Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God/Week before the Epiphany of the Lord

December is the month dedicated to Advent and Christmas and the Immaculate Conception

January is the month dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus

World Day of Peace

Readings from the Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 73 This Rule Only a Beginning of Perfection - Prologue

Glory in His holy name.

MARY, CONCEIVED WITHOUT ORIGINAL SIN,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, SON OF THE LIVING GOD.

HAVE MERCY ON US. 

And in whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to Him through God.

(Col. 3:17)

Welcome to the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, World Day of Peace and entry into the New Year 2024, all on the week before the Epiphany of the Lord. Alleluia. And that is not all, faithful readers. On January 4, we commemorate "wholly American," first born in the USA American citizen, wife, mother, foundress of the Sisters of Charity, Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton. For all this we give God the praise. And remember that a grateful person is a happy person and happy person is a grateful person. We are God's chosen ones, so we put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bear with one another and forgive one another. Over all these, though, we put on love, that is the bond of perfection, and be thankful. May peace control our hearts (see Col 3:12-21). Lord, give us the grace. Mary, Queen of peace, pray for us.

And now, since we also begin our first read through of the year 2024 of the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict, why not consider our holy father's first words and spend this year by listening. "Listen carefully," says Saint Benedict, "with the ear of your heart" (Prologue 1). 

The coming forth is from the days of eternity.

But at the end of the ages

His coming forth

is from the womb of the woman

who encompassed Him.

If the Lord wrought something

new upon earth

still the fragrance of this wonderful news

filled the heaven.

A woman will encompass a man

as a crown encompasses the head.

For the head of the Church is Christ.

(Gilbert of Hoyland, 1110-1170)

God far exceeds all words that we can here express. 

In silence He has heard, in silence worshipped best.

(Angelus Silesius, 1624-1677)

Different men have different names, which they owe to their parents or to themselves, that is, to their own pursuits or achievements. But our great pursuit, the great name we wanted, was to be Christians, to be called Christians.

(From a sermon by Saint Gregory of Nazianzen, 330-389/390, bishop, in Office of Readings, January 2)

Write what you will, I shall not relish it unless it tells of Jesus. Talk or argue about what you will, I shall not relish it if you exclude the name of Jesus. Jesus is to me honey in the mouth, music in the ear, a song in the heart.

(Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, On the Song of Songs, 15, III, 6)

God will provide; that is all my comfort.

(Mother Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, 1774-1821)

We are never strong enough to bear our cross; it is the cross which carries us. Nor are we so weak as to be unable to bear it, since the weakest become strong by its virtue.

(Mother Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, 1774-1821)

In whatever distress you may be, I beg you to let me know. 

And I will help you according to my ability.

(Saint John Nepomucene Neumann, prayer from his diary)

One must never dialogue, brothers and sisters, with the devil. Never! You should never argue. Jesus never dialogued with the devil; He cast him out. And with the wilderness, [the] temptations, He did not respond with dialogue; He simply responded with the words of Holy Scripture, with the Word of God. Be careful: the devil is a seducer. Never dialogue with him, because he is smarter than all of us and he will make us pay for it. When temptation comes, never dialogue. Close the door, close the window, close your heart. And so, we defend ourselves against this seduction, because the devil is astute, intelligent. He tried to tempt Jesus with quotes from the Bible! He was a great theologian there. With the devil you do not dialogue. Do you understand this? Be careful.  We must not converse with the devil, and we must not entertain ourselves with temptation. There is no dialogue. Temptation comes, we close the door. We guard our heart ...

And we must ask for this grace of learning to guard the heart. It is a form of wisdom, how to guard the heart. May the Lord help [us] in this work. But he who guards his heart, guards a treasure. Brothers and sisters, let us learn to guard the heart.

