One Minute Reflection – 11 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” – Within the Octave of Epiphany – Isaias 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And seeing the Star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” – Matthew 2:10
REFLECTION – “Jesus is born poor in a stable; the Angels of Heaven indeed acknowledge Him but men abandon and forsake Him on earth. Only a few shepherds come and pay Him homage. But our Redeemer was desirous of communicating to us the grace of His redemption and begins, therefore, to manifest Himself to the Gentiles, who knew Him least. Therefore, He sends a Star to enlighten the holy Magi, in order that they may come and acknowledge and adore their Saviour. This was the first and sovereign grace bestowed upon us–our vocation to the Faith which was succeeded by our vocation to grace, of which men were deprived.
Behold the Wise Men, who immediately, without delay, set off upon their journey. The Star accompanies them as far as the cavern where the Holy Infant lies. On their arrival, they enter and what do they find? They found the Child with Mary. They find a poor maiden and a poor Infant wrapped in poor swaddling-clothes, without anyone to attend on Him or assist Him. But, lo! on entering into the little shed, these holy pilgrims feel a joy which they had never felt before; they feel their hearts chained to the dear little Infant Whom they behold. The straw, the poverty, the cries of their little Saviour–oh, what darts of love! Oh, what blessed flames are they to their enlightened hearts! The Infant looks upon them with a joyful countenance and this is the mark of affection, with which He accepts them amongst the first-fruits of His Redemption.
The holy Kings then look at Mary, who does not speak –she remains silent but with her blessed countenance which breathes the sweetness of paradise, she welcomes them and thanks them for having been the first to come and acknowledge Her Son (as indeed He is) for their Sovereign Lord. See also how, out of reverence, they adore Him in silence and acknowledge Him for their God, kissing His Feet and offering Him their gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. Let us too, with the holy Magi, adore our little King Jesus and let us offer Him all our hearts.” – St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Founder of the Redemptorists, Most Zealous Doctor (The Adoration of the Magi),
PRAYER – O God, Thou Who by the guidance of a star this day revealed Thy Only-begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that we, who know Thee now by faith, may come to behold Thee in glory. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 10 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” – Within the Octave of The Epiphany
O Child, So Worthy of Our Love, I Offer Thee My Heart (O Grant Me that Gold, Incense and Myrrh Which I Lack) By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor
O Child so worthy of our love, I see You lying on the straw in this cave, so poor and despised. Yet faith teaches me, that You are my God come down from heaven for my salvation. I acknowledge You as my Sovereign Lord and Saviour, as such I proclaim You, yet, I have nothing at all to offer You. I am without Love’s Gold, since I have given my love to the things of this world – I have only loved my own whim, rather than loving You, so infinitely worthy of love. I am without Prayer’s Incense, since I have lived wretchedly without thinking of You. I have no Myrrh of Mortification since, so as not to forsake some paltry pleasures, I have so often saddened Your infinite goodness. So what am I to offer You? O my Jesus, I offer You my heart, soiled and naked as it is. Take it and change it, for You have come down to us to wash our guilty hearts with Your Blood and so transform us from sinners into saints. O grant me that Gold, Incense and Myrrh which I lack. Grant me the Gold of Your Holy Love; grant me the Incense which is the spirit of prayer; grant me Myrrh, the willingness and strength to deny myself in all that displeases You… O holy Virgin, you welcomed those devout Magi Kings with keen affection and satisfied them. Deign to welcome and comfort me also, I, who come, following their example, to visit and offer myself to your Son Amen.
One Minute Reflection – 8 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family”– Within the Octave of The Epiphany –Isaias 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Falling down they adored Him” – Matthew 2:11
REFLECTION – “God’s intention was not only to come down to earth but to become known there; not only to be born but to be recognised. In fact, it is with this recognition in mind that we hold this celebration of the Epiphany, the great day of His manifestation. For it was today that the Magi came from the East in search of the Sun of Justice at its rising (Mal 3:20), He of Whom we read: “Behold a Man Whose name is the Orient,” (Zec 6:12 Vul.). Today they have adored the Virgin’s newborn Child, following the guidance of a New Star. What great cause for joy do we not find here, my brethren, as also in those words of the Apostle Paul: “The kindness and generous love of God our Saviour have appeared,” (Tit 3:4)…
What is this you are doing, you Magi? What is this you are doing? Are you adoring an Infant at the breast in a wretched hovel, wrapped in miserable rags? Can a Child such as this really be God? Yet, “The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in Heaven.” (Ps 11:4) while you are looking for Him in a common stable, held in His Mother’s arms! Whatever are you doing? Why are you offering Him gold? Could such a One as this be King? Where, then, is His Royal Court, His Throne, His crowd of courtiers? Can a stable be a palace, a crib a throne, Mary and Joseph members of His Court? How on earth could wise men be so foolish as to adore a Baby, as contemptible by reason of His age, as for the poverty of His Family?
Mad? Yes, they have become so in order to be wise. The Holy Spirit has taught them already what the Apostle Paul would later proclaim: “Whoever would be wise, let him become a fool. For since the world, in all its wisdom, did not come to know God in His Wisdom, it has pleased God to save those who believe, through the foolishness of the Gospel we proclaim, (Cf 1 Cor 1:21)… And so, they prostrate themselves before this poor Child; they do Him homage as to a King; they adore Him as a God. He Who outwardly guided them by a Star, has cast His Light into the interior of their hearts!” – St Bernard (1091-1153) Cistercian Monk, Father and Doctor of the Church (1st Sermon for the Epiphany).
