Christmas: December 31st
Seventh Day within the Octave of Christmas; Opt. Mem. of St. Sylvester I, Pope
Other Commemorations: John Francis Regis, Priest (RM); St. Catherine Laboure, Virgin and Religious (RM) ; Other Titles: New Year's Eve
MASS READINGS
December 31, 2024 (Readings on USCCB website)
PROPERS [Show]
COLLECT PRAYER
Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas: Almighty ever-living God, who in the Nativity of your Son established the beginning and fulfillment of all religion, grant, we pray, that we may be numbered among those who belong to him, in whom is the fullness of human salvation. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
Optional Memorial of St. Sylvester: Come, O Lord, to the help of your people, sustained by the intercession of Pope Saint Sylvester, so that, running the course of this present life under your guidance we may happily attain life without end. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
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Today is the Seventh Day in the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord [Christmas]. The Church also celebrates the Optional Memorial of St. Sylvester I, Pope and Confessor (died 335 A.D.). He ruled the Church during the reign of Constantine when the Arian heresy and the Donatist schism had provoked great discord. He convoked the first Ecumenical Council of Nicaea.
The Roman Martyrology commemorates St. John Francis Regis (1597-1640) was ordained into the Society of Jesus in 1630. He was gifted with a marvelous talent for missions, he labored for the conversion of the Huguenots, assisted the needy, and aided in the rescue of wayward women.
St. Catherine Labouré (1806-1876) is also commemorated today. The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to her, a member of the Daughters of Charity, three times in 1830 and commissioned her to have made the Miraculous Medal and to spread devotion to it. St. Catherine Laboure was canonized in 1947.
Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas—Day Seven
The last day of the year is also the feast of St. Sylvester — bishop of Rome in 314. Constantine gave him the Lateran Palace, which became the cathedral church of Rome. Many legends exist about Sylvester. He supposedly cured Constantine from leprosy and later baptized him on his deathbed. New Year's Eve, along with its innocent gaiety, is really a day for serious reflection. On the eve of the civil New Year the children may join their parents in a holy hour, in prayer and thanksgiving for the gifts and benefits which God has given them in the past year, and to pray for necessary graces in the forthcoming civil year.
- Day Seven Activity (New Year's Eve Party)
- Day Seven Recipe (Silvesterpunsch)
Christmas Reflection: The Adoption of Sons
1. The condition of the men of the Old Testament who lived under the stern discipline of the Mosaic law, which could lay down strict regulations and impose harsh penalties, but could give no inner strength for observing the law. It could define what sin was, but it could not purify a man from sin, nor protect him from it. But now, with the birth of Christ, "the fullness of time" has arrived. "God has sent His Son, made of woman, made under the law, that He might redeem them who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."
2. The Son of God comes to the sons of men, assumes their nature and becomes one of them that they may become like Him, sons of God. What are we of ourselves? Less than nothing! What are we in view of our share in the sin of Adam? We are children of wrath, cursed by God, and worthy only of eternal damnation. But what does God do? He sends His beloved Son, His only-begotten Son, that we may be redeemed and may receive the adoption of the sons of God.
God's Son is to be "made of a woman, made under the law." How marvelous is God's plan. The presence of the Savior in His crib is our guarantee that man is no longer rejected by God and that we are not born into this world destined for an eternity of misery and pain. With Christ we can expect to share the honor and dignity of being children of the Heavenly Father, of sharing with Christ the good will of the Father, His Fatherly solicitude, His loving protection and guidance. We are children of God! What was determined in the bosom of the Godhead from all eternity when the Father bore witness to His Son, what was felt by the Father for the child in the crib, at the baptism in the Jordan, when the Father said: "Thou art my Son," can be applied also to us. We too are the sons of His love (Col. 1:13). We have been made partakers of the name, of the nobility, of the riches, of the rights, of the inheritance, and of the joys of the Son of God. We are "heirs indeed of God, and joint heirs with Christ" (Rom. 8:17). We are "Brothers of Christ" (Rom. 8:29). Christ is the Son of God by birth, we are sons by adoption. This is the message brought to us by the child in the manger.
