tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75349439975971964562024-03-14T00:54:27.379-06:00A Catholic NotebookUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1322125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534943997597196456.post-34144387840573578752024-01-14T20:52:00.004-06:002024-01-14T20:52:48.259-06:00How Christ Said the First Mass (Foretold in the Temple) by Fr. James Meagher<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Excerpt</span></span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> from:</span></span></span></span></p><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>How Christ Said the First Mass
</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">by </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fr. James Meagher
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">HOW THE MASS WAS FORETOLD IN THE TEMPLE.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I.— <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>THE SIGNS, SYMBOLS, AND CEREMONIES OF THE MASS IN THE TEMPLE.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DkkJyN0YQgDH5SFHi1hJdCPaqPDX5dXfUFe48OW3MtIgJtG1cFZ9s6X7K29e0O3RBtez4rweTYf7suyeI4skD9Ml5Ypx-jOqhwG4XRi1VgBD3oh615jDtEzEph22n7vGG5U5UMkrDWmOgis5B-XTS8OZk280zTHlWHwZB42Nfbb5jMx4fNF5q8wBj6-W/s1200/Mass%20Fortold%20in%20Temple.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DkkJyN0YQgDH5SFHi1hJdCPaqPDX5dXfUFe48OW3MtIgJtG1cFZ9s6X7K29e0O3RBtez4rweTYf7suyeI4skD9Ml5Ypx-jOqhwG4XRi1VgBD3oh615jDtEzEph22n7vGG5U5UMkrDWmOgis5B-XTS8OZk280zTHlWHwZB42Nfbb5jMx4fNF5q8wBj6-W/w665-h498/Mass%20Fortold%20in%20Temple.jpeg" width="665" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Catholic Church, its divisions of porch, nave, and </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">sanctuary, its ornaments, vestments, and ceremonial, came </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">from the Jewish Temple and the synagogue of the time of </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Christ. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Passover service was modeled on the Temple</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> worship. Thus the Last Supper combined in one </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">ceremonial the patriarchal worship, the tabernacle, the </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Temple, the synagogue, all united in one feast the </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Hebrews called the Passover, which Christ fulfilled and </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">changed into the Mass. Let us therefore see first the </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Temple, its divisions, its rites, its ceremonies, and its </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">sacramentals, that we may better understand the cere</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">monies Christ followed when he said the first Mass. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To teach truth by visible objects is an instinct of our </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">nature. Words, spoken or printed, represent ideas. But </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">we love to show our thoughts by actions. Even animals </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">make-believe a fight in play ; with her doll the girl images </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">her motherly instinct ; boys amuse themselves with toys; </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">men speak in figure, type, parable; tone of voice, shade </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">word meanings, show hate, anger, fear or sorrow, and </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">smile, tear, and sob tell our feelings. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We love to see the actor in the play represent, not him</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">self but a celebrated personage. Therefore, before the </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">dawn of history, the theater was found in civilized lands, </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">where on its stage tragedy, comedy, and history were </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">imaged before delighted audiences. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">God made use of these representative instincts through </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">which to foretell the future Tragedy of Calvary, to proph</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">esy the Last Supper and the Mass. This was the best </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">way to teach mankind, in that age when Adam's children </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">were ignorant, when words were few, when language was </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">hardly formed, when ideas were crude, when books were </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">unknown, when few could read or write. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From the gates of Eden the Redeemer was revealed, the </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">woman's Seed who was to come and conquer the serpent-</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">demon who had enslaved mankind. But how was the </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">revelation to be handed down in that age of the childhood </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">of our race ? God made use of this representative instinct </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">of our nature, and told the life of the foretold Christ in </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">the ceremonial of sacrifice, in the rites of the tabernacle, </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">and in the ceremonies of the Temple. We will, therefore, </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">first see the Temple, its ceremonies, for these we will later </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">find in the Last Supper. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To Jew and unbeliever the Temple has ever been a </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">riddle, and they have written countless books to explain </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">its mysteries. The Catholic Church alone has the key </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">which unlocks the mysteries of that maze of vast bewil</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">dering building, with its Holy of Holies, Holies, Priests' </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Court, Court of Israel, Women's Court, Chel, Choi, </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Cloisters, some roofed, others open to the sky, with </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">various chambers, each at the time of Christ having its </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">own proper use. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The wonderful building, with its rites and ceremonies, </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">was a divine poem written by God to reveal present, past </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">and future. In the past, the Jew saw God his Creator, </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">mankind in original innocence, the Temptation and the </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Fall, the condemnation on our race, woman's deeper </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">wound, the promise of the woman's Seed, sinners </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">drowned when the world was baptized by the flood, the </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">call of Abraham, the blessing on his race, the revelation </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">given the Hebrews, their delivery from Egyptian slavery, </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">the manna their food for forty years, their miraculous </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">preservation and struggles, the whole world plunged into </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">darkest idolatry, the glory of their judges, and the </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">splendors of David and Solomon. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Temple was the very heart and soul of the Jewish </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Church, in which alone Jehovah was then adored in days </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">of deepest paganism. But beyond, deep into the future, </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">the Temple story and worship carried their minds, down </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">to the days of Christ, to his Last Supper, to his atrocious </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">death, to the New Testament, to the Catholic Church * </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">with her Pontiff, her bishops, her priests, her sacraments </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">and her millions of redeemed souls.* </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Temple and its vast ceremonial formed a book </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">within and without written by God's eternal hand, not in </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">dead lifeless letters as man writes, but in warm, living </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">signs, symbols, types and figures. Amid the multitudes </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">of Temple emblems, let us take those relating to our sub</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">ject, and read the lessons of this Divine Poem, this </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">heavenly poetry, this drama of Calvary, transcendent </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">above all others — God its author here taught the future </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">death of the only Begotten Son.^ </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Holy of Holies closed by a veil represented heaven </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">closed to mankind because of the sin of our first parents. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Holies with its glittering golden altar and walls fore</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">told the church building — especially our sanctuary with </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">its altar on which now the Mass is offered. The Courts </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">with the ministering priests, the sacrificed victims, pre- </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">figured the Jewish priests who later were to kill the </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Saviour. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The words then of God's wonderful book had two </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">meanings : — one, what the objects showed in themselves; </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">this now alone the Jew can see ; and the other meant </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">the God-Man, the Church, the Eucharistic Sacrifice, and </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">this the Christian with his faith can see. Patriarch, </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">prophet, the holy ones of Israel, filled with faith of the </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">foretold Messiah saw this sacred drama of the future, and </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">read between the lines and behind the objects the story </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">of the redemption of mankind ; thus they walked in the </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">faith, hope and love of Him who was to be born of their </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">race. Thus the holy ones of old saved their souls. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Cenacle and church building were modeled after the </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Temple. We will therefore give a rapid glance over this </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">great building, famed in all the earth, visited so often by </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">the Lord, itself being copied from the tabernacle.
</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">> S. Augustine, De civit. Dei, L. xviii. c. 48.
</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">» S. Augustine, In Epist. Joan, ad Parthos, Tracts 11, n. 111.
</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">» S. Thomas, Sum. Theo. I. a, See 102 ; S. Augustine, The Fathers, etc.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534943997597196456.post-12677236419089689312024-01-13T23:57:00.000-06:002024-01-13T23:57:22.137-06:00 Bishops of Rome, from St. Peter to Pope Francis:<p><br /></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Peter (32-67)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Linus (67-76)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Anacletus (Cletus) (76-88)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>Clement I (88-97)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Evaristus (97-105)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Alexander I (105-115)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Sixtus I (115-125)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Telesphorus (125-136)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Hyginus (136-140)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Pius I (140-155)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Anicetus (155-166)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Soter (166-175)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Eleutherius (175-189)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Victor I (189-199)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Zephyrinus (199-217)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Callistus I (217-22) </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Urban I (222-30)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Pontian (230-35)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Anterus (235-36)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Fabian (236-50)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Cornelius (251-53)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Lucius I (253-54)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Stephen I (254-257)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Sixtus II (257-258)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Dionysius (260-268)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Felix I (269-274)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Eutychian (275-283)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Caius (283-296)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Marcellinus (296-304)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Marcellus I (308-309)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Eusebius (309 or 310)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Miltiades (311-14)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Sylvester I (314-35)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Marcus (336)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Julius I (337-52)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Liberius (352-66)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Damasus I (366-84)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Siricius (384-99)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Anastasius I (399-401)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Innocent I (401-17)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Zosimus (417-18)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Boniface I (418-22)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Celestine I (422-32)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Sixtus III (432-40)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Leo I (the Great) (440-61)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Hilarius (461-68)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Simplicius (468-83)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Felix III (II) (483-92)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Gelasius I (492-96)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Anastasius II (496-98)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Symmachus (498-514)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Hormisdas (514-23)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. John I (523-26)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Felix IV (III) (526-30)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Boniface II (530-32) </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">John II (533-35)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Agapetus I (535-36)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Silverius (536-37)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Vigilius (537-55)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Pelagius I (556-61)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">John III (561-74)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Benedict I (575-79)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Pelagius II (579-90)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Gregory I (590-604)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Sabinian (604-606)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Boniface III (607)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Boniface IV (608-15)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Deusdedit (615-18)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Boniface V (619-25)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Honorius I (625-38)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Severinus (640)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">John IV (640-42)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Theodore I (642-49)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Martin I (649-55)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Eugene I (655-57)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Vitalian (657-72)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Adeodatus (II) (672-76)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Donus (676-78)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Agatho (678-81)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Leo II (682-83)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Benedict II (684-85)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">John V (685-86)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Conon (686-87)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Sergius I (687-701)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">John VI (701-05)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">John VII (705-07)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Sisinnius (708)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Constantine (708-15)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Gregory II (715-31)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Gregory III (731-41)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Zachary (741-52)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Stephen II (III) (752-57)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Paul I (757-67)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Stephen III (IV) (767-72) </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Adrian I (772-95)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Leo III (795-816)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Stephen IV (V) (816-17)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Paschal I (817-24)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Eugene II (824-27)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Valentine (827)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Gregory IV (827-44)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Sergius II (844-47)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Leo IV (847-55)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Benedict III (855-58)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Nicholas I (858-67)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Adrian II (867-72)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">John VIII (872-82)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Marinus I (882-84)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Adrian III (884-85)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Stephen V (VI) (885-91)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Formosus (891-96)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Boniface VI (896)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Stephen VI (VII) (896-97)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Romanus (897)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Theodore II (897)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">John IX (898-900)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Benedict IV (900-03)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Leo V (903)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Sergius III (904-11)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Anastasius III (911-13)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Lando (913-14)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">John X (914-28)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Leo VI (928)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Stephen VIII (929-31)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">John XI (931-35)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Leo VII (936-39)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Stephen IX (939-42)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Marinus II (942-46)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Agapetus II (946-55)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">John XII (955-63)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Leo VIII (963-64)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Benedict V (964)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">John XIII (965-72)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Benedict VI (973-74)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Benedict VII (974-83)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">John XIV (983-84)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">John XV (985-96)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Gregory V (996-99) </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Sylvester II (999-1003)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">John XVII (1003)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">John XVIII (1003-09)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Sergius IV (1009-12)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Benedict VIII (1012-24) </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">John XIX (1024-32)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Benedict IX (1032-45)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Sylvester III (1045)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Benedict IX (1045)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Gregory VI (1045-46)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Clement II (1046-47)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Benedict IX (1047-48)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Damasus II (1048)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Leo IX (1049-54)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Victor II (1055-57)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Stephen X (1057-58)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Nicholas II (1058-61)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Alexander II (1061-73) </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Opposed by Honorius II, antipope (1061-1072)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Gregory VII (1073-85)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Blessed Victor III (1086-87)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Blessed Urban II (1088-99)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Paschal II (1099-1118)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Gelasius II (1118-19) </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Callistus II (1119-24)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Honorius II (1124-30) </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Innocent II (1130-43) </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Celestine II (1143-44)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Lucius II (1144-45)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Blessed Eugene III (1145-53)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Anastasius IV (1153-54)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Adrian IV (1154-59)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Alexander III (1159-81)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Lucius III (1181-85)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Urban III (1185-87)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Gregory VIII (1187)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Clement III (1187-91)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Celestine III (1191-98)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Innocent III (1198-1216)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Honorius III (1216-27)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Gregory IX (1227-41)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Celestine IV (1241)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Innocent IV (1243-54)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Alexander IV (1254-61)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Urban IV (1261-64)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Clement IV (1265-68)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Blessed Gregory X (1271-76)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Blessed Innocent V (1276)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Adrian V (1276)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">John XXI (1276-77)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Nicholas III (1277-80)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Martin IV (1281-85)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Honorius IV (1285-87)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Nicholas IV (1288-92)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Celestine V (1294)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Boniface VIII (1294-1303)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Blessed Benedict XI (1303-04)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Clement V (1305-14)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">John XXII (1316-34)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Benedict XII (1334-42)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Clement VI (1342-52)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Innocent VI (1352-62)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Blessed Urban V (1362-70)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Gregory XI (1370-78)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Urban VI (1378-89) </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Opposed by Robert of Geneva ("Clement VII"), antipope (1378-1394)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Boniface IX (1389-1404)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Innocent VII (1404-06)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Gregory XII (1406-15) </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Martin V (1417-31)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Eugene IV (1431-47) </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Opposed by Amadeus of Savoy ("Felix V"), antipope (1439-1449)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Nicholas V (1447-55)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Callistus III (1455-58)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Pius II (1458-64)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Paul II (1464-71)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Sixtus IV (1471-84)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Innocent VIII (1484-92)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Alexander VI (1492-1503)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Pius III (1503)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Julius II (1503-13)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Leo X (1513-21)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Adrian VI (1522-23)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Clement VII (1523-34)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Paul III (1534-49)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Julius III (1550-55)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Marcellus II (1555)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Paul IV (1555-59)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Pius IV (1559-65)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Pius V (1566-72)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Gregory XIII (1572-85)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Sixtus V (1585-90)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Urban VII (1590)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Gregory XIV (1590-91)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Innocent IX (1591)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Clement VIII (1592-1605)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Leo XI (1605)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Paul V (1605-21)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Gregory XV (1621-23)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Urban VIII (1623-44)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Innocent X (1644-55)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Alexander VII (1655-67)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Clement IX (1667-69)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Clement X (1670-76)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Blessed Innocent XI (1676-89)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Alexander VIII (1689-91)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Innocent XII (1691-1700)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Clement XI (1700-21)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Innocent XIII (1721-24)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Benedict XIII (1724-30)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Clement XII (1730-40)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Benedict XIV (1740-58)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Clement XIII (1758-69)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Clement XIV (1769-74)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Pius VI (1775-99)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Pius VII (1800-23)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Leo XII (1823-29)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Pius VIII (1829-30)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Gregory XVI (1831-46)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Blessed Pius IX (1846-78)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Leo XIII (1878-1903)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. Pius X (1903-14)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Benedict XV (1914-22) </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Pius XI (1922-39)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Pius XII (1939-58)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. John XXIII (1958-63)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Paul VI (1963-78)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">John Paul I (1978)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">St. John Paul II (1978-2005)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Benedict XVI (2005-2013)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Francis (2013—)</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534943997597196456.post-74853110317591118992023-12-14T21:20:00.000-06:002023-12-14T21:20:23.123-06:00Mr. Thompson and the Vicar Invent Children's Church<p> </p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VKh8CEFa8PE?si=GF1BWFOk7bpvFwLd" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534943997597196456.post-35899232006496461632023-12-03T21:42:00.003-06:002023-12-15T17:47:30.904-06:00Great Day in Bethlehem<p> </p><span id="docs-internal-guid-2fa51912-7fff-bf63-7ac8-342d1843a03a"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Narrators </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> James and Charley</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mary </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Lily</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Joseph </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matthew</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Angel Gabriel </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reza</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Question Asker </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lana</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Isaiah Speaker I </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maria</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Isaiah Speaker II </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ryan</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Magnificat Speaker I </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Katherine</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Magnificat Speaker II </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arianna</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Inn Keepers </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nathan Cruz & Stella </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shepherd Angel </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eva Tawney</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shepherd Speaker </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mary Tawney</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shepherds </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Beckett</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Daniel H, Maria </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">------------------------------------------------------------------</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everyone on stage</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mary </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 8.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 8.