Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

December 8

On this and the following eight days the Church celebrates, with particular solemnity, the immaculate conception of the ever-blessed Virgin Mary, who, from all eternity, was chosen to be the daughter of the heavenly Father, the spouse of the Holy Ghost, the Mother of the divine Redeemer, and, by consequence, the queen of angels and of men. The consideration of these prerogatives convinced the most enlightened fathers and teachers of the Catholic Church that she was conceived immaculate, that is, without original sin. It is very remarkable that among the shining hosts of saints who have, in every century, adorned the Church no one wrote against this belief, while we find it confirmed by the decisions of the holy fathers from the earliest times. Pope Pius IX, forced, as it were, by the faith and devotion of the faithful throughout the world, finally, on 8 December 1854, sanctioned, as a dogma of faith falling within the infallible rule of Catholic traditions, this admirable prerogative of the Blessed Virgin. It is, therefore, now no longer, as fomerly, a pious belief, but an article of the faith, that Mary, like the purest morning light which precedes the rising of the most brilliant sun, was, from the first instant of her conception, free from original sin.

In the Introit of the Mass the Church sings: "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, and my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, and with the robe of justice He hath covered me, as a bride adorned with her jewels. I will extol thee, O Lord, for Thou hast upheld me: and hast not made my enemies to rejoice over me." Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and forever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Prayer

We beseech Thee, O Lord, to bestow on Thy servants the gift of heavenly grace, that, for those to whom the Blessed Virgin's maternity was the beginning of salvation, the votive solemnity of her immaculate conception may procure increase of peace. Through Christ our Lord, etc. Amen.

Epistle: Proverbs 8:22-35

The Lord possessed Me in the beginning of His ways, before He made anything from the beginning. I was set up from eternity, and of old before the earth was made. The depths were not as yet, and I was already conceived, neither had the fountains of waters as yet sprung out: the mountains with their huge bulk had not as yet been established: before the hills I was brought forth: He had not yet made the earth, nor the rivers, nor the poles of the world. When He prepared the heavens, I was present: when with a certain law and compass He enclosed the depths: when He established the sky above, and poised the fountains of waters: when He compassed the sea with its bounds, and set a law to the waters that they should not pass their limits: when He balanced the foundations of the earth, I was with Him forming all things; and was delighted every day, playing before Him at all times; playing in the world, and My delights were to be with the children of men. Now, therefore, ye children, hear Me: Blessed are they that keep My ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth Me, and that watcheth daily at My gates, and waiteth at the posts of My doors. He that shall find Me shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord.

Explanation

This lesson is, in the literal sense, a eulogy on the divine and uncreated wisdom, which before all things was in God; through which all things were made, disposed, and preserved; which rejoices in its works, and calls upon all its creatures, especially on men, to render to it love and obedience. Most of what is here said is also to be applied to Mary, of whom it may with truth be said that, as the holiest and most admirable of all creatures, she occupies the first place in the heart of God. Therefore the Church also refers to her those words of the wise man: "I came out of the mouth of the Most High, the first born of all creatures."

Gospel: Luke 1:26-28

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women.

--Goffine's Devout Instructions

Catholic
Religion
Church
Roman Catholic
Catholic Church
Catholic Solemnity
Feast Day
Catholic Blogs

From Goffine's Devout Instructions: The Second Sunday of Advent

Having taught us on the first Sunday of Advent to sigh with the prophets for the redemption through Christ, the Church on this day reminds us, in the holy sacrifice of

the Mass, of the joyful promises of God for the salvation of the Gentiles, and of Jesus Christ's actual coming, in order to quicken our desire for it, and to produce in us an alacrity in making ready our hearts by penance and love.

For this reason she says in the Introit of the Mass : “People of Sion, behold the Lord shall come to save the nations, and the Lord shall make the glory of His voice to be heard in the joy of your heart.” “Give ear, O Thou that rulest Israel: Thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep.” Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer:

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the ways of Thine only-begotten Son, that by His coming we may be worthy to serve Thee with purified minds. Through the same Our

Lord Jesus Christ, etc.

EPISTLE. Rom. xv. 4-13.

Brethren : What things soever were written, were written for our learning: that through patience and the comfort of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of one mind one towards another, according to Jesus Christ : that with one mind, and with one mouth, you may glorify God and the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive one another, as Christ also hath received you unto the honor of God. For I say that Christ Jesus was minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. But that the gentiles are to glorify God for His mercy, as it is written : Therefore will I confess to Thee, O Lord, among the gentiles, and will sing to Thy name. And again He saith : Rejoice, ye gentiles, with His people. And again : Praise the Lord, all ye gentiles; and magnify Him, all ye peoples. And again Isaias saith : There shall be a root of Jesse ; and He that shall rise up to rule the gentiles, in Him the gentiles shall hope. Now the God of hope fill you all with joy and peace in believing: that you may abound in hope, and in the power of the Holy Ghost.

