Feast Days in Advent

Dec 3 - St. Francis Xavier ​

• Saint Francis Xavier - FaithND
  St. Francis Xavier, co-founder of the Jesuits, traveled tirelessly from India to Japan, spreading the Gospel and inspiring countless conversions. Known for his deep faith and humility, he is the patron of missions and young people. Read more
  
  

Dec 6 - Saint Nicholas

• Saint Nicholas: The Real Story - FORMED
  ​Everybody knows the story of Santa Claus, the red–suited figure who lives at the North Pole and distributes gifts to good children every Christmas eve. But is there any historical evidence on which this jolly old character is based? Was there a real Santa Claus? To answer that question, host Mark Wilson, a distinguished historian and archeologist travels not to the North Pole but to modern day Turkey and Italy. There he uncovers clues that lead to the truth about the man behind the legend. (source: Formed.org)
  
  

Dec 8 - Immaculate Conception (Dec 9 in 2024)

• December 8 — The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception - FORMED
  Join Drs. Tim Gray and John Sehorn as they examine Mary under her title of the Immaculate Conception. This dogma of the Catholic faith, promulgated in 1854 by Pope Pius IX, speaks of Mary's conception and what it means to the Church. (source: Formed.org)
  
  

Dec 12 - Our Lady of Guadalupe

• December 12 — Our Lady of Guadalupe - FORMED
  The most important event in the evangelization of the New World occurred in December, 1531. Over the course of four days, the Virgin Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, appeared to an indigenous convert named Juan Diego. As a result of this encounter, and the image miraculously imprinted on Juan Diego's tilma (cloak), nine million Native Americans embraced the Catholic faith, and the Americas began its transformation into the Catholic hemisphere. Our Lady of Guadalupe's message of love had replaced the institutionalized violence of the Aztec culture and built a bridge between two worlds. (source: Formed.org)
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Dec 13 - Saint Lucy

• Why St. Lucy’s feast is perfect for Advent - Aleteia
  Born in the 3rd century, at an early age Lucy dedicated her virginity to Christ, but her mother was not aware of it and arranged to have her married. Lucy refused because of her private vow and the man she was supposed to marry turned her in to persecutors as a Christian, and this led to a gruesome martyrdom. One of the main reasons why her feast makes a perfect Advent feast is because of her name, Lucy, which means, "light." Candles also play a large part in many Advent traditions, including the Advent wreath, and in many customs celebrated in honour of St. Lucy. (source: Aleteia). Read more​

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Dec 14 - Saint John of the Cross

• St. John of the Cross - FaithND
  St. John of the Cross, a Carmelite mystic and Doctor of the Church, transformed suffering into profound spiritual insight. Through works like Spiritual Canticle and his reflections on the "dark night of the soul," he guided others to the depths of God’s love, even amid trials and persecution.​ Read more

Praying the O Antiphons 
The O Antiphons, used in Roman liturgy since the eighth century, reflect Old Testament titles for Jesus—like Emmanuel and Key of David—expressing the longing for the Messiah and inviting us to welcome Him into our hearts and family this Christmas. Read more