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Featured Term (selected at random):HERODIAS The daughter of Aristobulus, a half-sister of Herod Agrippa. She married her uncle Philip, but left him to marry another uncle, Herod Antipas. John the Baptist denounced this marriage, and Herodias was determined to wreak vengeance. When her daughter, Salome, won the admiration of the king with her dancing, he promised to grant her whatever she asked. Her mother instructed her to demand the head of John the Baptist (Matthew 14:3-11). The king reluctantly granted the request (Mark 6:17-29). A few years later Herodias joined Herod Antipas when he was sent into exile. All items...

December 31, 2009                                   The Seventh Day                                     in the Octave of Christmas         Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 11 Jn 2:18-21Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming,so now many antichrists have appeared. Thus we know this is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not really of our number;if they had been, they would have remained with us. Their desertion shows that none of them was of our number. But you have the anointing that...

Featured Term (selected at random):CHRISTENDOM The Christian polity insofar as the principles of Christianity governed (and still govern) the laws and civil institutions of nations. Its foundations may be traced to the Jewish traditions of a theocracy, and its history properly began with the liberation of the Church under Constantine. It developed through more than a millennium in most of the countries of Europe and with numerous setbacks remained fairly intact until the Protestant Reformation. In its best days, Christendom represented the corporate Christian social life, and its impact on world civilization through the arts and philosophy, law and the...

December 30, 2009                          The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 11 Jn 2:12-17I am writing to you, children,because your sins have been forgiven for his name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers,because you know him who is from the beginning.I am writing to you, young men,because you have conquered the Evil One.I write to you, children,because you know the Father.I write to you, fathers,because you know him who is from the beginning.I write to you, young men,because you are strong and the word of...

Featured Term (selected at random):ECKHARTISM General name for the spiritual teaching of Meister Eckhart (1260-1327), the German Dominican mystic and of his followers. In 1329, Pope John XXII condemned twenty-eight of Eckhart's sentences as heretical or dangerous, e.g.: "We are totally transformed into God and changed into Him . . . Though a person commits a thousand mortal sins, if he is rightly disposed, he should not wish not to have committed them . . . A good man is the only begotten Son of God." Investigation of his doctrine has since indicated Eckhart's personal orthodoxy, while admitting indiscretion in...

December 29, 2009                            The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 11 Jn 2:3-11Beloved:The way we may be sure that we know Jesus is to keep his commandments. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandmentsis a liar, and the truth is not in him.But whoever keeps his word,the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him:whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked....

Featured Term (selected at random):UNAM SANCTAM The papal bull of Pope Boniface VIII, issued November 18, 1302, in answer to Philip IV of France, who denied the Pope's authority. Only the last sentence is irreversible doctrine, in which Boniface states: "We declare, say, define and pronounce that it is absolutely necessary for the salvation of every human creature to be subject to the Roman Pontiff" (Denzinger 875). The preceding part of the document deals at length with the relation of temporal and spiritual powers in the Church. All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary,...

Why Be Catholic? 7: Tradition   By Dr. Jeff Mirus | October 27, 2009 2:06 PM This is not primarily an essay about Sacred Tradition, which is certainly another worthy apologetical topic. Instead, I have in mind here the Catholic Church’s unique vision of human nature, a vision so profound that one particular dimension of it is just now beginning to be grasped in the 21st century. That dimension is the role of tradition in defining what it means to be human. Stated positively, the core insight is that tradition is essential to being human. Stated negatively, we could say that,...

December 28, 2009                                   Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs   Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 11 Jn 1:5—2:2Beloved:This is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christand proclaim to you:God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” while we continue to walk in darkness,we lie and do not act in truth.But if we walk in the light as he is in the light,then we have fellowship with one another,and the Blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.If we say, “We are without sin,”we deceive ourselves,...

Feast of the Holy Family   Why is this Feast celebrated today, instead of closer to Christmas? Because in Old Testament Law, a child wasn't a son of Abraham or a true part of the family until his circumcision at 8 days of age, an event of Christ's life that we celebrated on 1 January (from 25 December to 1 January are 8 days). There are few private devotions associated with this day, though the blessing of children by their parents, the renewal of marriage vows (even if just privately), and consecration of the family to the Holy Family are a...

