THE MEMORIAL OF ST LUCY, VIRGIN AND MARTYR.

MEMORIAL OF ST LUCY, VIRGIN AND MARTYR. 

"As they were coming down from the mountain,

the disciples asked Jesus,

"Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"

He said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things;

but I tell you that Elijah has already come,

and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.

So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands."

Then the disciples understood

that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist." (Matthew 17: 7 - 10, 13).

Saturday, 13th December of the 2nd Week of Advent is the feast of St Lucy, Virgin and Martyr. 

Lucy was born circa 283 AD in a noble Roman family. She consecrated her virginity early to Jesus Christ. When she refused to marry Paschasius, he was enraged and reported her to the government as a Christian. When all efforts to make Lucy change her mind failed, she was condemned to death. She was tortured and her two eyes were gorged out. 

 Lucy died a martyr under Emperor Diocletian (+304).  Lucy is the patron saint of the blind and all those who have eye trouble. Lucy had been venerated as a saint from antiquity. Her name is included in the Roman Canon. 

Elijah the great prophet came back in the person of John the Baptist to prepare the way of the Lord, to make straight His paths and people did not recognize the hour or the opportunity. 

 Although he appeared like a fire whose words were as a flaming furnace, yet people took little notice. The noise in the world was too loud and impenetrable for the message of salvation.

This is Advent, less than ten days to Christmas. Arise from your sleep.  Do not allow Christmas shopping and any other frenzied activities to obscure the true meaning of the Season.

The Lord is surely coming in splendor to visit His people. Prepare to welcome Him.

The Church honors the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of December. 

"Mary was conceived without original sin. This grace and privilege are fitting in view of the birth and death of her Son Jesus Christ, who is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. 

"O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You."

For the Immaculate Conception Devotions and Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/12/novena-to-immaculate-conception.html