DECEMBER
Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
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6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20	21	22	23	24	25	26
27	28	29	30	31
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December 2009  - Updated

"Who knows how God will make good use of you through your personal availability; who knows how many things God will ask of you if you abandon yourselves with generous hearts in his hands. You might even become other St. Francis Xaviers." [Blessed Conforti on May 20, 1921]
1892 - In his letter to Rev. G. Venturini, young Guido Conforti shares that "My goals are becoming clearer each passing day, and even more I feel that the Lord is asking me to found a religious community, a project which has been on my mind for quite some time, and is the object of my lively sentiments."
1928 – Blessed Conforti, on his visit to his missionaries in China, preaches the Retreat in preparation of the Feast of St. Francis Xavier
See December Mission and Church Intentions of the Pope
1955 – Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat on the bus, and inaugurates the modern civil rights movements

"Ask St. Francis Xavier to obtain for you the grace of perseverance in your vocation, and final perseverance too so that one day, all together, you shall enjoy the beatific vision of God... In my unworthiness, I ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Francis Xavier and your holy Patron Saints to grant you the gift of this perseverance." [Blessed Conforti on Aug. 15, 1926 - Antol. 494]
1928 – Blessed Conforti announces the First General Chapter of the Xaverian Missionaries
See December Mission and Church Intentions of the Pope
1980 - Martyrdom of four Church Women Missionaries killed in El Salvador

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, Patron of the Xaverian Missionaries, and of foreign missions
"The Saint Francis Xavier Foreign Mission Society... takes its name and inspiration from St. Francis Xavier, the glorious apostle of the Indies." [Const. 1931, #1-2]
1895 - Official beginning of the Xaverian Missionaries
1964 - Opening of the regional house in Makeni, Sierra Leone

St. John of Damascus, priest and teacher
First Friday
"St. Francis Xavier is an example for the beautiful apostolic activity: he teaches, travels, visits the sick, catechizes the children, and spends the nights in prayer. Let his example inspire us." [Blessed Conforti on Dec. 2, 1927]
1915 – Blessed Conforti sends a Pastoral Letter to the diocese of Parma ‘On the Last Comforts of our Faith’

"St. Francis Xavier directed all the affections of his heart to God alone, he followed the great Ignatius of Loyola and resolved in his heart to be an apostle that would conquer the world for God." [Blessed Conforti on Feb. 20, 1922 - Antol. 316]

Second Sunday of Advent
St. Nicholas, Bishop
"St. Francis Xavier understood well the value of obedience, and if he had received the command from St. Ignatius to return to Rome, he would have quickly refused his great projects and embarked on the journey home." [Blessed Conforti on March 17, 1921]
1998 – Opening of the theology house in Manila, Philippines
Spain - Feast of the Constitution

St. Ambrose, Bishop and composer of sacred music
"The saints, together with St. Francis Xavier, are animated by the most pure and fervent love, which leads them to search for God’s will in all things and to conform themselves to Jesus Christ. They have understood the holy folly of the cross in all its extension." [Blessed Conforti on July-Sept. 1928 - Antol. 319]
1965 - 'Ad Gentes', Decree on the Mission Activity of the Church, by Pope Paul VI, Vatican Council II [Dec. 7, 1965]
1990 - 'Redemptoris Mission', Encyclical Letter by Pope John Paul II, on the permanent validity of the Church's mission mandate [Dec. 7, 1990]

Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Patroness of the USA and Philippines
"Let us place our hope in the Immaculate Conception. Let us raise up our eyes confidently to Her, as the helmsman to the lighthouse during the storm, and let us invoke the Star of the sea." [Blessed Conforti on Dec. 8, 1917 - Antol. 705]
1908 – At Parma's Cathedral, Blessed Conforti officially opens his first Pastoral Visit to the diocese of Parma
1975 - 'Evangelii Nuntiandi', Apostolic Exhortation by Pope Paul VI on the Proclamation of the Gospel
2002 - Fr. Pius Devoti dies in Parma, Italy: Missionary to Japan, director at Fatima Shrine, Holliston, MA

St. Juan Diego, hermit who witnessed the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Tepeyac, Mexico. Declared Saint by Pope John Paul II in 2002
"Mary therefore loves us with an unequalled love. She loves us with a love that is not worldly and human, because its sole nourishment is God’s infinite love for humanity." [Blessed Conforti on Feb. 15, 1931 - Antol. 440]
1921 – Blessed Conforti sends a Letter to the priests of Italy introducing them to the rules of the Missionary Union of the Clergy
1957 - Opening of the Seminary House of Franklin, WI

