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Patronal Feast of the Altar Guild

by Filed Under: 12 December Saints, Altar Guild, St. Stephen the First Martyr Leave a Comment

We celebrate the feast of St. Stephen the First Martyr with a great devotion. He is the first martyr and patron of our parish & the patron of the Confraternity that my boys are honored to be enrolled in.

Currently, we have four of our five boys serving at the altar. The oldest of the five was promoted to the highest honors of MC having studied diligently with Father’s guidance to serve as MC for Solemn High Mass. The next in line received his medal for Thurifier.  The third has advanced to Torch Bearer. The fourth is eagerly following in their footsteps.  We all look forward to when our littlest one can join them to serve at Holy Mass. 

We assisted at a Solemn High Mass for the special feast and ceremony. 

In the past, Father emphasized the next step for altar servers, the priesthood for those who answer the call to give their entire life for Christ.  And he addressed the general call for all — to serve. 

To further impress the significance of the guild and its patron to the young men and all the faithful, Father reviewed the guild’s rich symbolism. Below is a snippet of what was shared.

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Guild’s logo and motto:

Cui Servire Regnare Est

Latin for “He who serves reigns” or “To serve is to reign”.

It is in imitation of Our Lord, Who did not come to be served, but to serve. Blessed is he who serves the Lord at His Holy Altar.

CROWN OF MARTYRDOM

One of the symbols attributed to the Martyrs. It is the crowning triumph of giving one’s life completely to Christ. Saint Stephen has the distinction of being the Protomartyr, or the first Martyr to shed his blood and die for Christ and His Kingdom.

TWIN-SET OF PALMS

The Palm of Martyrdom is another symbol attributed to the Martyrs. The palm symbolizes the triumph of the spirit over the flesh in the earthly battle for eternal salvation.

CHI-RHO

An ancient monogram for the name of Christ, which combines the Greek letters X and P. It was the symbol of victory that Christ revealed to Constantine: In hoc signo vinces!” “In this sign you shall conquer!”

Red cord

The medal is hung from a red cord worn which symbolizes the blood that St. Stephen the Protomartyr shed for Christ.

➕We pray that our boys always offer themselves to God almighty, to blessed Mary, our Mother and to their holy patron, St. Stephen.

🎥An overview of the Medal Ceremony for the Guild on their patronal feast — not all altar boys were in attendance. #jffaltarguild

Advent Joy

by Filed Under: Advent Leave a Comment

A sweet treat in late Advent for my children.

This last week of Advent has taken on a different outward look for us since having a birthday boy on Dec 20. But despite the external festivities we continue to go deeper into Advent, spiritually. We trust it’s how God desires it for our family and give thanks for it all.

#traditionalcatholicfamily #traditionalcatholic #joyfilledfamilyadvent #catholicadvent

New Traditions

by Filed Under: Advent Leave a Comment

Today, two of the boys woke up early with Dad to assist at Holy Mass and prepare the church for Christmas. They’ve yet to sleep in since we stopped lessons.

Last week they set up the Nativity at the State Capital. It is planned to stay up until Epiphany.

I’m loving the new traditions that we’ve taken on — all at the lead of my husband.

The little boys and I began to clean the house while the big girls took a well deserved outing.

Our oldest son picked out a tree from the free-lot and all were eager to get it up.

We continued to clean like all other times — mixed with bouts of rough housing.

The silence is almost never to my desire. Yet, I count it all a joy and trust that we are right where we ought to be.

We’re willing & ready to offer these last hours to go deeper into our Journey to Bethlehem, preparing for the Christ Child.

Tomorrow will bring more silence and the fast & abstinence is sure to be felt more than ever. 🙏🏼

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Remember Thy apostles and Thy martyrs; remember Thy saints who have founded Churches, and honoured them by their virtues and miracles; remember Thy bride the Church, and support her during her earthly pilgrimage, until the number of Thy elect is filled up.