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(center stage)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Narrators at podium with microphone</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Question Asker near Narrators </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 8.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(downstage right) </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2 Isaiah Speakers, 2 Magnificat Speakers </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 8.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (downstage right)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Angel Gabriel, Joseph </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 8.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 8.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (downstage right)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shepherds </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 8.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(downstage left)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shepherd Angel </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 8.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 8.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(downstage left)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scene 1: Intro, 🎶Dem Bones, Isaiah Prophecy</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Narrator II : </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the Greatest Stories ever told, is that of Christmas Day . . . . </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">when Christ was born in Bethlehem and GLORY spread a long, long way.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Angels sang with joy, guiding shepherds through the night.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A humble manger cradled hope in holy, radiant light.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But our story starts in Genesis; the 6th day . . . . sets the stage.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A tale of grace unfolding, through time’s eternal page.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Question Asker</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: What </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">IS </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the story in Genesis?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">James</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Well . . . </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 37px; overflow: hidden; width: 37px;"><img height="37" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/9s-MumBdeL7DYu-fjbJbV6EMbxSeS7vKdMo7L_sFnVUtfoTgYmW8WzojKAX2K9kxVARNpkldoWAnT40oHruyEsiBIZRmMfrY_wmmFddCKX2mYqLAmOn-pUpr32-CbRSsbX9bAk3jANJQN5bgUK6YRsgyJGgS9-wtElBLHlZMegQ0Wnem6JdQUl8fPj2_nA" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="37" /></span></span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dem Bones </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cast/chorus remain standing (on stage)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Narrator:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God makes it clear that He has a plan to save us even though we are born with original sin. In the </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Protoevangelium</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the first prophecy in the Bible, He tells us of Mary and of Jesus, who is our Savior.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God tells us in Genesis 3:15</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">EVERYONE</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">! </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will put </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">enmity</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> between you and the woman, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and your seed and her seed. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She will </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">crush</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> your head, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and you will lie in wait for her heel.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cast exits stage right and left to go to gym floor places</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stay on stage or wings: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mary center stage </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Isaiah Speakers stay</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Magnificat Speakers stay (hidden hall)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gabriel wings stage right</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Isaiah Speaker I: </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The prophecies in the Bible continue. Isaiah tells us</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Isaiah Speaker II: </span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Emmanuel.”</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 15.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Isaiah Speakers exit stage right and join chorus on gym floor</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scene 2: 🎶Angel Gabriel, 🎶Mary</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Said Yes, Magnificat </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Narrator II:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> God sent the Archangel Gabriel to the town of Nazareth in Galilee to a virgin named Mary. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She was betrothed to a man named Joseph who was of the line of David. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 37px; overflow: hidden; width: 37px;"><img height="37" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/XGBiLSzoR4k73VDTBjn5GdvpSWmtQTuXgR7MpKRE_mAkZcw0qea553ESr0XgfAptmaDSV94q0QbUehAxHKa7Wr0616qrOB63lw3qhEUp4kETBkqvGcZwUDPN4GsS-0ulROc4pzk72oyQantYcMTzkrYC0viTFBb4Y_IddL1vGElFbeG3ll2ZDYfTXlSQzw" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="37" /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gabriel's Song</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cast remains seated.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gabriel enters stage (take microphone from NII) & stands by Mary, who is sitting prayerfully on stepstool center stage.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">James leads and all may sing</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm the angel Gabriel, and I have come to tell you </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That God has chosen you to bear his son.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God told me to tell you</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To name the baby Jesus</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He will be Emmanuel</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gabriel:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do not fear, Mary. You shall bear a Son, and He will be called Son of the Most High. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: -27pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Mary</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I am the handmaiden of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to your word. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: -27pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Narrator: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And Jesus, the Word of God, was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became Man.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What Mary said next, we call the MAGNIFICAT.</span></p><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Magnificat Speakers to microphone.</span></span><div><span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Magnificat Speaker 1</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mary said,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From this day all generations will call me blessed:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Magnificat Speaker 2</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Almighty has done great things for me,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and holy is his Name.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He has mercy on those who fear him </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in every generation.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 13.3333px; font-weight: 700;">Gabriel and Mag speakers to gym places as chorus stands</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 37px; overflow: hidden; width: 37px;"><img height="37" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/nGoqeUJQXpGmS2ANqS9kjey3LIf5ehfIL1rpPFidIgRL7zC3GX5iKGunBLfn4mVCfu30wITPEuvrM9hM9HUcm0s-ti_4Xe6ZaygtAyiGN1P6Ru30suozNLYfCBpz8dkjmA9jmkBbKG12OnXtyD_j5B1Zu4y8sr3VRRYBK-nkGoA73_OJWG7jh3ad8YbwYQ" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="37" /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mary Said Yes to God </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (chorus et al)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mary said yes to God one day</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mary said yes to God</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She said, "Yes, I will be what you want me to be."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mary said, "Lord be it done unto me."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;" /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mary said yes to God one day</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will be part of Your plan.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;" /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And in the meantime; and in between time.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'll do the best that I can. "Thank you!"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'll do the best that I can.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chorus exits --> to gym floor.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">InnKeepers to stage places</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: -22pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Joseph walks onto stage to join Mary</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Casey joins James for TRAVELERS song.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scene 3: Joseph and Mary, 🎶Travelers</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Narrator II: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While Mary was with child, the Roman Emperor </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">decreed that </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">everyone should be registered. Mary and Joseph had to go to Bethlehem for this. It was a long journey.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mary & Joseph “walk to Bethlehem.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Inn Keepers to stage -- set up “Inn” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Make sure Mary’s step stool is in place with baby and broom in place during song.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 37px; overflow: hidden; width: 37px;"><img height="37" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/z1texjcr95T-7o5DsXVY7M-UMUqAv_1pxZQwKbURZR8KA6Mu7uypRJXz0s5cJNdWalLZeg0aUCqQcwwlu_zxpe5YAp_cy6GsxOUMTtZch1ULtMPRHkT5Qpwd6PtpKhLVy8shq4hhS10xtFUCQjfUI0uINlPGgln-24-l9MpCX1ZylgkNNe7WRhKUrS7knw" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="37" /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Travelers </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scene 4: Bethlehem, Mary & Joseph, Innkeepers, 🎶Silent Night</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Narrator II: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Joseph and Mary searched and searched for a place to stay.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They finally reached the very last inn. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Joseph knocks</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Innkeeper</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: There is no room at the Inn. But you can stay in our stable.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Inn Keepers walk Mary and Joseph to the stable / Mary sits and Joseph sweeps</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Narrator</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Joseph made it as clean and comfortable as he could. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And it was in that stable at the back of the Inn that Mary gave birth to her son - the Son of God - Jesus.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chorus stands, turns to audience, and signs the song</span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mary holds baby.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 37px; overflow: hidden; width: 37px;"><img height="37" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/jWQU6DvEvbFF2cQE2N1ESj429zGAHKlxVJOymP1u428cgfT8YWWxeSO4CvB9xrhjj5zjKgnjZxGF2vT8HZvl6c-Btes1cOojqBYqmApprz-gGx_XTPj6vvZsK4zxCuxXYwC2IuKKrfwnc3ArMRtBdXA8Uq4YUFOz7NlphHScfxk0LjzU3UOYhdKt7p81Jg" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="37" /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #70aced; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Silent Night 1st verse </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Casey) & chorus signs</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scene 5: Shepherds and Angel, 🎶Away in a Manger</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chorus sits. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*Shepherds </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 8.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in the chorus </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">go to their places (downstage center). Enter steps house right/stage left</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shepherd Angel goes onto stage (stage right)& waits to take microphone </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Narrator II: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There were shepherds* in Bethlehem, that night. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They were outside in the fields, watching their sheep to make sure that nothing hurt them.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Narrator: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shepherds shield eyes and cower or sit on heels in fear. The Angel Speaker takes microphone and steps in front of narrators & to the shepherds.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Angel Speaker: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Be not afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You will find the Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Shepherd Speaker takes microphone.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shepherd Speaker</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let us go to Bethlehem, now, and see this baby, which the Lord has made known to us. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Come let us make haste!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Shepherd Speaker gives microphone to Angel.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: -27pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Angel returns microphone to James & Angel exits stage right to gym floor.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shepherds to the Baby Jesus & kneel reverently (Alternative: all sing Hark the Herald Angels Sing)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Narrator II: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and found the stable.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And there, just as the angel told them, was Baby Jesus lying in a manger.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 37px; overflow: hidden; width: 37px;"><img height="37" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/EOuXdyrY6giQUbLeAC617NP4fOVeJGG5mWe56qQcy0kAefbglYw_49JPMvjhI1wAN9y0pnBDneXswoENzDUIqTSDiap3W1ur_fHWL3q5jwlvRfmApmYrIn1qCWjcqHSf2xcII7VYM3WVnhsP7ALxapyHYdu45QKHGNd9JC-XkMek3fw1CttDYF4rjk1rkA" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="37" /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #70aced; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Away in a Manger</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scene 6: Finale, 🎶Great Day in Bethlehem, 🎶Joy to the World</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: -27pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: -27pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Narrator: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The shepherds had met the Messiah! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: -27pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> It was truly a Great Day in Bethlehem!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the Greatest Stories ever told, is that of Christmas Day . . . . </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">when Christ was born in Bethlehem and GLORY spread a long, long way.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Angels cried, “O Glory Be - Hosanna let us sing!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let Peace be on earth, good will be toward men, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">for today was born a King!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 37px; overflow: hidden; width: 37px;"><img height="37" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/fu6leBYHy3sWtjqESroubaKrpS-U3h3WjerURvhWnzbt5x_x3USCK7ELpPvKvTX0rvwS-cDJcvTIB1AsjhnfOSRfPRn4Ig_X9aaesn2HrPNNa8HxVf0quy8NLG7fp5VcteJ8PboyAWuyxFw7WMrQBPmOb_CJSrblP4krsSm5Q2_aooDLgtf_L_SSr5cyVA" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="37" /></span></span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Great Day in Bethlehem 3X</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Get streamers and teachers distribute streamers.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Joyful procession!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 37px; overflow: hidden; width: 37px;"><img height="37" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/ykn7LSWADjqxsRwqW2uWVpf2_djqkv-g2EUKfpQg1cG2l-XV3HwOaB9VN12S4FoAiv1jbHzXOD95gr-jECMeXBcUoLCMlVJjE9_yx5LeeFB-Up185WlrFHCvL170IXmB_oAeQvacs8nSdZ3OIQsvfiOL4mjXjS383U55wXzAOrjjPMbTVVqwFELLovoBnA" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="37" /></span></span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Joy to the World</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534943997597196456.post-79859038250529948242023-09-24T20:21:00.003-06:002023-09-24T20:21:36.062-06:00Letter from St. Teresa of Calcutta to Dorothy Day<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Newly discovered note (2023) </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">from St. Teresa of Calcutta to Servant of God Dorothy Day:</span></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">"If you go to Jesus first, tell him I love him.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">If I go, I will tell him you love him."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">My friend Kevin Ahern, director of the Dorothy Day Center at </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv xzsf02u x1s688f" href="https://www.facebook.com/ManhattanCollegeEdu?__cft__[0]=AZXq-WSOtjpjhJSwcy6N1Sv-Ck0rBd39pQMx9wQSkhZfAp2htLbtqgtu6ZNKWlrfinpq047-6veiyM6ig_ZV4LuPJbBBHVauiPxFlOGQ0DAQjnS-yaeiijLTLUwCGoq4pqRNnkaa2hMs3v0tdbzXlQxvUH_WNIv96Joub4BpUoIx5zryylU7xn_M563LBQJS09E&__tn__=-]K*F" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="xt0psk2" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">Manhattan College</span></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> discovered this note tucked between the pages of a Bible owned by Dorothy Day, in the midst of their project to preserve Dorothy's room and move some items to the Center.</span><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqDZ7hThOXSFo8ErgI2Zr_IkZ0GEWHUhgWXcUZ5DHWRkLwc7gXIY79wNQDDLAlImf5LTKF0UJELRTs38SUuqa1o2Ro1LMXm9NSWCFPn_eh4lSpKRfx7sa_tzNZKZ0XXthiZ9IPXBVoun2R1q1-kYekcgbSfw_V-tlZHu7U97g-pmwey0qN68Vyiem0oy1t" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="683" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqDZ7hThOXSFo8ErgI2Zr_IkZ0GEWHUhgWXcUZ5DHWRkLwc7gXIY79wNQDDLAlImf5LTKF0UJELRTs38SUuqa1o2Ro1LMXm9NSWCFPn_eh4lSpKRfx7sa_tzNZKZ0XXthiZ9IPXBVoun2R1q1-kYekcgbSfw_V-tlZHu7U97g-pmwey0qN68Vyiem0oy1t=w512-h683" width="512" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534943997597196456.post-80238032431240525872023-09-24T19:33:00.003-06:002023-09-24T19:33:41.751-06:00St. Joseph of Cupertino<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbZn5pqM0jGSR8VEVqhDHfQT0gEcPcZa33lrycw6wf2MuXk-m-Od_GNvEdqwGpo8CAFAK8AOurwoqg_4KiHpcNarv8xblfEJfr6urPe3ckShrhZIaQJVpGB_UttSN3pgNXO7ir1VUmVoLrMq0pEWwSHULwOzCS8AfgzV4q3XocRgyroPKhuYQBzRuCcWe/s1080/St%20Joseph%20of%20Cupertino.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1080" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbZn5pqM0jGSR8VEVqhDHfQT0gEcPcZa33lrycw6wf2MuXk-m-Od_GNvEdqwGpo8CAFAK8AOurwoqg_4KiHpcNarv8xblfEJfr6urPe3ckShrhZIaQJVpGB_UttSN3pgNXO7ir1VUmVoLrMq0pEWwSHULwOzCS8AfgzV4q3XocRgyroPKhuYQBzRuCcWe/w524-h391/St%20Joseph%20of%20Cupertino.jpeg" width="524" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;"><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">September 18 is the Feast Day of St. Joseph of Cupertino.</span></span><p></p><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">St. Josephi de Cupertino Confessoris ~ III. classis</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">JOSEPH DESA was born the 17th of June, 1603, at Cupertino, a small village of the diocese of Nardo, between Brindisi and Otranto, six miles from the coast of the gulf of Tarento. His parents were poor, but virtuous. His mother brought him up in great sentiments of piety; but treated him with great severity, </span></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">punishing him frequently for the least fault, to inure him to an austere and penitential life. </span></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #050505; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #050505; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">From his infancy he gave signs of an extraordinary fervour, and everything in him seemed to announce that he already tasted the sweets of heavenly consolations. He was very attentive to the divine service, and in an age when the love of pleasure is generally predominant, he wore a hair shirt, and mortified his body by divers austerities. He was bound apprentice to a shoemaker, which trade he applied himself to for some time. </span></span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">When he was seventeen years of age he presented himself to be received amongst the Conventual Franciscans, where he had two uncles of distinction in the Order. He was, nevertheless, refused because he had not made his studies. All he could obtain was to be received amongst the Capuchins in quality of lay-brother; but after eight months he was dismissed as unequal to the duties of the Order. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Far from being discouraged he persisted in his resolution of embracing a religious state. At length the Franciscans, moved with compassion, received him into their convent of Grotella, thus called from a subterraneous chapel dedicated to God under the invocation of the Blessed Virgin. This convent was situated near Cupertino. The saint having finished his novitiate with great fervour, he made his vows, and was received as lay-brother amongst the Oblates of the Third Order. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Though employed in the meanest offices of the house, he performed them with the most perfect fidelity. He redoubled his fasts and austerities; he prayed continually, and slept only three hours every night. His humility, his sweetness, his love of mortification and penance, gained him so much veneration, that, in a provincial chapter held at Altamura in 1625, it was resolved he should be admitted amongst the Religious of the Choir, that he might thus qualify himself for holy orders.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Joseph begged to go through a second novitiate, after which he separated himself more than ever from the company of men, to unite himself more closely to God by prayer and contemplation. He looked upon himself as a great sinner, and imagined it was through mere charity that the religious habit was given him. His patience made him bear in silence and with joy the severest rebukes for faults which he had not committed; and his obedience was such that he executed without delay the most difficult duties enjoined him. So many virtues rendered him the object of universal admiration. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #050505;">Being ordained priest in 1628, he celebrated his first mass with inexpressible sentiments of faith, of love, and respect. He chose a retired cell that was dark and incommodious. He would often go to pray to the most unfrequented oratories, that he might give himself up more freely to contemplation. He divested himself of every thing that was allowed him by his rule; and when he saw himself thus naked, he cried out, prostrate before his crucifix: </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i>“Behold me, O Lord, bereft of all earthly things: be thou, I beseech thee, my only good; I look upon every other thing as a real danger and as a loss to my soul.” </i> </span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">After having received the priesthood he passed five years without tasting bread or wine; during which time he lived only on herbs and dry fruits; and even the herbs that he ate on Fridays were so distasteful that only himself could use them. His fast in Lent was so rigorous that for seven years he took no nourishment but on Thursdays and Sundays, except the holy eucharist, which he received every day. His countenance in the morning was extremely pale; but after the communion it became florid and lively. He had contracted such a habit of fasting, that his stomach could no longer bear any food. His desire of mortification made him invent different instruments of penance. During two years he suffered many interior trials which tormented him exceedingly; but to this storm a profound calm succeeded. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">A report being spread that he had frequent raptures, and that many miracles were wrought by him, the people followed him in crowds as he was travelling through the province of Bari. A certain vicar-general was offended at it, and carried his complaints to the inquisitors of Naples. Joseph was ordered to appear; but the heads of his accusation being examined, he was declared innocent, and dismissed. He said mass at Naples, in the church of St. Gregory the Armenian, which belonged to a monastery of Religious. The holy sacrifice being finished, he fell into an ecstacy, as many eye-witnesses attested in the process of his canonization. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The inquisitors sent him to Rome to his general, who received him with harshness, and ordered him to retire to the convent of Assisium. Joseph was filled with joy at this news, on account of the great devotion he had to the holy founder of his Order. The guardian of Assisium treated him also with roughness; but his sanctity shone forth more and more, and persons of the highest distinction expressed an ardent desire to see him. He arrived at Assisium in 1639, and remained there thirteen years. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">At first he suffered many trials both interior and exterior. His superior often called him hypocrite, and treated him with great rigour. On the other hand, God seemed to have abandoned him; his religious exercises were accompanied with a spiritual dryness that afflicted him exceedingly; the impure phantoms which his imagination represented to him, joined to the most terrible temptations, cast him into so deep a melancholy, that he scarcely dare lift up his eyes. His general being informed of his situation, called him to Rome, and having kept him there three weeks, he sent him back to his convent of Assisium. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The saint, on his way to Rome, experienced a return of those heavenly consolations which had been withdrawn from him. At the name of God, of Jesus, or of Mary, he was, as it were, out of himself. He would often cry out: </span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><i>“Vouchsafe, O my God, to fill and possess all my heart. O that my soul was freed from the chains of the body, and united to Jesus Christ! Jesus, Jesus, draw me to yourself; I am not able to live any longer on the earth.” </i></span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">He was often heard to excite others to the love of God, and to say to them: </span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><i>“Love God; he in whom this love reigns, is rich although he does not perceive it.” </i></span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">His raptures were as frequent as extraordinary. He had many, even in public, to which a great number of persons of the first quality were eye-witnesses, and the truth of which they afterwards declared upon oath. Among those, John Frederick, duke of Brunswick and Hanover, was one. This prince, who was a Lutheran, was so struck with what he had seen, that he abjured his former tenets, and embraced the Catholic faith. Joseph had also a singular talent for converting the most obdurate sinners, and quieting the minds of such as laboured under any trouble. He used to say to some scrupulous persons who came to consult him: </span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><i>“I neither like scruples nor melancholy; let your intention be right, and fear not.” </i></span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">He explained the most profound mysteries of our faith with the greatest clearness; and this sublime knowledge he owed to the intimate communication he had with God in prayer. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">His prudence, which was remarkable in the conduct of souls, drew to him a great concourse of people, and even of cardinals and princes. He foretold to John Casimir, son of Sigismund III., king of Poland, that he would one day reign for the good of the people, and the sanctification of souls, and advised him not to engage in any religious Order; but this prince having afterwards entered among the Jesuits, took the vows of the scholars of the society, and was made cardinal by Pope Innocent X. in 1646. Joseph dissuaded him from the resolution he had taken of receiving holy orders. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">What the saint foretold came to pass; for Uladislas, eldest son of Sigismund, dying in 1648, John Casimir was elected king of Poland; but after some time resigned his crown and retired into France, where he died in 1672. It was this prince who himself afterwards disclosed all the circumstances of the fact which we have here related. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">His miracles were not less remarkable than the other extraordinary favours he received from God. Many sick owed their recovery to his prayers. The saint falling sick of a fever at Osimo, the 10th of August, 1663, foretold that his last hour was near at hand. The day before his death he received the holy viaticum, and after it the extreme unction. He was heard often to repeat those aspirations of a heart inflamed with the love of God: </span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><i>“Oh! that my soul was freed from the shackles of my body, to be reunited to Jesus Christ! Praise and thanksgiving be to God! The will of God be done. Jesus crucified, receive my heart, and kindle in it the fire of your holy love.” </i></span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">He died the 18th of September, 1663, at the age of sixty years and three months. His body was exposed in the church, and the whole town came to visit it with respect; he was afterwards buried in the chapel of the Conception. The heroism of his virtues being proved, and the truth of his miracles attested, he was beatified by Benedict XIV. in 1753, and canonized by Clement XIII. in 1767. Clement XIV. inserted his office in the Roman Breviary. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">See the Life of St. Joseph of Cupertino, written in Italian, by Count Dominic Bernini in 1722, and dedicated to Innocent XIII. Agelli has given an abridgment of it in 1753, with an account of twenty-two new miracles. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">We have another abridgment of the life of this saint by Pastrovicchi, also in 1753. See also F. Suysken, Comment. et Not. p. 992.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">~Rev. Alban Butler (1711–73). Volume IX: September.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The Lives of the Saints. 1866.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">--- Adoremus in Aeternum</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><p style="color: black; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> <span style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Deleted from the Roman calendar by Paul VI, Mysterii Paschalis, 1969)</span></span></p><div><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534943997597196456.post-32547350730101640252023-09-18T21:08:00.005-06:002023-09-18T21:08:55.836-06:00Sola Scriptura Changes Scripture<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsFFzw0UeflDjDSiWGWzkmrNjlag9go3xjssUVLt7K6LuV1j0jk2Qfapp98ixAFtGxNi1JQufW9LsX6lT_PondxV_T9mwrw3XwkTJO-kOIDFX2XYDTR7WabXe0Y3AC0YaDafb4C4-ReVdB2O9N__d1Lb4aWRRRvhSzzY3Ql-mjXQWb03_JZD_0q6e49z9w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="625" height="441" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsFFzw0UeflDjDSiWGWzkmrNjlag9go3xjssUVLt7K6LuV1j0jk2Qfapp98ixAFtGxNi1JQufW9LsX6lT_PondxV_T9mwrw3XwkTJO-kOIDFX2XYDTR7WabXe0Y3AC0YaDafb4C4-ReVdB2O9N__d1Lb4aWRRRvhSzzY3Ql-mjXQWb03_JZD_0q6e49z9w=w428-h441" width="428" /></a></div> <p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Question: What is Protestantism?</span></span></p><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">Answer: A new religion, invented and propagated by a man, named Martin Luther.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. In what year was Luther born?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. <a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>In 1483.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. Where was he born?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. In Eisleben, of Prussian Saxony.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. Of what Religion were his parents?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. They were Catholics, as were all his ancestors.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. At the time Luther was born, what was the religion of all Europe?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. All believed what the Catholics believe at the present time.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. Was Luther himself a Catholic for any time.