"The Apostle of the Gentiles teaches us that God, through Jesus Christ, made and renewed all things: he sustains all things by his mighty word." (Heb. 1:3) [Blessed Conforti on Oct. 12, 1904]
International Children's Day
1920 – Blessed Conforti takes part at the Diocesan Congress of the Missionary Union of the Clergy
1948 - Universal declaration of Human Rights adopted by U.N. General Assembly
1968 - Death of Thomas Merton

St. Damasus, Pope
"Why did the Lord send you so far away? Perhaps the words of Paul regarding the attitude of the Philippians were to have toward gentiles is an answer: that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world." (Phil. 2:15) [Blessed Conforti on Jan. 25, 1907 - Circ. Lett. #2]
1986 - UNICEF, United Nations Children's Fund, [founded on this day in 1946] receives the 1986 Nobel Peace Prize

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, and patronal day of Mexico. Today's feast recalls the apparition of Mary at the hill ot Tepeyac from Dec. 9-12 1531 to the native convert, Juan Diego.
"The spirit of the Gospel is a spirit of love, and a Catholic Priest cannot be estranged from works of charity, but bring always his contribution." [Blessed Conforti, Oct-Nov. 1893]
1907 - Following the sudden death of Bishop Francis Magani, Blessed Conforti becomes Bishop of Parma
Jewish observance: Hannukah, 8-day Festival

Third Sunday of Advent
St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr, patroness of those afflicted with diseases of the eye.
1905 - Blessed Conforti writes to Rev. Ormisda Pellegri, rector of the Motherhouse in Parma: "Regarding the changes we talked about in the Xaverian Rules, I only wish that our Congregation will never lose its religious aspect." [Dec. 13, 1905]
1930 - Blessed Conforti presides at the religious ceremony of the opening of the school year at Parma's University

St. John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church
"Your love should gather up in its embrace with no exception all, for in Christ, as the Apostle says, there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:27) [Blessed Conforti on Jan. 25, 1907]

"We need to dedicate ourselves with a greater effort to reflection, to meditation and to those Sacred Studies which are indispensable for any Missionary Priest. As these enrich our minds of useful knowledge, they also excite in our heart noble and holy sentiments." [Blessed Conforti to Odoardo Manini on Feb. 12, 1900]
1905 – Printing of the first Xaverian Rules, pending approval of the Holy See.

Start of the Christmas Novena: "Lo, our King is coming, Lord of creation, who will lift the yoke that binds and makes us captive."
"We are made for God, who is our beginning and end, and to whom we refer each action, as the Apostle said: so whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God." (1Cor. 10:31) [Blessed Conforti, Sept. 1896]
Bangladesh - Victory Day
Philippines: Simbang Gabi is the novena of dawn masses traditionally held in the Philippines beginning Dec. 16. Church bells are rung to call the faithful to prayer, and in some provinces, brass bands play traditional Christmas music. At midnight on Dec. 24 the Misa de Gallo [Mass of the Rooster] is celebrated to welcome the birth of Jesus.
Mexico and Colombia: The Posada [= shelter] is celebrated Dec. 16-24 throughout the Spanish-speaking world. It reenacts Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter on the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. On each of the nine days the participants travel from house to house, taking the role of pilgrims seeking lodging. Those inside the homes are innkeepers who refuse them. At the last home all are invited in for prayer and refreshments.

Christmas Novena - O Antiphon: "O Wisdom who proceeded from the mouth of the Most High, and reached forth from end to end, mightily and sweetly disposing all things. Come forth to instruct us in the way of prudence."
"What’s the goal of a priest? The answer is found in the Apostle who writes: every high priest is taken from among men and made their representative before God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins." (Heb. 5:1) [Blessed Conforti in 1897]

Christmas Novena - O Antiphon: "O Sacred Lord of the house of Israel, who did appear to Moses in the burning bush, and gave him the law on Sinai. Come forth to redeem us with your arm extended."
"Concerning prayer, St. Paul wrote: I will pray with the spirit, but I will also pray with the mind." (1Cor. 14:15) [Blessed Conforti, Sept. 1897]
1919 - Blessed Conforti sends a letter to the priests of Parma diocese on the Encyclical ‘Maximum Illud’
Islamic New Year: 1431

Christmas Novena - O Antiphon: "O Flower of Jesse's stem, who are a standard bearer for the people before Whom even the mouths of rulers shall be silent, to Whom shall pray the people of the nations. Come forth to deliver us; hasten now and do not delay."
"The Bishop repeats the words of the Apostle Paul: to the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some." (1Cor. 9:22) [Blessed Conforti on Jan. 6, 1903]

