Homily of Saint John Chrysostom for Epiphany

When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying: Where is that is born king of the Jews. For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to adore him.

Isaias had foretold that this would come to pass, saying: The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Madian and Apha: all they from Saba shall come, bringing gold and frankincense: and showing forth praise to the Lord.[Isa. 60: 6] This is He, Christ the Lord, Whom the Magi, having seen the sign of the star, announce as the King of the Jews.

Things unheard of, and exceeding the measure of human astonishment, all took place together at the Birth of Our Lord. An angel appears and speaks to Zachary, promising that to Elizabeth, his wife, a son will be born, and he, not believing the angel, is stricken dumb: she that was sterile conceives: in the womb of a Virgin a Child takes life. John, inspired in his mother’s womb, leaps for joy: Christ the Lord New-Born is announced by an angel. He is proclaimed by the shepherds as the salvation of the world. Angels exult, the shepherds rejoice. Upon this glorious nativity joy and gladness rise up both in heaven and on earth.

The new sign of a star in the heavens is pointed out to the Magi; through this sign it is made known to them that the Lord of the heavens is born King of the Jews; He of Whom it was written: A star shall rise out of Jacob and a sceptre shall spring up from Israel[Numbers 24: 17], so that from the symbol of a star the union of man with the Son of God, of human nature with the divine, might become known.

Thus it was the Lord spoke of Himself in the Apocalypse: I am the root and stock of David, the bright and morning star[Apoc. 22: 16] for in the rising of His own Nativity, the night of ignorance being scattered, He shines forth, the bright and morning star, unto the salvation of the world; the splendour of Whose light reaching also to the hearts of the Magi, filled them with spiritual light, so that by the sign of the new-risen star they know the Creator of heaven as the King of the Jews.

The Magi, teachers of a false faith, could never have come to know Christ Our Lord, had they not been illumined by the grace of this divine condescension. Indeed the grace of God overflowed at the Birth of Christ, so that each single soul might be enlightened by His Truth. The Magi are enlightened so that the goodness of God may be made manifest: so that no one need despair, doubting that salvation through faith will be given to him, seeing He bestowed it on the Magi. The Magi therefore were the first from the Gentiles chosen for salvation, so that through them a door might be opened to all the Gentiles.

But perhaps someone will wonder how it was that the Magi knew of the Lord’s Nativity from the sign of a star? In the first place we say that this was a gift of the divine goodness. Then we read in the books of Moses that there was a certain prophet of the Gentiles, Balaam, who foretold in definite words the coming of Christ and His incarnation from a virgin. For among other things he said: A star shall rise out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall spring up from Israel. The Wise men, who saw the new star in the East, are said to be descendants of this Balaam, a prophet from the Gentiles. And seeing the sign of the new star they accordingly believed, knowing that the prophecy of their ancestor was fulfilled: in this showing themselves to be not alone his descendants in the flesh, but the heirs also to his faith. Balaam their prophet beheld the Star in spirit; with their eyes they saw It, and believed. He by prophecy foretold that Christ would come, they with the vision of faith knew that He had come.

Relics of the Magi are to this day in Cologne, Germany's Cathedral. Image (c) A Catholic Life Blog, 2016.

Then they came straightaway to Herod, saying: Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and have come to adore Him. They sought the Lord Christ, born King of the Jews, among those from whose race they knew that Balaam had prophesied He would come. But the faith of the Magi is the condemnation of the Jews. They believed on the authority of their one prophet, these others refused to believe many prophets. The former knew that through the Coming of Christ their magic arts were ended, the latter refused to accept the mysteries of the divine dispensation. They confessed a Stranger; the Jews rejected their own. He came unto His own, and his own received Him not. And this same star was seen by all, but not by all understood. As Our Lord and Saviour was truly born for all, as Man He was born for all men, not by all was He received, nor understood by all. He was understood by the Gentiles, He was not understood by the Jews; acknowledged by the Church, He was denied by the Synagogue.

