This is the Liturgy of the Hours for December 09. Your local date is .
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July 01
Optional Memorial
Saint Junípero Serra (November 24, 1713 – August 28, 1784) was a Spanish Catholic priest and missionary of the Franciscan Order, an explorer and colonist of California, and founder of the missions of California. His missionary efforts earned him the title of “Apostle of California” and “The Father of the California Missions”.
Saint Pope John Paul II beatified Serra in 1988. He was canonized by Pope Francis during his official visit to the United States on September 23, 2015 on the East Portico of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception In Washington D.C. [1]
In his Homily, Pope Francis recognized the character of Saint Junípero Serra and the spirit of his missionary life: “[…] We are heirs to the bold missionary spirit of so many men and women who preferred not to be “shut up within structures which give us a false sense of security… within habits which make us feel safe, while at our door people are starving” (Evangelii Gaudium, 49). We are indebted to a tradition, a chain of witnesses who have made it possible for the good news of the Gospel to be, in every generation, both “good” and “news”.
Today we remember one of those witnesses who testified to the joy of the Gospel in these lands, Father Junípero Serra. He was the embodiment of “a Church which goes forth”, a Church which sets out to bring everywhere the reconciling tenderness of God. Junípero Serra left his native land and its way of life. He was excited about blazing trails, going forth to meet many people, learning and valuing their particular customs and ways of life. He learned how to bring to birth and nurture God’s life in the faces of everyone he met; he made them his brothers and sisters. Junípero sought to defend the dignity of the native community, to protect it from those who had mistreated and abused it. Mistreatment and wrongs which today still trouble us, especially because of the hurt which they cause in the lives of many people.
Father Serra had a motto which inspired his life and work, not just a saying, but above all a reality which shaped the way he lived: ¡siempre adelante! Keep moving forward! For him, this was the way to continue experiencing the joy of the Gospel, to keep his heart from growing numb, from being anesthetized. He kept moving forward, because the Lord was waiting. He kept going, because his brothers and sisters were waiting. He kept going forward to the end of his life. Today, like him, may we be able to say: Forward! Let’s keep moving forward!”[2]
Source:
[1] St. Junípero Serra article on carmelmission.org website
[2] Read the homily Pope Francis delivered September 23, 2015 in Washington, DC at the canonization of Junipero Serra
Note: Optional Memorials and Commemorations are optional celebrations and, at present, we do not include content specific to these special days. This “About Today” is provided so that you can celebrate this Saint as you worship Christ.
Recent prayer requests from community members
David Teegarden
on July 26th, 2024 at 19:26
Pray for the repose of the souls of Msgr. Philip, Bill, John, Ed, James, Bud, Rock, Donna Archie, Judy.May their souls and all the souls of the faithfully departed rest in peace. Continued prayers for Dcn. Manuel and his wife Elena who is battling terminal cancer.
David Teegarden
on July 26th, 2024 at 19:22
Prayers= Fr Mark, Fr Richard, Fr Jesus, Fr David, Fr Jerry, Fr Pat, Fr Ted, Fr Earl, Fr Mike, Fr Joe, Fr Chris, Fr D. Healing- Miguel,Missy, Kathy, Steve, Theresa, Bob, Tom, Rocky, Joe R, Joe V, Laura, Barbara, Christina, Seth Ruth Rochelle, Jackie, Jill, Betty, uncle, friend with dementia,
Therese Chiara
on July 26th, 2024 at 18:28
That those who use this wonderful, God-centric, nonpartisan website will kindly dispense with the unnecessary political rhetoric at the expense of causing division amongst ourselves as members of the universal Church. That we might instead collectively focus all our attention on GOD, not men.
Bernadette Tan-Lutz
on July 26th, 2024 at 17:38
Sts. Joaquim and Anne, parents of Mary, pls pray for us & our families & assist us in passing to our children, & grandchildren the Christian Faith that we have received from our own parents grandparents! Amen
c h
on July 26th, 2024 at 11:47
St. Anne and St Joachim thank you for your intercessions. Please continue to intercede for our intentions. Amen Also, please intercede for the USA. Thank you.
David Teegarden
on July 26th, 2024 at 11:04
Pray for the repose of the souls of Msgr. Philip, Bill, John, Ed, James, Bud, Rock, Donna, Archie, Judy. May their souls and all the souls of the faithfully departed rest in peace. May Blessed Mary carry these souls home to the Father. Continued prayers for Dcn, Manuel and wife Elena with cancer
David Teegarden
on July 26th, 2024 at 11:00
Prayers- Fr Mark, Fr Richard, Fr Jesus, Fr David, Fr Jerry, Fr Pat, Fr Ted, Fr Earl, Fr Mike, Fr Joe, Fr Chris, Fr D. Healing-Miguel, Missy, Kathy, Steve, Theresa, Tom, Bob, Rocky, Katy, Krystal, Laura, Seth Ruth Rochelle, Joe R, Joe V, Betty, Jill, Barbara, Christina, uncle, friend with dementia
Rhonda George
on July 26th, 2024 at 10:33
Lord Jesus, Divine Mercy on All Mankind-Please-
Rhonda George
on July 26th, 2024 at 10:27
Thank you Queen Mary for All Blessing, Graces and Gifts, Sts. Joachim and Ann pray for us-
Jack Sullivan
on July 26th, 2024 at 10:03
For the intentions of Sts. Joachim and Anne and for their constant assistance throughout our lives and the lives of all for whom we pray.
