Monthly Archives: December 2015

O Antiphons

Posted on by Fr. Joseph McLaughlin, O.Praem.

Today’s Word:

“O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care.”

 – December 17 “O Antiphon”

On This Date…

On December 17, 1936 Pope Francis was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian immigrant parents. He was the oldest of five children. He attended a vocational school and studied chemistry in college. After college he entered the Jesuit Order and was ordained a priest on December 13, 1969. He was serving as Archbishop of Buenos Aires when he was elected pope on March 13, 2013.

O Antiphons

O Antiphons

On December 17 every year, the Church begins the “O Antiphons.”  The “O Antiphon” for December 17 proclaims, “O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care.” Pope Francis, now in his 80th year, governs the church with “strong yet tender care.”

– Father McLaughlin

Nothing Will Be Impossible for God

Posted on by Fr. Joseph McLaughlin, O.Praem.

Today’s Word:

“Nothing will be impossible for God” (Luke 1:37)

On This Date…

On December 8, 1854 Pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

On December 8, 1932 Archmere Academy blessed the picture of the Immaculate Conception that currently hangs over the fireplace in the music room of The Patio (the image used on today’s Mass program); the picture was a gift of the first Mothers Guild of Archmere.

On December 8, 1965, 50 years ago today, the Second Vatican Council came to a close; it had opened on October 11, 1962.

On December 8, 2014 Father Steven Albero blessed the icon of the Immaculate Conception that currently hangs in Archmere’s Oratory; the Blessed Mother is pictured with Saint Augustine and Saint Norbert, two key patrons of our school.

ANSA917624_ArticoloOn December 8, 2015, today, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, formally opening the Year of Mercy; the year will continue until November 20, 2016.

Father Joseph Serano invited us this morning to extend mercy to one another. As we heard at Mass today, “Nothing will be impossible for God”.

– Father McLaughlin

Everlasting Joy

Posted on by Fr. Joseph McLaughlin, O.Praem.

Today’s Word:

“Those whom the Lord has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy. They will meet with joy and gladness; sorrow and mourning will flee” (Isaiah 35:10)

On This Date…

On December 7, 374 Saint Ambrose was consecrated bishop of Milan, Italy. In 387 Saint Ambrose baptized Saint Augustine whose rule Saint Norbert later used as the Rule for Norbertine life.

On December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor was bombed, drawing the United States into World war II. On that Sunday morning 2,4003 Americans lost their lives on a “Date which will live in infamy.”

On December 7, 2015, today, Jewish People celebrate the first day of the eight-day Feast of Hanukkah (the festival began at sundown last evening). The festival celebrates the re-dedication of the Jerusalem Temple in 164 BC. On each day a candle is lighted on the menorah (“lamp”), until all nine candles are lighted by December 14th, the actual date of rededication in 164.

Today at Mass we heard these words from the Hebrew Scriptures: “Those whom the Lord has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy. They will meet with joy and gladness; sorrow and mourning will flee”. That is our wish for all who celebrate Hanukkah and remember Pearl Harbor.

– Father McLaughlin

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