Author: Paul Zalonski

Pray for justice and peace

In his first Christmas address as pontiff, Leo XIV referenced the poem below by the acclaimed Israeli poet Yehuda Amichai.

As we enter the year 2026, let us pray for justice and peace.

Wildpeace

Not the peace of a cease-fire,
not even the vision of the wolf and the lamb,
but rather as in the heart when the excitement is over
and you can talk only about a great weariness.

I know that I know how to kill,
that makes me an adult.
And my son plays with a toy gun that knows
how to open and close its eyes and say Mama.

A peace without the big noise of beating swords into ploughshares,
without words,
without the thud of the heavy rubber stamp:
let it be light, floating, like lazy white foam.
A little rest for the wounds—who speaks of healing?
(And the howl of the orphans is passed from one generation to the next, as in a relay race: the baton never falls.)

Let it come
like wildflowers,
suddenly, because the field
must have it: wildpeace.

-Y. Amichai, “Wildpeace”, in The Poetry of Yehuda Amichai, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2015.

Praying at the end AND at the beginning

It is a longstanding Catholic practice to give thanks to God for the graces and blessings of the previous year and then to make petitions for the year to come. Pray the Te Deum (on December 31) as we end 2025 and the Veni, Creator Spiritus (on January 1) as we begin 2026.

A plenary indulgence with the reception of Confession, the Holy Eucharist and prayers for the Holy Father.

The Te Deum is also called the Ambrosian Hymn for its association with St Ambrose of Milan. The Veni, Creator Spiritus is used at Vespers Pentecost, Confirmation, and whenever the Holy Spirit is solemnly invoked.

Let us pray for one another.

St John and the Order of the Holy Sepulchre

The Latin Church today recalls the liturgical memory of the great and holy apostle and evangelist, John. He’s also referred in sacred Scripture as the Beloved Disciple. In art we see the young John laying his head on the chest of Our Savior –more than a mere metaphor, it is what every follower of Jesus ought to do, or aspire to do. John’s Gospel speaks eloquently of God’s love for humanity and portrays salvation in and through Jesus in a different light than the synoptics.

I recommended today as a day to pray for the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem through the intercession of St John not because he is directly connected with the Order but precisely because what is mentioned above, but also because “in Your poverty we might become rich…” [Ambon Prayer]. We hear this theological datum, God became poor for our sake, but do we believe it? There is wisdom here.

The point I am trying to make here is that our lives –seen as a whole– is to have a space for Christ Jesus in our hearts and minds. After all, we are to practice the presence of God! When you and I make room for Jesus, He doesn’t just show up; He transforms the space He’s given. When you and I make room for Christ, He brings peace to our chaos. Therefore, let’s make room for the miracle, and you’ll be amazed at what God will do!

Connecting St John with the Order of the Holy Sepulchre is an opportunity to discover what our vocation and mission is in the Order for the sake of the Kingdom and the salvation of all people in Christ crucified and risen.

Image: Nectarius Kuluksin (—1679), John the Evangelist in Silence, (tripping on wooden panel, 1679), 109 x 85 cm. Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg, Russia.

St Stephen’s Day

On the Byzantine liturgical calendar today is dedicated to the first-martyr, the holy deacon Stephen. The Latin Church recalls the remembers the apostles and evangelist St John.

A blessed name day to all those named Stephen or Stephanie – also special festal greetings to all deacons on this day! Thank you for your ministry!
“First-martyr and apostle of Christ, you fought the good fight. You convicted the tyrants of their wickedness. When you were killed by stoning at the hands of sinners, you received a crown from God’s right hand while you cried out: Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” [Troparion of the feast]

The Church gives us the feast of St. Stephen immediately after Christmas to make something clear. On Christmas we learned “the son of God became man,” and today we see the purpose—“so that we might become God” (CCC 460). The account of Stephen’s preaching and martyrdom shows us what it looks like to become like God.

12 Days of Christmas Meaning

The 12 Days of Christmas are the 12 days AFTER Christmas – the distance between Christmas and Theophany (Epiphany):

The religious wars in sixteenth century England made it dangerous to be a Catholic. Many people practiced their Catholic faith in secret. As the legend goes, Catholic families courageously developed unique ways to secretly pass the faith onto their children, like “The 12 Days of Christmas.” The well-known song was used to teach children the content of Catholic faith. Although the lyrics may sound like nonsense, the song actually contains hidden and important references. Think of how Aesops would teach an important lesson. We can say, hence, there is real genius here.

A Partridge in a Pear Tree symbolizes Jesus Christ, with the partridge representing Christ’s willingness to sacrifice himself and the pear tree symbolizing the cross.

Two Turtle Doves represents the Old and New Testaments, highlighting the harmony and connection between the two.

Three French Hens signifies the three theological virtues: faith, hope, and love (or charity).

Four Calling Birds symbolizes the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, which spread the good news of Christ’s life and teachings.

Five Golden Rings represents the first five books of the Old Testament, known as the Pentateuch or the Torah, emphasizing God’s covenant with His people.

Six Geese A-Laying symbolizes the six days of creation, emphasizing God’s power as the creator of the world.

Seven Swans A-Swimming represents the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.

Eight Maids A-Milking symbolizes the eight Beatitudes preached by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, highlighting the virtues and blessings of a righteous life.

Nine Ladies Dancing represents the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Ten Lords A-Leaping signifies the Ten Commandments, which provide guidance for a moral and righteous life.

Eleven Pipers Piping represents the Eleven Faithful Apostles: Peter, Andrew, James the Elder, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the Younger, Simon, and Jude.

Twelve Drummers Drumming represents the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles’ Creed, which summarizes the core beliefs of Christianity.

Source: Catholic History

4th Sunday of Advent 2025

Today in the Latin Church we have the 4th Sunday of Advent where it is read that the Joseph chosen as the spouse of Mary realizes his vocation to protect his bride and soon to be born child. No small feat given the context of the manifestation of the announcement of salvation and the marriage of two brought together by an angel. Imagine! The result was that Joseph “did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.” He was noble; just, holy and a protector. Several years Pope Francis reflected on this passage by noting Joseph as protector. The Pope said,

“Joseph is a ‘protector’ because he is able to hear God’s voice and be guided by his will. The vocation of being a “protector” means protecting people, showing loving concern for each and every person, especially children, the elderly, those in need, who are often the last we think about. It means caring for one another in our families: husbands and wives first protect one another, and then, as parents, they care for their children, and children themselves, in time, protect their parents.”

One step further, how Joseph understand the events at hand? He shows compassion. We presume Jospeh as a good man, and with God’s grace Joseph changes his will to follow God’s will. He overcame his concupiscence.

As disciples of the Lord today, and as members of the Order of Malta we have a vocation to protect the Catholic Faith from disintegration and we protect the sick and poor, our lords, from discrimination. In each case we become like St Joseph.

New Archbishop of Kraków Gregory Rys

Today we have new Archbishop of Kraków, Cardinal Gregory Rys installed. Blessings!

You will note he’s wearing the rare vestment over his shoulders called rationale. There are only 4 bishops who wear the rationale today.

 

Some will say this is an esoteric point of ecclesiology and useless vestments worn by an elite crowd. I’d say it shows the beauty and diversity of the Church and her ministry among peoples that is localized and rich. Here is a brief article on the rationale.