PRAYER – O God, Thou Who by the guidance of a star this day revealed Thy Only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; mercifully grant that we, who know Thee now by faith, may come to behold Thee in glory. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 8 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” – With the Octave of The Epiphany
O Dearest Infant By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor
O dearest Infant, tell me what You came on earth to do. Tell me whom You are seeking. Ah, yes, I now understand… You have come to die for me, a lost sheep, in order that I may no more hide from You but love You. O Jesus, my treasure, my life, my love, my all, if I do not love You, then whom shall I love? Where can I find a mother or father, a friend, or a spouse more loving than You? And who has ever loved me more than You have? I am sorry that I have lived so many years in this world and yet still love You so little, even having offended You and sometimes forgotten You. Amen
One Minute Reflection – 5 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family”– Vigil of the Epiphany – Galatians 4:1-7, Matthew 2:19-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Arise and take the Child and His Mother and go into the land of Israel. For they are dead who sought the life of the Child.” – Matthew 2:20
REFLECTION – “My dear Jesus, Thou art the King of Heaven but now I behold Thee as an Infant wandering over the earth – tell me, whom dost Thou seek? I pity Thee when I see Thee, so poor and humbled but I pity Thee more when I see Thee treated with such ingratitude by the same men whom Thou came to save. Thou dost weep but I also weep because I have been one of those, who in times past, have despised and persecuted Thee. But now I value Thy grace more than all the kingdoms of the world; forgive me, O my Jesus, all the evil I have committed against Thee and permit me to carry Thee always in my heart during the journey of my life to eternity, even as Mary carried Thee in her arms during the flight into [and return from] Egypt.” – St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Doctor of the Church”
PRAYER – O Almighty and everlasting God, do Thou order all our actions in conformity with Thy good pleasure that through the name of Thy well-beloved Son, we may worthily abound in all good works. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 5 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” – The Vigil of the Epiphany of Our Lord
The Eastern Kings the Star Have Seen! Unknown Author
The Eastern Kings the Star have seen, They hasten on their way; Long time they’ve watched and waiting been The dawning of that Day: The dawning of the Day of grace, The gleam of Jacob’s Star, The Virgin’s Child of Jesse’s race Whom Prophets saw afar.
Glory give to God on high!
And now they open treasures rare Which Indian silks enfold, Of Myrrh which sweetly scents the air, Of Frankincense and gold. Their kingly heads they meekly bow The cradled Babe before, Their God confess, and kneeling low In humble faith adore.
Glory give to God on high!
With them I come to greet my King, Yet not with them to part; No Gold, no Frankincense I bring, I offer Him my heart. With Him to live, with Him to die, Who by His lowly birth, Gave glory to our God on high And peace to men on earth.
One Minute Reflection – 4 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family”– Octave of the Holy Innocents – Apocalypse 14:1-5; Matthew 2:13-18 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“When Herod realised that he had been deceived by the Magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity, two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the Magi.” – Matthew 2:16
REFLECTION – “Where does this jealousy lead?… The crime committed today shows us. Fear of a rival to his earthly kingdom fills Herod with anxiety, he plots to suppress “the newborn King” (Mt 2:2), the Eternal King; he fights against his Creator and puts innocent children to death … As for those children, what fault had they committed? Their tongues were dumb, their eyes had seen nothing, their ears heard nothing, their hands done nothing. They accepted death who had not known life! … Christ reads the future and knows the secrets of the heart, He weighs our thoughts and probes our intentions (cf. Ps 138[139]): why did He forsake them? … Why did the newborn heavenly King abandon these companions in innocence, forget the sentinels watching around His crib, to such an extent that the foe, who wanted to get at the King, ravaged His whole army?
My brethren, Christ did not forsake His soldiers but covered them with honour, by allowing them to conquer, before they had lived and to carry away the prize, without a fight. … He wanted them to possess Heaven, rather than earth. … He sent them before Him as His heralds. He did not abandon them but saved those who went on ahead. He did not forget them. …
Blessed are they who have exchanged their travail for repose, their pains for ease, their suffering for joy. They are alive! Yes, they are alive, they live indeed who have undergone death for Christ’s sake. … Happy the tears their mothers shed for these infants, they have won them the grace of Baptism. … May He who deigned to rest in a stable, be pleased to lead us too, to the heavenly pastures.”– St Peter Chrysologus (400-450) Bishop of Ravenna, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 152 PL 52, 604).