"And because you are sons God hath sent the Spirit of His Son into your hearts crying: 'Abba, Father'". The same Spirit which fills the life of Christ, lives and works in Him, lives and works in us also, since we too are sons of God. This same Spirit urges us to go to the Father with childlike confidence, with childlike reverence, and with filial love. When we pray, when we fulfill our obligations, in joy and in sorrow, we are to remember that we are under the loving and protective hand of God. God cares for us and watches over us. We have free access to Him and we may trust and depend on Him entirely. Even though we are mere children, we are nevertheless heirs, and heirs to a princely heritage. We know that "the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that is to come" (Rom. 8:18). We know that though we are mere children, we are nevertheless brothers of Christ, and we know how to appreciate this privilege. We must remain loyal to our first born Brother, and follow Him on the path He has trod before us—the path of renunciation even unto death, the path of complete abandonment into the hands of the Father, the way of love, poverty and humility—in short, the way of the cross.
3. "Behold what manner of charity the Father hath bestowed upon us, that all should be called, and should be the sons of God" (I John 3:1). Does it seem a small thing to us that we who are after all mere dust and ashes should become brothers and co-heirs of the Incarnate Word of God? How many there are who look upon the goods of this world and the favor of men as of more value than this sonship of God.
We are children of God, informed by the Spirit of Christ, and we live, move and have our being in that same Spirit. This Spirit is manifested to us in the crib. When Christ comes into our hearts in Holy Communion we should beseech Him to deliver us from worldiness, from pride, from selfishness and sensuality. My brothers and sisters and all my fellow men are also children of God. Would that we might see a child of God in everyone we meet, no matter how much of the human we may also detect in them. How can I afford to despise anyone who is a child of God and therefore a brother of Christ? We may deplore the weaknesses of another, but we must love him as a brother of Christ.
—Excerpted from The Light of the World, Volume One by Benedict Baur, O.S.B.
St. Sylvester
St. Sylvester, a native Roman, was chosen by God to govern His holy Church during the first years of Her temporal prosperity and triumph over Her persecuting enemies. Pope Melchiades died in January, 314. St. Sylvester was chosen as his successor. He governed the Church for more than twenty-one years, ably organizing the discipline of the Roman Church, and taking part in the negotiations concerning Arianism and the Council of Nicaea. He also sent Legates to the first Ecumenical Council.
During his Pontificate were built the great churches founded at Rome by Constantine — the Basilica and baptistery of the Lateran, the Basilica of the Sessorian palace (Santa Croce), the Church of St. Peter in the Vatican, and several cemeterial churches over the graves of martyrs. No doubt St. Sylvester helped towards the construction of these churches. He was a friend of Emperor Constantine, confirmed the first General Council of Nicaea (325), and gave the Church a new discipline for the new era of peace. He might be called the first "peace Pope" after centuries of bloody persecution. He also established the Roman school of singing. On the Via Salaria he built a cemeterial church over the Catacomb of St. Priscilla, and it was in this church that he was buried when he died on December 31, 335.
Numerous legends dramatize his life and work, e.g., how he freed Constantine from leprosy by baptism; how he killed a ferocious dragon that was contaminating the air with his poisonous breath. Such legends were meant to portray the effects of baptism and Christianity's triumph over idolatry. For a long time the feast of St. Sylvester was a holyday of obligation. The Divine Office notes: He called the weekdays feria, because for the Christian every day is a "free day" (the term is still in use; thus Monday is feria secunda).
—Compiled from Heavenly Friends, Rosalie Marie Levy and The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch
Patronage: animals; for good harvests; stone masons; Order of Saint Sylvester; Locations in Italy: Barberino di Mugello, Branca, Calvisano, Castroreale, Feroleto Antico, Piegaro, Poggio Catino
Highlights and Things to Do:
- Read more about Pope St. Sylvester:
- See St. Sylvester's statue in Basilica of St. Peter's Colonnade.
- St. Sylvester's relics are in Basilica of San Silvestro in Capite in Rome. See the other churches dedicated to St. Sylvester in Rome.
St. John Francis Regis
Born into a family of some wealth, John Francis was so impressed by his Jesuit educators that he himself wished to enter the Society of Jesus. He did so at age 18. Despite his rigorous academic schedule he spent many hours in chapel, often to the dismay of fellow seminarians who were concerned about his health. Following his ordination to the priesthood, he undertook missionary work in various French towns. While the formal sermons of the day tended toward the poetic, his discourses were plain. But they revealed the fervor within him and attracted people of all classes. Father Regis especially made himself available to the poor. Many mornings were spent in the confessional or at the altar celebrating Mass; afternoons were reserved for visits to prisons and hospitals.
