Tree of Life

    Each month of the calendar year is dedicated to a Catholic Devotion. In  December it is  the Immaculate Conception of Mary .This is because the Immaculate Conception falls on December 8th every year. It is important to note the Immaculate Conception is Mary’s conception in the womb of Her Mother, St. Anne. It does not refer to Jesus’ conception by the Holy Spirit in Mary’s womb. While both are conceived without sin, Jesus is God and therefore sinless and the privilege of His Birth is virginal and sinless. Mary’s unique as She is a creature, not the Creator but God preserved Her from sin, original and personal from the moment of Her conception. December 1st is also World Aids Awareness Day . In December we prepare all the more for Christmas Day. As we enter this festive time many networks offer Christmas programming . To count down to Christmas read a chapter of St. Luke’s Gospel every day starting December 1st through Christmas Eve. Another practice in accordanc...

        Today we honor the Mother of God being dedicated to God at Her Presentation in the Temple. Today's feast echoes Our Lady's service to God from even a young age. Mary Herself was dedicated to God at the moment of Her Immaculate Conception , today's feast is an extension of that feast as well as the feast of the Annunciation when Mary gives Her "Yes" to become the Mother of God. Today’s feast is also when we reflect on Mary’s vow of perpetual virginity.  Today's Liturgical color is white or gold for the holiness, purity and Immaculateness of Mary. The popular color for laypeople to wear for Marian feasts is blue. Artwork of Mary's Presentation   Marian Iconography A Mystical Vision of Mary's Presentation   Another Mystical Vision (Book 2, Chapter 1) The Jerusalem Temple  (It was in this temple that Our Lady was presented and was introduced to Simeon and Anna. These are the prophets who will greet Jesus upon His presentation in the tem...

  Today we celebrate Christ the King Sunday. This is the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year and thus today's feast focuses on the Kingship of Christ as we will experience it at the Second Coming. Next Sunday begins the new Liturgical Year where Advent begins and we recall the First Coming of Christ at Christmas, His Daily Coming in the Eucharist and we await with hope His Second Coming. During persecutions of the Church in Mexico, the Catholics were known to proclaim “Viva, Cristo Rey!” which means, Long Live Christ the King!  Today's Liturgical Color is White or Gold to honor the glory of Christ the King.   Prayer for Christ the King Sunday Indulgence  Conditions to Gain Indulgences About Today's Feast Christ Crowned with Thorns (Artwork) Christ in Majesty (Artwork) A Mystical Vision of Christ Crowned with Thorns Another Mystical Vision (Book 6 Chapter 6) Christ the King Sunday for Kids A Prayer to Christ the King O Jesus Christ, I acknowledge you as universa...

  Today marks the final day of All Hallows' Tide begun on Halloween, aka All Hallows' Eve. In 2024 All Souls Day falls on First Saturday and thus the devotions of the Immaculate Heart can be offered for the Holy Souls. Today's liturgical color is white or gold, as is worn at Masses of Christian Burial to symbolize the joy and glory of Heaven, the hope of Christians.  Today is day 2 of an extraordinary octave (8 days) where plenary indulgences can be gained for the souls in purgatory. From November 1st-8th by visiting a cemetery and praying (even mentally). A plenary  indulgence can also be gained from  Noon on All Saints until Midnight on All Souls by praying an Our Father and Apostle's Creed for the Pope's intentions at Church.  These conditions must also be met to gain indulgences:   About All Souls All Saints and All Souls Customs (To honor all the faithful departed including our fellow earthlings, the animals who have gone before us substitute fo...

  “All ye holy Saints, men and women of God, pray for us!”  -The Litany of Saints  “Blessed be God in His Angels and His Saints!”  -The Divine Praises “I believe in the communion of Saints!” -The Apostle’s Creed   November starts off with the commemoration of All Saints Day! All Saints Day also known as All Hallows' Day follows All Hallows' Eve or Halloween and is the second of the three days traditionally known as All Hallows' Tide. Today we honor all of the Saints of God, canonized and yet to be canonized, known and unknown. Today's feast is a reminder of the universal call to holiness, made known at Vatican II. As a proud vegan Catholic I also wish you a  Happy World Vegan Day!  Today is also the beginning of  Dia de Los Muertos  in Hispanic cultures. Read more about  The Ofrenda , the special altar set up to remember the dead. Today would be a good day to watch movies about Dia de Muertos, such as Disney's  "Coco". In 2024 All ...

  Each month of the calendar year is dedicated to a Catholic Devotion. In  Novem ber it is the Holy Souls in Purgatory . This is because the Feast of All Souls falls on November 2nd every year. This month begins with the feast of All Saints . As Halloween has passed the secular world turns their eyes towards Christmas. Thus it’s important to prepare for the grand celebration of 800 years since the first Nativity scene. See here for more details. November 1st also marks the beginning of  Black Catholic History Month  as well as  Native American Heritage Month  and  Alaskan Heritage Month .  Pope Francis’ November Intention Each month is also filled with much folklore and legend. As we approach the end of the year and the holiday season, the Farmer's Almanac explains some of these superstitions. Some of the following is also applied from the book "Superstition" by Sally Coulthard. Superstitions and folklore are fun to believe as long as we do...