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Following st. joseph
The Feast Day of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on March 20, 2023. St. Joseph shared in the mystery of the Incarnation “like no other human being except Mary” wrote St. Pope John Paul II his Redemptoris Custos on August 15, 1989. The great “hidden saint” is hailed under 31 titles in the Litany of St. Joseph that illustrate his virtues. See https://churchwonders.com/devotions/the-litany-of-saint-joseph/. These traits practiced and perfected by St. Joseph are characteristics that the faithful followers of St. Joseph strive to make present in their daily lives – especially parents and spouses. To celebrate this year’s feast day, visit one of the thousands of churches dedicated to the human father of Jesus – and pray that you may humbly exhibit even a small bit of one of the qualities attributed to him.
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Go to Joseph!
Read more: Go to Joseph!Monday March 20, 2023 is the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Feast Day marks the 152th anniversary of the declaration of St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church.
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Isaiah in Messiah
Read more: Isaiah in MessiahG.F. Handel’s Messiah contains many poetic verses of the Prophet Isaiah in Part I to get you into the “Christmas Spirit”. Then stay to hear the famous Hallelujah Chorus at the end of Part II and the glorious Amen to close the show. In-person performances of Messiah have returned this year, so go see and…
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The O’s of Christmas
Read more: The O’s of ChristmasThe “O Antiphons” of the week before Christmas are special exclamations of Titles of the Messiah in expectation of His coming. These chants are also the basis of the Advent hymn, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”.
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Isaiah’s Poetry of Advent – Still Fresh in 2022
Read more: Isaiah’s Poetry of Advent – Still Fresh in 2022The Advent season of watching, waiting and hope starts on November 27, 2022. In the daily and Sunday Mass readings of Advent, we are greeted by the verse of one of the greatest ancient poets in the Book of Isaiah. The Prophet Isaiah’s poetry of hope tells of the coming of a Messiah who will…
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Wonderful Churches, Shrines & Devotions
This site is for church visitors, travelers, historians and the faithful – especially, those interested in the sacred aspects of the churches and their artifacts – to learn and experience the places, their liturgical furnishings and history.
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architecture posts
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Campanile, Façade and Tympanum – Prominent Exterior Parts of a Church
Read more: Campanile, Façade and Tympanum – Prominent Exterior Parts of a ChurchSome of the most visible components of the front of a church building such as the campanile, the façade and the tympanum play important roles in identifying the building as a place of worship; and in preparing the entrant for worship.
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Narthex, Nave and Ambo – Interior Parts of a Church
Read more: Narthex, Nave and Ambo – Interior Parts of a ChurchA church building contains architectural elements that are common to all buildings; but also contains features making it identifiable as a church. The columns of a church play a key role in “supporting” the verticality of the structure
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Architectural Columns
Read more: Architectural ColumnsA church building contains architectural elements that are common to all buildings; but also contains features making it identifiable as a church. The columns of a church play a key role in “supporting” the verticality of the structure
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Memorial of the Church of St. Mary Major (and a summer snowfall!)
Read more: Memorial of the Church of St. Mary Major (and a summer snowfall!)August 5th, the Dedication of the Church of St. Mary Major is commemorated each year in part to celebrate the “Miracle of the Snows” when it snowed on the Esquiline Hill in Rome on August 5th, 358.