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 November, 2008 January, 2009 

December

30 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31 2 3 4
 
 
Monday, December 1, 2008
Advent Weekday
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122:1-9
Matthew 8:5-11

Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death.

-- Lumen gentium 59

Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Advent Weekday
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
Luke 10:21-24

God overthrows the thrones of those who are disobedient to His law. My political views are those of the Our Father.

-- St. Avitus of Vienna

Wednesday, December 3, 2008
St. Francis Xavier, Priest (Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Isaiah 25:6-10
Psalm 23:1-6
Matthew 15:29-37

They say, "God told me", or "God replied to me". And yet most of the time they are talking to themselves.

-- St. John of the Cross

Thursday, December 4, 2008
Advent Weekday
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Isaiah 26:1-6
Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27
Matthew 7:21, 24-27

God overthrows the thrones of those who are disobedient to His law. My political views are those of the Our Father.

-- St. Avitus of Vienna

Friday, December 5, 2008
Advent Weekday
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Isaiah 29:17-24
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
Matthew 9:27-31

Seal the cross openly on your forehead and on your children's, so that the demons, seeing the royal sign, will tremble and flee.

-- St. Cyril of Jerusalem

Saturday, December 6, 2008
St. Nicholas, Bishop (Optional Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26
Psalm 147:1-6
Matthew 9:35 - 10:1, 5, 6-8

The more we are afflicted in this world, the greater is our assurance in the next; the more we sorrow in the present, the greater will be our joy in the future.

-- St. Isidore of Seville

Sunday, December 7, 2008
Second Sunday of Advent
First Reading:
Psalm:
Second Reading:
Gospel:
Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11
Psalm 85:9-14
2 Peter 3:8-14

Mark 1:1-8

It is true that God's power triumphs over everything, but humble and suffering prayer prevails over God Himself.

-- St. Pio of Pietrelcina

Monday, December 8, 2008
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Solemnity)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Second Reading:
Gospel:
Genesis 3:9-15, 20
Psalm 98:1-4
Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12
Luke 1:26-38

In the same way that a powerful medicine cures an illness, so illness itself is a medicine to cure passion. And there is much profit of soul in bearing illness quietly and giving thanks to God.

-- St. Amma Syncletice

Tuesday, December 9, 2008
St. Juan Diego, Hermit (Optional Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm 96:1-3, 10-13
Matthew 18:12-14

Chaste fear endures forever. Love does not destroy it or drive it out of us, but rather embraces it and holds on to it as its companion. We come to the Lord in order to see Him face to face. Then a chaste fear preserves us.

-- St. Augustine

Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Advent Weekday
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Isaiah 40:25-31
Psalm 103:1-4, 8, 10
Matthew 11:28-30

When it is all over you will not regret having suffered; rather you will regret having suffered so little, and suffered that little so badly.

-- St. Sebastian Valfre

Thursday, December 11, 2008
Advent Weekday
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Isaiah 41:13-20
Psalm 145:1, 9-13
Matthew 11:11-15

Remember that he who will always walk faithfully in God's presence, always ready to give Him an account of all his actions, will never be separated from Him by consenting to sin.

-- St. Thomas Aquinas

Friday, December 12, 2008
Our Lady of Guadalupe (Feast)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Zechariah 2:14-17 or Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10
(Ps) Judith 13:18-19
Luke 1:26-38 or 1:39-47

If something uncharitable is said in your presence, either speak in favor of the absent, or withdraw, or if possible stop the conversation

-- St. John Vianney

Saturday, December 13, 2008
St. Lucy, Virgin, Martyr (Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11
Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
Matthew 17:10-13

Is it not true that your gloominess and bad temper are due to your lack of determination in breaking the subtle snares laid by your own disordered desires? The daily examination of conscience is an indispensible help if we are to follow our Lord with sincerity of heart and integrity of life.

-- St. Jose Maria Escriva'

Sunday, December 14, 2008
Third Sunday of Advent
First Reading:
Psalm:
Second Reading:
Gospel:
Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11
Luke 1:46-50, 53-54
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28

Many wealthy people are disposed to use their abundance not to swell their own pride but to perform works of benevolence. They consider their greatest gain what they spend to alleviate the distress of others. This virtue is open to all men, no matter what their class or condition, because all can be equal in their willingness to give, however unequal they may be in earthly fortune.

-- St. Leo the great, Pope

Monday, December 15, 2008
Advent Weekday
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17
Psalm 25:4-9
Matthew 21:23-27

The saints were so completely dead to themselves they cared very little whether others agreed with then or not!

-- St. John Vianney

Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Advent Weekday
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13
Psalm 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-19, 23
Matthew 21:28-32

Though perseverance does not come from our power, yet it comes from within our power.

-- St. Francis DeSales

Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Advent Weekday
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Genesis 49:2, 8-10
Psalm 72:1-4, 7-8, 17
Matthew 1:1-17

And of what should we be afraid? Our captain on this battlefield is Christ Jesus. We have discovered what we have to do. Christ has bound our enemies for us and weakened them that they cannot overcome us unless we so choose to let them. So we must fight courageously and mark ourselves with the sign of the most Holy Cross.

