Prayer at the end of the year

As the dawn breaks on a new year, let us give thanks for all we hold dear: our health, our family and our friends. Let us let go of all grudges, anger or disappointments we have suffered. Let us serve all who are in need, regardless of race, color or creed. Let us lead the world from darkness to light, from falsehood to truth, from wrong to right. Forgive us Lord, for the promises and resolutions we made and never fulfilled. Forgive us when we neglected prayer, took Your presence for granted, and then expected miracles when things went wrong.

Teach us truth, so that we may walk with courage. Teach us mercy, that we may walk with humility. Teach us forgiveness, that we may walk with compassion. Teach us grace, that we may walk with strength. Teach us wonder, that we may walk with praise. Teach us goodness, that we may walk with those in need. Learning from you, may we stay close to you, and carry others with us.

May your new year be filled with peace, health, prosperity and love. May the presence of God restores you, renews you and refreshes you. Look at this year’s potential stretched out before you. Use every day profitably, and be faithful in every opportunity that lies before you. Wishing all those who visit and  get inspired by this Blog a blessed 2022.

Reflections from Fulton Sheen – part 2

The manger and the Cross thus stand at the two extremities of the Savior’s life! He accepted the manger because there was no room in the inn; He accepted the Cross because men said, “We will not have this Man for our king.” Disowned upon entering, rejected upon leaving, He was laid in a stranger’s stable at the beginning, and a stranger’s grave at the end. An ox and an ass surrounded His crib at Bethlehem; two thieves were to flank His Cross on Calvary. He was wrapped in swaddling bands in His birthplace, He was again laid in swaddling clothes in His tomb—clothes symbolic of the limitations imposed on His Divinity when He took a human form.

Reflections from Fulton Sheen – part 1

To conclude this year, I share with you 2 reflection by Bishop Fulton Sheen from his monumental book ‘Life of Christ’, my all-time favorite book, which I read periodically every year. These two reflections speak about the birth of Christ:

Divinity is always where one least expects to find it.
No worldly mind would ever have suspected that He Who could make the sun warm the earth would one day have need of an ox and an ass to warm Him with their breath; that He Who, in the language of Scriptures, could stop the turning about of Arcturus would have His birthplace dictated by an imperial census; that He, Who clothed the fields with grass, would Himself be naked; that He, from Whose hands came planets and worlds, would one day have tiny arms that were not long enough to touch the huge heads of the cattle; that the feet which trod the everlasting hills would one day be too weak to walk; that the Eternal Word would be dumb; that Omnipotence would be wrapped in swaddling clothes; that Salvation would lie in a manger; that the bird which built the nest would be hatched therein—no one would ever have suspected that God coming to this earth would ever be so helpless. And that is precisely why so many miss Him. Divinity is always where one least expects to find it.

Neapolitan Nativity

They are becoming more and more popular, the crowded nativities known as Neapolitan. Even though the scene appears chaotic, as usually is in the streets and piazzas of Naples, the focus should always be the Holy Family, situated in a pagan temple, which symbolizes the birth of Christianity. This is further accentuated with an array of angels and cherubs, the adoration of the shepherds, and the retinue of Kings with their oriental slaves, camels and other exotic features. Other shepherds are seen tired or sleepy, surprised with the appearance of the angels. 

Of particular interest is the Innkeeper who is happy with the various characters eating, feasting, in a jovial mood, talking, chatting, partying, playing musical instruments and dancing the Tarantella. This scene is to justify the fact that there was no room for Mary to be hosted in the inn, as the crowded atmosphere gave no chance to Mary to deliver the new born child in such confusion. And then they settled in a humble cave where the Light of the world shone forth. The Neapolitan nativity shows the dramatic explosion of color, noise, light and overall joy. This particular nativity is at the Mdina Cathedral, in Malta.

