May 29, Feast of Mary, ‘Mater Ecclesiae’

On February 11, 2018, Pope Francis declared that a new memorial is to be celebrated in honor of our Blessed Mother under the title: 

Mary, Mother of the Church (Mater Ecclesiae).

This memorial is celebrated every year on the Monday after Pentecost.

In the Liturgy for the feast day, the Gospel of John 19: 25-34 is used. This passage deliberately focuses on Mary’s Commission.  She was with her son, Jesus, at the center of the Paschal Mystery.  The Gospel says it this way:

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple, John there,

He said to His mother: ‘Woman, behold, your son (all the Church).’

Then he said to John:  ‘Behold, your mother.’

After the Passion, Death, Resurrection, Ascension and the sending of the Holy Spirit, Mary is entrusted as Witness to all that has been said and done and for the strengthening of the faith of the early Church.

Her feast, calls us to go often to Mary, Vessel of the Holy Spirit, Woman of Yes, Disciple and Missionary as we too evangelize and ‘Go to all nations’ bringing about the Kingdom of God.

Prayer to Mary, Mother of the Church

Mother, help our faith!
Open our ears to hear God’s word and to recognize his voice and call.
Awaken in us a desire to follow in his footsteps, to go forth from our own land and to receive his promise.

Help us to be touched by his love, that we may touch him in faith.
Help us to entrust ourselves fully to him and to believe in his love, especially at times of trial, beneath the shadow of the cross, when our faith is called to mature.

Sow in our faith the joy of the Risen One.
Remind us that those who believe are never alone.
Teach us to see all things with the eyes of Jesus, that he may be light for our path. And may this light of faith always increase in us, until the dawn of that undying day which is Christ himself, your Son, our Lord!

Hail Mary, Gentle Woman

Carey Landry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUey6ytEXqY

Vigil of Pentecost 2023

 

Pentecost is called the "birth-day" of the Church. The Apostles had already received the Holy Spirit on Christ's first appearance to them after his resurrection (Jn 20:22). But on Pentecost day the descent of the Holy Spirit was a public manifestation intended to impress and amaze the crowds of local and foreign Jews who thronged Jerusalem on that great festive occasion. The signs and wonders that manifested his coming brought these Jews in huge crowds to the place where the Apostles were staying, and immediately the gift of tongues was used by the Apostles to explain the occurrence.

Today was the day chosen for the beginnings of this mission of the Apostles. That they were backed by the divine power of the Holy Spirit was proved, not only by the gift of tongues but more especially by the change his coming wrought on the Apostles. From this day forward they were dedicated to one purpose and to one purpose only, to bring the good news, the Gospel of Christ, to the world. To form a Community of Followers, a Church, to bring about the Mission of Jesus entrusted to them, the Body of Jesus Christ.

Second Reading     First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 12:2-7, 12-13. 

You know how, when you were pagans, you were constantly attracted and led away to mute idols. Therefore, I tell you that nobody speaking by the spirit of God says, “Jesus be accursed.” And no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the holy Spirit. 

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; 

there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. 

As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. 

Missionary Disciples throughout the world today are …

         

filled with the Spirit,

                  and speak of the great things that God had done.

 

         afraid, but

                  the Lord is in our midst and says to us:
                  “Peace be with you, peace be with you.”

 

         set free,

                  letting the Lord breathe upon us and say to us:
                  “Receive the Spirit, receive the Spirit.”

 
         we are sent forth

                  to become bearers of Christ’s reconciling love
                  many the gifts of the Spirit given…

Litany of the Holy Spirit

Dan Schutte

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp0vQdAju8Y

 

May 12th Foundation Day

 

May 12th Foundation Day

In the hearts of Cluny Sisters around the world today there is a great joy and deep gratitude for the charism that has been given to the congregation and the mission that has been entrusted to them since the beginning.

 

·               to know and do the Holy Will of God through discernment and total availability

·               to sow seeds of hope and compassion reaping a harvest of liberation and justice

·               to be a sign for our world through community Life - a place of personal growth, spiritual support, conversion and pardon, discernment, shared mission and caring

·               to be grounded in prayer and contemplatives in action, celebrating and nurturing our relationship with God in many different ways

 

 

On May 12, 1807, nine young women pronounced their vows of religion before the Bishop of Autun in St. Peter’s Church, Chalon. "Now we are religious!" wrote Sister Anne Marie who from now on could give free rein to her dynamic spirit. The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny was born. After three years the congregation and works had grown and another house was needed.