The Bishop of Viviers, observing the success of Father Regis in communicating with people, sought to draw on his many gifts, especially needed during the prolonged civil and religious strife then rampant throughout France. With many prelates absent and priests negligent, the people had been deprived of the sacraments for 20 years or more. Various forms of Protestantism were thriving in some cases while a general indifference toward religion was evident in other instances. For three years Father Regis traveled throughout the diocese, conducting missions in advance of a visit by the bishop. He succeeded in converting many people and in bringing many others back to religious observances.
Though Father Regis longed to work as a missionary among the North American Indians in Canada, he was to live out his days working for the Lord in the wildest and most desolate part of his native France. There he encountered rigorous winters, snowdrifts and other deprivations. Meanwhile, he continued preaching missions and earned a reputation as a saint. One man, entering the town of Saint-Andé, came upon a large crowd in front of a church and was told that people were waiting for "the saint" who was coming to preach a mission.
The last four years of his life were spent preaching and in organizing social services, especially for prisoners, the sick and the poor. In the autumn of 1640, Father Regis sensed that his days were coming to a conclusion. He settled some of his affairs and prepared for the end by continuing to do what he did so well: speaking to the people about the God who loved them. On December 31, he spent most of the day with his eyes on the crucifix. That evening, he died. His final words were: "Into thy hands I commend my spirit."
He was canonized in 1737.
—Excerpted from Saint of the Day, Leonard Foley, O.F.M.
Patronage: against plague; embroiderers; lace makers; lace workers; medical social workers; social workers; French Jesuits; Sisters of Saint Francis Régis; Regis University; Regis High School (New York City); Regis Jesuit High School (Aurora, Colorado)
Symbols and Representation: Jesuit wearing a leather cape and holding a staff topped with a crucifix
Highlights and Things to Do:
- Read more about St. John Francis Regis:
- His relics are located in La Louvesc, France: Basilica of St. Francis Regis
St. Catherine Labouré
St Catherine Labouré was born on the 2nd of May 1806 at Fainles-Moutiers, a picturesque village of Burgundy, France. She was the ninth child in a happy family of eleven. God made known the choice of this soul by marking her at an early age with the seal of suffering, for when she was only nine years old she lost her mother.
Saint Catherine Labouré responded to the divine call by entering the Community of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in Paris. Here, during the first months of her novitiate, she was favored with a number of apparitions of the Blessed Virgin, who confided to her the mission of having the Miraculous Medal made.
Until shortly before her death Saint Catherine kept a strict silence concerning these apparitions, speaking of them only to her confessor, according to the instructions of Our Lady.
During 46 years Saint Catherine witnessed the wonders and miracles wrought through the Medal. During all this time, carefully guarding her secret of the apparitions, she humbly performed her commonplace duties, devoting herself especially to the care of the infirmed men of Enghien, a suburb of Paris. For this she is called the patroness of seniors.
On the 31st of December 1876, Saint Catherine left this earth for heaven, to contemplate there her Immaculate Queen whose love and beauty had captured her heart on earth.
Her body was exhumed 57 years later and found in perfect condition. Even death respected her who had enjoyed the extraordinary privilege of resting her hands on the knees of the Blessed Virgin for more than two hours during one of the apparitions. Saint Catherine was canonized by Pope Pius XII on July 27, 1947.
The simplicity of Saint Catherine's life endears her to everyone. She became a saint by doing her commonplace duties well, for God. This "Saint of Ordinary People" has the secret of sanctity for us all.
—Excerpted from Central Association of the Miraculous Medal
Patronage: pigeon fanciers; pigeons
Symbols and Representation: Daughters of Charity habit; Miraculous Medal
Highlights and Things to Do:
- Read more about St. Catherine Labouré and the Miraculous Medal:
- Make a virtual visit to the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. There you can see St. Catherine's incorrupt body.
- See Association of the Miraculous Medal.
- Philadelphia is the home of the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal Shrine.
