Saints of the Week – December 20 – 26

St. Stephen

Sunday, December 20 – 4^th Sunday in Advent

St. Dominic of Silos (1073), Abbot, Patron Saint of Captives (Historical)

Sts. Abraham, Isaac & Jacob, Old Testament Patriarchs (Historical)

Monday, December 21

St. Peter Canisius (1597), Priest, Doctor of the Church (New)

St. Thomas (1^st Century), Apostle, Martyr, Baptized the Magi (Traditional)

Tuesday, December 22

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (1917), Virgin, Religious Sister, Foundress of Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, Patroness of Immigrants (Traditional)

Sts. Chaeremon & Ischyrion (3^rd Century), Martyrs (Historical)

Wednesday, December 23

St. John of Kanty (John Cantius) (1473), Priest, Patron Saint of Poland (New)

St. Yvo of Chartres (1115), Bishop (Historical)

St. Servulus (590), Beggar (Historical)

Thursday, December 24 – Vigil of Christmas

Sts. Adam & Eve (First Age of the World) (Historical)

St. Adele (1137), Widow (Historical)

Friday, December 25 – The Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ – Holy Day of Obligation

St. Anastasia (304), Martyr (Traditional)

Saturday, December 26 – Second Day in the Octave of Christmas

St. Stephen (35), the First Martyr, Patron Saint of Stonemasons (New, Traditional)

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Saints of the Week – December 13 – 19

St. Adelaide

Sunday, December 13 – 3^rd Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday

St. Lucy (304), Virgin, Martyr, Patron Saint of the Blind

St. Odilia (702), Virgin, Patron Saint of Alsace, invoked against blindness (Historical)

Monday, December 14

Sts. Nicasius, Bishop and Eutropia, his sister (5^th Century) (Historical)

St. Venantius Fortunatus (605), Bishop (Historical)

Tuesday, December 15

St. Christiana (Nino) (4^th Century), Virgin, Abbess of Georgia (Asia) (Historical)

Wednesday, December 16 – Ember Wednesday in Advent

St. Eusebius of Vercelli (371), Bishop, Martyr

St. Adelaide (999), Queen of Italy, Patron Saint of Large Families (Historical)

Sts. Ananias, Azarius & Misael (7^th Century, BC), Companions of Daniel (Historical)

Thursday, December 17

St. Olympias (410) Widow (Historical)

St. Lazarus (1^st Century), whom our Lord raised from the dead, brother of Sts. Martha & Mary Magdalen (Historical)

Friday, December 18 – Ember Friday in Advent

St. Gatian (3^rd Century), Bishop of Tours (Historical)

Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (c. 1 BC) (Historical)

Saturday, December 19 – Ember Saturday in Advent

Blessed Urban V (1370), Pope (Historical)

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Third Sunday of Advent

St. Lucy

December 13 – Third Sunday of Advent, Feast Day of St. Lucy

On this day the Church urges us to gladness in the middle of this time of expectation and penance.  The coming of Jesus approaches more and more.  St. John, the holy precursor, announces to the Jews the coming of the Savior.  “The Savior,” he says to them, “lives already among us, though unknown.  He will soon appear openly.”  Now is the time for fervent prayers and for imploring Jesus to remain with us by His mercy.  Let us prepare the way for Him by repentance and penance and by a worthy reception of the Sacraments.  All the prayers of this Mass are filled with what the Church wishes our souls to possess at the approach of the Savior.

Aurem tuam quasumus, Domine, precibus nostris accommoda: et mentis nostrae tenebras, gratia tuae visitationis illustra: Qui vivis et regnas.

Incline Thine ear, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to our petitions: and, by the grace of Thy visitation, enlighten the darkness of our minds: Who livest and reignest.

Epistle (Phil. 4:4-7)

“The Lord is nigh” says St. Paul, “rejoice in the Lord.”  May our faith and hope in Jesus Christ our Lord always increase!

Brethren, rejoice in the Lord always: again, I say, rejoice.  Let you modesty be known to all men.  The Lord is nigh.  Be nothing solicitous: but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Gospel (Jn. 1:19-28)

St. John, the Precursor of our Lord, announces the coming of the Messias, tells of His Majesty and greatness, and effaces himself before Him, for “he gives testimony of the true Light, Who is Jesus.”