When therefore the Magi, after the splendid toil of their long journey, had come to Jerusalem seeking the King of the Jews, immediately, says the Evangelist, King Herod, and with him all Jerusalem, was disturbed by the fervent faith of the Magi. The Chiefs of the Priests and the Scribes of the people are gathered together. They are asked: where Christ should be born. They answer: in Bethlehem of Juda, for so it is written by the prophet: And thou Bethlehem the land of Juda are not the least among the princes of Juda. For out of thee shall come forth etc. Herod therefore, and the men of Jerusalem, knowingly, they were not ignorant, reject Christ the Lord. For they sought the testimony of the prophets, when they searched out where Christ would be born.

This place, Bethlehem, where the Lord was born, had received a name of prophecy. For Bethlehem is interpreted: House of Bread; because the Son of God Who was to be born here is the Bread of Life, as He himself said in His Gospel: I am the Living Bread that came down from heaven. This too is the place that is spoken of elsewhere by the prophet: God will come from the south, and the Holy One from Mount Pharan.[Habacuc 3: 3] These words describe the site and aspect of the place. The words of this prophet agree with the previous prophecy for, after the words of Micheas saying: Out of thee He shall go forth the ruler in Israel, there is added: And his going forth is from the beginning, from the days of eternity;[Micheas 5: 2] so that, contrary to Photinus, it is not to be supposed that the Lord had a beginning only from the moment in which He was born of the Virgin. For it is clearly shown that He is from the beginning of days, and that He is the Lord, Who was born in Bethlehem.
Then the Evangelist continues: Herod calling etc.

Herod the evil king, while he feared for the kingdom which he unjustly held, became the betrayer of the eternal King. For this Herod was neither of the Tribe of Juda, nor the House of David, and occupied the kingdom of the Jews by guile; and, by favour of the Romans, ruled it as tyrant. Accordingly he began to lie in wait for the Lord, Whom he now learns from the Jews is born King of the Jews. He inquires of them the time of the star’s appearance, then sends them on their way to Bethlehem, as if he too desired to come and adore. He pretends solicitude to conceal his treachery. For he had in mind, not to adore, but to slay the Lord.

The Magi meanwhile, guided by the star, arrive at the place where the Child was, and there they knew the Creator of heaven. They sought not the guidance of a man because they had received from heaven the guidance of a star. Neither could they go astray, who were inquiring for the True Way, which is Christ the Lord Who has said: I am the way, the truth, the life. With ever new wonder the star travels in the sky above them, and for the whole journey does not leave them, and at an equal pace they come together to Bethlehem, and there the star, standing still points out the Lord Our Saviour, the Only Son of God.

The Evangelist relates: And seeing the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And entering in to the house ….

Let us now see, after the star had come to rest, after the journey of the Magi, what wondrous dignity accompanies the Newborn King. For immediately the Magi, falling down before the Lord, adore Him Newlyborn, and lying in a Manger, and offering gifts they venerate the Infancy of a weeping Babe. With the eyes of their body they saw one thing, another with the eyes of the mind. The lowliness of the assumed Body is before their eyes, yet the glory of the Divinity is not concealed. It is a Child that is adored. And together with it the unspeakable mystery of the divine condescension! That invisible and eternal nature has not disdained, for our sakes, to take to Itself the infirmities of our flesh.

The Son of God, Who is the God of all things, is born a Man in body. He permits Himself to be placed in a crib, Who holds the heavens in His Hand. He is confined in a Manger whom the world cannot contain; He is heard in the voice of a wailing Infant, at Whose voice in the hour of His passion the whole earth trembled. The Magi, beholding a Child, profess that this is the Lord of Glory, the Lord of Majesty, Whom Isaias has shown was both Child and God, and King Eternal, saying: for a CHILD is born to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, God the Mighty, the Father of the World to come, the Prince of Peace.[Isa. 9: 6]

To Him the Magi offer gifts, that is: gold, frankincense and myrrh; as the Holy Spirit had in time past testified concerning them: All they from Saba shall come, bringing gold and frankincense: and showing forth praise to the Lord. This prophecy is manifestly fulfilled by the Magi, who both announce the salvation of the Lord, born Christ the Son of God, and by their gifts proclaim Him Christ and God, and King of Man. For by gold the power of a king is signified, by frankincense the honour of God, by myrrh the burial of the body; and accordingly they offer Him gold as King, frankincense as God, myrrh as Man.

