flows to man. To the members of this Church He says today, says to them one by one: "Behold, I make all things new. I am ready to forgive and forget the past, to bind up what was broken, to strengthen what was weak, and what was sound and strong to preserve.

Jesus, dear Lord, in whose sacred Name we begin each year of our pilgrimage, fulfil in me Thy promise. Come to me today to make all things new within me. Do more than cleanse: Cor mundum crea in me, Deus. Create a new  heart in me, O God." A workman weeks new material to display his  skill.  In default of this, he will acdept what is deteriorated or repaired, but his choice is for the new.  Create a new heart in me, O God!  I appeal for this to Thy Almightiness, Thy Wisdom, Thy Goodness.  All things are possible to Thee. All ways are known to Thee and are open to Thee. And Thy Will to do this for me I cannot doubt, seeing that Thou bringest me as Thy New Year's Gift—Thyself! Say to me, then, on the threshold of this New Year:

"Behold, I make all things new!' Give me a new interest in the things of God, in all that leads to Thee, in all that belongs to Thy service, in all work for Thee that may come to my hand this year. Give me an increase of faith and hope and charity, a new strength against myself and all that bars my way to Thee or hinders our closer union. Be more and more to me as the year goes on. O Lord, increase my Faith. Let Thy Real Presence on the altar be an ever-growing reality to me. Draw me oftener to kneel before Thee, O great High Priest, as Thou offerest Thy Morning Sacrifice; as Thou spreadest Thy hands to us in the evening Benediction; as Thou callest us to the Communion rails for our daily Bread. Let me face courageously the difficulties and trials the year may bring, and behave in them as the spirit of faith dictates. And strengthen my Hope. Let my trust in Thee grow day by day till it comes to be the instinct of my soul that no chance nor trouble can disturb. Above all, increase my love by a frequent lifting of my heart to Thee through the busy hours of the day; by the offering to Thy glory and service of all I think, and do, and suffer; by a more docile following o f Thy guidance, a greater readiness for self-sacrifice, a gradual lessening of the self-seeking that taints all my work for Thee. I offer to Thee by a new oblation all I have and am, as a possession to be Thine more and more fully as the months go by. This is my New Year's gift to Thee. Thine to me, dear Lord, is Thyself. More than this is not in Thy power to give. More I do not ask till in the New Year of Eternity Thou showest Thyself to me face to face.

Source: With the Church, Volume 1: Advent to Ascension by Mother Mary Loyola, Imprimatur 1924
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The Sixth Day of Christmas -St. Sylvester

12/30/2017

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                                                      December 31st
 *Sylvester was born in Rome toward the close of the third century.  He was a young priest when the persecution of the Christians broke out under the tyrant Diocletian.  Idols were erected at the corners of the streets, in the market-places, and over the public fountains, so that it was scarcely possible for a Christian to go abroad without being put to the test of offering sacrifice, with the alternative of apostasy or death. During this fiery trial, Sylvester strengthened the confessors and martyrs, God preserving his life from many dangers.  In 312 a new era set in.  Constantine, having triumphed under the "standard of the Cross," declared himself the protector of the Christians, and built them splendid churches.  At this juncture Sylvester was elected to the chair of Peter, and was thus the first of the Roman Pontiffs to rule the flock of Christ in security and peace.  He profited by these blessings to renew the discipline of the Church, and in two great Councils confirmed her sacred truths.  In the Council of Arles he condemned the schism of the Donatists; and in that of Nicaea, the first general Council of the Church, he dealt Arianism its death-blow by declaring that Jesus Christ is the true and very God.  Sylvester died in A.D. 335.
 
Reflection: - Never forget to thank God daily for having made you a member of His undying Church, and grow daily in your attachment, devotion, and loyalty to the Vicar of Christ.

A coloring picture can be found below.