(Pope Francis, General Audience Catechesis, December 27, 2023)

We go forth, united in faith and prayer, and pray for each other, that we learn to guard our hearts. Mary, Mother of the Word Incarnate, please cover us in your protective veil. We join the Holy Father and pray: "May Mary, Queen of the family, help us marvel every day at the good, and to know how to see it on the faces of those nearest to us" (Angelus Address, December 31, 2023)

MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD,

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH,

SERVANT OF GOD JEROME LEJEUNE,

SERVANT OF GOD ELIZABETH LESEUR,

POPE SAINT SYLVESTER I, 

SAINTS BASIL THE GREAT AND GREGORY NAZIANZEN, BISHOPS AND DOCTORS,

SAINT MUNCHIN,

SAINT GENEVIEVE,

SAINT KURIAKOSE ELIAS CHAVARA,

BLESSED STEPHANA QUINZANI,

MOTHER SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON,

SAINT JOHN NEPOMUCENE NEUMANN,

SAINT ANDRE BESSETTE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Mary, the Holy Mother of God, with Her child Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. "You too are mothers of the Child who has been born for you and in you ... Keep watch in your care for the newborn Child" (Guerric of Igny, 1070/80-1157)

© Gertrude Feick 2023/2024

The Nativity of the Lord

December is the month dedicated to Advent and Christmas and the Immaculate Conception

Readings from the Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 66 The Porter of the Monastery- Ch 72 The Good Zeal of Monks

A light will shine on us this day; the Lord is born for us.

MARY, CONCEIVED WITHOUT ORIGINAL SIN,

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever.

Amen.

(Romans 16:27)

Welcome to a packed day and week. If life is full and busy and occupied with many things and you think that Christmas is here too soon it is no wonder since we don't even get four full weeks of Advent! Whew.  However, so goes it this year. And you can always keep in mind something Mother Teresa once explained to her nuns:

What did Mary do, after she heard that she was to bear the Savior? Did she stay at home and meditate on the great mystery? No, when she heard that her elderly cousin Elizabeth was also with child, she immediately got up to go on a long journey - a very long journey to help her. To wash the pots and pans and do whatever needed to be done.

(Mother Saint Teresa of Calcutta, 1910-1997)

So, we carry on united in faith and prayer and do whatever needs to be done while remembering some words of Saint Peter Canisius (1521-1597): "If you have too much to do, with God's help you will find time to do it." If still overwhelmed with all the things Our Lord and Savior is asking you to do, then ask His blessed Mother Mary to cover you in her protective veil as you respond with her, "I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word" (Lk 1:38). 

For our voices for the week, may we listen with the ear of our hearts. 

Dearly beloved, today our Savior is born; let us rejoice. Sadness should have no place on the birthday of life. The fear of death has been swallowed up; life brings us joy with the promise of eternal happiness.

(From a sermon by Pope Saint Leo the Great, in Office of Readings, Christmas)

Whenever we are kept waiting a while for something we greatly long for, when what we love does come it seems sweeter to us. It is up to us then to follow the example of the holy Fathers and to recall their longings and so set our minds on fire with love of and desire for Christ.

(Aelred of Rievaulx, 1110-1167)

When the human spirit is ready, God enters without hesitation or waiting. You need not look either here or there. God is not farther away than the door of the heart.

(Meister Eckhart, 1260-1328)

No one, whether shepherd or wise man, can approach God except by kneeling before the manger of Bethlehem and adoring Him hidden in the weakness of a new-born child.

(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 563)

It is the Holy Spirit who gives us the audacity to believe that God loves us, 

and the power to love Him back.

(Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090-1153)

All the way to heaven is heaven.

(Servant of God Dorothy Day, 1897-1980)

Let us imitate blessed Stephen as far as God gives us the grace to do so. Let us not only love our friends but also our enemies, because there is nothing whereby we can so well redeem our sins, overcome the devil, and please God.

(Saint Caesarius of Arles, 468/470-542)

Our Lady stands before us in all her glory to show what marvels God will accomplish in us, what heights, what nearness to Himself, if we but give ourselves to Him as she did, and allow Him to work in us. She is God's most perfect design, the most perfect image of Christ Jesus ... God is in the simple, the routine, the uneventful, the drab things of life. It is there that we encounter Him and can, if we will, embrace Him as Mary did, for He is Emmanuel, God with us. Our task it to be with Him - always.

(Ruth Burrows, 1923-2023)

Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may He bring us all together to everlasting life.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 72:11-12)

MARY, QUEEN OF ALL SAINTS,

MARY, QUEEN OF ALL APOSTLES,

MARY, QUEEN OF ALL MARTYRS,

MARY, QUEEN OF ALL EVANGELISTS,

SAINT STEPHEN, THE FIRST MARTYR,

SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST,

SAINT THOMAS BECKET,

SAINT THOMAS MORE,

ELIJAH AND ELISHA,

SAINT THOMAS,

THE HOLY INNOCENTS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Sunrise over Mt. Hood. Heaven drops dew from above. Let the earth open up and the Savior spring forth.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Third Week of Advent

December is the month dedicated to Advent and Christmas and the Immaculate Conception

Readings from the Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 62 The Priests of the Monastery- Ch 65 The Prior of the Monastery

My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

MARY, CONCEIVED WITHOUT ORIGINAL SIN,

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL, 

PRAY FOR US.

O Sapientia! Come and teach us the way of prudence.

O Adonai! Come and redeem us with outstretched arm.

O radix Iesse! Come to deliver us, and tarry not.

O clavis David! Come and lead to freedom the prisoner who sits in darkness and the shadow of death.

O Oriens! Come and illuminate those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.

O Rex gentium! Come and save mankind, whom you fashioned from clay.

O Emmanuel! Come and save us, O Lord our God!

Welcome to the Third Sunday of Advent and the days of the glorious "O" Antiphons that help us prepare in a more direct way for the Nativity of the Lord. Come, Lord Jesus! So how about we join Saint John the Baptist and cry out in the desert or city or country, or wherever we find ourselves and say, "make straight the way of the Lord!" Let's start with ourselves though and make straight the way of the Lord in word and deed. What is it you might do this week to prepare for the Lord? And some of our voices of the week just may lend a helping hand. Keep going!

In the hymn "On Jordan's Bank," we sing Let us lay down a road for Him who is drawing near. So as we prepare for Him who is drawing near, let's hear what Anthony Esolen has to say:*

That's some work. Clear the land, get rid of the rocks, dig down for a foundation, and lay the paving stones. And while we're at it, we must get to work on our hearts, furnishing them making them clean and sweet, so that there will be a fit room there in the inn for the Lord at His birth, and He may abide in us, and we in Him (Jn 15:4).

Strive to preserve your heart in peace; let no event of this world disturb it.

(Saint John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor, 1542-1591) 

Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?

(Saint Gerard Majella, 1726-1755)

The direction of oneself toward God and toward solitude in Him prepares the soul for the acquisition of that peace that helps us in the most distracting, most active external work ... Man's silence makes room for God's word. When man is silent, God is heard. And once we listen intently to God we maintain our silence even in the midst of our speech.

(Blessed Stefan Wyszynski, 1901-1981)

The greatest things are accomplished in silence-not in the clamor and display of superficial eventfulness, but in the deep clarity of inner vision; in the almost imperceptible start of decision, in quiet overcoming and hidden sacrifice. Spiritual conception happens when the heart is quickened by love, and the free will stirs to action. The silent forces are the strong forces.

(Romano Guardini, 1885-1968, in The Lord)

None of the great things in human life spring from the intellect; every one of them issues from the heart and its love. If even human love has its own reasoning, comprehensible only to the heart that is open to it, how much truer must this be of God's love!

(Romano Guardini, 1885-1968, in The Lord)

We know that God gives us every grace; and though we are so weak of ourselves, this grace is able to carry us through every obstacle and difficulty.

(Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, 1774-1821)

Faith lifts the soul; hope supports it; experience says it must and Love says ... let it be!

(Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, 1774-1821)

Unless your faith is firm you shall not be firm.

(Isaiah 7:9)

Whatever you do, think not of yourself but of God.

(Saint Vincent Ferrer, 1350-1419)

As we go forth this week, united in faith and prayer, we heed the words of Saint Paul:

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. 

In all circumstance give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

(1 Th 5:17-18)

And at the same time, we receive Saint Paul's blessing:

May the God of peace make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and He will also accomplish it.

(1 Th 5:23-24)

BLESSED SCUBILION,

SAINT GATIAN OF TOURS,

BLESSED POPE URBAN V,

SAINT FACHANAN OF KILFENORA,

SAINT DOMINIC OF SILOS,

SAINT PETER CANISIUS,

SAINT JOHN OF KETY,

SAINT CHAEROMON,

PRAY FOR US.

*A. Esolen, The Poetry of Praise "He is Near," in Magnificat, December 2023, p. 206.

Today's photo: As the earth brings forth its plants and a garden makes its growth spring up, so will the Lord God make justice and praise spring up before all the nations.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Second Week of Advent

December is the month dedicated to Advent and Christmas and the Immaculate Conception 

Readings from the Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 57 The Artisans of the Monastery - Ch 61 The Reception of Visiting Monks

Justice shall look down from heaven.

MARY, CONCEIVED WITHOUT ORIGINAL SIN,

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together; 

for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

(Isaiah 40:5)

Welcome to the Second Sunday of Advent. The Sunday when we hear a messenger who will prepare the way; a voice of one crying out in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths (Mk 1:3). It is time to listen, then, with the ear of your heart (Rule of Saint Benedict Prologue 1). Or as a disciple of Saint Benedict says: "Enter the room of your heart. Put your ear to the door, strain to listen to the tidings God's messenger brings" (Saint Bernard of Clairvaux). Be alert; pay attention. Don't miss a thing, for "there is no room for complacency in Christian life" (Mary Healy). Just what is it that you will do this week to make straight the way of the Lord? We turn to one of my favorites, Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622), for help.

Make straight the way of the Lord, fill up the valleys, lower the mountains and hills. They, as well as the ditches and valleys, trouble travelers. Make straight the paths. Those that twist and turn fatigue the pilgrim greatly. Our life too contains many hills, valleys and tortuous ways which can be put right only by penitence. Penitence fills up the valleys, lays low the mountains, makes straight and smooths the ways. Do penance ... lower those mountains of pride, fill up those valleys, those ditches of lukewarmness and tepidity. The valleys ... which are none other than fear which, when it is excessive leads to discouragement. Fill up the valleys; that is, fill your hearts with confidence and hope because salvation is near at hand.

Jesus, please give us the grace we need this week to further prepare for Your coming. May we be found worthy to enter Your kingdom. United in faith and prayer, we go forth. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus, come. 

Here a voice, there a voice, everywhere a voice, voice ...

Time slows,

waiting with the text,

waiting for the Word to come,

Waiting with my heart

Wide open

For Him to write

His pages there.

(David Hodges)

The Incarnation is the most stupendous event which can ever take place on earth; and after it and henceforth, I do not see how we can scruple at any miracle on the mere ground of its being unlikely to happen.

(Saint John Henry Newman, 1801-1890)

In putting his signature, in faith, to the mysterium of the Incarnate Son of God, a person is enabled to be a helper of his fellow men, to bring happiness to children, families, and the oppressed. Faith in the Incarnation promotes the salvation of mankind and the implementation of human rights.

(Theodor Schnitzler, 1910-1982)

God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December.

(James M. Barrie, 1860-1937, author of Peter Pan)

Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.

(Thomas Merton, 1915-1968)

Put aside hatred and hostility. See to it that you refrain from harsh words.

(Saint Francis of Paola, 1416-1507)

The golden urn is blessed Mary,

golden by reason of the excellence of her life,

golden through her integrity and purity,

golden through the fullness of grace.

