Virgo Potens

Month of the Immaculate Conception ~ December 28th The New-born Child In the cradle before us lies the new-born Infant wrapped in swaddling-clothes and laid in the manger. Let us contemplate Him for a few moments and see what lessons He teaches us. 1. He teaches us the unspeakable force of divine charity. How was it possible for the Eternal Word, the co-equal Son of God, to leave the bosom of His Father to clothe Himself with the flesh of sinful man? It seems an almost extravagant act of love, one unworthy of the dignity of God. Yet love puts everything aside except the burning desire to promote the welfare of the loved. The Son of God forgot all else in His divine compassion for us. How dearly He must love us! How great should be our confidence in His love! ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Immaculate Conception ~ December 27th The Nativity (continued) 3. But when the gift came at last, it was a gift worthy of the divine generosity. It was a gift of infinite value, given to all and each of the sons of men. It was a gift in which God gave Himself to be wholly ours. That little Infant in the cradle before Whom I kneel to-day is the omnipotent God, loving me with an immeasurable love; my King, my Lord, my Redeemer, my best Friend, the divine Lover of my soul. Oh, would that I loved Him more. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Immaculate Conception ~ December 26th The Nativity (continued) 2. All the world was at peace at the moment when Christ was born. The angry passions of men were hushed as if in compliment to the Prince of peace. He never comes where strife and confusion prevail. If I desire that He should come into my heart to-day, I must resolve to keep under my evil passions, and the self-will that dares to do battle against the will of God. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

NOVENA to the INFANT JESUS (Begins on December 25th) O Child Jesus, I have recourse to Thee. By Thy holy Mother, I implore Thy assistance in this necessity (here mention your request), for I firmly believe that Thy Divinity can assist me. I confidently hope to obtain Thy holy grace. I love Thee with my whole heart and my whole soul. I am heartily sorry for my sins, and I entreat of Thee, O good Jesus, to give me strength to overcome my evil passions. I make the resolution of never again offending Thee, and I resolve to suffer everything rather than displease Thee. Henceforth, I wish to serve Thee faithfully. For the love of Thee, O Divine Child, I will love my neighbor as myself. O Jesus, Omnipotent Child, I again implore Thy assistance on this occasion (mention it). Grant that I may possess Thee eternally, with Mary and Joseph, and adore Thee with the angels and saints in heaven. Amen. Prayers and Devotions, 1954

HYMN for CHRISTMAS DAY Adeste fideles On, come! all ye faithful! Triumphantly sing! Come, see in the Manger The Angels’ dread King! To Bethlehem hasten! With joyful accord; Oh, hasten! oh, hasten! To worship the Lord. True Son of the Father! He comes from the skies; The womb of the Virgin He doth not despise; To Bethlehem hasten, &c as above. Hark! to the Angels! All singing in Heaven, “To God in the highest All glory be given." To Bethlehem hasten, &c as above. To Thee, then, O Jesu! This day of Thy birth, Be glory and honour Through Heaven and earth; True Godhead Incarnate! Omnipotent Word! Oh, hasten! oh, hasten! To worship the Lord. Lyra Catholica: Containing All the Breviary and Missal Hymns. Edward Caswall, M.A., translator. (1849)

Angel Hosts from Realms of Glory Christmastide Angel hosts from realms of glory, Ye who sang creation’s story, Wing your flight o’er all the earth; Now proclaim the Saviour’s birth. Let there rise from ev’ry nation Hymns of praise and exultation: Glory to God! Glory to God! Glory to God in the highest! 2. From eternal years appointed As our Prophet, Priest, and King, Christ is born, the great Anointed! Unto Him glad tribute bring! Let there rise, etc. 3. Come ye lofty! Come ye lowly! Let your songs of welcome ring! In a stable lies th' All-Holy, In a manger rests your King! Let there rise, etc. 4. Lo! on high His star is shining, And the Wise Men haste from far. For the world in sorrow pining, For us all has ris'n His star! Let there rise, etc. 5. Hasten, mortals, to adore Him, Learn His Name to magnify, Till in heav'n ye sing before Him: “Glory be to God on high!" Let there rise, etc. Rev. John G. Hacker, S.J., (editor), Catholic Hymnal (1920)

