Updated January 7, 2001 4:15 pm PST
We recommend refreshing periodically to update the latest breaking news today
 
Holy Father calls all to continue to "Open Wide the Doors to Christ" in his Epiphany Homily to close the Holy Door and the Jubilee Year
During his Papal Mass to close the Jubilee Year yesterday, Pope John Paul II told the 100,000 faithful packed into St. Peter's Square, "While today we close the Holy Door, a 'symbol of Christ', the Heart of Jesus remains more open than ever. He continues to say to a humanity in need of hope and meaning: 'Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28). Apart from the numerous celebrations and initiatives which have marked it, the great legacy which the Jubilee leaves us is the living and consoling experience of 'meeting Christ.' His Holiness also equated the countless pilgrims who journeyed to Rome to the Wisemen, who were, in essence, the first missionaries, "The pilgrimage which two thousand years ago led the Wise Men from the East to Bethlehem, in search of the new-born Christ, has been repeated this year by millions and millions of Christ’s disciples, who have come here not with "gold, frankincense and myrrh" but bringing their own hearts, rich in faith and in need of mercy." For his Homily and his New Year's Eve Message the week before, see THE VICAR OF CHRIST SPEAKS
 
FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the EPIPHANY OF THE LORD marking the arrival of the wise Magi from the East who followed the signs in the Heaven - the Star of Bethlehem - to where the Child Who was the Messiah could be found. For more on this Feast and tomorrow's glorious Feast of the BAPTISM OF THE LORD, see Daily LITURGY
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First Reading: Isaiah 60: 1-6
Psalms: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13
Second Reading: Ephesians 3: 2-3, 5-6
Gospel Reading: Matthew 2: 1-12
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 Prayer from My Daily Prayer for the Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord
O God, Who, by leading of a star, didst on this day manifest Thine Only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; mercifully grant that we, who know Thee now by faith, may be brought to the vision of Thy majestic beauty. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.
 
Matthew 2: 11-12
"And entering the house, they found the Child with Mary His mother, and falling down they worshipped Him. And opening their treasures they offered Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrhrr. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another way."
 
Election of Pope St. Pius V
Today is the 435th anniversary of the election of Cardinal Michele Ghislieri as the 225th successor of Peter, choosing the name Pope Pius V. He would not only excommunicate Queen Elizabeth of England for her persecution of Catholics, inspire a Christian victory over the Saracens at Lepanto, and decree the use of the Roman Missal, but also become a saint. It was Saint Pius V who proclaimed that the Mass approved at the Council of Trent should be said "in perpetuity." That statement has caused much consternation between old-line and new-line Catholics over the Novus Ordo Mass since Vatican II. Pius' reign lasted until May 1, 1572. For other Time Capsule events that happened Today in Church history, see Daily TIME CAPSULES in Church History
Getting away from the Maddening Mob
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the words of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen have been known to launch a thousand images in one's mind, one of the ways this late luminary did so much to evangelize the faith. Because of the urgency of the times and because few there are today who possess the wisdom, simplicity and insight than the late Archbishop who touched millions, we are bringing you daily gems from his writings. The good bishop makes it so simple that we have dubbed this daily series: "SIMPLY SHEEN".
"It is much easier to find a television program on a prize fight than one on Shakespeare. As the English philosopher, C.E.M. Joad put it, 'Those things which are peculiar to each of us and may in their forms of expression well be different in all of us cannot be catered for in bulk by commercial agencies.' When you want to enjoy an individual pleasure, even though it be but an hour of chamber music in the privacy of your own room, or a page of Pepys' Diary, you must isolate yourself from those who cater to the mob."
 
In 2000, all roads led to Rome as city's mayor proclaims Jubilee a rousing success!
The Holy Father has closed the Holy Door, the Jubilee has come to a close and Rome's Mayor Francesco Rutelli has pronounced the Jubilee a "complete success"
from the perspective of the city. The celebration produced 74,000 jobs for
the city, he noted. And he said that "this holy year will be remembered for
the efficiency that was demonstrated." He said the success was due to "the
positive response of the Roman people" to the influx of pilgrims. For more, see News from the Holy See
ALSO:
 
Pro Aborts' plot to squeeze Pro Life groups out of UN is exposed
The manifest
bias of the United Nations against pro-life groups has
gained media attention. Following a press release by the
Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute (C-Fam),
mainstream media outlets published stories noting that the
upcoming conference on "child rights" has severely
restricted access by pro-life groups. For more, see USA News
ALSO:
Vietnam Government on defense, lash out at Church
Vietnam's Prime Minister is trying to stir up the people against the Church and Human Rights groups, accusing them of plotting to overthrow the government and take away the peoples' "freedom." It's all a ruse to divert attention that more foreign groups are realizing the persecution that is going on in Vietnam under the current regime. For more, see Universal News
ALSO:
For More Daily News, we recommend the following available news sources:
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All the above News Agencies are not affiliated with the DAILY CATHOLIC, but the DAILY CATHOLIC provides this service to keep our readers up-to-date with what's truly happening in our world, especially considering all the misinformation the secular media circulates.
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Monthly Medjugorje Message for December 2000
NOTE: We respectfully recognize and accept the final authority regarding apparitions, locutions and prophecies presently being reported around the world rests with the Holy See of Rome and the Magisterium of Holy Mother Church to whose judjment we humbly and obediently submit.
For more Our Lady's Christmas message for December and more on Medjugorje, see MEDJUGORJE AND MORE
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January 7, 2001 volume 12, no. 7
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