Sunday, December 13
III Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)
ST. LUCIA (Sicily, 83-304), Virgin and Martyr
Born to a wealthy family, Lucy is said to have vowed herself to virginity,
refused to marry a man chosen by her family, and given away her dowry
to the poor. For her staunch defense of her faith in Christ against the
prevailing society of her day, she was executed during the Diocletian
persecution. Legend has it that her eyes were gouged out before she was
put to death, an event commemorated in her images and her veneration
as the patroness of eyesight. Although little historical fact is known about
her, she is venerated as a saint by all the Christian churches, and is one
of only seven women (including Mary) mentioned in the Canon of the Mass.
Lutherans in the Scandinavian countries have a particular devotion to her.
OR today.
Illustrations: St. Ignatius of Antioch; Mary as the 'door to the King of history'.
Two papal stories in this issue: On page 1, the Holy Father's audience for the Prime Minister of Albania, and in the inside
pages, a story about the hospice for terminally ill patients that he visits in Rome today. Also on Page 1, an essay on
the 40 days before Christmas observed by the Orthodox Churches to recall all the prophets, saints and Fathers of
the Church who led up to or illumined the faith on the Incarnation of Christ, starting with the conception of St. Anne,
'mother of the Mother of God'; and a companion piece inside about Mary and her role in the Incarnation. International
news on Page 1: In Copenhagen, developing nations say financial assistance offered by the richer nations to help them
convert their industries to acceptably 'green' standards falls far short of needed; and Obama calls on the Pakistan
government to stem the tide of Taliban and Al Qaeda violence.
THE POPE'S DAY
Visit to the Hospice Sacro Cuore for terminally ill patients. Address in Italian.
Sunday Angelus - The Holy Father blessed the 'Bambinelli' - images of the Baby Jesus -
placed by Italian children in their Christmas Nativity scenes, recalled the Day for
new Churches observed today by the Diocese of Rome, and remembered four missionary priests
recently killed in Africa.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 14/12/2009 19:22]