by L'équipe de publication | Dec 30, 2024 | Evangelium
Saint Silvester I, Pope (335)
White
He was made Pope in 314 and ruled the Church during the reign of the newly-converted Emperor Constantine. His life has been so accredited with pious legends that very little else is known about him for certain, but his reign as Pope is the eighth longest on record.
Entrance Antiphon: Is 9: 5
A child is born for us, and a son is given to us; his sceptre of power rests upon his shoulder, and his name will be called Messenger of great counsel.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, who in the Nativity of your Son established the beginning and fulfilment of all religion, grant, we pray, that we may be numbered among those who belong to him, in whom is the fullness of human salvation. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: 1 John 2:18-21
Children, these are the last days; you were told that an Antichrist must come, and now several antichrists have already appeared; we know from this that these are the last days. Those rivals of Christ came out of our own number, but they had never really belonged; if they had belonged, they would have stayed with us; but they left us, to prove that not one of them ever belonged to us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and have all received the knowledge. It is not because you do not know the truth that I am writing to you but rather because you know it already and know that no lie can come from the truth.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 95(96):1-2,11-13
R/ Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad.
O sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the earth. O sing to the Lord, bless his name. Proclaim his help day by day,
Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad, let the sea and all within it thunder praise, let the land and all it bears rejoice, all the trees of the wood shout for joy at the presence of the Lord for he comes, he comes to rule the earth.
With justice he will rule the world, he will judge the peoples with his truth.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! A hallowed day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, worship the Lord, for today a great light has shone down upon the earth. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word: and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things came to be, not one thing had its being but through him. All that came to be had life in him and that life was the light of men, a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not overpower. A man came, sent by God. His name was John. He came as a witness, as a witness to speak for the light, so that everyone might believe through him. He was not the light, only a witness to speak for the light. The Word was the true light that enlightens all men; and he was coming into the world. He was in the world that had its being through him, and the world did not know him. He came to his own domain and his own people did not accept him. But to all who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to all who believe in the name of him who was born not out of human stock or urge of the flesh or will of man but of God himself. The Word was made flesh, he lived among us, and we saw his glory, the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth. John appears as his witness. He proclaims: ‘This is the one of whom I said: He who comes after me ranks before me because he existed before me.’ Indeed, from his fullness we have, all of us, received – yes, grace in return for grace, since, though the Law was given through Moses, grace and truth have come through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; it is the only Son, who is nearest to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.
Prayer over the Offerings
O God, who give us the gift of true prayer and of peace, graciously grant that, through this offering, we may do fitting homage to your divine majesty and, by partaking of the sacred mystery, we may be faithfully united in mind and heart. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: 1 Jn 4: 9
God sent his Only Begotten Son into the world, so that we might have life through him.
Prayer after Communion
May your people, O Lord, whom you guide and sustain in many ways, experience, both now and in the future, the remedies which you bestow, that, with the needed solace of things that pass away, they may strive with ever deepened trust for things eternal. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Goodbye to 2024, and welcome to 2025. We often look back on the past year on New Year’s Eve. For many, 2024 will have been a difficult one. The country’s economic situation might have left many without a job and forced others to emigrate, whose preference would have been to stay at home. Some will have lost a loved one during the year and are struggling to accept the loss. It is time to look back in thanksgiving, a time to name the graces and gifts that have come our way and have enhanced our lives. No matter what we have been through, we all have something to give thanks for; we have all been graced in one way or another. It is that graced dimension of our lives that today’s gospel draws attention to. The Lord’s presence to us is the most remarkable grace and the source of all other graces. That grace is memorably expressed in today’s gospel: “The Word was made flesh, he lived among us, and we saw his glory.” Jesus, our God, became flesh as we are flesh and as risen Lord remains with us until the end of time. The gospel also declares that “from his fulness we have, all of us, received – yes, grace in return for grace.” In 2025, we pray we may keep drawing grace upon grace from the Lord’s loving presence.
by L'équipe de publication | Dec 30, 2024 | Agenda Biblique
Saint SYLVESTRE 1er, Pape
Blanc
Sylvestre gouverna l’Église de Rome au lendemain de la paix constantinienne, de 314 à 335. Il consacra la basilique du Latran, et ce fut sous son pontificat que le 1er concile de Nicée (325) condamna l’hérésie arienne. La protection de Constantin s’exprimait par une ingérence de l’empereur dans les affaires ecclésiastiques, ce qui n’était pas pour faciliter la tâche du pape.
