Christmastide Edition (December 25 through January 9, 2016) (nativity.htm)

Station for today's Mass is at St. Stephen's Church on the Coelian Hill in Rome. The Jewish origin of Saint Stephen is universally acknowledged; he is known and loved everywhere as the first follower of Christ to give to his martyred God love for love, blood for blood. It is not certain whether he was among the seventy-two disciples of Jesus; some believe he was of the Greek tongue and not a native of Palestine. He studied with Saint Paul and Saint Barnabas under the famous Doctor of the Law, Gamaliel, who, being a member of the Sanhedrin, attempted to stop the persecution of the Apostles. (Acts of the Apostles 5:34-40) What is certain, however, is that he distinguished himself among his brethren as an admirable Christian, replete with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. To his great beauty and ...more

Also listen to Bishop Daniel Dolan's sermon on St. Stephen

The two turtledoves represent the Old and New Testaments - the Word of God which over the years has been so watered down by "interpretations and political correctness" that often it loses its true meaning and must be properly discerned through the Church's reliance on the Holy Ghost. Contrary to so much syncretistic novelties and concessions to the Jews, while the Old Covenant is treasured by Holy Mother Church for its roots, the New Covenant established by Christ takes priority and reinforces the meaning and fulfillment of the Old Testament and there have been countless saints who were martyred for standing by the New Testament in fulfillment of God's holy Will with St. Stephen being the first. For more on the Day Two on the True Meaning

To Forgive and to Pray Inspiration on St. Stephen by Dr. Thomas A. Droleskey

As we complete the Second Book of these revelations to St. Bridget, we see clearer than ever the mind of God and His Most Immaculate Mother and what we need to do to not only assure our own salvation, but win souls for Him in sharing Heaven. In the final chapter of Book Two, the Blessed Mother entreats her Son for His bride and for another holy person. Then we see how the Mother's entreaty is received by Christ, and on certainty regarding the truth or falsity of a person's holiness in this life. And though he was not specifically referring to men like Karol Wojtyla in His last few paragraphs to St. Bridget, what our Lord says in the final paragraph nails the man called John Paul II and the insanity and sacrilege of his "canonization" to satisfy the world and justify that which is abhorred by God. Consider these words; "Therefore, it is not right for such food to be lifted up before wolves, whose greed is never sated, whose lust for pleasure flees from the herbs of virtue and thirsts for rotten meat," as Jesus affirms in chapter thirty. Those blinded by their own love are unworthy to see the Light

Saint John, brother of Saint James the Greater, the Apostle of Spain, is the beloved disciple. He was privileged, with his brother and Saint Peter, to behold Our Lord raise up a dead child to life, then saw Him transfigured on the mountaintop; he alone reposed his head on His breast at the Last Supper. After the crucifixion it is he who, with Saint Peter, hastened to the empty tomb on the morning of the Resurrection. Standing beside Mary at the Cross, he had heard his Master confide that Blessed Mother to him to be henceforth his Mother also. He took his precious treasure for refuge to Ephesus when the persecution of the Jerusalem Christians became too intense; and from there he went out to evangelize Asia Minor, of which he became the first Archbishop. He was later exiled to the Island of Patmos, where he wrote the Apocalypse, but afterwards returned to Ephesus. Compared with an eagle by his flights of elevated contemplation, Saint John is the supreme Doctor of the Divinity of Jesus of Nazareth. Endowed with an astounding memory, he was able even in his later years, to reproduce the discourses of Christ in such a way as to make the reader experience their power and impact on their audiences as if present to hear them. He is the author of five books of the New ...More

Also listen to Bishop Donald Sanborn's sermon on St. John the Evangelist

John Gregory with the cogent comprehensive Catholic Commentary penned by Father George Leo Haydock on the Douay-Rheims version of the New Testament. The commentary for the Double of the Second Class Feast of St. John the Evangelist reveals in the beloved disciple's own Gospel that Christ indicated to him and to Peter, and quite possibly the other Apostles, that John was to be preserved from a violent death for Our Lord had other plans for John, thus symbolized by the eagle as an indication of soaring to greater heights in God's overall plan of salvation. Represented by the Eagle

