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Colors of the Advent Candles
The Advent wreath, typically a circular garland of evergreen branches, is a symbol of eternity and unending love. Four candles are arranged on the wreath, and one is lit each Sunday in Advent. The...
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Our Lady of Guadalupe
Feast Day: December 12 Patron of the Americas The Virgin of Guadalupe, like the shroud of Turin, appears on a piece of fabric. Both are sacred objects, hundreds of years old, and both depict an image...
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O Antiphons
The Roman Church has been singing the "O" Antiphons since at least the eighth century. They are the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17-23. They are a...
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St. Francis and the Nativity Scene
St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and founder of the Catholic Church’s Franciscan Order, began the Christmas tradition of nativity scenes (also called creches or manger scenes) because...
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The Month of January
The first eight days of January fall during the liturgical season known as Christmas which is represented by the liturgical color white — the color of light, a symbol of joy, purity and innocence...
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Baptism of the Lord
FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD TODAY BRINGS TO AN END our Christmas celebrations. And we see the third and last of the three great manifestations by which were made known to us that our God had come...
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Mass Structure and Meaning: Introductory Rites
This week, we are beginning a new series designed to take a deeper look at the parts of the Mass – their structure and meaning. Our first area of focus is the Introductory Rites. Introductory Rites:...
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Mass Structure and Meaning: Liturgy of the Word
Most of the Liturgy of the Word is made up of readings from Scripture. On Sundays and solemnities, there are three Scripture readings. During most of the year, the first reading is from the Old...
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Mass Structure and Meaning: Liturgy of the Eucharist
The Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the preparation of the gifts and the altar. As the ministers prepare the altar, representatives of the people bring forward the bread and wine that will become...
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Concluding Rites
When it is necessary, announcements may be made. The celebrant then blesses the people assembled. Sometimes, the blessing is very simple. On special days, the blessing may be more extensive. In every...
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Ash Wednesday
The liturgical use of ashes originates in Old Testament times. Ashes symbolized mourning, mortality and penance. Job (whose story was written between the 7th and 5th centuries B.C.) repented in...
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The Rite of Sending and Election
RITE OF SENDING The rite of sending is a parish celebration that sends catechumens to the rite of election. At the rite of election, usually on or about the First Sunday of Lent, the church names the...
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Lent and the Pretzel
The pretzel has a deep spiritual meaning for Lent. In fact, it was the ancient Christian Lenten bread as far back as the fourth century. In the old Roman Empire, the faithful kept a very strict fast...
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The Scrutinies
The Scrutinies are three special rites that help prepare the Elect, those participating in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), to enter the Catholic Church. They take place during the...
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Why is Lent 40 Days?
The Lenten season is a time of preparation for the liturgical celebration of the suffering, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. Many Catholics spend that time on the three practices of Lent: prayer,...
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Sacrament of Penance
The Catechism of the Catholic Church: ARTICLE 4 THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION 1422 "Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed...
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Octave of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday
The celebration of Our Lord’s Resurrection continues in the Church for eight days, called the Octave of Easter. Each day of the Octave is ranked as a Solemnity in the Church’s liturgical calendar, the...
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Annunciation of the Lord
“Behold the Handmaid of the Lord”. This feast celebrates the day the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and asked her to be the Mother of Jesus. Mary was an ordinary girl from a simple town. Yet, God...
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First Holy Communion
The first communion is an important milestone in the life of every believer, particularly a Catholic. A child baptized when they were an infant into the family of the Lord, goes on to take a place at...
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