Marian apparitions

by

Friday, 12 December 2025 : 2nd Week of Advent, Memorial of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet or White (Our Lady of Guadalupe)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today the Church commemorates the occasion of one of the famous Marian Apparitions, or the appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, who appeared before St. John Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin at the site of Tepeyac hill in what is today Mexico, approximately five hundred years ago. This Apparition is now known famously as Our Lady of Guadalupe, and many millions were converted to the Christian faith upon the miraculous appearance and the miracles associated with Our Lady of Guadalupe, and then many more countless souls were saved in the subsequent centuries and years because of what the Lord had done to help us through His beloved Mother, who has come before us, in order to remind us all to love her Son and to turn away from the path of sin.

Back then, much of the New World, the Americas were still relatively newly discovered by the people from the Old World, and many of the natives still did not yet know the Lord and His truth. Many of the pagan practices especially in the region of Mesoamerica or Central America, which back then involved a lot of cruelty and even human sacrifices were overcome by the power of the Lord’s truth and love, and many among the natives abandoned their past wicked ways and embraced the true faith in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. However, at the same time, the behaviours of those Spanish conquerors and explorers back then also left much to be desired, who despite of their Christian faith carried out a lot of destruction and loss of life among the people by their actions, their killings and efforts to gain more wealth and glory for themselves, a behaviour most unbecoming and unworthy of those who called themselves as Christians.

Hence, at that time of great destructions, harm and desolation among the people of the world, where chaos reigned free, Our Lady chose to make herself available and approachable, just as later on she would do again in Lourdes and Fatima, also during times of hardships and trials for much of the world. Our Lady chose to appear to a simple and humble native man, St. John Diego, also known as St. Juan Diego. St. John Diego was one of the early Christian converts from among the native peoples of the region now known as Mexico, where he became a devout follower of Christ, and was known for his exemplary life and virtues, and who with his wife was remembered for their piety, simplicity and generosity. Back then, it happened that St. John Diego was passing by the area known as the Hill of Tepeyac when the Mother of God appeared to him, and spoke to St. John Diego in his own native language, revealing herself to be the Mother of God.

When he conveyed this message to others, no one initially believed what St. John Diego had said, and they disregarded him when he conveyed on them the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe about her identity and also her request that a church be built in her honour at the location of her Apparition. Then, at the next time when St. John Diego was supposed to meet Our Lady of Guadalupe, his uncle was very sick and St. John Diego had to get his uncle to meet a priest for the Sacrament of the Sick. And later on, St. Juan Diego tried to take another way, as he was ashamed of having failed to meet the Lady as he was supposed to, only to meet her on his way again, and she told him why she did not entrust his uncle and himself to God through her, with the words now well known as ‘Am I not here, I am, who am your mother?’. This serves as a reminder to all of us how the Lord has indeed entrusted His own Mother Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe to be our mother as well.

Then, Our Lady of Guadalupe told St. John Diego to show a sign to the local bishop, and asked him to collect some flowers that appeared there at the site of the Apparition that were not native to the region, miraculously appeared there, and then St. John Diego gathered them using his tilma or cloak. As he brought the flowers and showed them to the bishop, what stunned the bishop and all the other witnesses present was not just the unusual flowers, but the fact and evidence that the very image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mary herself was imprinted on the tilma that was worn by St. John Diego. Everyone who saw that miracle believed, and through the great occasion, many became believers and followed the Lord, all thanks to His mother and also through the faith and dedication showed by St. John Diego in faithfully living his life and in obeying God’s will.

