In modern German, the phrase literally means “May God greet you,” but this isn’t the original meaning of the word — the verb grüßen originally meant segnen (i.e., “to bless.”) ...

Sunday, Jan. 1, is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Mass Readings: Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21. To mark the feast of the Mother of God, the first ...