David also has testified concerning these things, in this way: The Kings of Tharsis and the islands shall offer presents: the kings of the Arabians and of Saba shall bring gifts. And all kings of the earth shall adore Him: all nations shall serve Him.[Ps. 71: 10] And that he might show especially to whom these gifts would be offered, he adds: And to him shall be given of the gold of Arabia. The same David in another psalm is not silent regarding myrrh, as when speaking of the passion of the Lord, he says: Myrrh and stacte and cassia perfume thy garments.[Ps. 44: 9] Of myrrh Solomon, in the person of Christ, also speaks: I yielded a sweet odour like the best myrrh,[Ecclus. 24: 20] in which he evidently testifies concerning the sepulture of His Body, which by its most sweet and divine odour has made the whole earth fragrant. Lastly David also is seen to have foretold the Magi in figure, when he said: Ambassador’s shall come out of Egypt, Ethiopa shall soon stretch out her hand to God.[Ps. 67: 32] For since holy Scripture often speaks of this world as Egypt, rightly may we regard the Magi as the ambassadors from Egypt, who being chosen as legates for the whole world, dedicate, in the gifts they offer, the will to believe of all mankind, and the beginnings of the faith.

And after they had offered their gifts the Magi were warned that they should not return to Herod, and they went back another way into their country. In this they give us an example of virtue and faith, so that we too, having once known and adored Christ our King, and having forsaken the road that we formerly traveled, that is the way of our past errors, and travelling now another road with Christ as Guide, may return to our true country, which is Paradise, from which Adam was driven forth. Of this country the psalmist says: I will please the Lord in the land of the living.[Ps. 114: 9]

The Magi being warned return home another way, frustrating the cruelty of the tyrant; and thus the Child born King is, by the Magi, made known to men, and the treachery of the tyrant Herod is brought to nothing. That Our Lord and Saviour as a Child would thus triumph, and in the very beginning of His Infancy, Isaias had of old made prophecy: For before the Child know to call his father and mother, the strength of Damascus, and the spoils of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of the Assyrians.[Isa. 8: 4] The gold that was offered by the Magi, and which the Son of God Born a Child has received, is interpreted as the strength of Damascus; the spoils of Samaria are the Magi themselves, whom He has drawn out of the error of the superstitions of Samaria, that is, the worship of idols; and who formerly because of their false religion were the spoil of the devil, now through the knowledge of Christ have become the spoil of God. The kings of the Assyrians means Herod, or at all events the devil, against whom the Magi stood forth as adversaries, namely, by adoring the Son of God, Our Lord and Saviour, Who is blessed for ever and ever. Amen.

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Octave Day of the Epiphany

Greater Double (1954 Calendar): January 13

According to the 1962 Roman Catholic Calendar, January 13th is the Commemoration of the Baptism of Christ.  However, according to the more traditional pre-1955 Calendar, today is the Octave Day of the Epiphany. In fact, in the 1962 Calendar if January 13th falls on a Sunday the Feast of the Holy Family is celebrated in place of the Octave Day which is extremely strange and rupture with the conclusion of this traditional Octave. In such a case, the commemoration of Christ's Baptism is completely omitted for that year. Thankfully for those who prefer to pray the pre-1955 Breviary, today is kept as the Octave Day even when it falls on a Sunday (in such years the Holy Family is moved to the day before).

Of all the seasons that the Modern Novus Ordo Catholic Calendar has neglected to properly retain and celebrate, Epiphanytide has, like Ascensiontide, unfortunately, fallen by the wayside.  But, for those Catholics committed to the Sacred Traditions of the past, Epiphanytide holds a special length of time.

