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Vincent’s Corner Tomorrow is Pearl Harbor Day
I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me. (Philippians 4:13)
· How to celebrate Dec 6th
o Wake up and start your day with a refreshing bowl of gazpacho—a perfect way to celebrate National Gazpacho Day.
§ After breakfast, take a moment to appreciate the hard work of miners around the world on National Miners’ Day by learning about the industry or supporting organizations that promote miner safety.
o For lunch, utilize your microwave oven to whip up a quick and easy meal in honor of National Microwave Oven Day.
§ While waiting for your food to heat up, take a moment to thank your local bartender on National Bartender Day by leaving a generous tip the next time you pop by your favorite bar.
o Need quick cash? Celebrate National Pawnbrokers Day by decluttering your home and selling unwanted items to your local pawn shop.
§ Later in the day, embrace your inner fashionista by participating in Faux Fur Friday. Dig out any faux fur items you have in your closet and strut your stuff.
o For a fun and quirky activity, celebrate Put On Your Own Shoes Day by treating yourself to a new pair of kicks or simply appreciating the shoes you already own. Show appreciation for salespeople on National Salesperson Day by shopping at local stores or online shops run by hardworking sales staff.
o Get into the holiday spirit by decorating a mitten tree in your community for Mitten Tree Day. Donate mittens, gloves, or winter wear to spread warmth and cheer during the holiday season.
o Wrap up the day by celebrating St. Nicholas Day
with small acts of kindness, such as leaving a treat for your loved ones or donating to charity in the spirit of giving.
From December 7–13, 2025, your pilgrimage in Toledo will explore the roots of Visigothic Christianity—its councils, treasures, and enduring architectural echoes. Toledo, once the capital of the Visigothic Kingdom, invites pilgrims to reflect on early Christian unity, conciliar wisdom, and the fusion of Roman, Gothic, and Mozarabic traditions.
✝️ Visigothic Christianity – Toledo, Spain
Dates: December 7–13, 2025
Theme: Councils, Crowns, and the Cross Before the Schism
🗓️ Daily Itinerary & Symbolic Acts
Dec 7: Arrival & Conciliar Foundations
· 🕍 Symbolic Act: “Council of Unity”
Begin at the Museo de los Concilios y la Cultura Visigoda, housed in the 13th-century Iglesia de San Román. Reflect on the early councils of Toledo (4th–7th centuries) that shaped Western Christianity.
· 🛏️ Stay: Hotel Pintor El Greco or Eugenia de Montijo Autograph Collection
Dec 8: Cathedral of the Primacy
· 🕊️ Symbolic Act: “Gothic Continuity”
Visit the Catedral Primada de Toledo,
built atop a former Visigothic church. Pray for unity across centuries of Christian tradition.
Dec 9: Visigothic Echoes in Stone
· 🏛️ Symbolic Act: “Carved Memory”
Visit the Iglesia del Salvador, originally a mosque with preserved Visigothic capitals and carvings. Reflect on the layered faith of this city.
Dec 10: Crossroads of Faith
· 🕌 Symbolic Act: “Light in the Layers”
Enter the Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz, a 10th-century mosque later consecrated as a church. Pray for peace among faiths and the endurance of Christian witness.
Dec 11: Crown and Council
· 🏺 Symbolic Act: “Treasure of the Kingdom”
Return to the Museo de los Concilios y la Cultura Visigoda to contemplate the replica crowns of the Guarrazar Treasure—symbols of royal piety and ecclesial authority.
Dec 12: Fortress and Faith
· 🏰 Symbolic Act: “Defended Doctrine”
Visit the Alcázar de Toledo, once a Roman palace and later a Christian stronghold. Pray for courage in defending the faith.
Dec 13: Monastic Farewell
· 🕊️ Symbolic Act: “Bread of the Councils”
End your week at the Convento de San Clemente, where nuns preserve ancient recipes and Visigothic echoes. Share a final meal in silence, honoring the hidden wisdom of monastic life.
💶 Cost Breakdown (Per Person)
Category | Budget (USD) | Mid-Range (USD) |
Lodging (6 nights) | $180–$300 | $360–$600 |
Meals | $90–$150 | $180–$300 |
Transport | $30–$60 | $60–$120 |
Sightseeing & Tips | $30–$60 | $60–$120 |
Total Estimate | $330–$570 | $660–$1,140 |
Museum of Visigothic Councils and Culture in Toledo | spain.info
DECEMBER 6 First Saturday
Feast Of Saint Nicholas
Acts, Chapter 2, Verse 26-27
Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted; my
flesh, too, will dwell in HOPE,
because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer
your holy one to see corruption.
