Abbey-Roads2

Or the Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord.

As well as the naming of Jesus. Some people think that it was a rite akin to Baptism, to purify the Jew from original sin - some fundamentalists think this. NOT. Here is a description for those who never watched the episode on “The Nanny” with Fran Drescher:

The Origin of Bris Milah (Circumcision)


Times change. Styles change. But some things never change: Bris Milah is one of them. It is a bond between God and the Jewish nation for all time. It is a bond that can never be broken.

When our forefather Abraham reached the ripe old age of 99 years (Genesis 17) the Almighty promised him that his descendants would have a special relationship with their Creator. This would forever be symbolized by the Bris Milah (Covenant of Circumcision). “This will be a sign of the covenant between Me and you”.

Abraham circumcised himself as well as all the men of his household. When his son Isaac was born, he too, underwent Bris Milah on the eighth day, as Divinely specified. (As did Jesus today.)

Heroism Throughout the Ages


Throughout the generations the Jewish people have been unyielding in performing this mitzvah. Bris Milah was often performed in secret, defying innumerable despots and hostile regimes.

Nazi Germany, Communist Russia, and ancient Greece and Rome all tried to ban Bris Milah. They understood correctly that this distinctive rite is the cornerstone of the Jewish faith, and that proscribing it would be the first step towards eliminating our nation.

The Jewish people, non-observant as well as observant, are uncompromising on this issue. They recognize that in order for their children to survive as Jews, they must induct them into the Divine covenant of Bris Milah. (The Child Jesus was no exception.)

The Mohel (pronounced, moiyh-el)


A Mohel performs the circumcision with spiritual intent. A Bris by a Mohel is more than a simple medical procedure; it is a connection with the Divine. At a Bris Milah blessings are said and prayers are recited as the child takes his place as a member of the Jewish people. Carried out according to Jewish tradition, Bris Milah is a profoundly moving experience for all in attendance. - Bris, Jewish Circumcision

Thus with my male health problems, the Divine Infant Jesus is most assuredly the focus of my prayer in this first of His sufferings and shedding of blood.

“Jesus, sweetest Child, circumcised on the eighth day, called by the glorious name of Jesus, and by your name and your blood, revealed as the Savior of the world; have mercy on us!” - Carmelite novena to the Infant Jesus.

Mazel Tov!

It’s still Christmas everyone! So keep having fun!

One of the fun things I once enjoyed about New Year’s Day were the predictions of so-called psychics of what would happen in the year to come. I thought to myself, “I can do that!” So I’ll try my hand at it here. (I hope The Catholic Spirit picks this one up.)

Yes! A coadjutor will be announced this year and he will be a Bishop!

Joe and Mary Trojack will move back to St. Paul, Minnesota very, very soon. (I can see their aura!)

Michael Jackson will finally reveal in his night club act in Vegas that he and Latoya are one and the same person.

The war in Iraq will not get any better.

The Motu Proprio will be promulgated - with strings.

Barbara Nicholosi will produce the remake of, “The Signing Nun” it will be re-written and loosely based upon her own life. (Music and lyrics by the Daughters of St. Paul - I think a re-make of “Sister Act” may be in the offing as well.)

Global Warming will be suddenly reversed and a great ice age will encompass the Northern most regions of the Northern hemisphere.

Animals will march on Washington in protest of cruel and inhumane treatment in Zoo’s, Circuses and medical research facilities.

Dennis McGrath will be silenced.

Marijuana will be legalized for white males over the age of 50 - sorry Eric.

Fr. Z will be consecrated Bishop of Orange County.

It will finally be revealed that Britney Spears is actually a Bimbo.

Cigarette smoking will be found to prolong life.

Protestant influences will be exposed in the American Catholic church, while a new Holy Office will be established to examine these cases.

Anti-depressants will become available over-the-counter, and a regular additive to breakfast cereals and soft drinks.

Fr. Altier will become pastor of St. Joan of Arc.

Reality TV will be banned from the airways.

Gerald, of Cafeteria Is Closed will begin a new Catholic media empire, which will be very succesful, and he will become head of EWTN. (At any rate, he is going to be even more successful than he is!)

The NCCB will disolve itself.

Raymond Arroyo will have a new show on EWTN, a remake of Pee Wee’s playhouse called “Ray-Ray’s Playhouse”.

Elizabeth Taylor will pass away.

Mexico will become a State in order to solve the immigration problem.

Some Bishops will seek to approve celibacy as an option, but only for gay clergy, to retain the all male character of the hierarchy, yet feminists will hail it as a breakthrough.

Nancy Pelosi will be embroiled in much controversy, cat-fights, mud-wrestling matches in her tenure as Speaker of the House, and she and Hilary will…I can’t say it.

“Friends” will return to prime time as a remake of “Thirty Something” - now that’s a good idea!

Elvis will reveal to the world that he is indeed alive, opening in Las Vegas in competition with Michael Jackson.

Madonna will divorce Ritchie and drop her British accent.

Islamic terrorists will strike again.

Rosie O’Donnel and Donald Trump will reconcile on the last episode of The Biggest Loser - which will cause the cancellation of all reality TV programs.

Fat girls will become the new sex symbols and dieting will be outlawed throughout the developed nations, and it all started on the runways in Spain.

There will be earthquakes in various places, wars and rumors of wars.

There will be numerous claims of apparitions, with no authenticating proof, and no one except Michael Brown, and a few people who travel to Croatia, paying any attention.

Blogs will increase throughout cyberspace and everyone will write what ever comes into their head, and no one will care - except the editors of The Catholic Spirit.

I know, I know. These are rather risky, albeit breath-taking predictions. You don’t have to believe them if you don’t want to. (DISCLAIMER: Absolutely no magic, sorcery, or divination was used in this exercise, neither was common sense. This blog’s administrator disavows any and all responsibility for the content of this post.)

Another favorite movie of mine…it’s too bad there wasn’t a “Monk’s Story” that I could have gotten photos from.
Pretend this is Dr. Fortunati (it’s actually the Director) saying good bye to Sr. Luke as she leaves the Congo and returns to the Motherhouse. Then pretend Sr. Luke is a monk…
Don Marco is leaving in two days to return to his Abbey, Santa Croce in Rome.

I hope the Abbot realizes how important Don Marco’s blog is to the thousands of readers he has, and that he will continue writing! Pray for Don Marco - he isn’t in the best of health either.