December: Intercultural Month of Feast days

1. December: Intercultural Month of Feast days Celebrating the Life Cycle of the Church

2. Advent Begins December 1, 2013 • The Four Weeks Before Christmas • A Time of Remembrance, God’s people are waiting for the Messiah’s Birth. • The European tradition of the Advent Wreath: • Each week a candle is lit, signifying that the world is awaiting the first coming of the Messiah and his second coming to judge the living and the dead. • The purple candles symbolize a time of preparation with prayer, penance and charity (good works). The pink candle signifies the joy before the upcoming birth.

3. Novena before the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe begins Dec 3 • A Mexican Cultural Tradition • Nine days of prayer and devotion before the feast of Our lady of Guadalupe • Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated as … Patroness of the Americas

4. St. Nicholas Day ~ December 6 • Known as the Patron of Children • The original personbehindthe figure of Santa Claus • St. Nicholas was a Bishop who shared freely with those impoverished and in need. • Our Christmas gift-giving is based on this example • We remember him for his generosity and selflessness. To learn more go to http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/patron-saint/ in English y español

5. Immaculate Conception, December 8 This year celebrated on December 9 • We Celebrate Mary who herself was conceived without sin, so that she could be a worthy Mother of God the Son. • This belief was held for many hundreds of years until it became officially proclaimed and given a feast day in 1854 by Pius IX. • She is the patroness of the United States. http://www.catholic.com/tracts/immaculate-conception-and-assumption http://www.usccb.org/about/divine-worship/liturgical-calendar/upload/2013cal.pdf Bartolomé Estaban Murillo 1665

6. San Juan Diego ~ Dec. 9optional memorial is omitted this year • Born in Cuauhtitlan , Mexico in 1474 • He was an Indian man of the lowest caste of slaves. • The Blessed Virgin chooses him to carry her message to the Bishop and then to the native peoples. • God, uses Mary and Juan to evangelize all the people of Mexico.

7. However, The Year 2013 is an Exception to the Norm Since December 8, 2013, is the Second Sunday of Advent, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is transferred to Monday, December 9, 2013. The obligation to attend Mass, however, does not transfer. The Optional Memorial of Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, December 9, is omitted this year.

8. Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12 • After a generation the Spanish missionaries had little success in converting the Indian people • But in 1531 miracles began to happen in Tepeyac close to Mexico City. • Mary began to visit with Juan Diego. His uncle was cured; roses appeared when he opened his tilma in front of the Bishop; and the image of Mary appeared on his cloak! • Within a short time, six million Native Mexicans had themselves baptized as Christians.

9. Posadas December 16-24 • Celebrated for over 400 years in Mexico this is a beautiful Christmas custom! • The Word Posadas translates to “Resting Place” or “Inn” • It is a recreation of Mary and Joseph trying to find shelter in an inn. They go from house to house in the neighborhood as pilgrims. • Two are chosen as Mary and Joseph. They sing as the door is answered. This convinces the innkeeper, (acted out by the family inside) to let them in. As the community enters the house, everyone shares food and drink. This celebration includes carols and the Word of God. • It gives families and neighbors a chance to remember the story and to gather to celebrate Christ’s birth. http://www.catholic.org/clife/advent/story.php?id=48757

10. Christmas Day ~ December 25 We celebrate the Birthday of Jesus, Son of God. He became man to save us. This is a time of great thanksgiving to Our Lord and joy!