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. He was a Catholic until his thirty-fifth year.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. What was his state of life?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. He was a monk of the order of discalced Augustinians.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. As such had he made religious vows?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. At the age of twenty-three years, he made vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. Was he bound to keep these vows?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. Without doubt, since he made them after mature reflection, and of his own free will; because the Prophet says, (Ps. xlix:) "Pay thy vows to the Most High;" and God himself says, (Num. ch. xxx:) "If any man make a vow to the Lord, or bind himself by an oath, he shall not make his word void, but shall fulfil all that he promised."
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. Did Luther obey this command of God by keeping his vows?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. No; he violated all the three; he apostatized,—he married Catherine de Boré, a nun, like himself under vows, and he utterly disobeyed every ecclesiastical authority.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. Was this man in reality the founder of the Protestant religion, and the first of that sect that ever appeared in the world?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. Most certainly; for no minister, no congregation, no body of Divines professing Protestant doctrines, was ever heard of until his time.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. What inference do you draw from all this?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. That Protestantism cannot be the religion of Christ; because, if the Church of Christ required reformation, a God of purity and holiness would never have chosen such an immoral character—an apostate, a wholesale vow-breaker, a sacrilegious seducer—for that purpose.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. What induced Luther to attack the ancient Catholic faith and invent a new creed?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. Pride and jealousy. Pride Leo having granted an Indulgence, Luther's pride was mortified, because the commission to preach that Indulgence was given to the order of St. Dominic, and not to his own.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. To what did he allow himself to be driven by this pride and jealousy?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. To attack the doctrine of Indulgences itself.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. Would the Catholic Church have blamed Luther had he merely attacked the abuses or avarice of individual Catholics?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. No, certainly. He erred in this, that under pretence of reprehending abuses, he assailed the true faith on the subject of Indulgences.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. What was his next step?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. He posted on the gates of the Church of Wittemburg, ninety-five articles, which he wrote and which contained many things not in accordance with the doctrines of the Church.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. Were these articles refuted?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. They were, and with much ability, by some Catholic Theologians, to whom Luther replied with a haughty insolence unworthy of a Christian.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. What hypocritical pretences did Luther make in 1517, during these disputes?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. He pretended that he wished to teach nothing but what was conformable to Scripture, to the Holy Fathers, and approved by the Holy See. (T.1. Ger. Edit. Gen. p. 12.)
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. What did he write to Jerome, Bishop of Brandenburg?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. That he wished to decide nothing himself, and that he wished to submit all his doctrines to the Church. (Ibid, p. 54.)
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. What did he write to Pope Leo in 1518?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. That he would listen to that Pope's decision as to an oracle proceeding from the mouth of Jesus Christ. (Ibid, p. 58)
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. What did he promise to his religious superiors?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. That he would be silent, if his adversaries were placed under the same restraint.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. What inference do you draw from all this?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. That he was either a hypocrite who did not intend to fulfil his promises, or that he was quite satisfied of the truth of the doctrines which he impugned, since otherwise he could not conscientiously promise silence and obedience.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. What other consequences do you draw?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. That a man swollen with pride, envy, jealousy—a disobedient hypocrite—was not the person to be chosen by God to reform abuses if any such existed.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. Can any one reasonably believe that the change in religion brought about by Luther is the work of God?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. No one can believe it, unless he be utterly ignorant of the true nature of religion, and very unlearned in the matters of history.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. Why do you make this answer?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. Because, in the first place, the author of the Reformation is not a man of God; secondly, because his work is not the work of God; thirdly, because the means which he used in effecting his purpose are not of God.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. Why do you say Luther is not a man of God?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. Because he has left us in his works abundant proof, that if God saw a need for any reformation in his Church, such a man as Luther would not be selected to carry God's will into effect.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. What have you to blame in Luther's works?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. They are full of indecencies very offensive to modesty, crammed with a low buffoonery well calculated to bring religion into contempt, and interlarded with very many gross insults offered in a spirit very far from Christian charity and humility, to individuals of dignity and worth.
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. Passing over his indecencies in silence, give us a specimen of his buffooneries and insults. What does he say to the King of England, replying to a book which the King had written against him? (Tom. ii, p. 145.)
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. He calls the king "an ass," "an idiot," "a fool," "whom very infants ought to mock."
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. How does he treat Cardinal Albert, Archbishop and Elector of Mayence, in the work which he wrote against the Bishop of Magdeburg? (Tom. vii, p. 353.)
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. He calls him "an unfortunate little priest, crammed with an infinite number of devils."
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. What does he say of Henry, Duke of Brunswick? (Tom. vii, p. 118.)
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. That he had "swallowed so may devils in eating and drinking, that he could not even spit any thing but a devil." He calls Duke George of Saxony, "a man of straw, who, with his immense belly, seemed to bid defiance to heaven, and to have swallowed up Jesus Christ himself." (Tom. ii, p. 90.)
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. Was Luther's language more respectful, when he addressed the Emperor and the Pope?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. No; he treated them both with equal indignities; he said that the Grand Turk had ten times the virtue and good sense of the Emperor,—that the Pope was "a wild beast," "a ravenous wolf, against whom all Europe should rise in arms."
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. What do you conclude from Luther's insolent, outrageous, and libertine manner of speaking?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. That he was not the man to be chosen by God to reform his church; for his language is the strongest proof that he was actuated, not by the spirit of God, but by the spirit of the devil.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. May not his party say, that they care little about the manner of the man, if his doctrine be true,—that it is not upon him, but upon the word of God, they build their faith?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. If the Protestant doctrine be true, then God used Luther as a chosen instrument to reestablish his true faith; but no reasonable man can possibly believe the latter; therefore, neither can any reasonable man believe that the Protestant is the true faith.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. May it not be objected that there were individual pastors in the Catholic Church as worthless as Luther?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. Yes; but all the pastors of the Catholic Church were not so at one and the same time, whilst Luther, at the time we speak of, was the first and only teacher of Protestantism. Besides, Christ himself give an unanswerable reply to the objection, (Matth. xxiii:) "The Scribes and Pharisees have sitten in the chair of Moses; all things therefore whatsoever they shall say to you, observe and do, but according
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">to their works do ye not." Again, some Catholic pastors may have been bad men, but still they were the lawful ministers of God, having succeeded to lawfully commissioned predecessors; but Luther stood alone, he succeeded to none having lawful authority from whom he could derive a mission. In fine, whatever may have been the lives of some vicious Catholic pastors, they taught nothing new, their teaching was the same as that of the best and holiest ministers of the Church. Hence, there was no innovation in matters of faith, or principles of morality. But Luther was the first to teach a new doctrine, unknown in the world before his time.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. We are now satisfied that the author of Protestantism was not a man of God; show us that his undertaking was not from God;—what did he undertake?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. He undertook to show that the Church had fallen into error, separated himself from her, and formed his followers into a party against her.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. Could such an undertaking be from God?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. No; for God has commanded us not to sit in judgment upon the Church, but to hear and obey her with respect; "and if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican." (Matth. chap. xviii.)
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. Was it the particular "territorial" Church of the Roman States, or the Universal Catholic Church, that Luther charged with having erred?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. It was the Universal Church he dared to calumniate in this manner.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. How do you prove this?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. Before the time of Luther, there was no Christian society in the whole world which believed the doctrines afterwards taught by Luther; consequently, he assailed not any particular sect or church, but the faith of the whole Christian world.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. Are you quite sure, that it is incontestably true, that no Christian body every believed, before Luther's time, the new doctrines be began then to propagate?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. So sure, that we have Luther's own authority for it. His words are, (Tom. ii, p. 9, b.<span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="🙂" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/teb/2/16/1f642.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span> "How often has not my conscience been alarmed? How often have I not said to myself:—Dost thou ALONE of all men pretend to be wise? Dost thou pretend that ALL CHRISTIANS have been in error, during such a long period of years?"
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. What was it that gave Luther most pain, during the time he meditated the introduction of his new religion?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. A hidden respect for the authority of the Church, which he found it impossible to stifle.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. How does he express himself on this matter? (Tom. ii, p. 5.)
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. "After having subdued all other considerations, it was with the utmost difficulty I could eradicate from my heart the feeling that I should obey the Church." "I am not so presumptuous," said he, "as to believe, that it is in God's name I have commenced and carried on this affair; I should not wish to go to judgment, resting on the fact that God is my guide in these matters." (Tom. p. 364, b.)
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. What think you of the schism caused by Luther? Can one prudently believe that it is the work of God?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. No; because God himself has forbidden schism as a dreadful crime: St. Paul (1st Corinth. chap. i. ver. 10) says: "Now I beseech you, brethren by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no SCHISMS among you; but that you be perfect in the same mind and same judgment."
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. What idea did Luther himself entertain about schism before he blinded himself by his infuriated antipathy to the Pope?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. He declared, that it was not lawful for any Christian whatever to separate himself from the Church of Rome.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. Repeat the very words of Luther touching this important matter. (Tom. i, p. 116, b.)
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. "There is no question, no matter how important, which will justify a separation from the Church." Yet, notwithstanding, he himself burst the moorings which bound him to the Church, and, with his small band of ignorant and reckless followers, opposed her by every means in his power.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. What do you remark on historical examples of conduct similar to this ever since the birth of Christianity?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. That in every age, when a small body detached itself from the Church, on account of doctrinal points, it has been universally the case, that the small body plunged by degrees deeper and deeper into error and heresy, and in the end, brought by its own increasing corruption into a state of decomposition, disappeared and perished. Of this we have hundreds of examples; nor can Lutherans or Calvinists reasonably hope, that their heresy and schism can have any other end. They are
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">walking in the footsteps of those who have strayed from the fold of truth,—from the unity of faith; and they can have no other prospect, than the end of so many heresies that have gone before them.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. Why have you said, that the means adopted by Luther, to establish his new religion, were not of God? What were those means?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. That he might secure followers, he employed such means as were calculated to flatter the passions of men; he strewed the path to heaven—not like Christ with thorns, but like the devil—with flowers; he took off the cross which Christ had laid on the shoulders of men, he made wide the easy way, which Christ had left narrow and difficult.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. Repeat some of Luther's improvements upon the religion of Christ.
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. He permitted all who had made solemn vows of chastity, to violate their vows and marry; he permitted temporal sovereigns to plunder the property of the Church; he abolished confession, abstinence, fasting, and every work of penance and mortification.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. How did he attempt to tranquillize the consciences he had disturbed by these scandalously libertine doctrines?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. He invented a thing, which he called justifying faith, to be a sufficient substitute for all the above painful religious works, and invention which took off every responsibility from our shoulders, and laid all on the shoulders of Jesus Christ; in a word, he told men to believe in the merits of Christ as certainly applied to them, and live as they pleased, to indulge every criminal passion, without even the restraints of modesty.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. How did he strive to gain over to his party a sufficient number of presumptuous, unprincipled, and dissolute men of talent, to preach and propagate his novelties?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. He pandered to their passions and flattered their pride, by granting them the sovereign honor of being their own judges in every religious question; he presented them with the Bible, declaring that each one of them, ignorant and learned, was perfectly qualified to decide upon every point of controversy.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. What did he condescend to do for Philip, Landgrave of Hesse, in order to secure his support and protection?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. He permitted him to keep two wives at one and the same time. The name of the second was Margaret de Saal, who had been maid of honor to his lawful wife, Christina de Saxe. Nor was Luther the only Protestant Doctor who granted this monstrous dispensation from the law of God; eight of the most celebrated Protestant leaders signed, with their own hand, the filthy and adulterous document.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. Does the whole history of Christianity furnish us with even one such scandalous dispensation derived from ecclesiastical authority?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. No; nor could such brutal profligacy be countenanced even for a moment, seeing that the Scripture is so explicit on the subject. Gen. ii, Matth. xix, Mark x, speak of two in one flesh, but never of three. But Luther and his brethren were guided, not by the letter of the Scripture, but by the corrupt passions, wishes, and inclinations of men. To induce their followers to swallow the new creed, they gave them, in return, liberty to gratify every appetite.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. If neither the author of Protestantism, nor his work itself, nor the means he adopted to effect his purpose, are from God, what are his followers obliged to?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. They are obliged, under pain of eternal damnation, to seek earnestly and re-enter the true Church, which seduced by Luther, they
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">abandoned: If they be sincere, God will aid them in their inquiry.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">Q. What is the situation of the man who does not at once acquit himself of this obligation?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. He is the victim of mortal heresy and schism; the thing he calls a church has no pastors lawfully sent or ordained; hence, he can receive none of the Sacraments declared in Scripture to be so necessary to salvation.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. What think you of those (they are many) who are at heart convinced that the Catholic Church is the only true one, and are still such cowards as to dread making a public profession of their faith?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. "He," says our Saviour—Luke, ix chap., 26 ver., "who shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him the Son of Man shall be ashamed, when he shall come in his majesty."
