IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (Solemnity) White First Reading: Gen 3:9-15. 20; Psalm: 98. R. v. 1ab; Second Reading: Eph 1:3-6. 11-12; Gospel: Lk 1:26b-38 MARY’S ‘YES’ TO GOD BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The Church began the celebration of the feast of the Immaculate Conception in the year 1854. Pope Pius IX made this infallible statement … [Read more…]
DEDICATION OF THE LATERAN BASILICA (Feast) White The foundation of the Lateran Basilica goes back to the time of Constantine the Emperor of Rome. The palace of the Laterani belonged then to Constantine’s wife Fausta. After Constantine’s conversion, he gave it to the Pope as his private residence and founded the Church of the Lateran … [Read more…]
First Reading: Rev 7:2-4. 9-14; Psalm: 24. R. v. 6a; Second Reading: 1Jn 3:1-3; Gospel: Mt 5:1-12a THE BEATITUDES: THE ATTITUDES OF THE SAINTS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Today, the Church celebrates the solemnity of all saints. But why is today called all saints day? It is simply because the church sets aside … [Read more…]
SS SIMON AND JUDE, APP. (Feast) Red Simon is named in the lists of the apostles. He is called the Zealot; a fanatical nationalist. Jude (not to be confused with Judas Iscariot), also called Thaddeus meaning “Courageous”, was the brother of James the Lesser. Saint Jude is often depicted carrying a circular image of Christ, … [Read more…]
ST LUKE, EVANGELIST B.M. (Feast) Red First Reading: 2Tim 4:10-17ab; Psalm: 145. R. v. 12a; Gospel: Lk 10 1-9 A TRUE MISSIONARY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP St Luke hails from Antioch; a city known for its high learning. He was a physician which goes without saying his learnedness. Little wonder he wrote the … [Read more…]
ARCHANGELS MICHAEL, GABRIEL AND RAPHAEL (Feast) White First Reading: Dan 7:9-10. 13-14; Psalm: 138. R. v. 1b; Gospel: Jn 1:47-51 THE SERVICES OF THE ARCHANGELS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Angels are celestial and spiritual beings created on a higher order with intelligence and will. They are personal and immortal creatures. We have ranks … [Read more…]
ST MATTHEW, AP & EVANGELIST (Feast) Red First Reading: Eph 4:1-7. 11-13; Psalm: 19. R. v. 5a; Gospel: Mt 9:9-13 BEYOND OUR IMPERFECTIONS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP A woman brought her maid to me whom she accused of having the habit of stealing. She pleaded with me to advice and pray for her. … [Read more…]
THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS (Feast) Red First Reading: Num 21:4b-9; Psalm: 78. R. v. 7b; Second Reading: Phil 2:6-11; Gospel: Jn 3:13-17 THE GLORY OF THE CROSS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The story of Jesus culminated in his death on the cross. In the secular view, that was the end of him, … [Read more…]
THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (Feast) White First Reading: Mic 5:2-5a; Psalm: 13. R. v. Is 61:10a; Gospel: Mt 1:1-16. 18-23 MARY’S BIRTH: A BLESSING TO THE WORLD BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP There is no account of Mary’s birth in the Bible. The only account of her birth was recorded in … [Read more…]
ST BARTHOLOMEW, AP. (Feast) Red Nathaniel bar Tolomai (or Bartholomew) was probably a close friend of Philip as his name is always mentioned in the Gospels in connection with Philip. And it was Philip who brought Bartholomew to Jesus. Nathaniel may have preached in Asia Minor, Ethiopia, India and Armenia, leaving early writings behind, and … [Read more…]