Love Unalloyed for Love Incarnate Inspiration on St. John the Evangelist by Dr. Thomas A. Droleskey

The three French hens represent the Three theological Virtues of FAITH, HOPE and CHARITY which enabled Catholics to stay in the state of grace by practicing and promulgating these vital virtues when the sacraments were not readily available. So also today when, because of the plethora of aberrations in the Novus Ordo rite and the novelties and modernist novelties that exist everywhere, the sacraments are not readily available either and so Traditional Catholics must reinforce in their thoughts, words and deeds these theological virtues. In the face of the warped logic of conciliar catholics and their empty resolutions all void of defense by the infallible, perennial Magisterium of the Church, it takes great fortitude, patience and, yes, charity. Faith and Hope spur Traditional Catholics on just as Traditional Catholics were encouraged in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. For more, see Day Three on the True Meaning

We begin Book Three with these soul-searching life-changing words imparted to St. Bridget of Sweden by our Lord and His Blessed Mother. It is also important to realize that to "Fight 4 Your Faith" you need to understand the consequences if you don't. Through these revelations to St. Bridget we see clearer than ever the mind of God and what we need to do to not only assure our own salvation, but win souls for Him in sharing Heaven. As the world grows darker, we seek to provide readers the Light in how to apply It to our own lives so that we can truly live in and love Him alone. We begin Book Three with chapter one in which Our Lady issues the guideline of warnings and instructions to the bishop about how to eat and dress and pray, and about how he should behave before meals, at meals, and after meals, and likewise his sleep and how he should carry out the office of bishop always and everywhere. For he is a shepherd of souls and will be held to a higher account the higher he rises as we see in Book Three, Chapter One: A Bishop's Daily Duty

The wily king Herod, who was reigning in Judea at the time of the birth of Our Savior, learned from three Wise Men from the East that they had come to Jerusalem, advised by a star in the Heavens, in search of the newborn King of the Jews. Herod's superstitious fear of losing his throne was awakened, and he grew troubled. He called together the chief priests, questioned them, and learned from them that the awaited Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, the city of David. He said to the strangers: "When you have found Him, bring me word, that I too may go and adore Him." The star which had guided the Magi re-appeared over Bethlehem, and they found the Infant and adored Him, and offered Him their royal gifts of gold, ...More

Also listen to a sermon by Fr. Benedict Hughes, CMRI: Keep Our Children Innocent

The four calling birds represent the four Gospels where truly the Word of God through Jesus and His life for all of us to emulate was recorded. Since Catholics were not allowed to keep bibles or preach during those times, they reinforced others through the song to read the Gospels in private and live it, and not to subscribe to the altered version known as the King James Bible, but to remain true to the Latin Vulgate translated by the great Doctor of the Church Saint Jerome. Those who were caught were often persecuted and executed, much like those Holy Innocents slaughtered by Herod, those little ones who we honor today For more, see Day Four on the True Meaning

Wholly Innocent Inspiration for the Feast of the Holy Innocents by Dr. Thomas A. Droleskey

Through these revelations to St. Bridget of Sweden we see clearer than ever the mind of God and what we need to do to not only assure our own salvation, but win souls for Him in sharing Heaven. In the second chapter of Book Three, the Blessed Mother speaks to her daughter of the opportune solution to the difficulties meeting the bishop on the narrow path. She imparts how patience is symbolized by clothing and the Ten Commandments by ten fingers, and the longing for eternity and the distaste for worldliness by two feet. The Virgin then tells her about three enemies to the bishop along his way in these soul-searching life-changing words imparted to the Swedish saint by our Lord and His Blessed Mother. It is also important to realize that to "Fight 4 Your Faith" you need to understand the consequences if you don't. As the world grows darker, we seek to provide readers the Light in how to apply It to our own lives so that we can truly live in and love Him alone. These lessons are invaluable in knowing our own hearts and judging the actions and words of those who have donned the purple garments of the episcopacy. Book Three, Chapter Two: Beware of the thorns along the Bishop's Path