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. What think you of those who are inclined to Catholicism, but out of family considerations neglect to embrace it?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. Our Saviour, in the 10th chap. of St. Matth., tells such, that he who loves father or mother more than God, is unworthy of God.
</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Q. What say you to those who become Protestants, or remain Protestants from motives of worldly gain or honor?
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A. I say with our Saviour, in the 8th chap. of St. Mark, "What will it avail a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his soul?"
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">--R E V. S T E P H E N K E E N A N.</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534943997597196456.post-78463593839091212832023-09-03T22:31:00.002-06:002023-09-03T22:31:21.852-06:00St. Joseph of Cupertino: The Reluctant Saint<p> </p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eXxOLNRBdXw?si=KKeFOczQhYVlP1gh" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534943997597196456.post-87526465937533420582023-02-24T00:21:00.001-06:002023-02-24T00:21:31.165-06:00Ash Wednesday & Lent 4Qs<p><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, serif;"><i>1. "What's the point of wearing ashes?"</i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRu08CAu6L5DlcQayurAmDqXahIihMBrvf7xyHrf_TXGcV7fBNkBgrc9idXbJ5uxvIe_2_tLF2nkKcBLeAO4hLz3s89E-AuVa_KUJQ39KHQhYNsA7N_l8wAtLu0rkRhwlpq-T6m1ljYy6O4zC7GuS6Kuj7Nmg9NLltDr9cxM69zI3PNE3mhjLxdqP8cw/s578/Ecclesiastes%203%20verse%2020.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="532" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRu08CAu6L5DlcQayurAmDqXahIihMBrvf7xyHrf_TXGcV7fBNkBgrc9idXbJ5uxvIe_2_tLF2nkKcBLeAO4hLz3s89E-AuVa_KUJQ39KHQhYNsA7N_l8wAtLu0rkRhwlpq-T6m1ljYy6O4zC7GuS6Kuj7Nmg9NLltDr9cxM69zI3PNE3mhjLxdqP8cw/w275-h298/Ecclesiastes%203%20verse%2020.png" width="275" /></a></i></div><i><br /></i><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, serif;"><i>2. "What is Lent? Why is it called Lent?"</i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, serif;"><i>3. "Why abstain from meat when Jesus made all foods clean?"</i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, serif;"><i>4. "Why fast publicly when Jesus said not to draw attention to it?"</i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: 700;">1. "What's the point of wearing ashes?"</span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, serif;"><u>Answer</u>:<i> </i>Ashes have a two-fold symbolism signifying <span style="font-weight: 700;">repentance</span> and <span style="font-weight: 700;">mortality</span>. In the Old Testament, when expressing sorrow for sin or crying out to God for mercy, people would <i>repent</i> in "sackcloth and ashes" (e.g. Jonah 3: 5-6). The ashes signify our desire to turn back to God in Lent. Secondly, the ashes signify our <i>mortality</i> as all of our bodies will one day return to dust.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, serif;">[This two-fold symbolism is confirmed with the two sayings one hears when receiving ashes. Some hear, "You are dust and to dust you shall return," which emphasizes our mortality.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Times, serif;">(<a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ecclesiastes/3">Ecclesiastes 3:20</a>)</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, serif;">While this somber symbol may sound dismal, there's an upshot for every Christian. Although our bodies will one day be reduced to dust, Jesus Christ will raise us up again on the Last Day (John 6:44). Although we may have committed serious sins, the Good News is that Jesus has come to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).]</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: 700;">2. "What is Lent, and why is it called Lent?"</span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 18px;"><u>Answer</u>:<i> </i>Lent is a 40-day season before Easter when we focus on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These spiritual practices allow us to make more room for God in our lives. The word "Lent" comes from an older word for Spring, since the season is supposed to be a time of spiritual renewal. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 18px;">Catholic Encyclopedia definition: </span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Times, serif;"><a href="https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09152a.htm">https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09152a.htm</a></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: 700;">3. "Why abstain from meat when Jesus made all foods clean?"</span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, serif;"><u>Answer</u>: We agree that Jesus made all foods clean (cf. Acts 10) and that meat is not ritually unclean like pork was under the Old Covenant. Nonetheless, Jesus acknowledges the value in fasting, and implies its continuation when he says, "The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day" (Mark 2:20).</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, serif;">During Lent, fasting is understood to mean a particular refraining from all food and drink. Abstinence is understood to mean a refraining from meat. Both are meant to be sacrifices that highlight our need for Christ. "Man does not live by bread alone" (Matthew 4:4) nor on meat alone. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: 700;">4. </span></i><span style="font-weight: 700;"> </span><i><span style="font-weight: 700;">"Why fast publicly when Jesus said not to draw attention to it?"</span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, serif;"><u>Answer</u>: It's true that Jesus says, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">“</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, serif;">And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward" (Matthew 6:16). </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, serif;">Jesus highlights that we must not fast publicly to flaunt our religiosity or to showcase how great we are. Our interior disposition should be one of humility, reverence, and repentance. <span style="font-weight: 700;">This is generally true. </span>But this is not the only kind of fast spoken of in the Bible. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, serif;">In a section describing repentance, the Old Testament prophet Joel says, "Blow the horn in Zion! Proclaim a fast, call an assembly!" (Joel 2:15). </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, serif;">In Jonah, we read that the people of Ninevah repented and called for a public fast, "And the people of Ninevah believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them . . . By the decree of the kind and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God" (Jonah 3:5-8).</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, serif;">So, we find Old Testament warrant for a public fast signifying the need for a whole group of people to repent. Likewise, Lent is a season where the Church, i.e. the City of God on Earth, is called to fast and repent. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, serif;">This is no contradiction to Jesus's teaching in Matthew 6. All who partake in the fast can heed Jesus's teachings and avoid seeking outward praise and attention from the fast. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, serif;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, serif;">source: </span><span style="color: #0f69ff; font-family: YahooSans, "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: 700;">John DeRosa</span></p><p style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0f69ff; font-family: YahooSans, Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><b>https://www.catholic.com/profile/john-derosa</b></span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534943997597196456.post-37698302850354299592023-02-14T00:30:00.001-06:002023-02-14T00:30:05.871-06:00The Legend of St. Valentine<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-6a0e8e94-7fff-1240-5d3e-b5a6a949d2d1"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWg2I0AgyoC8x2LcvQoEzPIhSHVdfGQC88pZn-o0FM98f4UiD1dEecAYUXsr1Z6Z_J2jYZBCuoopNC5hf-zxzYplHVwkFwJwYO_y9rSQ78T9xZJwBin3ibfLhxrJDI9MrtWnH8HVLHTF4uXOfeGHZY125xaLStfsa4F1E64zSwJW132s9N33tA0Xb2Mg/s914/St%20Valentine%20mosaic.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="642" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWg2I0AgyoC8x2LcvQoEzPIhSHVdfGQC88pZn-o0FM98f4UiD1dEecAYUXsr1Z6Z_J2jYZBCuoopNC5hf-zxzYplHVwkFwJwYO_y9rSQ78T9xZJwBin3ibfLhxrJDI9MrtWnH8HVLHTF4uXOfeGHZY125xaLStfsa4F1E64zSwJW132s9N33tA0Xb2Mg/s320/St%20Valentine%20mosaic.png" width="225" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">St. Valentine</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">by</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Soutenus</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 12pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2000 years ago, the most powerful army in the world belonged to the Romans. The Romans were so strong that they had conquered almost all of Europe, and parts of Asia and Africa. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Under the rule of Claudius II, Rome was involved in many unpopular and bloody campaigns. The emperor, also known as Claudius the Cruel, needed to maintain a strong army, but was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Life in the army was harsh, and many of the soldiers wanted the comforts of home. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Claudius believed that Roman men were unwilling to join the army because of their strong attachment to their wives and families.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To get rid of the problem, Claudius the Cruel banned all marriages and engagements in Rome. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 12pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By that time, many of the Romans were Christians - and one of the church leaders was a Bishop called Valentine. Bishop </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Valentine knew that this decree was not just. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He believed that if a man and woman fell in love with each other, they should be allowed to get married. Bishop Valentine defied Claudius and performed marriages in his church, even though it was against the law. The soldiers’ weddings were meant to be kept secret, but as you know, all secrets are hard to keep, and soon the word got out. Valentine was arrested and brought before the emperor who demanded that he stop helping soldiers to marry, and that he pray to the gods of Rome.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 12pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When he refused, the emperor sentenced him to death. Claudius </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ordered Bishop Valentine to be beaten to death with clubs and then to have his head cut off. But first, Valentine was put into prison. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 12pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">While Valentine was in prison, the jailer’s daughter used to bring him his food. She was a young woman who unfortunately was blind. She and Valentine used to spend long hours talking to each other. One day, Valentine put his hand through the bars of his cell and touched the lids of her closed eyes. When she opened them again, she could see. It was a miracle.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 12pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Valentine’s execution was set for February the 14th. He was a martyr or "witness" of the Christian faith. On his last night on earth, he wrote his final message to the girl. He signed his love letter, “From your Valentine.” This took place in the year 270, and ever since, lovers have sent each other messages on February the 14th with the same signature.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 12pt 0pt;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk03z4pabNgJM5I3UrjSOnoxBkaWnApFlYc_zab4OMH4Ep4pCCeV9VoQ5PwcIwW_1JB4NC9hy3yGlo_jW4GO_Z8GqD4A-FnEl-TExRfd1MPRgNQMSb79Moa3knMJRwqbHw6D3qxBDMZTKmItwxQDbMIvXTPcQLThyfISYYbIEE_57-qJe3F8BN7TrfCA/s844/St%20Valentine%20stained%20glass.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="504" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk03z4pabNgJM5I3UrjSOnoxBkaWnApFlYc_zab4OMH4Ep4pCCeV9VoQ5PwcIwW_1JB4NC9hy3yGlo_jW4GO_Z8GqD4A-FnEl-TExRfd1MPRgNQMSb79Moa3knMJRwqbHw6D3qxBDMZTKmItwxQDbMIvXTPcQLThyfISYYbIEE_57-qJe3F8BN7TrfCA/w202-h339/St%20Valentine%20stained%20glass.png" width="202" /></a></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 12pt 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">word count 412</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">sources:</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="https://www.storynory.com/st-valentine/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.storynory.com/st-valentine/</span></a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/st-valentine-beheaded" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/st-valentine-beheaded</span></span></a></p><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534943997597196456.post-48178252317168975512023-01-04T15:41:00.003-06:002023-01-06T12:00:27.245-06:00Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span face="-apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">As we all know from our nativity sets, some very special guests attended the birth of the Jesus: wise men from the east, bearing gifts for the newborn king - gold, frankincense, and myrrh. </span><a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/2-11.html" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); box-sizing: border-box; color: #3366b4; text-decoration-line: none;">Matthew 2:11</a><span face="-apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> states: "On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. "</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">THE GIFT OF GOLD</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span face="-apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">As was customary for royal visits, the wise men came bearing treasured gifts intended to honor the newborn king. And as it is today, gold was a valued commodity in the ancient world. Among the types of assets listed in the Bible (e.g., precious metals, livestock, servants, gemstones, etc.), accumulation of gold was one of the chief measures of wealth (cf. </span><a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/esv/passage/?q=genesis+13:2;+ecclesiastes+2:8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: initial; box-sizing: inherit; color: #2196f3; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: auto;" target="_blank">Genesis 13:2, Ecclesiastes 2:8</a><span face="-apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">). Because of its scarcity and immense value, gold was particularly associated with royalty and nobility, as is seen in </span><a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/1-kings/10.html" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); box-sizing: border-box; color: #3366b4; text-decoration-line: none;">1 Kings 10</a><span face="-apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> when the Queen of Sheba visits King Solomon bearing great quantities of gold as a gift. By bringing a gift of gold, the wise men showed that they did indeed consider Jesus a king.</span> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span face="-apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">In addition to underscoring the royalty of Jesus, some have noted that the wise men’s gift of gold may have foreshadowed another aspect of Jesus’ ministry. Under the Old Covenant, the Most Holy Place (also known as the Holy of Holies) was an inner sanctuary within the Temple where the priest would encounter the </span>presence of God<span face="-apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> and offer a sacrifice of </span>atonement<span face="-apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> for the sins of the people. Likewise, the incarnation of Jesus heralded the presence of God—Immanuel—and the sacrifice of atonement he would make on behalf of his people when he went to the cross. The wise men may have had this connection in mind because, as described in </span><a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/esv/1-kings/passage/?q=1-kings+6:20-22" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: initial; box-sizing: inherit; color: #2196f3; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: auto;" target="_blank">1 Kings 6:20-22</a><span face="-apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">, the walls of the Most Holy Place and the altar within it were completely overlaid with—you guessed it—gold.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span face="-apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">THE GIFT OF </span><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol" style="color: #333333;"><span>FRANKINCENSE</span></span></span></p><p fr-original-style="" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 16px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Frankincense is an aromatic gum resin that is still widely used in parts of the Middle East and Africa today. It is produced by scraping the bark of certain native species of trees and then harvesting the beads of resin after they have dried. When burned as incense, it creates a strong and beautiful aroma. In the ancient near east, the cost of frankincense precluded it from being used as a common household air freshener. Rather, the burning of frankincense was closely associated with ceremonial worship of a deity. In this way, the inclusion of frankincense as a gift for Jesus may have indicated that the wise men understood that the prophecy of the newborn king carried with it a claim of deity.</span></p><p fr-original-style="" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 16px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">As with gold, frankincense may also have an implied connection with the Temple worship of the Old Covenant. Burning incense at the altar was a key part of the sacrificial system prescribed by God for use in the Tabernacle and, later, in the Temple itself. According to <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/esv/exodus/30.html" style="background: 0px 0px no-repeat transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #2196f3; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: auto;" target="_blank">Exodus 30</a>, however, not just any incense would do. A specific recipe of spices mixed with “pure frankincense” (v. 34) was to be consecrated as “pure and holy” (v.35) and was the only incense permitted at the altar. A speculative parallel can be drawn between this and Jesus’ life as a pure and holy offering to the Lord.</span></p><p fr-original-style="" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 16px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">THE GIFT OF MYRRH</span></p><p fr-original-style="" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 16px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Myrrh is a fragrant spice derived from the sap of a tree native to the Near East. Like frankincense, it can be used as incense, but in the ancient world it also had wider usage as a perfume, anointing oil, and was even imbibed as a medicinal tonic. Most notable with regard to Jesus’ life, myrrh was a key ingredient in the mixture of spices that were used to prepare bodies for burial (e.g., <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/esv/john/passage/?q=john+19:39-40" style="background: 0px 0px no-repeat transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #2196f3; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: auto;" target="_blank">John 19:39-40</a>). Perhaps the wise men intended this gift as an indication of Jesus’ humanity and the manner in which he would save his people—namely, that he would die for them (cf. <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/esv/isaiah/53-5.html" style="background: 0px 0px no-repeat transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #2196f3; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: auto;" target="_blank">Isaiah 53:5</a>).</span></p><p fr-original-style="" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 16px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Just like the first two gifts, there is a Temple connection with myrrh as well. <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/esv/exodus/30.html" style="background: 0px 0px no-repeat transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #2196f3; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: auto;" target="_blank">Exodus 30</a> tells us that liquid myrrh was a main ingredient in the anointing oil used to ceremonially prepare the priests, the instruments, the altar, and the Temple itself before sacrifices could be made. Again, parallels to Jesus’ consecrated life and sacrificial death are immediately noticeable.</span></p><p fr-original-style="" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 16px; padding: 0px;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/gold-frankincense-and-myrrh.html">https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/gold-frankincense-and-myrrh.html</a></span></span></p><div><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></span></div><div><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NOTES ON CONCLUSIONS (for assignment associated with this source text)</span></span></div><div><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol"><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You should reiterate the important significance or rarity or value of each one.</span></span><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;">By drawing out <b>one really important significance </b>of each one, you a stronger/better path to your clincher.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But you n=must make sure you have covered this in the body paragraphs (no new info in conclusions!)</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;">---------------------------------------------</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;">IF you have this info in your body paragraphs, you can conclude with more strength (example of conclusion at the bottom)</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #3c4043;">Gold was symbolic of kingship. By bringing this gift to the Baby Jesus, </span><span style="color: #800180;">Melchior, king of Persia/Arabia (modern Saudi Arabia)</span><span style="color: #3c4043;">, specifically acknowledged Christ as King.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Frankincense was used for worship in the Temple. By bestowing this gift, the magi <span style="color: #990000;">Gaspar, king of Tarsus (Sheba?), land of merchants</span>, demonstrated that he recognized Christ as the High Priest. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #3c4043;">Myrrh was a prophetic symbolic of Jesus' death for the sake of truth. </span><span style="color: #990000;">Gaspar (Caspar, Jasper), king of Tarsus (Sheba?) (India), land of merchants</span><span style="color: #3c4043;"> OR</span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> Balthazar, king of Egypt (Arabia)</span><span style="color: #3c4043;"> acknowledged/confessed/claimed/ named/ recognized / professed / acclaimed / exalted Christ as the High Prophet</span><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(ANAPHORA) Each gift also has special significance to us, as Christians. Each one of these gifts tells us more about this wonderous Christ child. Each gift reminds us of how to conduct our lives.