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The Fifth Day of Christmas - St. Thomas of Canterbury

12/29/2017

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December 29
 THE ARCHBISHOP knew he was going to be killed.  King  Henry's men had threatened him.  But he was not halted as the procession filed into the dark Cathedral, lighted only by the candles held by the Monks chanting  Vespers.  First came the clerks of the Archbishop's household, walking slowly, two by two; last of all came the tall Archbishop.  He was hurried into the church by two of his friends, who then ordered the doors closed and barred.  But the Archbishop set aside the order saying, "The House of God should not be made a castle!  I command you, under holy obedience to open those doors." - The monks could not disobey.
*King Henry II had made Thomas a Becket his chancellor.  He was also his good friend, and as Chancellor of England Thomas ran the country well, was extremely popular, dressed in rich garments, and was considered by Henry II as the most dependable man in the realm.  When Archbishop Theobold of Canterbury died, Henry told Thomas he must be appointed to the post.  Thomas said: "I know your plans for the Church:  You will assert claims which I, if I were Archbishop must needs oppose."  But Henry would have his own way.
*Thomas was ordained priest on Saturday, June 2, 1162 and consecrated Bishop the next day, which was Trinity Sunday.  Now he changed his way of life, and practiced secret penances, fastings and disciplines, long vigils and constant prayer.
*He stripped himself of all signs of luxury, and resigned his post as Chancellor.  This annoyed Henry, and relations between the two men who had once been bosom friends were more and more strained.  King Henry tried again and again to exert his authority over the Church.  He wanted the donations of the people to go to him instead of to the Church.  He refused to allow Bishops to leave England without his permission.  He also wanted to select his own friends as Bishops in England.
*The Church could not consent to this.  Thomas a Becket opposed him.  After a time, a sort of peace was made between the King and the Archbishop.  But of course something came up that again offended Henry and in one of his violent tempers he said:  "Won't somebody get rid of that priest for me?"  And four of his Knights left the palace immediately to do so.  When his fit of temper was over and he had calmed down, Henry forgot what he had said, but it was too late.
*As the Archbishop came into the Cathedral the armed knights cried: "Where is the traitor?'  the Saint replied: "Here I am, no traitor, but Archbishop and priest of God."  They tried to drag him from the church to take him prisoner, but could not, and in the end they beat him to death where he stood.
*The people were greatly affected by the martyrdom of Saint Thomas a Becket.  Within a very short time devotion to him had spread through Europe.  Within two years Henry did public penance, and let himself be scourged at the Archbishop's tomb.  Numbers of miracles were worked, and Thomas a Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, accomplished in death what he had worked for in life.
*Who are my friends?  I can recognize the good from the bad by what they say and what they do.

A coloring picture can be found below.

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The Fourth Day of Christmas - The Holy Innocents

12/28/2017

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THE HOLY INNOCENTS
December 28

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the Wise Men came from the East to worship Him.  They went to Herod, the King, to ask him where they might find the new-born King of the Jews, the Saviour. Herod was a cruel, clever tyrant, and when he heard these Wise Men speak of a new-born King, he began to worry about losing his throne.  But he did not let the Wise Men know what he was thinking.  He called in the chief priests and asked them where the Bible says the Messias was to be born.  They answered that the Messias was to be born in Bethlehem.

"Go and find out about this child," the wicked king said to the Wise Men.  "When you have found out where he is, come and tell me, that I, too, may go and worship Him."  The Wise Men went on their way, and they found Jesus, the Messias, with Mary and Joseph.  When they had adored Him and given Him their gifts, they were warned in their sleep not to go back ot Herod.  An angel came to tell St. Joseph to take Mary and Baby Jesus into Eygpt.  In this way, God spoiled the muderous plans of Herod concerning the Divine Child.

When Herod realized that the Wise Men had not come back to him, he became furious.  Already, he was an evil, violent man, and now the fear of losing his throne made him worse.  He sent his soldiers to kill all the boy babies of Bethlehem, in the hope of killing the Messias, too!  The soldiers carried out the bloody order, and there was great sorrow in the little town of Bethlehem, as mothers wept over their murdered babies.
*These little children are honored today by the Church as martyrs.  They are called the Holy Innocents.
 
*Let us always respect little children.  They are innocent and pleasing to God.  Let us never do or say anything which would give bad example to them.     

A coloring picture for this day can be found below.           