Month of the Immaculate Conception ~ December 25th The Nativity 1. Four thousand years had passed since God promised to our first parents that a Redeemer should come to free the world from the curse that had fallen upon it when Adam was disobedient to the divine command. Prophets and kings had desired to see the day when that promise should be fulfilled, but had not seen it. The whole world had long expected the day of redemption. God always is slow in His best gifts. Hence learn to be patient. "He will surely come, He will not tarry." ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Immaculate Conception ~ December 24th Christmas Eve (continued) 3. Yet Mary and Joseph, in spite of the sorrow of the one and the anxiety of the other, were both of them overflowing with heavenly consolations. How could it be otherwise, when one of them carried Christ in her chaste womb, and the other was more dear to God than any other of the sons of men, for he was Mary's chosen spouse, and he knew that before another day was past she was to bring forth into the world the Son of God. Our happiness, like that of Joseph and Mary, does not depend upon external circumstances, but on the love that we bear to God in our hearts. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Immaculate Conception ~ December 24th Christmas Eve (continued) 2. Mary meantime was patiently waiting. She was simply praying that God's will might be done, whatever suffering it might bring to her. She was offering herself to God, to be used by Him as He should see fit. She was making acts of perfect conformity to the will of God in all things. Blessed are those who wait patiently in such a spirit. God will soon fulfil all the desires of their heart. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Immaculate Conception ~ December 24th Christmas Eve 1. How did Mary and Joseph spend the first Christmas Eve? St. Joseph spent it in a fruitless attempt to find a lodging for his holy spouse. Vainly he sought for a place in the caravansery or inn, where travellers were received. Vainly he went from house to house in Bethlehem. Everywhere he was disappointed. Thus it is that God prepares His saints and chosen ones for some signal blessing. We must not be cast down by the fruitlessness of our efforts. It is a sign that some great grace is close at hand. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

HYMN - True Son of God, Eternal Light Advent True Son of God, Eternal Light, Come down to earth, illume the night! Cancel the curse of Paradise, Haste Thou to pay Redemption’s price! Four thousand years was hope delayed, While devils mocked, and prophets prayed; Four thousand years a cheerless gloom Held all the earth in sin and doom. O Long-Desired of Nations, haste! Lo, demons lay Thy Kingdom waste: See hands outstretched for help in vain, Hear cries of woe, despair, and pain! O Lord of Hosts, we pray Thee, come! Put down the pow'rs of heathendom; Rise up in all Thy matchless might, Drive back the troops of hell in flight! God's Kingdom come, His will be done! May all men serve the Triune One; Sing hymns of thanks, thou sainted host, To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! ~ Rev. P. J. Cormican, S. J. Rev. John G. Hacker, S.J., (editor), Catholic Hymnal (1920)

Month of the Immaculate Conception ~ December 24th The Approaching Day (continued) 3. Mary's consummate beauty is the consequence of there being in her nothing of her own. All was God's; no admixture of self in her motives, in her aims, in her joys and sorrows, her love and hatred. Her affections were simply a reflection of what God loved and hated; like God she loved all things except sin, and those who were the declared and eternal enemies of God. She desired nothing for herself except that she might see God's holy will fulfilled in all. Is this the account that you can give of yourself ? Only if this is so are you a worthy child of Mary. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Veni, Veni Emmanuel December 23rd, O Emmanuel O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Month of the Immaculate Conception ~ December 23rd The Approaching Day (continued) 2. The morning star is still clearly seen when all other stars have been extinguished by the light of the coming day. Mary has a brilliancy so great that the brightness of all the other saints fades into nothing in comparison with hers. If this was the case even in comparison with the glory of St. John Baptist, St. Joseph, Abraham the Patriarch, the friend of God, Job, the model of patience, Daniel, the beloved of God, what must her glory be! Thank God for having created one child of Adam worthy of Himself. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Veni, Veni Emmanuel December 22nd, O King of the Gentiles O Come, Desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of all mankind. Bid every strife and quarrel cease And fill the world with heaven's peace. Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Month of the Immaculate Conception ~ December 22nd The Approaching Day 1. When the sun is soon to appear above the horizon, the morning star, shining with a light derived indeed from him, but nevertheless shining bright and clear even before his coming, gives the signal of his approach. So the holy Mother of God, dawning upon the world with a grace and beauty which was the gift of her divine Son, anticipated His Incarnation and made the world more beautiful in God's sight than it had ever been before. Mary was more precious to God than all the rest of men, and this quite independently of her divine maternity. Consider why this was, and learn a lesson for yourself. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Veni, Veni Emmanuel December 21st, O Dawn of the East O Come, Thou Dayspring from on High And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh. Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death's dark shadow put to flight. Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Month of the Immaculate Conception ~ December 21st The Causes of Delay (continued) 3. There was another reason for the long delay. It was to teach us that God does nothing hurriedly. He always waits before putting into execution His decrees. In this He wishes us to imitate Him. The eternal wisdom of the Most High needs no time for deliberation. His works are not gradually perfected, or improved on second thoughts. But ours are, and the slow action of the providence of God should impress upon us the importance of waiting before we act, and considering and reconsidering all our plans. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Veni, Veni Emmanuel December 20th, O Key of David O Come, thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heav'nly home, Make safe the way that leads on high, That we no more have cause to sigh. Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.