It occurred to me that lately I haven't been doing as many posts as I should about issues in society and how it relates to the Church. And the issue of denying Communion to people who claim to be Catholic but denounce Her teachings on certain subjects such as abortion came back into the news … Continue reading Why Denying Communion to Those Who Break Away from Catholic Teaching is Practical and an Act of Mercy →

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated a week after Epiphany, which in the traditional rite is today, January 13, whereas the Novus Ordo rite celebrated it yesterday. The Christmas season ends with the celebrations of these two epiphanies of Christ, the latter of which comes at the beginning of His public … Continue reading The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord →

Happy Feast of the Epiphany! In the traditional rite, this feast is always celebrated on its proper day, January 6. It commemorates in fact three epiphanies: the one of the newborn King to the Magi, Jesus's Baptism in the Jordan, and His changing of the water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana. Enjoy … Continue reading The Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord →

Unlike the Novus Ordo rite, which celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God today, the traditional rite celebrates the octave day of the Nativity, which marks the day of the circumcision of Jesus. This article from Catholic Restoration details what we take from this day, mainly the humility and obedience of Christ as He … Continue reading The Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord →

The 12 days of Christmas have special religious significance. This article by Catholic News Agency explains that significance and reminds us that Christmas is more than one day. That's right, contrary to what our secular society teaches us, Christmas has its own season and lasts for 12 days, ending on the Feast of the Epiphany. … Continue reading The 12 Days of Christmas–Via Catholic News Agency →

*Today is a holy day of obligation. Please go to Mass and if you don't without a serious reason, you must go to Confession before receiving Communion again.* He's here. After 4 weeks of preparation and waiting, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, is born! The little Baby, looking so tiny and helpless in the … Continue reading For Unto Us a Savior is Born: Merry Christmas! →

The announcement of the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ is most appropriately chanted or recited during first Vespers on December 24. It can also be chanted or recited before the celebration of the Midnight Mass: The twenty-fifth day of December,/ when ages beyond number had run their course/ from the creation of the world,/ … Continue reading The Proclamation of Christmas →

This evening at Vespers (evening prayer), the Church begins the traditional O antiphons that are recited before and after the Magnificat and highlight the prophecies of the prophet Isaiah regarding the Messiah. They are also paraphrased in the traditional Advent hymn "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." There are 7 of them, to be recited on … Continue reading The O Antiphons →

Today we celebrate Gaudete Sunday, a day of joy in anticipation for the birth of Christ. Gaudete means "rejoice" and comes from the first word of the Introit for today's Mass. This day is a reminder that we are halfway through our Advent journey and is a day of respite from our penitential preparations to … Continue reading Gaudete Sunday: He’s almost here! →

Unlike the Novus Ordo rite, the traditional rite celebrates the Immaculate Conception on its proper date, December 8, regardless of the day, meaning that it is not overridden by the Second Sunday of Advent. And this great feast should retain its proper day, as it is the official beginning of the story of our salvation. … Continue reading Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary →