Catholic Missal of the day: Sunday, December 17 2017
Third Sunday of Advent
Third Sunday of Advent
1. ReadingBook of Isaiah
61,1-2a.10-11.]The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly, to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners,
]To announce a year of favor from the LORD and a day of vindication by our God, to comfort all who mourn;
]I rejoice heartily in the LORD, in my God is the joy of my soul; For he has clothed me with a robe of salvation, and wrapped me in a mantle of justice, Like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, like a bride bedecked with her jewels.
]As the earth brings forth its plants, and a garden makes its growth spring up, So will the Lord GOD make justice and praise spring up before all the nations.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke
1,46-48.49-50.53-54.]Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
]my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
]For he has looked with favor on his lowly servant;
from this day all generations will call me blessed.
]The Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
]He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
]He has filled the hungry with good things;
and the rich he has sent away empty.
]He has come to the help of his servant Israel ,
remembering his promise of mercy,
First Letter to the Thessalonians
5,16-24.]Rejoice always.
]Pray without ceasing.
]In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
]Do not quench the Spirit.
]Do not despise prophetic utterances.
]Test everything; retain what is good.
]Refrain from every kind of evil.
]May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
]The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John
1,6-8.19-28.]A man named John was sent from God.
]He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.
]He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.
]And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites (to him) to ask him, "Who are you?"
]he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, "I am not the Messiah."
]So they asked him, "What are you then? Are you Elijah?" And he said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No."
]So they said to him, "Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?"
]He said: "I am 'the voice of one crying out in the desert, "Make straight the way of the Lord,"' as Isaiah the prophet said."
]Some Pharisees were also sent.
]They asked him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet?"
]John answered them, "I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,
]the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie."
]This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
St. Josep Manyanet y Vives(Priest and Founder († 1901))
Saint Josep Manyanet y VivesPriest and Founder(1833-1901) Josep Manyanet was born into a large Christian family on January 7, 1833. He was born in the city of Tremp, northeastern Spain, and baptized at the parish Church of our Lady of Valldeflors. When he was 5 years old, his mother offered him to our Lady's care and protection. He completed his schooling with the Piarist Fathers in Barbastro, and at the seminaries of Lleida and Urgell. He was ordained a priest on April 9, 1859. After working in the Diocese of Urgell for 12 years as the bishop's secretary, secretary for pastoral visitations, librarian of the seminary and administrator of the chancery, he was called to found two congregations.Founder and Apostle of the Holy Family With the bishop's approval, Fr. Josep founded the religious congregations of the Sons of the Holy Family Jesus, Mary and Joseph in 1864 and the Missionary Daughters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in 1874. Their mission is honoring, imitating and sharing the example of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Through diligent work and prayer, and an exemplary and virtuous life, Fr. Josep guided and encouraged, for almost forty years, the formation and expansion of his Institutes. Schools and centers of ministry were opened in several Spanish towns. Today, both Institutes are present in several European countries, North and South America and Africa. Fr. Josep wrote several books and booklets about the Holy Family of Nazareth. He founded the magazine La Sagrada Familia and dedicated a shrine to the Holy Family. The Temple, as yet unfinished in Barcelona, was built by the architectural genius and Servant of God Antonio Gaudí. It was designed as a spiritual home for all families and to perpetuate the virtues and examples of the Family of Nazareth.His Train of Thought Saint Josep Manyanet wrote letters, books and booklets for the members of his religious Institutes, for families and children and for the management of schools. One standout is the School of Nazareth and Home of the Holy Family (Barcelona 1895). The book's characterdialogues with Jesus, Mary and Joseph: describing Christian perfection inspired by the school of Nazareth. St. Josep's book titledA Priceless Family Gem (Barcelona 1899) is a guide for marriages and families. It is about the dignity of the sacrament of marriage and the importance of childrens' Christian education. The Spirit of the Holy Family is a book of meditations dedicated to members of St. Josep's religious Institutes, wherein he describes their vocation, identity and mission. An edition of his Selected Works (Madrid 1991) and a forthcoming edition of his Complete Workswill enrich those already published.Illnesses and Death Fr. Josep's many endeavors were not free of difficulties. He endured physical illnesses, but his humble obedience to the will of God helped him persevere. For 16 years, he labeled his poor health and open soresGod's mercies. He passed away on December 17, 1901, while working at his school, "Jesús, María y José" of Barcelona. His last words were a fervent prayer:Jesus, Mary and Joseph. His relics are kept in a chapel at the school where he passed away.Witness to Holiness The Process of Canonization was formally introduced in 1956. His practice of heroic virtues was recognized in 1982 after proofs were collected. Pope John Paul II declared him blessed in 1984 after a healing miracle attributed to his intercession. After another healing miracle through his intercession, St. Josep was canonized in Rome on May 16, 2004. Pope John Paul II stated that Josep Manyanet's sanctity stems from the Holy Family. He was called by God, so that "in his name every family on earth may be blessed." The Holy Spirit guided him to proclaim the "Gospel of the family." His inspiration was that "all families may imitate and bless the Holy Family of Nazareth." That is: "to build a Nazareth in every home," and to make of every family a "Holy Family."
St. Olympias(Deaconess († c. 410))
SAINT OLYMPIASDeaconess ( c. 410) St. Olympias was a deaconess in the Eastern Church. She served in a manner proper to her sex since holy orders are reserved for men. She demonstrated abandonment to God's will; and was full of God's will instead of her own. St. Olympias was orphaned at a tender age and was raised by Theodosia, St. Amphilochius' sister. She emulated Theodosia's virtues and considered it part of her education. She married at a young age, but her husband died 20 days after the wedding. Instead of remarrying, she chose to serve the Church. Constantinople's patriarch, Nectarius, ordained St. Olympias a deaconess. Her duties included preparing the altar, Holy Mass and administering the diocese. She ministered to women and was instrumental in the Church's growth. St. Chrysostom, Patr. Nectarius' successor, declined to distribute St. Olympias' alms. Nonetheless, he cooperated with her. When he was banished on June 20, 404, she supported him. She was also persecuted and banished to Nicomedia. She crowned a virtuous life with a saintly death around 410.
Category: Mass by Year / Catholic Missal 2017 / Catholic Missal of december 2017
Published: 2026-07-14T18:16:13Z | Modified: 2026-07-14T18:16:13Z