Among the saints whom the Church recognizes as authentic mystical witnesses, St. Bridget of Sweden stands with singular clarity. A wife, mother, widow, and later a religious foundress, she lived in the fourteenth century and was granted profound revelations concerning the life, Passion, and interior sufferings of Our Lord Jesus Christ, as well as the sorrow and love of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her visions and locutions were carefully examined by ecclesiastical authority, and her Revelationes were received by the Church as trustworthy private revelations.

In many Filipino homes, the image of the Santo Niño is never far from view. Sometimes He stands quietly on a shelf or home altar, dressed in red and gold. Sometimes He is carried in joyful procession, lifted high above a sea of dancing feet. Always, He is loved—not as a distant symbol, but as a presence deeply woven into daily life.

The Church teaches clearly that Satan is real—and that he does not cease in his efforts to tempt, confuse, discourage, and quietly draw souls away from God, often targeting not only individuals but entire families. His attacks are rarely dramatic; more often, they come through daily temptations, division, fear, spiritual apathy, and subtle compromises that weaken our love for Christ. For this reason, praying daily for protection against the influence of Satan is essential, especially for the protection of our families.

The Epiphany is often remembered for its movement—the star that lights the sky, the Magi traveling from afar, and the nations approaching the Christ Child. Yet in the house at Bethlehem, everything grows still. Mary, the first adorer, watches silently as the Magi fall to their knees, offering gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Her quiet adoration does not overshadow the Child; it reveals Him, holding the mystery of His kingship, divinity, and future suffering within her heart. Through her maternal presence, the nations encounter the King, and the Epiphany becomes not only a revelation to the world but a Marian mystery lived interiorly.