The Institute for Christian Formation
Saturday, January 7, 2011
Christmas Weekday
(optional memorial of Saint Raymond of Penyafort, Priest)
Today is a Christmas Weekday on our Church Calendar. The Gospel proclaimed at Mass today is the story of the Wedding Feast at Cana (John 2:1-11). This story is unique to John’s Gospel. It is not found in the other three Gospels. In John’s Gospel, this is the first sign, or miracle, Jesus performs in his public ministry. This is a marvelous story. Read this Gospel slowly and then put yourself in the scene: first as Mary, then as one of the servers, then as the headwaiter, then as the bridegroom, and finally as the bride. What do you think was in the mind and heart of each of these individuals as they witnessed this sign by Jesus? With whom in this Gospel do you most identify? Why? Imagine you were a wedding guest at this
Saint Raymond of Penyafort
celebration. What would have been your reaction to this miracle?
Today the Church also celebrates the feast day (an optional memorial) of Saint Raymond of Penyafort, Priest. Raymond was born in Spain in the year 1175 and lived for almost a century, dying at in the year 1275 at the age of 99. Raymond was an extremely educated and intelligent man. At twenty years of age he was teaching at the University of Barcelona. He joined the Dominican Order in his early forties, and by that time he already had earned doctorates in civil and Church law. Raymond was sent to Rome
to be the advisor and confessor of Pope Gregory IX. One of Raymond’s tasks was to make a compilation of all the various decrees of the popes and the Church councils. This ended up in being a total of five volumes, called the “Decretals.” Raymond’s organizational skills were so good that the Decretals were used by the Church for seven hundred years! He also wrote quite extensively on the sacrament of penance. When he was sixty years old, Raymond was appointed an Archbishop, but he ended up becoming ill and resigning
The Wedding Feast at Cana
Stained Glass Window
Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Cincinnati, Ohio
shortly thereafter. But then at age sixty-three he was elected head of the Dominican Order, the successor of Saint Dominic. He remained in this position of leadership for two years. After he left this position, he continued to preach until his death. Saint Raymond of Penyafort is the Patron Saint of canonists and lawyers.
Yesterday was January 6, the traditional date for Epiphany, and tomorrow we celebrate Epiphany Sunday: the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. Have some fun with the children in your life today. Tell them the story of “La Befana.” In Italy, it is the Christmas “witch”, Befana (whose name comes from the word “epiphany” and who legend says wanted to join the Magi in their
search for the infant Jesus), who now goes door to door bringing gifts at Epiphany. Read children “The Legend of Old Befana,” by Tomie dePaola. The web site for the
John D. Calandra Italian American Institute has a great “La Befana” page, which provides more information on La Befana, as well as links to a line drawing to color, a full color image of La Befana, and a La Befana storybook you can download and let children color. (The words are in Italian, but children will understand the story from the pictures they color.) This site also provides other La Befana links, and gives directions on how to assemble a simple La Befana costume. If you are so inclined, let girls dress up as La Befana and take small gifts to neighbors, or perhaps to a local nursing home to spread good cheer. Sing Christmas Carols as part of your visit.
Below, you can hear the traditional “La Befana” song sung in Italian.
La Befana wanted to join the Magi in their search for the infant Jesus. May we, too, continually search for Christ in our midst!