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The Third Day of Christmas - St. John the Evangelist

12/27/2017

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ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST
December 27
 
St. John was a fisherman in Galilee and was called to be an apostle with his brother, St. James the Greater.  Jesus gave these sons of     Zebedee the nickname, "sons of thunder."  St. John was the youngest of all the apostles and was dearly loved by the Lord.  At the Last Supper, it was John who was permitted to lean his head on the breast of Jesus, and John was the only apostle who stood at the foot of the Cross.  The dying Jesus  gave the care of His Blessed Mother Mary to this beloved apostle.  Turning to Our Lady, He said, "Behold thy Son."  And then to John, he said, "Behold thy Mother."  So for the rest of her holy life on earth, the Blessed Mother lived with St. John.  He alone had the great privilege of honoring and assisting the all-pure Mother of God.

John wrote one of the four Gospels, in which he shows us that Jesus is truly God.  He also wrote the last book in the Holy Bible, called the Apocalypse, and three Letters to Christians, which we find in the  Bible, also.  All his long life, St. John taught Christians to love one another, and he himself practiced great charity.  Once when he heard that a young Christian whom he knew and loved had becaome an outlaw and a robber, he set off at once to find him.  Old as he was, the Saint rode into the outlaw territory alone, and was taken prisoner.  As soon as the robber saw  St. John, he turned away in shame.

"Son," cried the apostle, "why are you running away from me, your father, an old man without weapons?  There is time for repentance.  I will answer for you to Jesus Christ.  I am ready to lay down my life for you.  I am sent by Christ!"  The young robber stopped when he heard those words.  Suddenly he began to weep.  He was won over by the love of St. John.  Before he left that city, the beloved Apostle made sure that the young man had become a good member of the Church once more.

When he had grown so old and weak that he had to be carried to church, St. John used to say to his people over and over again, "My little children, love one another."  The Christians once asked him why he said the same thing each time he spoke to them.  St. John answered, "Because   it is the Word of the Lord, and if you keep it, you will be doing enough."
 
Today try to resemble St. John at least in one of his three great virtues - purity of heart, charity toward all, and love for the Blessed Mother.   

A coloring picture of St. John can be found below.

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The Twelve Days of Christmas - Second Day - St. Stephen

12/26/2017

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THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
*For The Twelve Days of Christmas my True Love sent to me the feast of St. Stephen and the story of King Wenceslaus, the feasts of St. John the Evangelist and the Holy Innocents, the feasts of the Circumcision and the Holy Name of Jesus, and the feast of the Epiphany with the Three Wise Kings. And on through the feast of the Holy Family and the commemoration of the Baptism of Christ.  If you are loathe to bid farewell to Christmas even then, you may continue it without interruption until Candlemas Day, February 2nd.  However you keep it, long or short, it is a far longer season for the Catholic child than the world understands.  For him the festivity is not officially over with the last wrapping torn off the last gift, or the last nut retrieved from the last toe in the stocking.  The Church would have us enjoy this season now that it is here, and celebrate the feasts that follow.

I will be posting each of the 12 days of Christmas with the Saint story and a coloring page.
 
ST. STEPHEN, THE FIRST MARTYR
December 26
Stephen's name means "crown" and he was the first disciple of Jesus to receive the martyr's crown.  Stephen was a deacon in the early Catholic Church.  The Apostles had found that they needed helpers to look after the care of the widows and the poor.  So they ordained seven deacons, and Stephen is the most famous of these.

God worked many miracles through St. Stephen and he spoke with such wisdom and grace that many of his hearers became followers of Jesus.  The enemies of the Church of Jesus were furious to see how successful St. Stephen's preaching was.  At last, they laid a plot for him.   They could not answer his wise arguments, so they got men to lie about him, saying that he had blasphemed against God.   St. Stephen faced that great assembly of enemies without any fear.  In fact, the Holy Bible says that his face looked like the face of an angel.
The Saint spoke about Jesus, showing that He is the Saviour God had  promised to send.  He scolded his enemies for not having believed in Jesus.  At that, they rose up in great anger and shouted at him.  But Stephan looked up to heaven and said that he saw the heavens opening and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

His hearers plugged their ears and refused to listen to another word.  They dragged  St. Stephen outside the city of Jerusalem and stoned him to death.  The Saint prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!"  Then he fell to his knees and begged God not to punish his enemies for killing him.

