CATHOLIC BELLATOR

  Pope Benedict XVI Image Credit: Catholic Church England “With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican." —Matteo Bruni, Director of Holy See Press Office Pope Benedict XVI died earlier this morning. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Pray for the soul of Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Benedict XVI was born in Germany in 1927. He was ordained a priest in 1951 and became a bishop in 1977. In 1981, he was appointed Archbishop of Munich and Freising and Cardinal by Pope John Paul II. He served as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from 1981 to 2005. He was elected Pope in 2005, succeeding Pope John Paul II. He resigned in 2013, becoming the first Pope to do so since 1415. Pope Benedict XVI was a traditionalist who upheld Catholic doctrine. He wrote extensively on theology and philosophy. His major works include

St Thomas Becket Cnbrb, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Thomas Becket , also known as Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Thomas a Becket or Thomas á Becket (21 December 1119 – 29 December 1170, was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170. He is venerated as a saint and martyr by both the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. He engaged in conflict with Henry II, King of England, over the rights and privileges of the Church and was murdered by followers of the king in Canterbury Cathedral. Soon after his death, he was canonized by Pope Alexander III. The main sources for the life of Becket are a number of biographies that were written by contemporaries. A few of these documents are by unknown writers, although traditional historiography has given them names. The other biographers, who are all monks of Christ Church, Canterbury, relied heavily on William of Canterbury's account of the martyrdom, which was itself ba

  ADVENT Kittelendan, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons Advent is an important Christian holiday, celebrated annually from the fourth Sunday before Christmas to the day before Christmas. This period of anticipation, reflection and spiritual preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ, is marked by members of many denominations all over the world. Advent begins with the lighting of the first candle of a four-candle Advent wreath. These four candles commemorate the hope, love, joy, and peace of the season. Each candle is symbolically lit successively on each of the four Sundays preceding Christmas. The candles are traditionally placed in a holder called an Advent wreath. The wreath is usually made of evergreens, symbolizing the everlasting life that was promised to us through Jesus Christ. The candles are placed in the wreath in a circle, symbolizing God's eternal love. As the candles are lit and extinguished, many believers participate in a daily devotional practice that is focus

Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary December 8: Hour of Grace | Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary “With Prayers and Penance. Pray the 51st Psalm with outstretched arms three times. During the Hour of Grace, many spiritual graces would be granted. The most hard-hearted sinners will be touched by the grace of God.” (Our Lady to Sister Pierrina) Request of Our Heavenly Mother for the Hour of Grace: To be started from 12 noon until 1 p.m. (one full hour of prayer); During this hour the person making the Hour of Grace either at home or in a church must put away all distractions; Begin the Hour of Grace by praying three times the 51st Psalm (below) with outstretched arms; The rest of the Hour of Grace may be spent in silent communication with God, adoring the Sacred Host, meditating upon the Passion of Jesus, saying the Holy Rosary, praising God in your own way or by using favorite prayers, singing hymns, etc. *** As always, be in a s