Saint of the Day: Saint Virginia Centurione Bracelli- December 15 Saint Virginia Centurione Bracelli wasn’t a nun, a mystic, or a cloistered religious. She was a widow who turned her unimaginable suffering into a wildfire of mercy that transformed an entire city. Born into nobility in Genoa, she walked away from comfort to shelter the abandoned, nurse plague victims, rescue refugees, and build a movement of charity that still exists today. Imagine opening your home to the poor… only for hundreds to show up. That was her life. And she never stopped trusting God to provide. Her courage in famine, war, and epidemics shines like stained glass in sunlight. Her example hits hard: holiness isn’t about perfect circumstances. It’s about radical love right where life hurts the most. Explore her full story and discover how her legacy can reshape your own spiritual journey at HolyManna.blog. Saint Virginia Centurione Bracelli Also known as Virginae Centurione Bracelli Memorial …More
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen: The Christian Meaning Behind the Carol | Christmas Special Series “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” is one of the oldest English Christmas carols, loved for its joyful message and strong biblical meaning. Although it wasn’t officially written by the Church, the lyrics beautifully reflect the heart of the Christian and Catholic faith — the Good News of Jesus Christ coming to save the world. This carol first appeared in the 16th or 17th century and was sung by ordinary believers, not choirs of trained musicians. It became popular because people wanted joyful, hope-filled songs in their own language, rather than the formal Latin hymns sung in churches. The message, however, is deeply traditional: Jesus was born to save us from sin, bring joy to the world, and conquer darkness. In this kid-friendly episode, children will learn: What “God rest ye merry” really means (hint: it’s not about taking a nap!) How the song celebrates the angel’s message in Luke …More
Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10 "They will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God." At this moment: We see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. James 5:7-10 "Be patient, brothers, until the coming of the Lord." Let us be attentive to the presence of God in our hearts. Let us gather the joy and peace of God. Matthew 11:2-11 "The poor have the good news." Everyone can receive the joy of God. Biblical texts: NAB-RE Normand Thomas.
III Sunday of Advent. From the embassy sent by the princes of the priests of Jerusalem to St. John the Baptist (Jn. 1,20.) DAILY MEDITATIONS OF THE MYSTERIES OF OUR HOLY FAITH, By the P. Alonso de Andrade FROM THE COMPANY OF JESUS. PRAYER TO BEGIN By the sign of the Holy Cross, from our enemies delier us, Lord, our God. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. My Lord and my God: I firmly believe that you are here, that you see me, that you hear me. I adore you with deep reverence. I ask you for forgiveness of my sins and grace to make this time of prayer fruit. My Mother Immaculate, Saint Joseph, my father and lord, my guardian Angel: intercede for me. Meditation III Sunday of Advent. From the embassy sent by the princes of the priests of Jerusalem to St. John the Baptist (Jn. 1,20.) He refers to the Gospel, which moved the Senate of Jerusalem from the credit and opinion that St. John had achieved through his life and preaching, they sent him to ask if it was …More
Book of Numbers 24,2-7.15-17a. When Balaam raised his eyes and saw Israel encamped, tribe by tribe, the spirit of God came upon him, and he gave voice to his oracle: The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor, the utterance of the man whose eye is true, The utterance of one who hears what God says, and knows what the Most High knows, Of one who sees what the Almighty sees, enraptured, and with eyes unveiled: How goodly are your tents, O Jacob; your encampments, O Israel! They are like gardens beside a stream, like the cedars planted by the LORD. His wells shall yield free-flowing waters, he shall have the sea within reach; His king shall rise higher than. . . . and his royalty shall be exalted. Then Balaam gave voice to his oracle: The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor, the utterance of the man whose eye is true, The utterance of one who hears what God says, and knows what the Most High knows, Of one who sees what the Almighty sees, enraptured and with eyes unveiled. I see him, though not now …More