December 9
“The Father of mercies willed that the Incarnation should be preceded by assent on the part of the predestined mother, so that just as a woman had a share in the coming of death so also should a woman contribute to the coming of life.’
-Lumen Gentium #56
Backlash is mounting against the American Girl doll brand after it began marketing a book encouraging gender change to girls ages three to 12 years.
KV writes: "Is it ok for me as a Catholic Christian to give gifts with pictures of Santa Claus on them? … I am concerned that I would be promoting pagan worship if I gave gifts with Santa images on them. Is this the case, or am I being too scrupulous?”
December 8
Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary
Mary Immaculate
“Pure as the snow,” we say. Ah! never flake
Fell through the air
One-tenth as fair
As Mary’s soul was made for Christ’s dear sake.
Virgin Immaculate,
The whitest whiteness of the Alpine snows,
Beside thy stainless spirit, dusky grows.
“Pure as the stars.” Ah! never lovely night
Wore in its diadem
So pure a gem
As that which fills the ages with its light.
Virgin Immaculate,
The peerless splendors of they soul by far
Outshine the glow of heaven’s serenest star.
-Eleanor C. Donnelly
ES writes: "I have a friend who lost her daughter to cancer. She was going to be 13 years old the past May. The father sells cookware for a living. One day, he went in to see his boss and the boss' wife happened to be in the office. Even though she knew nothing about the death of his daughter, she told him: 'Senor Flores, I see a girl next to you leaning into your shoulder. Who is she?' . . .
December 7
“Within the sphere of humanity and in the natural world, there had to be a pure and spotless being capable of receiving the divine element, a feminine principle enlightened by grace.”
-Nicholas Berdyaev
Believe it or not, the idea that Christmas trees were condemned in the Bible is a very common criticism of this beloved tradition. But is there any merit to this claim?
December 6
“God the Father communicated to Mary His fruitfulness, inasmuch as a mere creature was capable of it, in order that He might give her the power to produce His Son and all the members of His Mystical Body.”
-St. Louis Grignion de Montfort
JW writes: "How can I show those close to me that the Modern Mystery School classes entitled 'Know Thyself' and 'Empower Thyself' go against Catholic teaching and should not be taken by Catholics? They claim that they are not religious classes, that anyone of any religion can take these for spiritual/personal growth. A woman claiming to be Catholic is teaching courses from the Modern Mystery school entitled astral travel and sacred geometry. She also calls herself an Adept, Initiated, Shaman...and holds goddess nights to bring in the energy of ancient goddesses---one such goddess they celebrate is Mary the mother of Jesus. They claim that Jesus is the Source, the Light...They study the universal Kabballah. My sister and nieces are taking these classes and I am very concerned."
Photo by Danie Franco on UnsplashMargalita Poletunow, MA, LPC, LPCMH
From an early age, most women are dreaming of having a family one day. From the time of their puberty, they have been told that God has designed their bodies to carry and birth a baby. Imagine years later when that woman is married, bubbling with excitement when she becomes pregnant, only to hear from her medical provider the most heartbreaking news: there is no heartbeat! You are having a miscarriage!
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