FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT
SAINTS OF THE DAY – FEAST DAY ~ DECEMBER 23, 2024
CHRISTMAS NOVENA AND THE “O ANTIPHONS” OF ADVENT
SAINT ANDREW’S CHRISTMAS NOVENA
[The Saint Andrew’s Christmas Novena prayer below is traditionally prayed 15 times a day from November 30, the Feast of Saint Andrew, through Christmas Eve.]
THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH [Please see link to this article below]
THE SAINTS: WHO ARE THEY AND HOW ARE THEY CANONISED? [Please see link to the article below]
PURGATORY: WHAT IS PURGATORY? [Please see link to this article below]
THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? [Please see link to this article below]
CHRISTMAS NOVENA AND THE “O ANTIPHONS” OF ADVENT – DECEMBER 16 – 24: This Christmas Novena starts on December 16th [Christmas Novena Link Below]
THE “O ANTIPHONS” OF ADVENT
The “O Antiphons” are prayed for 7 days in preparation for Christmas: December 17–23.
Greetings and blessings, beloved family and Happy Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent!
On this Special Feast day, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, we pray for God’s grace and mercy and for the safety and well-being of our children and for peace in our family and the whole world and we continue to remember the souls of the faithful departed and the souls in Purgatory. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯
“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their abors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13
PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen🙏
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary| on EWTN on YouTube” | December 23, 2024 |
Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | December 23, 2024 |
Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | LIVE Basilica of St. Mary Major | October 6, 2024 |
Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | December 23, 2024 |
Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| December 23, 2024 |
Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” oùn YouTube |
Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) |
Today’s Bible Readings: Monday, December 23, 2024
Reading 1, Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14
Gospel, Luke 1:57-66
THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/
THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/21/the-holy-rosary-what-is-the-holy-rosary-and-why-do-we-pray-the-holy-rosary/
THE SAINTS: WHO ARE THEY AND HOW ARE THEY CANONISED? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/01/the-saints-who-are-they-and-how-are-they-canonised/
PURGATORY: WHAT IS PURGATORY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/15/purgatory-and-limbo/
CHRISTMAS NOVENA: DECEMBER 16 – 24: Pray the Christmas Novena for 9 consecutive days starting today, December 16th. This novena is prayed in conjunction with the “O Antiphons,” of Advent shown below.
(CHRISTMAS NOVENA PRAYERS – Pray More Novenas – Novena Prayers & Catholic Devotion | https://www.praymorenovenas.com/christmas-novena)
(How to pray the ‘Christmas Novena’ that’s been said for 300 years | Catholic News Agency | https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253090/how-to-pray-the-300-year-old-christmas-novena)
(Holy Christmas novena, here’s a YouTube link ~ https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE9MVQgdDD0PoX0Hnyl4SIeHQVE1I1jqJ)
The link below is Magnificat Novena to the Holy Child Jesus, December 16 -24
(Novena to the Holy Child Jesus ~ https://editionsmagnificat.com/flipbooks/en/christmas-novena/index.html)
CHRISTMAS NOVENA AND THE “O ANTIPHONS” OF ADVENT: Today is the eighth day of the Christmas Novena and we reach the culmination of the O Antiphons today, the seventh O Antiphon, O Emmanuel (O God Is With Us). In previous antiphons our cry was directed to the Messiah as He manifested Himself to the Chosen People, to the Gentiles, and in nature; now He is addressed in person and asked to remain with us as Emmanuel. Reading this final antiphon gives the feeling that a climax has indeed come. The very term Emmanuel, God with us, reveals the kindly, human heart of Jesus — He wants to be one of us, a Child of man, with all our human weakness and suffering; He wants to experience how hard it is to be man. He wants to remain with us to the end of time, He wants to dwell within us, He wants to make us share His nature.
DECEMBER 23: 7TH O ANTIPHON – O EMMANUEL (O GOD IS WITH US)
7th O Antiphon Symbols: Manger ~ Come to save us, O Lord our God.
