ICEMANforChrist: Saturday, November 29, 2025

Saturday, November 29, 2025

NOVEMBER 29 Saturday in the Octave of Christ the King

Vigil Of St. Andrew-33 days

I urge you, [brothers,] by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the LOVE of the Spirit, to join me in the struggle by your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the disobedient in Judea, and that my ministry for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the holy ones, so that I may come to you with joy by the will of God and be refreshed together with you.

Paul was asking for the prayers of his friends in Christ and so I ask your prayers also for the success of this ministry. Our church is great in that we have a multitude of assistance from others if we only ask. Christ tells us to ask and we shall receive. Be not afraid nor humble enough to ask if you are struggling. Did not our Lord accept the help of Simon in carrying his cross; if our Lord who had the assistance of legions of angels humbly accepted Simons help, should we act proud when we know we need help; so, I ask your help with this ministry.

God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid.

Copilot’s Take

On this Saturday in the Octave of Christ the King, standing at the Vigil of St. Andrew, Paul’s words in Romans 15 remind us that ministry is never carried alone but upheld by the prayers of the faithful. Just as Christ accepted Simon’s help in carrying the cross, so too must we embrace humility and ask for support when the weight of our calling feels heavy. Prayer becomes the bond that refreshes and strengthens, weaving us into communion with one another and with God. To ask for help is not weakness but confidence in the Spirit’s power working through the Body of Christ. With this assurance, we can echo Paul’s hope: that our service may be acceptable to God, our journey filled with joy, and our hearts refreshed together in His saving love.

Saturday in the Octave of Vinny’s Corner Tomorrow is the end of the church year

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

· How to celebrate Nov 29th

o National Square Dancing Day invites you to have a hoedown wherever you are – just kick up your heels and dance!

§ Back in the day (1960’s) square dancing was a class in public schools in Arizona

o International Jaguar Day advocates for wildlife conservation; research ways to protect endangered species.

o Electronic Greetings Day is perfect for reaching out to friends and family online

o Maize Day celebrates an essential crop; try your hand at cooking with corn or visit a local farm.

§ National Lemon Cream Pie Day challenges you to bake a zesty dessert.

· National Chocolates Day is a sweet indulgence – treat yourself to a decadent chocolate dessert or host a tasting party.

o Lastly, Throw Out Your Leftovers Day encourages a fridge cleanout and creative leftover recipes. Embrace the spirit of these unique holidays by adapting activities to fit your interests and resources.

Pilgrimage

🌿 St. Teresa & Spanish Mysticism – Ávila

& Segovia, Spain

Dates: November 30–December 6, 2025
Theme: Interior Prayer, Reform, and Mystical Union

St. Teresa of Ávila (1515–1582), Doctor of the Church and founder of the Discalced Carmelites, transformed Christian spirituality through her writings and reforms. This week traces her footsteps through cloisters, cathedrals, and mystical landscapes, inviting pilgrims to enter the silence where God speaks.

🗓️ Daily Itinerary & Symbolic Acts

Nov 30: Arrival in Ávila

· 🕍 Symbolic Act: “City of the Soul”
Begin with a walk along the Walls of Ávila, praying for protection of the interior life.

· 🛏️ Stay: Hostal El Rincón or Palacio de los Velada

Dec 1: Birthplace of St. Teresa

· 🕊️ Symbolic Act: “Mystic Dawn”
Visit the Church & birthplace of Saint Teresa of Jesus, offering prayers for spiritual renewal and courage in reform.

Dec 2: Cathedral & Cloistered Wisdom

· 🕍 Symbolic Act: “Stone Interior”
Reflect in the Catedral de Ávila

, built into the city walls. Its austere beauty invites contemplation of the soul’s fortress.

Dec 3: Monastic Depths

· 🏛️ Symbolic Act: “Reform and Silence”
Visit the Royal Monastery of Santo Tomás, where Dominican and mystical traditions converge. Pray for reformers and contemplatives.

