Celebrate the Spiritual Treasures of December
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
For Catholics, December is an extraordinary blend of anticipation and celebration.
The main focus, of course, is on preparing for and observing the Octave of Christmas.
But a quick check of the USCCB’s remarkable Family Advent and Christmas Calendars at www.USCCB.org/advent reveals that this is a month rich in feasts and memorials that add even more luster to the season.
Opening the Advent Windows on the USCCB site is a lot of fun to do as a family activity. It’s a way of shining additional light on the rich heritage of our faith. Throughout the month the feasts and commemorations pictured on the calendar become gateways to the many aspects of the season inspiring Catholics of all ages with insight about our worldwide heritage.
Browsing the other Internet sites listed below opens the windows even wider on the customs and traditions that have come down to us through the ages. For recipes and activities connected with the feasts, visit Keeping the Feast, the Monitor's food and faith blog.
The feasts of December include:
Dec. 3 – The Memorial of St. Francis Xavier
The Memorial of St. Francis Xavier gives everyone the opportunity to pray for the missionaries around the world who work to spread the Gospel. It’s a major celebration in many places in Asia including Velha, Goa, the base of his missionary activities, where the saint’s remains are buried. The year the theme for pilgrimage to his shrine is ‘Inspired by the faithfulness of St. Francis, let us shine like Jesus, the Star.’ Find much more information about St. Francis Xavier and the missionary life at www.xaviermissionaries.org
Dec. 6 – St. Nicholas Day
St. Nicholas Day is an opportunity to share the story of the real St. Nicholas with children, family members and friends. Check out www.stnicholas.org for the history and origin of St. Nicholas, comparisons to Santa Claus and an interactive timeline, stories, legends and family activities. This is a site that can be enjoyed throughout Advent.
Dec. 8 – The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary celebrates the solemn dogma defined by Pope Pius IX in 1854. It confirmed that Mary, “full of grace,” through God, was redeemed from sin from the moment of her conception. Mary, as the Immaculate Conception, is the patroness of the United States and the namesake of the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, America’s patronal church. Visit that website at www.nationalshrine.com
Dec. 12 – The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas commemorates Our Lady’s appearance to Saint Juan Diego, an Indian Christian whom she sent to the bishop of Mexico City with a request to build a church in her honor on the hill where she appeared. The bishop asked Juan Diego for a sign to prove that the Virgin had appeared and she directed him to gather a bouquet of roses in his tilma (cloak). When he opened the tilma before the bishop, the roses fell to the floor revealing a miraculous image of the Mother of God imprinted on the cloak. The image almost immediately inspired the conversion to Christianity of many Indians. It may still be seen in the Cathedral in Mexico City. Check out www.catholicmom.com/Guadalupe.htm for more information and many family activities.
Dec. 27 – The Feast of the Holy Family
The Feast of the Holy Family on the Family Christmas Calendar celebrates the family unit and the Holy Family: Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The feast usually falls on the Sunday after Christmas unless Christmas falls on a Sunday. In that case, it is celebrated on Dec. 30. Devotion to the Holy Family is a recent development by historical Catholic standards, growing in popularity from the 17th century onward. On Oct. 26, 1921, the Congregation of Rites inserted the Feast into the Latin Rite general calendar. It’s considered a good time to focus on the family unit and pray for our human and spiritual families. Many people reflect on the value and sanctity of the family unit on this day. A good site to check out for this feast is www.churchyear.net/holyfamily.html
Dec. 28 – The Feast of the Holy Innocents
The Feast of the Holy Innocents on the USCCB Christmas Calendar is a day to pray for greater respect for all human life from conception to natural death. This fourth day of Christmas commemorates the baby boys slain by order of King Herod who are considered martyrs. www.fisheaters.com/customschristmas5.html is a good site to go to for insight on the customs which have come down to us regarding this feast. In time honored tradition, the youngest child “rules the day” – deciding the day’s foods, drinks and entertainments.