(Amadeus of Lausanne, 1110-1159)

Salve Regina! Immaculate Virgin,

Hear me implore; and thy pity bestow;

Wild waves of trouble around me are surging,

Light with thy smile the deep night of my woe.

Queen of the saints! hear my earnest petition,

Mother of Jesus, conceived without sin,

Turn me aside from the road to perdition,

Let me the fold of thy love enter in.

(William A.C. Hosmer, 1814-1877)

OUR LADY OF LORETO,

SAINT MELCHIADES,

SAINT JOHN ROBERTS,

SAINT EDMUND GENNINGS,

SAINT EUSTACE WHITE,

SAINT POLYDORE PLASDEN,

SAINT SWITHIN WELLS,

POPE SAINT DAMASUS I,

SAINT MARIA MARAVILLAS OF JESUS,

SAINT FINIAN OF CLONARD,

SAINT JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL,

SAINT LUCY,

SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS,

SAINT VIRGINIA CENTURIONE BRACELLI,

BLESSED MARY OF THE ANGELS,

SAINT ADELAIDE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This shot, taken after some days of considerable rainfall, turns out to be perfect. Glory dwelling in our land.

© Gertrude Feick

First Week of Advent

December is the month dedicated to Advent and Christmas and the Immaculate Conception 

December 7 is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

December 8 is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the Patronal Feast of the United States of America

Readings from the Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 52 The Oratory of the Monastery - Ch 56 The Abbot's Table

Protect what your right hand has planted.

MARY, QUEEN CONCEIVED WITHOUT ORIGINAL SIN,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(1 Cor 1:8)

Happy New Liturgical Year and welcome to the season of Advent. For these gifts, we give God the praise. Our brief connection at the commencement of this most holy and glorious season begins with a voice.

To prepare our hearts to welcome the Lord who, as we say in the Creed, will come one day to judge the living and the dead, we must learn to recognize His presence in the events of daily life. Advent is then a period of intense training that directs us decisively to the One who has already come, who will come and who continuously comes.

(Pope Saint John Paul II)

As we prepare, then, to welcome the Lord, let us, united in faith and prayer, pray for the grace to be more aware of the presence of God in our daily lives. Be watchful! Be alert! At the end of each day of Advent, record at least one time when you were aware of the presence of God. Keep a list. Pray with the growing list and be grateful. The Lord is with you, in times of joy, frustration, challenge, in times high and low. Call on Him; He is faithful. He will keep you firm to the end. Praise to the God who is, praise to the God who was, praise to the God who is to come, for ages unending. Amen. 

Speaking of being aware of and alert to the presence of God in the events of daily life, we also want to be aware of the saints who are with us and want us to be with them. “We,” however, as Saint Bernard of Clairvaux tells us, “are indifferent. The souls of the just awake us, and we ignore them … we should not only want to be with the saints, we should also hope to possess their happiness.” So, what saint has been calling your name? Do you have a new patron saint who wants you to be with him or her for Liturgical Year 2023/2024? Let a saint choose you. Pray, first, that the proper saint be guided your way. Pray for yourself that you are open to and aware of the saint who is guided your way. Aware of the presence of God; aware of the presence of your saint, be grateful. A grateful person is a happy person. Dear Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, help me to possess your happiness. 

SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER,

SAINT JOHN DAMASCENE,

BLESSED HEREDIA ZUBIA COMPANIONS,

SAINT SABAS,

SAINT JOHN ALMOND,

SAINT BIRINUS,

SAINT HEDDA,

SAINT BARTHOLOMEW MANTI,

SAINT GERALD OF MAYO,

SAINT NICHOLAS,

SAINT AMBROSE OF MILAN,

SAINT JUAN DIEGO CUAUHTLATOATZIN,

VENERABLE SERVANT OF GOD FULTON SHEEN,

PRAY FOR 

Today’s photo: Christmas cactus in the luxurious home of dears d and J. Take care of this vine.

© Gertrude Feick 2023