Christmas at St. Lawrence

The new Venerable Servants of God

Pope Pius XII (Eugenio Pacelli)

Pope John Paul II (Karol Wojtyła)

...and 36 hours later

Fiesta di Nuestra Señora di Guadalupe

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

"Let us then avoid sin, and pray to Mary, the Immaculate Mother of God, for a pure heart. 'Ave Maria, gratia plena!' Holy Mary, as you were full of grace on earth, so you are in heaven full of glory, as Queen of Heaven. But you are still full of grace for us poor pilgrims of earth. For thou art, as the Holy Father tells us, the treasurer of heavenly grace. Through thy hands graces are dispensed, which thy divine Son has merited. Thy hands are filled, as thou didst once appear to a Saint with shining jewels, the heavenly treasures of grace. Oh, stretch forth thy merciful hand, enrich and bless us, Mary! and keep us in the state of grace. Pray for us, Mary! Amen."

St. John Vianney

Feast of St. Francis Xavier - Dec. 3

On today's feast it's only right to show you a picture of one of the coolest relics in Rome. I give you....

THE RIGHT ARM AND HAND OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER

The picture comes from the website for the Church of the Gesù in Rome. In fact, if you click HERE, they have a few pictures from the San Francesco Saverio capella, to the right of the main altar and directly across from the St. Ignatius Loyola chapel. The arm was brought to Rome in 1614.

How many times had that hand held the Host at Mass? How many times was it raised to absolve sinners? To anoint the dying? To anoint during baptism?