-- St. Catherine of Sienna

Thursday, December 18, 2008
Advent Weekday
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Jeremiah 23:5-8
Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19
Matthew 1:18-25

The perfection of a Christian consists in mortifying his will for the love of Christ. Where there is no great mortification, there is no great sanctity.

-- St. Philip Neri

Friday, December 19, 2008
Advent Weekday
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Judges 13:2-7, 24-25
Psalm 71:3-6, 16-17
Luke 1:5-25

The perfection of a Christian consists in mortifying his will for the love of Christ. Where there is no great mortification, there is no great sanctity.

-- St. Philip Neri

Saturday, December 20, 2008
Advent Weekday
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Isaiah 7:10-14
Psalm 24:1-6
Luke 1:26-38

God never deserts a man, unless He is deserted by that man first. For even if a man shall have committed grievous sins once, twice, and a third time, God still looks for him, "so that he may be converted and live."

-- St. Caesarius of Arles

Sunday, December 21, 2008
Advent Weekday
First Reading:
Psalm:
Second Reading:
Gospel:
2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16
Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29
Romans 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-38

A man who governs his passions is master of the world. We must either command them, or be enslaved by them. It is better to be a hammer than an anvil.

-- St. Dominic

Monday, December 22, 2008
Advent Weekday
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
1 Samuel 1:24-28
1 Samuel 2:1, 4-8
Luke 1:46-56

Until we have acquired genuine prayer, we are like people teaching children to begin to walk.

-- St. Margaret Mary Alocoque

Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Fourth Sunday of Advent
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24
Psalm 25:4-5, 8-10, 14
Luke 1:57-66

There are three distinct comings of the Lord of which I know: His coming to men, His coming into men, and His coming against men

-- St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Advent Weekday
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16
Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29
Luke 1:67-79

Christ came to cure our wounds; but since all do not search for the remedy, therefore, He cures those who are willing; He does not force the unwilling. God, for His part, really wills us to be save; otherwise, it would be impossible for us to obtain health and eternal life.

-- St. Alphonsus Liguori

Thursday, December 25, 2008
The Nativity of the Lord – Christmas (Solemnity)
Midnight  
First Reading:
Psalm:
Second Reading:
Gospel:
Isaiah 9:1-6
Psalm 96:1-3, 11-13
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14
Dawn  
First Reading:
Psalm:
Second Reading:
Gospel:
Isaiah 62:11-12
Psalm 97:1, 6, 11-12
Titus 3:4-7
Luke 2:15-20
During the Day  
First Reading:
Psalm:
Second Reading:
Gospel:
Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98:1-6
Hebrews 1:1-6
John 1:1-18 or John 1:1-5, 9-14

Let us love the Child of Bethlehem. Come souls and love a God who has become a Child, poor and so lovable, in need of our tender love, who has come down from heaven to give Himself entirely to you. If we but ask for pardon and salvation, He has come to pardon us and to save us.

-- St. Francis of Assisi

Friday, December 26, 2008
St. Stephen, First Martyr (Feast)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59
Psalm 31:3-4, 6, 8, 17
Matthew 10:17-22

The one who is our very Life descended into our world, and bore our death, and slew it with the abundance of His own life. Thundering, He called out to us to return to Him in heaven.

-- St. Augustine

Saturday, December 27, 2008
St. John, Apostle, Evangelist (Feast)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
1 John 1:1-4
Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12
John 20:1-8

Hold firmly that our faith is identical with the ancients. Deny this, and you dissolve the unity of the Church.

-- St. Thomas Aquinas

Sunday, December 28, 2008
The Holy Family (Feast)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Second Reading:
Gospel:
Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14
Psalm 128:1-5
Colossians 3:12-21 or 3:12-17
Luke 2:22-40 or 2:22, 39-40

Don't permit your misery or defeats to depress you. Rather let them be steps by which you descend the deep mine where we find the precious gem of holy humility.

-- St. Paola Frassinetti

Monday, December 29, 2008
The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
1 John 2:3-11
Psalm 96:1-6
Luke 2:22-35

In this day in which the Rich became poor for our sakes, let the rich man make the poor man share with him at his table. On this day came forth to us the Gift, even though we had not asked for it! Let us therefore bestow alms on those who cry and beg from us.

-- St. Ephraem the Syrian

Tuesday, December 30, 2008
The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
1 John 2:12-17
Psalm 96:7-10
Luke 2:36-40

Invisible in His own nature, He became visible in ours. Beyond our grasp, He chose to come within our grasp. Existing before all time began, He began to exist in a moment in time. Incapable of suffering as God, He did not refuse to be man, capable of suffering. Immortal, He chose to be subject to the laws of death.

-- St. Pope Leo the Great

Wednesday, December 31, 2008
The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
1 John 2:18-21
Psalm 96:1-2, 11-13
John 1:1-18

Every morning you put on your clothes to cover your nakedness and protect your body from inclement weather. Why don't you also clothe your soul with the garment of faith? Remember each morning the truths of your creed, and look at yourself in the mirror of your faith. Otherwise, your soul will soon be naked with the nakedness of oblivion.

-- St. Augustine