The first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the new Catholic Liturgical Year!  Happy New Year!

Among the beautiful, meaningful, and solemn ceremonies of the Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday stands out as a pivotal day. It marks the beginning of our Lenten journey, a period of spiritual preparation leading up to the celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday. Let us delve into the significance of Ash Wednesday from a Catholic perspective.

Today, Ash Wednesday we begin the holy and Penitential season of Lent.

The term “Lent” originates from Old English, meaning “springtime.” By the second century, it described the period of individual fasting, almsgiving, and prayer in preparation for Easter. Initially, only catechumens (those aspiring for baptism) observed a defined period of preparation lasting just two or three days. Over time, Lent evolved into a 40-day season, mirroring biblical events associated with the number 40.  Jesus spent 40 days in the desert and the Israelites spent 40 years on their way to the promised land.

On Ash Wednesday, Catholics receive a cross-shaped mark of ashes on their foreheads. This ancient tradition has deep roots in the Old Testament, where wearing ashes symbolized repentance for sins and humility before God. The ashes serve as a visible reminder of our mortality and the need for spiritual renewal.

As we bear the ashes on our foreheads, we recognize our dependence on God’s mercy. We humbly seek forgiveness and commit to deeper prayer, penance, and acts of charity. Our Lenten journey leads us through the desert of self-examination, drawing us closer to the joy of Easter.

May this Ash Wednesday inspire us to  turn from sin, and walk the path of grace.

The ashes this wednesday also help us evangelize as we go out into the world people will see our ashes and be reminded of Jesus.  God Bless You!

This blog post was written in part with AI.

All Saints’ Day: A Catholic Perspective

All Saints’ Day, celebrated on November 1st, is a significant day for us Catholics.. This holy day of obligation is dedicated to all the saints of the Church. It’s not just for those who have been canonized, but for all who have made it to Heaven1.

The Communion of Saints

One of the key aspects of All Saints’ Day is the celebration of the communion of saints. According to Catholic doctrine, the communion of saints is “the spiritual solidarity which binds together the faithful on earth, the souls in purgatory, and the saints in heaven in the organic unity of the same mystical body under Christ its head and in a constant interchange of supernatural offices”

This communion represents a spiritual union of the members of the Church — both living and deceased. We are all part of one body with Christ at the head. It’s a common bond we share with the saints.

The History

All Saints’ Day was initiated in the sixth century by Pope Boniface IV, who set aside a day in May for it in addition to consecrating the Pantheon at Rome to the Virgin Mary and all Catholic martyrs. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III dedicated November 1st to the saints and their relics.

Conclusion

All Saints’ Day serves as a reminder of our connection to those who have gone before us and our shared journey towards sainthood. It’s a day to honor all those who have passed on to the Kingdom of Heaven and celebrate our shared communion with them. As we remember and honor these saints, we are reminded of our own call to holiness and our place within this communion.  It is our primary goal to become saints.

This post was made in part with AI technology

Celebrating the Queenship of Mary

Today, August 22, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of the Queenship of Mary, a title that honors her role as the Mother of God and the Queen of Heaven and Earth. This feast was established by Pope Pius XII in 1954, in his encyclical Ad Caeli Reginam1, but the devotion to Mary as Queen has roots in Scripture and Tradition.

Mary in Scripture

In the Old Testament, we find many examples of queens who were not the wives of the kings, but their mothers. These queens, known as the “Gebirah” or “Great Lady”, had a special position of honor and authority in the royal court. They also acted as intercessors for the people before the king. One of the most famous queens was Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon, who received a throne at his right hand and listened to the requests of those who came to her (1 Kings 2:19-20).

In the New Testament, we see that Mary is the mother of Jesus, who is the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16). The angel Gabriel announced to Mary that her Son would receive the throne of David and rule over the house of Jacob forever (Luke 1:32-33). At the Visitation, Elizabeth greeted Mary as “the mother of my Lord” (Luke 1:43), a title that implies royal dignity. In the Book of Revelation, we see a vision of a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head (Revelation 12:1). This woman is identified as the mother of the male child who is destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod (Revelation 12:5). Many scholars agree that this woman represents both Mary and the Church, as they share in the same motherhood and mission.

Mary in Tradition

The early Church Fathers and Doctors recognized Mary as Queen by virtue of her divine maternity, her association with Christ’s redemptive work, her singular holiness, and her powerful intercession. They used various titles to honor her, such as “Lady”, “Sovereign”, “Queen”, and “Empress”. Some of the most famous hymns that praise her queenship are “Hail Holy Queen”, “Hail Queen of Heaven”, and “Salve Regina”.

The devotion to Mary as Queen was also expressed in art, architecture, liturgy, and popular piety. Many churches and cathedrals were dedicated to her , such as Notre Dame de Paris, Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, and Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico. Many paintings and statues depicted her wearing a crown or being crowned by Jesus or angels. Many prayers and litanies invoked her as Queen of various attributes or groups, such as Queen of Peace, Queen of Angels, Queen of Martyrs, etc.