My Parents' Baby Jesus

Over the years my parents have always decorated our home with Christmas symbols, including a large presepio, a Nativity display that my father created for us, the whole town of Bethlehem. They also set up a canopy with baby Jesus and two angels in the entrance of our house, something which I refer to as a masterpiece, because they put so much love and attention to it. The above photo shows my parents next to it, back in the 1990s. Surrounding baby Jesus are pots of grown vetch, a seed that grows very white, as long as it is grown in the dark. It is usually planted in early December and watered every few days, until a few days before Christmas. It may look similar to alfalfa, but it’s used frequently by many families and churches for the Christmas season. It is called ġulbiena in Maltese, and is used even at Easter time, particularly on Holy Thursday to decorate the Altar of Repose in many of the parish churches.

Holy Family nativities

Yesterday I was able to visit a few nativities and presepios on display in various places, and I share them with you as we reflect of the Feast of the Holy Family, as our focus now shifts from Bethlehem to the humble home of Nazareth. I also offer this prayer for all families:

PRAYER FOR ALL FAMILIES: O God, in the beginning You brought together man and woman in holy marriage that they might share Your work of creation and bring enriching life to one another. We commend to Your constant care the homes where Your people dwell. Knit together in growing affection those who have been made one flesh so that their love may never fail. Turn the hearts of parents to their children and children to their parents. Take away the roots of bitterness, vanity, and self-seeking that bring dissension where family peace should reign. 

Inspire them, rather, with loyalty, faith, and sacrifice, that in all the changes and circumstances of life they may stand strongly together in mutual service and love. Bless all these families with Your boundless Love. Help all parents, whether single or sharing responsibilities with a spouse, to use wisdom, understanding, and consideration for the entire family unit when making decisions that will affect all those in their households. Open their minds and hearts so that discipline is just, effective, and kind yet firm, teaching the children in their families that there are consequences to their actions.

Christmas Greetings

Baby Jesus at Naxxar parish church, Malta

I offer all my Masses for your intentions as I remember you all in my prayers and thoughts. And for all my friends, far and wide, I share greetings in different languages

Arabic: Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
Argentine: Feliz Navidad
Armenian: Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand
Basque: Zorionak eta Urte Berri On
Croatian: Sretan Bozic
Danish: Glædelig Jul
Dutch: Zalig Kerstfeast
English: Merry Christmas
Esperanto: Gajan Kristnaskon
Finnish: Hyvaa joulua
French: Joyeux Noel
Gaelic: Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ùr
German: Froehliche Weihnachten
Hawaiian: Mele Kalikimaka
Hindi: Christmas Mubarak Ho
Hungarian: Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket
Icelandic: Gledileg Jol
Indonesian: Selamat Hari Natal

Iraqi: Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
Irish: Nollaig Shona Dhuit
Italian: Buon Natale
Japanese: Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
Latin: Descendit de coelis Salvator mundi. Gaudeamus
Lithuanian: Linksmu Kaledu
Maltese: Il-Milied it-Tajjeb u s-Sena l-Gdida mimlija risq u hena

Nepalese: Christmas kol shu ba kamana
Norwegian: Gledelig Jul 
Peru: Feliz Navidad y un Venturoso Año Nuevo
Philipines: Maligayan Pasko at Manibagong Bagong Taon
Polish: Wesotych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
Portuguese: Feliz Natal
Rumanian: Sarbatori vesele
Russian: Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom
Slovakian: Vesele vanoce
Spanish: Feliz Navidad
Swahili: Heri kwa noeli na baraka nyingi kwa mwaka mpya
Thai: Sawadee Pee Mai
Turkish: Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
Vietnamese: Chung Mung Giang Sinh
Welsh: Nadolig Llawen

