Catholic Family Devotions

Understanding the Day

Season

Christmastide

Week

Week 2 of Christmastide

Rank

Simple feast

The Octave Day of St. John the Evangelist falls within Christmastide, the liturgical season that continues the Church’s celebration of Christ’s birth. As an octave day, it closes the eight-day period that began on the feast of St. John (the octave itself is tied to that principal celebration); this means the Church extends special attention to the saint and his witness over several days. Such an observance helps keep the season’s joy focused on the person and teachings of Christ as seen through John’s witness.

Introit (Daily Prayer)

Ps 44:13 44:15-16.
All the rich among the people seek your favor. Behind her the virgins of her train are brought to the King. They are borne in to You with gladness and joy. (Alleluja, alleluja.)
Ps 44:2
My heart overflows with a goodly theme; as I sing my ode to the King.
Glory Be to the Father…

O God, Who by the fruitful virginity of blessed Mary, have bestowed upon mankind the reward of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech You, that we may enjoy the intercession of her through whom we have been found worthy to receive among us the author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who livest and reignest with God the Father…

Weekly Prayer

Act of Faith

O my God, I firmly believe that Thou art one God in Three Divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

I believe that Thy Divine Son became Man, and died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, Who canst neither deceive nor be deceived.

Weekly Formation

Defrauding Laborers of Their Wages

Sins Crying to Heaven

Defrauding laborers of their wages
Defrauding laborers means withholding, delaying, or diminishing the just wages owed for their work. Scripture treats this as a sin crying to heaven because a worker’s livelihood may depend on that pay and the stronger party exploits an unequal position.

The Cardinal Virtues

Justice
Justice is the steady will to give God and each person what is due. It governs worship, rights, promises, property, work, authority, and social duties by measuring conduct according to objective obligation rather than convenience or favoritism.

Saint & Feast

Principal celebration

John

Octave Day of St. John the Evangelist

author of the Gospel of John; traditionally identified with John the Apostle of Jesus, John of Patmos (author of Revelation), and John the Presbyter

Born: 0010-01-01 · Galilee
Died: 0098-01-01 · Ephesus

John the Evangelist is the name traditionally given to the author of the Gospel of John. Christians have traditionally identified him with John the Apostle, John of Patmos, and John the Presbyter, although there is no consensus on how many of these may actually be the same individual.

Learn more about John

Today in Church History

Birth of Pope Alexander VI
1431Papal
Rodrigo Borgia, who would become Pope Alexander VI, was born. His papacy was marked by controversy and nepotism, impacting the Church's reputation during the Renaissance.
Even amidst human failings, the Church continues to be guided by the Holy Spirit.
Excommunication of Martin Luther by Pope Leo X
1521Schism Heresy
In 1521, Pope Leo X excommunicated Martin Luther through the papal bull Decet Romanum Pontificem, marking a pivotal moment in the Protestant Reformation. This act underscored the Church's stance against heresy and the importance of maintaining doctrinal unity within the Catholic faith.
The excommunication serves as a reminder of the Church's commitment to truth and the dangers of straying from established doctrine.
Excommunication of Martin Luther
1521Papal
Pope Leo X issued the papal bull Decet Romanum Pontificem, formally excommunicating Martin Luther from the Catholic Church, marking a significant moment in the Protestant Reformation.

Catechism

Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catechism teaches us that the Word became flesh through the Incarnation for our salvation. Jesus reconciles us with God, reveals God’s love, and was sent so that we might live through him and have eternal life. By taking on human nature, Jesus also becomes our model of holiness, teaching us to listen to him, walk in the way of truth and life, and love one another as he has loved us. This mystery invites us to enter into communion with the Word and become partakers of the divine nature through divine sonship. As we confess that Jesus Christ truly came in the flesh, we join the Church’s joyful faith in the mystery of the Incarnation.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church presents an organic synthesis of the essential contents of Catholic faith and morals in light of the Second Vatican Council and the Church’s Tradition. Drawing on Sacred Scripture, the Fathers of the Church, the liturgy, and the Church’s Magisterium, it is intended especially as a resource for bishops, priests, catechists, and others responsible for teaching the faith, while also offering useful reading for all Christian faithful. Its structure follows four great pillars of catechesis: the profession of faith in the Creed, the sacraments of faith, the life of faith expressed in the Commandments and charity, and the prayer of the believer centered on the Lord’s Prayer. As we read it together, it can help us reflect on God’s gifts as Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier; on the salvation made present in the Church’s liturgy; on the call to beatitude through God’s law and grace; and on the good things we hope for in prayer to our heavenly Father.

¶ 461

Taking up St. John's expression, "The Word became flesh", The Church calls "Incarnation" the fact that the Son of God assumed a human nature in order to accomplish our salvation in it. In a hymn cited by St. Paul, the Church sings the mystery of the Incarnation:

Today's Mass Readings

Open the day's Sancta MissaDivinum Officium · Divino Afflatu - 1954View readings