"> December 2024 – Prince of Peace

Month: December 2024

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Dear Parishioners in Christ,

We are not far from the feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus, the Prince of Peace. The readings of the 4th Sunday of Advent invite us to arise and to go in haste as Mary, our Heavenly Mother went in haste to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Her visit to Elizabeth had three significant effects in Elizabeth.

  1. “She was filled with the Holy Spirit” Luke 1:41
  2. “She burst out in loud voice” Luke :1:42
  3. “Her child leaped in her womb” Luke 1:44

Mary visits us every time when we pray the rosary. Just like Elizabeth experienced the effects of Mary’s visit, we too will have the effects of her visit, her intercession, care, protection, and blessings.

Therefore, like Elizabeth let us welcome her and be filled with the graces that she bestows on us. Every time we fail to pray the rosary is like sending away Mary. Let’s not disappoint her. Oh! what a great privilege of praying the rosary that through it we are visited by our Heavenly Mother.

Mary visits us every time when we pray the Rosary. Let us not forget that the first act of charity we can do for our neighbors is to offer them a serene and smiling face. It is like bringing the joy of Jesus to them, as Mary did with Elizabeth. May the Mother of God take us by the hand, and help us to arise and to go in haste towards Christmas!

Third Sunday of Advent

This past Thursday, the Church celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This is the patronal feast of the Americas-North, Central and South America. Under this title, Mary is seen as a loving mother, especially to those who are in need of protection, for the poor, the marginalized, the oppressed and the unborn. The shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe is especially beautiful. The following prayer comes from those who visit there. It is inscribed in the chapel, requesting the intercession of the Blessed Mother under her title as the Patroness of Latin America.

“Dearest Lady of Guadalupe, fruitful Mother of Holiness, teach me your ways of gentleness and strength. Hear my prayer offered with deep felt confidence to beg this favor…O Mary, conceived without sin, I come to your throne of grace to share the fervent devotion of your faithful Mexican children who call to you under the glorious Aztec title of “Guadalupe” the virgin who crushed the serpent. Queen of Martyrs, whose Immaculate Heart was pierced by seven wounds of grief, help me to walk valiantly amid the sharp thorns thrown across my pathway. Queen of Apostles, aid me to win souls for the Sacred Heart of my Savior I plead this through the merits of your merciful Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”

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