God desires that all
men be saved. Christ by the action of His precious blood has sought to redeem
all and He desires that none see corruption. Traditionally during the month of
November, the church seeks to aid all those who are in purgatory awaiting the
grace of God.
Council of Trent[1]
If anyone says that after the reception of the
grace of justification the guilt is so remitted, and the debt of eternal
punishment so blotted out to every repentant sinner that no debt of temporal
punishment remains to be discharged, either in this world or in Purgatory,
before the gates of Heaven can be opened, let him be anathema.
Decree Concerning Purgatory. The Council of
Trent. Session XXV. December 4, 1563
Since the Catholic Church, instructed by the
Holy Ghost, has, following the sacred writings and the ancient tradition of the
Fathers, taught in sacred councils and very recently in this ecumenical
council, that there is a Purgatory, and that the souls there detained are aided
by the suffrages of the faithful and chiefly by the Acceptable Sacrifice of the
Altar, the Holy Council commands the bishops that they strive diligently to the
end that the sound doctrine of Purgatory, transmitted by the Fathers and sacred
councils, be believed and maintained by the faithful of Christ, and be
everywhere taught and preached.
Canons Concerning The Sacrament Of Penance. The
Council of Trent. Session XIV, November 25, 1551
CANON 12. If anyone says that God always
pardons the whole penalty together with the guilt and that the satisfaction of
penitents is nothing else than the faith by which they perceive that Christ has
satisfied for them, let him be anathema.
CANON 13. If anyone says that satisfaction for
sins, as to their temporal punishment, is in no way made to God through the
merits of Christ by the punishments inflicted by Him and patiently borne, or by
those imposed by the priest, or even those voluntarily undertaken, as by fasts,
prayers, almsgiving or other works of piety, and that therefore the best
penance is merely a new life, let him be anathema.
CANON 14. If anyone says that the satisfactions
by which penitents atone for their sins through Christ are not a worship of God
but traditions of men, which obscure the doctrine of grace and the true worship
of God and the beneficence itself of the death of Christ, let him be anathema.
CANON 15. If anyone says that the keys have
been given to the Church only to loose and not also to bind, and that therefore
priests, when imposing penalties on those who confess, act contrary to the
purpose of the keys and to the institution of Christ, and that it is a fiction
that there remains often a temporal punishment to be discharged after the
eternal punishment has by virtue of the keys been removed, let him be anathema.
Chapter IX— On the Works Of Satisfaction.
Session XIV. The Council of Trent. November 25, 1551.
It [the Council]
teaches furthermore that the liberality of the divine munificence is so great
that we are able through Jesus Christ to make satisfaction to God the Father,
not only by punishments voluntarily undertaken by ourselves to atone for sins,
or by those imposed by the judgment of the priest according to the measure of
our offense, but also, and this is the greatest proof of love, by the temporal
afflictions imposed by God and borne patiently by us.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways!
Copilot’s Take
On December 6, the Feast of Saint Nicholas, we hear Peter’s words in Acts 2:26–27, rejoicing that his heart is glad and his flesh dwells in hope, for God will not abandon His holy one to corruption. This promise of resurrection is extended to all who walk in the ways of the Lord, for Christ desires that none should perish but that all be saved. The Church, through the Council of Trent, reminds us that while eternal guilt is forgiven, temporal punishment may remain, and souls are aided by the prayers, sacrifices, and especially the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered by the faithful. Saint Nicholas, remembered for his generosity and mercy, calls us to extend that same charity to the poor and to the souls in purgatory, offering suffrages through fasting, almsgiving, and the Rosary. Thus, this feast becomes a day of hope and intercession, when we unite our works of satisfaction with Christ’s merits, trusting that He will not abandon us but will bring us into the fullness of His presence.
First Saturday[2]
The elements of this devotion,
therefore, consist in the following four points, all of which must be offered
in reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
1.
Confession: This confession can be made before the First Saturday or afterward,
provided that Holy Communion be received in the state of grace. In 1926, Christ
in a vision explained to Lucia (Fatima) that this confession could be made a
week before or even more, and that it should be offered in reparation.
