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Vinny’s Corner
In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
· Saturday Litany of the Hours Invoking the Aid of Mother Mary
· Spirit hour: 15 Traditional Spanish Drinks
Be Humane-Humane Society est. 1954
· How to celebrate Nov 22nd
o Why not start by taking care of your pearly whites in honor of the unofficial National Flossing Day? Get that floss out and give your teeth some love.
o After freshening up your smile, why not whip up a tasty cranberry relish to celebrate National Cranberry Relish Day? It’s a simple and delicious dish that you can enjoy solo or share with friends.
o Next, consider giving back to those who can’t speak for themselves on Humane Society
Anniversary Day. Volunteer at a local animal shelter or simply donate to help our furry friends.
o Feeling a bit restless? Go for a ride on Go For A Ride Day! Hop on a bike, take a scenic drive, or even go for a leisurely walk around your neighborhood. Enjoy the fresh air and take in the sights around you.
Life is pilgrimage:
π University Faith Traditions – Salamanca, Spain
Dates: November 23–29, 2025
Theme: Wisdom, Dialogue, and Enduring Light
Salamanca is a city where faith and reason have flourished side by side for centuries. Founded in 1218, the University of Salamanca became a beacon of theological, legal, and philosophical inquiry—shaped by Dominican scholars, cathedral schools, and civic debate. This week invites pilgrims to walk the cloisters, climb the towers, and reflect on the legacy of spiritual scholarship.
π️ Daily Itinerary & Symbolic Acts
Nov 23: Arrival & Cathedral Wisdom
· π Symbolic Act: “Twin Foundations”
Begin with Mass at the New Cathedral and walk through the Old Cathedral, praying for continuity between tradition and renewal.
· π️ Stay: Hotel Hospes Palacio de San Esteban
or Room Mate Vega
Nov 24: Scholastic Roots
· π️ Symbolic Act: “Courtyard of Contemplation”
Visit the Escuelas Menores and pause beneath the “Sky of Salamanca” mural. Pray for educators and students.
· Optional: Spot the frog of Salamanca on the university faΓ§ade—a symbol of perseverance.
Nov 25: Dominican Dialogue
· π Symbolic Act: “Justice and Mercy”
Visit the Convent of San Esteban, where Dominicans debated the rights of indigenous peoples. Pray for ethical clarity in global discourse.
Nov 26: Feminine Cloister
· π‘ Symbolic Act: “Wisdom of the Sisters”
Visit the Convent of Las DueΓ±as and reflect on monastic hospitality and feminine theological insight.
Nov 27: Signs of Endurance
· πΈ Symbolic Act: “Frog of Perseverance”
Return to the university façade and pray for endurance in study, vocation, and civic witness.
Nov 28: Benediction & Perspective
· π️ Symbolic Act: “Tower of Light”
Climb the Ieronimus Tower for panoramic views. Offer a final blessing for spiritual perspective and civic clarity.
Nov 29: University of Light
· π Symbolic Act: “Seal of Gratitude”
Walk the University of Salamanca
campus and seal your week with gratitude for the legacy of faith and reason.
πΆ 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 |
|
π· Vinny’s Corner: A 7-Course Meal of the Spirit
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness…” — Galatians 5:22
π₯ Aperitif – LOVE
Welcome drink or small bite to awaken the senses
π 15 Traditional Spanish Drinks
Prep: Choose sangria, vermouth, or agua de Valencia. Serve with olives or almonds.
π₯ Antipasto – JOY
Citrus-dressed greens with pomegranate and goat cheese
π Pomegranate Salad with Goat Cheese
Prep: Assemble just before serving. Use citrus vinaigrette and fresh pomegranate seeds.
π² Soup – PEACE
Warm, comforting broth or bisque
π Spanish Garlic Soup (Sopa de Ajo)
π Saffron Vegetable Soup
Prep: Sopa de ajo is rustic and quick. Saffron soup is aromatic and vegetarian-friendly.
π Pasta or Risotto – PATIENCE
Hearty, slow-cooked dish that rewards waiting
π Creamy Mushroom Risotto
π Slow-Cooked Beef Ragu
Prep: Risotto requires stirring and focus. Ragu can be made ahead and simmered slowly.