Ever since then, countless millions upon millions had visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which grew more and more in popularity, drawing many people who were attracted to the Lord’s love, mercy and compassion as shown through His beloved Mother, especially during the time of hardships and difficulties. Our Lady of Guadalupe called on all of us to return to her Son with contrite heart and to devote ourselves once more to His cause. In our world today, at a time full of many distractions and worldly pleasures, of many things that have prevented us from finding our path towards God, the call that Our Lady of Guadalupe made upon us, her pleas that we reject the path of sin and embrace her Son, Our Lord and Saviour, through her, are reminders for us to make amends and to turn over a new leaf in our lives, to become God’s faithful people once again.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, therefore, as we continue to progress through this season of Advent, the time of preparation for Christmas, let us all make sure that we do not just prepare for Christmas physically and in material, as what most people would have done. Instead, we must make sure that we are ready in heart and mind, spiritually for welcoming the Lord into our midst, as we rejoice in His past coming at Christmas, and as we also hope in the coming joy of His future return, as a mighty and conquering King when He comes again at the end of time. This is the true spirit of Advent and ultimately, Christmas that we all should have within us, the spirit and desire for us to live our lives worthily of the Lord, distancing ourselves from wickedness and evil ways, and from the excesses of worldly pleasures and temptations.

Let us all therefore draw ever closer to the Lord and spend our time now this Advent to deepen our relationship with Him. Let us all sin no more, and focus ourselves once again on the Lord and His truth, with the help of His blessed Mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and her lovely reminders for us all to be faithful to her Son’s Law and commandments. Let us all spend our time now to prepare ourselves that we may truly worthily celebrate Christmas with true joy and understanding, and not indulge ourselves in the excesses of worldly, secular celebrations of Christmas. It is not that we cannot rejoice and celebrate in that way, but we cannot be distracted by all those excesses of celebrations, merrymaking and festivities that we end up forgetting why we celebrate Christmas in the first place, that is our joy in the Lord’s coming and salvation for us.

May the Lord be with us always, and may He continue to guide us in our journey, so that we may remain always ever firm in our faith in His truth and love. May God bless us all in our every endeavours and actions, our every good works and efforts for His greater glory. May He remain with us always in all things, and may His blessed Mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe, intercede for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

by

Friday, 12 December 2025 : 2nd Week of Advent, Memorial of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet or White (Our Lady of Guadalupe)

Matthew 11 : 16-19

At that time, Jesus said to the people, “Now, to what can I compare the people of this day? They are like children sitting in the marketplace, about whom their companions complain : ‘We played the lute for you, but you would not dance. We sang a funeral song, but you would not cry!’”

“For John came fasting, and people said, ‘He is possessed by a demon!’ Then, the Son of Man came. He ate and drank; and people said, ‘Look at this Man : a glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet, wisdom is vindicated by her works.”

Alternative reading (Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe)

Luke 1 : 39-47

Mary then set out for a town in the hill country of Judah. She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leapt in her womb.

Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and, giving a loud cry, said, “You are most blessed among women; and blessed is the Fruit of your womb! How is it, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy. Blessed are you, who believed that the Lord’s word would come true!”

And Mary said, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit exults in God, my Saviour!”

by

Friday, 12 December 2025 : 2nd Week of Advent, Memorial of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet or White (Our Lady of Guadalupe)

Psalm 1 : 1-2, 3, 4 and 6

Blessed is the man who does not go where the wicked gather, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit where the scoffers sit! Instead, he finds delight in the Law of YHVH and meditates day and night on His commandments.

He is like a tree beside a brook producing its fruit in due season, its leaves never withering. Everything he does is a success.

But it is different with the wicked. They are like chaff driven away by the wind. For YHVH knows the way of the righteous but cuts off the way of the wicked.

Alternative Psalm (Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe)

1 Samuel 2 : 1, 4-8

My heart exults in YHVH, I feel strong in my God. I rejoice and laugh at my enemies for You came with power to save me.

The bow of the mighty is broken, but the weak are girded with strength. The well-fed must labour for bread, but the hungry need work no more.

The childless wife has borne seven children, but the proud mother is left alone. YHVH is Lord of life and death. He brings down to the grave and raises up.

