Holy Sacrifice of the Mass-Sunday within the Octave of Christmas - Bishop Bonaventure Strandt, OFM


Audio Sermons for the past few days- Bishop Giles, OFM:
Sunday after Christmas
Holy Innocents
Christmas Morning
Christmas Midnight

Fr. Joseph, OFM Sermon

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Her Doctrine and Morals Christmas 25 December 2013

The Sunday Sermon

Sunday within the Octave of Christmas

Dear Friend,

The census taken by Augustus was of the whole world and was a material census. Christ's coming was during this time to instruct us in some very important truths. For a census of the whole world, it was necessary that there should be peace. It was foretold that there would be peace when Christ came. The census also symbolized the spiritual census when God would call all men to be counted as His children in the Kingdom of Heaven or the Catholic Church.

The ancient enrollment of the Synagogue has ended. The Israelite nations have lost their own rule and are subject to the Roman rule. The time is now for a new enrollment in the Catholic Church. The baptismal registry of every Catholic Church is in a way a registry of the census of Catholics in the whole world. Our place in this registry is a testament to our having renounced the world and embraced Jesus Christ.

We have seen that an angel appeared to Mary at the Annunciation, an angel appeared to St. Joseph in a dream to tell him that it was God's will that he should take Mary to wife and that she was the mother of God and is a virgin. Today, we see that angels appear to the shepherds watching their flocks by night.

Angels are messengers of God's will to men. The Apostles and their successors, the bishops, are also referred to as angels. They present the will of God to their flocks, they are charged with shepherding them through this life and into the gates of Heaven.

As we behold the Christ child, wrapped in swaddling clothes, let us consider how His hands and feet were bound so that we might be set free. Already in this early stage of His life He is suffering for us. He is offering Himself for us. For all the sins we commit with our freedom of movement God allowed Himself to be tied and bound.

As we look upon Him in the manger, we are reminded that we are but animals. We are unworthy beasts, yet He came to feed us. We are not to feed upon hay and grain, but rather upon the Body of Christ. He is inviting us to come and receive Him. It is through the Church, the Sacraments, and His priests and bishops that Jesus offers Himself as our food. He sacrifices Himself to feed not our bodies, but more importantly He desires us to feed our souls with Himself.

This beautiful little Child in the manger is God, and in this "helpless" infantile state sacrifices and offers Himself in the greatest act of love for us.

The dignities of Mary must not be forgotten on this day either. St. Ambrose tells us: "Mary; a spouse conceived, a Virgin brought forth. For though He appeared as man yet He was not in all things subject to the laws of humanity; that He was born of woman, savored of lowliness; the virginity however that attended His birth shows that He transcended mankind. His carrying in the womb was joyful; His birth immaculate, His coming forth without pain, His nativity free of blemish, neither taking rise from the will of the flesh, nor brought forth in sorrow; for since she who by her fault had brought death to our nature was condemned to bring forth in sorrow, it was fitting that the Mother of Life should bring forth in joy. And in that hour, in which the shadows began to retire, and the immense gloom of night was forced back by the splendor of this Light, Christ, through this virginal incorruption, comes to share the life of mortal men. For death had reached the boundary of the domination of sin, and now moves towards nothingness, because of the presence of the True Light which by its evangelical rays has given light to the whole world."

This glorious anniversary that we are celebrating reminds us of all that God has given us in the Church and Her sacraments. It is Himself. In this beautiful Infant all sin is conquered. In this wondrous Baby, we are given angels both spiritual (in our guardian angels) and physical (in our bishops and priests) to announce to us and shepherd us to the Kingdom of Heaven.

We encourage one and all to give heartfelt thanks to God for this glorious gift of Himself to us, as well as thanking Him for His angels, bishops and priests, that not only announce the Gospel message to us, but bring Him to us in the sacraments, especially the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

We have taken the first steps in approaching God by receiving Baptism and being enrolled in the registry of the Church, but this is not yet enough. We must continue in the Church and in the Faith that we have received at the Baptismal fount. Tragically, there are many who have entered but have turned back. The joy of Christ's birth no longer fills their souls with joy. They have lost their youthful innocence and have in a spiritual sense removed their names from the Church and therefore from the Kingdom of Heaven.