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;">gold </span><b style="color: black; font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">--></span></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> kingship </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;">we need obey him</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;">frankincense </span><b style="color: black; font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">--></span></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> worship </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;">we need worship him</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;">myrrh </span><b style="color: black; font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">--></span></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> death and mourning<br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;">we need to accept the saving grace he gave to us by dying on the cross for us.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #3c4043;">The symbol </span><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">"-->"</span></b><span style="color: #3c4043;"> could be replaced with: represents/represented</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;">reminds us</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;">'s significance is/was</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;">signifies/signified</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;">was associated with</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: arial;">was symbolic of</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><b>GEOGRAPHY</b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">The Magi in the Bible came “from the east.” (Matthew 2:1) The East at the time of Christ’s birth meant Media, Persia, Assyria and Babylonia, countries now encompassed by Iran and Iraq. Justin Martyr in 160 said, “Magi from Arabia (modern Saudi Arabia) came to Herod.” Clement of Alexandria (c.150-215) in the </span><i style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Stromata</i><span style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"> says they came from Persia.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Lato, sans-serif;">https://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/persia</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Lato, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534943997597196456.post-55170779309139049262022-09-19T00:27:00.002-06:002022-09-19T00:27:48.755-06:00Hummel Figurines<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">From: The National Catholic Registry <br /><span class="articleMetadata__byline" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #b72025;">by Angelo Stagnaro </span><time class="articleMetadata__info" datetime="2016-05-20T04:01:23+00:00" style="box-sizing: border-box;">May 20, 2016</time></span></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; text-align: center;"><b>The Attack of the Hummel Figurine</b></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; text-align: left;">I have friends of all sorts. Different ethnicities. Different religions. No religion at all. Men and women from different walks of life. I enjoy knowing people who see the world differently than I do. It's great training for the virtue of patience and it also rounds out one's education.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">There are, however, limits to open-mindedness and liberality.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">One such obstacle for me is Hummel figurines and those who appreciate them. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">(note from Soutenus: Why such an extension of your limit to "open-mindedness" to "those who appreciate them? I can't stand kombucha but that dislike does not extend to the PEOPLE who enjoy it.)</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">I'm unsure what drives me mad about them. I find their chubby cheeks, large doe-eyes and whimsical expressions, saccharine.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">I also don't like the statues.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">I've often wondered if I might be the only human being on the planet who can't stand the statues' cuteness and annoying schmaltziness. Their cloying sentimentality can only be best described as "nunnish."</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">I recall not too long ago being invited to the office of a Franciscan religious sister colleague. I stepped inside to find it was positively overrun with Hummels. Not a square inch of barren space was apparent from my vantage point (or even God's for that matter.) It was a veritable <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">horror vacui sentimentalis, </em>the likes of which reminded me of several nightmares I hadn't had for many years.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">I felt my breath getting shorter as all of their large, watery eyes looked at me begging me to fawn over them. I felt the perspiration gathering on my forehead and neck. I was suddenly both hot and cold in this dizzying display of sappy, sentimental ceramics.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">The good Sister noticed my apprehension. "Are you OK?"</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">Perhaps it was the tight quarters or the fact that Sister was a sister but I was overcome with the desire to tell her the truth which is generally contraindicated when dealing with religious sisters.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">"What don't you like about them?!" she asked in that tone that Catholic children who've had the good fortune to be taught by the good sisters, know all too well.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">"Well…Sister…I think they're…a bit…corny."</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">The look Sister gave me made me immediately fear she was going to call my mother and that was sure not to end well. She looked at me as if I had just blasphemed after having eaten pork on a Friday and then having dropped my rosary on the ground.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">I was bit worried that Sister wanted to slap my hand for uttering such opprobrium but instead, her personal sanctity overtook her and she gently and generously explained to me why I was wrong.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">"You should reconsider your opinion about these statues," she said sweetly…as sweet as the statues bearing down on me from around the room. "There's a long history of these figurines and the Church…and Hitler."</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">Imagine my surprise, and consternation, when the good Sister told me that Hummel figurines were based on the art of Sr. Maria Innocentia Hummel, a German Franciscan sister, artist and anti-Nazi crusader.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">I sat down to listen to Sister as the glazed eyes of a thousand children frozen in the most perfectly adorable poses stared at me from around the room like so many taxidermied mountings. I figured that if Hitler disliked Sr. Hummel's figurines, I should at least give them the benefit of the doubt. Also, it promised to be a pretty good tale considering both Nazis and Franciscan nuns figured prominently in it—sort of a religious version of <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Raiders of the Lost Ark—</em>or like<em style="box-sizing: border-box;"> The Sound of Music </em>but with less synchronized dancing. I would have been content if some of the ceramics were destroyed in the storytelling but I'd be happier still if the story didn't end with these little ceramic gnomes coming to life and attacking me right in the good Sister's office.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">Berta Hummel (May 21, 1909 - November 6, 1946) was born in Massing in Bavaria, Germany—one of Adolf and Victoria Hummel's six children. Even as a child, Berta showed great creativity and talent. Considering the expression on the figurines, she was, unsurprisingly, a cheerful, active girl, who loved the outdoors. Her family encouraged her art and, at the age of 12, they enrolled her in a boarding school of the Sisters of Loreto in Simbach am Inn not too far from their home where she continued to draw those infernal figures.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">When Berta graduated in 1927, she entered the Academy of Applied Arts in Munich, a very prestigious German school for the arts. Instead of living in the standard student housing, which seemed to have been a bit wild for her tastes, she chose to live in a nearby residence run by religious sisters. There, she met women from the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Siessen in Bad Saulgau who were also studying at the Academy. Their congregation focused on teaching with an emphasis on art education.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">After Berta graduated in 1931, she decided to join the Franciscans. On becoming a novice, she took the name Sr. Maria Innocentia. A year later, Berta began teaching art in a nearby school run by the convent. In her spare time, she painted pictures of children at play. Her superior, duly impressed with her art, sent copies to Emil Fink, a publishing house in Stuttgart which specialized in religious art.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">Emil Fink was so impressed with the novel depictions of chubby, gentle-eyed, ruddy-cheeked children, that the company, printed her paintings as postcards—a popular genre at the time. They were so wildly popular that in 1934, they published a collection of her drawings entitled <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Das Hummel-Buch</em>.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">Franz Goebel, the owner of a local porcelain company, came across Sr. Hummel's postcards in a shop in Munich. He had been considering a new line of artwork to help drum up business and approached Sr. Hummel's community with a deal of a lifetime—making 3-D figurines of Sr. Hummel's drawings. The figurines were an immediate smash hit. (Yes…I said "smash.")<span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">However, something as innocent and endearing as Sr. Hummel's figurines weren't without their detractors.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">In 1937, after Berta made her final profession in her congregation, she released a painting entitled "The Volunteers," which, oddly enough, drew the vehement hatred of Adolf Hitler. The dictator denounced Sr. Hummel's art claiming it depicted German children as having "hydrocephalic heads." Although the Nazi authorities allowed Sr. Hummel to continue her art, they banned its distribution in Germany. <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The SA Man</em>, a Nazi magazine, described her work saying that Sr. Hummell had no right to depict German children as “brainless sissies.” (<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The SA Man</em>. March 23, 1937.)</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">Adding fuel to the Nazi anti-cuteness fire, Sr. Hummel also drew sketches of angels with Stars of Davids on their gowns. She also drew a series of Old and New Testament symbols for the convent chapel in 1938. She symbolized the connection between the Testaments with a cross before which rested a lit menorah.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">When World War II broke out, the Nazis closed all religious schools in the country. In fact, they even seized Sr. Hummel's convent forcing most of the community out onto the streets. Of the 250 sisters who lived there, only 40 were allowed to remain. Confined to one small section of the convent, they lived with neither heat nor means to support themselves. Forced by her circumstances, Hummel returned to her family but, after three months, she begged her superior to be allowed to return to the convent.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">Sr. Hummel was confined to a small cell which become both her sleeping quarters and studio. The Nazis confiscated half of the money generated by her work, which they had previously labeled "degenerate," but the remainder was sufficient to feed the sisters of the community.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">Unfortunately, living in such poor conditions, Sr. Hummel succumbed to tuberculosis in 1944 and died two years later. She is buried in the convent cemetery.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">Goebel and the Franciscan sisters carried on Sr. Hummel's legacy producing the figurines which were exclusively based on her artwork. Despite their popularity, Goebel Germany discontinued creating the figures on October 31, 2008. Hummel figurine aficionados have been up in arms ever since.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">Thus, from precocious child and stalwart Catholic to Franciscan sister and anti-Nazi polemicist, Sr. Hummel is an inspiration to all—both who like her art and those who still find it annoying.</p><div class="inBodyAd marginBottom30" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 30px;"></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">But, no matter how schmaltzy I find them, I'm glad to know that Hitler was greatly vexed by them. Perhaps it was the figurines' innocence and gentility that irked him.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">All because of a tiny, little slip of a Franciscan nun.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">After having had this tale recounted to me, I've somewhat changed my mind about Sr. Hummel's figurines. Only the most heartless individual could be angry at a nun. (I suspect such ire is contraindicated in <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Catechism of the Catholic Church</em>.)</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">And thus ends our tale, children. It was Sr. Maria Innocentia Hummel who we have to thank for the glut of these perfectly adorable statues filling up our grandmothers' curio cabinets. I no longer "hate" Hummel figurines though I still find them slightly annoying as I'm still an adult male. However, I've come to appreciate the little ways in which God makes Himself known to us. Even in maudlin sentimentality, God can show us His beauty, silence, strength and gentility.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, serif; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This blog is my personal online notebook - no infringement of copy write intended. Just as I used to tear articles out of magazines and keep them in a scrapbook, I have done so here.. but with computer-saving tools. Original article - @ National Catholic Register</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534943997597196456.post-17842841091620299212020-10-25T20:04:00.000-06:002020-10-25T20:04:10.619-06:00Liturgical Calendar 2021 Year B<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9xnV5cluGbNjiLai6avN-FZ0-so1ZViYk06Iti1MBeAINXs9wbWUNZ7QpHY5_FJe-l59UpgdANUHMjAWL3ybj9wqzqHQbezYqpJKPBiGSiBha8DGz8naUasvZxGuL2PLAfkwtrCmzrJ-/s482/Screen+Shot+2020-10-25+at+8.30.17+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9xnV5cluGbNjiLai6avN-FZ0-so1ZViYk06Iti1MBeAINXs9wbWUNZ7QpHY5_FJe-l59UpgdANUHMjAWL3ybj9wqzqHQbezYqpJKPBiGSiBha8DGz8naUasvZxGuL2PLAfkwtrCmzrJ-/s320/Screen+Shot+2020-10-25+at+8.30.17+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span id="docs-internal-guid-487896b2-7fff-b690-e4fc-7b227eef7713"><br /><div align="left" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;"><table style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><colgroup><col width="622"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 33.25pt;"><td style="background-color: white; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> LITURGICAL CALENDAR</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FOR THE DIOCESES OF THE</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2021</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020</span></p><div align="left" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;"><table style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><colgroup><col width="609"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 15pt;"><td style="overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 8pt 5pt 8pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div align="left" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">YEAR B – WEEKDAYS I</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">29 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SUNDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUWLE48YfziJTetaK7T03f_Q0Es7oraCtp7wGixFKw3dVtFeF5klyManBIa7DZDisMYV_LFZROg_KkvFKldCj14bobQ8W699k6cm8BDjKqB_ECcWOC9gSuC51wBTK8y5e-x0i7O6gNJhlaZY0FQ5n3OA==&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT</span></a><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">violet </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7/1 Cor 1:3-9/Mk 13:33-37 (2) Pss I3 </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">30</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MONDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUaYg8OBrB44Z4Upay2srf36i1jrN_VtMsFGX54-pqQNCfxRIwPagWXDM_cPDcgg3qMXZyXWSsYNrriuPIvhOIE32yDmdHU7NIs1WVOaDkIm0cB1YXIHB_FFz3tOMaDJxrcQ8fP0h1SaxD-u9naWVh2tVbdc3Z8bdx9qzbfYkAAZg=&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Saint Andrew, Apostle</span></a><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">red</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Feast</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rom 10:9-18/Mt 4:18-22 (684) Pss Prop </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TUESDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUBym2NeHlkt1KbQOtu9_JTlzloR3MR7LjsgDV20b0LUZBFVmc0Onik7pOeNIihNfnrgsNVqZGKV-WybLBJOiVE8ME9Wi_q8-bkHggiD1Z6EE1RFs0vA-_L2fDT-wnZGVdlypKsPZFlIV30rseEI730Kbtar5OiPGZDXfJT0lt94Y=&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Advent Weekday</span></a><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">violet</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is 11:1-10/Lk 10:21-24 (176) </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WEDNESDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUbCNqbDg7JPTFjGQQ0tk6rlg3Ugm-OAdb3TJVXZ4aXiYC4pAiLCoLjGbsML0mFtkT0J9g2Gw2k6OG2KTdBiOICnWAIXutH21B5yQaOmtQeg-GT98C6-WgPxjhek-I-EMiekNOMWHpCXot143EYZ2F0OtgJod4u_9jB5gUm923vh8=&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Advent Weekday</span></a><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">violet</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is 25:6-10a/Mt 15:29-37 (177) </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">THURSDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUkhTX5mNy7C-hzkqHvWPD5YFfcAg-RcnPqzjfh-4D4IE33QsT3MlMiB4IgxbdNeQHusYQau8VbGNwGzl6ZD8MrY5rJyhftYnx2E5cJ1P0vj9BOwFXLXOjp7vUqdlMTXN4vB3TYDYA9vHQsnCSJuSMwqprMZVas6tToiN5mNezl8TTiNGeE7Xw8Q==&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Saint Francis Xavier, Priest</span></a><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">white</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Memorial</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is 26:1-6/Mt 7:21, 24-27 (178) </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FRIDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUwPz65OJHmOUnasFfOa4q2fxTc3McqeDt10ww24XOxmOTn7kVc4hs_YbIXh59uA7mBPeMjV-3HAeB7ITFyRBIxioBpmnreIgCJ_traUN4Hf-mFVsJaUVOC0kbRKy-7dWpZbqPkXCbvo_jCKkWHkTjG_2LO9j-skbt&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Advent Weekday</span></a><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">violet/white</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[</span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUGuqSmVcZ2YjXCmhE84ZQ5vZw-6-_zzVDYtrUMseMvjKDvFErbkJSsUQv87r3vCRuDRzVMpxy9RRzetVN1AU7OagWe_DRZnZt23FqnMJHPuYIH2sveCwxo-Hun3fyzqBHcOsEkwkIE5Z-uzitrvTCDxBn6jwbXf2F&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Saint John Damascene, Priest and Doctor of the Church</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">] </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is 29:17-24/Mt 9:27-31 (179) </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SATURDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUxsDFU3ky_ne8AZyf8geYG9j35S6fFFRhRb3GG3zPmGVzO43dzhAhc_TR0DC1Ry-kT0nxvusBFh5idNER14d1r7_-mI_JM0Z3HgzoQ3bTBj98xLkgZE4b5rU_PRxxJNOwYEWI256ZQcyNpoYX8qkCGiVVKp4hp4PMw6QnsWd2Nn4=&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Advent Weekday</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">violet</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is 30:19-21, 23-26/Mt 9:35—10:1, 5a, 6-8 (180) </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SUNDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUzaYf4NK3GNGhsvDPuZ6fVxwS8pq23O3Mj5z1L2g455MpzM3przwTO5KknzpNQlPB43rWPMg1BSywbec0P3WccodLTa87tCQJyQiewUNSUOU3wWuDYPdfyn7WL12h52uB9mqOTDiz5JdPqjLQu7xuPxuyeNS73bTZ&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT</span></a><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">violet </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is 40:1-5, 9-11/2 Pt 3:8-14/Mk 1:1-8 (5) Pss II </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MONDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUjZCVxugvIgSPxOH_pLgCGpFWApPDymfdC0JKuwbGoV6vjScSJpYduooGexZn70xTYBlK3Jq2DUvjvBi92Iko4H5UXjR6m_fyXQbXFKmXHfK8UyEKLLfK59Kw0LdC3eMjCYWH9JOROYgEZc74FicEMl936Xe-3HKf0Vhw-kOCjLc=&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor</span></a><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of the Church</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUjZCVxugvIgSPxOH_pLgCGpFWApPDymfdC0JKuwbGoV6vjScSJpYduooGexZn70xTYBlK3Jq2DUvjvBi92Iko4H5UXjR6m_fyXQbXFKmXHfK8UyEKLLfK59Kw0LdC3eMjCYWH9JOROYgEZc74FicEMl936Xe-3HKf0Vhw-kOCjLc=&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Memorial</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> white</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is 35:1-10/Lk 5:17-26 (181) </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: -27pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TUESDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVU7HolKV9xzVKZiWY8gb9CU5CHg6M_sSs2rAvEhqM162G1KEzxLtwMt0Iv9qGWWpgCM7luD9C4O3ouDOPoMpR1V_2-Bj-5RoRECId3UCs1ZWMiFZVzgZ6HLgD580nsiAhMPhJSkf8SDoIchLoMzfMBXq3HCaljlyZ3c-KXd8pqvBY=&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">white</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Patronal Feastday</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of the United States of America)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Solemnity </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[Holyday of Obligation]</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gn 3:9-15, 20/Eph 1:3-6, 11-12/Lk 1:26-38 (689) Pss Prop</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WEDNESDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUS3V5l0xMDluhcdQ_Yhxb33r6xIRdG8bSQ2bfNX_J99ta6gyDaxJcWtBeO8C-iHbLiuM63nffV2E-tRI5MTrVk4XooI6lTMxu7_TY_qx7Bx_6YGOjOM2fBgPRIHlb47zDnvLfEvfrkYfAhlvyutJfIcSXq-_TV2LSKzwiLxLmSIA=&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Advent