Dec 4: Romanesque Roots

· 🕍 Symbolic Act: “Ancient Flame”
Pause at San Vicente de Ávila, honoring the early martyrs and the continuity of mystical witness.

Dec 5: Segovia – Final Resting Place

· 🕊️ Symbolic Act: “Mystic Benediction”
Travel to Segovia and visit the Catedral de Segovia, then walk to the Carmelite convent where St. John of the Cross is buried. Offer prayers for mystical union and poetic clarity.

Dec 6: Segovia – Templar Echoes

· 🏰 Symbolic Act: “Circle of Courage”
Visit the Iglesia de la Vera Cruz,

a 12-sided church built by the Knights Templar. Pray for courage in spiritual battle and clarity in vocation.

💶 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

The Supper of Interior Castles

🥖 First Mansion – Bread with Olive Oil and Salt

🍲 Second Mansion – Lentil Soup with Herbs

🐟 Third Mansion – Grilled Fish with Lemon

🥗 Fourth Mansion – Greens with Pomegranate Seeds

🍯 Fifth Mansion – Honey-Glazed Chicken with Rosemary

🍷 Sixth Mansion – Red Wine Risotto with Mushrooms

🌹 Seventh Mansion – Almond Cake with Rosewater

· Meditate on the virtues of Mary (Humility, Generosity, Chastity, Patience, Temperance, Understanding/love and Wisdom. One for each day.

· attend Mass daily or via EWTN or the internet

· Fast doing the Daniel fast (Monday-Saturday).

· Exercise-Universal Man Plan.

Life a gift^{^[1]}

God does not require anyone to pass an exam to merit birth. Life is a gift from our creator via our parents. A child is not a trophy but a gift. Families are a communion of people essential to understanding love. At the same time, the family home can often be a scene of pain as well. We experience death through the self-taking of the world through greed, manipulation, indulgence, and infatuation, which masquerade as love.

Wounded, we begin to shy away from the gift, to be coerced into choosing to fear rather than love. Attacks on marriage and the family, such as same-sex unions, no fault-divorce, free love, cohabitation, pornography, and adultery are attacks on love itself and the very identity of the human person. Healing means returning to the original form of love we were meant to learn as children. The gift of self makes love visible. As long as conflicts/anger are buried, they do not heal. Yet our hearts long for love which is our first memory. Love is the authentic surrender of self for the good of the other. A fundamental truth of Christ and the Catholic Church is this “Culture of Life” which stems from love.

Mass Proper’s for the Vigil of St. Andrew:

INTROIT. Dominus secus mare. St. Matt. 4.

JESUS our Lord walking by the sea of Galilee saw two brethren, Peter and Andrew, and he called them saying: Follow me; and I will make you fishers of men. Ps. 19. The heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament sheweth his handy work.

V. Glory be.

COLLECT.

GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God: that as we do prevent the festival of thy holy Apostle Saint Andrew, so he may implore thy mercy for us; that we, being delivered from all our iniquities, may likewise be defended against all adversities. Through.

EPISTLE Ecclus. 44: 25-27; 45, 2-4; 6-9 1-6

Lesson from the Book of Wisdom. The blessing of the Lord was upon the head of the just man. Therefore, the Lord gave him an inheritance, and divided him his portion in twelve tribes:

and he found grace in the eyes of all flesh. He magnified him in the fear of his enemies, and with his words He made prodigies to cease. He glorified him in the sight of kings and gave him commandments in the sight of his people and showed him His glory. He sanctified him in his faith and meekness and chose him out of all flesh. And He gave him commandments before His face, and a law of life and instruction: and He exalted him. He made an everlasting covenant with him and girded him about with a girdle of justice: and the Lord crowned him with a crown of glory. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL John 1: 35-51

At that time, John stood, and two of his disciples: and beholding Jesus walking, he saith, "Behold the Lamb of God." And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. And Jesus turning, and seeing them following Him, He saith to them,

"What seek you?"