Antienne d’ouverture
Un enfant nous est né, un fils nous a été donné ; l’insigne du pouvoir est sur son épaule ; on l’appelle Messager de Dieu.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu éternel et tout-puissant, tu as voulu que tout effort de l’homme vers toi trouve son origine et son achèvement dans l’incarnation de ton Fils ; Accorde-nous d’être comptés dans la part du Christ qui résume en lui la part du genre humain. Lui qui.
1ère lecture : 1 Jean 2, 18-21
Mes enfants, c’est la dernière heure et, comme vous l’avez appris, un anti-Christ, un adversaire du Christ, doit venir ; or, il y a dès maintenant beaucoup d’anti-Christs ; nous savons ainsi que c’est la dernière heure. Ils sont sortis de chez nous mais ils n’étaient pas des nôtres ; s’ils avaient été des nôtres, ils seraient demeurés avec nous. Mais pas un d’entre eux n’est des nôtres, et cela devait être manifesté. Quant à vous, c’est de celui qui est saint que vous tenez l’onction, et vous avez tous la connaissance. Je ne vous ai pas écrit que vous ignorez la vérité, mais que vous la connaissez, et que de la vérité ne vient aucun mensonge.
Psaume : 95 (96), 1-2a, 11-12a, 12b- 13ab
R/ Joie au ciel ! Exulte la terre ! 95, 11
Chantez au Seigneur un chant nouveau, chantez au Seigneur, terre entière, chantez au Seigneur et bénissez son nom !
Joie au ciel ! Exulte la terre ! Les masses de la mer mugissent, la campagne tout entière est en fête.
Les arbres des forêts dansent de joie devant la face du Seigneur, car il vient, car il vient pour juger la terre.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia Le Verbe s’est fait chair, cf. il a établi parmi nous sa demeure. À tous ceux qui l’ont reçu, il a donné de pouvoir devenir enfants de Dieu. Alléluia.
Évangile : Jean 1, 1-18
Au commencement était le Verbe, et le Verbe était auprès de Dieu, et le Verbe était Dieu. Il était au commencement auprès de Dieu. C’est par lui que tout est venu à l’existence, et rien de ce qui s’est fait ne s’est fait sans lui. En lui était la vie, et la vie était la lumière des hommes ; la lumière brille dans les ténèbres, et les ténèbres ne l’ont pas arrêtée. Il y eut un homme envoyé par Dieu ; son nom était Jean. Il est venu comme témoin, pour rendre témoignage à la Lumière, afin que tous croient par lui. Cet homme n’était pas la Lumière, mais il était là pour rendre témoignage à la Lumière. Le Verbe était la vraie Lumière, qui éclaire tout homme en venant dans le monde. Il était dans le monde, et le monde était venu par lui à l’existence, mais le monde ne l’a pas reconnu. Il est venu chez lui, et les siens ne l’ont pas reçu. Mais à tous ceux qui l’ont reçu, il a donné de pouvoir devenir enfants de Dieu, eux qui croient en son nom. Ils ne sont pas nés du sang, ni d’une volonté charnelle, ni d’une volonté d’homme : ils sont nés de Dieu. Et le Verbe s’est fait chair, il a habité parmi nous, et nous avons vu sa gloire, la gloire qu’il tient de son Père comme Fils unique, plein de grâce et de vérité. Jean le Baptiste lui rend témoignage en proclamant : « C’est de lui que j’ai dit : Celui qui vient derrière moi est passé devant moi, car avant moi il était. » Tous nous avons eu part à sa plénitude, nous avons reçu grâce après grâce ; car la Loi fut donnée par Moïse, la grâce et la vérité sont venues par Jésus Christ. Dieu, personne ne l’a jamais vu ; le Fils unique, lui qui est Dieu, lui qui est dans le sein du Père, c’est lui qui l’a fait connaître.
Prière sur les offrandes
Dieu qui donnes la grâce de te servir avec droiture et de chercher la paix, fais que cette offrande puisse te glorifier, et que notre participation à l’eucharistie renforce les liens de notre unité. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion
Dieu a envoyé son Fils unique dans le monde pour que nous vivions par lui.
Prière après la communion
Ton peuple, Seigneur, a besoin de multiples secours pour sa traversée d’ici-bas ; que ta bonté les lui donne aujourd’hui et demain : trouvant alors la force nécessaire dans les biens qui passent, il recherchera les biens éternels avec plus de confiance. Par Jésus.