Christmas Eve procession

Once again the Christmas Eve procession with baby Jesus will be held this year in many parishes in Malta. They have been suspended last year because of Covid, and were threatened to be cancelled again this year. It is very appropriate that this celebration for children and by children be held this year, because it actually started exactly 100 years ago, in 1921. It was started on the initiative of Father George Preca, the founder of a religious organization that teaches catechism to children and youth, known as MUSEUM. He was canonized in 2007, and his dream spread throughout the world with groups sprouting even in Australia, Africa, Poland, England, Peru, Cuba, Albania and other countries. The children carry a manger with baby Jesus throughout the streets of villages and towns in Malta, accompanied by a small marching band playing Christmas carols, lanterns and also many parents who keep an eye on the children, some of whom are very young, but eager to participate. The procession ends inside the local parish church, where usually a boy or a girl or both deliver a brief sermon, which they have memorized by heart over the past few weeks. The midnight Mass follows, although many parishes are nowadays opting for an earlier Mass at 8 PM.

Christmas in 100 words

Nativity by Giuseppe Cali at Lija church dome, Malta

Gabriel - Annunciation - Mary - Joseph - Betrothal - Elizabeth – Għajn-Karim - Visitation - Baptist - Pregnancy - Hospitality – Advent – Candles – St. Nicholas - Donkey - Registration - Census - Journey - Inn - Vacancy - Innkeeper - Refusal – Bethlehem - Stable - Animals - Manger - Hay - Cow - Sheep - Jesus - Birth - Joy - Angels - Gloria - Shepherds – Messiah - Food - Blanket - Visit - Adoration - Herod - Curiosity - Stars – Epiphany - Magi - Camels - Attendants - Melchior - Persia - Gaspar - Africa - Balthasar - India - Travel - Arrival - Prostration - Gifts - Myrrh - Man - Frankincense - God - Gold - King – Escape – Egypt – Nazareth – Presentation – Simeon – Anna – Baptist - Turtledoves – Decorations – Presepio – Nativities – Pageants – Concerts - Exhibitions – Trees – Reindeer – Snowman – Rudolph - Mince-pies – Pudding – Wreaths – Holly – Carols – Shopping – Mistletoe – Turkey – Dinner – Churches – Processions – Mass - Sermons – Children - Ġulbiena – Lights – Santa – Presents – Celebrate.  

Christmas Prayer

Thank You Lord, for this beloved and familiar season:

For tuneful carols,

For reunions with families and friends,,

For giving and receiving,

For a sense of celebration everywhere,

For all the ways of saying ‘Christ is born.’

We ask that the familiarity of Christmas  may not smother the truth that we celebrate together.

May Christ be among us, as real, as close, as warm as that first Christmas in Bethlehem:

With Mary, may we open our hearts to the word of God, that Christ may be born in us;

With the shepherds, may we hear in the world of our daily work what heaven is saying to us;

May our experience of Christ be as real and enduring as theirs.

Save us from a faith so shallow that we put away our Christian commitment with the decorations or discard it like an unwanted present.

Father, in Christ you embrace our happiness and our need: give to us a love that shall exclude no one.

Christmas Carols - part 2

Memories of Silent Night - the Oberndorf church

Silent Night

It was 1816. The story goes that one of the most popular Christmas carols was written in an emergency situation. In the town of Oberndorf, a mouse had been chewing on the leather of the bellows that makes the organ work. And so coming to the Christmas midnight Mass, the priest and the organist discovered that they could not use the organ at all. So quickly, they sat down and wrote a carol that became popular all over the world “Stille Nacht – Silent Night.” Fr Joseph Mohr wrote the words, and Franz Gruber composed the melody on guitar. 

God Rest You Merry Gentlemen

When Scrooge, in Dicken's "A Christmas Carol", heard this cheerful carol, he grabbed a ruler and the singer fled in terror. It is traditional English going back to the 16th or 17th century. The usual harmonization, like that of "The First Noel" is from Sir John Stainer (1840-1941).

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
The words for this American carol are based on a poem written by Unitarian minister Dr. Edmund Sears in 1849. The following year, inspired by the poem, Richard Storrs Willis, a composer as well as editor and critic for the New York Tribune, wrote a melody called "Carol" to which the words were adapted.