Who said to Him, "Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Master), where dwellest Thou?"

He saith to them, "Come and see." They came, and saw where He abode, and they stayed with Him that day: now it was about the tenth hour. And Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who had heard of John, and followed him. He findeth first his brother Simon, and saith to him, "We have found the Messias" (which is, being interpreted, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus; and Jesus, looking upon him, said, "Thou art Simon the son of Jona; thou shalt be called Cephas," which is interpreted, Peter. On the following day, He would go forth into Galilee: and He findeth Philip. And Jesus saith to him, "Follow Me." Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip findeth Nathamel, and saith to him, "We have found Him of Whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write, Jesus, the son of Joseph of Nazareth." And Nathanæl saith of him,

"Can anything of good come from Nazareth?"

Philip saith to him, "Come, and see." Jesus saw Nathanæl coming to Him: and He said to him, "Behold an Isrælite indeed, in whom there is no guile." Nathanæl saith to Him,

Whence knowest Thou me?

Jesus answered, and said to him, "Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee." Nathanæl answered Him, and said, "Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God, Thou art the King of Isræl." Jesus answered, and said to him, "Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig-tree, thou believest: greater things than these shalt thou See." And He saith to him, "Amen, amen I say to you, you shall see the Heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

OFFERTORY. Ps. 8.

Thou hast crowned him with glory and worship: thou hast made him to have dominion of the works of thy hands, O Lord.

SECRET.

GRANT, O Lord, that this oblation, which we, remembering the festival of thy blessed Apostle Saint Andrew, do offer to be hallowed unto thee, may likewise avail to the cleansing of our souls from all evil.

COMMUNION. St. John 1:41.

Andrew saith unto his brother Simon: We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ: and he brought him to Jesus.

POSTCOMMUNION.

O LORD, who hast vouchsafed to feed us with these holy sacraments, we humbly pray thee: that, at the intercession of thy holy Apostle Saint Andrew, the mysteries which we have offered in remembrance of his glorious passion may be profitable unto us for the healing of our souls.

33 days to Christmas-Start the 33 days to Eucharistic Glory[2]

Want to start a small group? Download our 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory Study Guide

Day 8

On this 8^th day, seek with all your heart to be faithful Christ as a bride is to her husband

Copilot:

Committing yourself to be faithful to Christ with the devotion of a bride to her husband is a profound and beautiful dedication. Here are some ways to nurture and strengthen this commitment:

Deepen Your Relationship with Christ

Prayer: Engage in regular, heartfelt prayer, speaking to Christ as you would to a beloved spouse. Share your joys, sorrows, and daily experiences.
Scripture Reading: Spend time reading and meditating on the Bible, especially passages that emphasize Christ’s love and faithfulness.

Participate in Sacraments and Worship

Eucharist: Regularly partake in the Eucharist, experiencing the intimate communion with Christ that it offers.
Confession: Seek reconciliation through the sacrament of confession, maintaining a pure and faithful heart.

Live Out Your Faith Daily

Acts of Love: Show Christ’s love through your actions. Serve others selflessly, demonstrating compassion and kindness.
Obedience: Follow Christ’s teachings and commandments faithfully, striving to live a life that honors Him.

Build a Supportive Community

Faith Community: Engage with a church or faith group where you can find support, encouragement, and accountability.
Mentorship: Seek guidance from a spiritual mentor who can help you grow in your faith and devotion.

Reflective Practices

Meditation: Spend quiet moments in meditation, focusing on Christ’s presence and love in your life.
Gratitude: Keep a gratitude journal, noting the ways Christ has blessed and guided you.

Bible in a Year Day 151 Wisdom and Folly

Fr. Mike delves deeper into the lessons Ecclesiastes teaches us today about living wisely by keeping the end in mind, enjoying the present moment, and not worrying too much about other people's opinions of us. Today's readings are 1 Kings 9, Ecclesiastes 6-7, and Psalm 7.

Daily Devotions

· Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: The Sick Afflicted and Infirmed.