Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist
Almighty God, by whose providence your servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of your Son our Savior by the preaching of repentance: lead us to repent according to his preaching and, after his example, constantly to speak the truth, boldly to rebuke vice, and patiently to suffer for the truth's sake; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, now and forever. Amen.
Daily Thought from the Saints
"Christ is my Spouse. He chose me first and His I will be. He made my soul beautiful with the jewels of grace and virtue. I belong to Him whom the angels serve."
— St. Agnes
Daily Scripture Verse
"But without faith it is impossible to please him, for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
Hebrews 11:6
Daily Meditation
"Habits are being formed here under the pressure of temptation and difficulty that unfold in perfect form and beauty when the soul that has developed these habits passes into its true home. Those very temptations that made it so difficult to persevere were really the means of developing these powers. The spirit of prayer and worship grew on; hampered and oppressed by the distractions of life, it fought its way in spite of them and thus gained strength; then, when all these were removed, it opened out unhindered in its perfect growth. Now, there is one fundamental principle of the spiritual life that has to be learned and practiced here, mostly with suffering, often with the very keenest suffering, although so closely associated with it that it almost seems a necessary part of it, is indeed only accidental, and one day will altogether cease, while the grace that has been fought for and developed in so much agony will live on forever, and be the delight of the soul through eternity."
— Fr. Basil Maturin
Day by Day with Mary, the Mother of God
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord* should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed* that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
—Luke 1:41-45
The Church observes the birth of John as a hallowed event. We have no such commemoration for any other fathers but, it is significant, that we celebrate the birthdays of John and of Jesus (and Mary). This day cannot be passed by.
—St. Augustine
A Prayer from Notre Dame University
Rev. Steve Newton, C.S.C.
Lord Jesus, you call each child to grow and become strong in your spirit. Give parents the grace to let their children grow in your image and likeness, no matter their own preferences. Reveal the truth and the spirit within each child, help them, and let all know you are always with them. We ask this in your name, Christ the teacher. Amen.