Saint Thomas a Becket, son of an English nobleman, Gilbert Becket, was born on the day consecrated to the memory of Saint Thomas the Apostle, December 21, 1117, in Southwark, England. He was endowed by both nature and grace with gifts recommending him to his fellow men; and his father, certain he would one day be a great servant of Christ, confided his education to a monastery. His first employment was in the government of the London police. There he was obliged to learn the various rights of the Church and of the secular arm, but already he saw so many injustices imposed upon the clergy that he preferred to leave that employment rather than to participate in iniquity. He was perfectly chaste and truthful, and no snares could cause to waver his hatred for any form of covert action. ...More

Also listen to Bishop Daniel Dolan's sermon on St. Thomas a Beckett

The five golden rings represent both the first Five Books of the Old Testament or the Pentatuch which reminded fellow Catholics of the roots and, after the devotion became more widespread and known, the Five Decades of the Rosary and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Rosary was given to St. Dominic to fight heresy and few were as brave as St. Thomas a Becket in standing up to his King because he believed in a greater King to whom Thomas' earthly king had to be subjective to and rule in accordance with God's holy Will or face the consequences. The temporal consequences for Thomas were tragic, but his eternal consequences have been heavenly. We should study his life for we too may confront just such choices eventually in our own lives and the question is: Will we choose the same path Thomas did? For more, see Day Five on the True Meaning

A Martyr for the Church's Liberties Inspiration on St. Thomas a Becket by Dr. Thomas A. Droleskey

In light of this past Sunday's Gospel on the Good Shepherd, these revelations to St. Bridget of Sweden are most appropriate in the fact we see clearer than ever the mind of God and what we need to do to not only assure our own salvation, but win souls for Him in sharing Heaven. It begins with our shepherds and if we have good ones, there will be many fruits. In the third chapter of Book Three, the Blessed Mother speaks again to her daughter in giving her a complete explanation to the bishop on how he should exercise his episcopal office in order to give glory to God, and illustrates the double reward for having held the rank of bishop in a true way and a warning of the double disgrace for having held it in a false way, and how Jesus Christ and all the saints welcome a true and upright bishop, who strives for holiness in himself and his flock. Such an example is the holy Archbishop of Canterbury St. Thomas a Becket who would not be tempted. As the world grows darker, we seek to provide readers the Light in how to apply It to our own lives so that we can truly live in and love Him alone. These lessons are invaluable in knowing our own hearts and judging the actions and words of those who have donned the purple garments of the episcopacy. Book Three, Chapter Three: The work of a true shepherd is never done

This Mass, like Sunday, is the Mass within the Octave of the Nativity is also the same as the third Mass on Christmas, but Epistle and Gospel are from the Second Mass. The sacred liturgy, in revealing to us the supernatural Sonship of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which affects our souls more especially at this time of Christmas, makes the Divinity under the aspect of Fatherhood resplendent in our eyes. See Puer natus est

The six geese a-laying represent the six days God took to create the earth, the universe, and all creatures. It was a way for all Catholics to remind fellow faithful and be reminded that, despite persecution, they were not second-class citizens but rather first-class children of God and rightful heirs to His mansions in the Heavenly regions if they persevered in the One, True Faith. It encouraged all Catholics, in the face of great apostasy, to believe and adhere the first dogma of the Church, "Extra Ecclesia Salus Nullum" - "Outside the Church, there is no salvation." Thus the sixth day represents the sixth day octave of Christmas and Creation. For more, see Day Six on the True Meaning

Staying with the subject of the shepherds of souls we see Our Lady's revelations to St. Bridget of Sweden in revealing what God thinks of His bishops who revere themselves and riches more than the treasure of His precious souls. Mary speaks of the covetousness of bad bishops and explains in a long parable of the plight of of one bishop and the reward of a simple priest, a canon who never sought the episcopal cloth and only would have were it God's holy will. These are the kind of men needed today to be our shepherds, but instead, for the vast majority of Catholics they are stuck with the kind of men who will meet the same fate as the bishop in the Blessed Mother's parable to St. Bridget. Thank God for our traditional bishops and pray God they do not seek power and prestige over poverty and penance. If they seek the will of God, we will be indeed blessed and flourish; if they seek their own agenda, we will suffer the consequences. Which is your bishop? These lessons are invaluable in knowing our own hearts and judging the actions and words of those who have donned the purple garments of the episcopacy. Book Three, Chapter Four: The Penitent and the Prideful