The Epiphany is a Privileged Octave of the 2nd Class, as is the Octave of Corpus Christi.   Make a special effort to commemorate this Octave today.  For example, pray the Sarum Rite's Compline prayers this evening for the Octave of the Epiphany.  Please click here for a PDF version.

The great Dom Gueranger explains:

A Solemnity of such importance as the Epiphany could not be without an Octave. The only Octaves, during the year, that are superior to this of the Epiphany, are those of Easter and Pentecost. It has a privilege which the Octave of Christmas has not; for no Feast can be kept during the Octave of the Epiphany, unless it be that of a Patron of first class; whereas, Feasts of a double and semi-double rite are admitted during the Christmas Octave. It would even seem, judging from the ancient Sacramentaries, that, anciently, the two days immediately following the Epiphany were Days of Obligation, as were the Monday and Tuesday of Easter and Whitsuntide. The names of the Stational Churches are given, where the Clergy and Faithful of Rome assembled on these two days.

 I conclude with Dom Gueranger's worthy reflection for the Octave Day of the Epiphany:

The thoughts of the Church, today, are fixed on the Baptism of our Lord in the Jordan, which is the second of the three Mysteries of the Epiphany. The Emmanuel manifested Himself to the Magi, after having shown Himself to the Shepherds; but this manifestation was made within the narrow space of a stable at Bethlehem, and the world knew nothing of it. In the Mystery of the Jordan, Christ manifested himself with greater publicity. His coming is proclaimed by the Precursor; the crowd, that is flocking to the river for Baptism, is witness of what happens; Jesus makes this the beginning of His public life. But who could worthily explain the glorious circumstances of this second Epiphany?

It resembles the first in this, that it is for the benefit and salvation of the human race. The Star has led the Magi to Christ; they had long waited for His coming, they had hoped for it; now, they believe. Faith in the Messias' having come into the world is beginning to take root among the Gentiles. But faith is not sufficient for salvation; the stain of sin must be washed away by water. He that believeth and is baptised, shall be saved (St. Mark, xvi. 16). The time is come, then, for a new manifestation of the Son of God, whereby there shall be inaugurated the great remedy, which is to give to Faith the power of producing life eternal.

Now, the decrees of divine Wisdom had chosen Water as the instrument of this sublime regeneration of the human race. Hence, in the beginning of the world, we find the Spirit of God moving over the Waters (Gen. i. 2), in order that they might "even then conceive a principle of sanctifying power," as the Church expresses it in her Office for Holy Saturday (The Blessing of the Font). But, before being called to fulfil the designs of God's mercy, this element of Water had to be used by the divine justice for the chastisement of a sinful world. With the exception of one family, the whole human race perished, by the terrible judgment of God, in the Waters of the Deluge.

A fresh indication of the future supernatural power of this chosen element was given by the Dove, which Noe sent forth from the Ark; it returned to him, bearing in its beak an Olive-branch, the symbol that peace was given to the earth by its having been buried in Water. But, this was only the announcement of the mystery; its accomplishment was not to be for long ages to come.

Meanwhile, God spoke to His people by many events, which were figurative of the future Mystery of Baptism. Thus, for example, it was by passing through the waters of the Red Sea, that they entered into the Promised Land, and during the miraculous passage, a pillar of a cloud was seen covering both the Israelites, and the Waters, to which they owed their deliverance.

But, in order that Water should have the power to purify man from his sins, it was necessary that it should be brought in contact with the Sacred Body of the Incarnate God. The Eternal Father had sent His Son into the world, not only that He might be its Lawgiver, and Redeemer, and the Victim of its salvation--but that He might also be the Sanctifier of Water; and it was in this sacred element that He would divinely bear testimony to His being His Son, and manifest Him to the world a second time.