Weekday</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">violet/white</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[</span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUaUmxXWhvIVwtHG8TmqO5Ot185zidNQAT85BKvpceTrbX48QLFqRnepwhRozpA9WTvz6XO8droUVIPc4YMdk6E3B8XBZD_DCBHN2Dijs7N3-iM6db2TMjq9H52E8XxV_IEXb08xrKHZUE_JuriQhkBa99KyZwJXtG&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">]</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is 40:25-31/Mt 11:28-30 (183) </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">THURSDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFR6Q5isNkdw-cWLk8ENo8EIjyKx5FvVe-wEj9WSOQlG6zpeFlVhEp6Ge5QD6TxQY8-S0RJlqgzsU2nErnctwY1czJjnIxjLn3_V57837Bzx618aEYy2AsJYh3EaNgz-dcbOStp44Qszzy6E-sJhQeWi9W_MyE0vSzEwVw821cG5tIKELNz8-wFo=&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Advent Weekday</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">violet/white</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[</span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFT-69WFqVaG13RncrphOIqFDuN2L8JQ5aE6ELx963-S6HOi9kbaRZlEszmLSexWcDce20-Wyz4N1xzXF4Bijj_6fcJGP4nnjrz60RKOm9HKqXGOrMBqU9y6RC-3wfpfU9G5KvtRQ09knsgcCoAWKIDCRnA_rftqYtyDQ95IoCqrtY7Et9s37byE=&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our Lady of Loreto</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">]</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is 41:13-20/Mt 11:11-15 (184) </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">11 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FRIDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUdenRneWXibLIvg9jnVQRzre7WHjUBwx4Fap1y8c2xFQPeoMAPMowiQp0dTEYaVwNHXOMXENmRgraHIIQMcoRQfIo4VRujXjXpDZeuMtW-bEZN66ZotzJPgDRtZKBnRDejeoUDRKNKw3bo1_j64dK9L7lzr6Ja-P-lUk7G93vqUo=&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Advent Weekday</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">violet/white</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[</span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUHPeH1oiSu3HT_c9_qat2Z-CjAebA2ivS3RTdGziJ4OorF_2-wItNNo8HtK7gqcntnnvs4yt85zfwWx5vFhkUAfoP6AwCLXLJvggV1Y_9BgtGykWJpPZGoJoabP_57L-IyLPHQfXwV42hBxy5P83PLw==&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Saint Damasus I, Pope</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">]</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is 48:17-19/Mt 11:16-19 (185) </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">12 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SATURDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUorCGVTlDAzx4KlcJcPQerluBtT8EjUZqdjVRNcpu2jAWI_20BSQhTe978mcnk2S4BUBYi8A4JqNSbjW1aKqbwH7bgRpqm-pXb4u1cYrP-MvbmSxT6ZjqyQGW-3ofyh5fVoMVq1fweF2BmvOq-ueiyGzqnXq13LAo&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">USA: Our Lady of Guadalupe</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">white</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Feast</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab/Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47 (690A),</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">or any readings from the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lectionary for Mass </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(vol. IV), the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, nos. 707-712 Pss Prop</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">13 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SUNDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVU_Zpn2hXI91MXVBhdlPbTlVjSqbjK35unkih0vsXUhAE2oARxbsdsmFiL19uS-hgFaUWjftd4cxK8FvyVgkBzXzrSWn-Re9CcmBbsaTssqvHRx7AC8wL1u59Obvl89KUrrY2F-qjNP-kmM-mig2d5jg==&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">violet or rose </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is 61:1-2a, 10-11/1 Thes 5:16-24/Jn 1:6-8, 19-28 (8) Pss III</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">14 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MONDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUr8K3Kv4Y9g01wIQpFrhCPQOZ19W0tMjiaCxGsdzTGeZ01fVd2U5llrIBPJN-mSKY23ICq9Hb-0uPhMXAV6KO3rszkHYIfcbkTqPYi-D4vj2Q22tZPm5FI8uSAb74QsXrRFIP97YFaFMWmLVWWvMEczu8iDYVrSkyONHuZ1J0h7Q=&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Saint John of the Cross, Priest & Doctor</span></a><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of the Church</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Memorial</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">white</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a/Mt 21:23-27 (187) </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">15 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TUESDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUZ1f20SuRNpuhsEjE5zRGiaUV9qDsHveESihEY9PccrnbTM2NcyRPOdpftOJge_TnWO6iXg8HuSejBlAbrk0WiPztX-YNXx_xWMIa-x3q74_2Hv-jFLKywBerJjW4YWRsWhbFgEpLBJThJTp3aS_MVJ-aWqYNQcG-5KIjA7V6g4w=&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Advent Weekday</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">violet</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Zep 3:1-2, 9-13/Mt 21:28-32 (188) </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">16 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WEDNESDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUH6BBXKAVyGtO6DV_MZH0s6Y5JXDb7Q08TAKMVLKM854IYKhxQ4blKGGb_mSvR83QFyhfOKWHA-7Fferp9SFNzSGGTKYu7m-6r5T8D1SIP7iUz01lHIpWvUuVspxJoI60gAlQG9fZakl885pOcS4zMYZJ4ojItCvTKJpoF4MBmV0=&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Advent Weekday</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">violet</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is 45:6b-8, 18, 21c-25/Lk 7:18b-23 (189) </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">17 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">THURSDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVU1fkf0RVFNh2pIrb0SJTHLXgBt78iuLZuxPDHwbrKfW2ZBvsF8c24dFOVPbxa62_9usz7LWMgVjwsB6sfbmsm-Q9TW47yH0JZIVfOg_w5nBkzm2xLDl1h_5f4LjQv0V0-SLsiXEldaS8wWeFitcboqCqI0j34Vhq50VncZHp6bik=&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Advent Weekday</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">violet</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gn 49:2, 8-10/Mt 1:1-17 (193) </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">18 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FRIDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUBDKqtq0S5MwctoSgkycZ7ucoD1K7qDaYYbkZ7ataIuk5z66-lDBYTqBwcELlLwYCnYg5kXpf8Oz_1cGIVtYs0vkQEThrBy4uiaRoTPEnnhKKqjqUuJ2kCN8-h2H7RWhefHeaAHzAFSad6QcVwrBhKqveYznudWb8&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Advent Weekday</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">violet</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jer 23:5-8/Mt 1:18-25 (194) </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">19 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SATURDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVU_Wps-ngJmyBJju10dyLqf8NlgLgAwOdfa2EDEIlvs5HNI6bnGGEtWhv9GPLpFKdlx9UPG1wIjIieTgI0qM37WJmcrKaRKemSAmwLFhHOa3N_bnkDql1gXBFOocheCGvS_SDy5USBKnbFT62R66Dz3ArSOimxxFXGnBirEz8M9pc=&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Advent Weekday</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">violet</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a/Lk 1:5-25 (195) </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">20 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SUNDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUtAbWIswy457SGi2Ckh80hT-ey8L-OEHgb7blikQupE6m3ppQu1MCaNepOARHCBMi_SsmlCVouPciZWX9KwM7HLq9rnslQKBdxo-MFz_fhp1__IQahp2ZipgOaKg-COc6ovQZPp2fnAfErPwWcOfA7t2zJI3LAaFQ&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">violet </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Rom 16:25-27/Lk 1:26-38 (11) Pss IV </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">21 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MONDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUPEq7C2wPlwlVPmtNkz4pVFu-KrKZ5HL_c8Cx59cn1TAZeajmgyriWlmuiPH_eAh2_V3EieTVOWvOMc8EN9uHUibP6uNDAZlVU-yUlMqKOxJd-hbo9RexG_KUPKjUz1kcaMyTNWkghX3d5MUWSmsnOkY17Ud02n47AJMZzG9y-mY=&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Advent Weekday</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">violet</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[</span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFeVr2Rhdc8ohvARuR9MifPGyFs8nyaDgWbS8nn0wdFgiJCtAFJpvn5-QMR0zEDLJZZ5-SxfVj4SLiWGyEthJsr8RvSuPkkJSuasth2qr0DQDfo7EwqW7AQdaI_ug773Zs6IP0x-X3gd2XGWgsOLfybtlpQTOapox1L-VqREysnQ6&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Saint Peter Canisius, Priest and Doctor of the Church</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">]</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a/Lk 1:39-45 (197)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">22 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TUESDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVU8H1o-d78CBApJ29v5Ug8AJVgXjq4LwCEdaD21BB8USQaw29jNOXJ9w1FV5q9FaVos3Fsp8bEN8Rv6vAGWrTtFWOor7qdaEL37M-d4o6JWAWjvxC8iK_DQoYZuCzzgvAvUu9zIxaHQwJtx_LUddrGDuk1kR8S-xYk1XSnw2k7F3Q=&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Advent Weekday</span></a><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">violet</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 Sm 1:24-28/Lk 1:46-56 (198) </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">23 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WEDNESDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUpshW-yS3aBRm6SE8en_WscL9kbvsPBGx9k1nBhTFhKJkUcos_3yw3jYttnDBFsG0jQQm6uBg3FPgwuVfvbu1ngkEPnNOf9iVYGegjcn6VmHrhHzQWI8CvGMFi6xhaDMDg0GaAO0O6ia3OyEZCiy5NowDhEl_mCUUDo7bzF1dbs4=&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Advent Weekday</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">violet</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[</span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFfqwnFoFK3fe0dX-K6GfJKwyvsgu9yqc1VsrpfVO-8zgZHg6KyXM26L_LFNMfA9BeR6y7tFBCBqX8n1N0bPM-CKk52bwJ0MOK_k-I4RSWhCwXxD8073lT1m7ggygpKcRgJXeMIaSvHGBuAIoUq_7UkAPIHVOGTpQ4INk_VbLfOMy&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Saint John of Kanty, Priest</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">]</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mal 3:1-4, 23-24/Lk 1:57-66 (199) </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">24 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">THURSDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUp7Zu47FGBFy1hMGuJ89a1IRK4GA2P_7AwXkdrY-HvQIoAJ7Jf-2EdDuhH-zT8RyGaSavYhJdF3r1zeOlAvI7ryvuES4pKlwbOwnoP4qHknRJOHTsTy6dJWGjHHpVUje8uwoN6A3hCA3U7V6ZPzcE01Myb8Z4waIorsSr4W3oCXQ=&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Advent Weekday</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">violet</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Morning: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Lk 1:67-79 (200) </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">25 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FRIDAY</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (Christmas) </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">White</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Solemnity </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[Holyday of Obligation]</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUpz4h8yXH4A_b5Rt_BeLleJaIaxNigcg1UUEfdHFJZtRhqVEEKQzmuJATEYbn76fR_nbbHfg_q2QYFMs4AVLcePgWWTl_2EL8z7EGni2v0KaFojEBfVztyd6ML59m7cr0_gW68nbRVg7eE4IhjHVVswJfcy2YPQBX-Z4BAaZTSwM=&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vigil</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is 62:1-5/Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/Mt 1:1-25 or 1:18-25 (13)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUa1LS-QsR9PJ5D5ZD0q7y8n3F6TAEMDJvAinD7hXTlFoPrJlm8ltU7Laa395VVh0LdhxLd1X26fWFP1wCKcoNCsH9SPZSwczZ3ISsCri2dYDJgrKY-rlB8D-zMqHpEzVmm7RzPFbHeE6LlwhRBlHBvr0Xk3ouBv_rrBPkJbQ6RzE=&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Night</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is 9:1-6/Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14 (14)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUt_vZdxbHd9o1PBx_cn9m2KvEsvKwI2-F7rTFAfoy7jNnGOHAL1ytPXu16q95S1etLDlhTriB8v-KCdEWpLZvPFwUMqSc3KPVxrOqsbsHWqEao0fgGpaXyb6C7MYFemlKWFNBu3gGPzDrnziJIkSJVOX_AFxggbavKpE01LsQcSU=&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dawn</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is 62:11-12/Ti 3:4-7/Lk 2:15-20 (15)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016Ghz0WfO89Ik4tWs0xpoRCAd8rxrTxhF76ggean2mC_WzJKKE9EvFXWbg0F_TUVUwckiJdRvuZ70l9I27KnWJVrQ254_MZVGBRvgND8_cSEwPAFUup42vIiJBG7BPkn3I4BUGv0DNt_rZYCDYzl_OvgCKyNEco1Kc76KJ8Sgsct4ew3UmrvhTjvYYmsCYOSBBrknwTctHVenlrskJ8V66vnatPrC9d88ulhw-fukyRs=&c=d7sn0VRTvs22pjNoFIcmC8Uml_NDPAUw_IkQ-ChOfopPQROgZn72TA==&ch=Gm28UdG2b_jP2E2fo2nLWGQHjPqDZzIT3jaTMAEghhmFffjfS7wHyg==" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #3661bd; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is 52:7-10/Heb 1:1-6/Jn 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14 (16) Pss Prop</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 18pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 0.6em; vertical-align: super;">3 </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Citations indicating the proper week of the Psalter for the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Liturgy of the Hours</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, or proper psalms, when applicable, designated by Pss I, Pss II, etc., or Pss Prop respectively, are included in this calendar.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 18pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 0.6em; vertical-align: super;">4 </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Optional Memorials are indicated by the use of italics within brackets.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #403f42; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pax,</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #403f42; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dcn. Jim Miles</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #403f42; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">St. Thomas the Apostle Church</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #403f42; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Diocese of Lansing Michigan</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #403f42; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">USA</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #403f42; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">734-635-1116</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For those of you looking ahead to the next Liturgical Year. I am publishing my "Linked" Calendar for 20-21 in installments as I complete them. The links are, to the best of my knowledge, correct. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have taken material from past years that correspond to the </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Year B </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">readings for Sundays and Cycle 1 readings for weekdays with the appropriate links to the Propers of Saints. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Of course, I will be updating the commentary and reflections daily going forward as always, but for those of you in scripture study or doing homilies, this may be helpful.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pax, Dcn. Jim Miles</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534943997597196456.post-32559685872433801672020-09-07T12:50:00.003-06:002020-10-16T15:29:06.492-06:00Blessed Carlo Acuti and Eucharistic Miracles<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/soCkftBBsBo" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">More about St. Carlo Acutis</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yC_oZIY_f5w" width="560"></iframe></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534943997597196456.post-66697009550335200852020-07-29T02:04:00.000-06:002020-07-29T02:04:11.210-06:00Happiness Myths<div style="text-align: center;">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534943997597196456.post-68450694283248030222020-04-12T22:42:00.001-06:002020-04-12T22:42:22.424-06:00When & Why Did John Paul II Call us an “Easter People”?<div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song!” <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It’s one of Pope John Paul II’s most famous quotes. But when did he say these words and why?</span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">While we can never know fully what was in his mind, there are a few things we can piece together in regard to this lovely exhortation made by the world leader who shepherded the Catholic Church for over three decades from 1978 – 2005.* </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">First, let’s take a look at the quote and where it sits in the center of</span><a href="http://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/angelus/1986/documents/hf_jp-ii_ang_19861130.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333;" target="_blank"> a midday Angelus reflection.</a><span style="background-color: white;"> The pope delivered this message on a visit to Australia on Sunday, November 30, 1986. It was during the middle of the Cold War, five years after an assassin’s bullet almost took his life and a few weeks after his participation in the famous prayer summit of Assisi:</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">We do not pretend that life is all beauty. </em></span></div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We are aware of darkness and sin, of poverty and pain. But we know Jesus has conquered sin and passed through his own pain to the glory of the Resurrection. And we live in the light of his Paschal Mystery – the mystery of his Death and Resurrection.</span></em></div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">“We are an Easter People and Alleluia is our song!”</strong> </span></em><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We are not looking for a shallow joy but rather a joy that comes from faith, that grows through unselfish love, that respects the “fundamental duty of love of neighbor, without which it would be unbecoming to speak of Joy.” We realize that joy is demanding; it demands unselfishness; it demands a readiness to say with Mary: “Be it done unto me according to thy word.”</span></em></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vvK_IgmuffE5bbllCU1qusQzeX__esT1cJZI-tjPuZ1MFqcEqgEd9f7Al3ZVZmUHUzrX2IIdumeHFK7LouAirRJQoS9owPZPk1lQbV3iX_Id3znpCnvrxNxQRU_Ai2YWPoscIQET8p2R/s1600/PJPII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="694" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vvK_IgmuffE5bbllCU1qusQzeX__esT1cJZI-tjPuZ1MFqcEqgEd9f7Al3ZVZmUHUzrX2IIdumeHFK7LouAirRJQoS9owPZPk1lQbV3iX_Id3znpCnvrxNxQRU_Ai2YWPoscIQET8p2R/s320/PJPII.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What a fitting message for our present times! The short reflection speaks for itself, is profoundly compelling, and — so many of us have some extra reading time on our hands lately. The second part of the above passage has been my own personal “take away” – the part about loving one’s neighbor as a necessary means to finding joy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The thing is – loving one’s neighbor is quite complicated right now. But from the way things look, it’s a duty and a privilege more important than ever as so many are suffering from the devastating effects of the pandemic – from isolation, loss of health, and economic insecurity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On one hand, loving my neighbor means staying apart in order to not spread the coronavirus. But on the other hand, I don’t want to fall into a trap of viewing those around me as potential virus carriers, rather than human beings made in the image of God. No, I want to stop and wave and chat at a safe distance. I want to see the face of Jesus in everyone I meet (even if that face if covered with a surgical mask).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Holy Father insists that “joy [is] demanding.” He says “[joy] demands <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">unselfishness</em>; [emphasis added] it demands a readiness to say with Mary: ‘Be it done unto me according to thy word.’”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So how can I demand unselfish love toward my neighbor in these times when I’m not supposed to leave my house? How about making <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Alleluia</em> my song via speaker phone to Grandma, or bellowing it from my <a href="https://aleteia.org/2020/03/13/italians-sing-from-their-open-windows-during-lockdown/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333;">open windows like the Italians</a>. Sure, we need to get creative.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But I’m pretty certain the answer to this hard question of how to show neighborly love even during a pandemic will be found in our outlooks and attitudes – outlooks and attitudes that need to be formed, above all, by our Catholic Faith (rather than fear). It’s a Faith that echoes the profound trust found in the Angelus, ”Be it done unto me according to thy word,” a cherished prayer but also a timeless reflection where we’re reminded of our identity as <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Easter People. </em></span><br />