Saint Sylvester was born in Rome. When he reached the age to dispose of his fortune, he took pleasure in giving hospitality to Christians passing through the city. He would take them with him, wash their feet, serve them at table, and in sum give them in the name of Christ, all the care that the most sincere charity inspired. One day Timothy of Antioch, an illustrious confessor of the Faith, arrived in Rome. No one dared receive him, but Sylvester considered it an honor. For a year Timothy, preaching Jesus Christ with unflagging zeal, received at Sylvester's dwelling the most generous hospitality. When this heroic man had won the palm of martyrdom, Sylvester took up his precious remains and buried them during the night. But he himself was soon denounced to the prefect and accused of having hidden the martyr’s treasures. He replied, "Timothy left to me only the heritage of his faith and courage." The governor threatened him with ...More

The seven swans a-swimming represent the Seven Sacraments established by Jesus Christ as well as the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost. With the Sacraments and Gifts Catholics could sustain themselves through the dark times and encourage others at this holy time of the year with this Christmas song, reminding each other of the wondrous glory of God and His munificence on the seventh day of the octave of Christmas. Just as this falls on the last day of the year, so also with the Seven Sacraments the old covenant was ended and replaced by the New Covenant which Our Lord left to His Church and for all generations with the promise of the protection of the Sanctifier, the Holy Ghost, especially through the true Successors of St. Peter such as today's saint. For more, see Day Seven on the True Meaning

A Pope Who Was No Puddy Tat Inspiration on Pope St. Sylvester by Dr. Thomas A. Droleskey

In the fifth chapter of Book Three, the Blessed Mother speaks again to her daughter in The Virgin imparts a nautical metaphor to the bride about the prayer of good persons for the people; rulers of the world and the Church compared to helmsmen, while pride and the rest of the vices are compared to storms, which bring to mind the conciliar charlatans that blew in off an ill tide. To navigate through this typhoon, one must set their compass for a haven, which is the passage into truth, and which can equate with those traditional chapels where there is no compromise with the false church and where they have realize they must be always anchored in faith, hope and charity and, by doing so, will always have true devotion to Mary as her divine Son wills it. Our Lady also addresses St. Bridget of Sweden's spiritual calling. As the world grows darker, we seek to provide readers the Light in how to apply It to our own lives so that we can truly live in and love Him alone. These lessons are invaluable in knowing our own hearts and judging the actions and words of those who have donned the purple garments of the episcopacy. Book Three, Chapter Five: Withstanding the Waves

Circumcision was a sacrament of the Old Law, and the first legal observance required of the descendants of Abraham by Almighty God. It was a sacrament of initiation in the service of God, and a promise, an engagement, to believe and act as He had revealed and directed. The law of circumcision continued in force until the death of Christ. Our Saviour having thus been born under the law, it became Him who came to teach mankind obedience to the law of God, to fulfill all justice, and to submit to it. He might redeem those who were under the law, by freeing them from the servitude of it, and that those who were formerly in the condition of servants might be set at liberty and receive the adoption of sons in Baptism, which, by Christ's institution, succeeded to circumcision. (cf. Gal. 4:5) On the ...More

Also listen to last year's sermon by Fr. Benedict Hughes, CMRI on Time

For the First Friday Devotions of 2016, click below:

John Gregory has provided Father Leo George Haydock's cogent comprehensive Catholic Commentary on the Douay-Rheims version of the New Testament. The commentary for Double of the Second Class Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord is very brief, repeating the Epistle of the First Mass on Christmas at midnight and only one verse in the Gospel of St. Luke, but it is in that very commentary that we understand the wisdom of why Our Lady obeyed the Jewish Law and why God allowed it. Obedience to the Law