May we each and every one this day come near to the Christ Child, leaving behind our sins and evil lives that we renounced at our baptism, and re-enroll ourselves in the census of God. In this way, we will experience true happiness as we celebrate the anniversary of the Birth of Our Lord.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Her Doctrine and Morals Fourth Sunday in Advent 22 December 2013

The Sunday Sermon

Dear Friend,

Once again St. John is brought before our consideration as we arrive at the threshold of Christmas. He is preaching the same message as always: penance in all humility and meekness. 

We see that the mountains will be brought low and the valleys will be filled up. As mountains repel water so the proud repel the Truth. As waters spring up in the valleys so wisdom, knowledge and understanding, spring up in the humble and meek. St. John humbles himself and becomes as a valley so that God may fill him with His graces. 

We also, must follow in the same path as St. John. We must tear down the mountains of pride and vanity; we must straighten out the ways of evil, and smooth over all the rough ways. There is truth in this humility and meekness; but there is something greater in that as we decrease, Jesus increases. As we empty ourselves, Jesus fills us up. Ultimately, our goal is to be filled with Christ and say with St. Paul. It is not I, but Christ living within me.

No one can do this penance for us, we must each do our own part. Ezechial says: And if these three men, Noe, Daniel, and Job shall be in it, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters; they shall deliver their own souls by their justice (Ezech. xiv. 14). Having good parents or good children will not save us. On the contrary if we are damned in spite of having these good influences at our sides, our punishment will be made all that much worse. Those who did not believe that Jesus cast out demons by the power of God were referred to their own children who were casting out devils in the name of Jesus. Our Lord tells them that their own children will condemn them (Luke xi, 19). Those who reject the faith will be judged by those who were once near and dear to them. 

We cannot rely upon the merits of others, but must each one of us examine our own consciences and there begin to tear down the mountains of pride and vanity; straighten out the crooked ways; smooth over the rough paths; and fill up the valleys of doubt with faith. As we in true humility lessen ourselves, the Holy Ghost will come and fill us with Himself and His grace. If we are to advance to Christ this is the only way. 

Jesus comes to us as a Child, and He tells us that if we wish to come to Him we must approach Him as a child. This Christmas is a splendid time of grace for us, because Jesus is eager to come to us as a little child. He comes not with judgment, and fire, or with threats and punishment. He comes to us meek and humble; He is unimposing and lovable as a child. We must approach Him in the same manner. This is the only sure way, as well as the quickest way to be well received by God. 

We must fear Jesus when He returns in all His Divine power majesty and glory, because then He will come to judge. Then there will be justice and the debt of sin will have to be paid by all those who have refused His help in redeeming themselves. To avoid facing an angry Divine Judge, we must do violence to ourselves. We must heed the call of St. John and our consciences and turn our evil lives upside down. We must become as innocent humble children once more. In this manner, we can not only approach God but we will be able to embrace Him and play with Him. He will find joy in us as we will in Him. His great desire is to be with us (the sons of men). 

St. Francis, St. Theresa, and many others have found this "little way"of love a sure and easy path to the heart of God. If we approach Jesus as children, He will take us by the hands and we will grow with Him. The entire liturgical year takes us through the life of Jesus, and each step of the way we are led (if we will follow) closer and closer to the Heart of God. 

First, though, we must pray and do penance. We must renew our baptismal promises, and truly empty ourselves of our vices and sins. Then Jesus will be our friend, and we will be His. He will shower us with His gifts and we will grow daily more precious and loving in His sight. And our hearts will grow with ever increasing love of Him.

If we do this, then when we meet Him again as the Divine Judge, we will not fear Him, but welcome Him with the words of St. John the Evangelist: "Come Lord Jesus, Come!"

HERE IS ANOTHER STORY THAT I READ IN THE KINDLE BOOK. SHE IS A TRUE SAINT - CANONIZED BY POPE PIUS XII.

