* * *** And as they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (Acts 7:59-60)

— St. Stephen was the first Christian martyr and one of the seven deacons who helped the Apostles. His name is included in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I).

* * *** “… in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you.” (1 Peter 3:15)

“Highlights of the Catholic Faith” – New! – by Rev. Peter V. Armenio Please visit: www.theologicalforum.org/Category/118/Product/637/Highlights_of_the_Catholic_Faith

* * *** “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, Entrance Antiphon, Daily Roman Missal)

— The image of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the tilma of St. Juan Diego is kept, miraculously preserved, in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, in Mexico City. (Proper of Saints, Daily Roman Missal)

* * ***

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

* * *** “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, […]

* * *** “…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.

* * *** “… for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:5)

— Inspired author of the third Gospel and Acts of the Apostles, St. Luke highlights the powerful actions of the Holy Spirit and the universality of the Redemption.

* * *** (Screwtape to Wormwood, Letter no.4)

— Screwtape counsels Wormwood, that instead of simply tempting a mortal, it’s often more effective to keep the necessary things out… like praying.

* * *** “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Lk 1:42)

— “And indeed in the Rosary… the chief mysteries of our religion follow one another, as they are brought before our mind for contemplation: first of all the mysteries in which the Word was made flesh and Mary, the inviolate Virgin and Mother, performed her maternal duties for Him with a holy joy…” (Magnae Dei […]

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