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The solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, placed at the heart of the Octave of Christmas and at the beginning of the year, introduces the contemplation of the mystery of the Incarnation from the perspective of the one in whom the Word assumed flesh.
We possess no certain information about Saint Sylvester prior to his election to the Chair of Peter in 314, the year in which he succeeded Pope Miltiades. According to the Liber Pontificalis, he was the son of a Roman named Rufinus. Some traditions hold that he openly professed the faith already under Emperor Diocletian, a circumstance that may have favored his choice as leader of the Christian community.
Felix I, a native of Rome and the son of a man named Constantius, led the Church as Bishop of Rome from 269 to 274. He is known for promoting the celebration of the Eucharist at the sites where the relics of Christian martyrs rested, and for firmly defending faith in the Trinity and in the Incarnation of Christ.
The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph is celebrated on the Sunday following Christmas. The reason is simple. Whereas at Christmas we contemplate the birth of the Son of God in Bethlehem, surrounded by Mary and Joseph, on this feast day, the Church celebrates the daily life of the family in Nazareth.
The Holy Innocents are the children of Bethlehem who lost their lives because of the fury of King Herod, thus becoming the first innocent victims associated with the birth of Christ. Not with words, but with their blood, they offered an example of faith and sacrifice.
John, whose name means “God is gracious”, was described by Paul as a “pillar” of the Church (Gal 2:9). He was originally from Galilee, probably from near Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee).
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