Pope Benedict XVI (1927-2022)

A photo I took of Pope Benedict XVI when he was in Malta, April 2010.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has died today, December 31, 2022 at 9:34 AM. He had resigned in February 2013, and has been living in a private monastery at the Vatican Gardens ever since. He was born as Joseph Ratzinger on April 16, 1927 in Marktl, Bavaria, Germany. He was ordained a priest on June 29, 1951, and made Bishop on May 28, 1977. He was created as Cardinal on June 27, 1977. He was elected Pope on April 19, 2005 and resigned on February 28, 2013. More information will be given over the next few days in this blog.

Goodbye 2022

I gathered a few interesting quotes to share with you as we end 2022, and look forward to 2023, with the hope that we will experience peace, health and harmony through the New Year.

On New Year's Eve the whole world celebrates the fact that a date changes. Let us celebrate the dates on which we change the world.

May the sound of bombs falling and exploding be turned to blossoms opening and their fragrance fill the air with a gracious and peaceful aroma.

Remember that the first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.

I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past. (Thomas Jefferson)

If you're brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.

What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven't even happened yet. (Anne Frank)

The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new. (Socrates)

As we grow older and wiser, we begin to realize what we really need, and what we need to leave behind. Sometimes there are things in our lives that aren’t meant to stay. Sometimes the changes we don’t want are the changes we need to be able to grow. And sometimes walking away is a step forward.

You do not become good by trying to be good, but by finding the goodness that is already within you.

May the best of 2022 be only the worst of 2023. (don’t think too much about it – it is a good quote.)

More quotes tomorrow.....Happy New Year.

Pelé (1940-2022)

                   

Pelé dribbling past the Italians during the 1970 World Cup

The King is dead. We’ve heard it before when Elvis died, the King of Rock and Roll. Earlier also when King George VI died, making room for a young queen Elizabeth. But in the world of football, or soccer as it is called in America, the only King is Pelé, who died yesterday in Brazil, aged 82. Widely regarded as one of soccer’s greatest players, Pelé spent nearly two decades enchanting fans and dazzling opponents as the game’s most prolific scorer with Brazilian club Santos and the Brazil national team. His grace, athleticism and mesmerizing moves transfixed players and fans. He orchestrated a fast, fluid style that revolutionized the sport — a samba-like flair that personified his country’s elegance on the field. He carried Brazil to soccer’s heights and became a global ambassador for his sport in a journey that began on the streets of Sao Paulo state, where he would kick a sock stuffed with newspapers or rags. In the conversation about soccer’s greatest players, only the late Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are mentioned alongside Pelé. During his career, he scored anywhere between 650 (league matches) and 1,281 (all senior matches, some against low-level competition.)He was introduced to the world at 17 at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, the youngest player ever at the tournament. He was carried off the field on teammates’ shoulders after scoring two goals in Brazil’s 5-2 victory over the host country in the final. He won three world cups, in 1958, 1962 and 1970, the only player to reach such a milestone. The image of Pelé in a bright, yellow Brazil jersey, with the No. 10 stamped on the back, remains alive with soccer fans everywhere.

Pelé with the World Cup trophy, which he won in 1958,1962 and 1970.

Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, in the small city of Tres Coracoes in the interior of Minas Gerais state on Oct. 23, 1940, Pelé grew up shining shoes to buy his modest soccer gear. Pelé’s talent drew attention when he was 11, and a local professional player brought him to Santos’ youth squads. It didn’t take long for him to make it to the senior squad. Despite his youth and 5-foot-8 frame, he scored against grown men with the same ease he displayed against friends back home. He debuted with the Brazilian club at 16 in 1956, and the club quickly gained worldwide recognition. In all, Pelé played 114 matches with Brazil, scoring a record 95 goals, including 77 in official matches. His run with Santos stretched over three decades until he went into semi-retirement after the 1972 season. In 1975, he joined the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League. Although 34 and past his prime, Pelé gave soccer a higher profile in North America. He led the Cosmos to the 1977 league title and scored 64 goals in three seasons. Pelé ended his career on Oct. 1, 1977, in an exhibition between the Cosmos and Santos before a crowd in New Jersey of some 77,000. He played half the game with each club. One day Pelé said: ‘I was born to play football, just like Beethoven was born to compose music, and Michelangelo was born to paint frescoes.’ Rest in peace, beloved and admired King Pelé.