After such an expression of love, the holy martyr went to his heavenly reward.
If you are tempted to take revenge, pray from your heart for the one who has offended you.  Jesus said: "Forgive and you shall be forgiven".

You can find a coloring picture of St. Stephen here.

stephen_-_december_26th.pdf
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Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

12/24/2017

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Some gifts come wrapped in shining foil
and tied with sparkling bows,
but the greatest Gift that was ever given
came wrapped in swaddling clothes.

It is our prayer this Holy Season
that the Star of Bethlehem
 shine brightly
over the door of your heart . . .
and lead you ever closer
To the Light of the world,
Our Saviour Jesus Christ!  Amen.
 
A Very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to you all!
The Willson Family

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The Wonder Story Coloring Book

12/21/2017

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A Christmas coloring book
to keep the little ones
occupied during
Christmas break.
You can print the whole book or print individual pages.  The choice is yours.
You can find the file below or here.
       
        WE WISH YOU ALL A VERY          
HAPPY AND HOLY CHRISTMAS!!
the_wonder_story_coloring_book.pdf
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Day Twenty-Two - Antiphon Six - Rex Gentium

12/20/2017

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O Rex gentium,
et desideratus earum,
lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum;
veni, et salva hominem quem de limo formasti.
 

Sixth Antiphon
 
O King of nations, and their desired One,
and the corner-stone that makest both one;
come and save man whom thou formedst out of slime.

A printable file of this post with activities is below:
day_twenty_two_-_rex_gentium.pdf
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The Giving of Gifts at Christmas

12/12/2017

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                                     The Giving of Gifts at Christmas

Because we Americans are so used to seeing presents piled up under the Christmas Tree, we tend to forget that Christmas is Jesus' Birthday, and not our special day [except for those blessed ones actually born on December 25]. Actually the exchange of gifts is a lovely gesture and merits its tradition; however as Americans we like to do things to excess, if we do them at all.

How did the tradition of giving gifts at Christmas begin? I bet you already know, if you think about it . . . . . . With the Magi coming to worship the Savior King at Epiphany.  Until the last few generations in the Catholic Church the season of Advent was one of penance, but practiced more arduously. Gift-giving was, as it ought to be still, was what we, the penitent Catholic gave up for the Christ Child, and this took place before Christmas, not Christmas Day. Christmas Day was for a treat after four weeks of self-denial in some way, each befitting the age and circumstance of the child old enough to do so.

In fact, just as the fantasy of Santa Claus was developed from a real Saint, a bishop, Saint Nicholas, so too, the tradition of leaving a snack for Santa was borrowed from the little treats that children gladly offered up to the Christ Child, spiritually. The little acts of penance were marked by placing a small piece of candy in a specially decorated box, and come Christmas Eve, the box was sealed and wrapped and placed with the family crèche or under the tree, after that, too became customary. Christmas Day it was opened and passed around between the children, in honor of the gifts the Magi brought to the Christ Child and in honor of Our Lady who was immaculately conceived and bore our Savior King!

Eventually as prosperity was generalized and as secularization became a force that threatened simple piety, these practices waned and the giving of gifts became man-centered and a sumptuous practice with much commerciality. The merchants certainly benefit but the Christ Child, to whom we owe everything, was no longer the central focus! How could we let this happen? Back then the focus was on humility, first and foremost the humility of Jesus Who consented to be born in a lowly stable, and the humility we ought to have before Him, and before each other. Not just simple modesty, but humility, a true poverty of self-esteem and detachment from the things of this world. Modernity has no understanding of this virtue and considers anyone taking it seriously to be strange. How far we have come to have advanced so little in the devout life. This is what ought to be thought of as strange and yet it isn't. Below is a little poem by the artist and writer, Christina Rossetti who wrote during a time of lavish Christmas celebrations, during the Victorian era. It is a simple yet elegant way of putting us in the right spirit of Advent and Christmas.

