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Vinny’s Corner
· Jesse Tree ornament: Solomon: 1 Kings 3:5-14, 16-28 Symbols: scales of justice, temple, two babies and sword
· Today is the Day of the Horse-take a horse ride; bet on ponies or watch a movie about horses. My nephew’s name is Philip, which means, lover of horses.
· Royal Charter for Dartmouth College granted 1769
· Are you a Swifty? Today is Taylor Swifts’ Birthday 1989
· Actor Dick Van Dyke born 1925
o Start your day by celebrating National Cocoa Day with a cozy mug of hot cocoa. Take some time to savor the rich, chocolatey goodness and let it warm you up from the inside out.
o In honor of Day of the Horse, why not spend some time outdoors connecting with nature? Visit a local stable or park where you can admire these magnificent animals and maybe even enjoy a peaceful horseback ride.
o For Lost & Found Day, declutter and organize a small area of your home. Take the opportunity to rediscover items you thought were lost and donate any gently used belongings to those in need.
o On Pick a Pathologist Pal Day, indulge your curiosity by watching a crime documentary or reading a thrilling mystery novel. Channel your inner detective and try to solve the case before the big reveal.
o In honor of St. Lucia Day, bake a batch of traditional Swedish saffron buns or ginger snaps
to share with friends and family. Embrace the holiday’s spirit of light and warmth by lighting some candles and enjoying a homemade treat.
o Finally, celebrate the U.S. National Guard Birthday by expressing gratitude for the brave men and women who serve our country. Write a heartfelt thank you note to a service member or donate to a veteran’s organization to show your support.
o Whether you spend the day enjoying hot cocoa, connecting with nature, organizing your space, solving mysteries, baking Swedish treats, or honoring our military, make the most of this eclectic mix of holidays and create memorable moments that are truly one-of-a-kind.
👑 Royal Piety & Enlightenment Faith – Madrid & El Escorial, Spain
Dates: December 14–20, 2025
Theme: Monarchy, Monasticism, and the Light of Reason
🗓️ Daily Itinerary & Symbolic Acts
Dec 14: Arrival & Royal Foundations
· 🕍 Symbolic Act: “Crown and Cloister”
Begin at the Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, a vast 16th-century complex built by Philip II. Pray in the basilica, walk the royal pantheon, and reflect on the fusion of monarchy and monastic prayer.
· 🛏️ Stay: Hotel San Lorenzo Suites or Exe Victoria Palace
Dec 15: Basilica & Gardens of El Escorial
· 🕊️ Symbolic Act: “Sacred Geometry”
Visit the [Basílica de El Escorial] and walk the Frailes Garden, offering prayers for harmony between nature, architecture, and divine order.
Dec 16: Royal Retreats
· 🏛️ Symbolic Act: “Princes in Prayer”
Visit the Casita del Príncipe and Casita del Infante, royal residences designed for reflection and retreat. Pray for leaders to seek wisdom in silence.
Dec 17: Civic Memory & Mercy
· 🕍 Symbolic Act: “Cross of the Fallen”
Visit the Valle de Cuelgamuros, a monumental basilica and war memorial. Offer prayers for reconciliation and peace among nations.
Dec 18: Madrid – Monastic Light
· 🕊️ Symbolic Act: “Blood of the Martyrs”
Visit the Real Monasterio de la Encarnación, a 17th-century convent housing relics and royal devotion. Reflect on the endurance of faith through suffering.
Dec 19: Enlightenment Dome
· 🕍 Symbolic Act: “Reason and Revelation”
Visit the Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great, with its vast frescoed dome and chapels painted by Goya. Pray for the harmony of art, intellect, and spiritual truth.
Dec 20: Final Benediction
· 🕊️ Symbolic Act: “Seal of Light”
Return to El Escorial for a final walk through the library and basilica. Offer a closing prayer for wisdom, mercy, and the enduring light of faith.
💶 Cost Breakdown (Per Person)
Category | Budget (USD) | Mid-Range (USD) |
Lodging (6 nights) | $240–$360 | $480–$720 |
Meals | $120–$180 | $240–$360 |
Transport | $40–$80 | $80–$160 |
Sightseeing & Tips | $40–$80 | $80–$160 |
Total Estimate | $440–$700 | $880–$1,400 |
DECEMBER 13 Friday-Feast of Saint Lucy
Acts,
Chapter 15, Verse 9
He
made no distinction between us and them, for by FAITH he purified their hearts.