What are we to learn by this epistle?

To be grateful to God for having called us, by His grace, to the true faith, and for having received us into the bosom of His holy Church. Again, we are taught that by envy, discord, pride, and hatred we lose our salvation. Finally, St. Paul refers us to the Scriptures for instruction.

Why do the Holy Scriptures profit us?

1. They teach, correct, and instruct us in justice, that we

may serve God faithfully, and be ever ready for good works.

2. They sustain our patience in suffering, and our hope of eter

nal life, by many promises, and by the example of Jesus Christ

and His saints.

Why is God called the God of patience, comfort, and hope ?

1. Because He looks with patience and long-suffering upon

our sinful lives.

2. Because He gives us grace to carry our

cross with patience and joy, and removes our despair by spiritual

consolation.

3. Because He gives us hope that after this life we

shall possess Him, the object of our desire.

Aspiration.

O God of patience, comfort, and hope, fill our hearts with joy and peace, and grant that we may become perfect in all good works by faith, hope, and charity, and that we may attain the promised salvation.

GOSPEL. Matt. xi. 2-10.

At that time : When John had heard in prison the works of Christ, sending two of his disciples, he said to Him : Art Thou He that art to come, or look we for another? And Jesus making answer said to them : Go and relate to John what you have heard and seen. The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, the poor have the Gospel preached to them : And blessed is he that shall not be scandalized in Me. And when they went their way, Jesusbegan to say to the multitudes concerning John: What went you out into the desert to see? a reed shaken with the wind? But what went you out to see? a man clothed in soft garments? Behold, they that are clothed in soft garments are in the houses of kings. But what went you out to see? a prophet? Yea, I tell you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written : Behold I send My angel before Thy face, who shall prepare Thy way before Thee.

Why was St. John cast into prison?

Because he rebuked King Herod, who was living in adultery with the wife of his stepbrother. This teaches us that we should not be deterred from our duty, though great suffering and misfortune should thereby befall us. Is it not nobler and more profitable to our salvation to be a martyr for truth, as St. John was, rather than to gain favor with the world by timidly looking on, or by deceitful flattery?

Why did St. John send his disciples to Jesus?

St. John sent his disciples to Christ so that they, too, might be convinced that He was the Messias. Superiors and parents should learn from this to see that their dependents and children are well instructed in the faith.

Why did Christ merely say to the disciples of St. John : “Go and relate to John what you have heard and seen : the blind see, the lame walk”, etc. ?

Because they ought to have been convinced from the miracles He wrought, which were the fulfilment of the prophecies, that He was the promised Messias.

What was the object of the question, “What went you out to see?” which Our Saviour asked?

1. To praise the constancy of St. John, who was not to be

deterred from exercising his sacred functions either by the com

mands of Herod or through fear of imprisonment and death.

2. To approve the austere life of St. John, that we should thereby

be encouraged to crucify the flesh and to do penance.

Why did Our Saviour say that St. John was more than a prophet?

Because he was destined to see the Messias, to preach to men, and declare Him to be the Saviour of the world. And as he was a messenger of God, to announce the coming of Christ and prepare His way, he was called an angel (Malach. iii. T).

Why did Jesus add,“Blessed is he that shall not be scandalized in Me”?

On account of those who would be scandalized at His humility, His poverty, His ignominious suffering and death upon the cross, and who would, accordingly, despise and reject Him; although the more He humbled Himself for them the more they ought rather to love and honor Him.

Why does the Church set before us this gospel?

In order that we, like the disciples of St. John, may, by His works, recognize Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, and that we may make ourselves worthy of the grace of redemption by doing penance earnestly and firmly, thus preparing the way of the Lord in our hearts.

Consolation in Adversities and Afflictions.

What can and should console us in adversity?

1. A firm belief that everything is ordered by God s wise

providence, and that no evil can befall us except by His per

mission, Who never allows us to suffer more than is for our

good.

2. That if we call upon Him in adversity God will helpus,

whenever it is expedient for our salvation. Thus to

encourage us He says, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble, I

will deliver thee” (Ps. xlix. 15); and, “If God be for us, who is

against us?” (Rom. viii. 31); and “Can a woman forget her infant

so as not to have pity on the son of her womb? and if she should

forget, yet will not I forget thee : behold, I have graven thee in My

hands” (Isaias xlix. 15, 16).

