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“And he came to her and said, ‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!… He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; […]

“When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife.” (Mt 1:24)

— Today we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary; the highest order of liturgical feast. St. Joseph, so just and humble, was completely obedient to God. As protector of Jesus and Mary, he played an exceptional role in God’s plan of salvation. Saint Joseph is commemorated in the Roman […]

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— Handbook of Prayers – the convenient resource for prayer, reflection, and celebration of the Holy Mass (includes Order of Mass in English and Latin). Makes a thoughtful gift! * 20% savings on select titles, through 2/24/23 * — Please visit: www.theologicalforum.org/Category/127/

* * *** 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)

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* * *** “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)

* * *** “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.

* * *** “…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.

* * *** “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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