This verse is about the Jewish practice of
circumcision.
Were the Greek Christians required to be circumcised?
The apostles determined
that the leaders should not put obstacles to commitment. They should ask only
the compromises needed to enable Christian Jews to associate in table
fellowship with non-Jewish Christians.[1]
Are you circumcised or uncircumcised?
Today we might divide
ourselves as the early Christians did: Are you a democrat or a republican. At
this point what does it matter; no matter the election results we must have faith that God’s purpose will
be done. We must purify our hearts
and render unto Caesar our heartfelt determination to serve the Nation by
living our catholic beliefs within the political system with a willingness to
compromise wherever possible except in matters the breech the covenant of God.
Copilot’s Take
On December 13, the Feast of Saint Lucy, we are reminded through Acts 15:9 that God makes no distinction between Jew or Greek, circumcised or uncircumcised, but purifies hearts by faith. The apostles discerned that Gentile Christians should not be burdened with unnecessary rituals, asking only for compromises that allowed fellowship without scandal. Saint Lucy’s martyrdom shows the other side of this discernment: when the state demanded compromise that breached God’s covenant, she refused and became a victim of persecution. Her light shines as a witness that faith must rise above faction, whether ancient divisions of circumcision or modern divisions of politics. In civic life we may render unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar, even with compromise, but in matters of conscience we must render unto God a purified heart, living our Catholic beliefs with courage and fidelity.
Saint Lucy[2]
The traditional story of St. Lucy tells us that she was of noble Greek parentage, born in Syracuse, Sicily, and brought up as a Christian by her mother, Eutychia. Although Lucy, like Cecilia, wished to dedicate herself to God, Eutychia arranged for her a marriage with a young pagan. The mother, who suffered from hemorrhage, was persuaded to make a pilgrimage to Catania, to offer prayers at the tomb of St. Agatha.
Lucy accompanied her mother, and their prayers for a cure were answered. Then Lucy made known to Eutychia her desire to give her own share of their fortune to the poor and devote herself to God's service. Eutychia, in gratitude for her cure, gave permission. This so angered the young man to whom Lucy had been unwillingly betrothed that he denounced her as a Christian to the governor, Paschius. The persecutions instituted by the emperor Diocletian were then at their height, and when Lucy steadfastly clung to her faith, she was sentenced to prostitution in a brothel. God rendered her immovable, and the officers were not able to carry her off to the place of evil. An attempt was then made to burn her, but boiling oil and pitch had no power to hurt her or break her strong spirit. At last, she was put to death by the sword. At Rome in the sixth century Lucy was honored among the other virgin martyrs, and her name was inserted in the Canon of the Mass. A reference to her sanctity occurs in a letter written by Pope Gregory the Great. In the Middle Ages, she was invoked by persons suffering from eye trouble, perhaps because Lucy (in Italian, Lucia) derives from <lux>, the Latin word for light. The first church writer to give an account of St. Lucy from her <Acts> was the English bishop St. Aldhelm of Sherborne at the end of the seventh century. This saint's relics are venerated at Venice and at Bourges, in France. She is patroness of Syracuse; her emblems are a cord and eyes. Father Kenelm Digby Best knew her example of fearlessness when he penned in his book “A Priest’s Poems”[3] on St. Lucy:
Flames might not harm her: Saint Lucy stood fearless, still as a statue's the neck which they smote: Scarcely another save, Lucy, was tearless. When the sharp dagger was plunged in her throat.
The customs surrounding the Feast of St. Lucy also illuminate the themes of Advent and Christmas. Lucy, whose name means light and whose association with light has made her the patron saint of the "light of the body" (the eyes), once had her feast fall on the shortest day of the year. (Before the Gregorian calendar was reformed in the Middle Ages, December 13 was the day of the winter solstice.) For all of these reasons, St. Lucy is honored with a number of customs involving fire. Lucy candles were once lit in the home and Lucy fires
burned outside. In Sweden and Norway, a girl dressed in white and wearing an evergreen wreath on her head with lit candles would awaken the family and offer them coffee and cakes. She was called the Lussibrud (Lucy bride) and her pastry the Lussekattor.
