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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

Ss. Peter and Paul and the bees

As we welcome a new Roman pontiff, we turn to some more images of Ss. Peter and Paul, the great patrons of Rome are worth recalling to mind. Their feast day is approaching on June 29.

(The arms shown between them are arguably the most famous and distinctive arms in all of baroque Rome; they are the arms of the Barberini family and the Barberini pope, Urban VIII). Notice the honey bees on the coat of arms.

Serving our brothers and sisters in New Haven

Today, Saturday, April 5, was our monthly cooking for our friends at the Amistad Catholic Worker (New Haven). Members of Communion & Liberation CT, the Order of Malta – Connecticut North East Area and Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in CT prepared a nutritionally dense food. Our day together as friends gives meaning to our lives.

As Msgr Luigi Giussani wrote in his brief piece, “Meaning of Charitable Work,” par. 1:

Above all, our very nature requires us to be interested in others. When there is something beautiful within us we desire to communicate it to others. When we see others who are worse off than we are, we desire to help them with something of ours. This need is so original, so natural, that it is within us before we are conscious of it. We call it the law of existence. We do charitable work to satisfy this need.

I’ve named our group The Holloway Outreach 1 to honor the Shakespeare Lady, Margaret Holloway who died a few years ago and who lived with mental illness and was homeless.

913 years of the Order of Malta

Today, February 15, 1113 (yes, 912 years ago): Pope Paschal II issues “Pie Postulatio Voluntatis” (English: The Most Pious Request), recognizing the Order of Hospitallers. (Order of Knights of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem).

The entities generally considered to maintain historical continuity with the Knights are the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, based in Rome, the Bailiwick of Brandenburg of the Chivalric Order of Saint John of the hospital at Jerusalem, Johanniter Orde in Nederland, Order of Saint John in Sweden, and the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem.

May Our Lady, St Joseph, and Blessed Gerard , intercede for us.

St John of the Cross, feast

“Blessed be the Lady who intends me to quit this life this Saturday. I know that God, our Lord, is about to do me the mercy and favor of allowing me to recite Matins in Heaven.”

“The little white dove
Has returned to the ark with the bough;
And now the turtle-dove
Its desired mate
On the green banks has found.”

St. John of the Cross was born in 1542 in Fontiveros, Spain. The son of a poor but noble family, he was raised in an orphanage. Recognized for his joyful spirit, he was sent to a Jesuit College. He entered the Carmelite Order, studied theology at Salamanca, and was ordained a priest. He supported St. Teresa of Avila’s reforms of the Order. Opponents to the reforms imprisoned him in deplorable conditions. He died in 1591 and was canonized in 1726. In recognition of his mystical writings; The Dark Night of the Soul, Ascent of Mount Carmel, Spiritual Canticle, and Living Flame of Love, he was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1926.

St John of the Cross pray for us

All Saints of the Order of Malta

We gathered earlier this evening at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick (NYC) for Solemn Vespers for the feast of All Saints of the Order of Malta. The feast day is actually on November 19 but since the 19th was a Sunday this year, the observance was transferred to Monday. We also had the privilege of venerating the relic of the founder of the Order of Malta, Blessed Gerard.

May the saints and blesseds of the Order of Malta intercede for us before the Throne of Grace.