                                                                      What Can I Give Him

                                                                      What can I Give Him,
                                                                             Poor as I am?
                                                                       If I were a shepherd,
                                                                 I would bring Him a lamb;
                                                                       If I were a wise man,
                                                                        I would do my part:
                                                                   Yet what can I give Him,
                                                                        Give Him my heart!
                                                                                CHRISTINA ROSSETTI
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Saint Nicholas Day - December 6th

12/5/2017

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V:  The Lord led the just man in right paths
R:  And showed him the kingdom of God.
Ant:  The Lord loved him and adorned him;
He clothed him with splendid apparel,
and crowned him at the gates of paradise 
                                              ~ from Vespers of St. Nicholas
The following was taken from, "Cooking for Christ" by Florence Berger, 1949

The children of the house have smelled the good smells of spices, and they are dancing around the table with mixing spoons and cookie cutters in their hands. "Don't forget St. Nicholas, Mother. Don't forget he comes tomorrow night."

There will be no forgetting St. Nicholas at our house, I can assure you. That is the eve when we all hang up our stockings. The hanging of stockings on the fireplace is great fun for the children. Most of the real sport, though, comes the day before when we make the treats to fill those stockings. One of our favorites is a spice cookie that came from the Netherlands, the land that loved St. Nicholas best. This Dutch cookie is called speculatius.

                                                                            SPECULATIUS
      1 cup butter                                                                         4 teaspoons cinnamon
      1 cup vegetable shortening                                           1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
      2 cups brown sugar                                                        1/2 teaspoon cloves
   1/2 cup sour cream                                                        4 1/2 cups sifted flour
   1/2 teaspoon baking soda                                                1/2 cup slivered almonds
      
 Cream the butter, shortening and sugar. Add sour cream alternately with sifted dry ingredients. Stir in the nuts. Knead the dough into rolls. Wrap the rolls in wax paper and chill them in the refrigerator overnight. Roll the dough very thin and cut into shapes. Bake at 375° for 10 to 15 minutes.

Sometimes, after the dough is chilled, we roll it very thin and try to cut it into the shape of good St. Nicholas himself. It is great fun to use a sharp knife as a stiletto and see how artistic you can be. The very best ginger cake figure is always named St. Nicholas. The others are good, bad and indifferent — until we call the worst of all the devil, which is about what it looks like. But if you have been good all year, you have nothing to fear when St. Nicholas comes knocking at your door.

Part of the dough can be cut into the shapes of birds or fish or animals. This is a feast day for school children — and what pleases them is the order of the day. Sometimes we frost these ginger cakes with white or pink icing, and decorate them with dried or candied fruits.

Waiting for the speculatius to chill is very trying for the fifty anxious fingers in our house. While we are waiting, we mix up a batch of raisin cookies that we can taste right now. These are drop cookies, and even a tiny child can drop bits of dough on a greased cookie sheet. What if a few miss the pan? What if they are all sizes, from dibs to dabs? The crumbs are the important things — the crumbs and enough whole ones to fill our stockings. (Bloggers note: We fill our stockings with these cookies, an orange, some nuts and of course a bag of gold the chocolate variety that is ;)

On the evening of December 5, the whole house is filled with the good smells of baking as we tell the beautiful legends of the charity of St. Nicholas. To give gifts in secret so that people would render him no thanks was surely a saintly act. With the people of the Netherlands, let us toast his memory with bishopwyn.

BISHOPWYN (BISHOP'S WINE)
1 bottle claret or other dry red wine
6 cloves
4 inches stick cinnamon, broken into pieces
Simmer wine and spices for about 5 minutes. Strain the wine.
Serve it hot. (In the chill of the night vigil,
it makes you feel like a bishop!)

I am sure it was the discretion and reticence of St. Nicholas that won him an extra high crown in Heaven. The children like his idea of throwing gold into an open window on the sly. In imitation, the older children put extra treats in the little ones' stockings. You will find traditions very easy to begin with children. When they are grown, they will be loath to cast them aside.

                                             INTRODUCTION TO COOKING FOR CHRIST

Of all the rooms in a house, the friendly, comforting kitchen is mother to us all. It is the source of our food, our learning and our virtue. Here the first pale green streaks of dawn find coffee brewing; the aroma wakes the family with a kindly call. Here the baby spills his milk with impunity. All during the day little helpers find new adventure here in the tasks which teach and amuse — even though it means sifting flour on the cat. Here the older children run, as soon as school is out to raid the apple bin or cookie jar. Even the high school gang prefers to kick off their shoes in the kitchen. At night there are lessons to do here, while debates and philosophizing split the ceiling. When the rest of the rooms are asleep at last, the light in the kitchen comforts a newborn baby or a visiting neighbor.
Thus the kitchen remains first and last in our affections and memories.

