Special Articles posted by Fr Tom
GRECCIO, Italy — Pope Francis issued an apostolic letter Dec. 1 on the meaning and importance of Nativity scenes, calling for this “wonderful sign” to be more widely displayed in family homes and public places throughout the world. “The enchanting image of the Christmas crèche, so dear to the Christian people, never ceases to arouse … [Read more…]
The faithful illuminate vigil lights and votive candles for any number of reasons Lighting votive candles and vigil lights is a strong tradition in the Church that began at least 1,800 years ago, when lights were burned in the catacombs at the tomb of martyrs as a sign of unity with them. The lights kept … [Read more…]
The Church and the Sacraments bring peace at the end “Accompanying someone to death through hospice happens in small steps,” according to Debbie Hoermann of Toms River, New Jersey, who accompanied her 99-year-old aunt, Edith Hipp. “It is like a candle slowly burning out,” she said of those final days. “You have the chance to … [Read more…]
(Please note that the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception in 2019 is transferred to Monday, December 9th, this year and is not a holy day of obligation.) A feast called the Conception of Mary arose in the Eastern Church in the seventh century. It came to the West in the eighth century. In the 11th … [Read more…]
Funerals “say” things. They do not just “do” something, i.e., dispose of the remains. When Christians gather to pray, to mourn, and to support each other over the death of a brother or sister, they mark a human life. When they do so in the presence of the remains of the deceased, they remember that the body … [Read more…]
In Europe, this day is celebrated as Armistice Day. Traditionally, November 11 had previously served as a day of signing peace treaties in honor of Saint Martin. Thus, it was fitting to end Europe’s Great War on this same day – the festival of Saint Martin of Tours. It recalls the ending of World War … [Read more…]
DIRECTIONS: It is during November that the Church meditates on the Communion of Saints, which is the charitable link with the faithful who have already reached heaven (Church Triumphant), the faithful departed who are still expiating their sins in Purgatory (Church Suffering) and of the pilgrim faithful here on earth (Church Militant). “In this wonderful … [Read more…]
The Holy Souls in Purgatory have been judged by God to be destined for happiness in Heaven. They are being prepared for Heaven by the help and the grace of the Holy Spirit, and we participate in their final preparations by our prayers and sacrifices. The Holy Souls in Purgatory exemplify Hope, the theological virtue. … [Read more…]
The Church has a beautiful treasury of prayer and liturgy for facing the end of life. By Peter Jesserer Smith Before he had an opportunity to celebrate a baptism or marriage, Christian rites that mark the beginning of new life, the newly ordained Deacon Michael Forrest was assisting at the Christian rites that mark the … [Read more…]
The Church has always recognized the existence of evil. She proclaims the Savior, Jesus Christ, who leads all men and women to freedom over evil, in all of its manifestations. The Church also has often taken secular holidays and, in a sense, “baptized them”, as a means of infusing the values of the Gospel into … [Read more…]