December 25, 2025, December 25, 2025, Christmas, Mass during the Day: Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18
From a sermon by Saint Leo the Great, pope, “Christian, remember your dignity”
“Dearly beloved, today our Savior is born; let us rejoice. Sadness should have no place on the birthday of life. The fear of death has been swallowed up; life brings us joy with the promise of eternal happiness.
No one is shut out from this joy; all share the same reason for rejoicing. Our Lord, victor over sin and death, finding no man free from sin, came to free us all. Let the saint rejoice as he sees the palm of victory at hand. Let the sinner be glad as he receives the offer of forgiveness. Let the pagan take courage as he is summoned to life.
In the fullness of time, chosen in the unfathomable depths of God’s wisdom, the Son of God took for himself our common humanity in order to reconcile it with its creator. He came to overthrow the devil, the origin of death, in that very nature by which he had overthrown mankind.
And so at the birth of our Lord the angels sing in joy: Glory to God in the highest, and they proclaim peace to his people on earth as they see the heavenly Jerusalem being built from all the nations of the world. When the angels on high are so exultant at this marvelous work of God’s goodness, what joy should it not bring to the lowly hearts of men…”
The sisters joyfully send their heartfelt Advent and Blessed Christmas greetings of peace to all family members and friends. We deeply appreciate your ongoing prayers and generous financial support. May the miracle of Christ’s birth fill your heart with lasting joy, and may His abundant blessings guide you and your loved ones throughout the coming year of 2026.
Pope Leo XIV – Intentions for the month of December 2025: Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention focuses on the importance of education for migrants, refugees, and those affected by war, emphasizing the need for their right to education to be respected.
Overview of the Intention
Pope Leo XIV has entrusted specific prayer intentions for each month, and for December 2025, the intention highlights the critical role of education in building a better world. The intention calls for prayers that migrants, refugees, and those affected by conflict may have their right to education upheld, which is essential for personal development and societal progress. (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)
“BE DOERS OF THE WORD,” by Bishop James S. Wall, Bishop of the Gallup diocese 2024: “Most Rev. James S. Wall, Bishop of Gallup discusses his special connection to the diocese and his experience as bishop in this unique diocese. Bishop Wall also talks about how the Catholic Home Missions Appeal helps provide the faithful of his diocese with the most basic things and why contributing to the Collection is so important. Bishop Wall’s diocese also has the highest percentage of Native American lands of any diocese in the country, he briefly discusses how the Church can minister to Native Americans through the Pastoral Framework for Indigenous Ministry “Keeping Christ’s Sacred Promise”.
MISSION STATEMENT –The Monastery of Our Lady of the Desert is a monastic community of women in the Benedictine tradition. We profess vows of stability, conversion of life and obedience. Our primary mission, is to seek God through a life of prayer, silence and solitude. Our way of life frees us to give glory and praise to God, intercede through prayer for the needs of the world and hospitality