and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Mark 6:13
The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, which is celebrated on December 8. The first day of December falls during the liturgical season known as Ordinary Time and is represented by the liturgical color green. The next 22 days fall during the liturgical season of Advent and are represented by the liturgical color purple. The remaining days of December mark the beginning of the Christmas season. The liturgical color changes to white or gold — a symbol of joy, purity and innocence.
Evangelization: In the Service of the Transmission of Faith: That people, who are involved in the service and transmission of faith, may find, in their dialogue with culture, a language suited to the conditions of the present time. (See also http://popesprayerusa.net/)
Throughout Advent the following beautiful prayer is traditionally recited fifteen times a day until Christmas. This is a very meditative prayer that helps us increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps us prepare ourselves spiritually for His coming.
+Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.
St. John of the Cross (1542-1591) was born and died in Spain. His parents were poor and could not give him training in any trade. Hence he became the servant of the sick in the hospital of Medina. In 1563 he offered himself as a lay brother to the Carmelite friars, who, however, perceiving his unusual talents, had him ordained a priest. When he was about to join the more severe Order of the Carthusians, the saintly Teresa persuaded him to remain and help her in the reform of the Carmelite Order. This reform of his order caused him such sufferings and brought him many trials. But his sufferings served only to detach him from creatures. He had a great devotion to Our Lord’s Passion and voluntarily sought out humiliations. When Our Lord asked him what reward he would ask for his labors, John answered: “To suffer and to be despised for Thee.” He died of a cruel disease, embracing the crucifix. Because of his profound treatises on mystical theology Pope Pius XI proclaimed him Doctor of the Church. According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite St. John of Cross’ feast is celebrated on November 24.
St. John of the Cross
Juan de Yepes was the Castilian son of a poor silk weaver of Fontiberos, Toledo, Spain and was born in 1542. His father was of noble birth; he had married much beneath him, and for that offense had been entirely cut off by his family. He had taken to silk weaving as a means of livelihood, but had never been able to make much of it. Soon after the birth of Juan he died, worn out with the effort to keep his wife and three children. The family was left in direst poverty; the children grew up always underfed, so that to the end of his life Juan remained dwarfed in stature.
Unable to learn a trade, he became the servant of the poor in the hospital of Medina, while still pursuing his sacred studies. In 1563, being then twenty-one, he humbly offered himself as a lay-brother to the Carmelite friars, who, however, knowing his talents, had him ordained priest. He would now have exchanged to the severe Carthusian Order, had not St. Teresa of Avila, with the instinct of a saint, persuaded him to remain and help her in the reform of his own Order.
Thus he became the first prior of the Discalced (meaning “barefoot”) Carmelites. His reform, though approved by the general, was rejected by the elder friars, who condemned the saint as a fugitive and apostate, and cast him into prison, whence he only escaped, after nine months’ suffering, at the risk of his life. Twice again, before his death, he was shamefully persecuted by his brethren, and publicly disgraced. But his complete abandonment by creatures only deepened his interior peace and devout longing for heaven.
St. John was a great contemplative and spiritual writer. He was proclaimed Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI on August 24, 1926. He is the patron of contemplative life, mystical theology, mystics, and Spanish poets.
Excerpted from Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints © 1878 and Saints for Sinners by Alban Goodier, S.J.
“With what procrastinations do you wait, since from this very moment you can love God in your heart?”
Excerpted from Prayer of a Soul Taken with Love — St. John of the Cross
Mine are the heavens and mine is the earth. Mine are the nations, the just are mine and mine the sinners. The angels are mine, and the Mother of God, and all things are mine; and God himself is mine and for me, because Christ is mine and all for me. What do you ask, then, and seek my soul? Yours is all of this, and all is for you. Do not engage your self in something less or pay heed to the crumbs that fall from your Father’s table. Go forth and exult in your Glory! Hide yourself in it and rejoice, and you will obtain the supplications of your heart.
Excerpted from Sayings of Light and Love, 26-27 — St. John of the Cross
Patron: Contemplative life; contemplatives; mystical theology; mystics; Spanish poets
Things to Do:
- See Celebrating the Feast of St. John of the Cross for ideas.
