December
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Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12th, Feast)
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In 1531, Our Lady appeared to an Aztec Indian, Juan Diego, and she requested he ask the first bishop of Mexico to have him build a church at the foot of Tepeyac Hill. In her last appearance, on December 12, she asked him to gather roses and bring them to the bishop as proof of the apparition.
When Juan Diego opened
his tilma, the flowers fell out and the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared on his tilma and convinced the bishop. The image is inexplicable. According to scientists, the image was not painted. Also the fibers used to make the tilma, "ayate," deteriorate after twenty years; however, the image and fabric have lasted almost 500 years.
Today, the devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe continues to spread in the Americas and the rest of the world and is evident in international pilgrimages to her shrine in Mexico City. Just like St. Juan Diego, Mary meets us where we are. Through God's grace and Our Lady's intercession, we are given the tools to fulfill what God asks of us in prayer. We can pick up the unseasonable roses, and let God work miracles through us. When we feel unworthy or incapable of what God asks of us, let us lean into Our Lady of Guadalupe, and let her show us the way.
St. Juan Diego, pray for us!
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!
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St. Lucy (December 13th)
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December 13th is also known as St. Lucy's Day. St. Lucy was a young
woman who made a private vow to remain a virgin and dedicate herself to Jesus and her works to the poor. However, she was brought to court and was accused of being Christian by a suitor who wanted to marry her. Lucy persevered and never denied her faith. She endured torture, even being blinded, rather than renounce her faith, and became a martyr in 309. St. Lucy is the patron saint of eye diseases and a symbol of how she brought the light of Christ to the world amidst the winter darkness. Let us call on St. Lucy today to help us endure our earthly trials and carry our crosses with courage and strength. The following is a short prayer from the first day of the Novena to St. Lucy:
"St. Lucy, virgin and martyr, intercede for me to God and obtain for me the fullness of heavenly blessings. I am certain that in his infinite goodness God will listen to your prayers and grant me the strength to bear the daily burdens of life. Teach me to understand that the hardships of this life are passing and can even be a means to great glory in heaven. As I contemplate your life of virtue, show me how I can unite my sufferings to those of Jesus so that I, too, may be an instrument of God's love and mercy to all whom I meet. Amen."
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St. Stephen (December 26th, Feast)
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St. Stephen is the first martyr of the Catholic Church, which is why he is also known as the “protomartyr.” In the Biblical Book of The Acts of the Apostles, it is written that Stephen was one of the first 7 men chosen by the 12 Apostles to do certain tasks for the growing Church (Acts 6:1-7). These are considered the first 7 deacons, as they were chosen by the first priests and bishops of the Church.
Stephen immediately began to work signs and wonders among the people and debated against those who challenged Christianity. His enemies grew angry with him and decided to gather the chief priests and the scribes and bring about false accusations against him. As they bore false witness against Stephen, his face became angelic and he gave discourse after discourse, trying to pierce their hearts with the truth of the Gospel. He eventually called them “a stiff-necked people” and called out all of the chief priests and scribes. This all is found in Acts 6:8-15 & 7:1-53.
The Martyrdom of Stephen:
When they heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him. But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together. They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them”; and when he said this, he fell asleep.
(Acts 7:54-60)
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