St. Emily de Vialar

St. Emily de Vialar
Feastday: June 17

St. Emily de Vialar, Virgin, Foundress of the Sisters of St. Joseph "of the Apparition"

Anne Marguerite Adelaide Emily de Vialar was the eldest child and only daughter of Baron James Augustine de Vialar and his wife Antoinette, daughter of that Baron de Portal who was physician-in-ordinary to Louis XVIII and Charles X of France. She was born at Gaillac in Languedoc in 1797. At the age of fifteen she was removed from school in Paris to be companion to her father, now a widower, at Gaillac; but unhappily, differences arose between them because of Emily's refusal to consider a suitable marriage.

For fifteen years, Emily was the good angel of Gaillac, devoting herself to the care of children neglected by their parents and to the help of the poor generally. In 1832, her maternal grandfather died, leaving her a share of his estate which was a quite considerable fortune. She bought a large house at Gaillac and took possession of it with three companions. Others joined them and three months later, the archbishop authorized the Abbe to clothe twelve postulants with the religious habit. They called themselves the Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition. Their work was to be the care of the needy, especially the sick, and the education of children. In 1835, she made her profession with seventeen other sisters, and received formal approval for the rule of the Congregation.

The foundress, in the course of twenty-two years, saw her Congregation grow from one to some forty houses, many of which she had founded in person. The physical energy and achievements of St. Emily de Vialar are the more remarkable in that from her youth she was troubled by hernia, contracted characteristically in doing a deed of charity. From 1850 this became more and more serious, and it hastened her end, which came on August 24, 1856. The burden of her last testament to her daughters was "Love one another". Her canonization took place in 1951; her feast is June 17th.

Beethoven: Kyrie (Missa Solemnis) 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UApzaufZ3Y 

The Hail Mary of a Protestant
(A true story)

A little six-year-old Protestant boy had often heard his Catholic companions reciting the prayer "Hail Mary." He liked it so much that he copied it, memorized it and would recite it every day. "Look, Mommy, what a beautiful prayer," he said to his mother one day.

"Never again say it," answered the mother. "It is a superstitious prayer of Catholics who adore idols and think Mary a goddess. After all, she is a woman like any other. Come on, take this Bible and read it. It contains everything that we are bound to do and have to do." From that day on the little boy discontinued his daily "Hail Mary" and gave himself more time to reading the Bible instead. 

One day, while reading the Gospel, he came across the passage about the Annunciation of the Angel to Our Lady. Full of joy, the little boy ran to his mother and said: "Mommy, I have found the 'Hail Mary' in the Bible which says: 'Hail full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou amongst women.' Why do you call it a superstitious prayer?" 

On another occasion he found that beautiful Salutation of St. Elizabeth to the Virgin Mary and the wonderful canticle MAGNIFICAT in which Mary foretold that "the generations would call her blessed." 

He said no more about it to his mother but started to recite the "Hail Mary" every day as before. He felt pleasure in addressing those charming words to the Mother of Jesus, our Savior. 

When he was fourteen, he one day heard a discussion on Our Lady among the members of his family. Every one said that Mary was a common woman like any other woman. The boy, after listening to their erroneous reasoning could not bear it any longer, and full of indignation, he interrupted them, saying: 

"Mary is not like any other children of Adam, stained with sin. No! The Angel called her FULL OF GRACE AND BLESSED AMONGST WOMEN. Mary is the Mother of Jesus Christ and consequently Mother of God. There is no higher dignity to which a creature can be raised. The Gospel says that the generations will proclaim her blessed and you are trying to despise her and look down on her. Your spirit is not the spirit of the Gospel or of the Bible which you proclaim to be the foundation of the Christian religion." 

So deep was the impression which the boy's talk had made that his mother many times cried out sorrowfully: "Oh my God! I fear that this son of mine will one day join the Catholic religion, the religion of Popes!" And indeed, not very long afterwards, having made a serious study of both Protestantism and Catholicism, the boy found the latter to be the only true religion and embraced it and became one of its most ardent apostles. 

Some time after his conversion, he met his married sister who rebuked him and said indignantly: "You little know how much I love my children. Should any one of them desire to become a Catholic, I would sooner pierce his heart with a dagger than allow him to embrace the religion of the Popes!" 