Inside Maltese churches

We go today inside some Maltese churches as they are decorated for Christmas. The first one is my childhood church in St Julian's, nicely decorated by a few enthusiasts, after it's been recently restored. The second one is the parish church in Naxxar where I say Mass practically every day now, since the number of priests have decreased even in Malta. The last one is a beautiful baby Jesus in the Cathedral church in Mdina, surrounded by a set of silver statues of the 12 apostles. 

A predominant feature in all churches is the use of vetch, called in Maltese ġulbiena. They are tiny seeds which are planted on cotton in early December, and kept in the dark until Christmas Eve. They grow in white, almost like long alfalfa sprouts, and really adorn our sanctuaries and altars for the Christmas season. You can see them on the altar-rail in the second photo, and under the two silver statues in the third photo.

Radio City Music Christmas Spectacular

If there is one event you don’t want to miss while in New York at Christmas time, it is the Radio City Music Christmas Spectacular, which is presented 4 times daily from early December until early January. It is a 90 minute continuous show with the Rockettes presenting their kick-line on several occasions, dressed as elves, reindeer, Santa Claus, toy soldiers and other outfits. The show premiered in 1933, and features more than 140 performers and an original musical score, and combines singing, dancing, and humor with traditional scenes. It tells the story of Christmas from the eyes of a child, with Santa Claus guiding you throughout the entire show. The climactic moment is at the end with the presentation of the Nativity, complete with 3 camels parading on stage followed by the 3 Kings and a retinue of attendants. You can see the whole show here in this YouTube link. Please try to find some time to relax and enjoy this spectacle, as if you are in the audience with a packed theatre – in fact all shows are fully booked months in advance, as there is a tremendous demand for this show.

Maltese house at Christmas

We do not have many houses decorated as they are in the USA and other European countries, but sometimes, you come across a house in Malta that sparkles with its simplicity and outright beauty, decorated with taste and artistry. This particular house is situated in the town of Lija, exactly next to the parish church, and having an open space in front of it, without parked cars, one can appreciate it even more. The silhouettes of the Holy Family, the angels, the Kings and the camels make them stand out beautifully. Enjoy this house and admire the details of all the photos I took to share with you. More street decorations tomorrow.

The entire house, fully decorated (click on each photo to enlarge)

TV Mass for today

I share with you a link to a Mass I celebrated on national TV just today. You can follow it here on YouTube. I was invited to be the main celebrant on the feast of Saint Stephen, December 26 in the chapel which used to be our chapel as seminarians between 1970 and 1977. Since the Seminary has since relocated to another place, the chapel is part of the Diocesan Chancery nowadays. I followed hundreds of Mass in that chapel, but this was the first time I celebrated a Mass by myself. For my friends in the USA, I know it is difficult to follow the Mass in Maltese, but you can follow it just the same, as I shared reflections on the life of St. Stephen today, the first official martyr of the church. In the second half hour, I recited the Rosary, again in Maltese, followed by Benediction. You can follow the Rosary by responding to each of my 'Hail Mary....'with the 'Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.' The actual Mass starts at 1:25, while the Rosary starts at 28:56 on the YouTube clip.

I wish you all a most Blessed  Christmas season, and a healthy, peaceful and prosperous New Year. 

A Blessed Christmas

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 Ko Dherai Dherai Subakamana
Norwegian: Gledelig Jul 
Peru: Feliz Navidad y un Venturoso Año Nuevo
Philippines: 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
Polish: Wesotych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
Portuguese: Feliz Natal
Rumanian: Sarbatori vesele
Russian: Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom
Serbian: Sretan Bozic
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