PRAYER – O God, Whose praise the Innocents, Thy Martyrs, this day proclaimed, not by speaking but by dying, put to death in us all the wickedness of sin, so that Thy faith which our tongue professes, may be proclaimed also by our life.Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
The Feast of the Infant Jesus of Prague the 16th Century wax-coated wooden Statue of the Child Jesus, holding a globus cruciger (the Orb and Cross) with the right hand being raised in benediction, is of Spanish origin and is just under half a metre in height. It is now located in the Discalced Carmelite Church of Our Lady of Victories in Malá Strana, Prague, Czech Republic, see the Church at the bottom (one where I have been immensely blessed to attend Holy Mass before the Infant each day for a week some years ago). The Statue is venerated on 2 January, on 14 January and on the first Sunday of May. Our Wonderful Infant: https://anastpaul.com/2023/01/02/saint-of-the-day-2-january-feast-of-the-infant-jesus-of-prague/
Bl Airaldus of Maurienne St Alverius of Agaunum St Asclepius of Limoges St Aspasius of Auch St Baudimius of Auvergne St Blidulf of Bobbio St Dietmar of Prague (Died 982) Bishop St Hortulana of Assisi St Isidore of Antioch St Isidore of Nitri St John Camillus the Good St Macarius of Rome
St Mark the Mute St Maximus of Vienne St Munchin of Limerick Bl Odino of Rot St Paracodius of Vienne St Sebastian of Agaunum St Seiriol Blessed Stephana de Quinzanis OP (1457-1530) Virgin, Dominican Tertiary, Mystic, Stigmatist Bl Sylvester of Troina St Telesphorus, Pope St Theodota St Theopistus St Vincentian of Tulle St Viance of Anjou
Many Martyrs Who Suffered in Rome: There were many Martyrs who suffered in the persecutions of Diocletian for refusing to surrender the holy books. Though we know these atrocities occurred, we do not know the names of the Saints and we honour them as a group. c 303 in Rome, Italy.
Martyrs of Antioch – 5 Saints: A group of Christian soldiers Martyred together for their faith. We know the names of five – Albanus, Macarius, Possessor, Starus and Stratonicus. They were born in Greece and were Martyred in Antioch (modern Antakya, Turkey).
Many Martyrs of Britain: The Christians of Britain appear to have escaped unharmed in the earlier persecutions which afflicted the Church but the cruel edicts of Diocletian were enforced in every corner of the Roman Empire and the faithful inhabitants of this land, whether native Britons or Roman colonists, were called upon to furnish their full number of holy Martyrs and Confessors. The names of few are on record but the British historian, Saint Gildas, after relating the Martyrdom of Saint Alban, tells us, that many others were seized, some put to the most unheard-of tortures and others immediately executed, while not a few hid themselves in forests and the caves of the earth, where they endured a prolonged death until God called them to their reward. The same writer attributes it to the subsequent invasion of the English, then a pagan people, that the recollection of the places, sanctified by these Martyrdoms, has been lost and so little honour paid to their memory. It may be added, that, according to one tradition, a thousand of these Christians were overtaken in their flight near Lichfield and cruelly massacred and that the name of Lichfield, or Field of the Dead, is derived from them.
Martyrs of Ethiopia – 3 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together for their faith. We know the names of three – Auriga, Claudia and Rutile.
Martyrs of Jerusalem – 2 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together for their faith. We know the names of two – Stephen and Vitalis.
Martyrs of Lichfield: Many Christians suffered at Lichfield (aka Lyke-field, meaning field of dead bodies), England in the persecutions of Diocletian. Though we know these atrocities occurred, we do not know the names of the Saints and we honour them as a group. Their Martyrdom occurred in 304 at Lichfield, England.
Martyrs of Piacenza: A group of Christians who died together for their faith in the persecutions of Diocletian. No details about them have survived. They were Martyred on the site of Church of Madonna di Campagna, Piacenza, Italy.
Martyrs of Puy – 4 Saints: Missionaries, sent by Saint Fronto of Périgueux to the area of Puy, France. Tortured and Martyred by local pagans. We know the names – Frontasius, Severinus, Severian and Silanus. They were beheaded in Puy (modern Puy-en-Velay), France and buried together in the Church of Notre Dame, Puy-en-Velay by Saint Fronto, their bodies laid out to form a cross.
Martyrs of Syrmium – 7 Saints: Group of Christians Martyred together, date unknown. We know the names of seven – Acutus, Artaxus, Eugenda, Maximianus, Timothy, Tobias and Vitus – but very little else. This occurred in the 3rd or 4th century at Syrmium, Pannonia (modern Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia).
Martyrs of Tomi – 3 Saints: Three brothers, all Christian soldiers, in the Imperial Roman army and all three Martyred in the persecutions of Emperor Licinius Licinianus. We know their names – Argeus, Marcellinus and Narcissus – but little else. They were Martyred in 320 at Tomi, Exinius Pontus, Moesia (modern Constanta, Romania).
Our Morning Offering – 31 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” –Sunday Within the Octave of Christmas
O Jesus, Dear Holy Child By St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873 – 1897)
O Jesus, dear Holy Child, my only treasure, I abandon myself to Thy every whim. I seek no other joy than that of calling forth Thy sweet Smile. Vouchsafe to me, the graces and the virtues of Thy Holy Childhood, so that, on the day of my birth into Heaven, the Angels and Saints may recognise in Thy Spouse, Thérèse of the Child Jesus. Amen
Quote/s of the Day – 30 December – The Sixth Day Within the Octave of the Nativity of our Lord
“With hearts truly grateful, Come, all ye faithful, To Jesus, to Jesus in Bethlehem; See Christ your Saviour, Heaven’s greatest favour. Let us hasten to adore Him; Our God and King.”
DEO GRATIAS!
“Open wide your door to the One who comes. Open your soul, throw open the depths of your heart to see the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace, the sweetness of grace. Open your heart and run to meet the Sun of Eternal Light Who illuminates all men.”