O Emmanuel, God with us, our King and Lawgiver, the expected of the nations and their Savior: Come to save us, O Lord our God. The manger reminds us of the simplicity and poverty surrounding the birth of Jesus and is representative of His life of humility. Recommended Readings: Isaiah 9:2-7
CHRISTMAS NOVENA: DECEMBER 16 – 24: Pray the Christmas Novena for 9 consecutive days from December 16 -24th. This novena is prayed in conjunction with the “O Antiphons,” of Advent shown below. The link below is Magnificat Novena to the Holy Child Jesus, December 16 -24
(Novena to the Holy Child Jesus
https://editionsmagnificat.com/flipbooks/en/christmas-novena/index.html)
CHRISTMAS NOVENA ~ DAY EIGHT
OPENING PRAYER (for each day): Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment At which the Son of God was born of a most pure Virgin At a stable at midnight in Bethlehem In the piercing cold At that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, To hear my prayers and grant my desires (Mention your intentions here) Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother. Amen🙏
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. O Lord, Word of God, You, whose glory is complete, came to us in perfect humility as a child in the womb. Your love for us and Your humility is unsurpassed and brings us to our knees in prayer and worship. Your incarnation forever changed the world. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
O Lord, infant Jesus, inspire us to be repulsed by sin! You, Lord, are holy but we are not. We pray that you will make us holy and keep us from temptation this Christmas. We also pray for these intentions… (State your intentions here). May Your Holy Will be done in my life and with these intentions. We pray that the work of salvation that Your first coming began will reach fulfillment in each of us. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen 🙏
DAY EIGHT: December 23 ~ Scripture reading: Malachi 3:1–4; 4:5–6
Consideration: Malachi prophesies the birth and mission of John the Baptist. Like a new Elijah, John will go before the Messiah and prepare the people for the Lord’s coming. A spirit of joy and wonderment pervades today’s prophecy, for the hand of God is active in Israel. The people wonder what it will all mean for their future. What does it mean for us today? The seventh “O antiphon” climaxes the series. The Messiah is addressed in human form. He is asked to remain with us as Emmanuel. May our hearts be ready to receive the Lord into our small, personal world, as he once came to the little town of Bethlehem. Emmanuel — God is with us! God, stay with us.
Antiphon: O Emmanuel, our ruler and lawgiver, the expected of the nations and the Redeemer of all, come now to deliver us, O our Lord and our master. (cf. Is 7:14; Is 33:22; Gen 49:10; Zech 9:9; Jn 20:28)
Magnificat
Intercessions: King of kings, direct the minds and hearts of those who hold authority; — let justice and peace prevail and let goodwill reign forever.
Lord Jesus, through your saving grace and power, — may your Church continue to spread until it embraces every nation.
Jesus, prince of peace, you are meek and humble of heart; — teach us to be thankful for all the blessings you bestow upon us.
Jesus, source of light and growth, increase vocations in your Church, like a gentle rain falling upon the earth; — the harvest is great and your word must be announced through all the world until your kingdom comes.
December 23: O Emmanuel, our King and our Law-giver, Longing of the Gentiles, yea, and salvation thereof, come to save us, O Lord our God! O Emmanuel (God with us)
O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God. Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.
CLOSING PRAYER (To be said after the intercessions each day of the novena): Let us pray. Come to live among us, Lord, so that we may always receive your forgiveness and mercy. Jesus our king, clothed in a robe of flesh, give us love, wisdom, and understanding at your birth. Reveal to us the mystery of your life, then send us forth to reveal your Word over all the earth. You who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen 🙏
THE “O ANTIPHONS” OF ADVENT
The “O Antiphons” are prayed for 7 days in preparation for Christmas: December 17–23. For those familiar with the Liturgy of the Hours, these are the antiphons used with the Magnificat each day. They are based on Isaiah’s prophecies and reveal the different titles given to the Messiah.