 

Anne Marie’s father, Balthasar Javouhey bought for his daughters the former Recollets Convent in Cluny. Soon the name Cluny, linked to that of the Sisters of St. Joseph, would be known throughout the world on five continents.

 

On  May 12th, our Foundation Day, Cluny Sisters and their Associates and Collaborators in mission around the world celebrate their MISSIONARY CALL that began in 1807 in response to the needs of that time and the urgings of the Holy Spirit – a remarkable Pentecost

Happy  Foundation  Day,  Cluny Sisters!

Missioned May 12, 1807

 Go Forth!

On May 12, 1807, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny were founded by Anne Marie Javouhey to go forth and bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to all.  

Our charism calls us to work for the liberation of both others and ourselves, as we live faithfully our religious consecration and respond to the cries of our wounded world and creation.  Today we are 2,600 Cluny Sisters serving in 57 countries throughout the world.  Our internationality and diversity of culture, language and ministries, gives new vitality to the life of the congregation and all the world.  In joy we give thanks and renew our commitment to be available for the Mission, going further and going beyond our securities into the unknown.  

Beginning May 3rd to May 11th, the Clunys in the United States invite you to join in a Novena Prayer to our Foundress, Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey, giving thanksgiving for these years of service in the Church and in gratitude that we have been entrusted with this Mission of Jesus Christ.

Novena Prayer            Seeking God,  Finding God,  Following God

Lord our God, you enabled Blessed Anne Marie to consecrate herself to the carrying out of your Holy Will in all things and to be ever attentive to your calls as manifested through the poorest of her brothers and sisters. Grant that we, in the Church of our day, may zealously continue the work you confided to her.

Through her intercession hear the prayers we address to You. In your goodness grant us the favor of her canonization for your glory and to promote your reign of love, justice and peace. Amen.

Blessed Anne Marie, Javouhey, 

Pray for us who have recourse to you.

April 22nd Earth Day Celebration

God’s Vision of Abundant Life

Reflection   “The biggest incentive for living a simpler lifestyle is...

• Live simply so others may simply live

• To contribute to the equality of people 

        by not using more than one‘s fair share of the earth’s resources

• Because of the poor

• Simplifying gives life meaning and value 

Simplifying makes one feel less rushed 

Simplifying allows one to live as Jesus lived

• Becoming less “thing”-centered frees people to focus on relationships

• Learning to put others first; 

        learning to prioritize - learning to become less selfish

• Helping the environment

• Contributing to your own health by gaining a longer and better  life.”

Watch The Earth Day VIDEO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWcc0vvsc-o

Questions To Ask

1.    How has the secular understanding of “abundant living” (i.e., accumulation of wealth, abundant material possessions, consumerism, throwaway society) impacted our common  home and our relationship with God?

2.    What is a faithful understanding of “God’s vision of abundant living”?

3.    How would your life and the life of your community change  if you/your community adopted a simpler lifestyle and promoted a faithful vision of abundant living on Earth?

4.    What is your biggest incentive for living a simpler lifestyle? What is your biggest obstacle?

Reading  from Laudato Si’

A change  in lifestyle could bring healthy pressure to bear on those who wield political, economic and social power.  This is what consumer  movements accomplish by boycotting certain products. They prove successful in changing the way businesses operate, forcing them to consider their environmental footprint and their patterns of production. When social pressure affects their earnings, businesses clearly have to find ways to produce  differently. This shows us the great need for a sense of social responsibility on the part of consumers.  “Purchasing is always a moral – and not simply economic – act.”  Today, in a word, “the  issue of environmental degradation challenges us to examine our lifestyle.” (#206) … We are always capable of going out of ourselves towards  the other.  Unless we do this, other creatures  will not be recognized for their true worth; we are unconcerned about  caring for things for the sake of others; we fail to set limits on ourselves in order to avoid the suffering of others or the deterioration of our surroundings. Disinterested concern for others,  and the rejection of every form of self-centeredness and self-absorption, are essential if we truly wish to care for our brothers  and sisters and for the natural environment. These attitudes also attune us to the moral imperative of assessing the impact of our every action and personal decision on the world around  us. If we can overcome individualism, we will truly be able to develop a different lifestyle and bring about  significant changes  in society. (#208)

 

Celebrate being  poor  in  spirit,

For  yours  is  the  Kingdom  of  God !