Méditation Au commencement était le Verbe de Dieu qui donne le mouvement et la vie. Il était avec Dieu et il était Dieu. Le Verbe divin a son origine dans l’éternité de Dieu, il est Dieu lui-même, égal au Père, ni subordonné ni inférieur. C’est ce Verbe qui est descendu de sa demeure céleste pour que Dieu soit présent sur terre en chair et en os, et pour nous faire connaître directement le Père que lui seul a vu. Dans le Christ sont unies la Divinité et l’humanité. Pourtant l’égalité du Fils avec le Père est une égalité exprimée dans la dépendance, dans l’obéissance absolue révélée dans le sacrifice, dans un don total de soi. Ici, nous entrevoyons quelque chose de l’humilité de la Trinité, telle qu’elle est manifestée dans la chair mortelle du Christ. En nous parlant de sa relation avec le Père, Jésus veut nous attirer à lui et faire de nous ses disciples et des enfants de Dieu. Il veut nous apprendre que nos vies devraient refléter d’une façon humaine la vie à l’intérieur de la Trinité, la vie de Dieu lui-même, si nous désirons recevoir ses dons salutaires.
by L'équipe de publication | Dec 29, 2024 | Evangelium
Psalter: Proper
Saint Anysia
White
Martyr of Greece. She was a wealthy woman of Salonika, in Thessaly, who used her personal funds to aid the poor. A soldier accosted her in the street and tried to drag her to a pagan sacrifice. Anysia resisted and was killed when the soldier attacked her with his sword.
Entrance Antiphon: Wis 18: 14-15
When a profound silence covered all things and night was in the middle of its course, your all-powerful Word, O Lord, bounded from heaven’s royal throne.
Collect
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that the newness of the Nativity in the flesh of your Only Begotten Son may set us free, for ancient servitude holds us bound beneath the yoke of sin. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: 1 John 2:12-17
I am writing to you, my own children, whose sins have already been forgiven through his name; I am writing to you, fathers, who have come to know the one who has existed since the beginning; I am writing to you, young men, who have already overcome the Evil One; I have written to you, children, because you already know the Father; I have written to you, fathers, because you have come to know the one who has existed since the beginning; I have written to you, young men, because you are strong and God’s word has made its home in you, and you have overcome the Evil One. You must not love this passing world or anything that is in the world. The love of the Father cannot be in any man who loves the world, because nothing the world has to offer – the sensual body,
the lustful eye, pride in possessions – could ever come from the Father but only from the world; and the world, with all it craves for, is coming to an end; but anyone who does the will of God remains for ever.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 95(96):7-10
R/ Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad.
Give the Lord, you families of peoples, give the Lord glory and power; give the Lord the glory of his name.
Bring an offering and enter his courts, worship the Lord in his temple. O earth, tremble before him.
Proclaim to the nations: ‘God is king.’ The world he made firm in its place; he will judge the peoples in fairness.
Gospel Acclamation: Heb1:1-2
Alleluia, alleluia! At various times in the past and in various different ways, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our own time, the last days, he has spoken to us through his Son. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 2:36-40
There was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem. When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive with favour, O Lord, we pray, the offerings of your people, that what they profess with devotion and faith may be theirs through these heavenly mysteries. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn 1: 16
From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
Prayer after Communion
O God, who touch us through our partaking of your Sacrament, work, we pray, the effects of its power in our hearts, that we may be made fit to receive your gift through this very gift itself. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Anna, another of the ancients! Another who knew how to grow old. We meet Anna and Simeon every year at this time. Their peaceful presence is a comfort; they are ‘grandparent’ figures. It is very appropriate that they should make their appearance just now. Saintly people always know when to arrive and when to leave: “She came up to them at that very moment…” (another translation says). Grandparents are vital people, as any culture that sidelines them soon learns. Their existence is a reassurance that life is not a rat race but a long voyage towards a calm haven. They have much to do with the rearing of children. Simeon and Anna, grandparent figures, hover near the Crib, protecting the Child for the moment from the menace of Herod and others like him.
by L'équipe de publication | Dec 29, 2024 | Agenda Biblique
Saint roger
Blanc
Évêque de Cannes, il était mort quelques années plus tôt quand des gens vinrent piller la cathédrale pour emporter les reliques. Ils rapportèrent de leur expédition un coffre de reliques, le trône épiscopal, des vases sacrés et le corps de l’évêque Roger. L’année suivante, ils durent restituer les objets du vol, sauf le corps de l’évêque que son successeur ne considérait pas comme précieux. Les fidèles par contre voulurent rendre ce corps précieux en canonisant Roger et en composant un office.
