Patrick William Riordan (August 27, 1841 – December 27, 1914) was a Roman Catholic priest and the second Archbishop of San Francisco. Riordan (1841–1914) was born in Chatham, New Brunswick, on August 27, 1841, to Matthew Riordan and Mary Dunne. Riordan studied at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana; the Pontifical North American College in Rome; the Colonial Seminary in Paris; and the American College of the Immaculate Conception, Leuven, Belgium. He was a member of the... Read more

Great King, from heaven’s high throne descending low, In Bethlehem’s stable born in cold and woe, Thou shiverest in a manger, Babe Divine, Much hast Thou born for sins: how much for mine! St. Alphonsus Liguori Read more

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The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and earth, by Velazquez. Read more

Dear Friends, A Merry Christmas to you all, and a happy and healthy New Year! Sincerely,Pat McNamara Read more

Could we possibly choose anything else for Christmas? Read more

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Lacking samite and sable, Lacking silver and gold,The prince Jesus in the poor stable Slept, and was three hours old. As doves by the fair water, Mary, not touched of sin, Sat by Him,– the King’s daughter, All glorious within. May Probyn, A Christmas Carol (19th cent.) Read more

On this day, Pope Leo XIII issued two encyclicals: Exeunte Iam Anno (On Right Ordering of Christian Life) December 25, 1888; Quum Diuturnum (On the Latin American Bishops’ Plenary Council) December 25, 1898. Read more