A letter from the donkey to Mary

Dear Mary, so beautiful and so tired, you surely deserve to rest on this hay and straw, because it’s been two full days since you last slept, and this past week was a very hectic day for you and Joseph. Of course it was toughest on me as I carried you from Nazareth to this stable. I was so honored to be here to witness the birth of you Son, now lying on your lap. I’ve heard that you’ve been waiting for him for 9 months. I heard people say that He is the Son of God. What a privilege and an honor! I am very proud of myself too Mary, and am honored that I was the animal chosen to carry you safely for 70 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. I’m sorry there wasn’t enough space for Joseph also on my back. And I feel bad that there was no room in any of the local hotels. But now I can’t wait for the baby to grow so that I can take him wherever He wants to go. Even though it was  a long journey, I am grateful that you treated me with so much kindness. Not everyone is like you. Some people kick me to move faster, and others leave me thirsty because they’re in a hurry. Yet, I’m always patient and never complain. Still there are many others who treat me kindly as you did. You know, beautiful lady, I do get upset when people make fun of me, and criticize my long ears, or tease me because I don’t run as fast as the horse. But I’m happy the way I am, because that’s the way God created me. May I ask you a small favor, please. Whenever you are close to God and the Father of that baby, please remind Him to let people know how to treat all animals with kindness, gentleness and respect. We all have feelings too. And by the way, when you wake up and search for a place to put the baby, you can place Him in my manger. There’s plenty of hay in it, and it’s pretty soft too.

Signed – The Donkey

Malta Christmas decorations

To conclude this trio of features on outside decorations, I share with you how Malta is celebrating the Christmas season with plenty of lights displayed in various towns and villages. These were in Valletta, the capital city, where for the last three years, they’ve set up a village for children and adults to enjoy, complete with a ferris-wheel, a carousel and other huts selling all kinds of food, and many Christmas items, similar to what one might find in a typical European Christmas market, which are becoming so popular in the big foreign cities. I will go inside some of our churches next week and show you how devoted sacristans decorate their sanctuaries for the Christmas season.

Oregon Christmas decorations

Just like New York, the Oregonians loved to decorate with lights all over the place. Since they have a larger property around their house, they would string lights over fences, houses, stables, barns and every possible tree that is visible from the street. Over the past 10 years the addition of music created an added feature and the lights would be synchronized with Christmas music played loud all night long, to the never-ending annoyance of neighbors, although the Oregonians were more tolerant than the New Yorkers. 

Music by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra were especially popular with the owners of these homes creating computerized fascinating displays of blinking lights according to the beat and harmonies playing over large speakers. I invite you enjoy this one video of a house during Christmas with the music called 'Wizards of Winter,' by the TSO involving lots of planning and coordination. 

New York Christmas decorations

Over the next three days, I will share with you how I’ve seen decorations change, improve and sparkle in the places where I served. Today I focus on my years on Long Island in New York, where people literally went overboard with lights on their front lawns. Some households would compete against each other in adding more and more symbols with lights, Santa Claus, reindeers, snowmen, angels, cartoon characters, elves, and always the Nativity in a stable. Some of the neighbors would object as they would have a whole month of people stopping by, parking in front of their houses, and a continuous flow of people stopping by, especially from 5 PM when it got dark till the early hours of the morning. This would go on from Thanksgiving Day, in late November until at least January 6. 

The Candy Cane

In about 1670 a choirmaster in the Cologne Cathedral had sticks of candy bent into the shape of a shepherd’s crook and passed them out to children who attended the ceremonies. This became a popular tradition, and eventually the practice of passing out the sugar canes at living nativities ceremonies spread throughout Europe.
The use of candy canes on Christmas trees made its way to America by the 1800’s, however during this time they were still pure white. A Candymaker in Indiana developed a variation of the candy cane and wanted to make a candy that would be a Christian witness, so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.
He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock, the foundation of the Church, and firmness of the promises of God. The Candymaker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus. It could also represent the staff of the "Good Shepherd" with which He reaches down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray.
Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the Candymaker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross. The peppermint flavor of modern candy canes is said to be similar to hyssop. In Old Testament times, hyssop was associated with purification and sacrifice.
I pray that this symbol will again be used to witness to the Wonder of Jesus and His Great love that came down at Christmas and remains the ultimate and dominate force in the universe today.