Gospel of St. Matthew 5: 3 - 12

60 Years of Lived Fidelity

On March 20th Sister Maria Rocha celebrated 60 years of vowed religious life as a Sister of St. Joseph of Cluny, in San Pedro, California.  After a simple Mass celebrated by Fr. Patrick, Chaplin of the Little Sisters, the Little Sisters of the Poor hosted a dinner for Sr. Maria with Sisters Ena, Genevieve, Loretto, Mary and Mary Patrice.  While simple it was a day filled with memories and numerous long distance calls. 

Sister Maria’s family and friends called from Canada and Portugal.  Her family recalled the day when she not only left San Miguel for our Novitiate in Braga, Portugal but also her missioning to Angola, Africa. These memories continued with her arrival from Angola for a family visit, which became a 47 year obedience to the Portuguese immigrant population in Hamilton.

Sixty years pass quickly, but the prayer and the “good works” are like pebbles which create concentric circles reverberating in the pond.  Sister Maria’s many years have created on-going graces for many, some whom she will only meet in eternity.

 

Happy 90th Birthday Sister Eugenia

 

Happy 90th Sister Bernadette!

Heavenly Father, we ask for your special blessing today 
as we celebrate Sister Bernadette’s birthday.
We are grateful for the 90 years of life you have given her.
Guide her as she continues along the path you have chosen for her.
Give her courage to follow in your light and feel your love
In the events of each day and in all those who care for her.

Through her ministry of prayer for those she love, 
the mission of the Congregation, and for the needs of the world, 
Strengthen her faith in the coming year.
Grant that Sister Bernadette may grow in wisdom and grace.
Strengthen her trust in your goodness all the days of her life,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  AMEN.

Ash Wednesday

 Return  to  Me

With  all Your  Heart

“Even now says the Lord,
Return to me with your whole heart,
With fasting, and weeping, and mourning;
Rend your hearts, not your garments.”
Joel 2: 12 - 18

 Ashes To Ashes
Dan Schutte
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aswFDl5rKns

February 8th St. Josephine Bakitha

St. Josephine Bakhita

Patroness of Trafficking Victims

 

Human trafficking continues to be a supremely important issue during Pope Francis’ pontificate, with an estimated 20 million victims worldwide. St. Josephine Bakhita, enslaved during her own childhood, undergoing immense suffering throughout her adolescence before discovering the faith in her early 20s has been named, Patroness of Human Trafficking Victims.  February 8th, St. Josephine’s feast day, marks the fourth international day of prayer and reflection against human trafficking.

Biography

Born in 1869 in a small village in the Darfur region of Sudan, Bakhita was kidnapped by slave traders at the age of seven. So terrified that she could not even remember her own name, her kidnappers gave her the name, “Bakhita,” which means “fortunate” in Arabic.  This was the last time she saw her natural family, being sold and resold into slavery five different times.

Eventually, she was purchased by the Italian consul Calisto Legnani, who later gave her to a friend of the family, Augusto Michieli, who brought her to Italy as a nanny for his daughter. This time was the first time she was not mistreated.

After being freed, and remaining with the Canossian Sisters in Italy, she dedicated her life to assisting her community and teaching others to love God. She died on February 8, 1947. She was beatified in 1992 and canonized in 2000 by St. Pope John Paul II.

“Realizing that this evil is but another manifestation of slavery and bondage, we choose to combat it in whatever ways possible as Anne-Marie Javouhey worked for the abolition of slavery in the society of her day.

To this end we will endeavor to direct our spiritual, financial, and human resources to educating ourselves and others about this evil and will do whatever is in our power to work for an end to this moral depravity.”

Catholic Social Teaching

“One of the most troubling of those open wounds (in the world) is the trade in human beings, a modern form of slavery. It violates the God-given dignity of so many of our brothers and sisters and constitutes a true crime against humanity.”  

— Pope Francis, November 7, 2016

“It is a sin against the dignity of persons and their fundamental rights to reduce them by violence to their productive value or to a source of profit.”  

— Catechism, pp 2414

Whatever insults human dignity, such as… slavery, prostitution, the selling of women and children; as well as disgraceful working conditions, where men are treated as mere tools for profit, rather than as free and responsible persons; all these things and others of their like are infamies indeed… they are supreme dishonor to the Creator.”  