The eight maids a-milking represent the Eight Beatitudes preached by Jesus Christ on His sermon on the mount and which Catholics, no matter how persecuted, could practice good deeds through the Beatitudes and gain great consolation and courage from these. It exemplifies the Christian attitude He called for in the Two Great Commandments, to love God with all our might and, secondly, because we love Him, to love our neighbors as ourselves. On this first day of the year we celebrate the human nature of Christ as He, through his obedient, holy Mother Mary and foster father St. Joseph, shed the first drop of His Most Precious Blood with His Circumcision which would be shed 33 years later to the very last drop on the cross for us. For more, see Day Eight on the True Meaning

A Bishop Ambrose - whether he is the holy Doctor of the Church St. Ambrose - we do not know, but he has been granted by Heaven to communicate with St. Bridget and, to help her - and those of us who read here - to understand better he offers an allegory about a man, his wife and his housemaid, about how this adulterer symbolizes a wicked bishop while his wife symbolizes the Church and his housemaid the love of this world, and Bridget learns of the harsh sentence on those more attached to the world than to the Church. It is a lesson we can all meditate on and see how the conciliar church and those who call themselves 'bishops', yay, even 'popes' are so definitely the adulterer who love the housemaid more than Christ's Mystical Bride. This then is the message imparted to St. Bridget in her Prophesies and Revelations which we are privileged to bring our readers as inspiration and a wonderful examination of conscience for all of us as you'll see in Book Three, Chapter Six: Cheating the Church

Holy Mother Church reveals to us the greatness of His name. It was on the occasion of the rite of Circumcision that He received the name of Jesus, which was assigned to Him by the Angel before He was conceived, and which signifies Savior. That name, so beautiful, so glorious, the divine Child does not wish to bear for one moment without fulfilling its meaning. ...More

For the First Saturday Devotions of 2016, click below:

The nine ladies dancing is not about partying but rather the Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit as described in Galatians 5: 22 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, modesty and continency." These fruits helped Catholics to practice the virtues and remind fellow Catholics how to stay out of harm's way as far as their souls were concerned. For more, see Day Nine on the True Meaning

In the seventh chapter of Book Three, the Blessed Mother speaks again to her daughter in which she follows up the magnificent words of the Bishop Ambrose - yes, quite possibly the holy Doctor of the Church - and compares him as the good bishop to the bad bishop as the Virgin imparts to St. Bridget of Sweden in comparing a world-loving bishop to a bellows full of air -- like a tornado that destroys like it did to many this week -- or to a snail lying in filth. Our Lady also speaks about the sentence dealt out to such a bishop who is the very opposite of Bishop Ambrose, a saintly man who nourished back to life souls who had been deprived of the waters of truth and temperance. These lessons are invaluable in knowing our own hearts and judging the actions and words of those who have donned the purple garments of the episcopacy. Book Three, Chapter Seven : The breeze of the Spirit clashes with hot air

Holy Mother Church reveals to us the greatness of His name. It was on the occasion of the rite of Circumcision that a name was given to children among Jews. So the Church uses the same Gospel as that of the Feast of the Circumcision, and dwells on the second part which tells us that "the Child was called Jesus"

(Gospel), "as God had bid that He should be called" (Collect). This name means Saviour, for "there is no other name given to men whereby we must be saved." The origin of this feast is traced to the sixteenth century, when it was celebrated by the Franciscan Order. In 1721 the Church, under the rule of Pope Innocent XIII, made the keeping of this solemnity universal. If we wish "to rejoice at seeing that our names are written in heaven under that of Jesus" (Postcommunion), let it be often on our lips on earth. Twenty days' indulgence are granted to those who reverently bow their heads on pronouncing or on hearing pronounced the names of Jesus and Mary, and the holy Pope Saint Pius X granted three hundred days' Indulgence to those who ...More

Also listen to last year's sermon by Fr. Benedict Hughes, CMRI on The Holy Name of Jesus