Related Stories
Monday, November 18, 2024
E-Editions
Events
For Catholics, December is an extraordinary blend of anticipation and celebration.
The main focus, of course, is on preparing for and observing the Octave of Christmas.
But a quick check of the USCCB’s remarkable Family Advent and Christmas Calendars at www.USCCB.org/advent reveals that this is a month rich in feasts and memorials that add even more luster to the season.
Opening the Advent Windows on the USCCB site is a lot of fun to do as a family activity. It’s a way of shining additional light on the rich heritage of our faith. Throughout the month the feasts and commemorations pictured on the calendar become gateways to the many aspects of the season inspiring Catholics of all ages with insight about our worldwide heritage.
Browsing the other Internet sites listed below opens the windows even wider on the customs and traditions that have come down to us through the ages. For recipes and activities connected with the feasts, visit Keeping the Feast, the Monitor's food and faith blog.
The feasts of December include:
Dec. 3 – The Memorial of St. Francis Xavier
The Memorial of St. Francis Xavier gives everyone the opportunity to pray for the missionaries around the world who work to spread the Gospel. It’s a major celebration in many places in Asia including Velha, Goa, the base of his missionary activities, where the saint’s remains are buried. The year the theme for pilgrimage to his shrine is ‘Inspired by the faithfulness of St. Francis, let us shine like Jesus, the Star.’ Find much more information about St. Francis Xavier and the missionary life at www.xaviermissionaries.org
Dec. 6 – St. Nicholas Day
St. Nicholas Day is an opportunity to share the story of the real St. Nicholas with children, family members and friends. Check out www.stnicholas.org for the history and origin of St. Nicholas, comparisons to Santa Claus and an interactive timeline, stories, legends and family activities. This is a site that can be enjoyed throughout Advent.
Dec. 8 – The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary celebrates the solemn dogma defined by Pope Pius IX in 1854. It confirmed that Mary, “full of grace,” through God, was redeemed from sin from the moment of her conception. Mary, as the Immaculate Conception, is the patroness of the United States and the namesake of the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, America’s patronal church. Visit that website at www.nationalshrine.com
Dec. 12 – The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas commemorates Our Lady’s appearance to Saint Juan Diego, an Indian Christian whom she sent to the bishop of Mexico City with a request to build a church in her honor on the hill where she appeared. The bishop asked Juan Diego for a sign to prove that the Virgin had appeared and she directed him to gather a bouquet of roses in his tilma (cloak). When he opened the tilma before the bishop, the roses fell to the floor revealing a miraculous image of the Mother of God imprinted on the cloak. The image almost immediately inspired the conversion to Christianity of many Indians. It may still be seen in the Cathedral in Mexico City. Check out www.catholicmom.com/Guadalupe.htm for more information and many family activities.
Dec. 27 – The Feast of the Holy Family
The Feast of the Holy Family on the Family Christmas Calendar celebrates the family unit and the Holy Family: Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The feast usually falls on the Sunday after Christmas unless Christmas falls on a Sunday. In that case, it is celebrated on Dec. 30. Devotion to the Holy Family is a recent development by historical Catholic standards, growing in popularity from the 17th century onward. On Oct. 26, 1921, the Congregation of Rites inserted the Feast into the Latin Rite general calendar. It’s considered a good time to focus on the family unit and pray for our human and spiritual families. Many people reflect on the value and sanctity of the family unit on this day. A good site to check out for this feast is www.churchyear.net/holyfamily.html
Dec. 28 – The Feast of the Holy Innocents
The Feast of the Holy Innocents on the USCCB Christmas Calendar is a day to pray for greater respect for all human life from conception to natural death. This fourth day of Christmas commemorates the baby boys slain by order of King Herod who are considered martyrs. www.fisheaters.com/customschristmas5.html is a good site to go to for insight on the customs which have come down to us regarding this feast. In time honored tradition, the youngest child “rules the day” – deciding the day’s foods, drinks and entertainments.