There is, I believe, a reason for this, and it lies in the woman who is the mistress of that kitchen. Cook, you may call her. I prefer to call her "Christian in Action." She herself is Christ-centered because she brings Christ home to her kitchen and, in corollary, her kitchen reflects the Christ within her.

To some it may seem sacrilegious to connect cookery and Christ, but that is exactly what this book means to do. If I am to carry Christ home with me from the altar, He will have to come to the kitchen because much of my time is spent in there. I shall welcome Him on Easter and He shall eat new lamb with us. I shall give him Homage to Him on Epiphany and shall cook a royal feast for Him and my family. I shall mourn with Him on Holy Thursday, and we shall taste the bitter herbs of the Passover and break unleavened bread. Then the cooking that we do will add special significance to the Church Year and Christ will sanctify our daily bread. That is what is meant by the liturgical year in the kitchen.

If I am to be creative, and I believe God made me to be just that, why can't I create feast day specials from eggs and milk and butter? These are materials which I know. I once tried to paint a picture, but the colors ran and the perspective was poor. I tried to write music, but even the dog howled to hear it. I tried to weave a piece of cloth, but the warp broke and the woof tangled. So I have resolved to stick to my cooking and beat my way into heaven.

The idea of serving certain foods on certain feast days is a very old one. You can go all the way back to Exodus and see how specific God was in giving instructions to the Jewish cooks who were to prepare the Passover meal. Christ and His family were careful to follow the letter of the law as they celebrated the Jewish festivals.

As the celebration of Christian feast days spread throughout Europe and the East, each group of people created their finest foods in celebration and used them over and over; in this way a tradition of feast day cookery grew up. The custom was so widespread during the Middle Ages that the Church had to call a halt to the many days of fine eating. After all, the people were not getting their work done and, I suppose, gout was on the increase.

With the Protestant revolt the saints' days were scattered. Instead of six or seven days in honor of Christ's mother, we of very recent date have drummed up a so-called Mother's Day. Instead of the holy thrill of the white garment of baptism given at Easter, we have silly little Easter bonnets to cover our silly little heads. If we are Christians, why must we de-Christianize things? When we encourage secularism, it is not a case of being neither fish nor fowl — we soon become all foul and no fish. Remember the fish was the one of the first signs of the Christian.

A cry has gone forth to revitalize our Christianity. Analysts have pointed to the lethargy that has crept upon the Christian spirit like a slow paralysis. Liturgists have called us back to a vision of the early Christian worship and have begged for more active lay participation in the Lord's service. Theologians have rewritten our New Testament in Modern English. Commentators lead us though Old Testament
pathways so we may come to know the ancient prophets. Now perhaps mothers and daughters can lead their families back to the Christ-centered living and cooking. Foods can be symbols that lead the mind to spiritual thinking. After Christ had preached to the multitude, He fed them. If our family is to hear the Gospel, I shall first feed them on symbols and then on more substantial meat. The one will help the digestion of the other.

Yet this book is not a part of a backward-looking movement. We do not revive past Catholic customs merely because they are antique. We use them because they are filled with the Christian spirit, which our modern days have sidetracked. We have tested the recipes, which we ask you to try, in a modern kitchen fully equipped with modern gadgets. We have changed the old procedure of measuring ingredients by weight and used our present quantitative system of cups and spoons. We have sweetened or enriched several of the recipes to suit America's sweet tooth. But, above all, the acid test
came when we asked a very real, growing matter-of-fact family to eat our feast day specials. If the feast was to be a day of joy, we should not mar it, but magnify it with our cooking. This tells you how our book was built, how the idea was sown and watered; only God can give the increase.

                                                                                                                                Florence S. Berger,
                                                                                                                                Hill Country House,
                                                                                                                                Exaltation of the Holy Cross,
                                                                                                                                September 14,1949

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