December 27, 2009                                     The Holy Family                                      of Jesus, Mary and Joseph       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or 1Sm 1:20-22, 24-28 God sets a father in honor over his children;a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.Whoever honors his father atones for sins,and preserves himself from them.When he prays, he is heard;he stores up riches who reveres his mother.Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,and, when he prays, is heard.Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;he who obeys his father brings comfort to his...

Featured Term (selected at random):CLOTHING OF RELIGIOUS Formal bestowal of the religious habit. The admission of a postulant to the canonical novitiate in a religious congregation or order is traditionally introduced by the solemn clothing in the blessed habit of that community. All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

December 26, 2009                                   Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr   Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 Stephen, filled with grace and power,was working great wonders and signs among the people.Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen,Cyrenians, and Alexandrians,and people from Cilicia and Asia,came forward and debated with Stephen,but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. When they heard this, they were infuriated,and they ground their teeth at him.But he, filled with the Holy Spirit,looked up intently to heavenand saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of...

The purest of Virgins gave us our God, who was this day born of her, clothed in the flesh of a Babe, and she was found worthy to feed him at her Breast: let us all adore Christ, who came to save us.Ye faithful people, let us all rejoice, for our Savior is born in our world: this Day there has been born the Son of the great Mother, and she yet a pure Virgin. O Queen of the world, and Daughter of a kingly race! Christ has risen from thy womb, as a Bridegroom coming from the bride-chamber:...

December 25, 2009                                     The Nativity of the Lord,  Christmas                                Mass During the Day       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Is 52:7-10 How beautiful upon the mountainsare the feet of him who brings glad tidings,announcing peace, bearing good news,announcing salvation, and saying to Zion,“Your God is King!” Hark!  Your sentinels raise a cry,together they shout for joy,for they see directly, before their eyes,the LORD restoring Zion.Break out together in song,O ruins of Jerusalem!For the LORD comforts his people,he redeems Jerusalem.The LORD has bared...

December 25, 2009                             The Nativity of the Lord,  Christmas                                Mass at Dawn     Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Is 62:11-12 See, the LORD proclaimsto the ends of the earth:say to daughter Zion,your savior comes!Here is his reward with him,his recompense before him.They shall be called the holy people,the redeemed of the LORD,and you shall be called “Frequented,” a city that is not forsaken. Responsorial PsalmPs 97:1, 6, 11-12 A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.The LORD is king;...

December 25, 2009                                 The Nativity of the Lord,  Christmas                                   Mass at Midnight       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Is 9:1-6 The people who walked in darknesshave seen a great light;upon those who dwelt in the land of glooma light has shone.You have brought them abundant joyand great rejoicing,as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,as people make merry when dividing spoils.For the yoke that burdened them,the pole on their shoulder,and the rod of their taskmasteryou have smashed, as on the day of...

Featured Term (selected at random):CODEX SINAITICUS A late-fourth-century manuscript of the Greek Bible, sold by the Soviet Government to the British Museum in 1933. It contains the entire Old Testament, all the books of the New Testament along with the Epistle of Barnabas and part of the Shepherd of Hermas. It is written on vellum, with each page in four columns. Several hands took part in the writing, and the text has been revised by a number of correctors. Its name comes from the fact that the manuscript was discovered in 1844 by Tischendorf (1815-74) in the Orthodox monastery of...

December 24, 2009                                     The Nativity of the Lord                                   Christmas                                    At the Vigil Mass             Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Is 62:1-5 For Zion’s sake I will not be silent,for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,until her vindication shines forth like the dawnand her victory like a burning torch. Nations shall behold your vindication,and all the kings your glory;you shall be called by a new namepronounced by the mouth of the...

December 24, 2009                                 Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent                             Mass in the Morning           Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 12 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 When King David was settled in his palace,and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side,he said to Nathan the prophet,“Here I am living in a house of cedar,while the ark of God dwells in a tent!” Nathan answered the king,“Go, do whatever you have in mind,for the LORD is with...