At that time the Jews sent from Jerusalem Priests and Levites to John, to ask him: Who art thou?  And he confessed, and did not deny: and he confessed: I am not the Christ.  And they asked him: What then?  Art thou Elias?  And he said: I am not.  Art thou the prophet?  And he answered: No.  They said therefore unto him: Who art thou, that we may give an answer to them that sent us?  What sayest thou of thyself?  He said: I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaias.  And they that were sent, were of the Pharisees.  And they asked him, and said to him: Why then dost thou baptize, if thou be not Christ, nor Elias, nor the prophet?  John answered them, saying: I baptize with water; but there hath stood one in the midst of you, whom you know not.  The same is he that shall come after me, who is preferred before me: the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to loose.  These things were done in Bethania, beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

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Saints of the Week, December 6 – 12

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Second Sunday of Advent

St. Nicholas (350), Bishop, Patron Saint of children, bakers, pawnbrokers, mariners, and Russians (New, Traditional)

Monday, December 7, 2009

St. Ambrose (397), Bishop, Doctor of the Church, Patron Saint of candle makers (New, Traditional)

Vigil of the Immaculate Conception (Historical)

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 – Holy Day of Obligation

Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Patroness of the U.S.A. (New, Traditional)

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

St. Juan Diego  (Cuatitloatzin) (1548), saw Our Lady of Guadalupe (New)

St. Leocadia (304), Virgin, Martyr, Patron Saint of Toledo, Spain (Historical)

Thursday, December 10, 2009

St. Melchiades (314), Pope, Martyr (Traditional)

Our Lady of Loreto (Historical)

St. Romaric (653), Abbot (Historical)

Friday, December 11, 2009

St. Damasus I (384), Pope (New, Traditional)

Our Lady, Queen of the Angels (1212), Paris (Historical)

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Our Lady of Guadalupe (1531), Empress of the Americas (New, Traditional/some places)

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The Second Sunday of Advent

St. Nicholas

Feast of St. Nicholas (350), Bishop, Patron Saint of children, bakers, pawnbrokers, mariners, and Russians (New, Traditional)

Numerous allusions appear in the Liturgy of this day to Jerusalem and her people.  Let us be filled with sentiments of hope and of joy, for the coming of Jesus is near.  Let us prepare the way in our hearts for the Messiahs, our Lord and the Redeemer Jesus Christ.

Excita, Dómine, corda nostra ad præparandas Unigéniti tui vias: ut per ejus advéntum purificátis tibi méntibus servire mereámur: Qui tecum vivit et regnat.

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the ways of Thine only-begotten Son: That through His coming we may deserve to serve Thee with purified minds: Who with thee liveth and reigneth.

Epistle (Rom 15:4-13)

Brethren, what things soever were written, were written for our learning: that through patience and the comfort of the scriptures, we might have hope.  Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of one mind one towards another, according to Jesus Christ: That with one mind, and with one mouth, you may glorify God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Wherefore receive one another, as Christ also hath received you unto the honour of God.  For I say that Christ Jesus was minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.  But that the Gentiles are to glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: Therefore will I confess to thee, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and will sing to thy name.  And again he saith: Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.  And again: Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and magnify him, all ye people.  And again Isaias saith: There shall be a root of Jesse; and he that shall rise up to rule the Gentiles, in him the Gentiles shall hope.  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing; that you may abound in hope, and in the power of the Holy Ghost.

Gospel (Mt. 11:2-10)

At that time, when John had heard in prison the works of Christ: sending two of his disciples he said to Him:  Art Thou He that art to come, or look we for another?  And Jesus making answer said to them: Go and relate to John what you have heard and seen.  The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, the poor have the gospel preached to them: and blessed is he that shall not be scandalized in Me.  And when they went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: What went you out into the desert to see?  A reed shaken with the wind?  But what went you out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments? Behold they that are clothed in soft garments are in the houses of kings.  But what went you out to see?  A prophet?  Yea I tell you, and more than a Prophet.  For this is he of whom it is written: Behold I send my Angel before Thy face, who shall prepare Thy way before Thee.

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Saints of the Week, Nov 29 – Dec 5

St. Francis Xavier

Sunday, November 29^th – 1^st Sunday of Advent

St. Saturninus (303), Priest, Martyr (Traditional)

 

Monday, November 30, 2009

St. Andrew (63), Apostle, Martyr, Patron Saint of fishermen, Russia and Scotland (New, Traditional)

St. Maura (4^th Century), Virgin, Martyr (Historical)

 

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

St. Edmund Campion (1581), Priest, Martyr, Parton Saint of Press (Historical)

St. Eligius (660), Bishop, Apostle of Flanders, Patron Saint of Metalworkers and Jewelers (Historical)

 

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

St. Bibiana (Viviana) (4^th Century), Virgin, Martyr, Patron Saint of Single Women (Traditional)

 

Thursday, December 3, 2009

St. Francis Xavier (1552), Priest, Patron Saint of Foreign Missions (New, Traditional)

 

Friday, December 4, 2009 – First Friday

St. John Damascene (749), Priest, Doctor of the Church (New)

St. Peter Chrysologus (450), Bishop, Doctor of the Church (Traditional)

St. Barbara (4^th Century), Virgin, Martyr, invoked against lightening (Traditional)

 

Saturday, December 5, 2009 – First Saturday

St. Sabbas (532), Abbot (Traditional)

St. Gerald (1109), Bishop of Braga (Historical)

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The First Sunday of Advent

Joseph and Mary Travel to Bethlehem

This First Sunday of Advent, or the Fourth Sunday before Christmas, is the first day of the Liturgical Year.  The Mass prepares us this day for the double coming of mercy and justice.  That is why St. Paul tells us, in the Epistle, to cast off sin in order that, being ready for the coming of Christ as our Savior, we may also be ready for His coming as our Judge, of which we learn in the Gospel.  Let us prepare ourselves, by pious aspirations and by the reformation of our lives, for this twofold coming.  Jesus our Lord will reward those who yearn for Him and await Him: “Those who trust in Him shall not be confounded.”