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">* </em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Pope John Paul II is the <a href="https://aleteia.org/2018/02/18/longest-reigning-pope-after-st-peter-might-soon-be-canonized/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333;">second longest pontificate in history</a>; third if you count St. Peter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Pope John Paul II is credited with helping to eliminate communism in Europe and open doors to interfaith dialogue;. He died on April 2, 2005.</span></div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://aleteia.org/2020/04/11/when-and-why-did-john-paul-ii-call-us-an-easter-people/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://aleteia.org/2020/04/11/when-and-why-did-john-paul-ii-call-us-an-easter-people/</span></a></em></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534943997597196456.post-12854142980965949142020-04-12T00:20:00.001-06:002020-04-12T00:20:27.383-06:00Hallelujah, He is Risen!<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m93jSq_GvBg" width="459"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534943997597196456.post-52921601961509907522020-04-11T02:01:00.000-06:002020-04-13T02:02:50.605-06:00 Limbo - by Sister Mary Ada<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;">The ancient greyness shifted</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;">Suddenly and thinned</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;">Like mist upon the moors</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;">Before the wind.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;">An old, old prophet lifted</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;"><br />A shining face and said:<br />“He will be coming soon.<br />The Son of God is dead;<br />He died this afternoon.”</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;"><br />A murmurous excitement stirred<br />All souls.<br />They wondered if they dreamed –<br />Save one old man who seemed<br />Not even to have heard.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;"><br />And Moses, standing,<br />Hushed them all to ask<br />If any had a welcome song prepared.<br />If not, would David take the task?</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;"><br />And if they cared<br />Could not the three young children sing<br />The Benedicite, the canticle of praise<br />They made when God kept them from perishing<br />In the fiery blaze?</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;"><br />A breath of spring surprised them,<br />Stilling Moses’ words.<br />No one could speak, remembering<br />The first fresh flowers,<br />The little singing birds.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;"><br />Still others thought of fields new ploughed<br />Or apple trees<br />All blossom-boughed.<br />Or some, the way a dried bed fills</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;"><br />With water<br />Laughing down green hills.<br />The fisherfolk dreamed of the foam<br />On bright blue seas,<br />The one old man who had not stirred<br />Remembered home.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;"><br />And there He was<br />Splendid as the morning sun and fair<br />As only God is fair.<br />And they, confused with joy,<br />Knelt to adore<br />Seeing that He wore<br />Five crimson stars<br />He never had before.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;"><br />No canticle at all was sung<br />None toned a psalm, or raised a greeting song.<br />A silent man alone<br />Of all that throng found tongue –<br />Not any other<br />Close to His heart.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;"><br />When the embrace was done,<br />Old Joseph said, “How is Your Mother,<br />How is Your Mother, Son?”<br /></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;">Limbo - by Sister Mary Ada</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;">Art: The Harrowing of Hell - Fra Angelico</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534943997597196456.post-21838543683535296562020-03-09T23:22:00.000-06:002020-04-12T22:30:46.642-06:00Our Bodies Determine Our Sex<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c3c3c; float: none; font-family: "source sans pro", sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.625rem; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 594.203px;">
“Congratulations, it’s a boy!” Or, “Congratulations, it’s a girl!”<br />
As a pediatrician for nearly 20 years, that’s how many of my patient relationships began. Our bodies declare our sex.<br />
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Biological sex is not assigned. Sex is determined at conception by our DNA and is stamped into every cell of our bodies. Human sexuality is binary. You either have a normal Y chromosome, and develop into a male, or you don’t, and you will develop into a female. There are at least 6,500 genetic differences between men and women. Hormones and surgery cannot change this.</div>
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An identity is not biological, it is psychological. It has to do with thinking and feeling. Thoughts and feelings are not biologically hardwired. Our thinking and feeling may be factually right or factually wrong.</div>
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If I walk into my doctor’s office today and say, “Hi, I’m Margaret Thatcher,” my physician will say I am delusional and give me an anti-psychotic. Yet, if instead, I walked in and said, “I’m a man,” he would say, “Congratulations, you’re transgender.”</div>
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If I were to say, “Doc, I am suicidal because I’m an amputee trapped in a normal body, please cut off my leg,” I will be diagnosed with body identity integrity disorder. But if I walk into that doctor’s office and say, “I am a man, sign me up for a double mastectomy,” my physician will. See, if you want to cut off a leg or an arm you’re mentally ill, but if you want to cut off healthy breasts or a penis, you’re transgender.</div>
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No one is born transgender. If gender identity were hardwired in the brain before birth, identical twins would have the same gender identity 100 percent of the time. But they don’t.</div>
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I had one patient we’ll call Andy. Between the ages of 3 and 5, he increasingly played with girls and “girl toys” and said he was a girl. I referred the parents and Andy to a therapist. Sometimes mental illness of a parent or abuse of the child are factors, but more commonly, the child has misperceived family dynamics and internalized a false belief.</div>
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In the middle of one session, Andy put down the toy truck, held onto a Barbie, and said, “Mommy and Daddy, you don’t love me when I’m a boy.” When Andy was 3, his sister with special needs was born, and required significantly more of his parents’ attention. Andy misperceived this as “Mommy and Daddy love girls. If I want them to love me, I have to be a girl.” With family therapy Andy got better.</div>
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Today, Andy’s parents would be told, “This is who Andy really is. You must ensure that everyone treats him as a girl, or else he will commit suicide.”</div>
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As Andy approaches puberty, the experts would put him on puberty blockers so he can continue to impersonate a girl.</div>
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It doesn’t matter that we’ve never tested puberty blockers in biologically normal children. It doesn’t matter that when blockers are used to treat prostate cancer in men, and gynecological problems in women, they cause problems with memory. We don’t need testing. We need to arrest his physical development now, or he will kill himself.</div>
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But this is not true. Instead, when supported in their biological sex through natural puberty, the vast majority of gender-confused children get better. Yet, we chemically castrate gender-confused children with puberty blockers. Then we permanently sterilize many of them by adding cross-sex hormones, which also put them at risk for heart disease, strokes, diabetes, cancers, and even the very emotional problems that the gender experts claim to be treating.</div>
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P.S. If a girl who insists she is male has been on testosterone daily for one year, she is cleared to get a bilateral mastectomy at age 16. Mind you, the American Academy of Pediatrics recently came out with a report that urges pediatricians to caution teenagers about getting tattoos because they are essentially permanent and can cause scarring. But this same AAP is 110 percent in support of 16-year-old girls getting a double mastectomy, even without parental consent, so long as the girl insists that she is a man, and has been taking testosterone daily for one year.</div>
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To indoctrinate all children from preschool forward with the lie that they could be trapped in the wrong body disrupts the very foundation of a child’s reality testing. If they can’t trust the reality of their physical bodies, who or what can they trust? Transgender ideology in schools is psychological abuse that often leads to chemical castration, sterilization, and surgical mutilation.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Author:</span><br />
<span style="color: #706f72; font-size: x-small; font-style: italic;">Michelle Cretella, M.D., who is executive director of the American College of Pediatricians, a national organization of pediatricians and other health care professionals dedicated to the health and well-being of children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">original source:</span><br />
<a href="https://www.dailysignal.com/2017/12/11/cretella-transcript/?fbclid=IwAR2aDJixwMFmp79B-ilSQBZGnpMV15WjRpiUfNPEvyaljO13_REqdmslxJQ"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.dailysignal.com/2017/12/11/cretella-transcript/?fbclid=IwAR2aDJixwMFmp79B-ilSQBZGnpMV15WjRpiUfNPEvyaljO13_REqdmslxJQ</span></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534943997597196456.post-61519574888541912322020-02-09T00:23:00.000-06:002020-02-11T00:23:09.466-06:00Septuagesima Sunday<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The first Sunday of the pre-Lent season is Septuagesima. This marks seventy days before the celebration of Easter, and as the first day of the season it offers certain insights common to the other days and weeks. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> First, we notice that the church and her ministers are dressed in violet. This external sign reminds us that, in a certain sense, the Church has begun to “breath in,” in preparation for the great exultation of Easter. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> That great shout of praise at the resurrection of the Lord, and his victory over sin and death—the litany of alleluias that mark the Paschal season—is thus cut short when, from after Evening Prayer on the eve of Septuagesima Sunday, the Church abstains from “Alleluia” and the </span><i style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Gloria in excelsis</i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, replacing the chant before the Gospel with a Tract.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Read the full article here: </span><a href="https://thineownservice.com/">https://thineownservice.com/</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534943997597196456.post-45382158549542788742019-08-03T11:31:00.001-06:002019-08-03T11:31:09.947-06:00Matt Fradd Interviews Peter Kreeft<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aLqf5EptHJ4?start=868" width="560"></iframe>
A wonderful interview!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534943997597196456.post-40597875001489836682019-05-04T09:00:00.000-06:002019-05-04T23:21:35.121-06:00Is The Catholic Church the Church That Jesus Founded?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A letter to the Trallians by:<br />
--St Ignatius of Antioch</div>
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I wish to forewarn you, for you are my dearest children</div>
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Ignatius, also called Theophorus, to the holy church at Tralles in the province of Asia, dear to God the Father of Jesus Christ, elect and worthy of God, enjoying peace in body and in the Spirit through the passion of Jesus Christ, who is our hope through our resurrection when we rise to him. In the manner of the apostles, I too send greetings to you with the fullness of grace and extend my every best wish.</div>
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Reports of your splendid character have reached me: how you are beyond reproach and ever unshaken in your patient endurance – qualities that you have not acquired but are yours by nature. My informant was your own bishop Polybius, who by the will of God and Jesus Christ visited me here in Smyrna. He so fully entered into my joy at being in chains for Christ that I came to see your whole community embodied in him. Moreover, when I learned from him of your God-given kindliness toward me, I broke out in words of praise for God. It is on him, I discovered, that you pattern your lives.</div>
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Your submission to your bishop, who is in the place of Jesus Christ, shows me that you are not living as men usually do but in the manner of Jesus himself, who died for us that you might escape death by belief in his death. Thus one thing is necessary, and you already observe it, that you do nothing without your bishop; indeed, be subject to the clergy as well, seeing in them the apostles of Jesus Christ our hope, for if we live in him we shall be found in him.</div>
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Deacons, too, who are ministers of the mysteries of Jesus should in all things be pleasing to all men. For they are not mere servants with food and drink, but emissaries of God’s Church; hence they should guard themselves against anything deserving reproach as they would against fire.</div>
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Similarly, all should respect the deacons as Jesus Christ, just as all should regard the bishop as the image of the Father, and the clergy as God’s senate and the college of the apostles. Without these three orders you cannot begin to speak of a church. I am confident that you share my feelings in this matter, for I have had an example of your love in the person of your bishop who is with me now. His whole bearing is a great lesson, and his very gentleness wields a mighty influence.</div>
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By God’s grace there are many things I understand, but I keep well within my limitations for fear that boasting should be my undoing. At the moment, then, I must be more apprehensive than ever and pay no attention at all to those who flatter me; their praise is as a scourge. For though I have a fierce desire to suffer martyrdom, I know not whether I am worthy of it. Most people are unaware of my passionate longing, but it assails me with increasing intensity. My present need, then, is for that humility by which the prince of this world is overthrown.</div>
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And so I strongly urge you, not I so much as the love of Jesus Christ, to be nourished exclusively on Christian fare, abstaining from the alien food that is heresy. And this you will do if you are neither arrogant nor cut off from God, from Jesus Christ, and from the bishop and the teachings of the apostles. Whoever is within the sanctuary is pure; but whoever is not is unclean. That is to say, whoever acts apart from the bishop and the clergy and the deacons is not pure in his conscience. In writing this, it is not that I am aware of anything of the sort among you; I only wish to forewarn you, for you are my dearest children.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534943997597196456.post-28616673691958010082018-09-29T20:42:00.000-06:002018-09-29T20:42:43.446-06:00Feast of St. Michael, St. Gabriel, & St. Raphael -Archangels (September 29)<div style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
"The word “angel” denotes a function rather than a nature . . . . Some angels are given proper names to denote the service they are empowered to perform . . . ". </div>
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Michael means: Who is like unto God<br />Gabriel means: God is my strength<br />Raphael means: God Heals</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">~St. Gregory the Great (excerpt from a homily on the Gospels)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px;">St. Augustine says: "'Angel' is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is 'spirit'; if you seek the name of their office, it is 'angel': from what they are, 'spirit,' from what they do, 'angel.'" With their whole beings the angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they "always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven" they are the "mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word" </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(CCC 329; Mt 18:10)</span><span style="font-size: 14px;">.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEuFNHyfazO7OoEkbbnQGJ9YAp9zqV9EFxwPFaJKly9FJDHo9v4GQL25qVAjO33EOt_bOElk0TnVP6mhyq-3-NYdvjdjAPgy0VybVGWgjMObP-_J4q37oGxi-ypo6lHGwdTcpupizQaZi/s1600/st-michael-feast-day-sept-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="497" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEuFNHyfazO7OoEkbbnQGJ9YAp9zqV9EFxwPFaJKly9FJDHo9v4GQL25qVAjO33EOt_bOElk0TnVP6mhyq-3-NYdvjdjAPgy0VybVGWgjMObP-_J4q37oGxi-ypo6lHGwdTcpupizQaZi/s320/st-michael-feast-day-sept-29.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129;">∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞</span><br /><b><span style="color: red;">St. Michael the Archangel</span></b><span style="color: #1d2129;"> - The name Michael means "one who is like God". His will is focused, immovable, and entirely driven toward accomplishing goodness; he is the protector of souls, and wields his powerful sword against the poisonous and vindictive aspirations of he who is known as a liar from the beginning.</span></div>
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During a visit to the Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel, John Paul II said, "The battle against the devil . . . is the principal task of Saint Michael the archangel."</div>
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Scripture relates such a truth: "Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. Although the dragon and his angels fought back, they were overpowered and lost their place in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent known as the devil or Satan, the seducer of the whole world, was driven out; he was hurled down to earth and his minions with him" (Rev 12:7-9).</div>
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Michael the Archangel said to the three children at Fatima, "Fear not. I am the Angel of Peace. Pray with me." Then he prostrated himself, and repeated three times: "My God; I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love Thee! I beg Thee forgiveness for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love Thee!"</div>
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In mind of the powerful experience related by Lucy, the above prayer of St. Michael brings tears to our eyes when we contemplate the utter serious nature of this committed warrior who strives after peace with all his being. Too, we can fathom the seriousness of our situation in regards the reality of life, of good and evil, of the battle that rages around us, and of God's wondrous love in giving us such a vigilant and magnificent protector.</div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129;">∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞</span><br /><b><span style="color: red;">St. Gabriel</span></b><span style="color: #1d2129;"> is an angel who serves as a messenger for God to certain people. He is one of the three </span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduTIaNG20njm_PfodN8qcD-j4ysUmzkMeOX14zpgiJiHzlP_QyfDYJeocNycwVmd3j6ginBdaLX5wkzHsrCRTMGpxwpRUBM7PoG4Z4TvQ2fFyuMC2Z6LMecFniE7WOdCvVNMo1USj2aak/s1600/Eustache_Le_Sueur_1650_XX_The_Annunciation_%2528St._Gabriel_the_Archangel%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduTIaNG20njm_PfodN8qcD-j4ysUmzkMeOX14zpgiJiHzlP_QyfDYJeocNycwVmd3j6ginBdaLX5wkzHsrCRTMGpxwpRUBM7PoG4Z4TvQ2fFyuMC2Z6LMecFniE7WOdCvVNMo1USj2aak/s320/Eustache_Le_Sueur_1650_XX_The_Annunciation_%2528St._Gabriel_the_Archangel%2529.jpg" width="257" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #1d2129;">archangels. Gabriel is mentioned in both the Old and the New Testaments of the Bible. First, in the Old Testament, Gabriel appears to the prophet Daniel to explain his visions. Gabriel is described as, "one who looked like man," as he interprets Daniel's visions. He speaks to Daniel while he is sleeping. After Gabriel's first visit, Daniel becomes tired and sick for days. Gabriel later visits Daniel again providing him with more insight and understanding in an answered prayer.</span><br />
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In the New Testament, Gabriel, described as "an angel of the Lord," first appears to Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist. He tells him, "Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth." Luke 1:13.</div>
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After Elizabeth conceived and was six months pregnant, Gabriel appears again. The Book of Luke states he was sent from God to Nazareth to visit the virgin married to a man named Joseph. Gabriel said to Mary, "Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." Luke 1:28.</div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129;">∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞</span><br /><b><span style="color: red;">St. Raphael </span></b><span style="color: #1d2129;">is one of the seven Archangels who stand before the throne of the Lord, and one of the </span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwoKfPAYxcOKyySr79uW_UWqnF4ln_8S9cq0SD87eKsdmBrHTaGgCuPOxtIDQ4GXSIlKa9s0JirZXA3gA04ZfJahwXrGEHa_pxhu7adB4Yyy0ZbCKDyGLc7sdlr_RVgV4R9iXuhXnwUS2/s1600/St+Raphael.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="821" data-original-width="647" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwoKfPAYxcOKyySr79uW_UWqnF4ln_8S9cq0SD87eKsdmBrHTaGgCuPOxtIDQ4GXSIlKa9s0JirZXA3gA04ZfJahwXrGEHa_pxhu7adB4Yyy0ZbCKDyGLc7sdlr_RVgV4R9iXuhXnwUS2/s320/St+Raphael.jpg" width="252" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #1d2129;">only three mentioned by name in the Bible. He appears, by name, only in the Book of Tobit. Raphael's name means "God heals." This identity came about because of the biblical story that claims he "healed" the earth when it was defiled by the sins of the fallen angels in the apocryphal book of Enoch.</span><br />
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Disguised as a human in the Book of Tobit, Raphael refers to himself as "Azarias the son of the great Ananias" and travels alongside Tobit's son, Tobiah. Once Raphael returns from his journey with Tobiah, he declares to Tobit that he was sent by the Lord to heal his blindness and deliver Sarah, Tobiah's future wife, from the demon Asmodeus. It is then that his true healing powers are revealed and he makes himself known as "the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord" Tobit 12:15.</div>
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The demon Asmodeus killed every man Sarah married on the night of the wedding, before the marriage could be consummated. Raphael guided Tobiah and taught him how to safely enter the marriage with Sarah.</div>
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Raphael is credited with driving the evil spirit from Sarah and restoring Tobit's vision, allowing him to see the light of Heaven and for receiving all good things through his intercession.<br />∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534943997597196456.post-59524693924690427222018-06-08T13:15:00.000-06:002018-06-08T13:26:59.892-06:00Beware the “Soloists”<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="2710t" data-offset-key="2bsaf-0-0" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-offset-key="2bsaf-0-0" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit;">Msgr. Charles Pope hits the nail on the head once again . . . and with such an edifying and eloquent analogy! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1d2129;">I must also mention that his play on words about "singing solo" is wonderful! This well organized, easy to read, article is a "saver" for sure. The bolded </span><b><span style="color: #990000;">RED</span></b><span style="color: #1d2129;"> words are my emphasis. I have also included my crib notes or "take-aways" at the end of this post.</span></span></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Beware the “Soloists” </span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">A Concern for the Protestant “Solos”: Sola Fide, Sola Scriptura, Sola Gratia<span style="color: #990000;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1d2129;"> </span></b></span><span class="meta-author" style="color: #555555; font-family: "noticia text" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: normal;"><a href="http://blog.adw.org/author/cpope/" rel="author" style="color: #336699; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease-in-out;" title="Posts by Msgr. Charles Pope">Msgr. Charles Pope</a> • </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "noticia text" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: normal;"></span><span class="meta-date" style="color: #555555; font-family: "noticia text" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: normal;">June 7, 2018</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: normal;">There are a lot of “solos” sung by our Protestant brethren: </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><em>1) sola fide</em> (saved by faith alone)</span><span style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i style="color: #1d2129;">2) sola </i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>gratis</i></span><i style="color: #1d2129;"> </i><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">(grace alone</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><br />