Featured Term (selected at random):ORATE FRATRES The opening words of the prayer, addressed to the people at Mass after the Offertory, "Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father." Their response emphasizes both the distinction and the similarity between the priest's sacrifice at the altar and that of the faithful. All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

December 23, 2009                             Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Mal 3:1-4, 23-24 Thus says the Lord GOD:Lo, I am sending my messengerto prepare the way before me;And suddenly there will come to the templethe LORD whom you seek,And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.But who will endure the day of his coming?And who can stand when he appears?For he is like the refiner’s fire,or like the fuller’s lye.He will sit refining and purifying silver,and...

The Journey To Bethlehem is Not Comfortable! December 21st, 2009 by Gary Zimak During the season of Advent, we are all invited to travel our own personal “road to Bethlehem”. When we arrive at our destination on Christmas Day, we will hopefully be closer to the Lord than when we began the journey.  Over the course of these few weeks, we have the opportunity to look at our lives and attempt to find ways of becoming closer to Christ.  One of the biggest mistakes we can make is to “take the easy way out” and do nothing or choose only...

Featured Term (selected at random):EVIL HABITS Vices acquired through the repetition of bad moral actions. As a general rule, evil habits do not lessen the imputability of evil actions performed by force of habit if the habit has been recognized as evil and is freely allowed to continue. On the other hand, they do lessen the culpability of evil actions performed by force of habit if one is sincerely repentant and trying to correct the habit. All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

December 22, 2009             Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent     Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 11 Sm 1:24-28 In those days,Hannah brought Samuel with her,along with a three-year-old bull,an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine,and presented him at the temple of the LORD in Shiloh. After the boy’s father had sacrificed the young bull,Hannah, his mother, approached Eli and said:“Pardon, my lord!As you live, my lord,I am the woman who stood near you here, praying to the LORD. I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request. Now I, in turn, give him to...

Featured Term (selected at random):BASILIANS A general name for various religious institutes. Orthodox monks are sometimes called Basilians because they have inherited the spirit of St. Basil (329-79), although they have no uniform rule. There are five Catholic Basilian orders of men and four congregations of women, all of pontifical status. A congregation of the Priests of St. Basil was founded in 1822 at Annonay in France for educational and parochial work. All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

December 21, 2009                                     Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a Hark! my lover–here he comesspringing across the mountains,leaping across the hills.My lover is like a gazelleor a young stag.Here he stands behind our wall,gazing through the windows,peering through the lattices.My lover speaks; he says to me,“Arise, my beloved, my dove, my beautiful one,and come!“For see, the winter is past,the rains are over and gone.The flowers appear on the earth,the time of pruning the vines has come,and the song...

December 20, 2009                                     Fourth Sunday of Advent         Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Mi 5:1-4a Thus says the LORD:You, Bethlehem-Ephrathahtoo small to be among the clans of Judah,from you shall come forth for meone who is to be ruler in Israel;whose origin is from of old,from ancient times.Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the timewhen she who is to give birth has borne,and the rest of his kindred shall returnto the children of Israel.He shall stand firm and shepherd his flockby the strength of the LORD,in...

December 19, 2009                                 Saturday of the Third Week of Advent   Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a There was a certain man from Zorah, of the clan of the Danites,whose name was Manoah. His wife was barren and had borne no children. An angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her,“Though you are barren and have had no children,yet you will conceive and bear a son. Now, then, be careful to take no wine or strong drinkand to eat nothing unclean.As for the son you will...

Featured Term (selected at random):SANCTUARY OF [OUR] SORROWFUL MOTHER This shrine to Mary was founded in 1926 in Portland, Oregon, and is constructed on two terraces, one on street level, another at the top of a high cliff. A marble Crucifixion group dominates the area. On the lower level is a cavern where under the grotto arch stands a white altar framed with flowers and vines. Above on the cliff wall is a replica of Michelangel's Pietà with two bronze angels holding torches. At the western end of the amphitheater is the cross-laden Christ, whose stumbling figure leads the eye...

