Third Sunday of Advent

Book of Zephaniah

Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has removed the judgment against you, he has turned away your enemies; The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear.
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!
The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, He will sing joyfully because of you,
as one sings at festivals.

Book of Isaiah

God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!

Letter to the Philippians

Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!
Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near.
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke

And the crowds asked John the Baptist, "What then should we do?"
He said to them in reply, "Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise."
Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, "Teacher, what should we do?"
He answered them, "Stop collecting more than what is prescribed."
Soldiers also asked him, "And what is it that we should do?" He told them, "Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages."
Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah.
John answered them all, saying, "I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.

St. Virginia Centurione Bracelli(Foundress (1587-1651))

SAINT VIRGINIA CENTURIONE BRACELLI (1587-1651) Virginia Centurione Bracelli was born in Genoa, Italy, on April 2, 1587. She was from the family of Giorgio Centurione, the duke of the Republic from 1621 to 1622, and Lelia Spinola. She was baptized two days after her birth, and was catechized and educated by her mother and private tutors.She felt called to religious life, but obeyed her father by marrying Gaspare Grimaldi Bracelli on December 10, 1602. Gaspare's affluent family failed to intervene and correct his vices. As a consequence, Virginia was widowed at age 20. Gaspare left behind two daughters, Lelia and Isabella. He confessed his sins before passing away in Alessandria on June 13, 1607 (Jn 20:23). Virginia made a vow of chastity and refused a second arranged marriage. She lived at her mother-in-law's house and managed her children's education and the estate. In 1610, she answered the call to religious life. In the autumn of 1624 or 1625, Virginia welcomed 15 orphans into her home. The war between the Liguorian Republic and the Duke of Savoy, supported by France, had increased economic hardship. With increasing numbers of refugees, Virginia opened shelters for at-risk, vulnerable persons. In August 1625, with her mother-in-law's passing, she began corporal and spiritual works of mercy in the slums. From 1629 to 1630, Virgina served the Church during plagues and famines. She began renting the empty convent of Monte Calvario and transferred there on April 13, 1631: accompanied by beneficiaries under the protection of Our Lady of Refuge. Three years later, the Institute expanded into three houses and accommodated 300 patients and vulnerable persons. Virginia petitioned for official acknowledgement from the senate of the Republic, which she received on December 13, 1635. The beneficiaries ofOur Lady of Refuge became like Virginia's family. She provided their catechism, access to opportunities and training in professional skills. Sometimes, she cured spiritual illnesses. Virginia bought two villas next to Carignano's Hill and dedicated a church to Our Lady of Refuge. The villas became the mother house of the Institute. Later, it was divided into the "Sisters of Our Lady of Refuge in Mount Calvary" (Suore di Nostra Signora del Rifugio di Monte Calvario) and the "Daughters of Our Lady on Mount Calvary" (Figlie di Nostra Signora al Monte Calvario). On July 3, 1641, daily administration was encharged to nominees. However, the number of collaborators decreased because of war, economic hardship and corruption. The shortages impelled Virginia to take leadership once more. Virginia directed the Institute until she passed away on December 15, 1651. She was beatified on September 22, 1985. She was canonized on May 18, 2003, by Pope John Paul II.

St. Mesmin(Abbot († 520))

SAINT MESMIN ( 520) St. Mesmin was a native of Verdun. When citizens rebelled against King Clovis, a truce was brokered by Father Euspice, the king's uncle. King Clovis persuaded Fr. Euspice to reside at court and the latter took St. Mesmin with him. On the journey to Orleans, Fr. Euspice noticed a solitary spot called Micy about two leagues from the city, beyond the Loire. He solicited the place from Clovis and built a monastery. St. Mesmin and several disciples helped in its construction. Fr. Euspice passed away two years after St. Mesmin was consecrated abbot by Bp. Eusebius. During a famine, St. Mesmin fed nearly the whole city of Orleans with wheat from his monastery. He also drove out an enormous serpent from the place where he was later buried. After governing the monastery for ten years, St. Mesmin passed away. He went to his eternal reward on December 15, 520. The atmosphere was perceptively peaceful and there was a fragrance in the air. The miracles proceeding from his intercession prove that he attained the beatific vision.

St. Christiana()

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