Argentina World Champions

For the third time, Argentina lifted the World Cup trophy in soccer as they beat France yesterday in a thrilling, scintillating final match held in a Qatar stadium packed with fans. The match ended 2-2 and went into extra time, when both teams scored again, ending with a 3-3 final score. This led to the nerve-ending penalty kicks, which Argentina won 4-2. It was in a way a battle between Lionel Messi of Argentina and Kyrien Mbappe of France who scored a hat-trick in a losing effort. The game was dominated by Argentina, who were leading 2-0 until the 80th minute, when suddenly Mbappe scored twice to tie the game up. The extra-time provided some added excitement as first Messi scored and then Mbappe tied it up again. It was a tit-for-tat in a way between these two stars who actually play on the same team in France with Paris St-Germain. Mbappe had won the trophy 4 years ago with France when he was only 19 years old, and this was the last opportunity for Messi to win the trophy at the age of 36. And thanks Qatar for organizing a sensational World Cup tournament that was one of the best ever, topped by the heart-pounding final match. Among the surprises during this World Cup was the success of Morocco reaching the semi-finals, and other African and Arab countries doing so well. Who can forget teams like Senegal, Iran, Tunisia, and even Saudi Arabia who beat Argentina in the preliminary round? And no doubt about it, Pope Francis’s support and prayers must have helped his native country triumph. Congratulations to Argentina!

Christmas Cards

Some of my Christmas Cards from the 1990s

Billions of Christmas cards are exchanged every December. I am grateful that I used to receive close to 60 cards, most of them from former parishioners with a religious theme. When I used to send cards myself, I had the custom of making my own cards with a different photo every year. Above you will see a collection of various cards I used over the years. In this digital age, people are sending less Christmas cards, but opt for the electronic cards, which are cleverly done, and creative nonetheless. Nowadays I send a meaningful email letter to my friends with some photos from the past year, especially those related to my work and recent Christmas photos.

First Christmas card ever designed by John Callcott Horsley in 1843

The first Christmas card was sent in 1843 from England, and I share it here with readers and visitors of this blog. 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!

The Pope on Christmas

                  

Today Pope Francis turns 86. Happy Birthday Your Holiness. Or to say it in Latin ‘Felix sit natalis dies! Just 2 days ago, the Pope met young children and urged them to look away from their cell phone screens and make eye contact with the people around them. Speaking to youth groups affiliated with Catholic Action, the Pope warned that “a great risk for a boy and a girl today is to spend our days keeping a cell phone screen in front of our eyes. Our eyes are meant to look into the eyes of others. They were not made to look down at a virtual world that we hold in our hands, but to look up to heaven, to God, and to look into the eyes of those who live next to us.” He said that the Lord is particularly concerned not with “the rich and powerful” or “those who are on the covers of glossy magazines or on television, but the smallest, the poor, the forgotten, the rejected, those no one cares about. In a world that tends to isolate us, divide us, and that pits us against each other … the secret is precisely to take care of others,” the Pope said. “Our eyes are made to convey the joy experienced from having met Jesus, that friendship that makes us embrace life and enables us to discover its beauty. Because, boys and girls, it is beautiful to follow Jesus: it is beautiful to discover the great love he has for each one of us; it is beautiful to venture into the plan of happiness he has thought up for me, for you, for everyone; it is beautiful to discover the gifts he gives us with great generosity, the surprises that fill our lives with wonder and hope, that make us grow up free and happy.”

Maltese nativities

Hand-made presepio from Malta (click to enlarge)

Many young crafty enthusiasts display their presepios and nativities in private homes, churches and parish halls. They are becoming more popular in Malta, as people and families visit them during the Christmas season. Similar to what’s happening in the construction sector, with small skyscrapers appearing on every skyline in our small island, space is always limited and so many craftsmen are building their nativities on a vertical format. Therefore they create an entire village over a limited space with houses, shops, hangout places and the cave where baby Jesus is born usually prominently placed in the center, surrounded by his parents and the three Kings. 

One can see in this nativity all of this, all crammed in a limited space, but strategically placed for everyone to enjoy the interaction between townspeople and various characters selling their goods, or just mingling around. Plenty of domestic and farm animals are seen in every empty space. The buildings are typical of an Italian country village, which often include the remains of a Roman building with columns, a common feature in Neapolitan presepios.

A Christmas Poem

'Nativity' by Giuseppe Cali at Luqa parish church, Malta.

