A Carpe Diem Snapshot:
Happy Feast of St. Nicholas! This one has been eagerly antipating the traditions we keep on this day, such as waking up to find shoes stuffed with chocolates from good St. Nick! This morning we shared American pancakes (thanks to St. Nick's resident helper, Hannah) and stories with the students. A favorite that we read every year is The Baker's Dozen, as well as Strega Nona's Gift.
Liturgical: Optional Memorial of Saint Nicholas, Bishop
Your justice I kept not hid within my heart;
your faithfulness and your salvation I have spoken of;
I have made no secret of your kindness and your truth
in the vast assembly.
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
Psalm 40:2 and 4, 7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11
Bishop Barron's Gospel reflections today.
Sanctoral: Today the Church celebrates the Optional Memorial of St. Nicholas of Myra (d. 346). Not much is known about this 4th century bishop, but that doesn't diminish his popularity around the world, both in the East and West. It is known that Nicholas was born in Lycia in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) and died in 352 A.D. as the Bishop of Myra. All the stories that surround Nicholas illustrate that he practiced both the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. He was generous, strove to help the poor and disadvantaged, and worked tirelessly to defend the faith. His legends of generosity and a slip of the tongue from other languages has made St. Nicholas or Sinterklaas into today's Santa Claus.
Human: All the many wonderful ways to celebrate today's feast- Christian charity, stockings, chocolate coins, oranges, sinterklaas cookies, and more!
The Writer's Almanac edition today.
Natural: It was on this day in 1972 that astronauts on the Apollo 17 spacecraft took a famous photograph of Earth, a photo that came to be known as "The Blue Marble." Photographs of Earth from space were relatively new.
Italian: Entusiasta (enthusiastic)
Quote: “The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic God's giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves.”
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