— Gaudium et Spes, 1965

Human trafficking is a horrific crime against the basic dignity and rights of the human person. All efforts must be expended to end it. In the end, we must work together—Church, state, and community—to eliminate the root causes and markets that permit traffickers to flourish; to make whole the survivors of this crime; and to ensure that, one day soon, trafficking in human persons vanishes from the face of the earth.”

— USCCB, On Human Trafficking, 2007

Prayer to St. Josephine Bakihta

O St. Bakihta, assist all those 

who are trapped in a state of slavery.

Intercede with God on their behalf

So that they will be released from their

Chains of captivity.

Those who we enslave

Let God set free.

Celebrating our Consecrated Life

 

World Day for Consecrated Life Invitation to the Synodal Spirit of Participation

The joy of ‘we’

The 2023 World Day of Consecrated Life 

focuses on 'participation', the second word 

of the theme of the 2023 Synod: 

Communion, Participation and Mission.

Recalling the exhortation of Pope Francis, the message says, “no one, no one, should be excluded or feel excluded from this journey; no one, no one, should think ‘it doesn't concern me’.”

The message recalls that, by going back to their vocational call, consecrated persons will rediscover the enthusiasm, amazement and joy of feeling and being part of a project of love, for which others like them have also made their lives available for the good of humanity.  The Vatican Congregation thus invites consecrated persons to revive this memory, warning that “over time it risks losing its strength, especially when we replace the attractiveness of ‘we’ with the strength of ‘I’”.

Participation of All

The first proof of participation is belonging, the message says, adding, “I cannot participate if I conceive of myself as the whole and do not recognize myself as part of a shared project.”  Hence the importance of asking ourselves what this listening in the community consists of: “Who are  the brothers and sisters we listen to and, before that, why do we listen to them?”  “We cannot call ourselves a vocational community, and even less a community of life, if the participation of some or others is missing.”

Consecrated men and women are invited once again to the synodal journey of participation “strong in the conviction that we can only receive and give Good” because, as Pope Francis says, consecrated life is born, grows and can give evangelical fruits only in the Church, the living communion of the faithful People of God.

Responsibility

Participation thus becomes responsibility, whereby “we cannot but be among others and with others”.  And even before that, synodality begins within us from a "change of mentality, from a personal conversion, in the community, in our homes, workplaces and structures to expand into ministries and mission".

Nourishing the synodal journey together begins with listening, means making room for the other in our lives, taking seriously what is important to him or her.
Participation also means co-responsibility, especially in the missionary dream of reaching out to all, of caring for all, of feeling that we are all brothers and sisters, together in life and in history, which is the history of salvation.

The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus into the Temple, February 2nd, reminds us that we too are the Light of Christ in the world through the gift and service of our call to Consecrated Life in the Church.

We join with all the Church and World to acknowledge and give thanks for the gift of these dedicated servants of Jesus’ Mission.
            

BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

GO FORTH! Remember the beauty of your

first call. Jesus continues to call you today

with the same full love and untamed grace.

  

GO FORTH! There is always more to do, to

encounter, to be grateful for, to be astonished by.

Begin and end with the joy of prayer-the

marrow of consecrated life.

  

GO FORTH! Each of us has a role to play in

the Church. Witness and sow well each day,

and look to tomorrow with hope.  

   

GO FORTH! Grow in love for God so that

others will be attracted by the divine light

in you. Welcome the new vocations the Lord

sends to continue the work of consecration. 

We ask this through the intercession of Mary,

Mother of God and first disciple of her son,

      Jesus, our Lord.     AMEN.        - Pope Francis

Church Unity Octave

 January 18 - January 25

As long as racism exists, we live in a divided society and a divided world, so during this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity we reflect upon how these divisions impact our shared life as we pray together for the unity for which Christ prayed. But we also acknowledge how much churches have contributed to division and prejudice within our institutions and also society. As long as there is racism there will be no Christian unity!  

Reading Isaiah 1:12-18

Accusation and Appeal

The vision which Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear, O heavens, and listen, O earth, for the LORD speaks:

Sons have I raised and reared, but they have rebelled against me! 

An ox knows its owner, and an ass,* its master’s manger;

But Israel does not know, my people has not understood. 

 

Ah! Sinful nation, people laden with wickedness, evil offspring,

    corrupt children!

They have forsaken the LORD, spurned the Holy One of Israel, apostatized, 

Why would you yet be struck, that you continue to rebel?

The whole head is sick, the whole heart faint.

From the sole of the foot to the head there is no sound spot in it;

Just bruise and welt and oozing wound, not drained, or bandaged, 

   or eased with salve.