The First Noel
Sometimes given the English spelling, Nowell, it first appeared in print in England in a collection of William Sandys (1833). The words and music are traditional. Most think it is from 16th or 17th century France; others claim it never had any French origins and is very English.

Christmas Carols - part 1

What Child Is This?
This melody is the beautiful ‘Greensleeves.’ It dates from Elizabethan time, possibly even earlier. The song was first registered in 1850 to Richard Jones with lyrics that were neither religious nor respectable. Shakespeare mentions it by name in "The Merry Wives of Windsor" in which is it played while traitors are hanged. In 1865 William Chatterton Dix (English) wrote "The Manger Throne", three verses of which became "What Child Is This."
We Three Kings of Orient Are
Frequently thought to be much older than it is, the words and music for this American carol were written in 1857 by John Henry Hopkins as part of a Christmas pageant for the General Theological Seminary in New York City.
Cantique de Noel (O Holy Night)
This carol was written by Adolphe Charles Adam (1803-1856), the French composer best known for his ballet "Giselle." At the time, it was frowned upon by church authorities who denounced it for lack of musical taste and "total absence of the spirit of religion." The French text is by Cappeau de Roquemaure; the English by American clergyman John Sullivan Dwight (1812-1893).

The Polish Oplatki

                   
In many Polish homes throughout the world, a most beloved family tradition is the breaking of the oplatek on Christmas Eve. The oplatek (oplatki is the plural form) is a thin wafer similar in consistency to a communion host that is often stamped with an elaborate Christmas scene. Historically these would be distributed by religious to parishioners’ homes during the Advent season. This bread is not consecrated, but blessed by the priest as a way to extend the fruits of the Mass into the home. It is meant to remind families of the Eucharistic bread at Mass and makes a further connection between Christmas and the gift of the Eucharist, the presence of God among us. On Christmas Eve, the family eagerly gathers for a meal, as the table is traditionally covered with straw and a white cloth. In some homes this is reduced to a single plate, upon which rests the oplatek, as a symbol of Christ in the manger. The father begins the ceremony by taking the oplatek and breaking a piece off of it, giving it to his wife. When he does so, he may say what he is thankful for, wish her good health, or ask for forgiveness. After this initial sharing, the oplatek is then shared with each member of the family in a similar manner, starting with the oldest down to the youngest. It is a touching ceremony, one that can help heal hurts from the past year.

Christmas stamps

Just about every country issues a set of stamps just before Christmas, so that people can use them when sending Christmas cards around the world. Malta has had a fascinating tradition in this field, especially when artist Emvin Cremona was commissioned to design the stamps for a span of 20 years or more, between the mid-1960s and mid-1980s. He also introduced some innovative designs and shapes, like the trapezoid. Thankfully all stamps issued for Christmas in Malta have a religious connection. Even in the USA, two types of stamps were issued, one of which was always religious. 

However, they quickly run out as most people prefer the Madonna or baby Jesus on their stamps, and often you end up with snowman or holly or a decorative wreath. That does not happen in Malta and we hope it will remain like this, with religious stamps issued every year, so that they can travel around the globe all through the month of December, also hopefully with religious Christmas cards inside.

Pope Francis turns 85

                 
Today, December 17, 2021, Pope Francis celebrates his 85th birthday: an advanced age for a pontiff — in fact, only 11 of the 266 popes have reached this milestone. The oldest pope in history is, since September 4, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (2005-2013). Born 94 years and 245 days ago, the Bavarian is now ahead of the former “dean” of the papal necropolis under St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIII (1879-1903), who died at 93 years and 140 days after a pontificate of a quarter century. But we celebrate with Pope Francis today as he reaches this milestone. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina on December 17, 1936 as Jorge Bergoglio, he was elected Pope on March 13, 2013.