The Feast of St. Lucy comes at a propitious time during the observance of Advent. Reminding us of the importance of light, the light of St. Lucy foreshadows the coming of the Light of the World at Christmas like a spark foreshadows the sun.[4]
Things to Do[5]
·
Choose
one of the customs for St. Lucy's feast and try it with your family. See Celebrating
for the Feast of St. Lucy, Swedish
Lucia Feast,
and St.
Lucia Devotions.
·
Select
one of the recipes for this feast to prepare. Here is a recipe for cuccia, an Italian dish.
This is another version.
·
Say
a prayer to St. Lucy for those who are physically and spiritually blind.
·
Read
the Life
of St. Lucy
taken from Ælfric’s Lives of the Saints written in the 10th century.
· For St. Lucia Swedish resources, see Hemslöjd. Especially recommended are the St. Lucia's Crowns, either plastic to wear or brass for display, the books and Lucia Morning in Sweden.
Spiritual Crib[6]
A special devotion that can be performed during Advent to prepare for the coming of the Infant Savior. It can be adapted for adults and/or children and applied as is appropriate to your state in life.
3rd day, December 13th: THE WALLS—Charity
Today we must erect the Walls of our little stable by showing great love and kindness towards others, in spite of our feelings for them. Always to excuse their faults, and if that is not possible, at least the intention. Take no offence at anything and show great kindness to such as put your patience to the test. Pray much for the Poor Souls and for poor sinners. Visit the tabernacle.
33 days to Christmas-Start the 33 days to
Eucharistic Glory[7]
Want to start a small group? Download
our 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory Study Guide
Day
22
On
this 22nd day rest in the inner peace you receive from the
Eucharist.
Copilot:
The
Eucharist plays a significant role in helping Catholics develop inner peace
through various spiritual and emotional benefits:
1. Encounter
with Christ: Receiving the Eucharist is a direct encounter with Jesus Christ.
This divine presence brings a profound sense of peace and comfort, knowing that
one is intimately united with the Lord.
2. Grace and Forgiveness: The Eucharist provides spiritual nourishment and grace, helping to forgive venial sins and strengthen the soul against temptation. This forgiveness and grace lead to a peaceful heart and mind.
3. Meditative
Reflection: Participating in the Eucharist encourages deep prayer and
reflection. This meditative state fosters inner tranquility and a sense of
calm.
4. Spiritual
Strength: The grace received from the Eucharist empowers believers to face
life's challenges with resilience and confidence, fostering a peaceful
disposition.
5. Community
and Belonging: The sense of unity and belonging experienced during the
Eucharist strengthens one's connection to the Church community. This support
system provides emotional stability and peace.
6. Hope and
Trust: The Eucharist reinforces the hope of eternal life and trust in God's
plan. This hope and trust bring a profound sense of peace, even in difficult
times.
7. Acceptance
of God's Will: By participating in the Eucharist, believers are reminded to
surrender their will to God. This surrender brings peace, knowing that one is
aligned with God's purpose.
8. Healing
and Comfort: The Eucharist offers spiritual healing and comfort, providing
solace in times of sorrow or distress.
9. Consistency
and Routine: Regular participation in the Eucharist creates a spiritual routine
that fosters a stable and peaceful life.
10. Reflecting
on Christ's Sacrifice: Reflecting on Jesus' sacrifice during the Eucharist
helps believers put their own struggles into perspective, finding peace in His
love and redemption.
11. Encouragement
to Love and Serve: The Eucharist inspires Catholics to live out their faith
through acts of love and service, which in turn bring inner peace through
meaningful and purposeful living.
12. Alignment
with Teachings: By aligning their lives with the teachings of Jesus, Catholics
find a harmonious way of living that fosters inner peace.
13. Renewed Purpose: Receiving the Eucharist renews a sense of purpose and direction, contributing to a peaceful and centered life.
These
aspects of the Eucharist collectively help Catholics cultivate and maintain
inner peace, guiding them in their spiritual journey and daily lives.
