this week's feasts
The Nativity of St. John the Baptist
The story of the birth of Christ actually begins with the birth (nativity) of St. John the Baptist. His birth had been revealed to Zechariah the priest while he was serving in the temple. Because he doubted the message of the angel, he became mute until the birth of the babe. Relatives were saying that the baby should be named Zechariah, after his father, but his mother, Elizabeth, insisted that he should be named John (the name given him by the angel). They brought a pad to his father, who wrote, “John is his name.”
As I have noted many times before, John’s entire life was lived in the shadow of Jesus. His annunciation (to Zechariah) was preparation for the annunciation of Jesus. His birth was preparation for the birth of Jesus. John’s ministry was preparation for the ministry of Jesus. And John’s death was preparation for the death of Jesus.
The Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist is this Monday, June 24.
As I have noted many times before, John’s entire life was lived in the shadow of Jesus. His annunciation (to Zechariah) was preparation for the annunciation of Jesus. His birth was preparation for the birth of Jesus. John’s ministry was preparation for the ministry of Jesus. And John’s death was preparation for the death of Jesus.
The Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist is this Monday, June 24.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
As you walk into the main body of the church and turn right, you see the shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, with the tombs of Fr. William Tappert and Fr. Henry Tappert, the brothers and former pastors of Mother of God Church. Also, in that shrine you can see an icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. This image was a gift to Fr. William Tappert from Pope Leo XIII. It was touched to the original icon, which is enshrined in St. Alphonsus Church in Rome, so it is a relic.
Mary is dressed in red, which in Eastern iconography is the color of the Empress. She is looking out at the faithful, while pointing to her son Jesus. Mary always points the way to Jesus. Jesus is frightened by the instruments of the Crucifixion, held by the two Archangels Michael and Gabriel.
A number of miracles have been associated with the image in Rome.
We will have prayers of devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Thursday after the 12:05 pm Mass.
Mary is dressed in red, which in Eastern iconography is the color of the Empress. She is looking out at the faithful, while pointing to her son Jesus. Mary always points the way to Jesus. Jesus is frightened by the instruments of the Crucifixion, held by the two Archangels Michael and Gabriel.
A number of miracles have been associated with the image in Rome.
We will have prayers of devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Thursday after the 12:05 pm Mass.
Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles
On Saturday, June 29, the Church honors the two great saints of the early Church—St. Peter and St. Paul. They are the two pillars on which Jesus has built His Church. The two great statues in front of Mother of God Church portray Peter holding the keys to the Kingdom and Paul holding the sword, the instrument by which he was martyred.
Peter is known at the Apostle to the Jews, and Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles. Peter represents the institutional Church, while Paul represents the missionary Church.
Peter is known at the Apostle to the Jews, and Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles. Peter represents the institutional Church, while Paul represents the missionary Church.