She longs to possess Thee in the eternal light of the vision; but Thou hast given her a heart with such mother’s love, that she will not leave her children as long as there is one to save, nor cease to save until that day come when there shall no more be a militant Church, but the one sole triumphant Church, inebriated with the enjoyment of the sight and embraces of her God.

But that last day has not yet come, O Jesus! there is yet time for Thee to descend from heaven and visit Thy vineyard.

Restore to the branches of the tree the leaves which have fallen in the storm of iniquity.

Let this tree of Thy predilection bud forth new branches; and the old ones, which have separated from it, and have seemed to force Thy justice to cast them in the fire, let them be once more grafted on the parent trunk, so torn by their rupture from her.

Come, O Jesus, for the sake of Thy Church; she is dearer to Thee than was the Jerusalem of old. #domprospergueranger

The Last Week of Advent

by Filed Under: Advent, Fourth Week of Advent, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

I’ve learned that this is how it has been culturally celebrated amongst many Mexican families. We were not one of those families growing up. We got together with all the relatives at my grandmother’s house and feasted on all the food & presents. Some would “attend” Midnight Mass together.

It looked nothing like how we do it now — we don’t even put gifts under our tree during Advent. The focus is never on the material gifts for us, only preparing our hearts to give to the Christ Child.

The Merry Christmas Beggar’s is now a favorite of my boys who get to listen to it at bedtime with Dad. It works outs since we do we away with technology & TV aside from a few occasional holy options.

A new tradition that has seemed to takeover the Nutcracker play, setting up a nativity at our State Capitol.

This year’s tree is slightly taller than our 12 foot artificial tree. We’re hoping that there are no allergy issues. But we’ll probably not keep it up for the entire Christmas season (40 days until the Purification of The BVM/Candlemas – Feb 2) to be on the safe side.

Ember Days of Advent

by Filed Under: Advent, Advent Ember Day Leave a Comment

Holy Mother Church reigns us back in after celebrating glorious feastdays this Advent.

We fast and abstain on the Ember Days of Advent.

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The intentions, which the Church has in the fast of the Ember days, are the same as those of the Synagogue; namely, to consecrate to God by penance the four seasons of the year.

St. Leo…tells us that a special fast was fixed for this time of the year, because the fruits of the earth had then all been gathered in, and that it behoved Christians to testify their gratitude to God by a sacrifice of abstinence, thus rendering themselves more worthy to approach to God, the more they were detached from the love of created things.

‘For fasting,’ adds the holy doctor, ‘has ever been the nourishment of virtue.

Abstinence is the source of chaste thoughts, of wise resolutions, and of salutary counsel.

By voluntary mortifications, the flesh dies to its concupiscences, and the spirit is renewed in virtue. But since fasting alone is not sufficient whereby to secure the soul’s salvation, let us add to it works of mercy towards the poor.

Let us make that which we retrench from indulgence, serve unto the exercise of virtue. Let the abstinence of him that fasts, become the meal of the poor man.’

Let us, the children of the Church, practise what is in our power of these admonitions; and since the actual discipline of Advent is so very mild, let us be so much the more fervent in fulfilling the precept of the fast of the Ember days.

By these few exercises which are now required of us, let us keep up within ourselves the zeal of our forefathers for this holy season of Advent.

We must never forget that although the interior preparation is what is absolutely essential for our profiting by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, yet this preparation could scarcely be real unless it manifested itself by the exterior practices of religion and penance.

The fast of the Ember days has another object besides that of consecrating the four seasons of the year to God by an act of penance: it has also in view the ordination of the ministers of the Church, which takes place on the Saturday…

#theliturgicalyear #domgasparlefebvre #jffemberdays

Star Boy for St. Lucy’s Feast

by Filed Under: 12 December Saints, St. Lucy Leave a Comment

He’s ready to be celebrate today’s feast of St. Lucy as Star Boy — serving all his siblings and leading the way.