π Main Course – KINDNESS
The centerpiece dish, shared with intention
π Vegetable Paella
π Herb-Crusted Roast Lamb
Prep: Choose based on guests—vegetarian for inclusivity, roast for tradition.
π§ Cheese Course – GENEROSITY
A shared board of cheeses, nuts, and fruits
π How to Build a Cheese Board
Prep: Offer variety—soft, hard, aged. Add seasonal fruits, honey, and nuts.
π° Dessert – FAITHFULNESS
Sweet finale that lingers with warmth and memory
π Classic Latin Flan
π Almond Cake
π Honey-Roasted Figs
Prep: Flan can be made ahead. Almond cake is rustic. Figs are elegant and simple.
NOVEMBER 22 Saturday-Saint
Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr
33 Days to Eucharistic Glory (Christmas edition)
Romans, Chapter 5, Verse 3-5
Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the LOVE of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.
Paul is telling us that Christ has brought God’s love
for us to the forefront while justification and righteousness recede to the
background. We have a new life at peace with God. This peace leads us to
confidence and compels us to live a new life. Christ died for us while we were
at our worst. As difficult to believe or accept as that might be, we have the
proof of it in our hearts where God’s love has placed the Holy Spirit to guide
us in the new life. Faith triumphs in trouble.[1]
Copilot’s Take
Saint Cecilia’s feast
invites us to contemplate the paradox of joy in suffering, echoing Paul’s bold
claim that affliction leads to endurance, character, and ultimately, hope. Her
martyrdom was not marked by despair but by a song of unwavering faith—a melody
composed in the silence of suffering and sustained by the Spirit’s presence. In
Romans 5:3–5, we are reminded that God’s love is not distant or abstract; it is
poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, anchoring us in a peace that
transcends circumstance. This hope does not disappoint because it is rooted not
in our strength, but in Christ’s love for us at our weakest. As we journey
toward Eucharistic glory, Saint Cecilia teaches us to let our trials become
offerings, our endurance a quiet hymn, and our hope a living witness to the
love that has already been given.
St. Cecilia[2]
Her martyrdom probably occurred during the
reign of Emperor Alexander Severus, about the year 230. In 1599 her grave was
opened, and her body was found in a coffin of cypress wood. It lay incorrupt,
as if she had just breathed forth her soul. Since the Middle Ages, Cecilia has
been honored as patroness of Church music. Cecilia led a life of prayer and
meditation and had vowed lifelong virginity, but a youth by the name of
Valerian, relying upon the approval of her parents, hoped to marry her. When
the wedding night arrived, she confided to Valerian, "There is a secret,
Valerian, I wish to tell you. I have as a lover an angel of God who jealously
guards my body." Valerian promised to believe in Christ if he would be
enabled to see that angel. Cecilia explained how such was impossible without baptism, and Valerian consented to be baptized.
After he was baptized by Pope Urban and had returned "He found Cecilia in
her little room lost in prayer, and next to her the angel of the Lord was
standing. When Valerian saw the angel, he was seized with great terror."
The angel handed them a bouquet of fiery red roses and snow-white lilies as a
reward for Cecilia's love of chastity, a bouquet that would not wither, yet
would be visible only to those who love chastity. As a further favor Valerian
besought the conversion of his brother Tiburtius. Upon arriving to congratulate
the newlyweds, Tiburtius was astounded by the unspeakably beautiful roses and
lilies. As soon as he was informed regarding their origin, he too asked for the
waters of baptism. "St. Cecilia said to Tiburtius: Today I acknowledge you
as a brother-in-law, because the love of God has made you despise the idols.
Just as the love of God gave me your brother as a spouse, so it has given you
to me as a brother in-law."
When Almachius, the prefect, heard of the
conversions, he ordered Maximus, his officer, to arrest and imprison all of
them. Before being put to death, they instructed Maximus and his family and
baptized them during the night preceding execution. At dawn Cecilia roused the
two brothers to struggle heroically for Christ, as the glow of morning
disappeared, Cecilia called: "Arise,
soldiers of Christ, throw away the works of darkness and put on the armor of
light." Cecilia pursued her victory as the soldiers willingly
listened, "We believe that Christ is the true Son of God, who has chosen
such a servant." Led before the prefect, she professed her faith in
Christ, "We profess His holy Name, and we will not deny Him."
