* * *** “A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” (Rev 12:1 ~ Proper of Saints, Daily Roman Missal)

— The miraculous image of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the tilma of St. Juan Diego is preserved at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, in Mexico City.

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— On the third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday), the faithful rejoice in hope as the Solemnity of Christmas draws near!

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— The Blessed Virgin Mary first appeared to Juan Diego in 1531 at Tepeyac hill, leaving a miraculous image on Juan’s tilma. Nearly 500 years later, the tilma is still preserved at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, one of the most popular Christian pilgrimage destinations in the world.

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— Pope Bl. Pius IX solemnly defined the traditional belief of the Church: the Blessed Virgin Mary was conceived free from all stain of Original Sin. Her Immaculate Conception is the most beautiful fruit of the work of redemption accomplished by her Son, Jesus Christ. Chosen to be the Mother of the Savior, the Blessed […]

* * *** While St. Ambrose was serving the imperial government and yet a catechumen, he was elected Bishop of Milan. He distinguished himself through apostolic zeal, service to the poor, and effective care of the faithful. An articulate opponent of Arianism in the West, St. Ambrose converted and baptized St. Augustine.

~ “O God, who made the Bishop Saint Ambrose a teacher of the Catholic faith and a model of apostolic courage, raise up in your Church men after your own heart to govern her with courage and wisdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ from the Daily Roman Missal

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— Born in the third century to a wealthy family, St. Nicholas was consecrated Bishop of Myra (modern-day Turkey) and is known for his compassion and generosity to those in need.

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— The Holy Land Pilgrim Kit includes an illustrated Pilgrim Handbook, Missalette, and DVD video series of select Holy Land sites. Makes a thoughtful gift for those seeking to visit the Holy Land and anyone interested in learning more about this sacred place. — For more information, please visit: www.holy-land.org

* * *** — The Holy Land: An Encounter with Jesus Christ —

For those seeking to make a Holy Land pilgrimage and also anyone interested in learning more about this sacred place. The Pilgrim Kit includes an illustrated Pilgrim Handbook, Missalette, and DVD video series of select Holy Land sites. For more information, please visit: www.holy-land.org

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— St. Andrew was a disciple of St. John the Baptist before he became a follower of Christ, to whom he also brought his brother, St. Peter. “Andrew told his brother Simon: We have found the Messiah, the Christ, and he brought him to Jesus.” (Cf. Jn 1:41-42, Proper of Saints, Daily Roman Missal)

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“‘Let us go joyfully to meet the Lord’… Let us walk with joy and watchfulness, as we wait for the season that recalls God’s coming in human flesh, a time which reached its fullness when Christ was born in a stable in Bethlehem. It is then that the time of waiting was fulfilled.” (Eucharistic Celebration, […]

Christ in the World