St Ambrose (340-397) Father and Doctor of the Church
“Listen! the reason He is called Saviour is because, for all those to whom He is united, He gains salvation. Now salvation means, to be delivered from all ills and, at the same time, to find all blessings forever – Life instead of death, Light in place of darkness and, instead of the slavery of the passions and unworthy deeds, the complete freedom granted to all those, who are united to Christ, Saviour of all beings. Thus they will possess, without being able to lose it, all joy, all happiness, all blessedness … that that none can ever know, or conceive, or see, if not sincerely and ardently attached to Christ.”
St Symeon the New Theologian (c 949-1022)
“Taking up the newborn Emmanuel, Mary beheld a Light incomparably fairer than the sun and saw a Fire that water cannot quench. She received, in the covering of flesh Whom she had borne, the Light Who enlightens all things and she was worthy, to carry in her arms, the Word Who carries the universe!” ”
St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159) Bishop, Cistercian Monk
(Homilies in praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary IV SC 72)
Our Morning Offering – 30 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” –The Sixth Day Within the Christmas Octave
Afar from Where the Sun Doth Rise A Solis Ortus Cardine By Coelius Sedulius (Died c 450) Trans Msgr Ronald A Knox (1888-1957)
Afar from where the sun doth rise To lands beneath the western skies, Homage to Christ our King we pay, Born of a Virgin’s womb this day
Blessed Creator, Thou didst take__ A servant’s likeness for our sake, And didst in flesh our flesh restore To bid Thy creature live once more.
Chaste was the womb where Thou didst dwell, Of heavenly grace the hidden cell; Nor might the blessed Maid proclaim Whence her dread Guest in secret came.
Down from on high God came to rest__ His glory in a sinless breast; Obedience at His word believed, And virgin innocence conceived.
Ere long, that holy child she bore By Gabriel’s message named before, Whom yet unborn, with eager pride, The swift forerunner prophesied.
Fast doth He sleep, where straw doth spread, A humble manger for His bed. A Mother’s milk that strength renewed, Which gives the birds of heaven their food.
Glory to God, the angels cry; Earth hears the echo from on high; Mankind’s true Shepherd and it’s Lord By shepherd hearts is first adored.
Our Morning Offering – 26 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Within the Octave
Sleep, Holy Babe By Fr Edward Caswell C.Orat. (1814-1878)
Sleep, holy Babe, Upon Thy Mother’s breast! Great Lord of earth and sea and sky, How sweet it is to see Thee lie In such a place of rest!
Sleep, holy Babe, Thy Angels watch around, All bending low with folded wings Before th’incarnate King of kings In rev’rent awe profound!
Sleep, holy Babe, While I with Mary gaze In joy upon that Face awhile, Upon the loving Infant smile Which there divinely plays.
Sleep, holy Babe, And take Thy brief repose; Too quickly wilt Thy slumbers break And Thou to lengthened pains awake, That death alone shall close. Amen
Quote/s of the Day – 25 December – The Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas Day!
“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him and without Him, was made nothing which was made. In Him was Life and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines in darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
John 1:1-5
V. The Word was made flesh. R. And dwelt among us. V. Christ hath manifested Himself to us. R. Come let us adore Him!
“Let all your desires then, be directed toward Him, the Infinite One, the Giver of all Good.”
Bl Jacopone da Todi (1230-1306)
Nativity Song By Blessed Jacopone da Todi OFM (1230-1306) (Today is the Feast Day of Blessed Jacopone)
The beautiful Mother is bending Low where her Baby lies Helpless and frail, for her tending But she knows the glorious eyes.
The Mother smiles and rejoices, While the Baby laughs in the hay, She listens to heavenly voices: “This Child shall be King some day.”
O dear little Child in the manger, Let me make merry with Thee, O King, in my hour of danger, Wilt Thou be strong for me?
Thought for the Day – 23 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
A Christmas Novena VIII What Jesus Wants From Us
“There is one last thing which the Infant Jesus requires of each of us. No-one else can know what it is but we know well what He wants. There is bound to be some resolution which we have formed many times in the past but, have never properly fulfilled because it cost us too much. Let us not refuse Jesus this sacrifice, for He has loved us so much that he has sacrificed Himself entirely for us. As a result of this meditation, let us, at last, put this resolution into effect, with generosity and firmness.”
The Monthly Novena to the Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague
There are two standard Novenas to the Infant Jesus of Prague – the one we will use below and the other for the Feast on 2 January. The Monthly Novena attracts Indulgences (see Note below).
“The more you honour Me, the more I will bless you.”
Disturbances in Bohemia due to the Thirty Years’ War brought an end to the special devotions and on 15 November 1631 the army of King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden took possession of Bohemia’s Capital City. The Carmelite Friary was plundered and the image of the Infant of Prague was thrown into a pile of rubbish behind the Altar. Here it lay forgotten for seven years, its hands broken off, until in 1637, it was found again by Father Cyrillus and placed in the Church’s oratory. One day, while praying before the Statue, Cyrillus heard a voice say,
“Have pity on Me and I will have pity on you. Give Me my hands and I will give you peace. The more you honour Me, the more I will bless you.”