YHVH makes poor and makes rich, He brings low and He exalts. He lifts up the lowly from the dust, and raises the poor from the ash heap; they will be called to the company of princes, and inherit a seat of honour. The earth to its pillars belongs to YHVH and on them He has set the world.

by

Friday, 12 December 2025 : 2nd Week of Advent, Memorial of Our Lady of Guadalupe (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet or White (Our Lady of Guadalupe)

Isaiah 48 : 17-19

Thus says YHVH, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel : I, YHVH, your God, teach you what is best for you; I lead you in the way that you must go. Had you paid attention to My commandments, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

Your descendants would have been like the sand, and those born of your stock like its grains, their names never cut off nor blotted out from My presence.

Alternative reading (Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe)

Isaiah 7 : 10-14 and Isaiah 8 : 10c

Once again YHVH addressed Ahaz, “Ask for a sign from YHVH your God, let it come either from the deepest depths or from the heights of heaven.” But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask, I will not put YHVH to the test.”

Then Isaiah said, “Now listen, descendants of David. Have you not been satisfied trying the patience of people, that you also try the patience of my God? Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign : The Virgin is with Child and bears a Son and calls His Name Immanuel, for God-is-with-us.”

by

Tuesday, 16 July 2024 : 15th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Our Lady of Mount Carmel)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this day we listened to the words of the Sacred Scriptures in which the Lord told us all that we really must have faith and trust in Him, and we should not allow any sorts of obstacles and hardships, difficulties and challenges from discouraging us to follow His path and remain faithful to His ways. Each and every one of us as Christians must always be trusting in Him, realising that it is He alone Who is the source of all Hope and strength for us. Without Him, we have no firm and strong anchor in this life, and as such, we may easily be swayed and swept by the various obstacles and challenges in life, which may lead us into the wrong paths that are not in accordance to God’s ways. It is important that we should always focus ourselves on the Lord at all times.

In our first reading today, we heard from the Book of the prophet Isaiah in which the Lord spoke to the king of Judah, King Ahaz, and the people of Judah that they all should not be afraid or be fearful of the mighty forces of the Aramaeans and those of the Kingdom of Israel arrayed against the Kingdom of Judah. They should not be afraid or side with their false and pagan gods, but instead, they should return wholeheartedly towards their one and only true God, the One and only One Who could protect them against their enemies, the One who had always loved and cared for them all those while. The Lord would never abandon His people and He would always stay by their side. It was often those people who had voluntarily abandoned the Lord for all sorts of worldly distractions and temptations.

The Lord would prove His words true when all the plotting and efforts of the Israelites of the northern kingdom and the Aramaeans were foiled and both of their kingdoms were eventually defeated and crushed by the rising power of the Assyrians. The Lord showed His people that no matter what was being planned and plotted by man, it is ultimately God’s will that will triumph in the end. And if we allow Him to guide us in our path, then in the end, through our faith in Him, we shall share in the glory that God has bless us all with, the true joy and happiness that He has prepared for us, and all the things that He wants to share with us, His beloved people. If we can only have genuine faith in Him and trust in Him, then we shall have the full share of His glorious inheritance and blessings.

Then, in our Gospel passage today, taken from the Gospel of St. Matthew, we heard of the lamentations and the rebukes which the Lord Jesus spoke up against the cities of the region of Galilee such as Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum, all those places where the Lord had carried out many of His works, performed many miracles and taught in their synagogues. Yet, as the Lord showed, many of the people in those places still did not really believe in Him and what He had taught and shown them. Some among them, particularly those who belonged to the group of the Pharisees and those who supported them even publicly doubted Him and accused Him wrongly at more than one occasion.

It is understandable therefore why the Lord aired out His frustrations. This is because they themselves had seen everything that God had done through His Son and yet, they kept on hardening their hearts and minds, refusing to believe in Him although they had the knowledge of the teachings and words of the prophets of God and the Law. The Lord had patiently helped and guided them in giving them everything they needed through His Son, manifesting His love in the flesh, to make Himself approachable to them. Yet, they stood by their pride and ego, thinking that their ways and actions could not be wrong and that they were right in judging others based on their own flawed understanding of God’s Law and His ways.

