Monitor Mag Jan 2024: Seasons & Celebrations section

Pope: At Christmas, God shows love through ‘littleness,’ not power

VATICAN CITY • More than two millennia after the Holy Family was denied a room at the inn and Jesus was born in a manger, war once again renders his birthplace in the Holy Land inhospitable, Pope Francis said.

“Tonight, our hearts are in Bethlehem, where the Prince of Peace is once more rejected by the futile logic of war, by the clash of arms that even today prevents him from finding room in the world,” the Pope said Dec. 24 during his homily for Christmas Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Pope reflected on Jesus’ birth occurring after Caesar decreed a census

Children carrying flowers gather around a figurine of the baby Jesus in front of the main altar of St. Peter’s Basilica during Christmas Mass with Pope Francis at the Vatican Dec. 24, 2023. CNS photo/ Lola Gomez

in which “the whole world should be enrolled,” as recounted in St. Luke’s Gospel. The census, he said, “manifests the all-too-human thread that runs through history: the quest for worldly power and might, fame and glory, which measures everything in terms of success, results, numbers and figures, a world obsessed with achievement.”

By becoming human, however, Jesus chooses the way of “littleness.”

At Christmas, Pope Francis encouraged Christians to shun the image of a mighty and lofty God, “because there is always a risk that we can celebrate Christmas while thinking of God in pagan terms, as a powerful potentate in the sky; a god linked to power, worldly success and the idolatry of consumerism.”

Pope Francis waves to an estimated 70,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican for his Christmas blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) Dec. 25, 2023. CNS photo/Vatican Media

Pope’s Christmas message: Say ‘yes’ to the Prince of Peace, ‘no’ to war

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Celebrating the birth of Jesus, the prince of peace, should mean making a commitment to opposing all war, to cherishing human life, feeding the hungry and speaking up for those who have no voice, Pope Francis said.

“To say ‘yes’ to the Prince of Peace, then, means saying ‘no’ to war – and doing so with courage – saying no to every war, to the very mindset of war, an aimless voyage, a defeat without victors, an inexcusable folly,” the Pope said Dec. 25 as he read his Christmas message and offered his blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world).

As he stood on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica with an estimated 70,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope began his message speaking of Bethlehem where celebrations of Jesus’ birth are muted this year because of the Israeli-Hamas conflict. But he also used his message to preach the hope of Christmas, which he said was found in God, who loved humanity so much that he sent his son to be born in a manger.

During Advent, Bishop spends time, prays with brother priests, seminarians

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. celebrated part of the Advent season with men who are in varying stages of their priestly ministries.

On Dec. 7, the Bishop visited Villa Vianney, Lawrenceville, where he celebrated Mass with the retired priests in

the chapel and then all enjoyed a festive dinner and conversation.

The following week, the Bishop and some 120 active and retired priests from throughout the four-county Diocese gathered Dec. 14 for an Advent Spirituality Day in St. John the Baptist Parish, Allentown. The retreat master was Father

Joseph Thomas, priest of Opus Dei and chaplain of Mercer House, Princeton. Father Thomas also serves as a spiritual director to many priests of the Diocese as well as priests from other dioceses and religious communities. In his talk, “The Priest, Man of Prayer,” Father Thomas focused on how each priest might make fostering a personal relationship with Christ as the priority in his life even in the midst of his many daily commitments.

Getting together with the seminarians of the Diocese is a favorite tradition of Bishop O’Connell. This year’s gathering was held Dec. 15 in Sacred Heart Church, Trenton, where the Bishop celebrated Mass and then a festive dinner followed in the rectory.

During the Mass, seminarians

Nicholas Alescio and Benedict Quiambao participated in the Rite of Admission of Candidacy, during which they officially declared their intentions to pursue formation for the reception of the Sacrament of Holy Orders and ultimately serve as future priests for the Diocese.

Seminarians Nicholas Alescio and Benedict B. Quiambao stand before Bishop O’Connell as they participate in the Rite of Candidacy, a formal step in preparation for priesthood.

The Rite was held during the Dec. 15 Mass celebrated for seminarians in Sacred Heart Church, Trenton. Staff photo

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Msgr. John K. Dermond proclaims the Gospel during the Mass Bishop O’Connell celebrated for retired priests Dec. 7 in Villa Vianney, Lawrenceville. Staff photo

Let Us Adore

The 2023 celebrations of Advent and Christmas showcased the anticipation, beauty, reverence and hope the seasons evoke throughout the Catholic world. As preparations for Emmanuel – “God with us” – brought thousands to Vatican City to celebrate with Pope Francis, parishes of the Diocese of Trenton adorned their sanctuaries, sang hymns of joy and reached out to neighbors. The following pages highlight examples of these festivities.

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Following an example set by St. Francis of Assisi, parishes recreated representations of the Holy Family in the stable at Bethlehem, making use of both statues and human portrayers, and decorating worship spaces with light and color.

Luminaries light the pathway leading to St. Charles Borromeo Church, Cinnaminson, on Christmas Eve. Courtesy photo

In St. Mary Church, Bordentown, children play the parts of angels, shepherds, animals, Joseph and Mary for a Living Nativity play on Christmas Eve during the Children's Mass. Joe Moore photo

Seasons & Celebrations of the

Christmas week saw gestures of kindness in the name of the Christ Child’s birth – children receiving Christmas gifts, festive meals shared with genuine company, and warm greetings from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., as he celebrated with his flock.

 Bishop O’Connell stands with fifth graders in St. Paul Church, Princeton, after a Mass he celebrated for the students and faculty of St. Paul School Dec. 22. As a Christmas gift, the fifth grade students sang “In the Bleak Midwinter” for the Bishop following Communion. John Batkowski photo

The familiar and soulstirring music of Advent and Christmas rang out in parishes throughout December, announcing Christ’s coming with orchestral works and through choral voices both young and old.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

The lively and festive scene that unfolded on the streets of downtown Lakewood Dec. 2 marked the culmination of the series of traveling torch lightings, or Las Antorchas Guadalupanas, that began nearly six weeks ago across the Diocese. Since the beginning of November, torches honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe have been traveling to parishes in each county of the Diocese to encourage community and cultural prayer experiences.

The pilgrimage, which this year marked the eighth annual, began on the grounds of St. Mary of the Lake Church and traveled 3.5 miles to Holy Family Chapel, where Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio, diocesan vicar general, celebrated Mass.

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 Donovan Catholic boys bowling team is solid from top to bottom

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Father Javier Diaz, pastor of Christ the King Parish, Long Branch, preaches the homily on the theme of unity and the symbols of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Mike Ehrmann photos