Jesus, therefore, being now thirty years of age, comes to the Jordan, a river already celebrated for the prophetic miracles which had been wrought in its waters. The Jewish people, roused by the preaching of John the Baptist, were flocking thither in order to receive a Baptism, which could, indeed, excite a sorrow for sin, but could not effect its forgiveness. Our divine King approaches the river, not, of course, to receive sanctification, for He Himself is the author of all Justice--but to impart to Water the power of bringing forth, as the Church expresses the mystery, a new and heavenly progeny (The Blessing of the Font). He goes down into the stream, not, like Josue, to walk dry-shod through its bed, but to let its waters encompass Him, and receive from Him, both for itself and for the Waters of the whole earth, the sanctifying power which they would retain forever. The saintly Baptist places his trembling hand upon the sacred head of the Redeemer, and bends it beneath the water; the Sun of Justice vivifies this His creature; He imparts to it the glow of life-giving fruitfulness; and Water thus becomes the prolific source of supernaturnal life.

But, in this the commencement of a new creation, we look for the intervention of the Three Persons of the Blessed Trinity. All Three are there. The heavens open; the Dove descends, not as a mere symbol, prophetic of some future grace, but as the sign of the actual presence of the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of love, who gives peace to men and changes their hearts. The Dove hovers above the head of Jesus, overshadowing, at one and the same time, the Humanity of the Incarnate Word and the water which bathed His sacred Body.

The manifestation is not complete; the Father's voice is still to be heard speaking over the Water, and moving by its power the entire element throughout the earth. Then was fulfilled the prophecy of David: The Voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of majesty hath thundered. The Voice of the Lord breaketh cedars, (that is, the pride of the devils). The Voice of the Lord divideth the flame of fire, (that is, the anger of God). The Voice of the Lord shaketh the desert, and maketh the flood to dwell, (that is, announces a new Deluge, the Deluge of divine Mercy) (Ps. cssviii. 3, 5, 7, 8, 10). And what says this Voice of the Father? This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (St. Matth. iii. 17).

Thus was the Holiness of the Emmanuel manifested by the presence of the Dove and by the voice of the Father, as His kingly character had been previously manifested by the mute testimony of the Star. The mystery is accomplished, the Waters are invested with a spiritual purifying power, and Jesus comes from the Jordan and ascends the bank, raising up with Himself the world, regenerated and sanctified, with all its crimes and defilements drowned in the stream. Such is the interpretation and language of the Holy Fathers of the Church regarding this great event of our Lord's Life.

Let us honour our Lord in this second Manifestation of His divinity, and thank Him, with the Church for His having given us both the Star of Faith which enlightens us, and the Water of Baptism which cleanses us from our iniquities. Let us lovingly appreciate the humility of our Jesus, who permits Himself to be weighed down by the hand of a mortal man, in order, as He says Himself, that He might fulfil all justice (St. Matth. iii. 15); for having taken on Himself the likeness of sin, it was requisite that He should bear its humiliation, that so He might raise us from our debasement. Let us thank Him for this grace of Baptism, which has opened to us the gates of the Church both of heaven and earth; and let us renew the engagements we made at the holy Font, for they were the terms on which we were regenerated to our new life in God.

Collect:

O God, Whose only-begotten Son appeared in the substance of our flesh, grant, we beseech thee, that we who acknowledge His outward likeness to us may deserve to be inwardly refashioned in His image. Who with thee liveth and reigneth, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

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Traditional Roman Catholic Sunday Mass Propers

1962 vs. Pre-1955 Mass Propers

To those Catholics looking for the Traditional (pre-Vatican II) Sunday propers, look no further than the below list.  Do note: these are from the 1945 Missal and represent the Mass as it was said up until the changes made in 1955 by Pope Pius XII. The changes in the cycle of Sunday readings, outside of Holy Week, only really affected Sundays that previously had commemorations of Octaves. So you will notice commemorations of the Octave of the Sacred Heart, Corpus Christi, and the Ascension which are not retained in the 1962 Missal. We can in a greater way help preserve Catholic Tradition by keeping and praying these traditional Octaves and keeping the older readings that were part of the Faith for centuries. 