  

Your country is waste, your cities burnt with fire;

Your land—before your eyes strangers devour it, 

    a waste, like the devastation of Sodom. 

And daughter Zion is left like a hut in a vineyard,

Like a shed in a melon patch, like a city blockaded.

If the LORD of hosts had not left us a small remnant,

We would have become as Sodom, would have resembled Gomorrah.

   

Hear the word of the LORD, princes of Sodom!

Listen to the instruction of our God, people of Gomorrah!

What do I care for the multitude of your sacrifices? says the LORD.

I have had enough of whole-burnt rams and fat of fatlings;

In the blood of calves, lambs, and goats I find no pleasure. 

When you come to appear before me, who asks these things of you?

 

Trample my courts no more!

    To bring offerings is useless;

    incense is an abomination to me.

New moon and sabbath, calling assemblies—festive convocations with

    wickedness— these I cannot bear. 

Your new moons and festivals I detest;  they weigh me down,

     I tire of the load.

When you spread out your hands, I will close my eyes to you;

Though you pray the more, I will not listen.

Your hands are full of blood!  Wash yourselves clean!

 

Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; 

     learn to do good.

Make justice your aim: redress the wronged,

     hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow. 

  

Come now, let us set things right, says the LORD:

Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow;

Though they be red like crimson, they may become white as wool. 

  

The Prophet Isaiah calls us to learn to do good and requires us to decide to engage with the issues.  We are challenged to engage in self-reflection.  Praying together during this week of Christian Unity, allows us to reflect on what unites us and enables us to commit ourselves to confront all instances of oppression and injustice.

As Christians we must be willing to disrupt systems of oppression and advocate for justice.  Our commitment to each other requires us to engage in restorative justice.  We must speak out, dismantle unjust structures and create a society in which people can live with freedom and dignity.  We must engage in dialogue and so increase awareness and insight about the lived experience of all people.  Together, we must engage in the struggle for justice in society - because we all belong to Christ.

Made In the Image of God

We give them names:

refugees, 
asylum seekers, 
migrants, 
economic migrants, 
some more welcome than others.
But you know their human names
Because they are your kin,
Stamped with your image,
Divinely human.

Prayer

You made us, God,

In your own image,
And then became one of us,
Proud of those you have made.

        Make us proud of being part of that
Worldwide family,
And eager to discover and celebrate
Your image
In every person, every culture, 
Every nation
That we are privileged to encounter.  AMEN. 

Go and Do

Take time to learn about a culture/language/nation of which you know nothing, or very little.  Learn as much as you can about those people and, if at all possible, learn more directly from a person (s) from that group.

Include a different language in the worship of your church at your service or liturgy - it may be more effective if no one in you congregation understands it!

Are there groups of people in our nation or any nation around the world today who are oppressed, excluded, rights taken away, treated with indignity and injustice?  Find out more about who they are and their situation and how you and your Christian Community could support them and/or learn from them.

We Sing as ONE

The Church’s One Foundation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jotNbcFelX4

Celebrate and Honor Dr. Martin Luther King

MLK Day

Remember!  Celebrate!  Act!

A Day On,  Not a Day Off!

On January 16, 2023, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday will mark the 28th anniversary of the national day of service. This day was established to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King, and to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.

Americans celebrated the first official Martin Luther King Day, which is the only federal holiday commemorating an African-American, on Monday, January 20, 1986. In 1994, Congress designated the holiday as a national day of service, and marking the third Monday in January every year as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service - a "Day On, Not a Day Off."

Dr. King advocated for nonviolent resistance to overcome injustice as a means of lifting racial oppression. He created change with organized sit-ins, marches, and peaceful demonstrations that highlighted issues of inequality. Dr. King received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964; he was the youngest person to ever receive this high honor. He followed in the footsteps of his grandfather and father by entering the ministry to become a Baptist minister. On April 4, 1968, at the age of 39, he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee as he stood on the balcony of his hotel. Dr. King traveled to Memphis, Tennessee to lead a march in support of striking sanitation workers.

We remember Dr. King as a husband, father, friend, and fierce advocate for the betterment of all people. Honor his memory by organizing, volunteering, and spreading the word. Remember to MAKE IT A DAY ON, NOT A DAY OFF, for you and those around you.

Prayer for MLK Day

Holy God. Today, we remember Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s struggle for equality, justice, and dignity for African Americans that inspired so many other reform movements that seek to highlight the plight of the oppressed in society.