O Sapientia (O Wisdom) Isaiah 11:2–3; 28:29
O Adonai (O Lord) Isaiah 11:4–5; 33:22
O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse) Isaiah 1:1; 11:10
O Clavis David (O Key of David) Isaiah 9:6; 22:22
O Oriens (O Rising Sun) Isaiah 9:1
O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations) Isaiah 9:5; 2:4
O Emmanuel (God with us) Isaiah 7:14
The “O Antiphons” link below:
http://stannesepiscopal.net/o-antiphons/
Since each antiphon is short, it is helpful to spend time reading it each day, pondering it and praying it meditatively throughout the day as a way to make immediate spiritual preparation for Christmas.
SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN OF KANTY, PRIEST AND SAINT SERVULUS OF ROME, INVALID AND BEGGAR – FEAST DAY ~ DECEMBER 23TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint John of Kanty, Priest and Saint Servulus of Rome, Invalid and Beggar.
SAINT JOHN OF KANTY, PRIEST: Also known as St. John Cantius was a Polish priest, scholastic philosopher, physicist and theologian, born in June 1390 in a village, in Polish town of Kanty, the name of which he bears, situated in the diocese of Krakow, Poland. His childhood was passed in innocence under the care of his virtuous parents. After finishing his studies he became professor in the University of Krakow, a position he occupied several years, endeavoring not only to train his pupils in science but also to instill into their hearts the sentiments of piety with which he was himself animated. He was distinguished for his piety and love of neighbor. Having been ordained to the priesthood, St. John distinguished himself by still greater zeal for the glory of God and his own perfection. The carelessness and indifference of so many Christians were for him a great source of affliction. As parish priest, he became a true pastor of souls, severe toward himself and indulgent to others, showing himself the father of his people and their friend when they were in need. After some years he resumed his duties of professor at the University of Cracow, practicing at the same time prayer, love for the poor, and all Christians virtues.
Consumed by the desire of suffering martyrdom, John made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and preached “Jesus Crucified” to the Turks. Four times he made a journey to Rome on foot. On foot he visited the holy places of Rome and Palestine. His sleep was short and taken on the floor; his food barely sufficed to keep him alive. By means of fasting and severe discipline he preserved his purity intact. One day, after robbers had deprived him of all his effects, they asked him whether he had anything more. The saint said no, but hardly had they gone when he remembered having sewn some gold pieces inside his clothing; immediately he followed and overtook them. The robbers, astonished at the man’s sense of truthfulness, refused to accept the money and returned to him the stolen luggage.
To guard himself and his household from evil gossip he wrote upon the wall of his room (after the example of St. Augustine): Conturbare cave, non est placare suave, diffamare cave, nam revocare grave, i.e. “Guard against causing trouble and slandering others, for it is difficult to right the evil done.” His love of neighbor was most edifying. Often he gave away his own clothing and shoes; then, not to appear barefoot, he lowered his cassock so as to have it drag along the ground. During the last thirty years of his life he abstained entirely from meat. Sensing that his death was near at hand, he distributed whatever he still had to the poor and died peacefully in the Lord at an advanced age on December 24, 1473 at Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland. He was canonized in 1767 in Rome by Pope Clement XIII. St. John of Kanty is the Patron Saint of Lithuania, Poland and Jagiellonian University Theology career
REFLECTION: St. John of Kanty is a typical saint: He was kind, humble, and generous, he suffered opposition and led an austere, penitential life. Most Christians in an affluent society can understand all the ingredients except the last: Anything more than mild self-discipline seems reserved for athletes and ballet dancers. Christmas at least is a good time to reject self-indulgence.