Antienne d’ouverture
Alors qu’un profond silence enveloppait toutes choses et que la nuit en était au milieu de son cours, ta Parole toute-puissante, Seigneur, est venue du ciel, ta demeure royale.
Prière d’ouverture
Nous t’en prions Dieu tout-puissant, alors que le péché nous retient encore sous sa loi, Donne-nous la délivrance par la prodigieuse et nouvelle naissance en notre chair de ton Fils unique, Jésus Christ. Lui qui.
1ère lecture : 1 Jn 2, 12-17
Je vous l’écris, petits enfants : Vos péchés vous sont remis à cause du nom de Jésus. Je vous l’écris, parents : Vous connaissez celui qui existe depuis le commencement. Je vous l’écris, jeunes gens: Vous avez vaincu le Mauvais. Je vous l’ai écrit, enfants : Vous connaissez le Père. Je vous l’ai écrit, parents : Vous connaissez celui qui existe depuis le commencement. Je vous l’ai écrit, jeunes gens : Vous êtes forts, la parole de Dieu demeure en vous, vous avez vaincu le Mauvais. N’aimez pas le monde, ni ce qui est dans le monde. Si quelqu’un aime le monde, l’amour du Père n’est pas en lui. Tout ce qu’il y a dans le monde – la convoitise de la chair, la convoitise des yeux, l’arrogance de la richesse –, tout cela ne vient pas du Père, mais du monde. Or, le monde passe, et sa convoitise avec lui. Mais celui qui fait la volonté de Dieu demeure pour toujours.
Psaume : 95 (96), 7-8a, 8b-9, 10
R/ Joie au ciel ! Exulte la terre (Ps 95, 11a)
Rendez au Seigneur, familles des peuples rendez au Seigneur la gloire et la puissance, rendez au Seigneur la gloire de son nom.
Apportez votre offrande, entrez dans ses parvis, adorez le Seigneur, éblouissant de sainteté : tremblez devant lui, terre entière.
Allez dire aux nations : « Le Seigneur est roi ! » Le monde, inébranlable, tient bon. Il gouverne les peuples avec droiture.
Acclamation
Alléluia, Alléluia. Aujourd’hui la lumière a brillé sur la terre. Peuples de l’univers, entrez dans la clarté de Dieu. Venez tous adorer le Seigneur ! Alléluia.
Évangile : Lc 2, 36-40
En ce temps-là, quand les parents de Jésus vinrent le présenter au Temple, il y avait aussi une femme prophète, Anne, fille de Phanuel, de la tribu d’Aser. Elle était très avancée en âge ; après sept ans de mariage, demeurée veuve, elle était arrivée à l’âge de 84 ans. Elle ne s’éloignait pas du Temple, servant Dieu jour et nuit dans le jeûne et la prière. Survenant à cette heure même, elle proclamait les louanges de Dieu et parlait de l’enfant à tous ceux qui attendaient la délivrance de Jérusalem. Lorsqu’ils eurent achevé tout ce que prescrivait la loi du Seigneur, ils retournèrent en Galilée, dans leur ville de Nazareth. L’enfant, lui, grandissait et se fortifiait, rempli de sagesse, et la grâce de Dieu était sur lui.
Prière sur les offrandes
Reçois favorablement, Seigneur, les offrandes de ton peuple, pour qu’il obtienne dans le mystère eucharistique les biens auxquels il croit de tout son cœur. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion
Tous nous avons eu part à la plénitude du Christ : nous avons reçu grâce après grâce.
