The Twelve Days of Christmas Catechism

Join Archbishop Jerome this Christmas season for a spiritual journey through the Twelve Days of Christmas, uncovering the hidden catechetical meaning behind this beloved carol. Each day’s reflection explores the virtues, teachings, and mysteries symbolized by the song’s “gifts,” drawing us closer to Christ and the abundant blessings of our faith. Rooted in Scripture and tradition, these meditations invite us to deepen our devotion, reflect on God’s call to holiness, and carry the light of Christmas into our daily lives.

The Twelve Days of Christmas: A Catechetical Journey

The Twelve Days of Christmas is often regarded as a joyful and whimsical carol, but beneath its festive melody lies a profound catechetical purpose. Traditionally celebrated from Christmas Day to the Feast of the Epiphany, these twelve days mark a time of spiritual reflection and renewal, inviting the faithful to delve deeper into the mysteries of Christ’s Incarnation and the truths of the Christian faith.

Historical tradition suggests that during the penal times in England, when Catholic practice was outlawed, the Twelve Days of Christmas served as a covert catechism. Its seemingly playful verses concealed a deeper meaning, allowing the faithful to teach and remember essential elements of their faith. Each “gift” in the carol represents a specific truth: the virtues, sacraments, commandments, and foundational doctrines of the Church. These symbolic gifts provided a way for the faithful to maintain their religious identity in a time of persecution.

This series of meditations by Archbishop Jerome, builds on the carol’s catechetical foundation, offering reflections rooted in Scripture and sacred tradition. Each day highlights the spiritual significance of the “gift,” guiding the faithful to consider its meaning in the light of Christ’s saving work. Through these meditations, we are reminded of the riches of God’s grace, the beauty of His Church, and the call to live as faithful disciples. May this journey through the Twelve Days of Christmas inspire a deeper understanding of the faith and renew our joy in the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Lumen Gentium VIII: What’s in a name?

A repeat series of conferences by His Grace for Advent through to Candlemas exploring the Sunday liturgies, the themes, Scripture lessons, Propers and customs of the Traditional Latin Rite. Titled “Lumen gentium” (light to the nations) the series will continue after Advent into the New Year through Christmas and Epiphany to Candlemas.

What is it Holy Mother Church wants us to experience, to believe, to live from the worship she has developed and offered over two thousand years to adore and glorify God? What is she asking us to believe about God, about ourselves in relationship with Him and what does this mean for our lives and how and why we should worship Him and manifest this belief in our lives?

Taking the Proper (Latin: proprium) of the Mass i.e. those variable parts of the liturgy reflecting the liturgical season, or of a particular saint or significant event; the Archbishop will explain the Scriptural derivation, context and thus relevance to the theme of the liturgy. From the Introit through to the Communion Antiphon, the Archbishop will explain the origins of the verses and the “anamnesis” i.e. what we are supposed to remember or recall of God’s saving deeds.

His Grace will also take us through the lections i.e. the readings of the Mass, using exegesis to explain the context and thus the relevance of the reading to the theme of the liturgy. Part bible-study and part spiritual reflection, the Archbishop will draw out the themes Holy Church wishes us to understand from the Scriptures.

Finally, His Grace will explain how all this information may be relevant to our lives as Christians; what it means for worship, what it means for our understanding and knowledge, what it means for our lives and the application of these lessons to our living out of the Faith. If there’s time… His Grace will take questions live from viewers in the comments!

THE HOLY NAME

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THE EPIPHANY (PART II)

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THE EPIPHANY (PART I)

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THE CHRISTMAS OCTAVE

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ADVENT IV

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ADVENT III

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ADVENT II

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ADVENT I

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Please note that all material on this website is the Intellectual Property (IP) of His Grace, the Titular Archbishop of Selsey and protected by Copyright and Intellectual Property laws of the United Kingdom, United States and International law. Reproduction and distribution without written authorisation of the owner is prohibited.

(©)The Titular Archbishop of Selsey Ltd 2012-2023. All Rights Reserved.

Lumen Gentium VII: Epiphany (Part II)

A repeat series of conferences by His Grace for Advent through to Candlemas exploring the Sunday liturgies, the themes, Scripture lessons, Propers and customs of the Traditional Latin Rite. Titled “Lumen gentium” (light to the nations) the series will continue after Advent into the New Year through Christmas and Epiphany to Candlemas.

What is it Holy Mother Church wants us to experience, to believe, to live from the worship she has developed and offered over two thousand years to adore and glorify God? What is she asking us to believe about God, about ourselves in relationship with Him and what does this mean for our lives and how and why we should worship Him and manifest this belief in our lives?

Taking the Proper (Latin: proprium) of the Mass i.e. those variable parts of the liturgy reflecting the liturgical season, or of a particular saint or significant event; the Archbishop will explain the Scriptural derivation, context and thus relevance to the theme of the liturgy. From the Introit through to the Communion Antiphon, the Archbishop will explain the origins of the verses and the “anamnesis” i.e. what we are supposed to remember or recall of God’s saving deeds.

