by Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., on the Christmas Season's Feasts and Solemnities
The “Christmas Season” in the Catholic Church lasts from Christmas Eve until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and includes Christmas; the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (December 26, 2021); the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (January 1, 2022); the Solemnity of the Epiphany (January 2, 2022) and, finally, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (January 9, 2022).
El “Tiempo de Navidad” en la Iglesia Católica empieza en Noche Buena y continua hasta la Fiesta del Bautizo del Señor. Este tiempo eclesial incluye la Navidad; la Fiesta de la Familia Sagrada de Jesús, María y José (27 de diciembre); la Solemnidad de María, Madre de Dios (1 de enero); la Solemnidad de la Epifanía (2 de enero); y, finalmente, la Fiesta del Bautizo del Señor (9 de enero).
For most of us, the idea of "going home" brings eagerness, comfort and joy, whether it be simply after a long day at work or, in some cases, a much longer period of separation. It's good to be home. When we walk up to the door of our house, we anticipate the good things behind it: family and loved ones waiting for us; things familiar to us; a place where we can be most truly ourselves, most truly "at home."
In this Sunday’s passage from Luke’s Gospel (3:1-6), St. John the Baptist features prominently, proclaiming a “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” The sacred author reminds us of the words of the prophet Isaiah which he uses to identify John as “a voice crying out in the desert: prepare the way of the Lord” (Isaiah 40:3). John the Baptist is an enigmatic figure in the Gospel. He is the meeting point between the Old and New Testaments, preparing the way of the Lord as his forerunner and then introducing the world to him. He is an ascetic Jewish prophet – Jesus referred to him as the “greatest prophet” (Matthew 11:11), indeed the last of the Old Testament prophets. His greatness derived most importantly because God chose him for a singular purpose in the Scriptures.
The Church year is celebrated with different seasons: Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, Easter, Pentecost. This weekend, we begin the Season of Advent: four weeks before Christmas. The two seasons are related but distinct.
On Dec. 14, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., conveyed an appeal from leaders in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as relief work begins in Kentucky and other states that suffered an incalculable toll from the recent outbreak of tornadoes.
For most of us, the idea of "going home" brings eagerness, comfort and joy, whether it be simply after a long day at work or, in some cases, a much longer period of separation.
Never had our world heard better news than that spoken by the Angel Gabriel to an innocent Jewish maiden, barely a teenager, in today's Gospel from St. Luke. Centuries of longing of the Chosen People of God came to an end as the angel announced to Mary, "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
In this Sunday’s passage from Luke’s Gospel (3:1-6), St. John the Baptist features prominently, proclaiming a “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” The sacred author reminds us of the words of the prophet Isaiah which he uses to identify John as “a voice crying out in the desert: prepare the way of the Lord” (Isaiah 40:3). John the Baptist is an enigmatic figure in the Gospel. He is the meeting point between the Old and New Testaments, preparing the way of the Lord as his forerunner and then introducing the world to him. He is an ascetic Jewish prophet – Jesus referred to him as the “greatest prophet” (Matthew 11:11), indeed the last of the Old Testament prophets. His greatness derived most importantly because God chose him for a singular purpose in the Scriptures.
La Diócesis de Trenton llevará a cabo la colecta para el Fondo para la Jubilación de Religiosos el 11 y 12 de diciembre. Es una oportunidad para los fieles a considerar los impactos positivos que un sacerdote, hermana o hermano religioso ha tenido en la vida para poder responder generosamente con un regalo monetario de agradecimiento.