I wasn’t sure it would happen today since I didn’t stick to my plans as I hoped and I didn’t even have supplies for the hat. But he was set on filling his big brother’s role from previous years, the girls have generously given up their role on today’s feastday.

With all the special touches and treats to provide an Advent break of sorts, we do not neglect to meditate further on the life of this powerful saint.

Below is practical consideration from #frweninger 1876:

Impress deeply into your heart three memorable sayings of Saint Lucy.

The first regards almsgiving before death. This is much more agreeable to the Almighty, and much more useful to you than to give after your death. May you choose what is most agreeable to God and most useful to yourself.

The second is the answer which she gave to Paschasius: “You obey the command of the Emperor, and I, the command of God. You fear a mortal man, and I fear the immortal God; Him I must obey.” May you act according to these words. Keep the commandments of the Lord, for He can truly be more useful to you, and harm you more than all mortal men.

The third is comprised in the following words: “Those whose life is chaste, are a temple of the Holy Ghost.” For whom then are the unchaste a dwelling? Surely, for no one else than the spirit of hell. Should not this thought alone awaken in you the greatest horror for the vice of unchastity, and an especial love for the virtue of purity?

Besides these three maxims, consider how miraculously Saint Lucy was strengthened and protected by the power of God, in such a manner that no force could move her from where she stood.

Endeavor, at least, to be immovable in your intention, to live more piously, and to shun sin, especially that sin to which you are most addicted.

In order not to become guilty of it again, you ought to stand as immovable as a rock in the sea.

Let prayer and trust in God be your help, as they were Saint Lucy’s.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast and immovable,” says Saint Paul. (1 Corinthians 15)

Rorate Mass {A New Season}

by Filed Under: Advent, Rorate Leave a Comment

There is no exercise which is more pleasing to God, or more meritorious, or which has greater influence in infusing solid piety into the soul, than the assisting at the holy sacrifice of the Mass. If this be true at all the various seasons of the Christian year, it is so, in a very special manner, during the holy time of Advent. The faithful, therefore, should make every effort in order to enjoy this precious blessing, even on those days when they are not obliged to it by the precept of the Church. #domprospergueranger

The Rorate Mass is a special votive mass for Our Lady during Advent, traditionally celebrated by candlelight in the early morning. As the Mass ends the sky is just starting to glow with the new day and we journey from darkness to light and the coming of the Word Made Flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mother is upon us.

The beauty and austerity of the morning can not be put into words. The senses are drawn in more than ever before.

This year, it is my time — no need to stay behind with littles or reserve my energy for pregnancy. I do not squander the opportunity. We rise at 3:30am to prepare to assist at Holy Mass. We must arrive early to get a seat. The extra hour and a half with our Lord is a sweet Advent consolation for me.

We long for the darkness that we will be surrounded with in the Church, the world, and that which is placed before us for this Holy Mass. We impress the necessity for us to trust in the maternal love of Our Lady for all our needs as we prepare for Holy Mass.

Holy Mass begins and all the worries fade. The darkness is almost unnoticeable as all the senses are drawn into the True Light.

It’s all a beautiful preparation for the Christchild.

I give thanks for this glorious gift!

Divine Infant King Jesus, come down into our hearts!

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Have you been blessed to attend a Rorate Mass this Advent or in a past Advent?

Keep Studying

by Filed Under: Papal Documents, Pope Pius IX, Syllabus of Errors Leave a Comment

We ended yesterday’s glorious feast of the Immaculate Conception of the BVM with our Advent family devotions AND further discussed what our 17 year old began with Father in her civics & religion lessons from earlier in the week.

The same year that Pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, he released a major proclamation. It is one that has long been forgotten. But it is one that we should well be aware of as it contains condemnations — the errors that built the modern world. These are much of the errors of our current time, and many of which are promoted within the NO church, including the current hierarchy.

