NEWS

God kept the first promise that He would send a Savior, so the faithful should trust Him to keep the second promise that He will come again and take the holy ones to be with Him for eternity.

Beginning Dec. 17, individuals and families might consider adding the “O Antiphons” into regular prayer time.

The faithful hear the Annunciation in the Gospel. Mary’s example of faith and obedience to God allow her to respond with her fiat.

The “Miracle of the Roses” occurred at Tepeyac hill on this day in 1531.

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception — a holy day of obligation — is the first of two important Marian feast days that fall during Advent.

The feast of St. Nicholas, the inspiration for Santa Claus, celebrates a fourth-century saint who was a Greek bishop in Myra.

(CNA) — St. Cecilia’s family was one of the principle families of Rome. According to the cultural custom of the time, Cecilia’s family betrothed her to a young man named Valerius.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In a new release of music for Advent and Christmas, multiple Grammy award-winning mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli sings with the pope’s Sistine Chapel Choir.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) — Seminarians studying at the Pontifical North American College in Rome have a lot to be thankful for come Thanksgiving Day. Among them is their community, and also for home-baked pumpkin pie, made by their fellow students, the fifth-year student priests of the college.

Dcn. Richard Cuprak was a family man who spent later years serving his universal family through the Church.