And yet, God still loved His people nonetheless, doing everything He could for everyone, even for those who have doubted and refused to listen to Him. He bore His Cross willingly at the moment of His Passion, His suffering and death on that same Cross for the sake of all mankind, forgiving all those who have slighted and wronged Him, those who had falsely accused Him of wrongdoing and blasphemy to advance their own plans and ambitions, and to secure their own positions and privileges in the community of the faithful people of God. He prayed for those who have persecuted and rejected Him, and forgave them from their sins and wrongdoings. He continued to show His ever generous and patient love even when those whom He cared for, had disobeyed and been stubborn in refusing to accept Him.

Today the Church also celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, on which occasion we commemorate the Blessed Mother of God, Mary, as the great Patroness of the Carmelite Order, the religious congregation also known as the Carmelites which had a longstanding and strong devotion to the Blessed Mother of God, Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Tradition and history of the Carmelites highlighted that the Blessed Mother of God herself appeared to St. Simon Stock, one of the early members of the Carmelites, showing the now popular Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. This brown scapular eventually became part of the Carmelites’ habit and deepened the devotion of the members of the Carmelites, as well as countless others outside the Order, to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

Today as we mark with rejoicing and joy this Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we are all reminded to follow the path shown to us by Our Lady of Mount Carmel, who as the Mother of Our Lord and Saviour has always been pointing the way towards her Son, Our Saviour and Hope. We should keep in mind God’s great love and ever enduring patience and compassion for each and every one of us, and how by extension, through His own loving Mother, He has been willing to reach out to us and to gather us all to Himself. We must not take His love, kindness, compassion and mercy for granted, as if we continue to ignore His kindness and mercy, and carrying on doing what is evil and wicked in God’s sight, we will eventually be condemned by those same sins and wickedness which have not been forgiven by God.

Let us all therefore do our best that we may renew our trust in God and commitment to Him, by striving to do our best in each and every moments of our lives in becoming ever better followers of God and His cause, in obeying Him, His Law and commandments, inspired by the examples of the many holy men and women who had gone before us, but whose lives were truly pleasing to God in all things. And the best role model that we can have is truly Mary herself, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, whose obedience to the Lord and virtues should be great inspiration for all of us to follow. May all of us therefore continue to glorify the Lord by our lives, in every actions and deeds, in our every interactions with one another, now and always. Holy Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us all sinners. Amen.

by

Tuesday, 16 July 2024 : 15th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Our Lady of Mount Carmel)

Matthew 11 : 20-24

At that time, Jesus began to denounce the cities in which He had performed most of His miracles, because the people there did not change their ways.

“Alas for you Chorazin and Bethsaida! If the miracles worked in you had taken place in Tyre and Sidon, the people there would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I assure you, for Tyre and Sidon; it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.”

“And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? You will be thrown down to the place of the dead! For if the miracles which were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would still be there today! But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

Alternative reading (Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

Matthew 12 : 46-50

At that time, while Jesus was talking to the people, His mother and His brothers wanted to speak to Him, and they waited outside. So someone said to Him, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside; they want to speak with You.”

Jesus answered, “Who is My mother? Who are My brothers?” Then He pointed to His disciples and said, “Look! Here are My mother and My brothers. Whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

by

Tuesday, 16 July 2024 : 15th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Our Lady of Mount Carmel)

Psalm 47 : 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6, 7-8

Great is YHVH, most worthy of praise in the City of God, His holy mountain. Beautifully elevated, it is the joy of all the earth.

Mount Zion, heavenly mountain, the City of the great King. Here, within her lines of defence, God has shown Himself to be a sure fortress.

The kings assembled together, advanced toward the city. But as soon as they saw it, they were astounded; they panicked and took to flight.

