The tradition of setting up a Nativity scene dates back to 1223, when St. Francis of Assisi re-created the stable of Bethlehem on the night of Christ’s birth. As this was a novelty, Francis first sought the permission of the pope himself, and was allowed to make the arrangements in a hermitage outside the little town of Greccio, located in the Italian region of Lazio. At midnight,Continue reading “The Creche”
Author Archives: stceceliastgabriel
Christmas Mass
Please click the following link to watch the parish Mass for Christmas on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/t3rrbzBMQvk posted 12/25/20
The Magnificat
When the Virgin Mary consents to the news from the Angel Gabriel that God had chosen her to be the Mother of the Savior, the Gospel of Luke tells us that, after the angel departed, she made haste to the hill country of Judea to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Gabriel had told her that her cousin was also miraculously with child. Before this, Elizabeth had beenContinue reading “The Magnificat”
4th Sunday of Advent
Please click the following link to watch the parish Mass for the 4th Sunday of Advent on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/j4F5UWjUgrE posted 12/20/20
Year of St. Joseph
A couple of weeks ago, on December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis declared that 2021 would be a year dedicated to St. Joseph. Since 1870, St. Joseph has been venerated as the Universal Patron of the Church, and the Holy Father decided that this is a fitting moment in history to “go to Joseph”Continue reading “Year of St. Joseph”
Liturgy, Part 5
Pope (emeritus) Benedict XVI is widely considered to be one of the most influential Catholic theologians of the past 100 years. One of his most famous books is entitled The Spirit of the Liturgy, which he published in the year 2000 as Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, five years prior to his election to the papacy. Among the topics that Ratzinger examines in that book is the relationship of the liturgy to timeContinue reading “Liturgy, Part 5”
3rd Sunday of Advent
To watch the parish Mass for the 3rd Sunday of Advent on our YouTube channel, please click the following link: https://youtu.be/R4lyCefB9rg posted 12/13/20
Miraculous Image
During a visit to Mexico City in 2009, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made an unscheduled stop to the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. After spending a few moments looking at the image of the Blessed Mother on the famous tilma of St. Juan Diego, Clinton turned to her guide, Msgr. Diego Monroy, and asked: “who paintedContinue reading “Miraculous Image”
The Immaculate Conception
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is the feast in which we celebrate the special grace given to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who was preserved from the stain of Original Sin from the moment of her conception in the womb of her mother, St. Anne. The life of grace begins for you and me atContinue reading “The Immaculate Conception”
2nd Sunday of Advent
Please click the following link to view the parish Mass for the 2nd Sunday of Advent on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/2QTpUdpoS1g posted 12/6/20