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.

The Via Caritatis

I had to decide what Latin use for the idea of Way of Charity to help me and my co-workers in charity to understand and act upon the admonition of Jesus gave us in Matthew 25. The corporal and spiritual works of mercy are not optional for those who follow Jesus. Settled with the help of an expert latinist I decided to use “via caritatis.” Matthew 25 is a particular teaching of the Lord’s that is not given in a parable but as a direction, a command in light of the final judgement. Anyways, my work in Christian charity –as all of us– is a journey, a way, a path, a road not only for me but also for those I and others serve.

Two sentences below, cherry-picked from a story in today’s NY Times. One word caught my eye:

“As of Feb. 1, foreign actresses and anyone else who is not a resident of Rome will have to pay 2 euros for the privilege of going down the steps to the [Trevi] fountain’s basin, the city’s mayor announced on Friday.

The coins thrown into the fountain — along with stray rings, guitar picks, subway tokens, keys and other oddities — are collected on a weekly basis and are donated by the city to the Catholic charity Caritas.”

Prepare the way of the Lord, the Baptist tells us

If you follow the Latin Church, today is the 2nd Sunday of Advent. It is the Sunday in Advent that we hear St. John the Baptist say, “Prepare the way of the Lord.” The way of the Baptist is one of the powerful keys of the spiritual life.

“In the season of Advent we too are called to listen to God’s voice, that cries out in the desert of the world through the Sacred Scriptures, especially when they are preached with the power of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, faith grows all the stronger the more it allows itself to be illumined by the divine word.” (From Pope Benedict XVI)

Order of Malta–CT North East meets for Advent 2025

The Advent event for the CT North East Area was held at the Holy Apostles College & Seminary, Cromwell CT on Saturday, December 6. We spent some time meeting, praying the Mass and having lunch.

Fr. Joseph MacNeill, our Deputy Chaplain, offered the opening prayer and remarks on the Order Spirituality based on the Association Chaplain’s meeting. He emphasized that the Order’s spirituality is marked by profound identification with the poor and a willingness to place ourselves in humble service to them as “our lords and masters.”  Additionally, Father Joseph focussed our attention on a recent talk at Yale’s St. Thomas More Chapel on human-centered leadership principles outlined by Sr. Raffaella on trust, community, and shared participation.

The Area Chair gave his end-of-year remarks on the Area including key ministries and current demographics. He also updated the Area on the senior members of the Area. The Treasurer presented the sound financial condition and audits of the Area. The Grants Chair reported that all the 2025 Grant allocations were completed and submitted successfully to the Association Chairman.

The incoming Area Chair reviewed the important remarks from the Association sessions at the Investiture leadership and business meetings. The members expanded on his introduction to core 2026 projects over lunch.  Further details were discussed, in particular, about ample opportunities for Spirituality activities, on the difference between the essential Diocesan Prison Ministry versus Social Justice, and the Diocesan involvement in Anti-Human Trafficking and Pro-Life.

Fr. Joseph celebrated the Mass and preached on our Advent journey noting how St. Nicholas is a good model for the Order. Father also administered the RENEWAL OF PROMISES to the members before they recited the DAILY PRAYER of the ORDER Order by the Area Chair.  The outgoing Area Chair thanked the officers for their strong support during his tenure and wished them well on the ministry and future growth of the CT North East Area. The ChD blessed the icon of St. John the Baptist as a token of the Area appreciation and thanked him for his years of Area service. The Officers presented the icon with a detailed volume on the Saints in gratitude from the members.

St Andrew –crossed no more

Andrew, the fisherman first-called by Jesus to be among the 12 Apostles. He eventually dies a cruel death and on an X shaped cross. View the image with this post closely. Andrew’s adherence to Jesus is noteworthy. He really should have the title of “the Apostle of the Kerygma” because of preaching the Good News. Do we adhere, or do we even aspire to adhere as St Andrew, to the Lord?

On another note, today in the pouring rain I had the privilege of joining friends to celebrate the 125 years of New Haven’s Saint Andrew Society at Woodwinds in North Branford. Nearly 350 people at dinner. Originally a mutual benefit society for the Italian immigrants to New Haven, today the Saint Andrew Society is more a social group which sponsors a festival, some social projects and keeping friendship important.

The first founders and their families of the Saint Andrew Society came from Amalfi which has a significant import for those who belong to the Order of Malta: Blessed Gerard Sasso was born in the Amalfi area and a Benedictine monk there before moving to Jerusalem. The cross on our habit bears what is called the Maltese Cross on the breast, and the cross is used in abundance in Amalfi on churches, sidewalks, tee-shirts, etc.

The eight-pointed cross reminds us of the Eight Beatitudes as taught by the Lord and recorded in Matthew 5:7. The Paschal Mystery and the Beatitudes are intimates in that they deepen our way of living the Christian life: Lex orandi, lex orandi, lex agendi.

New members invested in the Order of Malta-American Association

Today, we received four new members for our Area of the Order of Malta in Connecticut. They were among 106 new members. Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Timothy Dolan and the preaching was done by Bishop Robert Brennan of Brooklyn. Interestingly five of the professed Knights of Justice were part of the ceremony. (We rarely get that many of the professed present!)

Our little area in CT is growing incrementally. We are grateful for our new brothers and sister.

Blessed Gerard, pray for us.