3. That it is useless to resist Divine Providence, for all who have done so

have been filled with shame and ignominy : “Who hath resisted Him and

hath had peace?” (Job ix. 4.) 4. That our sufferings when borne with patience

and submission lose their sharpness, and bring us merit and reward. “For

that which is at present momentary and light of our tribulation, worketh for

us, above measure exceedingly, an eternal weight of glory” (II. Cor. iv.

17).

– Goffine's Devout Instructions

Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle from Goffine's Devout Instructions

 November 30

Andrew, a brother of Saint Peter, born at Bethsaida, was first a disciple of John the Baptist. Afterwards both the brothers were called by Christ, on the Sea of Galilee, before all the other apostles, with the words: “Come after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men” (Mark 1:17). Immediately they left all, and became faithful disciples of Jesus, and witnesses of His deeds and sufferings, of His resurrection and ascension. After the descent of the Holy Ghost, Andrew travelled through Scythia, Epirus, and Thrace, and by his teachings and miracles converted vast numbers to Christ. As he was preaching at Patras, a city of Achaia, he was violently pressed by the proconsul Ægeas, to offer sacrifice to the idols; but he nobly answered him,

“I daily offer sacrifice to God; not the flesh of oxen, nor the blood of rams, but an unspotted Lamb; and although all the faithful may have partaken of His flesh, yet the Lamb remains as before He was offered, alive and undivided.”

Ægeas, enraged, committed him to prison, and on the following day caused him to be scourged; and he persevered in his declaration, condemned him to be put to death by crucifixion. When he saw the cross, the instrument of, his death, he greeted it with joy, embraced it, and said,

“O good cross, that was adorned with the limbs of Christ, thee have I long desired; thee have I fervently loved; thee have I continually sought. Now thou art made ready for me, according to the wish of my heart. Take me away from men, and restore me again to my Master, that through thee I may come to Him Who through thee has redeemed me.”

After this he was nailed to the cross. Two days he remained hanging thereon, preaching faith in Jesus, until his soul was taken up to Him Whom he had so ardently desired to resemble in the manner of His death.
In the Introit of the Mass the Church announces to us how greatly the apostles were exalted by God, Who made them teachers and fathers of the whole world. She cries out, therefore, “To me Thy friends, O God, are made exceedingly honorable; their principality is exceedingly strengthened. Lord, Thou hast proved me and known me; Thou hast known my sitting down and my rising up” (Psalm: 138). Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Prayer

We suppliantly beseech Thy majesty, O Lord, that as blessed Andrew the apostle was both a preacher and ruler of Thy Church, so he may be with Thee as a perpetual intercessor for us. Through Christ, etc. Amen.

Epistle: Romans 10:10-18

Brethren: With the heart, we believe unto justice; but, with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture saith: Whosoever believeth in Him, shall not be confounded. For there is no distinction of the Jew and the Greek: for the same is Lord over all, rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him, in Whom they have not believed? Or how shall they believe Him, of Whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear, without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they be sent, as it is written: How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, of them that bring glad tidings of good things! But all do not obey the gospel. For Isaias saith: Lord, who hath believed our report? Faith then cometh by hearing; and hearing by the word of Christ. But I say: Have they not heard? Yes, verily, their sound hath gone forth into all the earth and their words unto the ends of the whole world.

Gospel: Matthew 4:18-22

At that time: Jesus walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishers). And He saith to them: Come ye after Me, and I will make you to be fishers of men. And they immediately leaving their nets, followed Him. And going on from thence, He saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets: and He called them. And they forthwith left their nets and father, and followed Him.

Explanation

The alacrity with which Andrew followed the call of Jesus teaches us:
1. That we should, on the spot, give ear to God when He inspires us with a good thought, or calls us to a better course of life.
2. That, in order to follow His voice, we should cast behind us all desires for temporal goods, and even leave our parents, if they should prove a hindrance to us, for “he that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matthew 10:37)

Aspiration

Mayest Thou be forever praised, most amiable Jesus, that Thou didst choose, not the wise, the mighty, or the rich, but, what in the eyes of the world was foolishness, to confound the wisdom and power of the world, and didst accordingly graciously look upon poor fishermen, and exalt them to the height of the apostolic dignity. Look also with fatherly regards upon us, Thy frail children; call, nay, draw, us in such manner to Thee that, after the example of Saint Andrew, we may suffer nothing in the world to detain us from following Thee, and may always glory ill Thy cross, which is our salvation, our life, and our resurrection.

- Goffine’s Devout Instructions