Prière après la communion
Quand nous allons communier, Seigneur, tu viens à notre rencontre; Produis en nos cœurs le fruit de ce sacrement, car seule ta grâce peut nous préparer à recevoir tes grâces. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Anne, (dont le nom signifie « grâce»), venait d’une tribu insignifiante, mais elle était remarquable par ses grâces spirituelles. Elle avait reçu les dons de prière persévérante et de prophétie, et son mode de vie, fait d’abnégation, de jeûnes et de veilles, ajoutait du poids à sa prière d’intercession pour son peuple. Anne et Siméon nous montrent que les hommes et les femmes sont égaux devant Dieu et sont capables de recevoir les dons du Saint-Esprit. Anne avait consacré son veuvage à Dieu et allait être une source d’inspiration pour de nombreuses veuves chrétiennes qui suivirent son exemple. Sa vie illustre des vérités importantes, à savoir que tout le monde sans exception a sa place dans le projet de salut de Dieu, que Dieu fait souvent appel à des personnages inattendus pour être ses instruments choisis, et que les vertus de détachement et d’humilité gagnent toujours l’approbation de Dieu, car il ne peut remplir qu’un cœur vidé de tout désir extérieur.
by L'équipe de publication | Dec 28, 2024 | Evangelium
Psalter: Proper
The Holy Family
White
Entrance Antiphon: Lk 2: 16
The shepherds went in haste, and found Mary and Joseph and the Infant lying in a manger.
Collect
O God, who were pleased to give us the shining example of the Holy Family, graciously grant that we may imitate them in practising the virtues of family life and in the bonds of charity, and so, in the joy of your house, delight one day in eternal rewards. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: 1 Samuel 1:20-22,24-28
Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son, and called him Samuel ‘since’ she said ‘I asked the Lord for him.’ When a year had gone by, the husband Elkanah went up again with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the Lord and to fulfil his vow. Hannah, however, did not go up, having said to her husband, ‘Not before the child is weaned. Then I will bring him and present him before the Lord and he shall stay there for ever.’ When she had weaned him, she took him up with her together with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the temple of the Lord at Shiloh; and the child was with them. They slaughtered the bull and the child’s mother came to Eli. She said, ‘If you please, my lord. As you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you, praying to the Lord. This is the child I prayed for, and the Lord granted me what I asked him. Now I make him over to the Lord for the whole of his life. He is made over to the Lord.’
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 127(128):1-5
R/ O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways!
O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways! By the labour of your hands you shall eat. You will be happy and prosper.
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine in the heart of your house; your children like shoots of the olive, around your table.
Indeed thus shall be blessed the man who fears the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life!
Second reading: Colossians 3:12-21
You are God’s chosen race, his saints; he loves you, and you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same. Over all these clothes, to keep them together and complete them, put on love. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together as parts of one body. Always be thankful. Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God; and never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Wives, give way to your husbands, as you should in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and treat them with gentleness. Children, be obedient to your parents always, because that is what will please the Lord. Parents, never drive your children to resentment or you will make them feel frustrated.
Gospel Acclamation:
cf.Ac16:14
Alleluia, alleluia! Open our heart, O Lord, to accept the words of your Son. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 2:41-52
Every year the parents of Jesus used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual. When they were on their way home after the feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. They assumed he was with the caravan, and it was only after a day’s journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere. Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies. They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘My child, why have, you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’ ‘Why were you looking for me?’ he replied. ‘Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?’ But they did not understand what he meant. He then went down with them and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority. His mother stored up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and men.
Prayer over the Offerings
We offer you, Lord, the sacrifice of conciliation, humbly asking that, through the intercession of the Virgin Mother of God and Saint Joseph, you may establish our families firmly in your grace and your peace. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Bar 3: 38
Our God has appeared on the earth, and lived among us.
Prayer after Communion
Bring those you refresh with this heavenly Sacrament, most merciful Father, to imitate constantly the example of the Holy Family, so that, after the trials of this world, we may share their company for ever. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Today the Church celebrates the Holy Family of Nazareth: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. One central message of Christmas is the Gift of God to our broken humanity. We are glad God wanted to be born and grow up in a human family. In this way, he consecrated the family as the first and most ordinary means of his encounter with humanity. God instituted marriage and the family when He created the first man and woman (Gen 1:27; 2:21-24). He blessed marriage and the family and endowed both with their necessary function for its members’ common good and society’s benefit, giving us the family as a refuge in a hostile world. The family of Nazareth, which the Church, especially in today’s liturgy, puts before the eyes of all families, really constitutes that culminating point of reference for the holiness of every human family. This family’s history is concisely described in the pages of the Gospel. We get to know only a few events in its life. However, what we learn is sufficient to be able to involve the fundamental moments in the life of every family and to show that dimension, to which all men who live a family life are called: fathers, mothers, parents, children, The Gospel shows us, very clearly, the educative aspect of the family. “He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them” (Lk 2:51).
