Homily #101206 ( 09min) Play – Today’s memorial is St. Nicholas of Myra and Fr. Bonaventure preaches about his life – the true Santa Claus – not the jolly gift-giving fat red-dressed man known by most children today.
Ave Maria!
Mass: St. Nicholas – Optnl Memorial – Form: OF
Readings: Monday in the 2nd Week in Advent
1st: isa 35:1-10
Resp: psa 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14
Gsp: luk 5:17-26

Audio (MP3)

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Homily #121206b ( 13min) Play – Cardinal Raymond Burke gives the fourth homily during the Annual priest retreat at the Mother of the Redeemer Retreat Center in Bloomington, IN. From the first reading from Isaiah where the Prophet says “Here I am.” when the Lord asks for someone to preach to His people Card. Burke preaches on the life of St. Nicholas and his generosity in listening to God’s call to feed His hungry flock despite having to suffer persecution.

Ave Maria!
Mass: St. Nicholas – Opt Mem – Form: OF

Audio (MP3)

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Homily #131206b ( 09min) Play – Fr. Joachim preaches the life of St Nicholas despite the fact (according to some) that we can’t know anything about him. He covers the many miracles he preformed, efforts to combat heresy and promote charity and purity. However Father seems to make no reference to Rudolf, Donner, nor Blitzen,
Ave Maria!
Mass: St. Nicholas – Opt Mem – Form: OF
Readings: Friday in the 1st Week in Advent
1st: isa 29:17-24
Resp: psa 27:1, 4, 13-14
Gsp: mat 9:27-31

Audio (MP3)

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The figure of the real and holy bishop Nicholas has in recent centuries been co-opted and transformed into the secularized and mostly pagan Santa Claus. Christian parents should know how to gently guide children in the proper understanding of Christ as the true giver and center of Christmas, recovering also in the process, the true identity of St. Nicholas, who would desire nothing less.

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Nicholas – Opt Mem
Readings: 

1st: Is 40:1-11
Resp: Ps 96:1-2, 3 and 10AC, 11-12, 13
Gsp: Mt 18:12-14

Audio (MP3)

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The post Dec 06 – Homily – Fr Alan: St. Nicholas vs. Santa Claus first appeared on AirMaria.com.

The Life of Bl. Lucy of Caltagirone, Virgin, Third Order (d. 1400) for the Franciscan Saint of the Day for Sep 22. Bl. Lucy of Caltagirone was born in Sicily and was saved from death by St Nicholas, starting increasing devotion in her life and then joined the Third Order, practicing a life of prayer and penance, helping the poor. Her sanctity spread far and wide as she performed miracles including the curing of eye ailments and aided in the conversion of many.

Reflection is on the protection of the Saints like St Nicholas who gives protection to children and look to Bl. Lucy of Caltagirone protection from Heaven.

For more on Bl. Lucy of Caltagirone
– https://www.roman-catholic-saints.com/blessed-lucy-of-caltagirone.html

Also on Youtube: https://youtu.be/HCYgBZwlq9g

Read by Fr. Ignatius Manfredonia, FI from Marion Habig’s ‘The Franciscan Book of Saints’ Revised Edition, Franciscan Herald Press, ISBN: 978-0819907516

Playlist of Franciscan Saints: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TxcAETrU_k&list=PLejh_e0-LN4wErRczZGry4TXytCZFiLCm

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The post Sep 22 – Bl. Lucy of Caltagirone – Franciscan Saint of the Day first appeared on AirMaria.com.

O good St. Nicholas, you who are the joy of the children, put into my heart the spirit of childhood, of which the gospel speaks, and teach me to seed happiness around me. You, whose feast prepares us for Christmas, open my faith to the mystery of God made man.

You good bishop and shepherd, help me to find my place in the Church and inspire the Church to be faithful to the Gospel.

O good Saint Nicholas, patron of children, sailors and the helpless, watch over those who pray to Jesus, your Lord and theirs, as well as over those who humble themselves before you.

Bring us all in reverence to the Holy Child of Bethlehem, when true joy and peace are found. Amen.

The post A Prayer to St. Nicholas first appeared on AirMaria.com.

Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Dec 06, 2023, on the life of St. Nicholas of Myra, highlighting his acts of charity and his role in early Church history, his role in the Council of Nicaea and even the legend of Santa Claus.

St. Nicholas was the Bishop of Myra in the 4th century, celebrated for his charity and piety. Born around 270 in Patara, Asia Minor, Nicholas inherited wealth, which he used to aid the needy. He is famed for saving three impoverished girls from destitution by secretly providing dowries, a story that evolved into the Santa Claus legend. Ordained a priest and later a bishop, Nicholas’ life intersects with biblical narratives, such as St. Paul’s journey through Patara and Myra mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles.

Nicholas’ commitment to faith was evident during Diocletian’s persecution. He reportedly attended the Council of Nicaea in 325, which condemned Arianism, a doctrine stating Jesus was not divine like God the Father. A later legend, emerging in the 14th century, suggests Nicholas struck Arius in defense of orthodoxy. This act, although historically uncertain, became iconic in religious art. The homily also notes Nicholas’ intervention in saving unjustly condemned officials under Emperor Constantine. St. Nicholas died between 345-352 and was buried in Myra, leaving a legacy of devotion and benevolence.

The original homily continued with the many miracles associated with his relics and how they were transferred to Bari, Italy. However we started having audio recording issues after this point.

00:00 – Introduction
00:15 – Early Life and Background
00:45 – St. Nicholas’s Charity
01:47 – Evolution of St. Nicholas to Santa Claus
02:00 – Ecclesiastical Career
02:51 – Diocletian’s Persecution and the Nicaea Council
03:17 – Controversy with Arius and Iconographic Representations
04:13 – Historical References and Legacy of St. Nicholas

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Nicholas – Opt Mem – http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=371
Readings: Wednesday in the 1st Week in Advent – http://usccb.org/bible/readings/120623.cfm
1st: isa 25:6-10
Resp: psa 23:1-6
Gsp: mat 15:29-37

More on the Readings: http://dev.airmaria.com/r?m=1208&r=1275

Also on Facebook:
and YouTube: https://youtu.be/DNhUMdiWJpY

The post Life of St. Nicholas – Dec 06 – Homily – Fr John Lawrence first appeared on AirMaria.com.