December 18, 2009                                  Friday of the Third Week of Advent Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Jer 23:5-8 Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD,when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David;As king he shall reign and govern wisely,he shall do what is just and right in the land.In his days Judah shall be saved,Israel shall dwell in security.This is the name they give him:“The LORD our justice.” Therefore, the days will come, says the LORD,when they shall no longer say, “As the LORD lives,who brought the children of Israel...

Christmas Novena Hail, and blessed be the hour and momentAt which the Son of God was bornOf a most pure VirginAt a stable at midnight in BethlehemIn the piercing coldAt that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee,To hear my prayers and grant my desires(mention request here). Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother. Day 1    Day 2    Day 3    Day 4    Day 5    Day 6    Day 7    Day 8     Day 9

Featured Term (selected at random):WITNESS One who can give evidence based on personal and immediate knowledge of a fact, event, or experience. The Christian concept of witness adds to the popular notion the idea of a religious experience to which a believer testifies by his life, words, anc actions, and thus gives inspiration and example to others by his testimony. Implicit in Christian witness is also the element of courage in giving testimony, either because others are not favorably disposed or because they are openly hostile to the message of faith being proposed. All items in this dictionary are from...

December 17, 2009                                 Thursday of the Third Week of Advent     Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Gn 49:2, 8-10 Jacob called his sons and said to them:“Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob,listen to Israel, your father. “You, Judah, shall your brothers praise–your hand on the neck of your enemies;the sons of your father shall bow down to you.Judah, like a lion’s whelp,you have grown up on prey, my son.He crouches like a lion recumbent,the king of beasts–who would dare rouse him?The scepter shall never depart from Judah,or the mace from between...

Featured Term (selected at random):INTUITION The immediate knowledge of something, especially the act of vision by divine or angelic intelligence. Among human beings, the power of insight into the meaning of primary truths, without conscious attention or reasoning. Awareness of truth without mental effort. (Etym. Latin intuitus, a look, view; from intuere, to look at, upon, or toward.) All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

December 16, 2009                               Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent   Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Is 45:6b-8, 18, 21b-25 I am the LORD, there is no other;I form the light, and create the darkness,I make well-being and create woe;I, the LORD, do all these things.Let justice descend, O heavens, like dew from above,like gentle rain let the skies drop it down.Let the earth open and salvation bud forth;let justice also spring up!I, the LORD, have created this. For thus says the LORD,The creator of the heavens,who is God,The designer and maker of the earthwho established it,Not creating it...

Featured Term (selected at random):PENALTY, PENITENTIAL A penance imposed by ecclesiastical law or superior for some wrongdoing, as a substitute for the full penalty deserved. It may be a canonical admonition or the recitation of certain prayers, and represents an indulgence motivated by mercy. All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

December 15, 2009                                   Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Zep 3:1-2, 9-13 Thus says the LORD:Woe to the city, rebellious and polluted,to the tyrannical city!She hears no voice,accepts no correction;In the LORD she has not trusted,to her God she has not drawn near. For then I will change and purifythe lips of the peoples,That they all may call upon the name of the LORD,to serve him with one accord;From beyond the rivers of Ethiopiaand as far as the recesses of the North,they shall bring me offerings.On that dayYou need not be...

What The Baptist can Teach us about Joy December 14th, 2009 by Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D. On the third Sunday of Advent, the penitential purple of the season changes to rose and we celebrate “Gaudete” or “Rejoice!” Sunday.  “Shout for joy, daughter of Zion” says Zephaniah.  “Draw water joyfully from the font of salvation,” says Isaiah.  “Rejoice in the Lord always,” says St. Paul.  “Do penance for the judge is coming,” says John the Baptist.Wait a minute.  What’s that stark, strident saint of the desert doing here, on “Rejoice Sunday”?  His stern call to repentance does not seem to fit.Believe it...

Grave of the Craving December 15th, 2009 by Sonja Corbitt Advent is calling, beckoning Catholics to retrench, reconsider, re-evaluate. The economic downturn has revealed an enormous tragic flaw in personal and public policy, and one only has to listen for the wailing and gnashing of teeth to pinpoint its location.Oppressed by Egyptian taskmasters, the Lord heard the cries of His weary people and sent a deliverer. They left Egypt for the desert with spoils of gold and silver, but barely out of sight of their slavery, complaints ensued. The dry desert lack revealed a more insidious bondage.On the surface, their...

