*** *** ***
— On the third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday), the faithful rejoice in hope as the Solemnity of Christmas draws near!
*** *** ***
— 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 […]
*** *** *** “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, your Son.” (Collect, Daily Roman Missal)
— 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 helped to convert St. Augustine to Christianity and also baptized […]
*** *** ***
— 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. Although not much is known about his life, tradition holds that St. Nicholas was present at the First Ecumenical Council where he took part […]
*** *** *** “Andrew told his brother Simon: We have found the Messiah, the Christ, and he brought him to Jesus.” (Cf. Jn 1:41-42, Daily Roman Missal)
— 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. According to tradition, St. Andrew was martyred on a saltire, (X-shaped cross), which is often depicted in classical art.
*** *** ***
“‘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, […]
*** *** ***
Advent 2022 begins Sunday, November 27 (St. John Paul II ~ ANGELUS, First Sunday of Advent, 30 November 2003)
*** *** *** “O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!” (Ps 95:1-2)
We wish you and your family a Blessed Thanksgiving! – from all of us at Midwest Theological Forum
*** *** ***
— Tradition holds that the Blessed Virgin Mary, as a child, was presented by her parents into the Temple. This feast commemorates the total gift that Mary made of herself–her total dedication to God’s service and obedience to God’s will. In the Eastern Orthodox Church it’s known as The Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos […]
*** *** *** “…they will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” (Rev 17:14)
–We celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe on the last Sunday of the liturgical year.