Friday, December 10, 2010

Roman Catholic Advent Devotional For Thursday, 9 December, The Twelfth Day Of Advent

From USCCB:

December 9, 2010


Thursday of the Second Week of Advent



Read

In 2002, Pope John Paul II canonized Juan Diego, the hermit to whom the Virgin Mary appeared on a hilltop near what is now Mexico City in 1531. Today, as we remember St. Juan Diego, learn more about him and share his story with your children or friends.

Pray

Prayer to St. Juan Diego on his Canonization

"Happy Juan Diego, true and faithful man! We entrust to you our lay brothers and sisters so that, feeling the call to holiness, they may imbue every area of social life with the spirit of the Gospel.

Bless families, strengthen spouses in their marriage, and sustain the efforts of parents to give their children a Christian upbringing. Look with favor upon the pain of those who are suffering in body or in spirit, on those afflicted by poverty, loneliness, marginalization or ignorance. May all people, civic leaders and ordinary citizens, always act in accordance with the demands of justice and with respect for the dignity of each person, so that in this way peace may be reinforced."

(Pope John Paul II, July 31, 2002)

Reflect

Reflect on St. Juan Diego’s courage to carry out the Virgin Mary’s wishes in spite of the obstacles he faced and on his role in bringing the Good News to the people of Mexico.

Act

St. Juan Diego showed great faith, overcoming his own fear and the doubts of others to honor the Blessed Virgin’s request that a cathedral be built on the hill in Guadalupe, Mexico, where she appeared to him. Remember St. Juan Diego today by visiting a Marian shrine or statue near your home and lighting a candle for the Blessed Mother.

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