This special feature, provided by John Gregory with the Haydock Commentary found at the bottom of each page of the Douay-Rheims Bible, With the type so small in most bibles, we publish it here in larger type in conjunction with the Epistle and Gospel for the Sunday Mass provided by John Gregory with the cogent comprehensive Catholic Commentary penned by Father George Leo Haydock on the Douay-Rheims version of the New Testament. The commentary for the Double of the Second Class Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus is, like the Circumcision, very brief, this time repeating the Gospel with the Epistle from Acts in those familiar words written by St. Paul that there is "no other name under Heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved" which immediately narrows it down to the only way to be saved is through Christ and His true Church, not the man-made counterfeit church of conciliarism. No other Name

The ten lords a-leaping symbolize the Law of God - the Ten Commandments. It was not a leap to obey the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai for the Protestants, who were persecuting the Catholics of those times and countries, also believed in the Ten Commandments, but the reference to "lords" was in reference to the rich and powerful for they were the ones who could change the laws that governed persecution and curtailment of the Catholic Faith. Yet it was the "lords" who were lax in obeying God's laws and Catholics wanted to remind their fellow Catholics that no matter how wealthy or spoiled the princes were, faith and perseverance was more important by reminding them of the law of ages and that at the Most Holy Name of Jesus every head should bow for He alone is our Sovereign King to Whom we owe obedience above man. For more, see Day Ten on the True Meaning

After a two-week hiatus due to devoting time to the devotions leading up to Pentecost, we resume bringing you the inspiring and thought-provoking words imparted to St. Bridget of Sweden and approved by holy Mother Church, recorded in her work "The Prophesies and Revelations of St. Bridget of Sweden." In chapter eight of Book Three, the Blessed Mother speaks again to her daughter about her own perfection and excellence, and the inordinate desires of modern teachers of their false reply to the question asked them by the glorious Virgin. In this lesson the Mother of God confronts a scholar and asks him three questions of which he tries to deceive the Blessed Mother, but she knows the truth and confides to St. Bridget his fate and that of all who eschew the narrow path for the wide worldly way that leads to ruin. Definitely being a scholar does not always mean one is smart. Book Three, Chapter Eight: Stupid Scholar

The eleven pipers piping stood for the Eleven Faithful Apostles who stuck with Jesus when seemingly all others had abandoned Him. They were referred to as "pipers" for they indeed were sent out to all corners to spread the Gospel as Our Lord had commanded and, like the "Pied Piper of Hamlin" they attracted many to the One, True Faith. It was a way for Catholics to remind their fellow faithful to keep this in mind during the hard times for all but Saint John were persecuted and martyred for the faith. If they remained faithful to their Faith and to Jesus, they, too, would one day enjoy the same rewards of Heavenly bliss, continuing to adore, obey and honor Him always For more, see Day Eleven on the True Meaning

We continue with the inspiring and thought-provoking words imparted to St. Bridget of Sweden and approved by holy Mother Church, recorded in her work "The Prophesies and Revelations of St. Bridget of Sweden." In chapter nine of Book Three, quite possibly one of the shortest chapters yet, the Blessed Virgin Mary imparts words to St. Bridget of Sweden on how those who can see, hear and taste can see clearly in the sunlight, but in the darkness though they may not see, like the blind man, nor see, like the deaf man, nor taste, like the dead man, all have a warning system that can keep them virtuous and safe if they heed the signs. If not, many dangers can befall those who are blind, deaf and dead to grace. Not that they were not warned. Book Three, Chapter Nine: Sensing Danger

Mass is for the Sunday within the Octave of Christmas except for the Gospel, and the Third Collect, Secret and Postcommunion for St. Telesphorus. The 8th Successor of Peter, St. Telesphorus was a Greek who composed the 'Gloria in Excelsis Deo' and instituted the seven week fast before Easter (Lent) He decreed that each priest should celebrate three Masses on Christmas nihgt and he inserted new prayers into the Mass. He undertook numerous labors to confess the divinity of Christ, and suffered a glorious martyrdom at Rome on this day in 138. See Dum medium silentium