The oldest popes in history are:

Benedict XVI: 93 years and 245 days (current)
Leo XIII: 93 years and 140 days
Gregory XII: 92 years old
Celestine III: 91 years old
John XXII: 90 years old
Lucius III: 88 years
Clement XII : 87 years and 305 days
Clement X : 86 years and 9 days
Celestine V : 86 years
Pius IX : 85 years and 107 days
Innocent XII : 85 years and 107 days
Francis : 85 years (in progress)

Happy Birthday Pope Francis!

Star of Bethlehem

                    
Star of Bethlehem - (Ornithogalum) is a genus of perennial plants mostly native to southern Europe and southern Africa belonging to the family Asparagaceae. There are some species native to other areas such as the Caucasus. Growing from a bulb, species have linear basal leaves and a slender stalk, up to 30 cm or more tall, bearing clusters of typically white star-shaped flowers, often striped with green. The common name of the genus, Star-of-Bethlehem, is based on its star-shaped flowers, after the Star of Bethlehem that appeared in the Biblical account of the birth of Jesus.

The Christmas Cactus

                       
The Christmas Cactus - (Schlumbergera) is a small genus of cacti with six species found in the coastal mountains of south-eastern Brazil. Plants grow on trees or rocks in habitats which are generally shady with high humidity and can be quite different in appearance from their desert-dwelling cousins. Most species of Schlumbergera have stems which resemble leaf-like pads joined one to the other and flowers which appear from areoles at the joints and tips of the stems. In Brazil, the genus is referred to as Flor de Maio (May flower), reflecting the period in which they flower in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, that will coincide with December, hence the connection as a Christmas cactus. This genus contains the popular house plants known by a variety of names including Christmas Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus, Crab Cactus and Holiday Cactus. In Europe, these plants are largely produced for sale in the period before Christmas, and are called:  Weihnachtskaktus in German, Cactus de Noël in French, and Cacto de Navidad in Spanish.

The Poinsettia

Baby Jesus among poinsettias.

Three Christmas Flowers are very popular at this time of the year, and this is a little information on each of them, shared with you over the next three days:

The Poinsettia - (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a culturally and commercially important plant species of the diverse family that is indigenous to Mexico and Central America. It is particularly well known for its red and green foliage and is widely used in Christmas floral displays. It derives its common English name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Minister to Mexico, who introduced the plant into the United States in 1825. He found out that the Aztecs were sing the flower for cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Every year in the US, approximately 70 million poinsettias of many cultivated varieties are sold in a six-week period. There are a few varieties apart from the popular red and white ones: jingle bells, tinted, cream, pink, marbled and peppermint. The plants require abundant light and watering every 4 to 5 days. In my chapel they have survived way beyond Easter, and if you keep them in the light they will flower again, and grow colored leaves by Christmas time.

Saint Lucy

We celebrate today the feast of Saint Lucy, one of the early young martyrs of the Catholic church. Lucy's name means "light", with the same root as "lucid" which means "clear and radiant." Unfortunately for us, Lucy's history does not match her name. Shrouded in the darkness of time, all we really know for certain is that this brave woman who lived in Syracuse lost her life in the persecution of Christians in the early fourth century. Her veneration spread to Rome so that by the sixth century the whole Church recognized her courage in defence of the faith. We recall the story of this young Christian woman who had vowed her life to the service of Christ. Her mother tried to arrange a marriage for her with a pagan. Lucy apparently knew that her mother would not be convinced by a young girl's vow so she devised a plan to convince her mother that Christ was a much more powerful partner for life. Eventually her mother listened to Lucy's desire and she committed her life to God. Unfortunately, her bridegroom did not see the same light and he betrayed Lucy to the governor as a Christian. This governor tried to send her into prostitution but the guards who came to take her away found her stiff and heavy as a mountain. Finally she was killed. Lucy's name is probably also connected to statues of Lucy holding a dish with two eyes on it. This refers to another legend in which Lucy's eyes were put out by Diocletian as part of his torture, just because she had the most beautiful eyes. The legend concludes with God restoring Lucy's eyes. Lucy's name also played a large part in naming Lucy as a patron saint of the blind and those with eye-trouble. 