<em style="color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">3) sola Scriptura </em><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">(Scripture alone is the rule of faith)</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: normal;">Generally, one ought to be leery of claims that things work “alone.” Typically, many things work together in harmony; things are interrelated. Very seldom is anyone or anything really “alone.”</span><br />
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<strong style="color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: normal;">The problem with “solos” emerges (it seems to me) in our mind,</strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: normal;"> where it is possible to separate things out; but just because we can separate something out in our </span><em style="color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: normal;">mind</em><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: normal;"> does not mean that we can do so in </span><em style="color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: normal;">reality</em><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: normal;">.</span><br />
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<strong style="color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: normal;">Consider, for a moment, a <span style="color: #990000;"><u>candle’s flame</u></span><span style="color: #555555;">.</span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: normal;"> In my mind, I can separate the heat of the flame from its light, but I could never put a knife into the flame and put the heat of the flame on one side of it and the light on the other. In reality, the heat and light are inseparable—so together as to be one.</span><br />
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<strong style="color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: normal;">I would like to argue that it is the same with things like faith and works, grace and transformation, Scripture and the Church.</strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: normal;"> We can separate all these things out in our mind, but in reality, they are one. Attempting to separate them from what they belong to leads to grave distortions and to the thing in question no longer being what it is claimed to be. Rather, it becomes an abstraction that exists only on a blackboard or in the mind of a theologian.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Let’s look at the three main “solos” of Protestant theology. I am aware that there are non-Catholic readers of this blog, so please understand that my objections are made with respect. I am also aware that in a short blog I may oversimplify, and thus I welcome additions, clarifications, etc. in the comments section.</span></div>
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<strong style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Solo 1: Faith alone (<em>sola fide</em>)</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: #555555;">– </span></strong><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For 400 years, Catholics and Protestants have debated the question of faith and works. In this matter, we must each avoid caricaturing the other’s position. Catholics do not and never have taught that we are saved by works. For Heaven’s sake, we baptize infants! We fought off the Pelagians. But neither do Protestants mean by “faith” a purely intellectual acceptance of the existence of God, as many Catholics think that they do.</span></div>
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<strong style="color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">What concerns us here is the detachment of faith from works</strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> that the phrase “faith alone” implies. Let me ask, what is faith without works? Can you point to it? Is it visible? Introduce me to someone who has real faith but no works. I don’t think one can be found. About the only example I can think of is a baptized infant, but that’s a Catholic thing! Most Baptists and Evangelicals who sing the solos reject infant baptism.</span> </blockquote>
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<b style="color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Hence it seems that faith alone is something of an</b><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #990000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"><u>abstraction</u></span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">.</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Faith is something that can only be separated from works in our minds. If faith is a transformative relationship with Jesus Christ, we cannot enter into that relationship while remaining unchanged. This change affects our behavior, our works. Even in the case of infants, it is possible to argue that they are changed and do have “works”; it’s just that they are not easily observed.</span> </blockquote>
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<strong style="color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><u>Scripture affirms</u></span><span style="color: red;"> </span>that faith is never alone, that such a concept is an abstraction.</strong></blockquote>
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<em style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Faith without works is dead</em><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> (James 2:26). </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Faith without works is not faith at all because faith does not exist by itself; it is always present with and causes works through love. </span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Galatians 5:6 says, </span><em style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.</em><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hence faith works not alone but through love. </span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Further, as Paul states in 1 Corinthians 13:2, </span><em style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.</em><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hence faith alone is the null set. True faith is never alone; it bears the fruit of love and the works of holiness. Faith ignites love and works through it. Beware of the solo “faith alone” and ask where faith, all by itself, can be found.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Solo 2: Grace alone (<em>sola gratia</em>)</strong></span><span style="color: #555555;"> – By its very nature grace changes us. Again, show me grace apart from works. Grace without works is an abstraction. It cannot be found apart from its effects. In our mind it may exist as an idea, but in reality, grace is never alone.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Grace builds on nature and transforms it. It engages the person who responds to its urges and gifts. If grace is real, it will have its effects and cannot be found alone or apart from works. It cannot be found apart from a real flesh-and-blood human who is manifesting its effects.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Solo 3: Scripture alone (<em>sola Scriptura</em>)</strong></span><span style="color: #555555;"> – Beware those who say, “</span><em style="color: #555555;">sola Scriptura</em><span style="color: #555555;">!” This is the claim that Scripture alone is the measure of faith and the sole authority for the Christian, that there is no need for a Church and no authority in the Church, that there is only authority in the Scripture.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are several problems with this.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong>First, Scripture as we know it (with the full New Testament) was not fully assembled and agreed upon until the 4th century.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong>It was Catholic bishops,</strong> in union with the Pope, who made the decision as to which books belonged in the Bible. The early Christians could not possibly have lived by <em>sola scriptura </em>because the Scriptures were not even fully written in the earliest years. And although collected and largely completed in written form by 100 AD, the set of books and letters that actually made up the New Testament was not agreed upon until the 4th century.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong>Second, until recently most people could not read.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Given this, it seems strange that God would make, as the sole rule of faith, a book that people had to read on their own. Even today, large numbers of people in the world cannot read well. Hence, Scripture was not necessarily a read text, but rather one that most people heard and experienced in and with the Church through her preaching, liturgy, art, architecture, stained glass, passion plays, and so forth.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong>Third, and most important, if all you have is a book, then that book needs to be interpreted accurately.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Without a valid and recognized interpreter, </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>the book can serve to divide more than to unite.</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Is this not the experience of Protestantism, which now has tens of thousands of denominations all claiming to read the same Bible but interpreting it in rather different manners?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong>The problem is, if no one is Pope then everyone is Pope! </strong>Protestant “soloists” claim that anyone, alone with a Bible and the Holy Spirit, can authentically interpret Scripture. Well then, why does the Holy Spirit tell some people that baptism is necessary for salvation and others that it is not necessary? Why does the Holy Spirit tell some that the Eucharist really is Christ’s Body and Blood and others that it is only a symbol? Why does the Holy Spirit say to some Protestants, “Once saved, always saved” and to others, “No”?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong>So, it seems clear that Scripture is not meant to be alone. Scripture itself says this </strong>in 2 Peter 3:16: </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><em> . . . our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, also wrote to you, Our Brother Paul speaking of these things [the Last things] as he does in all his letters. In them there are some things hard to understand that the ignorant and unstable distort to their own destruction, just as they do the other scriptures. </em></span></blockquote>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hence Scripture itself warns that it is quite possible to misinterpret Scripture.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong style="color: #555555; font-size: 16px; white-space: normal;">Where is the truth to be found? The Scriptures once again answer this:</strong><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 16px; white-space: normal;"> </span><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; white-space: normal;">you should know how to behave in the household of God, </span><b style="font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; white-space: normal;"><span style="color: #990000;"><u>which is the </u></span></b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><b><i><u>church</u></i></b></span></span><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 16px; white-space: normal;"><i> of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth</i></span><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 16px; white-space: normal;"> (1 Tim 3:15).</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong>Hence Scripture is not to be read alone. It is a document of the Lord through the Church</strong> and must be read in the context of the Church and with the Church’s authoritative interpretation and Tradition. As this passage from Timothy says, </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>the <em>Church </em>is the pillar and foundation of truth. The Bible is a <em>Church</em> book and thus is not meant to be read apart from the Church </u></b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">that received the authority to publish it from God Himself. Scripture is the most authoritative and precious document of the Church, but it emanates from the Church’s Tradition and must be understood in the light of it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong>Thus, the problems of “singing solo” seem to boil down to</strong> the fact that </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u><b>if we separate what God has joined we end up with an abstraction</b></u></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, something that exists only in the mind but in reality, cannot be found alone.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here is a brief video in which Fr. Robert Barron ponders the Protestant point of view that every baptized Christian has the right to authoritatively interpret the Word of God.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some quick "take-aways" for me:</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Attempting to separate them (the 'solos') from what they belong to leads to grave distortions and to the thing in question no longer being what it is claimed to be. Rather, it becomes an abstraction that exists only on a blackboard or in the mind of a theologian.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>SOLA FIDE:</b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> faith alone is the null set</span><span style="color: #555555;"> </span></blockquote>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">SOLA GRATIA:</span> </b><span style="color: #555555;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By its very nature grace changes us. Again, show me grace apart from works. Grace without works is an abstraction. It cannot be found apart from its effects.</span><span style="color: #555555;"> </span></blockquote>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">SOLA SCRIPTURA:</span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> It was Catholic bishops,</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> in union with the Pope, who made the decision as to which books belonged in the Bible. The early Christians could not possibly have lived by </span><em style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">sola scriptura </em><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">because the Scriptures were not even fully written in the earliest years.</span><span style="color: #555555;"> </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Until recently most people could not read. Given this, it seems strange that God would make, as the sole rule of faith, a book that people had to read on their own. Even today, large numbers of people in the world cannot read well.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span> </blockquote>
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If all you have is a book, then that book needs to be interpreted accurately. I</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">f no one is Pope then everyone is Pope! </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Scripture itself says that </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">it is not meant to be alone.</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2 Peter 3:16</span></blockquote>
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<em style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">You should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth</em><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> (1 Tim 3:15). </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Read it again . . . and what is the pillar and foundation of truth? The </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">church!</span></blockquote>
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<strong style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Thus, the problems of “singing solo” seem to boil down to</strong><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> the fact that if we separate what God has joined we end up with an abstraction, something that exists only in the mind but in reality, cannot be found alone.</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="color: #0000ee; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: underline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://blog.adw.org/2018/06/beware-soloists-concern-protestant-solos-sola-fide-sola-scriptura-sola-gratia/</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534943997597196456.post-17208168398090852502018-04-27T22:43:00.001-06:002018-04-27T22:47:42.544-06:0019 of the Most Inspiring Quotes from the Master of Apologetics, C.S. Lewis<div style="color: #262626; margin-bottom: 23px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">C.S. Lewis is widely considered to be one of the best Christian apologists of the 20th century. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Though he was led to Christianity by his Catholic friend J.R.R. Tolkien, Lewis became Anglican and remained one the rest of his life. His writings have</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://churchpop.com/2015/02/25/was-c-s-lewis-the-20th-centurys-best-evangelist-for-catholicism/" style="color: #4db2ec; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none !important;">helped lead innumerable people to the Catholic Church</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here are 19 of his most powerful quotes:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOALCj8Ubgm8qWZ1vUMYNAp2HJBLiHfid43dJjce7vD0U6_o6zhq6Eo6SDZ0HiyGdmCwYLFNSDZtVIK1xKVbhWAyHtz-DEhf-a6Wg0ae_NHiRFkGmOAkcn-DVZSfxONTdXd2P9FtPpebOA/s1600/cslewis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="238" data-original-width="205" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOALCj8Ubgm8qWZ1vUMYNAp2HJBLiHfid43dJjce7vD0U6_o6zhq6Eo6SDZ0HiyGdmCwYLFNSDZtVIK1xKVbhWAyHtz-DEhf-a6Wg0ae_NHiRFkGmOAkcn-DVZSfxONTdXd2P9FtPpebOA/s320/cslewis.jpg" width="275" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">1) “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">2) “I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.”</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">3) “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal.”</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">4) “The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">5) “God can’t give us peace and happiness apart from Himself because there is no such thing.”</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">6) “A man can no more diminish God’s glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word ‘darkness’ on the walls of his cell.”</span></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMW9iI6n_SOd4yYPtLzfdOjFmUfwHuBzUyTOei5VNpmaAVMmMsd9iW-SUP6BoUclMSOMvyUKA4yditgCKa5ybPBIsUc1T7jcSP8hF6JjssLqIp8YgePOSPAllfuRy4uNlo2fR1e1TSEal/s1600/cslewis+childre+quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMW9iI6n_SOd4yYPtLzfdOjFmUfwHuBzUyTOei5VNpmaAVMmMsd9iW-SUP6BoUclMSOMvyUKA4yditgCKa5ybPBIsUc1T7jcSP8hF6JjssLqIp8YgePOSPAllfuRy4uNlo2fR1e1TSEal/s320/cslewis+childre+quote.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">7) “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea.”</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">8) “True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">9) “Human history is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.”</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">10) “A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is… A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in.”</span></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLvUQal-oqkGMHjP5HbABt20CZWVmePnRj9gtUf2lKehIkWPhbf4NYcVrhyphenhyphenLWUEL2k_mZ7AB3Q04p6GkaVLeAJIJ1reM5UEAxQ8eIkDHVK22UTh7o1UaQ_8BjtaPF7rJ6Bg4SLkSyaz_W/s1600/cslewis+letgo2moveon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLvUQal-oqkGMHjP5HbABt20CZWVmePnRj9gtUf2lKehIkWPhbf4NYcVrhyphenhyphenLWUEL2k_mZ7AB3Q04p6GkaVLeAJIJ1reM5UEAxQ8eIkDHVK22UTh7o1UaQ_8BjtaPF7rJ6Bg4SLkSyaz_W/s320/cslewis+letgo2moveon.png" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">11) “Die before you die, there is no chance after.”</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">12) “No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good.”</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">13) “Aim at Heaven and you will get Earth ‘thrown in’: aim at Earth and you will get neither.”</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">14) “Progress means getting nearer to the place you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turning, then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man.”</span></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jfHyOkW8hjx6jKdb8SZw4uuiTM5EIIInjfHITnJEctLDZi20KEzm-EHHFtWccXU5a24KA_TfiZNOoUt9zN8zX-0ZXgwPOtCnQBuiIJMcC4E727iA0AAG15c74-UbOSI-hojPYN0qv4Ww/s1600/cs-lewis-shine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jfHyOkW8hjx6jKdb8SZw4uuiTM5EIIInjfHITnJEctLDZi20KEzm-EHHFtWccXU5a24KA_TfiZNOoUt9zN8zX-0ZXgwPOtCnQBuiIJMcC4E727iA0AAG15c74-UbOSI-hojPYN0qv4Ww/s320/cs-lewis-shine.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">15) “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">16) “Everyone thinks forgiveness is a lovely idea until he has something to forgive.”</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">17) “Love may forgive all infirmities and love still in spite of them: but Love cannot cease to will their removal.”</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">18) “I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You are yourself the answer. Before your face questions die away. What other answer would suffice?”</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">19) “God is no fonder of intellectual slackers than He is of any other slacker.”</span></h4>
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SOURCE:<br />
<a href="https://churchpop.com/2017/02/08/19-powerfully-inspiring-quotes-from-the-master-of-apologetics-c-s-lewis/">https://churchpop.com/2017/02/08/19-powerfully-inspiring-quotes-from-the-master-of-apologetics-c-s-lewis/</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0