Her anger and temper were as furious as those of St. Paul before his conversion. However, she would change her ways, just as St. Paul did on his way to Damascus. It so happened that one of her sons fell dangerously ill and the doctors gave up hope of recovery. Her brother then approached her and spoke to her affectionately, saying:

"My dear sister, you naturally wish to have your child cured. Very well, then, do what I ask you to do. Follow me, let us pray one 'Hail Mary' and promise God that, if your son recovers his health, you would seriously study the Catholic doctrine, and should you come to the conclusion that Catholicism is the only true religion, you would embrace it no matter what the sacrifices may be." 

His sister was somewhat reluctant at the beginning, but as she wished for her son's recovery, she accepted her brother's proposal and recited the "Hail Mary" together with him. The next day her son was completely cured. The mother fulfilled her promise and she studied the Catholic doctrine. After long preparation she received Baptism together with her whole family, thanking her brother for being an apostle to her.

The story was related during a sermon given by the Rev. Fr. Tuckwell. "Brethren," he went on and said, "the boy who became a Catholic and converted his sister to Catholicism dedicated his whole life to the service of God. He is the priest who is speaking to you now! What I am I owe to Our Lady. You, too, my dear brethren, be entirely dedicated also to Our Lady and never let a day pass without saying the beautiful prayer, 'Hail Mary', and your Rosary. Ask her to enlighten the minds of Protestants who are separated from the true Church of Christ founded on the Rock (Peter) and 'against whom the gates of hell shall never prevail.'"

www.olrl.org/stories/

December 17 – St. Olympias

December 16, 2013

Born 360-5; died 25 July, 408, probably at Nicomedia. This pious, charitable, and wealthy disciple of St. John Chrysostom came from an illustrious family in Constantinople. Her father (called by the sources Secundus or Selencus) was a “Count” of the empire; one of her ancestors, Ablabius, filled in 331 the consular office, and was also praetorian prefect of the East. As Olympias was not thirty years of age in 390, she cannot have been born before 361. Her parents died when she was quite young, and left her an immense fortune. In 384 or 385 she married Nebridius, Prefect of Constantinople. St. Gregory of Nazianzus, who had left Constantinople in 381, was invited to the wedding, but wrote a letter excusing his absence (Ep. cxciii, in P.G., XXXVI, 315), and sent the bride a poem (P.G., loc. cit., 1542 sqq.). Within a short time Nebridius died, and Olympias was left a childless widow. She steadfastly rejected all new proposals of marriage, determining to devote herself to the service of God and to works of charity. On the death of her husband the emperor had appointed the urban prefect administrator of her property, but in 391 (after the war against Maximus) restored her the administration of her large fortune. She built beside the principal church of Constantinople a convent, into which three relatives and a large number of maidens withdrew with her to consecrate themselves to the service of God. When St. John Chrysostom became Bishop of Constantinople (398), he acted as spiritual guide of Olympias and her companions, and, as many undeserving approached the kind-hearted deaconess for support, he advised her as to the proper manner of utilizing her vast fortune in the service of the poor (Sozomen, “Hist. eccl.”, VIII, ix; P.G., LXVII, 1540). Olympias resigned herself wholly to Chrysostom’s direction, and placed at his disposal ample sums for religious and charitable objects. Even to the most distant regions of the empire extended her benefactions to churches and the poor.
When Chrysostom was exiled, Olympias supported him in every possible way, and remained a faithful disciple, refusing to enter into communion with his unlawfully appointed successor. Chrysostom encouraged and guided her through his letters, of which seventeen are extant (P.G., LII, 549 sqq.); these are a beautiful memorial of the noble-hearted, spiritual daughter of the great bishop. Olympias was also exiled, and died a few months after Chrysostom. After her death she was venerated as a saint. A biography dating from the second half of the fifth century, which gives particulars concerning her from the “Historia Lausiaca” of Palladius and from the “Dialogus de vita Joh. Chrysostomi”, proves the great veneration she enjoyed. During he riot of Constantinople in 532 the convent of St. Olympias and the adjacent church were destroyed. Emperor Justinian had it rebuilt, and the prioress, Sergia, transferred thither the remains of the foundress from the ruined church of St. Thomas in Brokhthes, where she had been buried. We possess an account of this translation by Sergia herself. The feast of St. Olympias is celebrated in the Greek Church on 24 July, and in the Roman Church on 17 December.

J.P. KIRSCH (Catholic Encyclopedia)