The most significant changes to the Missal in 1955 concern Holy Week but most of the readings remained the same except for the Easter Vigil, although the rubrics changed significantly. Notes on the differences between the Pre-1955 Readings and the Post-1955 readings are noted on each post.

Temporal vs. Sanctoral Cycle

The Proper of Seasons, called the Temporal Cycle, traces the earthly life of Our Lord Jesus Christ. It consists mainly of Sundays related to the various liturgical seasons. This maps onto the 7 liturgical seasons contained in the two cycles we previously discussed: the Christmas Cycle and the Easter Cycle. It starts with Advent then goes through Christmas, Epiphany, Septuagesima, Lent, Easter, and Time after Pentecost.

There is also the Proper of Saints, called the Sanctoral Cycle, which is the annual cycle of feasts not necessarily connected with the seasons. We commemorate and ask the intercession of those holy men and women who set a marvelous example that we should all strive to imitate. We also commemorate various events and mysteries of the faith in the Sanctoral Cycle.

The following are the traditional proper for the temporal cycle of readings in the Traditional Latin Mass for Sundays and select other holy days. 

ADVENT 

First Sunday of Advent
Second Sunday of Advent
Third Sunday of Advent
Fourth Sunday of Advent

CHRISTMAS 

Christmas Day
Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity
Octave Day of the Nativity
Most Holy Name of Jesus

EPIPHANY

Feast of the Epiphany
Feast of the Holy Family

First Sunday after Epiphany
Second Sunday after Epiphany
Third Sunday after Epiphany
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

Sixth Sunday after Epiphany

LENT 

Septuagesima Sunday
Sexagesima Sunday
Quinquagesima Sunday
Ash Wednesday
First Sunday in Lent
Second Sunday in Lent
Third Sunday in Lent
Laetare Sunday
Passion Sunday

HOLY WEEK [Notes on 1962 vs 1954 Readings are included]

Palm Sunday
Holy Monday
Holy Tuesday
Spy Wednesday
Holy Thursday
Good Friday

EASTERTIDE 

Easter Sunday
Low Sunday
Second Sunday after Easter
Third Sunday after Easter
Fourth Sunday after Easter
Fifth Sunday after Easter

ASCENSION 

Vigil of the Ascension
Ascension
Octave of the Ascension
Sunday after the Ascension

PENTECOST

Vigil of Pentecost
Pentecost Sunday

SUNDAYS AFTER PENTECOST 

Trinity Sunday
Corpus Christi
Sunday within the Octave of Corpus Christi
Sacred Heart of Jesus
Sunday within the Octave of the Sacred Heart
4th Sunday after Pentecost
5th Sunday after Pentecost
6th Sunday after Pentecost
7th Sunday after Pentecost
8th Sunday after Pentecost
9th Sunday after Pentecost
10th Sunday after Pentecost
11th Sunday after Pentecost
12th Sunday after Pentecost
13th Sunday after Pentecost
14th Sunday after Pentecost
15th Sunday after Pentecost
16th Sunday after Pentecost
17th Sunday after Pentecost
18th Sunday after Pentecost
19th Sunday after Pentecost
20th Sunday after Pentecost
21st Sunday after Pentecost
22nd Sunday after Pentecost
23rd Sunday after Pentecost
24th Sunday after Pentecost
Christ the King (Last Sunday of October)
Last Sunday after Pentecost

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Litany of Saints in Latin

As explained by Fish Eaters:

The St. Vincent invoked is St. Vincent of Saragossa (i.e., "St. Vincent the Deacon"). The St. Anthony invoked is not St. Anthony of Padua, but St. Anthony of the Desert -- the Father of Monasticism. The St. Catherine invoked is not St. Catherine of Siena, but St. Catherine of Alexandria. The John and Paul invoked in the martyrs section are two pre-congregation martyrs, both of whom are also invoked during the Communicantes of the Canon of the Mass.

In the Latin version, you'll note that the section in which the Saints are invoked has two options for the response: "Ora pro nobis" and "Orate pro nobis." The first is used in response to the invocation of a single Saint; the latter is used in response to the invocation of more than one Saint. This is because Latin verbs are conjugated differently in the second person depending on whether the subject addressed is a single individual or more than one person. 