Bible in a Year Day 165 The Lover and the Beloved
Fr. Mike connects today's reading from Songs to the teachings of St. John
Paul's Theology of the Body. He also points out how helpful it is to track the
timelines of the kings of Israel and Judah as we read from Kings and Chronicles
simultaneously. The readings are 1 Kings 15-16, 2 Chronicles 16-17, and Song of
Solomon 4.
Daily Devotions
· Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: Victims of clergy sexual abuse
·
Religion
in the home: Preschool for December
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Make reparations to the Holy Face
·
Rosary
[1]
The Collegeville Bible Commentary
Quick Answer: In Old Chicago (1937/1938) dramatizes the O’Leary family’s struggles in Chicago leading up to the Great Fire of 1871. Tyrone Power plays Dion, a charming but corrupt gambler; Don Ameche plays Jack, his reformist lawyer brother; and Alice Faye plays Belle, a saloon singer caught between them. The film explores themes of family loyalty, corruption, sacrifice, and renewal. From a Catholic lens, it offers lessons on the dangers of pride and greed, the redemptive power of sacrifice, and the hope of resurrection after destruction.
🎬 Film Summary
- Family Origins: The O’Learys, Irish immigrants, arrive in Chicago. Patrick O’Leary dies tragically, leaving Molly (Alice Brady) to raise her three sons alone.
- The Brothers’ Paths:
- Jack (Don Ameche): Becomes an idealistic lawyer, fighting corruption.
- Dion (Tyrone Power): A gambler who builds a saloon empire through bribery and political deals.
- Bob (Tom Brown): Helps his mother and marries Gretchen, a wholesome German girl.
- Romantic Conflict: Dion falls for Belle (Alice Faye), a saloon singer tied to corrupt businessman Gil Warren. Their stormy relationship mirrors Dion’s moral instability.
- Political Rivalry: Dion manipulates politics but eventually backs Jack for mayor. Jack wins, pledging reform, which threatens Dion’s empire.
- The Fire: Mrs. O’Leary’s cow knocks over a lantern, sparking the Great Chicago Fire. Jack dies heroically trying to save the city, while Dion redeems himself by helping others escape.
- Ending: Mrs. O’Leary proclaims that Chicago will rise again, symbolizing hope and renewal.
✝️ Catholic Lessons & Reflections
- Family & Duty: Molly O’Leary embodies maternal perseverance, echoing Catholic teaching on the sanctity of family and the strength of widows (cf. Luke 21:1–4).
- Pride vs. Humility: Dion’s corruption shows how pride and greed corrode the soul. His eventual repentance reflects the Catholic call to conversion (cf. Luke 15:11–32, the Prodigal Son).
- Sacrifice & Redemption: Jack’s death to save the city parallels Christ-like sacrifice—laying down one’s life for the good of others (John 15:13).
- Resurrection & Renewal: The fire destroys but also purifies, symbolizing the Paschal Mystery: death leading to new life. Chicago rising from ashes mirrors the Church’s teaching on hope beyond suffering.
- Community & Justice: Jack’s reform efforts highlight Catholic social teaching on justice, the common good, and resisting corruption (cf. Catechism §§1928–1942).
- Belle’s Journey: Her shift from being a pawn of corruption to saving Mrs. O’Leary reflects the dignity of every person and the possibility of redemption, even for those marginalized.
📊 Key Themes Table
| Theme | Film Expression | Catholic Lesson |
|---|---|---|
| Family Loyalty | Molly raising sons alone | Sanctity of family, perseverance in hardship |
| Pride & Corruption | Dion’s gambling/political schemes | Sin’s destructive power, need for humility |
| Sacrifice | Jack dies saving Chicago | Christ-like self-giving love |
| Redemption | Dion helps during fire, reconciles Belle | Conversion and mercy always possible |
| Renewal | Chicago rebuilt after fire | Resurrection, hope beyond suffering |
In essence: In Old Chicago is more than a disaster melodrama—it’s a parable of sin, sacrifice, and redemption. Its Catholic resonance lies in showing how corruption destroys, sacrifice redeems, and hope rebuilds.
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