St. John of the Cross has been nicknamed “the most mystical of all poets, and the most poetic of all mystics.” His poetry is recognized as one of the greatest pieces of Spanish literature and is appreciated by a variety of people. Among his works is a rare poem about the Nativity of Jesus. In the poem he presents a symphony of spiritual truths, focused in particular on the spousal nature of the Incarnation and the love God has for humanity. As you meditate on the beauty of Christmas, consider this poem by St. John of the Cross and let him bring light to your darkness.

Now at last the destined ages

Their appointed course had run,

When rejoicing from His chamber

Issued forth the Bridegroom Son.

He embraced His bride, and held her

Lovingly upon His breast,

And the gracious Mother laid Him

In the manger down to rest.

There He lay, the dumb beasts by Him,

They were fitly stabled there,

While the shepherds and the angels

Filled with melody the air.

So the feast of their espousals

With solemnity was kept;

But Almighty God, an Infant,

In the manger moaned and wept.

So the bride at her betrothal

Did the bridal gifts arrange ;

But the Mother looked in wonder

At the marvellous exchange.

Man gave forth a song of gladness,

God Himself a plaintive moan ;

Both possessing that which never

Had been hitherto their own. 

A tribute to a mother’s sacrifice

Achraf Hakimi, the Morocco star

In the Qatar World Cup an unlikely hero was born. No his name is not Ronaldo or Kane or Messi. It was Achraf Hakimi, the Moroccan defender whose decisive penalty saw his team overcome Spain in the round of 16 at the World Cup, and then led his team into the semi-finals. His is a truly inspirational rags-to-riches story. This is a player who came from nowhere to rise to the top of the sport; a man whose humble background is living proof that you can achieve anything if you have the right support, drive and determination. He had the humblest of upbringings in Madrid, with his mother a cleaner, his father a street vendor, and the family constantly living on the breadline. Yet, despite their hardships, his parents did everything they could to make their son’s football dream come true. And the dream has certainly come true with Hakimi now regarded as one of the best right-backs in world football, a regular with star-studded Paris Saint-Germain and a national hero in Morocco. He once said of his parents: “They sacrificed everything for me. Today I fight every day for them.” Interestingly, Hakimi could have been playing for Spain, the country of his birth, but instead, he chose to represent Morocco, a considerably less glamourous option, as a tribute to his parents, who immigrated to the African country in search of a better life. And how did Hakimi celebrate his historic goal? Not by milking the moment or trying to bask in the glory. No, he ran over to the side of the pitch and into the stands to hug his mother. I don’t think there was a nicer, more heart-warming story than the tale of Achraf Hakimi. I hope he inspires many other young lads to follow their dreams. And for parents to give them their support to do so. Morocco plays France in the second semi-final today, with the winner meeting Argentina on Sunday in the final.

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." 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 defense of the faith. Because people wanted to shed light on Lucy's bravery, legends grew up. The one that is passed down to us tells the story of a 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 gouged 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. 

Our Lady of Guadalupe

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 surrounded by a ball of light as bright as the sun. Speaking in his native tongue, the beautiful lady identified herself: "My dear little son, I love you. 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.  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, who 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. Only peace, my little son." 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 left his side to find a priest. 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. There is no reason for you to engage a priest, for his health is restored at this moment. He is quite well. Go to the top of the hill and cut the flowers that are growing there. Bring them then to me."

The original painting at the Guadalupe Cathedral

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." Juan 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. His uncle told him he had met a young woman, surrounded by a soft light, who told him: "Call me and call my image Santa Maria de Guadalupe". In 1977, the tilma was examined using infrared photography and digital enhancement techniques. Unlike any painting, the tilma shows no sketching or any sign of outline drawn to permit an artist to produce a painting. Further, the very method used to create the image is still unknown. The image is inexplicable in its longevity and method of production. It can be seen today in a large cathedral built to house up to ten thousand worshipers. It is, by far, the most popular religious pilgrimage site in the Western Hemisphere.

Exhibition of Baby Jesus

I share with you a stunning display of images of Baby Jesus, set up as a permanent exhibition in a private house in Birkirkara, Malta. I first was introduced to this exhibition in 2002, and visited it with my father, incidentally just 3 days before he died. A few years later, the exhibition was set up as a permanent display with over 1500 different images of Baby Jesus in various postures as you can see from these few photos. 