Celebrating the Queenship of Mary

The feast of the Queenship of Mary is a wonderful opportunity to renew our love and devotion to our heavenly Mother and Queen. We can celebrate this feast by:

• Praying the Rosary, especially meditating on the fifth glorious mystery, which is the Coronation of Mary.
• Singing or listening to hymns that honor her queenship, such as “Hail Holy Queen”, “Immaculate Mary”, or “Queen of Heaven Rejoice”.
• Reading or listening to Pope Pius XII’s encyclical Ad Caeli Reginam1, which explains the meaning and importance of this feast.
• Offering our lives to Mary’s service and imitating her virtues of humility, obedience, faith, hope, and charity.
• Asking for her intercession for our personal needs and for the needs of the Church and the world.

Mary is our beautiful Queen who reigns with her Son in heaven. She is Queen of Heaven and Earth. She is also our loving Mother who cares for us on earth. Let us honor her today and always with our filial affection and gratitude. Hail Holy Queen!

AI was used in part to write this blog post.

Pentecost, a significant feast in the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church, commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and marks the birth of the Christian Church. It is a time of great spiritual significance, as Catholics celebrate the powerful presence and transformative work of the Holy Spirit. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of Pentecost from a Catholic perspective and delve into its profound implications for believers today.

The Historical Context: Pentecost derives its name from the Greek word "Pentēkostē," meaning "the fiftieth day." It originally referred to the Jewish festival of Shavuot, which celebrated the giving of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai. For the early Christians, Pentecost took on a new meaning as the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and empowered them to spread the message of Christ to the world.

The Descent of the Holy Spirit: In the Acts of the Apostles, we read about the dramatic events of the first Pentecost. The apostles, gathered in the Upper Room, were suddenly filled with the Holy Spirit, appearing as tongues of fire resting upon each of them. This outpouring of the Holy Spirit enabled them to speak in different languages, allowing people from various nations to hear the message of the Gospel in their own tongues.

The Birth of the Church: Pentecost marks the birth of the Church, as the Holy Spirit empowered the apostles to boldly proclaim the teachings of Jesus Christ. Through the Spirit's guidance, the apostles were transformed from timid disciples into courageous evangelizers, fearlessly spreading the Good News to the ends of the earth. The Church, animated by the Holy Spirit, continues this mission even today.

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Pentecost also highlights the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. These gifts empower believers to live out their faith, deepen their relationship with God, and contribute to the building of a just and compassionate society. The Holy Spirit provides guidance, strength, and inspiration to navigate the challenges of life and grow in holiness.

The Sacrament of Confirmation: In the Catholic Church, the sacrament of Confirmation is closely associated with Pentecost. Through Confirmation, individuals receive an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and are sealed with the gifts necessary to live as mature and active members of the Church. This sacrament strengthens and deepens the grace received at Baptism, empowering individuals to witness to their faith and actively participate in the Church's mission.

The Renewing Power of the Holy Spirit: Pentecost reminds us that the Holy Spirit is not a distant figure but an active and transformative presence in our lives. The Spirit renews, sanctifies, and empowers us to live as authentic disciples of Christ. By opening our hearts to the Spirit's guidance, we can experience personal transformation, deepening our relationship with God and allowing His love to radiate through us to others.

Pentecost is a celebration of the Holy Spirit's transformative power and its ongoing work within the Catholic Church and the lives of believers. It reminds us that we are not alone in our faith journey; rather, we are constantly supported and guided by the Spirit. May Pentecost be a time for Catholics to renew their commitment to live in the Spirit's presence, embracing the gifts bestowed upon us and actively participating in the Church's mission of spreading God's love to the world.

This blog post was written with AI technology

[The Rev. Adaly Rosado (center) accepting the food drive with Dragon Master Robert Kim (far left), Sir Robbie Kim (far right), Sir Sal Gjecbritaj (2^nd from right) and other instructors and students of Dragon Kim’s Karate USA.]

Dragon Kim’s Karate USA had begun a food collection in the summer of this year.  They needed a place to donate the food.  They asked one of their students, the Rev. Adaly Rosado, where the donation could be made.  Father Rosado quickly responded, “we have a food pantry.”  He is the Parochial Vicar at the Church of Saint Christopher and Saint Margaret Mary, which covers the Grant City and Midland Beach neighborhoods of Staten Island.  The church has a food pantry which helps feed the hungry in all of Staten Island.  Since Father Rosado was both a student at the school and a priest at the church, it was decided that both organizations should unite to fight hunger on Staten Island.  Last month, the school donated approximately 200 pounds of food to the pantry.  In the future, more donations will be made.  Dragon Kim’s Karate USA has multiple locations on Staten Island and all will run food drives to help feed the hungry.