Spreading Joy

Pope Francis a few years ago issued a long letter, called an Apostolic Exhortation, called Evangelium Gaudium (The Gospel of Joy) which is filled with warnings, encouragement, and challenges, all rooted in a pastor's love for the flock. He speaks in general how our religion, our Gospel is one of joy. As we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday, the Joyful Sunday, let me share some extracts from it:

“I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting Him encounter them.“
“People should seek to abandon the complacent attitude that says: ‘We have always done it this way’. I invite everyone to be bold and creative in this task of rethinking the goals, structures, style and methods of evangelization in their respective communities.”
On difficulties we have to face, Pope Francis writes: “Let us not say, then, that things are harder today; they are simply different. But let us learn also from the saints who have gone before us, who confronted the difficulties of their own day.“

Pope Francis speaks about Joy - “Sometimes we are tempted to find excuses and complain, acting as if we could only be happy if a thousand conditions were met. To some extent this is because our ‘technological society has succeeded in multiplying occasions of pleasure, yet has found it very difficult to create, enhance and engender joy’.”
He speaks also of people going to confession..... “Penitents may not be joyful when they enter a confessional but possess boundless joy when they leave. Such is the working of grace.“
There’s a lot more to digest but these are just a few sentences that struck me as worth chewing on.

Christmas Lights

December is a month when many residences crank up their electric bills, mainly because of illuminations and decorations they place around their houses, besides the flickering lights on many Christmas trees. I will share with you over the next few weeks some of these decorations I witnessed in New York, mainly on Long Island. But today I want to go back to my native Malta once again and post three photos I took, showing various street lights decorated for the Christmas season. Normally local towns and villages  are responsible for their electric bills, but as you can see, they add a lot of character to this festive season. Just as many public Christmas trees in the USA are lit up just after Thanksgiving, the festive season in Malta starts off right at the beginning of December, also with the intention of boosting up business and encourage shoppers to star their shopping early. But they stay on beyond the New Year, at least until the feast of the Epiphany.

A Playmobil Nativity

A few years ago, while visiting my family in Malta, I found in my nephews' collection of toys a Christmas Nativity set produced by Playmobil. I also found out that these little figures are assembled in Malta, in a big factory which was built over three decades ago. Playmobil is a line of toys produced by the Brandstatter Group, headquartered in Zirndorf, Germany. This ever growing company was started in 1975 and even though the plastic pieces are made in Germany, they are all assembled in Malta, which gives every box the distinctive honor of seeing "Made in Malta" on every box produced. The signature Playmobil toy is a 7.5 cm (approximately 3 inch) tall (1:24 scale) human figure, in its early days known as a "klicky". A wide range of accessories, buildings and vehicles, as well as many sorts of animals, are also part of the Playmobil line. Playmobil toys are produced in themed series of sets as well as individual special figures and playsets. New products and product lines developed by a 50-strong development team are introduced frequently, and older sets are discontinued. Promotional and one-off products are sometimes produced in very limited quantities. These practices have helped give rise to a sizeable community of collectors. Collector activities extend beyond collecting and free-form play and include customization, and the creation of photo stories and stop-motion films. The Nativity seen here is complete with three kings, a camel, some rabbits, deer and even Santa Claus, besides of course the Holy Family with baby Jesus.