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory, for my own salvation and that of the whole world, the Mystery of the Birth of our Divine Saviour. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the sufferings of the most holy Virgin and of St Joseph, in that long and weary journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. I offer Thee the sorrow of their hearts when they found no place wherein to shelter themselves, when the Saviour of the world was born. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the sufferings of Jesus in the stable where He was born, the cold He endured, the swaddling clothes which bound Him, the tears He shed and His tender Infant cries. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the pain which the Holy Child Jesus felt in His tender body, when He submitted to circumcision. I offer Thee that Precious Blood which then, for the first time He shed for the salvation of the whole humanrace. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the humility, mortification, patience, charity, all the virtues of the Child Jesus and I thank Thee and I love Thee and I bless Thee without end, for the ineffable Mystery of the Incarnation of the Divine Word. Glory be to the Father, etc.
The Word was made Flesh, And dwelt among us.
LET US PRAY O God, Whose Only-begotten Son was made manifest to us in the substance of our flesh, grant, we beseech Thee, that through Him, Whom we acknowledge to be like unto ourselves, our souls may be inwardly renewed. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee forever and ever. Amen.
7 years Indulgence each day, if the above prayers are recited on the 9 days preceding the 25th of any month. Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions, when the Novena is completed. (125)
Thought for the Day – 22 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
A Christmas Novena VII Prayer and Dedication
“As we kneel before the Infant Jesus, let us beseech Him to enable us to grasp the truth of these reflections. Let us take more care of our soul than we do, as of our external talents and possessions. May God occupy the foremost place in our minds and may He be the principal object of our thoughts, desires and affections.
Let us imitate the humble recollection and ardent love for God, of the Holy Infant. Like Him, let us offer ourselves entirely to God. Let us ask Him to make us like Himself, in complete acceptance of the Divine Will, especially when we are in trouble or in pain, for in this way, we shall be able to show God how sincerely we love Him.”
Thought for the Day – 21 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
A Christmas Novena VI The Silence of the Divine Infant
“Let us kneel in spirit before the Holy Infant. He is silent but His heart beats with love for His heavenly Father and for the afflicted human race which He has come to redeem. Let us adore God in the Mystery of His silence and let us ask Him to favour us with His inspirations and graces. Let us ask Him to teach us to be like Him, so that our Hearts may be closed to the vain attractions of the world and open to the influence of the supernatural. Let us ask Him to help us to employ the gifts of speech, in order to adore, praise and thank God and to draw down His blessings upon ourselves and oupon our fellowmen.
May the words which we utter exercise a prayerful and fruitful apostolate, for it was chiefly for this purpose that God endowed us with the gift of speech.”
The Monthly Novena to the Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague
There are two standard Novenas to the Infant Jesus of Prague – the one we will use below and the other for the Feast on 2 January. The Monthly Novena attracts Indulgences (see Note below).
“The more you honour Me, the more I will bless you.”
Devotion of the Saints to the Holy Infant: Members of the Carmelite Order have been zealous, at all times, in promoting devotion to the Holy Infant of Prague. In particular might we mentioned a certain Father Ildephonse. This Priest always carried a picture of the Infant Jesus on his person and on one occasion was miraculously saved from shipwreck by imploring His assistance. It has been ordained that in all Convents of Our Lady of Mt Carmel, whether of men or of women, a Statue of the Holy Infant should be set up for veneration. St. Teresa of Jesus, the celebrated reformer of the Carmelite Order, was very fond of this devotion. The Blessed Crescentia of Kaufbeuern also possessed a Statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague which she had adorned with a beautiful dress. St Clement Maria Hofbauer, a Redemptorist, was another ardent worshiper of the Divine Infant and always had a Statue of the Little King in his room.
The Infant’s Patronage is especially sought for: vocations, good health, financial issues, a holy family life, schools, the welfare of children, freedom and peace, the missions and safety in travel.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory, for my own salvation and that of the whole world, the Mystery of the Birth of our Divine Saviour. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the sufferings of the most holy Virgin and of St Joseph, in that long and weary journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. I offer Thee the sorrow of their hearts when they found no place wherein to shelter themselves, when the Saviour of the world was born. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the sufferings of Jesus in the stable where He was born, the cold He endured, the swaddling clothes which bound Him, the tears He shed and His tender Infant cries. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the pain which the Holy Child Jesus felt in His tender body, when He submitted to circumcision. I offer Thee that Precious Blood which then, for the first time He shed for the salvation of the whole humanrace. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the humility, mortification, patience, charity, all the virtues of the Child Jesus and I thank Thee and I love Thee and I bless Thee without end, for the ineffable Mystery of the Incarnation of the Divine Word. Glory be to the Father, etc.
The Word was made Flesh, And dwelt among us.
LET US PRAY O God, Whose Only-begotten Son was made manifest to us in the substance of our flesh, grant, we beseech Thee, that through Him, Whom we acknowledge to be like unto ourselves, our souls may be inwardly renewed. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee forever and ever. Amen.