In order to avoid further showing, the prefect commanded her to be suffocated in the baths.
She remained unharmed and prayed, "I thank You, Father of my Lord Jesus Christ that through Your Son the fire was extinguished at my side." Beheading was next in order. The executioner made three attempts (the law prohibited more) and let her lie in her blood. She lived for three days, encouraging the poor and dedicating her home to a church.
33 Days to Eucharistic Glory (Christmas Edition)
Day 1: Humility — Preparing the Manger of the
Heart
π Overview
At critical moments in Salvation History, God has
invited His people to consecrate themselves. We are living in such a moment
now. 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory is the first-ever Eucharistic
Consecration—a sacred pilgrimage toward Christmas, where we prepare our hearts
to receive Jesus anew in the Eucharist. This unprecedented spiritual journey
offers profound truths, astonishing historical insights, daily virtues,
extraordinary prayers, and inspiring stories—all in an easy-to-follow format.
Life is a pilgrimage. It is a sacred journey
toward our eternal home with God. Over the next 33 days, you’ll walk with
saints like Mother Teresa, John Paul II, Thérèse of Lisieux, Maximilian Kolbe,
Thomas Aquinas, Sister Faustina, the Children of Fatima, and Mary the Mother of
God. Together, they will help you experience Jesus in the Eucharist like never
before.
Prepare yourself for an explosion of grace. Grace
is the divine assistance that helps us do what is good, true, noble, and
right—and there is no greater source of grace than the Eucharist.
π️ Virtue of the Day: Humility
Saint Companion: Mary, Mother of God
Scripture: “He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant…” —
Philippians 2:7
On this first day, seek to give your entire mind
to God through the virtue of humility. The humility of the Incarnation is
mirrored in the Eucharist. Christ chose a manger over a throne, bread over
spectacle. Today, we ask: Is there room in the inn of my heart?
π§ Pilgrim’s Practice: Incorporating Humility into
Your Spiritual Life
Reflective Practices
- Daily Reflection: Spend a few minutes reviewing your
actions, thoughts, and feelings. Acknowledge both your strengths and your
need for grace.
- Prayer or Meditation: Ask God to help you see yourself
truthfully and love others generously.
- Journaling: Write about moments when you practiced
humility and where you might grow.
Actions of Humility
- Service to Others: Offer help without expecting anything
in return.
- Listening More: Be present. Listen without interrupting
or preparing your response.
- Admitting Faults: Acknowledge mistakes and seek
reconciliation. This is a powerful act of humility.
Mindful Living
- Simple Living: Choose simplicity over excess.
- Gratitude: Thank God for small blessings.
- Learning from Others: Receive correction and insight
with grace.
π Advent Cue: Preparing for Christmas
- Clear the Stable: Identify one area of pride or clutter
in your heart. Offer it to God.
- Set the Table: Prepare a simple meal with intention. Let
it be a quiet welcome to Christ.
- Kneel with Mary: Pray the Magnificat (Luke
1:46–55) or a decade of the Rosary, meditating on the Annunciation.
π«± Communal Cue
If you’re walking this journey with others, begin
your group with a shared reading of the Magnificat. Let Mary’s song of
humility and joy be your anthem.
π Closing Prayer
Jesus, hidden
in the Eucharist, teach me to be small. Let me decrease, that You may increase.
Prepare my heart to receive You at Christmas with the same humility that
welcomed You in Bethlehem. Amen.
Bible in a Year Day 142 Whole and Joyful Hearts
Fr. Mike uses the readings today to ask the question, how can we
love the Lord joyfully, and with our whole hearts? In scripture today we see
David succeed in this, while his son Solomon is divided in his love of God. Fr.
Mike also explains why David was seeking his own power when taking the census
in 2 Samuel, and how he fell subject to the evil one's tempting. Today's
readings are 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 29, and Psalm 30.
Today is my grandson Philip Matthew’s birthday age
four. Philip means “friend of horses” and Matthew “gift of God”. A Charger is a
war horse. I pray God will give Philip the grace to be a
“Stallion of Love the Gift of God”.
Please pray for his and his father’s intentions
Christopher Gabriel “Bearer of Christ with the strength of God”
May our King make use of them! El Cristo Rey!
Daily Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: Increase in Religious and consecrated life.
·
Go to Mass
·
Rosary
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