Two images of baby Jesus made from wax

Some of them are made from clay, plastic, ceramic, chalk or gesso, and some even from wax. Most of them represent the infant Jesus as he lies in his manger, but others represent the Infant of Prague and others showing Jesus as a toddler or as a black baby. 

Tolkien’s faith

When people mention John Ronald Tolkien (1892-1973) the majority of the people think of him simply as the author of The Hobbit, and The Lord of the Rings. Few people know how much devoted he was to the Catholic faith, which has helped him in the many trials throughout his life. He lost his parents at a very young age, and many of his close friends were killed during World War I. He saw one war after another leaving thousands of victims. He also noticed the faith of many nations go down the drains, even though compared to today, it was still fairly healthy. His faith was the light that guided him. He was very devoted to the Eucharist where he found solace and comfort. He encouraged his son Michael to be close to the Blessed Sacrament, as he told him ‘that’s where you find love, glory, fidelity, the true road to your happiness.’ Tolkien was a close friend of C. S. Lewis, and was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth in March 1972.

The necklace

One day a jeweller was watching people peeking into his shop-window to look at the jewellery displayed. A young girl was among them and had her eyes on a blue necklace, as she checked it out for a long time. After a while, she entered the shop and told the jeweller that she wanted that blue necklace and asked him to wrap it in a golden paper, as this was a gift.

‘How much money you’ve got?’ asked curiously the jeweller. The girls placed a small metal box on the counter and opened it up. ‘I’ll give you everything I have, even the box, if you want,’ the girl replied. The jeweller noticed a few coins in the box, besides a few pebbles and beads. ‘Do you think I have enough?’ said sheepishly the little girl. ‘I want to give it as a present to my sister. Today is her birthday. When our mother died, she took care of me and made sure we had everything we needed. The color of this necklace are the colors of her eyes, and I’m sure she’ll be delighted to have them and wear them.’ The jeweller quickly packed the necklace in its box and wrapped it in a golden paper with a silver ribbon, and gave it to her.

An hour later, an older girl appeared at the shop with the box in golden paper. ‘Please, could you tell me if this necklace was bought from here?’ ‘Yes it was,’ the jeweller replied.

‘How much did it cost?’ ‘I’m sorry young lady but the prices in my shop are all confidential.’

‘But sir, my sister certainly did not have enough money to buy such an expensive necklace.’

‘But she did pay for it. She paid the highest price she could afford. She gave everything she had!’ 

Immaculate Conception

Esteban Murillo - Imaculata Conception

Just imagine the millions of Christmas cards being exchanged right now, going across the globe, many of which are images of the Blessed Virgin Mary, frequently with baby Jesus and St Joseph. Just imagine the thousands upon thousands of nativities being set up and displayed around the world with the Holy Family taking center stage for the Advent and Christmas season.
The 255 million links and articles to the word ‘Our Lady’ produced by Google, besides millions of images produced, are proof of how dominant she still is in the Catholic church and in Christian culture around the world. And when I think that more than half of the parishes in my home country of Malta are dedicated to the Blessed Mother, it shows the devotion people still have towards her. Many were also the classical works written in sacred music, starting with various Gregorian chants melodies and continuing with the Magnificat, Salve Regina, Vespers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and so much more by many great composers. They all get their inspiration from the image of Mary, conceived without sin, a privilege that was only granted to her and no one else. Just as Jesus was considered the new Adam, so Mary is considered the new Eve.
In 1760, Pope Clement XIII authorized the celebration of the Immaculate Conception in the Catholic church. But it was only in 1854 that Pope Pius IX, after consulting with all the bishops of the world, pronounced and proclaimed the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception. This was a rare event, and it took another 96 years to have another Dogma proclaimed, this time the Assumption of Mary in 1950. Then another event happened that affirmed the Immaculate Conception of Mary, only 4 years later, when in 1858, the apparition at Lourdes took place, Mary revealing herself to Bernadette Soubirous as the Immaculate Conception. The Encyclical Ineffabilis Deus that proclaimed the Dogma proclaims that the Blessed Virgin Mary, “in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin, is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful.”