His Grace will also take us through the lections i.e. the readings of the Mass, using exegesis to explain the context and thus the relevance of the reading to the theme of the liturgy. Part bible-study and part spiritual reflection, the Archbishop will draw out the themes Holy Church wishes us to understand from the Scriptures.

Finally, His Grace will explain how all this information may be relevant to our lives as Christians; what it means for worship, what it means for our understanding and knowledge, what it means for our lives and the application of these lessons to our living out of the Faith. If there’s time… His Grace will take questions live from viewers in the comments!

THE EPIPHANY (PART II)

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THE EPIPHANY (PART I)

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THE CHRISTMAS OCTAVE

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ADVENT IV

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ADVENT III

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ADVENT II

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ADVENT I

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Please note that all material on this website is the Intellectual Property (IP) of His Grace, the Titular Archbishop of Selsey and protected by Copyright and Intellectual Property laws of the United Kingdom, United States and International law. Reproduction and distribution without written authorisation of the owner is prohibited.

(©)The Titular Archbishop of Selsey Ltd 2012-2023. All Rights Reserved.

Lumen Gentium VI: Epiphany (Part I)

A repeat series of conferences by His Grace for Advent through to Candlemas exploring the Sunday liturgies, the themes, Scripture lessons, Propers and customs of the Traditional Latin Rite. Titled “Lumen gentium” (light to the nations) the series will continue after Advent into the New Year through Christmas and Epiphany to Candlemas.

What is it Holy Mother Church wants us to experience, to believe, to live from the worship she has developed and offered over two thousand years to adore and glorify God? What is she asking us to believe about God, about ourselves in relationship with Him and what does this mean for our lives and how and why we should worship Him and manifest this belief in our lives?

Taking the Proper (Latin: proprium) of the Mass i.e. those variable parts of the liturgy reflecting the liturgical season, or of a particular saint or significant event; the Archbishop will explain the Scriptural derivation, context and thus relevance to the theme of the liturgy. From the Introit through to the Communion Antiphon, the Archbishop will explain the origins of the verses and the “anamnesis” i.e. what we are supposed to remember or recall of God’s saving deeds.

His Grace will also take us through the lections i.e. the readings of the Mass, using exegesis to explain the context and thus the relevance of the reading to the theme of the liturgy. Part bible-study and part spiritual reflection, the Archbishop will draw out the themes Holy Church wishes us to understand from the Scriptures.

Finally, His Grace will explain how all this information may be relevant to our lives as Christians; what it means for worship, what it means for our understanding and knowledge, what it means for our lives and the application of these lessons to our living out of the Faith. If there’s time… His Grace will take questions live from viewers in the comments!

THE EPIPHANY (PART I)

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THE CHRISTMAS OCTAVE

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ADVENT IV

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ADVENT III

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ADVENT II

YouTube player

ADVENT I

YouTube player

Please note that all material on this website is the Intellectual Property (IP) of His Grace, the Titular Archbishop of Selsey and protected by Copyright and Intellectual Property laws of the United Kingdom, United States and International law. Reproduction and distribution without written authorisation of the owner is prohibited.

(©)The Titular Archbishop of Selsey Ltd 2012-2023. All Rights Reserved.

Lumen Gentium V: The Christmas Octave

A repeat series of conferences by His Grace for Advent through to Candlemas exploring the Sunday liturgies, the themes, Scripture lessons, Propers and customs of the Traditional Latin Rite. Titled “Lumen gentium” (light to the nations) the series will continue after Advent into the New Year through Christmas and Epiphany to Candlemas.

What is it Holy Mother Church wants us to experience, to believe, to live from the worship she has developed and offered over two thousand years to adore and glorify God? What is she asking us to believe about God, about ourselves in relationship with Him and what does this mean for our lives and how and why we should worship Him and manifest this belief in our lives?

Taking the Proper (Latin: proprium) of the Mass i.e. those variable parts of the liturgy reflecting the liturgical season, or of a particular saint or significant event; the Archbishop will explain the Scriptural derivation, context and thus relevance to the theme of the liturgy. From the Introit through to the Communion Antiphon, the Archbishop will explain the origins of the verses and the “anamnesis” i.e. what we are supposed to remember or recall of God’s saving deeds.

His Grace will also take us through the lections i.e. the readings of the Mass, using exegesis to explain the context and thus the relevance of the reading to the theme of the liturgy. Part bible-study and part spiritual reflection, the Archbishop will draw out the themes Holy Church wishes us to understand from the Scriptures.

Finally, His Grace will explain how all this information may be relevant to our lives as Christians; what it means for worship, what it means for our understanding and knowledge, what it means for our lives and the application of these lessons to our living out of the Faith. If there’s time… His Grace will take questions live from viewers in the comments!

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