7 years Indulgence each day, if the above prayers are recited on the 9 days preceding the 25th of any month. Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions, when the Novena is completed. (125)
Our Morning Offering – 20 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Ember Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent
Let Your Goodness, Lord, Appear to Us An Advent Prayer By St Bernard (1090-1153) Father and Mellifluous Doctor
Let Your goodness, Lord, appear to us, that we, made in Your image, conform ourselves to it. In our own strength we cannot imitate Your majesty, power and wonder, nor is it fitting for us to try. But Your mercy reaches from the heavens through the clouds to the earth below. You have come to us as a small child but You have brought us the greatest of all gifts, the gift of eternal love. Caress us with Your tiny hands, embrace us with Your tiny arms and pierce our hearts with Your soft, sweet cries. Amen
The Monthly Novena to the Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague
There are two standard Novenas to the Infant Jesus of Prague – the one we will use below and the other for the Feast on 2 January. The Monthly Novena attracts Indulgences (see Note below).
“The more you honour Me, the more I will bless you.”
Within recent years the devotion to the Miraculous Infant has grown in a wonderful manner and today, the Statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague may be seen in Churches and Chapels, in cloisters and schools, the world over. The “Little King” has taken up His abf^de among the rich and poor, the great and lowly. Just as a mighty tree springs from a tiny seed, so this devotion has grown from a small beginning, to the greatest dimensions; it is no longer local or national but as universal as the Church itself. The Divine Child attracts an ever-increasing number of clients, who appeal to Him in every need.
The Infant’s Patronage is especially sought for: vocations, good health, financial issues, a holy family life, schools, the welfare of children, freedom and peace, the missions and safety in travel.
THE NOVENA PRAYERS
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory, for my own salvation and that of the whole world, the Mystery of the Birth of our Divine Saviour. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the sufferings of the most holy Virgin and of St Joseph, in that long and weary journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. I offer Thee the sorrow of their hearts when they found no place wherein to shelter themselves, when the Saviour of the world was born. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the sufferings of Jesus in the stable where He was born, the cold He endured, the swaddling clothes which bound Him, the tears He shed and His tender Infant cries. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the pain which the Holy Child Jesus felt in His tender body, when He submitted to circumcision. I offer Thee that Precious Blood which then, for the first time He shed for the salvation of the whole humanrace. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the humility, mortification, patience, charity, all the virtues of the Child Jesus and I thank Thee and I love Thee and I bless Thee without end, for the ineffable Mystery of the Incarnation of the Divine Word. Glory be to the Father, etc.
The Word was made Flesh, And dwelt among us.
LET US PRAY O God, Whose Only-begotten Son was made manifest to us in the substance of our flesh, grant, we beseech Thee, that through Him, Whom we acknowledge to be like unto ourselves, our souls may be inwardly renewed. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee forever and ever. Amen.
7 years Indulgence each day, if the above prayers are recited on the 9 days preceding the 25th of any month. Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions, when the Novena is completed. (125)
Thought for the Day –19 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
A Christmas Novena IV The First Hours of the Childhood of Jesus Christ
“When we contemplate the Mystery of Love which caused God-made-man, to weep for our sins, we may not be moved to shed actual tears. But, we should at least, shed spiritual tears of repentance and of love and of longing for holiness and for complete dedication to Jesus Christ. We should love Jesus for the countless numbers who do not love Him, or who blaspheme and ignore Him. We should yearn to make reparation for so much ingratitude and neglect, by our prayers and penances. The Infinite Love of the God Child, demands all our love in return!”
The Monthly Novena to the Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague
There are two standard Novenas to the Infant Jesus of Prague – the one we will use below and the other for the Feast on 2 January. The Monthly Novena attracts Indulgences (see Note below).
“The more you honour Me, the more I will bless you.”
Devotion to the infant Jesus of Prague is devotion to the Child Jesus. It is veneration of the Son of God, Who in the form of a lovely Infant chose a stable for a palace, a manger for a cradle and shepherds for worshipers. Our Saviour grants special graces to all who venerate His sacred Infancy.
The secret of this devotion may be found in the words of a poor labourer who earned very low wages and was unable to meet the demands of his creditors. Hearing of the wonders of the Infant Jesus of Prague, he said to himself: ‘I shall apply to the Divine Infant, for just as it is easy to obtain everything from a child, so I think Our Lord will the sooner hear me if I venerate His holy Infancy.” He made a Novena to the Divine Infant and on the last day received assistance.
The Infant’s Patronage is especially sought for: vocations, good health, financial issues, a holy family life, schools, the welfare of children, freedom and peace, the missions and safety in travel.
THE NOVENA PRAYERS
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory, for my own salvation and that of the whole world, the Mystery of the Birth of our Divine Saviour. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the sufferings of the most holy Virgin and of St Joseph, in that long and weary journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. I offer Thee the sorrow of their hearts when they found no place wherein to shelter themselves, when the Saviour of the world was born. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the sufferings of Jesus in the stable where He was born, the cold He endured, the swaddling clothes which bound Him, the tears He shed and His tender Infant cries. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the pain which the Holy Child Jesus felt in His tender body, when He submitted to circumcision. I offer Thee that Precious Blood which then, for the first time He shed for the salvation of the whole humanrace. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the humility, mortification, patience, charity, all the virtues of the Child Jesus and I thank Thee and I love Thee and I bless Thee without end, for the ineffable Mystery of the Incarnation of the Divine Word. Glory be to the Father, etc.
The Word was made Flesh, And dwelt among us.