2.
Holy Communion: Before receiving Holy Communion, it is likewise necessary to offer it
in reparation to Our Lady. Our Lord told Lucia in 1930, “This Communion will be accepted on
the following Sunday for just reasons, if my priests allow it so.” So, if work or school, sickness, or
another just reason prevents Communion on a First Saturday, with this
permission it may be received the following Sunday. If Communion is
transferred, any or all of the other acts of devotion may also be performed on
Sunday if the person so desires.
3.
Rosary: The Rosary is a vocal prayer said while meditating upon the
mysteries of Our Lord’s life and Passion and Our
Lady’s life. To comply with the request of our Blessed Mother, it must be
offered in reparation and said properly while meditating.
4.
15-minute meditation: Also offered in reparation, the meditation may embrace one or more
mysteries; it may include all, taken together or separately. This meditation
should be the richest of any meditation, because Our Lady promised to be
present when she said “...those who keep me company....”
St. Nicholas Feast Day (270–343)—December 6[3]
From the ninth century in the East and the eleventh century in the West, Nicholas has been one of the most popular saints in Christendom and in Christian art and is the patron of many countries, dioceses, churches, and cities. He was a Greek bishop of Myra in Lycia (now Turkey). According to folklore, he may have saved three girls from prostitution, restored to life three children who had been killed, and saved three unjustly condemned men from death. While some sources say that he may have been imprisoned during the Diocletian persecution, there is no historical certainty that he suffered persecution for his faith. Likewise, while some sources place him at the Council of Nicaea in 325, it is uncertain if he attended. His charity to the poor is commemorated in modern times by those who follow the tradition of stuffing a boot or a stocking with gifts on his feast day. “Santa Claus” comes from the Dutch form of his name, “Sinterklaas.” He is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, and children.
Things to Do[4]
·
Today
is a good day to teach your children the difference between Santa Claus and St.
Nicholas. This story of the origin of Santa
Claus will
help you. Also learn all you can about St. Nicholas.
·
Read
St.
Nicholas of Bari, ancestor of Santa Claus.
·
Choose
some of the recommended activities — a puppet show, a party, a visit from
"St. Nicholas." Make sure to include in all the activities the story
of St. Nicholas, virtues to imitate, and his significance in the Advent season.
Read how different countries Celebrate
the Feast of St. Nicholas.
·
To
enhance your feasting, purchase a copy of the CD by the Anonymous 4 Legends of St.
Nicholas.
This is medieval music, all in honor of St. Nicholas, done by four female
vocalists.
·
There
are numerous recipes to enhance this feast, anything from a soup to dessert, so
have fun in the kitchen trying different ones.
·
St.
Nicholas did his charitable works secretly. Suggest that your children do one
hidden act of kindness in imitation of the saint.
· From the Netherlands we have the most popular recipe, speculaas (or St. Nicholas Cookies; Speculaus; Speculatius; Kris Kringle Cookies; Dutch spice cookies). You can find tips for using special speculaas cookie molds by Gene Wilson. Try these sites for St. Nicholas Cookie cutters or molds: House on the Hill, HOBI Picture Cookie Molds, Rycraft, and St. Nicholas Center. You could also use Nativity Cookie Cutters, like these from Cookie Craft.
There are three stages of man: 1st you believe in Santa Claus; 2nd you don’t believe in Santa Claus and 3rd you become Santa Claus!
Food and Drink[5]
It
should always be remembered that like Lent, Advent is a period of penitence and
sacrifice. Prior to the 1917 Code of Canon Law, in fact, the Roman
church observed a fast (albeit one much less demanding than the Lenten fast),
and prior to Vatican II it continued to require fasting during the Advent
Embertide. It is therefore a salubrious custom to practice some kind of
abstinence (e.g. giving up a favorite food) during Advent as a sober reminder
of the season. Yet because it anticipates the
Nativity, Advent cannot help but be suffused with joy as well. Traditional treats, especially on St. Nicholas
Day (December 6) and during the "Golden Nights" (December 16 to 24),
have long been a part of Advent observance. These hints of celebration have
nothing to do with the ungodly bacchanalia of the annual Christmas party at the
office or on the block and can therefore be made part of a holy preparation for
the Lord.
· Cookies: traditional treat during Advent, especially on St. Nicholas Day and during the octave before Christmas. Springerles or Peppernuts (Pfeffernusse) are popular in Germany, Diples ("folds," for the infant Jesus' swaddling clothes) in Greece, and Speculaas cookies (on St. Nicholas Day) in the Netherlands.
