December 19, Third Day of the Great Days of Advent

O Antiphon 

O Root of Jesse you stand as a sign to the peoples; before you kings shall keep silence, all nations bow in worship: come and save us, and do not delay.

O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare

(Image source: http://doesnotwisdomcall.blogspot.com/2008_12_01_archive.html)

December 18, Second Day of the Great Days of Advent

O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel,

who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush

and gave him the law on Sinai:

Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.

O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel,
qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti,
et ei in Sina legem dedisti:
veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.

Professional Soccer Team Founded by Salesian Priest for Street Kids:

The 'Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro' is an Argentinian sports club based in Buenos Aires, best known for its football team. 

Together with Boca Juniors, River Plate, Racing and 'Independiente', it is one of five major Argentinian teams. 

The team began in a Salesian Oratory, thanks to the efforts of Fr Lorenzo Massa for local street kids.

The name: After St. Lawrence, the martyred deacon of Rome.

The team's colors blue and red, the colors of Mary Help of Christians, who wears a red robe and blue cloak.

The club turned professional in 1931.

Today the San Lorenzo de Almagro team shows of 13 Argentine Championships, 1 South American Cup, and 1 Mercosur Cup.

See article here: http://www.infoans.org/1.asp?sez=1&sotsez=13&doc=8676&lingua=2

December 17, First Day of the Great Days of Advent

Today, December 17, begins the Great Days of Advent. We are now in the second part of Advent, focusing on preparing for the celebration of Christ's birth. (The first half of Advent focuses more on Christ's second coming).

Among the tradition of these Great Days of Advent is the "O Antiphons" (more familiar in the song "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel") These prayers are used at Mass as the Alleluia verse and at evening prayer.

Each of these antiphons highlights a title of Jesus, the Messiah.May these prayers help us focus on Jesus Christ, the reason for the season.

And today, the prayer is

O Wisdom,
O holy Word of God,
you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care.
Come and show your people the way to salvation....

O Sapientia

(The song: recommended by whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com)

Salesian Missionaries for 2012

There have been 11,000 Salesian Missionaries going to all continents since 1875.

In 2012, there are 59 new missionaries (45 priests, brothers and seminarians, and 14 sisters)

From the US and Canada, there are also 27 lay young adults going out as missionaries for one or two years.

We thank God for this great call to proclaim the Gospel to the young and the nations.

Please pray for these new missionaries