Fourth Sunday of Advent
Christmas Novena - O Antiphon: "O Key of David and scepter that ruled Israel, who opens and no one closes shut, who close and no one opens up. Come forth and release the bonds of those who languish in prison, who sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death."
"St. Paul offers us the most beautiful definition on the Priesthood of Christ: Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma." (Eph. 5:2) [Blessed Conforti on March 4, 1908]
1895 - Birth of Mother Celestine Healy-Bottego in Glendale, Ohio, Foundress of the Xaverian Missionary Sisters
1923 – Blessed Conforti presides at the hearing on the presumed miracle in Parma through the intercession of Blessed Therese of the Child Jesus

Christmas Novena - O Antiphon: "O Radiant Dawn from the East, splendor of light eternal and sun of justice. Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death."
St. Peter Canisius, priest
First Day of Winter
"To you, youth of today, I bring the same challenge that the Apostle Paul offered to Timothy: attend to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in both tasks." (1Tim. 4:16) [Blessed Conforti on Dec. 21, 1903]

Christmas Novena - O Antiphon: "O King of all Nations and the One the world longs, the Cornerstone which is their foundations, who brings us together. Come forth and save us, whom you created."
"The pains, anguishes and persecutions are the glorious training of the disciples called by God to accomplish a great mission." [Blessed Conforti on Nov. 11, 1906]

Christmas Novena - O Antiphon: "O Emmanuel, our Ruler and Lawgiver, the awaited Messiah of all nations, the salvation of the world. Come forth, redeem us now, You who are our Lord and Savior."
St. John Kanthy, theology professor and defender of the poor
"Prayer is our light, warmth, nourishment and life of our soul." [Blessed Conforti on Jan. 6, 1916]

Christmas Novena: "Tomorrow, when the sun shall rise up in the heavens, then you shall behold the King of kings, proceeding forth from the Father like to the bridegroom from his bridal chamber. The Lord is now very near; O hasten to adore Him"
"Nowadays there is much talk of universal peace and the brotherhood of the peoples and the nations... The Missionary is the most beautiful symbol, the most convinced and zealous apostle of this universal brotherhood for which humanity strives." [Blessed Conforti on Sept. 27, 1931 - Antol. 521]
1917 - Beginning of monthly 'Mission Gatherings' at the Xaverian Motherhouse in Parma
1949 – First Xaverians arrive in Japan

THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL
"Is this the one the peoples were waiting for, the one foretold by the Prophets, the incessant sigh of 4,000 years of expectation? Is he the Word of God, the immortal King of the Centuries, whose peaceful Kingdom shall conquer all the nations and shall never end?." [Blessed Conforti on Dec. 25, 1927 - Antol. 488]

St. Stephen, Deacon and first disciple to be martyred [Acts 6-7]
First of the 'twelve days of Christmas'
"Christmas is the great dawn of our liberation; the birth of Jesus Christ is the sun of justice that rises on the world to defeat the shadows of death." [Blessed Conforti on Dec. 25, 1927 - Antol. 489]
Kwanzaa: Kwanzaa is celebrated for seven days beginning December 26 through January 1. It is an opportunity for the African American people to celebrate their heritage and reinforce positive community values.

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
St. John, Apostle and Gospel writer
"The Heavenly Child will speak to rulers and peoples, to great and small, to rich and poor, to wise and unlearned, in a word to the peoples of all times and places, a word never heard before, which will renew the entire social order." [Blessed Conforti on Dec. 25, 1927]
1928 – Tired from the long Transiberian Train ride from China, Blessed Conforti and Fr. Bonardi arrive in Vicenza, and briefly stay at the Xaverian House

The Holy Innocents, Children Martyrs
"God reveals himself in the poor and bestows His graces upon them. A proud Priest will always produce little fruit in God’s Church. The truly humble are magnanimous in everything they do because they trust in God alone." [Blessed Conforti on Sept. 11-22, 1913 - Antol. 586]
1921 - Card. Van Rossum communicates to Blessed Conforti that he is to remain Superior General of the Xaverian Congregation 'for life.'
1928 - Conclusion of the three-month China visit of Blessed Conforti, with Solemn evening prayers at the Cathedral of Parma, filled with faithful

St Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, martyred by order of King Henry II
"Our dear Missionaries who were captured by brigands have been freed. Blessed be God who encourages us in our every affliction, (2Cor. 1:4) we could indeed exclaim with the Apostle." [Blessed Conforti on Dec. 29, 1927]

"Jesus Christ, ruler of peoples, king of the ages, is the sole and solid foundation of nations, of families, of everyone’s life: for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ." (1Cor. 3:11) [Blessed Conforti on Jan. 1, 1912]

St. Sylvester I, Pope of the Early Church
"May I say the same words of the Apostle in my last hour: I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me." (2Tim. 4:7) [Blessed Conforti on June 18, 1927]