· Drinks: there are special holiday drinks to toast the imminent arrival of the Christ Child. Eggnog and Rum pots are especially popular during the Octave before Christmas or the Golden Nights (see Customs), while Swedish mulled wine or Bishop's wine is drunk on St. Nicholas Day (December 6).
· Fruitcake: alcoholic content and heavy texture, fruitcakes are the preferred winter treat for many adults. Again, the kind of fruitcake will various according to nationality. Do not use this as a frienemy gift!
On the eve of the St. Nicholas party the treats served are the exchange of gifts, genuine Dutch cookies and Bishopwyn (bishop's wine). For children the wine is grape juice. But the grownups welcome the mulled Bishopwyn. With the people of the Netherlands, let us toast his memory with Bishopwyn and tell the beautiful legends of the charity of St. Nicholas. To give gifts in secret so that people would render him no thanks was surely a saintly act.
INGREDIENTS
·
1 bottle of Claret
·
6 cloves
· 4 inches stick cinnamon
DIRECTIONS
Break cinnamon into small pieces. Simmer wine and spices for about five minutes. Strain wine. Serve hot.
Recipe
Source: Family Advent Customs by Helen McLoughlin, The Liturgical Press,
Collegeville, Minnesota, 1954, 1979
33 days to Christmas-Start the 33 days to
Eucharistic Glory[6]
Want to start a small group? Download
our 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory Study Guide
Day
15
On
this 15th day, to follow the example of Mary, the mother of God,
saying yes to God and not to yield to the path of least resistance
Copilot:
Following the example of Mary, the mother of God, and
embracing her willingness to say "yes" to God's will, even when it
involves challenges, is an inspiring and faith-strengthening path. Here are
some ways to embrace this example in your daily life:
Embrace Humility and Obedience
1.
Prayer: Start each day
with a prayer, seeking Mary's intercession and asking for the strength to
accept and follow God's will.
2.
Scripture Study: Reflect
on passages that highlight Mary's faith and obedience, such as Luke 1:26-38 and
John 2:1-5.
Cultivate a Servant's Heart
1.
Acts of Service: Engage
in acts of kindness and service, seeing each action as a way to honor God and
follow His plan.
2.
Selflessness: Strive to
put others' needs before your own, mirroring Mary's selfless devotion.
Seek Guidance and Strength
1.
Daily Meditation: Spend
quiet time in meditation, focusing on Mary's example of faith and her
unwavering "yes" to God.
2.
Supportive Community:
Engage with a faith community that encourages and supports you in living out
your faith.
Example Prayer for Guidance and
Strength
Here’s a prayer to help you seek strength and the courage to
follow God's will:
Dear Lord, help me to follow the example of Mary, saying
"yes" to Your will and not yielding to the path of least resistance.
Grant me the strength to embrace Your plan for my life, even when it is
challenging. Fill my heart with humility, obedience, and a servant's spirit.
May Your love and guidance lead me closer to You each day. Amen
Bible in a Year Day 158 The Reality of Sin
Fr. Mike highlights the reality of sin and our capacity to choose hell as we
read about Jesus' teachings on temptations, divorce, and wealth. Jesus'
teachings can be challenging, but following him is the path to true holiness.
Today we read Mark 9-10 and Psalm 29.
Jesse
Tree[7]
Jesse Tree Scriptures (The Symbols Are Only
Suggestions)
December 1 Creation: Gen.
1:1-31; 2:1-4 Symbols: sun, moon, stars, animals, earth
December 2 Adam and Eve:
Gen. 2:7-9, 18-24 Symbols: tree, man, woman
December 3 Fall of Man: Gen.
3:1-7 and 23-24 Symbols: tree, serpent, apple with bite
December 4 Noah: Gen. 6:5-8,
13-22; 7:17, 23, 24; 8:1, 6-22 Symbols: ark, animals, dove, rainbow
December 5 Abraham: Gen.
12:1-3 Symbols: torch, sword, mountain
December 6 Isaac: Gen. 22:1-14 Symbols: bundle of wood, altar, ram in bush mountain
[1]Schouppe
S.J., Rev. Fr. F. X.. Purgatory Explained (with Supplemental Reading: What Will
Hell Be Like?)
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