DECEMBER 21, 2024 – ST. THOMAS, APOSTLE.

• St. Peter Canisius (1597). Doctor of the Church, Priest. (Current)
• St. Thomas (72). Apostle, Martyr. (Traditional)

ST. THOMAS was one of the fishermen on the Lake of Galilee whom our Lord called to be His Apostles. By nature slow to believe, too apt to see difficulties, and to look at the dark side of things, he had withal a most sympathetic, loving, and courageous heart. Once when Jesus spoke of the mansions in His Father’s house, St. Thomas, in his simplicity, asked: “Lord, we know not whither Thou goest, and how can we know the way?” When Jesus turned to go toward Bethany to the grave of Lazarus, the desponding Apostle at once feared the worst for his beloved Lord, yet cried out bravely to the rest: “Let us also go and die with Him.” After the Resurrection, incredulity again prevailed, and whilst the wounds of the crucifixion were imprinted vividly on his affectionate mind, he would not credit the report that Christ had indeed risen. But at the actual sight of the pierced hands and side, and the gentle rebuke of his Saviour, unbelief was gone forever; and his faith and ours has ever triumphed in the joyous utterance into which he broke: “My Lord and my God!”

REFLECTION: Cast away all disquieting doubts, and learn to triumph over old weaknesses as St. Thomas did, who “by his ignorance hath instructed the ignorant, and by his incredulity hath served for the faith of all ages.”

WORD OF THE DAY

REPAIRING SCANDAL. Making amends for sinful action that has scandalized others. A person is obliged to make reparation as far as he or she can. In some cases it would be impossible to make direct reparation to the people scandalized because they are too numerous or are unknown. Nevertheless the responsibility remains. Making reparation by good example to undo the harm caused others by scandal is a prominent feature of the Christian meaning of penance in expiation for sin.

Modern Catholic Dictionary, Fr. John Hardon SJ (Get the real one at Eternal Life — don’t accept an abridged or edited version of this masterpiece!)

Advent & The Great Truths

Advent: Short Meditations and The Great Truths Day 25 (Dec 21) O Oriens & Man’s First Sin (Advent Meditation)

ST. ANDREW NOVENA

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, o my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.

(It is piously believed that whoever recites the above prayer fifteen times a day from the feast of St. Andrew (Nov. 30th) until Christmas, will obtain what is asked). This formula of the prayer bears an Imprimatur from † Michael Augustine, Archbishop of New York. New York, February 6, 1897.

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