[193] Gen 49:2, 8-10;Ps 72:1-2, 3-4ab, 7-8, 17; Matt 1:1-17.
Hours of 17 December
The "Christmas Novena" begins today. Special texts in Mass & Office,
including the "O Antiphons" at Evening Prayer and as the Alleluia
Verse at Mass.
The weekday readings for the eight days before Christmas are proper to each
day, except on the Fourth Sunday of Advent. On
the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the weekday readings for that date are omitted,
"but they may be anticipated or used later on another day during the
week, especially to avoid duplicating the Sunday readings" (cf. rubric
before Dec 17 in the weekday Lectionary, no. 193).
These weekdays are privileged, so any memorial is considered to be optional. If it is commemorated, at Mass the opening prayer of the memorial is used in place of the seasonal text. At the Office of Readings, after the weekday readings, one may add the Hagiographical Reading of the memorial, the responsory and the concluding prayer. At Morning and Evening Prayer, the prayer of the saint may be added (with its antiphon) after the prayer of the day (omitting the conclusion). (cf. Gen. Intro. Lit. Hours, 238-39.)
[RM]
Traditionally on this day, we remember from Scripture St. Hanania, Mishael and Azaria, three youth in the furnace (cf. Da 3:19–30) [from the Roman Martyrology].
Anniversary:
167th anniversary of the death of P. Henrique Borrel (37) d. 1914 at Belém, Cachoeira, Bahia, Brazil.
Anniversary:
103rd anniversary of the death of F. William Lovell (77) d. 1978 at Salisbury, Rhodesia.
Anniversary:
74th anniversary of the death of P. Philip O'Keefe (61) d. 2007 at Dublin, Ireland.
Anniversary:
62nd anniversary of the death of P. Ignatius Zvarevashe (ZIM) (76) d. 2019 at Harare, Zimbabwe.
On this day in our Jesuit history...
1608
At Ingolstadt died Father Paul Hoffaeus. Being very devout to the souls in Purgatory, he is said to have often had them coming to his room to ask for prayers. He was one of the most important Jesuits in the generalate of Father Aquaviva. He also organized and developed the Society of Jesus in Germany.
1625
At Alcala died Father John Suarez, who at almost every step he took made an act of the love of God.
1642
St. Francis Geronimo is born. Tireless preacher.
1746
Benedict XIV annulled the Constitution of Pope Innocent X which required a general congregation of the Society every nine years.
1904
Bernard Lonergan, S.J. is born. Philosopher and theologian.
1917
Henry Wessling is ordained. He became blind after a laboratory accident at Canisius College, NY, seven years earlier, and was ordained with a special rescript.
1977
The death of Maurice Burgaud. A missionary to China, after his expulsion he taught physics and astronomy in Madagascar for 20 years.
1978
Edouard Dhanis dies. He was a Professor at the Gregorian for 22 years, worked for the Holy Office, and was a member of the International Theological Commission. He had taught at Louvain for 16 years.
1999
Cardinal Paolo Dezza dies, age 98. He attended six General Congregations, a record, and as the Delegate of the Holy Father led the Society.
2013
Pope Francis canonized Saint Peter Faber, one of the first companions who founded the Society of Jesus with St Ignatius of Loyola and St Francis Xavier. Equipollent canonization. A letter of Fr. General on this occasion.