St Juan Diego

                        

The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is one of the most treasured among Mexicans and Catholics alike. It all started in 1531 when an Aztec Indian named Juan Diego was walking through the Tepayac hill country in central Mexico. Near Tepayac Hill he encountered a beautiful woman , who, speaking in his native tongue, the beautiful lady identified herself: "My dear little son, I love you. I desire you to know who I am. I am the ever-virgin Mary, Mother of the true God who gives life and maintains its existence. I desire a church in this place where your people may experience my compassion. So run now to Tenochtitlan and tell the Bishop all that you have seen and heard." Juan, age 57, and who had never been to Tenochtitlan, nonetheless immediately responded to Mary's request. He went to the palace of the Bishop-elect Fray Juan de Zumarraga and requested to meet immediately with the bishop. The bishop-elect told Juan that he would consider the request of the Lady and told him he could visit him again if he so desired. On Sunday, after again waiting for hours, Juan met with the bishop who, on re-hearing his story, asked him to ask the Lady to provide a sign as a proof of who she was. Juan dutifully returned to the hill and told Mary, who was again waiting for him there, of the bishop's request. Mary responded: "My little son, am I not your Mother? Do not fear. The Bishop shall have his sign. Come back to this place tomorrow." Unfortunately, Juan was not able to return to the hill the next day. His uncle had become mortally ill and Juan stayed with him to care for him. After two days, with his uncle near death, Juan had to pass Tepayac Hill to get to the priest. As he was passing, he found Mary waiting for him. She spoke: "Do not be distressed, my littlest son. Your uncle will not die at this time. Go to the top of the hill and cut the flowers that are growing there. Bring them then to me." While it was freezing on the hillside, Juan obeyed Mary's instructions and went to the top of the hill where he found a full bloom of Castilian roses. Removing his tilma, a poncho-like cape made of cactus fiber, he cut the roses and carried them back to Mary. She rearranged the roses and told him: "My little son, this is the sign I am sending to the Bishop. Tell him that with this sign I request his greatest efforts to complete the church I desire in this place. Show these flowers to no one else but the Bishop. This time the Bishop will believe all you tell him."

At the palace, Juan once again came before the bishop and several of his advisors. He told the bishop his story and opened the tilma letting the flowers fall out. But it wasn't the beautiful roses that caused the bishop and his advisors to fall to their knees; for there, on the tilma, was a picture of the Blessed Virgin Mary precisely as Juan had described her. The next day, after showing the Tilma at the Cathedral, Juan took the bishop to the spot where he first met Mary. He then returned to his village where he met his uncle who was completely cured. Since the time the tilma was first impressed with a picture of the Mother of God, it has been subject to a variety of environmental hazards including smoke from fires and candles, water from floods and torrential downpours and, in 1921, a bomb which was planted by anti-clerical forces on an altar under it. There was also a cast-iron cross next to the tilma and when the bomb exploded, the cross was twisted out of shape, the marble altar rail was heavily damaged and the tilma was...untouched! Indeed, no one was injured in the Church despite the damage that occurred to a large part of the altar structure. The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated on December 12.

Immaculate Conception

The top part of the massive painting by Francesco Podesti

When I visited Rome in May of 2012, I took close to 3,000 photos all around Rome, especially in churches, paintings and other sacred art I discovered around the Eternal City. But none surprised me more than a majestic painting inside the Vatican Museums, close to the Raphael’s famous “School of Athens” and the “Disputation on the Eucharist.” It was a room entirely dedicated to the Blessed Mother, and in particular to the Immaculate Conception, whose feast we celebrate today. Dominating this room was a huge painting commemorating the event of the proclamation of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception, proclaimed by Pope Pius IX in 1854. It is so huge that I could not photograph the whole painting, which is divided into two sections. The top part shows the Blessed Mother surrounded by Jesus and God the Father, as well as St. Peter and St. Paul and a group of other saints, all in heaven. The bottom part shows the Pope, flanked by several Cardinals, Bishops and other prelates and priests as he is officially declaring the dogma at the Vatican. The work was done by Francesco Podesti, who was present during the actual ceremony, and was later commissioned by the Vatican to reproduce this historic event. 

The painting by Francesco Podesti finished in 1865.