Featured Term (selected at random):SOLLICITUDO OMNIUM ECCLESIARIUM Apostolic letter of Pope Paul VI setting forth the duties of official representatives of the Roman Pontiff. The focus of the document is on updating the role of the numerous delegates of the Pope in various countries of the world, and in the different commissions where the Holy See is represented (june 24, 1969). All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

December 14, 2009                                     Memorial of Saint John of the Cross,                                      priest and doctor of the Church       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a When Balaam raised his eyes and saw Israel encamped, tribe by tribe,the spirit of God came upon him,and he gave voice to his oracle: The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor,the utterance of a man whose eye is true,The utterance of one who hears what God says,and knows what the Most High knows,Of one who sees what the Almighty sees,enraptured, and with eyes unveiled:How...

December 13, 2009                                         Third Sunday of Advent   Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Zep 3:14-18a Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!Sing joyfully, O Israel!Be glad and exult with all your heart,O daughter Jerusalem!The LORD has removed the judgment against youhe has turned away your enemies;the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,you have no further misfortune to fear.On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!The LORD, your God, is in your midst,a mighty savior;he will rejoice over you with gladness,and renew...

Featured Term (selected at random):POVERTY OF SHARING The voluntary sacrifice of one's possessions for the common good of a community. All means of support and activity are provided by the group. Practiced in the Church since apostolic times, it is described by St. Luke as one of the effects of receiving the Holy Spirit: "The faithful all lived together and owned everything in common; they sold their goods and possessions and shared out proceeds among themselves according to what each one needed" (Acts 2:44-45). All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life....

December 12, 2009                                     Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the LORD.Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day,and they shall be his people,and he will dwell among you,and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.The LORD will possess Judah as his portion in the holy land,and he will again choose Jerusalem.Silence, all mankind,...

Featured Term (selected at random):GYÖR Marian shrine in Hungary, west of Budapest. Its main object of devotion is a picture of the praying Madonna looking at her sleeping Child. In 1649, when Oliver Cromwell went to Ireland, the Bishop of Clonfert, in the diocese of Tuam, was arrested and exiled to the island of Innisboffin. He took with him a picture that had hung in the cathedral. In 1652 he escaped and finally reached Hungary, where he was cordially received. In the city of Györ he was made auxiliary bishop for the Hungarian diocese. After his death he willed the...

December 11, 2009                                     Friday of the Second Week of Advent   Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Is 48:17-19 Thus says the LORD, your redeemer,the Holy One of Israel:I, the LORD, your God,teach you what is for your good,and lead you on the way you should go.If you would hearken to my commandments,your prosperity would be like a river,and your vindication like the waves of the sea;Your descendants would be like the sand,and those born of your stock like its grains,Their name never cut offor blotted out from my presence. Responsorial PsalmPs 1:1-2,...

Part Four:   Lord, Teach Us To Pray Seventh Petition:  “ Deliver Us from Evil. Amen” Table of Contents     The closing petition of the Lord’s Prayer is a compendium of everything from which we want God to deliver us, in this life and in the life to come. St. Cyprian, who wrote the first extensive commentary on the Pater Noster, teaches that we are here praying to be freed from the consequences of sin. The Church follows this teaching, which places our dread of evil into proper perspective.So far, in the Our Father, we have prayed for God’s mercy on our sins,...

Featured Term (selected at random):TOSEFTA Part of the Jewish Talmud, as a kind of supplement, containing passages from various Judaic schools of thought. Some scholars believe that the Tosefta is really the original Mishnah, or legal code assembled in Palestine. All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

December 10, 2009                                Thursday of the Second Week of Advent       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Is 41:13-20 I am the LORD, your God,who grasp your right hand;It is I who say to you, “Fear not,I will help you.”Fear not, O worm Jacob,O maggot Israel;I will help you, says the LORD;your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.I will make of you a threshing sledge,sharp, new, and double-edged,To thresh the mountains and crush them,to make the hills like chaff.When you winnow them, the wind shall carry them offand the storm shall scatter them.But you shall rejoice in the LORD,and...