The Litany of the Saints -- the oldest of the litanies, dating to A.D. 595 -- is prayed liturgically at the Easter Vigil, during ordinations, on Rogation days, and also during solemn exorcisms, etc.. Privately, it is prayed any time one wishes, as with the other litanies, but is especially prayed after sundown on All Saints' Day in preparation for All Souls' Day, and on All Souls' Day itself.

This litany first invokes God in all Three Persons, then follow, in this order: Mary; the blessed spirits; St. Joseph and the Patriarchs and Prophets; the Apostles and Evangelists; all the disciples of the Lord; the Holy Innocents and the glorious martyrs; the holy Bishops and Confessors (those who suffer for the faith); the holy priests and Levites; the virgins and widows; and all holy men and women.

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January's First Friday Devotion

Today is the First Friday of January. Because today is the first Friday of the Month, many Catholic parishes will have special Masses today for the First Friday Devotion.

Beginning on December 27, 1673, through 1675, Our Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque asking her to receive Him in Holy Communion on the first Friday of every month and to meditate on His passion from 11:00 PM to 12:00 midnight each Thursday. He also revealed to her twelve promises for all who are devoted to His Sacred Heart; he asked for a Feast of the Sacred Heart to be instituted in the liturgical calendar of the Church. Our Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque with twelve promises for those devoted to His Most Sacred Heart.

Promises for those devoted to the Sacred Heart:

1. "I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life."
2. "I will establish peace in their homes."
3. "I will comfort them in their afflictions."
4. "I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all in death."
5. "I will bestow a large blessing upon all their undertakings."
6. "Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy."
7. "Tepid souls shall grow fervent."
8. "Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection."
9. "I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart shall be set up and honored."
10. "I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts."
11. "Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be blotted out."
12. "I promise thee in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who communicate on the First Friday in nine consecutive months, the grace of final penitence; they shall not die in My disgrace nor without receiving the Sacraments; My Divine heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment."

Prayer of Reparation:


O Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore thee profoundly. I offer thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifferences by which He is offended. By the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of thee the conversion of poor sinners. Amen.

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Feast of Pope St. Sylvester I

 

Image: St. Slyvester I baptizes Constantine the Great.

 

Double (1954 Calendar): December 31

Commemoration (1962 Calendar): December 31 

Optional Memorial (1969 Calendar): December 31

Saint Sylvester was born in Rome as the son of Rufinus. When he reached the age to dispose of his fortune, he took pleasure in giving hospitality to Christians passing through the city. He would take them with him, wash their feet, and serve them at table. He reigned as the Vicar of Christ from January 31, 314 to December 31, 335, succeeding Pope Miltiades.  During his pontificate were built the great churches founded in Rome by Constantine, (e.g. Basilica of St. John Lateran, Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, St. Peter's Basilica) and several cemeterial churches over the graves of martyrs. In 325, the Council of Nicea occurred, and although St. Slyvester did not attend, he sent two legates in his place.  St. Slyvester thereafter confirmed the decisions of the First Council in the history of the Church. 

The Feast of St. Sylvester was in previous times a Holy Day of Obligation. Yet in the 1962 Missal, it was reduced to a mere commemoration since the feria days in the Octave of Christmas were raised to the II class in 1960.

Numerous legends dramatize his life and work, e.g., how he freed Constantine from leprosy by baptism; how he killed a ferocious dragon that was contaminating the air with his poisonous breath. Such legends were meant to portray the effects of baptism and Christianity's triumph over idolatry. For a long time the feast of St. Sylvester was a holyday of obligation. The Divine Office notes: He called the weekdays feria, because for the Christian every day is a "free day" (the term is still in use; thus Monday is feria secunda). 