The twelve drummers drumming represented the Twelve Points or Articles of Belief in the APOSTLES' CREED. It's interesting that Catholics chose drummers for their symbolism for to keep reminding each other of the twelve points of the solid creed known as the Apostles' Creed for this was their profession of faith and there was a constant need to keep hammering home this point or should we say "bang the drum" so fellow Catholics would get the "beat" and get into a rhythm of their religion, encouraged by all Jesus promised and professed in the Creed. Today we observe the Vigil of the Epiphany, in anticipation of the day traditionally accepted of when the three Magi from the East arrived about a year after Christ was born, bringing Him regal gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myhrr. For more, see Day Twelve on the True Meaning

In the tenth chapter of Book Three, the Virgin speaks to her daughter, offering assurance about the words spoken to her; and on the danger and approaching collapse of the Church, and how, unfortunately, the overseers of the Church largely devote themselves nowadays to a life of debauchery and greed and waste the goods of the Church in their pride, and how such behavior and attitude incurs the wrath of God. Consider, if you will, that these words were given a a century and a half before the devastating Protestant revolution in the sixteenth century. Now read these words in light of our present day catastrophe known as the counterfeit church of CONciLIARism and we can see the veracity of our Lady's warning in the mid 1300's. Oh, will we ever learn? Read Mary's words and ask what you can do: "I, the Queen of Heaven, will come to the aid of anyone who, knowing his own insufficiency, is willing to take on the task of making the Church's foundation stable and restoring the blessed vineyard that God founded with His Blood, and, together with the angels, I will root up loose roots and throw any trees without fruit into the fire and plant fruitful shoots in their stead. By this vineyard I mean the Church of God in which the two virtues of humility and divine charity must be restored." It's in our court now. Will you serve? See Our Lady's words to St. Bridget in Shining Rainbow of Redemption

This feast was celebrated in the East as early as the third century and it spread to the West towards the end of the fourth century. The word "Epiphany" means "manifestation." As at Christmas it is the mystery of a God Who makes Himself visible, but it is no longer only to the Jews that He shows Himself: "It is to the Gentiles on this day that God reveals His Son" (Collect). And Isaias in a grand vision perceives the Church under the figure of Jerusalem, where "the kings and the nations abound, the multitude who inhabit the borders of the sea and the strength of the Gentiles. They come from afar with their numerous caravans, singing the praises Of the Lord and bringing Him gold and frankincense" (Epistle) "The kings of the earth shall adore God, and ...More

Also listen to Bishop Donald Sanborn's Sermon on The Epiphany

This special feature, provided by John Gregory with the Haydock Commentary found at the bottom of each page of the Douay-Rheims Bible, With the type so small in most bibles, we publish it here in larger type in conjunction with the Epistle and Gospel for the Sunday Mass provided by John Gregory with the cogent comprehensive Catholic Commentary penned by Father George Leo Haydock on the Douay-Rheims version of the New Testament. The commentary for the Double of the First Class Feast of the Epiphany shows the fullfillment of the Prophet Isaias that "Gentiles shall walk in Thy light, and kings in the brightness of Thy rising" while "bringing gold and frankincense: and shewing forth praise to the Lord." This is carried out, as we see, in the Gospel of St. Matthew that they were indeed non-Jewish kings from the East, who honored the newborn King with "gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh

In the eleventh chapter of Book Three, Saint Bridge of Sweden, as the bride, conveys trusting words to Christ. Then receives an answer first from Saint John the Baptist who offers assurance to the bride that Christ does indeed speak to her. Then the Baptist relates to her how difficult it is for a rich man but one who has the happiness of the good rich man understands this perfectly. However, as he describes, an imprudent bishop is compared to a monkey because of his foolishness and wicked life and the consequences of loving worldly things more than the sweet fragrance of God's truths and love. For such folly a cardinal legate received sulphur and poison as his reward as Christ confirms. Is it monkey see, monkey do, or will you stand strong and not ape those committed to the demon? The inspiration provided in the Revelations and Prophesies to St. Bridget provide a compass to navigate our way through this planet zoo and jungle for... To ape the world is to lose one's soul