PRAYER: Almighty God, help us to follow the example of Your Priest, St. John, in advancing in the science of the Saints. May we show compassion to all who are in need so that we ourselves may obtain Your mercy. Amen🙏
SAINT SERVULUS OF ROME, INVALID AND BEGGAR: Saint Servulus (or Servolo, died c. 590) was a paralyzed beggar, born in the 6th century at Rome, Italy. He was afflicted from birth with a severe palsy that prevented him from ever standing or even sitting unaided. His family carried him to the door of Saint Clement’s church in Rome, Italy so he could beg for alms. He spent all his time praying outside Saint Clement’s Church in Rome. Saint Servulus was a perfect model of submission to the divine Will; it would be difficult to offer a more consoling example to persons afflicted by poverty, illnesses and the other miseries of life. It is Saint Gregory the Great who narrates for us his edifying story: We have seen under the portico of the Church of Saint Clement, a poor man named Servulus, who is known to all the people of Rome as to Us. He was deprived of all the goods of this world; a long illness had reduced him to a pitiful state. From his youth he was paralyzed in all his members. Not only could he not stand up, but he was unable to rise from his bed; he could neither sit down nor turn himself from one side to the other, nor bring his hand to his mouth. Nothing in him was sound except his eyes, ears, tongue, stomach and entrails.
This unfortunate man, who had learned the mysteries of religion, meditated unceasingly on the sufferings of the Saviour, and never did he complain. He was surrounded by the loving care of his mother and brother. Neither the mother nor the children had ever studied, yet the paralytic had pious books bought for himself, in particular the Psalms and the Holy Gospels, and he would ask the religious who came to visit him on his cot to read from them to him. In this way he learned these books by heart; he spent days and part of the nights in singing or reciting them, and meditating them, and he constantly thanked the Lord for having taken him to be a victim associated with the pains and sufferings of Jesus Christ.
Many alms came to the little house of the paralytic, to such an extent that he became rich in his poverty. After having taken from these what was necessary for his subsistence and that of his mother, he gave the rest to the indigent, who often assembled around him to be edified by his words and his virtues. His bed of pain was a pulpit of preaching, from which he converted souls. When the time came which was decreed by God to reward his patience and put an end to his painful life, Servulus felt the paralysis spreading to the vital parts of his body, and he prepared for death. At the final moment, he asked those in attendance to recite Psalms with him. Suddenly he cried out: Ah! Don’t you hear that melody resounding in heaven?’ At that moment his soul escaped from his body, which until his burial gave forth a marvelous fragrance. He died in 590 of natural causes and buried at Saint Clement’s church, Rome, Italy. He’s the Patron Saint against cerebral palsy; disabled people; handicapped people and physically challenged people.
Saint Servulus of Rome, Invalid and Beggar ~ Pray for us 🙏
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:
Bible Readings for today, Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Gospel reading ~ Luke 1:57-66
“The birth of John the Baptist; His name is John”
“When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be? For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.”
In today’s Gospel reading, Elizabeth was very clear about the name she wanted to give her child, the name ‘John’. This took the rest of the family by surprise because there had been no tradition of that name in the family. The choice of the name ‘John’ was confirmed by the child’s father, Zechariah. This was the name that the angel Gabriel had told Zechariah to give his son. Hebrew names often have a meaning and the name ‘John’ means in Hebrew ‘God is gracious’. The son of Zechariah and Elizabeth would prepare the way for the Lord who would inaugurate a time of grace, a time of God’s favour. It is that time of grace and favour that we celebrate at Christmas time. The Angels would announce to the shepherds, ‘Peace to those on whom God’s favour rests’. With the birth of Jesus, God’s gracious favour rested on us all. We are all highly favoured by God because of the birth of the one whose way John the Baptist prepared. At this Christmas time, we acknowledge the wonderful way we have been graciously favoured by God’s giving His Son to us. It is said in the Gospel reading that the neighbours treasured the circumstances of John’s birth in their hearts. We have something even more wonderful to treasure in our hearts as we come to celebrate the birth of Jesus. This is also a time when we are called to share with each other something of that favour of God which has come to rest upon us through the birth of Jesus.