Seized with fear, they trembled, like a woman in travail, or like ships of Tarshish, shattered by a strong wind from the east.

Alternative reading (Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

Luke 1 : 46-47, 48-49, 50-51, 52-53, 54-55

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit exults in God, my Saviour!

He has looked upon His servant, in her lowliness, and people, forever, will call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, Holy is His Name!

From age to age, His mercy extends to those who live in His presence. He has acted with power and done wonders, and scattered the proud with their plans.

He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and lifted up those who are downtrodden. He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.

He held out His hand to Israel, His servant, for He remembered His mercy, even as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.

by

Tuesday, 16 July 2024 : 15th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Our Lady of Mount Carmel)

Isaiah 7 : 1-9

When Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, king Rezin of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, laid siege to Jerusalem but they were unable to capture it. When the news reached the house of David, “Aram’s troops are encamped in Ephraim,” the heart of the king and the hearts of the people trembled as the trees of the forest trembled before the wind.

YHVH then said to Isaiah : “Go with your son A-remnant-will-return, and meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Washerman’s Field. Say to him, ‘Stay calm and fear not; do not lose courage before these two stumps of smouldering firebrands – the fierce anger of Rezin the Aramean and the blazing fury of the son of Remaliah.’”

“‘You know that Aram, Ephraim and Remaliah’s son have plotted against Judah, saying : Let us invade and scare it, let us seize it and put the son of Tabeel king over it. But the Lord YHVH says : It shall not be so; it shall not come to pass. For Damascus is only the head of Aram and Rezin the lord of Damascus. Samaria is only the head of Ephraim and Remaliah’s son is only the lord of Samaria. Within fifty-six years, Ephraim will be shattered and will no longer be a people. But if you do not stand firm in faith, you, too, will not stand at all.’”

Alternative reading (Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

Zechariah 2 : 14-17

Sing and rejoice, o daughter of Zion, for I am about to come, I shall dwell among you,” says YHVH. “On that day, many nations will join YHVH and be My people, but My dwelling is among you.”

The people of Judah will be for YHVH as His portion in His holy land. He will choose Jerusalem again. Keep still in YHVH’s presence, for He comes, having risen from His holy dwelling.

by

Tuesday, 12 December 2023 : 2nd Week of Advent, Memorial of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet or White (Our Lady of Guadalupe)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today the Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, commemorating a popular Apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, in the region now known as Guadalupe in Mexico, where millions visit her shrine daily, and many other countless millions dedicate themselves each year and throughout the years devote themselves to her, as they come seeking the Lord through His Blessed and ever loving Mother, who is also their Mother, our loving Mother. Our Lady of Guadalupe was one of the earliest known Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which often occurred during times and moments of great strife and challenges to the Church, the faithful and the world.

At that time, where Our Lady of Guadalupe chose to make her appearance, many people still lived in lack of knowledge and understanding of the true faith, and there were also havoc as the Spanish conquerers who landed in the region of Mexico and elsewhere in what was known then as the ‘New World’ caused great destruction to many of the local cultures and civilisations there, by their wars of conquests, destruction and slavery, as well as through diseases and other forms of hazards which led to many deaths and sufferings among the people. Hence, it was only right that Mary indeed appear at that time and moment to intervene as through her efforts, intercession and apparition, later on, countless millions were saved through the faith and by being touched with Mary’s love and devotion to God.

Mary herself as Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to St. John Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, also known as St. Juan Diego, one of the early converts among the native population. One day, at the hill of Tepeyac, where the great Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe now stands, St. John Diego saw the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, appearing to him like a woman of his own race, and she revealed herself to him as the Mother of God and told him to inform the local bishop that a shrine should be built at the site so that she could assist those who have been troubled and distressed. St. John Diego obediently told the bishop and after another apparition, again shared with the local bishop what he had witnessed.