Isaias in a grand vision perceives the Church under the figure of Jerusalem, where "the kings and the nations abound, the multitude who inhabit the borders of the sea and ...More

Also listen to sermon by Fr. Casimir Puskorius CMRI on Spiritual Lessons of the Magi

In the twelfth chapter of Book Three, Saint Bridge of Sweden, as the bride, implores God and pours forth prayers for the bishop mentioned earlier, and about the answers provided by the heavenly Father, Christ Himself, Saint Agnes, and the Blessed Virgin Mary in guiding St. Bridget as They speak of two roads, one leads to the abyss and is pleasurable and carefree while the road to Heaven is an uphill struggle made light and easy the more one embraces God's will and strengthens their prayer life in the state of grace. Those not in the state of grace cannot count on switching roads for no one knows the day nor the hour when it might be too late. There are no shortcuts. The inspiration provided in the Revelations and Prophesies to St. Bridget provide a compass to navigate our way on the straight and narrow road to Heaven in Make sure you're on the right road

Today is the beginning of the Nine Day Novena in preparation for the Feast of Our Lady of Prompt Succor on January 15. During the French Revolution of the late Eighteenth Century, priests and religious were persecuted and often had to go into hiding in order to administer the Sacraments and keep their vocation and apostolates. This is what happened with the Ursuline nuns of the Convent of Pont-Saint-Esprit. One of the nuns, Agathe Gensoul, who could no longer use her religious name, Mother St. Michel, still lived her vocation, starting a school with another Ursuline, Sophie Ricard. Agathe had a cousin who was an Ursuline also, but who lived in America, in New Orleans, which had been at that time under Spanish domain, but had been taken back by the French. Fearing French persecution, the Spanish Ursulines there went back to Spain, which left the convent in need of more nuns. See Day One and more on the Novena to Our Lady of Prompt Succor

The word "Epiphany" means "manifestation." As at Christmas it is the mystery of a God Who makes Himself visible, but it is no longer only to ...More

Also listen to Bishop Daniel Dolan's sermon on The Difference Between Christmas and Epiphany

Novena to Our Lady of Prompt Succor Day Two

Today, Ember Wednesday, we celebrate the feast of the tax collector St. Matthew and his Gospel, the first in the Book of the New Testament is so verified and exemplified in the words imparted to St. Bridget of Sweden from the Mother of God where we can see clearer than ever the mind of God and what we need to do to not only assure our own salvation, but win souls for Him in sharing Heaven. In the thirteenth chapter of Book Three, the Blessed Virgin Mary's words to the daughter focuses on how she so beautifully explains the words and deeds of her divine Son Christ in the metaphor of a Treasure, where His divine nature is likened to a castle and the obstacles to that castle are the bars of sin, and the fleeting waters of this world's beauty and man's friendship that can sink into the moat of hell those who do not have their eyes and hearts on the true Treasure as Our Lady lays out how a bishop ought to behave with respect to the care of souls as we see in Book Three, chapter thirteen, Gaining the Treasure.

At St. Peter's, where are the relics of the Church's first visible head, the liturgical celebration of the entry of the of the Gentiles into the Church takes place. ...More

Also listen to Bishop Donald Sanborn's Sermon on Epiphany: The Feast of Truth

Novena to Our Lady of Prompt Succor Day Three

On this feast of a holy bishop, we bring you the words from the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Bridget of Sweden about bishops where we've already seen how precious they are to God and yet if they shun their responsibility they will be held accountable to a much, much higher standard for many souls have been entrusted to their care. Over the next two chapters the Mother of God compares a certain bishop, and, in that respect to every bishop, as those with wings. Not however as angels' wings, but those of insects. In Chapter fourteen of Book Three she looks to the beautiful butterfly and indicates those things we don't normally see in the papillon for she places it under a microscope, if you will, in the same way God puts a bishop, because of his grave responsibility, under said microscope as far as his words, actions and prayer life. A Bishop as a Butterfly.

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