Our first reading today, from the prophet Malachi, speaks about the coming of the days of God’s messenger, who would come to prepare the hearts and minds of the people, to prepare for the coming of the Lord, which was also alluded to in the words of the prophet Malachi. Malachi was one of the last prophets chronologically in the Old Testament era, who ministered to the people of God a few centuries before the Lord’s coming, and his words of prophecy further set the expectation of the coming of God’s salvation, which the people of God looked forward to, as they heard the words of reassurances that God had made through His many prophets, including that of Malachi.
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today and draw ever closer to Christmas, we are all reminded of the coming of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, into our midst. The Lord has sent us His messenger and herald to prepare the path for His coming into this world, and He has fulfilled that promise, with the coming of St. John the Baptist, the one who was prophesied to be the one to prepare the way for the Lord. As we heard in our Scripture readings today, all these happened so that the Lord might come and rescue us all from our troubles and bring us into His loving presence once again, and that is the reason why we rejoice this Christmas. Let us therefore seek the Lord with a new heart, with a new commitment to follow Him and to devote our time and attention to Him, and from this upcoming Christmas celebration, to put Him back as the centre and focus of our lives. Let us all follow the examples set and shown by St. John of Kanty, doing our best to walk faithfully in the path that God has shown us. First let us all start by changing our Christmas celebrations from one that is worldly and self-centred into one that is centred on God, as well as love and life-giving, inspired by the love and generosity which St. John of Kanty has shown to those who were less fortunate all around him. Let us also remember that Christmas is all also possible, and that we can rejoice exactly because God has shown us His most generous love and kindness, compassion and grace. May the Lord continue to guide us and strengthen us, empowering us with the love and courage to do our best in our lives, to be ever more loving and generous to each other. Through our faithful and worthy Christmas celebrations, where Christ is at the very focus and heart of our joy, let us all inspire more and more people that each one of us may be the shining beacons of God’s hope, light and truth. Let us show our love and generosity to those around us and not be distracted by the worldly glamour and desires. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace that we may draw ever closer to God and be blessed as we approach the glorious and joyful season of Christmas. Amen 🙏
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF DECEMBER:
MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Chosen before time to be the Mother of God Incarnate, Jesus Christ, God created Mary perfect and full of grace, preserving her from the stain of Original Sin. Mary Immaculate is the most beautiful fruit of the work of redemption accomplished by her Son, thereby making her the perfect model of holiness for all Christians.
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/months/10_1.cfm
THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER – FOR PILGRIMS OF HOPE: We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthen our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in our daily lives, and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.
https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2024
PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:
Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!
Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/
PRAYER INTENTIONS: Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints during this special season of Advent, we humbly pray for God’s grace and mercy as we prepare for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Praying for hope, faith, love, joy and peace in our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for our children and children all over the world, we pray for their health, safety and well-being, we particularly pray for those who have no one to care for them and those who are terminally ill, we pray for God’s Divine healing upon them. We pray for all parents, all mothers, wives, those going through challenges in their marriages, Victims of verbal and spousal abuse, and we pray for peace, love and unity in our families and our world. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. For all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy, and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for Vocation to the Priesthood and Religious life. We particularly pray for all Youths and all Seminarians. For the Church, for persecuted Christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners and Christians all over the world. Amen 🙏
Let us pray
Lord, I know I lack faith in my life. I fail to believe all that You speak to me. As a result, I often fail to put Your words into action. Dear Lord, when I suffer as a result of my weakness, help me to know that this and all suffering can result in giving glory to You if I renew my faith. Help me, like Zechariah, to return to You always, and use me as an instrument of Your manifest glory. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏
Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe….have mercy on us. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint John of Kanty and Saint Servulus of Rome ~ Pray for us🙏
Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all.
We pray for the safety and well-being of all those traveling during this season of Christmas. Have a blessed, safe, and grace-filled 4th Week of Advent🙏🏽
Blessings and love always, Philomena💖
Daily Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org
Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation |
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