* * *** “In all the Dioceses of the USA, January 22 shall be observed as a particular day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion.” (Roman Missal, no. 373)

“The fundamental human right, the presupposition of every other right, is the right to life itself. This is true of life from the moment of conception until its natural end. Abortion, consequently, cannot be a human right — it is the very opposite. It is a deep wound in society.” -Pope Benedict XVI

* * *** St. Agnes (d. 304) came from a noble Roman family and only about thirteen when martyred, during the reign of the Roman emperor Diocletian. Her name is associated with the Latin “agnus” for “lamb,” as the young saint is often depicted with a lamb by her side. St. Agnes is commemorated in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I).

~ “Almighty ever-living God, who choose what is weak in the world to confound the strong, mercifully grant, that we, who celebrate the heavenly birthday of your Martyr Saint Agnes, may follow her constancy in the faith. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Proper of Saints / Daily Roman Missal)

* * *** “Nourished for our healing by your Sacraments, O Lord, may we escape every snare of the enemy unharmed, just as by your grace Saint Anthony won glorious victories over the powers of darkness. Through Christ our Lord.” (Prayer After Communion/Proper of Saints, Daily Roman Missal)

— Known as the Patriarch of Monks for his influence in early Christian monasticism, St. Anthony (251-356) went into the wilderness at a young age (c. 270). He inspired many to travel to the desert to follow his way of monastic life, which led to a growing community of monks dedicated to the service of […]

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20% savings on the Daily Roman Missal and select titles ~ through January 20, 2022 Please visit: https://www.theologicalforum.org/

* * *** Born at Poitiers, St. Hilary was a leading defender of the Church against the Arian heresy. He wrote many books about the Blessed Trinity as well as commentaries on St. Matthew’s Gospel and the Psalms.

“Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we may rightly understand and truthfully profess the divinity of your Son, which the Bishop Saint Hilary taught with such constancy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Collect ~ Proper of Saints, Daily Roman Missal)

* * *** “After the Lord was baptized, the heavens were opened, and the Spirit descended upon him like a dove, and the voice of the Father thundered: This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Entrance Antiphon ~ Cf. Mt 3:16-17, Daily Roman Missal)

— The Spirit whom Jesus possessed in fullness from his conception comes to “rest on him”. Jesus will be the source of the Spirit for all mankind. At his baptism “the heavens were opened”… (CCC 536)

* * *** “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil 2:10-11)

~ Karlskirche in Vienna / Tetragrammaton high above the main altar, transliterated as YHWH

* * *** “The brightness of God illuminated the holy city Jerusalem, and the nations will walk by its light.” (Communion Antiphon-Cf. Rev 21:23, Daily Roman Missal)

— The Epiphany is the manifestation of Jesus as Messiah of Israel, Son of God and Savior of the World. (CCC 528)

* * *** “Hail, Holy Mother, who gave birth to the King / who rules heaven and earth forever.” (Entrance Antiphon, Daily Roman Missal)

— We wish you and family a blessed and joyous New Year!

This feast venerates the memory of the male children King Herod ordered to be killed in his attempt to kill the infant Christ.

“The innocents were slaughtered as infants for Christ; spotless, they follow the Lamb and sing for ever: Glory to you, O Lord.” (Proper of Saints, Daily Roman Missal)

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