You're all familiar with the Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas." If you listen to the words very carefully, it seems like nonsense set to rhyme and music. However, it was written for a serious purpose.
Catholics in England during the period 1558 to 1829,were prohibited by law to practice their faith in public or private. In other words, it was illegal to be Catholic. "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written in England as one of the "catechism songs" to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith. In short, it was a memory aid. The song’s gifts are hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith. The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor; it refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge much in the memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so..."
The other symbols mean the following: 1 Partridge in a Pear Tree = Jesus Christ, Son of God 2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments 3 French Hens = Faith, Hopeand Charity, the Theological Virtues 4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists 5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace. 6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation 7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments 8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes 9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit 10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments 11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles 12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
JAZZHAPPENSBAND returns to St. Margaret's!!! Mark your calendars for an enjoyable evening with our favorite Jazz/ Dixieland band, SATURDAY, JAN. 13th. Tickets will go on sale next weekend and will also be available at the door. Offering: $10. Come and celebrate and chase the winter "blues" away!
A "TEACHING MASS" ...On Sunday, January 21 at 6:00 p.m., I will celebrate a Mass for our Faith Formation students in Grades 6-10 and their parents. During the Mass, I will give a detailed explanationof the various parts of the Mass. This Mass is open to all parishioners and will satisfy your Sunday obligation.