We know so little about St Joseph, we don't even have a record of what he said. Yet though his role was quiet and in the background, we can be sure that he played an important role as the foster-father of Jesus and the spouse of Our Lady. Here is what we know about his marriage to Mary, his role in the birth of Jesus and in the life of his Foster Son.
St Lucy was a Roman martyr who is mentioned in the Canon of the Mass and whose name means "light". Learn about her life, why Scandinavian countries have a particular devotion to her and customs associated with St Lucy's Day in this blog.
Gaudete or "rejoicing" Sunday is the Third Sunday of Advent. The third candle on the Advent Wreath is lit and the Church's liturgy becomes more focused on the coming of the Lord at Bethlehem. At this half-way point in Advent, it's time to consider how our Advent preparation has gone so far and how we, like John the Baptist, can "prepare the way of the Lord".
Just as sin disconnects us from God, Jesus comes to connect us with Him again, by taking us out of hiding and into the presence of His Father. In this blog, Bishop Hugh Gilbert OSB explains that this is done first of all - and most clearly of all - in Mary, who was saved from sin at conception.