gabigale
on July 26th, 2024 at 8:24
Thank You Father God and all who have prayed for Joyce; she is home and will have visiting care and physical therapy. Thank You Lord that You hear and answer all these prayers raised to You each day. In Jesus' Name we always pray! Amen
gabigale
on July 26th, 2024 at 8:20
I pray O Lord that You will touch hearts & send Your Holy Spirit's wisdom and truth of the state of America, giving all voters deepest concern for the vote they will cast this year. This is a momentous time for us so please instill in Your people knowledge that You are near .In Jesus' Name. Amen
Ken Des
on July 26th, 2024 at 8:18
For my brother Richard, who has stabilized and is at the top of the list for a liver transplant, and for all waiting for life-giving organs, that their surgery may be successful.
ellen warrington
on July 26th, 2024 at 8:02
Dear Lord I thank you and bless You today for my many blessings. May we all be grateful for the blessings and love you give us.Amen
Bernadette Koontz
on July 26th, 2024 at 6:56
Thank you for your kind prayers on behalf of my son. He's doing better. May Sts. Anne and Joachim, the patroness and patron of families help us!
Georgene
on July 25th, 2024 at 23:54
Lord, through the intercession of your Son and the angels and saints, please bring peace and comfort to our friend and fellow resident Julia, who has been in and out of the hospital several times this month. Her spirit is strong, however her flesh is overworked and weak. Please help her. Amen.
Gregory Caspar
on July 25th, 2024 at 23:44
Please pray for Randy who has depression and has put his name in for assisted suicide.
Georgene
on July 25th, 2024 at 23:39
Lord, through Christ's name and the angels and saints, I ask for acceptance and peace for my friends whose daughter recently died of ovarian cancer as they and the rest of the family struggle. Receive the soul of this young woman and bring her to glory. Amen.
Friar Daniel
on July 25th, 2024 at 22:17
Too many of our prayers to you oh God are when we come to you asking for something. Today, we ask you Lord Jesus to help us remember to come back to you always in thanksgiving.Amen
Linda
on July 25th, 2024 at 21:43
Please pray for everyone affected by the large fire occurring in N. California right now. May the Lord protect the lives of those living in the area and the firefighters as the work to contain the fire and protect homes.
Jeanette
on July 25th, 2024 at 21:39
Prays needed for Steve, a 73 year old friend, who is suffering from depression , anxiety, and health issues. He has been this way as long as I known him 25-30 years, He believes in Jesus, goes to church, but doesn't seem to get over this. Pray that Jesus breaks into his life with His Holy Spirit.
M. Angélica
on July 25th, 2024 at 21:25
Divine Mercy of God...You told Saint Faustina to encourage us to recite the Chaplet of Mercy, my oldest 88 years old sister Elena is very ill. I am humbling asking to those souls praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy to please include her in your prayers. Thank you and may God bless us all.
David Teegarden
on July 25th, 2024 at 20:00
Pray for the repose of the souls of Msgr. Philip, Bill, John, Ed, James, Bud, Rock, Donna, Judy. May their souls and all the souls of the faithfully departed rest in peace May Blessed Mother Mary carry these souls home to the Father. Please keep Den. Manuel and Elena in your prayers also (cancer)
David Teegarden
on July 25th, 2024 at 19:56
prayers- Fr Mark, Fr Richard, Fr Jesus, Fr David, Fr Jerry, Fr Pat, Fr Ted, Fr Earl, Fr Mike, Fr Joe, Fr Chris, Fr D. Healing- Miguel, Missy, Kathy, Steve, Theresa, Tom, Bob, Rocky, Joe R, Joe V, Katy, Krystal, Laura, Seth, Ruth. Rochelle, Barbara, Christa, Jill, Betty, uncle, friend with dementia
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News and Updates from our ministry
Monica on June 13th, 2024at 9:19
Dear Community, The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is set to gather on June 12-14 for their Spring Plenary Assembly, where they will vote on, among other things, the texts to be included... Continue reading
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Monica on May 10th, 2023at 3:35
Dear Community, Adoremus.org had published a fragment from the January 2022 Bishop’s Committee on Divine Worship Newsletter concerning the progress ICEL and USCCB made on the new edition of the Liturgy of the Hours. The... Continue reading
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Monica on December 30th, 2022at 11:07
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