- Read more about St. John of the Cross at the ICS website.
- Three of his works, Ascent of Mount Carmel, Dark Night of the Soul and Spiritual Canticle of the Soul and the Bridgegroom Christ are available online at the Christian Classics Ethereal Library.
Meditation: Matthew 11:16-19
Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church (Memorial)
We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. (Matthew 11:17)
When Jesus came announcing the kingdom, many people complained about his habit of socializing with tax collectors and sinners. But as far as Jesus was concerned, these people were missing their opportunity to join in the dance of the good news. He preached a message of God’s love and mercy, but they didn’t want to hear it.
Jesus didn’t let their rejection get the best of him. According to him, “Wisdom is vindicated by her works” (Matthew 11:19). The miracles he performed, the healings and the casting out of demons, the sermons and parables—all of these combined to testify to the truth of his message. Seeing the sick healed, the dead raised, and the poor receiving the good news, his detractors should have seen that God was doing something new and important in Jesus. They should have seen all of these as signs of how good and generous God is, and that he was welcoming everyone to come to him.
The miracles didn’t stop with Jesus. They continue even today. Every day, people are surprised by signs of God’s love and faithfulness. Years of built-up bitterness have dissipated, and the way to reconciliation has opened—because people are looking for God. Chains of addiction and substance abuse are being loosed, and the road to recovery is being started—because people are seeing the Lord’s help.
Wisdom has even more works and miracles in store for us! Just as Jesus wanted a deeper connection with the people of his day, he longs for a closer relationship with us. Every time we pray, we have the opportunity to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment and experience his presence in our hearts. Every time we reach out to someone who is hurting, we have the opportunity to vindicate Jesus’ words by our acts of love and kindness. We can make a difference for them because we are letting God make a difference in us. And if we don’t feel much in prayer on a given day, we can always let God’s past work in our lives vindicate the wisdom of our persevering.
Jesus is calling you, so get up and join him in the dance!
“Lord, I cannot deny all you have done in my life and in the world. Help me to join all the saints in celebrating your kingdom today.”
Isaiah 48:17-19
Psalm 1:1-4, 6
Holy Days for 2018*
- Monday, January 1, 2018 – Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
- Thursday, May 10, 2018– Ascension of the Lord – a holy day of obligation
- Wednesday, August 15, 2018 – Assumption of Mary – a holy day of obligation
- Thursday, November 1, 2018 – All Saints – a holy day of obligation
- Saturday, December 8, 2018 – Immaculate Conception – a holy day of obligation
- Tuesday, December 25, 2018 – Christmas – always a holy day
- Tuesday, January 1, 2019 – Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
*Whenever January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, or August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption, or November 1, the Solemnity of All Saints, falls on a Saturday or on a Monday, the precept to attend Mass is abrogated.
Other important liturgical days:
- Ash Wednesday: February 14, 2018
- Palm Sunday: March 25, 2018
- Holy Thursday: March 29, 2018
- Good Friday: March 30, 2018
- Easter Sunday: April 1, 2018
- Pentecost Sunday: May 20 , 2018
- The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ: Sunday,June 3, 2018
- The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: Friday, June 8, 2018
- First Sunday of Advent: December 2, 2018
- Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
- Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
- Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
- Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
- Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
- Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
- Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.”
V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with Thee;
Blessed art thou among women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hour of our death. Amen
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.
Hail Mary, etc.
V. And the Word was made Flesh.
R. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, etc.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
LET US PRAY
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
May the Divine assistance remain always with us and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
When prayed in a group setting a leader recites the verses and everyone recites both the responses and the Hail Mary’s in between each verse, as shown above.
Although the Angelus has been traditionally said three times daily, at 6 am, noon and 6 pm, you can pray it at anytime especially at NOON. It is still accompanied by the ringing of a bell (the Angelus bell) in some places such as Vatican City and parts of Germany and Ireland.
Blessed be God.
Blessed be His Holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the name of Jesus.
Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in His angels and in His Saints.