LET US PRAY O God, Whose Only-begotten Son was made manifest to us in the substance of our flesh, grant, we beseech Thee, that through Him, Whom we acknowledge to be like unto ourselves, our souls may be inwardly renewed. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee forever and ever. Amen.
7 years Indulgence each day, if the above prayers are recited on the 9 days preceding the 25th of any month. Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions, when the Novena is completed. (125)
Quote/s of the Day – 18 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conceptio of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Monday of the Third Week of Advent – Ferial Day – Philippians 4:4-7; John 1:19-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“The Lord is near. Have no anxiety …”
Philippians 4:5-6
“Let your door stand open to receive Him, unlock your soul to Him, offer Him a welcome in your mind and then you will see the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace, the joy of grace. Throw wide the gate of your heart, stand before the Sun of the Everlasting Light!”
St Ambrose (340-397) Father and Doctor of the Church
“He became small because you were small – understand how great He is and you will become great along with Him. This is how houses are built, how the solid walls of a building are raised. The stones brought to construct the building increase, you, too, increase, understanding how great Christ is and how He, Who appeared to be small, is great, very great indeed…”
St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of the Church
“In adoring our Saviour’s birth, it is our origin we celebrate. Christ’s temporal generation is the source of the Christian people, the birth of His Mystical Body. All of us encounter in this Mystery, a new birth in Christ.”
St Pope Leo the Great (400-461) Father & Doctor of the Church
“If we would please this Divine Infant, we too must become children, simple and humble. We must carry to Him, flowers of virtue, of meekness, of mortification, of charity. We must clasp Him in the arms of our love.”
St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor
The Monthly Novena to the Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague
There are two standard Novenas to the Infant Jesus of Prague – the one we will use below and the other for the Feast on 2 January. The Monthly Novena attracts Indulgences (see Note below).
“The more you honour Me, the more I will bless you.”
Sweet and merciful Infant Jesus, could we but relate all the wonders of Thy power and goodness! Bless at least these few pages written for Thy greater honour and glory! May they assist in making Thee better known and in instilling devotion to Thee in the hearts of all men!
The Infant’s Patronage is especially sought for: vocations, good health, financial issues, a holy family life, schools, the welfare of children, freedom and peace, the missions and safety in travel.
“Peaceful King, employ Thy graces and Thy charms to gain the love of men and through the sweetness of Thy Divine Infancy, establish throughout the world, Thy blissful reign.”
Nihil Obstat ij* Stephanus Schappler, OSB Abbas Coadjutor Im. Conceptionis
27th Edition, January 1956
THE NOVENA PRAYERS
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory, for my own salvation and that of the whole world, the Mystery of the Birth of our Divine Saviour. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the sufferings of the most holy Virgin and of St Joseph, in that long and weary journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. I offer Thee the sorrow of their hearts when they found no place wherein to shelter themselves, when the Saviour of the world was born. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the sufferings of Jesus in the stable where He was born, the cold He endured, the swaddling clothes which bound Him, the tears He shed and His tender Infant cries. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the pain which the Holy Child Jesus felt in His tender body, when He submitted to circumcision. I offer Thee that Precious Blood which then, for the first time He shed for the salvation of the whole humanrace. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the humility, mortification, patience, charity, all the virtues of the Child Jesus and I thank Thee and I love Thee and I bless Thee without end, for the ineffable Mystery of the Incarnation of the Divine Word. Glory be to the Father, etc.
The Word was made Flesh, And dwelt among us.
LET US PRAY O God, Whose Only-begotten Son was made manifest to us in the substance of our flesh, grant, we beseech Thee, that through Him, Whom we acknowledge to be like unto ourselves, our souls may be inwardly renewed. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee forever and ever. Amen.
7 years Indulgence each day, if the above prayers are recited on the 9 days preceding the 25th of any month. Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions, when the Novena is completed. (125)
Thought for the Day – 17 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
A Christmas Novena II Preparation for the Nativity
“Our preparation, finally, should also embrace the will. In other words, we should make good resolutions during our Christmas Novena. We should resolve to be more fervent in prayer, to be more mortified and, to make greater efforts to practise virtue.
Everyday and, if possible, every hour, let us think of and invoke the Divine Child. Let us ask Him to help us to model our lives on His, so that they may be full of humility, of love for God and for our fellowmen, of perfect resignation to suffering and of voluntary mortification and penance, designed to prove our love for Jesus and to expiate our sins.”
There are two standard Novenas to the Infant Jesus of Prague – the one we will use below and the other for the Feast on 2 January. The Monthly Novena attracts Indulgences (see Note below).
“The more you honour Me, the more I will bless you.”
So many graces have been received by those who invoke the Divine Child before the original Statue that it has been called “The Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague.” We read the following in an old book printed in Kempt in Canada: “All who approach the miraculous Statue and pray there with confidence, receive assistance in danger, consolation in sorrows, aid in poverty, comfort in anxiety, light in spiritual darkness, streams of grace in dryness of soul, health in sickness and hope in despair.”
The Infant’s Patronage is especially sought for: vocations, good health, financial issues, a holy family life, schools, the welfare of children, freedom and peace, the missions and safety in travel.