And when the bishop requested from the Apparition for a heavenly sign to show the authenticity of the supernatural event, the Blessed Virgin Lady of Guadalupe told St. John Diego that she would provide one. But when St. John Diego’s uncle was very sick and he missed the appointed time of the apparition, and attending to his uncle, later on when Our Lady of Guadalupe once again appeared to St. John Diego, she chided him gently for not having sought for her intercession and help, telling him in the now famous words, ‘Am I not here, who am your Mother?’ Then, while assuring St. John Diego that his uncle has fully recovered, she told him to gather flowers that were blooming at the site, using his own mantle, known as tilma, to hold those flowers to be shown to the bishop.

The moment that St. John Diego returned to the bishop and revealed the unusual flowers that he had gathered from the Blessed Lady of Guadalupe, the bishop was astonished to have seen the imprint of Our Lady of Guadalupe herself on the tilma or cloak of St. John Diego. This assured the bishop that the Apparition was truly genuine, and he immediately venerated the Blessed Lady of Guadalupe. Henceforth, the devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe became very popular, bringing countless souls to God, being saved through His mother’s love and care for us, and until today, countless millions came to venerate Our Lady of Guadalupe at her shrines, and many more throughout the world devoted themselves to the Lord through her, His Blessed Mother, who is also our Mother.

Now, brothers and sisters in Christ, the story of the Apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe and the faith of St. John Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin should be inspiration for all of us as Christians in how we should live our lives, and especially as we continue to journey through this season of Advent, in how we prepare ourselves for the upcoming celebrations and joy of the glorious Christmas season. In our world today, too often we encounter situations where mankind, that is all of us, are preoccupied with various temptations, attachments and distractions present around us in this world. Like during the time of St. John Diego and Our Lady’s apparition, much of the sufferings then were caused by human greed and ambitions, which had led to manipulation and exploitation by the strong on the weak, and more.

Today, as we celebrate this Apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, let us all therefore examine our lives, our actions, words and deeds in all things. All of us should heed the words of Our Lady of Guadalupe reminding us to seek her Son, Our Lord and Saviour, and stay away from the path of sin and evil. We should remember that as Christians we are all called to an existence that is truly filled with God’s grace and love, and we are supposed to commit ourselves to the path which He Himself has shown and taught to us through His Church. We should not be ignorant of our obligations and our calling as Christians, and we should follow the example of the Blessed ever Virgin, Our Lady of Guadalupe herself, in all the commitment and dedication she has always shown.

Let us all therefore ask our Blessed and ever loving Mother, Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe to continue to intercede for each and every one of us, that through her prayers and help, we may be directed ever more closely to the Lord, our God and Saviour. Let us all turn ourselves to the path of righteousness and virtue once again, rejecting the darkness and wickedness of sin, resolving to live our lives henceforth as devoted followers and servants of our Lord and God, and truly be faithful and obedient to Him, at all times. And as we continue to prepare ourselves this Advent, may our Advent journey be fruitful, and may we continue to deepen our connection with God, as well as understanding more of what Christmas is for all of us. May God be with us always and may He bless us all in our every good efforts and endeavours. Amen.

by

Tuesday, 12 December 2023 : 2nd Week of Advent, Memorial of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet or White (Our Lady of Guadalupe)

Matthew 18 : 12-14

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, “What do you think of this? If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them strays, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hillside, and go to look for the stray one? And I tell you, when he finally finds it, he is more pleased about it, than about the ninety-nine that did not go astray.”

“It is the same with your Father in heaven. Your Father in heaven does not want even one of these little ones to perish.”

Alternative reading (Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe)

Luke 1 : 39-47

Mary then set out for a town in the hill country of Judah. She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leapt in her womb.

Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and, giving a loud cry, said, “You are most blessed among women; and blessed is the Fruit of your womb! How is it, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy. Blessed are you, who believed that the Lord’s word would come true!”

And Mary said, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit exults in God, my Saviour!”