If you’ve never read it, are not aware of it, or haven’t revisited in some time — do so now!

The Syllabus of Errors is an important papal document that was sent to all the bishops of the Catholic world in 1864 “in order that these same bishops may have before their eyes all the errors and pernicious doctrines which he [Pius IX] has reprobated and condemned.”

The Syllabus is a catalog of 80 erroneous propositions, a list of the most common errors of modern thinking.

It is grouped under ten separate headings, each proposition is cross-referenced to the specific Papal document where the particular proposition was discussed—and condemned as erroneous.

This document is useful for us to have a better understanding of what we’re dealing with in our current times and within the Church — all of which will continue to affect our future and that of the world.

Immaculate mary, pray for us!

Pope Pius IX. “The Syllabus of Errors.” Papal Encyclicals, 18 Dec. 2017, https://www.papalencyclicals.net/pius09/p9syll.htm.

Pope Pius IX. “Quantra Cura & The Syllabus of Errors.” Angelus Press, Feb. 2017, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1527/1691/files/Quanta_Cura.pdf. 

Family Advent Devotions

by Filed Under: Advent Leave a Comment

Our Advent devotions are led by our oldest son (not the oldest children in the home whom are girls) when Dad is away and not available to call us for our family prayers. And the youngest always NEEDS to lead a mystery. We pray for all the intentions we hold in our hearts and those which you have shared with us.

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Prayer is the most necessary weapon of defense against our enemies; he who does not avail himself of it, says St. Thomas, is lost….

In order to understand better the value of prayers in God’s sight, it is sufficient to read both in the Old and New Testaments the innumerable promises which God makes to the man that prays. Cry to me, and l will hear you (Ps. 49,15). Call upon me, and I will deliver you (Jer. 33,3). Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. He shall give good things to them that ask him (Mt. 7,7). Everyone that asks receives, and he that seeks finds (Lk. 11,10). Whatsoever they shall ask, it shall be done for them by my Father (Jn 15,7). All things whatsoever you ask when you pray, believe that you shall receive them, and they shall come to you (Mt. 18,19). If you ask me anything in my name, that will I do (Jn 14,14). You shall ask whatever you will, and it shall be done to you. Amen, amen, l say to you, if you ask the Father anything in my name, he will give it to you (Jn 16,23). There are a thousand similar texts; but it would take too long to quote them. #stalphonsusliguori my #advent patron

Our rhythm is slowing down – not like years past but a new season with more “lasts” than “firsts”. Our baby is 5!

I give thanks for them all and take none of it for granted — praying for the grace to live each moment to the fullest and to tend to my duties as He wills.

Veni, Veni Emmanuel

Previous Years:

Our First Week of Advent

by Filed Under: Advent, First Week of Advent, Jesse Tree, Second Sunday in Advent Leave a Comment

My boys and I made our own manger for Baby Jesus.

For years we have just put their hay (received for sacrifices, almsgiving,…) into our crèche floor. And every year we would say how much we wanted a larger scale, more realistic manger. I hadn’t ever found one and was even ready to resort to making one out of cardboard.

Instead, I took a trip down the craft isle while grocery shopping and came across the “pallet” wall hanging for $4.95. I bought two and $1 worth of paint. We improvised as we went and persevered despite having malfunctions with our tools — currently it’s being held together with hot glue. But I think that will be perfect, making it easy to take apart for storage.

Our “Baby Jesus” will be my son’s prop for his All Saint’s Day costume, St. Cajetan.

So, four days into Advent and we’re still getting things set — no perfection or rush. It would be nice to have our Jesse TREE and ornaments out but those have been misplaced. My oldest son said he will make it happen tomorrow.

We actually like the staggered start with all of our traditions — the anticipation builds naturally with nothing forced, only prompted by my children’s desires to pick up the traditions which they have so lovingly embraced.

On Sunday, we moved a step deeper into Advent…

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