May the heart of Jesus, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, be praised, adored, and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen
- PRAYER TO THE INFANT OF PRAGUEO Infant of Prague, who said, “The more you honor me, the more I will bless you,” give us the strength to bear the burden of daily life in this sinful world. Give us a firm purpose of amendment and a resolve to lead a better life. Help us endure our afflictions and sorrows with patience and courage. Finally, O beloved Infant King if it be your will grant my petition (mention petition here). But whatever you choose, give me the strength to submit to your will in all things. Amen.HEALING PRAYER
LORD, JESUS CHRIST, I AM DEEPLY SORRY FOR MY SINS. HAVE MERCY ON ME. In Your name, JESUS, I ask You for the grace to forgive myself. I ask your forgiveness for hurting others. I ask for the grace to forgive all those who have hurt me in this life, and especially the one person who has hurt me the most. I renounce forever Satan, ALL the evil spirits and all their works. I give you my entire self Lord JESUS, now and forever, you are my Lord, God, SAVIOR AND REDEEMER. Please heal me, change me, strengthen me in body, mind and spirit for my greater service in Your Kingdom. Allow me to lead other souls to You through my good example. JESUS I trust in you! Come Lord JESUS, cover me with Your most precious blood, and fill me with Your Holy Spirit, I praise You, I thank You, I glorify Your name, JESUS. I love You JESUS WITH MY WHOLE HEART, SOUL, MIND, BODY AND MY WHOLE BEING. O’ Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with Holy Raphael the Archangel and all the holy Angels and Saints, pray for us! Amen
Holy Raphael says in Chapter 12 in the
BOOK OF TOBIT 12:7-10
7 A king’s secret it is prudent to keep, but the works of God are to be declared and made known. Praise them with due honor. Do good, and evil will not find its way to you.
8 Prayer and fasting are good, but better than either is almsgiving accompanied by righteousness. A little with righteousness is better than abundance with wickedness. It is better to give alms than to store up gold;
- 10 but those habitually guilty of sin are their own worst enemies.
We must work in the Vineyard and
not return to GOD with empty hands!
THE CORPORAL ACTS
- To feed the hungry;
- To give drink to the thirsty;
- To clothe the naked;
- To visit the imprisoned;
- To visit the sick;
- To shelter the homeless;
- To bury the dead.
- To instruct the ignorant;
- To counsel the doubtful;
- To admonish the sinner;
- To bear wrongs patiently;
- To forgive offences willingly;
- To comfort the sorrowful;
- To pray for the living and the dead.
| 44 Messianic Prophecies of Jesus | |||
| Prophecies of Jesus | Old Testament Scripture | New Testament Fulfillment | |
| 1 | Messiah would be born of a woman. | Genesis 3:15 | Matthew 1:20 Galatians 4:4 |
| 2 | Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. | Micah 5:2 | Matthew 2:1 Luke 2:4-6 |
| 3 | Messiah would be born of a virgin. | Isaiah 7:14 | Matthew 1:22-23 Luke 1:26-31 |
| 4 | Messiah would come from the line ofAbraham. | Genesis 12:3 Genesis 22:18 | Matthew 1:1 Romans 9:5 |
| 5 | Messiah would be a descendant of Isaac. | Genesis 17:19 Genesis 21:12 | Luke 3:34 |
| 6 | Messiah would be a descendant of Jacob. | Numbers 24:17 | Matthew 1:2 |
| 7 | Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah. | Genesis 49:10 | Luke 3:33 Hebrews 7:14 |
