Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation

One hundred fifty years ago, Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday of November "as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens." More than an act of gratitude for a bountiful harvest, the President desired to strengthen bonds of unity in the nation and recommit the people to peace and tranquility. As we celebrate Thanksgiving Day, let us not forget the greatest act of Thanksgiving, the Eucharistic Feast.
Doctrine: Eucharistic, patriotism

Christus Vincit!

Christ conquers! Christ rules! Christ reigns! Amen! Alleluia!
Doctrine: Primacy of Christ, Kingship of Christ, Liturgical Year: Solemnity of Christ the King

Candlelight

The Maccabeats offer a lovely summary of the history of the Jewish feast of Hannukah. We hear this story in the readings at Mass during these final days of the liturgical year. Moreover, the Jewish liturgical calendar provided a basis for the development of the Christian liturgical cycle.
Doctrine: Scripture, liturgical year

Wherever You Go

By Audrey Assad
This song speaks of the relentless pursuit of God after those whom He loves. The second verse alludes to the story of Jacob wrestling with the Lord in Genesis 32: "Wrestling angels 'till dawn breaks through/ There's a blessing and a wound."
Doctrine: Old Testament, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, conversion

Blessed Pope John Paul II

Today is the memorial of Blessed Pope John Paul II, who will be canonized April 27, 2014 with Blessed Pope John XXIII. Praise God!
Doctrine: Church hierarchy

Huron Carol

The French missionaries who came to North America in the 17th century worked hard in difficult circumstances to serve those who lived in this land and bring Christ to them. St. Jean de Brebeuf studied the Huron language and strove to bring the Word of God to the Hurons by translating prayers into their own tongue. He also wrote this Christmas carol in their language, which not only puts the words of the story in Huron, but also uses imagery with which the Huron people would be familiar to describe what happened on that holy night. This is an excellent example of inculturation. This version of the song is sung in Wendat (Huron), French, and English.
Doctrine: North American Martyrs, saints, Christmas, inculturation

The Four Witnesses

On the occasion of the feastday of St. Ignatius of Antioch, this book offers thorough and engaging narratives about each of these four Fathers of the Church. Incorporated into the stories are excerpts from the saints' writings. These accounts bring to life these saints of the early Church, for whom we must acknowledge that "the blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians" (Tertullian).

Doctrine: saints, martyrdom