Feast of Santa Claus on Dec. 6

by Christina Hermoso, MB

Roman Catholics will celebrate on Tuesday, Dec. 6, the feast day of one of the primary figures of Christmas –Saint Nicholas – more popularly known worldwide as Santa Claus.

St. Nicholas (Catholic Online)

Also known as Father Christmas, the fat, jolly, bearded old man in a red suit, St. Nicholas remains venerated to this day in many parts of the world as the patron protector of children, sailors, bakers, pawnbrokers, and voyagers. 

Born during the Third Century (March 15, 270) in Patara, Lycia (Turkey), St. Nicholas served as bishop of Myra, now Demre, on the coast of modern-day Turkey, where he was loved and admired for his extraordinary piety, zeal, generosity, and genuine concern for the poor.

St. Nicholas dedicated his life to serving God and doing charity work. He was also known as a wonder worker because of the many miracles that he performed in his lifetime and even after his death in the year 343.

Remembered and honored for many ages, St. Nicholas is one of only a few Catholic saints who became a prominent part of Christmas. As the generous gift-giver, children eagerly await his arrival at midnight on Christmas Eve every year.

The Roman Catholic Church also considers him an Advent saint since his feast day falls during the Advent Season. 

“As a faithful follower of Christ, St. Nicholas’ life clearly reflected the way each one of us is called to show God’s enormous love for others, especially to those in need. St. Nicholas helps us remember that Christmas is a feast of love, hope, sharing, giving, kindness, and generosity,” Church officials said.

Every year, on his feast day, pilgrims traditionally gather at his major shrine, at the Basilica di San Nicola in Bari, Italy where his sacred relics are kept, as well as in numerous churches dedicated in his memory in many parts of the world. The number of altars and churches are testimonials of his popularity and holiness.

In many European nations, as well as in Canada and the United States, gift-giving traditionally starts on Dec. 6, inspired by the generous and thoughtful nature of Santa Claus.

 

Roman Catholics to observe First Sunday of Advent on Nov. 27

Published November 26, 2022, 9:43 AM

by Christina Hermoso

Roman Catholics will observe the First Sunday of Advent on Nov. 27 in preparation for the Birth of Jesus Christ on Dec. 25.

First Sunday of Advent (Catholic Online)

In all holy masses on Sunday, priests in purple vestments, the color of penitence and fasting, as well as of royalty, will bless Advent wreaths adorned with four candles: Three purple candles, which symbolize anticipation and hope, and one pink candle, which symbolizes joy, arranged in a circle of evergreen to symbolize eternal life. 

Some Advent wreaths include a white candle, which symbolizes Christ and is usually lit during the Christmas Eve mass.

After the reading of a short devotional, one of the three purple candles will be lit to signal the joyous season of waiting for Christ’s birth as well as to signify that “Jesus is the light of the world.”

Advent comes from the Latin word “adventus,” which means coming or arrival. The season marks the beginning of the Church’s liturgical year, her new year.

Observed on the Sunday following the celebration of the Solemnity of Christ the King, Advent is historically known as “little Lent” as it is also a time of repentance, prayer, fasting, and confession. 

Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas (Council of the Laity of the Philippines) urged manufacturers of Noche Buena food items to impose a ceiling on the prices of their products and to consider the purchasing power of the majority of Filipinos.

“We are requesting manufacturers of Noche Buena food items not to hike the prices of their commodities too much and to consider the plight of the poor who can no longer afford most of these food products,” said Jun Cruz, president of SLP, over Radio Veritas.

“We also pray that companies will be able to provide an ‘inflationary gratuity’ aside from the 13th-month pay and Christmas bonus to their workers to help make the coming Christmas celebration merrier for everyone,” he added.

The Department of Trade and Industry earlier announced that around 195 Noche Buena food products from 223 have imposed an increase in their prices due to the rising cost of raw materials.

Faithful to observe All Saints Day on Nov. 1

by Christina Hermoso

The Catholic faithful will observe All Saints Day on Tuesday, November 1, in honor of all the saints, known and unknown.

All Saints Day (Catholic Online)

Now that cemeteries and columbaries are open to the public unlike in the last two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, families and friends of the departed will be able to visit their loved ones who had passed on although many had planned on visiting earlier or much later to avoid the expected crowd. 

As in the past years, Church officials remind the faithful “to commemorate All Saints’ Day solemnly as it is meant to enrich the faith of all who observe it. As we honor the saints and remember our departed loved ones, we actually give glory to God,” Church leaders said.

According to an old tradition, prayers for the intercession of saints are as old as Christianity itself, while the veneration of saints goes back to the beginning of Christianity. Catechism 2683 said, “Their intercession is their most exalted service to God’s plan. We can and should ask for them to intercede for us and for the whole world.”

Originally known as the Feast of All Martyrs in memory of the martyrs of the early Church who died for their faith in Christ, All Saints’ Day has since evolved into a solemn observance during which the Church remembers all who have died in the faith. Pope Gregory (731-741) consecrated a chapel in the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome, Italy to all the saints and fixed the observance to Nov. 1. Pope Gregory IV (827-844) extended the celebration to the Universal Church in 837.

Feast of Saint Anthony Claret on Oct. 24

by Christina Hermoso, MB

Roman Catholics will celebrate on Monday, Oct. 24, the Feast of Saint Anthony Mary (San Antonio Maria) Claret, a popular Spanish saint, and founder of the Claretians.

St. Anthony Mary Claret (Catholic Online)

Commemorative masses will be held at the San Antonio Maria Claret Parish in Old Balara, Quezon City. Novena masses in his honor will be offered from Oct. 15 to 23. 

St. Anthony Mary Claret is a well-loved Spanish bishop and founder of the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, more popularly known as the Claretians.

Ordained priest in the year 1835, St. Anthony was a missionary worker, confessor, preacher, and religious writer. He authored around 200 spiritual books, the most famous of which was “The Right Way,” which was read by millions of Roman Catholics across the world. He promoted the teaching and discipline of the clergy and popularized devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the holy rosary.

Born in Catalonia, Spain on Dec. 23, 1807, he served as archbishop of Santiago in Cuba for seven years. In 1849, he founded the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, whose main apostolate was local and foreign missions. The Claretians, in the early 21st century had over 450 houses and 3100 members, with missions in five continents,

In 1842, the Vatican declared St. Anthony as an “Apostolic Missionary.” He died in 1870 and was canonized by Pope Pius XII on May 7, 1950.