We pray that all of those in civil and religious authority be reminded that we all have been created in your image, and that there is an intrinsic dignity in each of us that calls for uplifting every man and woman, young and old.

We pray that your Holy Spirit remind us all that you show no partiality with regards to nationality, race, ethnicity, or gender, and to do so is to go against your great commandment of love toward one another.

We pray that the church will not be complicit of injustice by being silent, but that it can rise up with a prophetic voice that speaks truth to power and advances the values of your Kingdom.

We pray these things in the name of our blessed redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Be Aware!

 “Human trafficking is a crime against humanity. We must unite our efforts to free victims and stop this crime that’s become ever more aggressive, that threatens not just individuals, but the foundational values of society.” – Pope Francis

Scripture Reading      Isaiah 58: 6-9

“This is the sort of fast that is pleasing to me:
Remove the chains of injustice and undo the ropes of the yoke.
Let those who are oppressed go free and break every yoke you encounter.
Share your bread with those who are hungry and shelter homeless poor people. Clothe those who are naked and don’t hide from the needs of your own flesh and blood.  Do this, and your light will shine like the dawn and your healing will break forth like lightning.  Hear what God is saying to the Church.’”

Response to the Reading Human trafficking and slavery are illegal in every country, but present in every nation on Earth.  A moment of silence in solidarity with those who suffer from human  trafficking.

Moment of Silence

Psalm 34: 17-18

The just cry out, and God hears them and saves them from all their troubles. 
God is close to the brokenhearted and rescues those whose spirits are crushed. 

Intercessory Prayers

Our response to each petition is: Loving God, hear our prayer

For all of the women, men and children who will be trafficked today ….
For the parents who have lost their children through human trafficking…
For children and young people who are being exploited online…
For the conversion of heart for those who are traffickers…
For ourselves, that we may recognize and safely report human trafficking in our midst…
For all those engaged in education and advocacy to end human trafficking…

Christ Be Our Light

By Bernadette Farrell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH0FMhH7DrU

PLEASE NOTE

This day is specifically dedicated to awareness and prevention of the illegal practice. Since the Senate established this day of observance in
2007, it has drawn massive public support from individual donations to government-organized events. The horrific injustice of human trafficking can affect people of any race and background, and on this day we are all called to fight human trafficking wherever it exists. Learn more HERE.

Follow The Star in 2023

 

Feast of the Three Kings

Fiesta de los Tres Reyes Mages

Epiphany, also known as Little Christmas, or Three Kings’ Day, is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ. The feast commemorates principally (but not exclusively) the visit of the Magi to the Christ child, and thus Jesus’ physical manifestation to the Gentiles.

 

Epiphany is a day of celebration and joy for millions of people around the world. It marks the end of the twelve days of Christmas, with its own unique traditions that serve to bring families together. 

The Festival of the Three Kings also known as ‘Fiesta de los Tres Reyes Mages’ is one of the important festivals for Catholic children. This is a time for them to receive gifts.

Reading from      Isaiah 60: 1-6

Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem!  Your light has come,

the glory of the Lord shines upon you.

See, darkness covers the earth,

and thick clouds cover the peoples;

but upon you the LORD shines,

and over you appears his glory.

Nations shall walk by your light,

and kings by your shining radiance.

Then you shall be radiant at what you see,

your heart shall throb and overflow,

for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you,

the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.

Caravans of camels shall fill you,

dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;

all from Sheba shall come

bearing gold and frankincense,

and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

 

Gospel Reading from St. Matthew 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,

in the days of King Herod, 

behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?

We saw his star at its rising

and have come to do him homage.”

When King Herod heard this,

he was greatly troubled, 

and all Jerusalem with him.

Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, 

He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, 

for thus it has been written through the prophet:

And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

since from you shall come a ruler,

who is to shepherd my people Israel.”

Then Herod called the magi secretly 

and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.

He sent them to Bethlehem and said, 

“Go and search diligently for the child.

When you have found him, bring me word, 

that I too may go and do him homage.”

After their audience with the king they set out.

And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, 

until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.

They were overjoyed at seeing the star, 

and on entering the house

they saw the child with Mary his mother.

They prostrated themselves and did him homage.

Then they opened their treasures 

and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, 

they departed for their country by another way.

 

Follow The Star of Wonder and Dreams

We Three Kings…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI9S5Pecsco