THE NOVENA PRAYERS
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory, for my own salvation and that of the whole world, the Mystery of the Birth of our Divine Saviour. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the sufferings of the most holy Virgin and of St Joseph, in that long and weary journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. I offer Thee the sorrow of their hearts when they found no place wherein to shelter themselves, when the Saviour of the world was born. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the sufferings of Jesus in the stable where He was born, the cold He endured, the swaddling clothes which bound Him, the tears He shed and His tender Infant cries. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the pain which the Holy Child Jesus felt in His tender body, when He submitted to circumcision. I offer Thee that Precious Blood which then, for the first time He shed for the salvation of the whole humanrace. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the humility, mortification, patience, charity, all the virtues of the Child Jesus and I thank Thee and I love Thee and I bless Thee without end, for the ineffable Mystery of the Incarnation of the Divine Word. Glory be to the Father, etc.
The Word was made Flesh, And dwelt among us.
LET US PRAY O God, Whose Only-begotten Son was made manifest to us in the substance of our flesh, grant, we beseech Thee, that through Him, Whom we acknowledge to be like unto ourselves, our souls may be inwardly renewed. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee forever and ever. Amen.
7 years Indulgence each day, if the above prayers are recited on the 9 days preceding the 25th of any month. Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions, when the Novena is completed. (125)
St Beoc St Dominic Dosso Bl Elizabeth of Saint Francis
St Everard of Friuli (c815-867) Duke, Count, Soldier, Founder of Churches and a Monastery. In contrast to his soldiering life, St Everard was a peacemaker, a humble and loving Master with a social conscience, striving always to free serfs, wherever possible or at least to free them from their burdens and assisting the poor and needy in all their deprivations. His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/16/saint-of-the-day-16-december-saint-everard-of-friuli-c-815-867/
Haggai the Prophet St Irenion Bl James of Tunis St Jean Wauthier St Macarius of Collesano
Martyred Women of North-West Africa: A large group of women Martyred in the persecutions of Hunneric, Arian King of the Vandals. 482 in North-West Africa.
Martyrs of Ravenna – 4 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together. Four names and no other information has survived – Agricola, Concordius, Navalis and Valentine. c 305 at Ravenna, Italy.
Octave Day of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Christmas Novena to the Divine Infant Jesus by St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori – BEGINS on 16 December: This Novena is translated from the Italian of Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori and was first published in 1758. Although this Novena is intended, primarily as a preparation for the Feast of our Lord’s Nativity, it can be used with spiritual profit at any time of the year, as a devotion in honour of the Infant Jesus. This translation by the Redemptorists of the UK.
AND/OR: December, naturally being the Month of the Divine Infant, is a wonderful time to begin this Monthly practice: The Monthly Novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague From 16 to 24 December (and of every Month on the same dates).
St Maximinus of Micy St Offa of Essex St Paul of Latros St Silvia of Constantinople St Urbicus St Valerian of Abbenza (c377-c457) Confessor, Bishop Blessed Victoria Strata (1562-1617) Widow,
Martyrs of North Africa – 7 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together for their faith in North Africa. The only details about them that survive are their names – Caelian, Candidus, Faustinus, Fortunatus, Januarius, Lucius and Mark.
Martyrs of Rome – 22 Saints: A group of 22 Christians Martyred together in the persecutions of Valerian. The only details we have are five of their names – Antonius, Irenaeus, Saturnin, Theodorus and Victor. c 258 in Rome, Italy.
Quote/s of the Day – 11 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Monday of the Second Week of Advent – 1 Peter 5:1-4, 10-11; Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“But the God of all grace, Who hath called us into His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, will Himself perfect you and confirm you and establish you. To Him be glory and empire forever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 5:10-11
“Then go and learn, neither to be moved with injuries nor flatteries. If you die to the world and to yourself, you will begin to live to Christ.”
St Macarius of Egypt (c300-390)
“Let us become like Christ, since Christ became like us. He assumed the worse, that He might give us the better; He became poor, that we through His poverty, might be rich.”
St Gregory Nazianzen (330-390) Father and Doctor of the Church
“Let us always belong to God, unreservedly and without interruption. May He ever live and reign in our hearts.”
(Letter to Madame de Chantal)
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church
“Each one of us has a thirst for all that is infinite, eternal and perfect. God alone can satisfy this thirst. Just as we are created by God, so we are created for Him. Just as we came from God, so we are gradually travelling back towards Him, for He is the final goal of our earthly journey. We should meditate on this great truth which we were first taught in the Catechism, namely, that we were created to know, love and serve God on this earth and to be happy with Him forever in Heaven. God alone is the eternal beauty which will satisfy our hearts.”
Quote/s of the Day – 9 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conceptio of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Saturday of the First Week of Advent Within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God
“And Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary and of her was born Jesus, Who is called Christ.”
Matthew 1:16
“Mary, having merited to give flesh to the Divine Word and thus, supply the price of our redemption that we might be delivered from eternal death, therefore, she is more powerful than all others, to help us gain eternal life.”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace
“The One Who is the Wisdom of the Father, put His arms around her neck, the One Who is the strength, which gives movement to everything, sat in her arms. He, Who is the rest of souls, (Mt 11:29) rested on her motherly breast. … Filled with the Holy Spirit, she held Him close to her heart … She never had enough of seeing Him or of hearing Him … Thus Mary, grew evermore in love and her mind was unceasingly attached, to Divine contemplation.”
AnaStpaul 
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