| 8 | Messiah would be heir to King David’s throne. | 2 Samuel 7:12-13 Isaiah 9:7 | Luke 1:32-33 Romans 1:3 |
| 9 | Messiah’s throne will be anointed and eternal. | Psalm 45:6-7 Daniel 2:44 | Luke 1:33 Hebrews 1:8-12 |
| 10 | Messiah would be called Immanuel. | Isaiah 7:14 | Matthew 1:23 |
| 11 | Messiah would spend a season in Egypt. | Hosea 11:1 | Matthew 2:14-15 |
| 12 | A massacre of children would happen at Messiah’s birthplace. | Jeremiah 31:15 | Matthew 2:16-18 |
| 13 | A messenger would prepare the way for Messiah | Isaiah 40:3-5 | Luke 3:3-6 |
| 14 | Messiah would be rejected by his own people. | Psalm 69:8 Isaiah 53:3 | John 1:11 John 7:5 |
| 15 | Messiah would be a prophet. | Deuteronomy 18:15 | Acts 3:20-22 |
| 16 | Messiah would be preceded by Elijah. | Malachi 4:5-6 | Matthew 11:13-14 |
| 17 | Messiah would be declared the Son of God. | Psalm 2:7 | Matthew 3:16-17 |
| 18 | Messiah would be called a Nazarene. | Isaiah 11:1 | Matthew 2:23 |
| 19 | Messiah would bring light to Galilee. | Isaiah 9:1-2 | Matthew 4:13-16 |
| 20 | Messiah would speak in parables. | Psalm 78:2-4 Isaiah 6:9-10 | Matthew 13:10-15, 34-35 |
| 21 | Messiah would be sent to heal the brokenhearted. | Isaiah 61:1-2 | Luke 4:18-19 |
| 22 | Messiah would be a priest after the order of Melchizedek. | Psalm 110:4 | Hebrews 5:5-6 |
| 23 | Messiah would be called King. | Psalm 2:6 Zechariah 9:9 | Matthew 27:37 Mark 11:7-11 |
| 24 | Messiah would be praised by little children. | Psalm 8:2 | Matthew 21:16 |
| 25 | Messiah would be betrayed. | Psalm 41:9 Zechariah 11:12-13 | Luke 22:47-48 Matthew 26:14-16 |
| 26 | Messiah’s price money would be used to buy a potter’s field. | Zechariah 11:12-13 | Matthew 27:9-10 |
| 27 | Messiah would be falsely accused. | Psalm 35:11 | Mark 14:57-58 |
| 28 | Messiah would be silent before his accusers. | Isaiah 53:7 | Mark 15:4-5 |
| 29 | Messiah would be spat upon and struck. | Isaiah 50:6 | Matthew 26:67 |
| 30 | Messiah would be hated without cause. | Psalm 35:19 Psalm 69:4 | John 15:24-25 |
| 31 | Messiah would be crucified with criminals. | Isaiah 53:12 | Matthew 27:38 Mark 15:27-28 |
| 32 | Messiah would be given vinegar to drink. | Psalm 69:21 | Matthew 27:34 John 19:28-30 |
| 33 | Messiah’s hands and feet would be pierced. | Psalm 22:16 Zechariah 12:10 | John 20:25-27 |
| 34 | Messiah would be mocked and ridiculed. | Psalm 22:7-8 | Luke 23:35 |
| 35 | Soldiers would gamble for Messiah’s garments. | Psalm 22:18 | Luke 23:34 Matthew 27:35-36 |
| 36 | Messiah’s bones would not be broken. | Exodus 12:46 Psalm 34:20 | John 19:33-36 |
| 37 | Messiah would be forsaken by God. | Psalm 22:1 | Matthew 27:46 |
| 38 | Messiah would pray for his enemies. | Psalm 109:4 | Luke 23:34 |
| 39 | Soldiers would pierce Messiah’s side. | Zechariah 12:10 | John 19:34 |
| 40 | Messiah would be buried with the rich. | Isaiah 53:9 | Matthew 27:57-60 |
| 41 | Messiah would resurrect from the dead. | Psalm 16:10 Psalm 49:15 | Matthew 28:2-7 Acts 2:22-32 |
| 42 | Messiah would ascend to heaven. | Psalm 24:7-10 | Mark 16:19 Luke 24:51 |
| 43 | Messiah would be seated at God’s right hand. | Psalm 68:18 Psalm 110:1 | Mark 16:19 Matthew 22:44 |
| 44 | Messiah would be a sacrifice for sin. | Isaiah 53:5-12 | Romans 5:6-8 |
https://www.thoughtco.com/prophecies-of-jesus-fulfilled-700159
| MIRACLES OF JESUS CHRIST Healing Miracles
Other Miracles
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