Father Matthew Tomeny, MIC, opens his homily by declaring that the true test of love which distinguishes Christians is the love of the enemy. He reminds us that Christ commands this love, and that it is the hallmark that sets the Church apart from both believers and non‑believers. By examining the lives of the saints, we see that genuine love is measured not by affection but by the willingness to wish the good of the other, especially their salvation, even when that person has caused us great pain.

The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010526.cfm On this twelfth day of Christmas, Fr. Matthew Tomeny, MIC reflects on the memorial of St. John Neumann—a man small in stature but immense in his love for Christ and His people. Born in Bohemia and ordained at a time when Europe had more priests than it needed, St. John Neumann heard a different call: to bring the Sacraments to Catholics scattered across a young and growing America.

With Fr. Matthew Tomeny. The manutergium is used by the newly ordained priest to wipe his hands of the blessed chrism oil after he is ordained. He gives it to his mother, and custom has it that she will be buried with it.