During the eleven years it took to paint the room, he had a few clashes with the curia, who wanted to delete the depiction of one disgraced priest. Podesti however, was adamant, referring to the obligation of fidelity to historical reality. One monsignor said, "That picture there is now an indignity, for the Pope's sake, remove that face!" "No, I can not Monsignor, remember that while Judas betrayed Christ, in the representations of the Last Supper, no one has ever required that he not be represented!" The argument was compelling enough to silence the prelate. Enjoy this beautiful masterpiece, and if you are ever in Rome, please make sure to visit the Vatican Museums - you need one full day to really appreciate everything there is to see, including this masterpiece by Podesti, which was restored in 2007.

Christmas Cards

Billions of Christmas cards are exchanged every December. However, in this digital age, people are sending less Christmas cards, but opt for the electronic cards, which are cleverly done, and meaningful nonetheless. The first Christmas card was sent in 1843 from England, and I share it here with readers and visitors of this blog. It was designed by John Callcott Horsely for Henry Cole. Over 2050 copies were printed that first year, for the cost of a shilling each, maybe valued at 25 cents. Original cards were designed and sent as postcards, but by 1920, most cards were sent in an envelope. A United Kingdom auction in 2001 fetched a record breaking £22,250 for this first original card! Many organizations produce special Christmas cards as a fundraising tool. The most famous of these enterprises is probably the UNICEF Christmas card program, launched in 1949, which selects artwork from internationally known artists for card reproduction.

St Nicholas

St. Nicholas was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man, and became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors. Perhaps the best-known story about Nicholas concerns his charity toward a poor man who was unable to provide dowries for his three daughters of marriageable age. Rather than see them forced into prostitution, Nicholas secretly tossed a bag of gold through the poor man’s window on three separate occasions, thus enabling the daughters to be married. Over the centuries, this particular legend evolved into the custom of gift-giving on the saint’s feast. And so in the English-speaking countries, St. Nicholas became, by a twist of the tongue, Santa Claus.

Under the ruthless Emperor Diocletian, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicea in 325 AD, the same Council that devised the Nicene Creed we recite during Sunday Mass. He died December 6, 343 in Myra and was buried in his Cathedral church. In the spring of 1087, sailors from Bari, afraid of the Muslim invasion, succeeded in spiriting away the relics from that Cathedral, bringing them to Bari, a seaport on the southeast coast of Italy. An impressive church was built over St. Nicholas' crypt and many faithful journeyed to honor the saint who had rescued children, prisoners, sailors, famine victims, and many others through his compassion, generosity, and the countless miracles. To this day pilgrims and tourists visit Bari's great Basilica di San Nicola. Both the Eastern and Western Churches honor him, and it is claimed that, after the Blessed Virgin, he is the saint most pictured by Christian artists. 

Stay with us dear Jesus

As we head John the Baptist's advice today to prepare for the coming of Jesus in our homes, heart, lives and parish communities, I shared with my people today this reflection:

Stay with us Jesus, because when it gets dark, You’re the only source of Light in our lives.
When we get lonely, You’re the perfect companion.
When we are afraid, You can surely encourage us.
When we fear the unknown future, You affirm our past and present.
When we experience weakness, You are there to strengthen us.
When we lose our way to You, Your spiritual compass is our one and only hope.
When we lose heart, You always comfort us and show us compassion.
When we don’t know what to say or how to pray, You always have the right suggestion.

When we cannot see clearly, You always help us focus our perspective of life.
When we want to hurt others and say that nasty word, You always correct our speech and manner of behavior.
When we act stubborn, You tolerate us.
When we act selfish, You show us a kind caring way to do things.
And when we falter as humans, You grant us Your mercy and Forgiveness. Not only that, but You forgive and forget.

And when we appear distracted and and too concerned about trivial things, and lose perspective of this beautiful season, let us remember to Keep Christ in Christmas.