Catholic Calendar

MARCH 2015: MONTH OF THE PASSION OF ST. JOSEPH

March is honored as the month of the St. Joseph.  St. Joseph is the foster father of Jesus Christ as the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Because of his care and protection of them, he is considered the protector of the Catholic Church and families. Many countries have likewise adopted him as their protector, and more particularly, he is considered the patron of workers.  St. Joseph was considered a "just man" and earned his living as a carpenter.  He was engaged to Mary, and upon learning about her pregnancy, he considered breaking up with her.  An angel appeared to him in a dream and told him that Mary had not sinned against him; the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit and would be the Saviour of the world.  St. Joseph then stayed with Mary and protected her and Jesus his whole life.  In Jesus' infancy, St. Joseph was awoken by an angel and told to flee with his family into Egypt because King Herod wanted to kill Jesus. He did this immediately. Later, when it was safe (King Herod had died) St. Joseph brought them back to Nazareth. St. Joseph's humility and obedience to God in the exact fulfillment of his duties is what makes him a model in heroic virtue. more...

Catholic Liturgical Calendar 2015

The Catholic Church follows a Liturgical Calendar which usually begins in late November/early December. The first four weeks are called "Advent" and are a special preparation for Catholics to be receptive to the coming of Jesus Christ, whose birthday is celebrated on December 25. "Christmas" is not one day, but lasts a few weeks. In the "Christmas" season, the Church celebrates Jesus' presentation at the Temple, His Baptism, and His ministry. There is a brief time that is considered "Ordinary", before  the Church prepares for His Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension. Immediately following this is Pentecost, the "Coming of the Holy Spirit".  These events are remembered and celebrated during "Lent" and the "Easter" season.  After "Easter", the remainder of the year is "Ordinary" until "Advent" begins again. more...

February is honored as the month of the Passion of Our Lord. This is fitting because this is when Lent  begins. Lent is a period of time set aside to specifically commemorate Jesus' Passion, Death and Resurrection. Ash Wednesday kicks it off through fasting and repentance. Penitents are blessed with ashes and reflect on conversion that they need in their life. They promise amendment and focus on one thing to change, and for forty days they practice that change. It takes about thirty days to break a bad habit, so this structured forty days helps it to become a permanent change.

Now the Church hasn't arranged the season of Lent to force a sinner to repent, or for gruesome reflections on Christ's Passion, rather it is offered because of the love relationship between Christ and His members. If you know you are hurting your spouse/lover, you'd want to stop, right? Also, it is appropriate to reflect on and be grateful for the sacrifices that your lover made/makes for you. The Church sees Lent as an opportunity for her members to be better lovers to Our Lord. more...

January 2015: MONTH OF THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS

The name "Jesus" is powerful.

For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.   (Philippians 2:10)

Among the Ten Commandments, God ordered that His name shall not be said in vain. Adam was given authority to name creatures. Many names in Bible are changed when something new is happening. What is it about a name and naming that commands so much respect and power?

Names say "this is what I am in my essence", and thus, informs all who hear and speak it the person's purpose.  God's name tell us who He is.  "Jesus" is the syncopated variant of " Yəhōshūaʿ " meaning, "God is help". more...