December 17

The Month of December Dedicated to Advent and the Coming of Christ

O Sapientia!

Saints: Saint Daniel, Prophet (c. 442 BC); Saint Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (c. 442 BC); Saint Olympias, Disciple of Saint John Chrysostom (4th century); Saint John of Matha, Priest, Founder of the Trinitarians (1154-1213); Blessed Hyacinthe-Marie Cormier, Dominican (1832-1916)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 62 The Priests of the Monastery

Mass: Gn 49:2, 8-10; Resp Ps 72; Mt 1:1-17

Justice shall flourish in his time.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

While tribute is brought to him, and he receives the people's homage.

(Is 49:10)

Auguri! Buon compleanno, Papa Francesco! Congratulations and Happy 86th Birthday, Pope Francis! We celebrate with Pope Francis and begin our countdown to Christmas with the great "O" Antiphons used at Vespers. As we prepare in a more direct way for the Nativity of the Lord, we welcome Wisdom on December 17: O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end, mightily and sweetly ordering all things: come and teach us the way of prudence. And if that isn't enough, we have the magnificent Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham (Mt 1:1) for today's Gospel. Read it prayerfully and slowly. Let the holy names roll of your tongue. What are your favorite names? May all generations seek your praise, O, Lord.

Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations.

(Mt 1:17)

SAINT DANIEL,

SAINTS HANANIAH, MISHAEL AND AZARIAH,

SAINT OLYMPIAS,

SAINT JOHN OF MATHA,

BLESSED HYANCITHE-MARIE CORMIER,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: And fullness of peace for ever.

© Gertrude Feick 2022