The Lord is coming; I place myself in His presence and go to meet Him with all the energy of my will.

Ad te levavi animam meam: Deus meus, in te confide, non erubescam: neque irrideant me inimici mei: etenim universi, qui te expectant, non confundentur.  Vias tuas, Domine, demonstra mihi: et semitas tuas edoce me.  Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.  Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et simper, et in saecula saeculorum.  Amen.

To Thee have I lifted up my soul: in Thee, O my God, I put my trust, let me not be ashamed: neither let my enemies laugh at me: for none of them that wait on Thee shall be confounded.  Show, O Lord, Thy ways to me: and teach me Thy paths.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.  As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.

Epistle (Rom. 13:11-14)

It is now the hour for us to rise from sleep…Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness…and walk honestly.

Brethren, knowing that it is now the hour for us to rise from sleep.  For now our salvation is nearer that we believed.  That night is passed and the day is at hand.  Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light.  Let us walk honestly, as in the day: not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and impurities, not in contention and envy: but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Deo gratias.

Thanks be to God.

Gospel (Lk. 21:25-33)

We learn in this Gospel of the second coming of Christ: to render to each according to his works.

At that time Jesus said to His disciples: There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the roaring sea and of the waves: men withering away for fear and expectation of what shall come upon the whole world.  For the powers of heaven shall be moved.  And then they shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud with great power and majesty.  But when these things begin to come to pass, look up and lift your heads, because your redemption is at hand.  And He spoke to them a similitude: See the fig tree and all the trees: when they now shoot forth their fruit, you know that summer is nigh.  So you also, when you shall see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is at hand.  Amen, I say to you, this generation shall not pass away till all things be fulfilled.  Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away.

Laus tibi, Christe.

Praise be to Thee, O Christ.

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The First Christmas

"The Nativity" - Federico Barocci, 1597

From the Gospel of St. Luke:

Now it came to pass in those days, that there went forth a decree from Caesar Augustus that a census of the whole world should be taken.  This first census took place while Cyrinus was governor of Syria.  And all went to register, each to his own town.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem – because he was of the house and family of David – to register with Mary, his espoused wife, who was with child.  And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds in the same district living in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them and the glory of God shone round about them; and they trembled with great fear.

And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people; for this day is born to you in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth among men of good will.”

And it came to pass, after the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”

So they went with haste, and they found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger.  And when they had seen, they understood what had been told them concerning this child.  And all who heard marveled at the things told them by the shepherds.  But Mary kept in mind all these words, pondering them in her heart.  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

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November 21 – Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Presentation of Mary

As soon as she could walk, Mary was brought to the Temple by her holy parents, Joachim and Anne.  With what an ecstasy of delight she must have entered into the Temple, crying out: “How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts; my soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord.” (Psalm 83:1,2)  Have I any of the same desire to consecrate my life to the Lord?

Deus, qui beatam Mariam sempet Virginem, Spiritus Sancti habitacculum, hodierna die in templo praesentari voluisti: praesta, quaesentari voluisti: praesta quaesumus; ut, ejus intercessione, in templo gloriae tuae praesentari mereamur.  Per Dominum nostrum.

O God, Who didst will that this day the ever blessed Virgin Mary, dwelling-place of the Holy Ghost, should be presented in the temple: grant, we beseech Thee, that through her intercession, we may be worthy to be presented in the temple of Thy glory.  Through our Lord.

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November 15 – 24th Sunday after Pentecost

St. Albert the Great

Today is the feast day of St. Albert the Great, Bishop, Doctor of the Church, Patron Saint of Scientists.

Our mother the Catholic and Roman Church is permeated with the word of Christ, and is admirably represented by the three measures of meal, which the energy of fermentation wholly leavened; and by the mustard tree, the greatest of species, where the birds of heaven are glad to find shelter.  May the “leaven” of the doctrine of Jesus penetrate and transform our souls!

Praesta, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus: ut semper rationabilia meditants, quae tibi sunt placita, et dictis exsequamur, et factis.  Per Dominum nostrum.

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that thinking everything over in our minds, we may accomplish, both in words and works, that which is pleasing to Thy sight.  Through our Lord.

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