"In the middle of the Christmas Octave this year, on Dec. 28, we will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the death and birth into eternal life of the great French doctor of the Church, St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622). The patron saint of journalists and an avid apostle of the sanctity of the laity, he is one of the most revered bishops, apologists, reevangelizers, spiritual writers and directors of souls in Catholic Church history. . . .
"In a couple of Christmas homilies, St. Francis de Sales explores the initially surprising connection between Christmas and the manna God rained down for the Israelites in the desert. Prior to God's giving this heavenly bread for the first time, Moses had told the grumbling children of Israel, 'In the morning you shall see his glory' (Exodus 16:7), and St. Francis used it as an analogy for what the angels said to the Bethlehem shepherds in the cave at night and what the Church says to us at the Christmas vigil."
In a recent commentary, Father Roger Landry (a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, MA, and national chaplain for Catholic Voices USA)
reflected on the encouragement we receive from St. Francis de Sales to avail ourselves of this Christmas manna - Holy Communion - regularly (daily, if possible).
To access Fr. Landry's complete essay, please visit:
National Catholic Register: Commentary: Father Roger Landry: Christmas Manna and St. Francis de Sales (25 DEC 22)
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