Compiled from Heavenly Friends, Rosalie Marie Levy and The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch

While the most popular focus this day is on the New Years Eve, let us not forget that today is the seventh day of Christmas.  A plenary indulgence may be gained, under the usual conditions, by reciting the Te Deum in thanksgiving for the past year. 

Collect:

Eternal Shepherd, do Thou look favorably upon Thy flock, which we beseech Thee to guard and keep for evermore through the blessed Sylvester, Thy Supreme Pontiff, whom Thou didst choose to be the chief shepherd of the whole Church. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee. in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.  Amen.

Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

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Martyrology of St. John the Apostle

Today is the glorious Feast of the Apostle St. John.  Of this saint, the Roman Martyrology says:

At Ephesus, the birthday of St. John, apostle and evangelist. After writing his gospel, and after enduring exile and writing the divine Apocalypse, he lived until the time of Emperor Trajan and founded and governed the churches of all Asia. Worn out with age, he died in the sixty-eighth year after the passion of our Lord and was buried near Ephesus. 

Many countries around the world have the tradition of blessing wine in the name of Saint John on this day, his feastday. Often a sweetened, spiced red wine is prepared and served hot (alcohol is evaporated after boiling for five minutes). At dinner on Saint John's Day, the father blesses a large cup of wine. Each member of the family takes a drink and passes the cup, saying "I drink to you in the love of Saint John".  Click here for the prayer of Blessing.

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Good King Wenceslas (Feast of St. Stephen) Hymn

In honor of this 2nd Day of Christmas and today's Feast of St. Stephen:

 


"Good King Wenceslas" is a popular Christmas carol about a king who goes out to give alms to a poor peasant on the Feast of Stephen (the second day of Christmas, December 26). During the journey, his page is about to give up the struggle against the cold weather, but is enabled to continue by the heat miraculously emanating from the king's footprints in the snow. The legend is based on the life of the historical Saint Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia (907-935), known in the Czech language as Svatý Václav.

The lyrics of the carol are by English hymn-writer John Mason Neale, Warden of Sackville College, East Grinstead, Sussex (18181866). He may have written his carol sometime earlier, since he carried on the legend of St. Wenceslas on which it is based in his Deeds of Faith (1849). Neale was known for his devotion to High Church traditions. According to older Czech sources, Neale's lyrics are a translation of a poem by Czech poet Václav Alois Svoboda, written in Czech, German and Latin.

The tune is that of "Tempus Adest Floridum" ("It is time for flowering"), a 13th-century spring carol, first published in the Swedish/Finnish Piae Cantiones, 1582.

In or around 1853, G. J. R. Gordon, her majesty's envoy and minister in Stockholm, gave a rare copy of the 1582 edition of Piae Cantiones to Reverend Neale and to Reverend Thomas Helmore (Vice-Principal of St. Mark's College, Chelsea). The book was entirely unknown in England at that time.
Neale translated some of the carols and hymns, and in 1853, he and Helmore published twelve carols in Carols for Christmas-tide (with music from Piae Cantiones). In 1854, they published a dozen more in Carols for Easter-tide. The inspirational copy of Piae Cantiones is now said to be in the British Museum.

The lyrics of Neale's carol bear no relationship to the words of "Tempus Adest Floridum". A text beginning substantially the same as the 1582 "Piae" version is also found in Carmina Burana as CB 142, where it is substantially more carnal.

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Why do Catholics Celebrate Martyrdom?

From  The Liturgical Year by  Dom Guéranger, O.S.B.   The Martyrs are given to the world that they may continue the ministry of Christ on the earth by bearing testimony to his word, and by confirming this testimony by their blood. The world has despised them; like their divine Master, they have shone in the darkness, and darkness has not understood their light. Nevertheless many have received their testimony, and the seed of the Martyr's blood has brought forth in them the rich fruit of Faith. The Synagogue was cast off by God for having shed the blood of Stephen, after having imbrued its hands in that of Jesus. Unhappy they who cannot appreciate the Martyrs! Let us who are Christians take in the sublime lessons taught us by their generous sacrifice; and let our respect and love for them testify that we are grateful for the noble ministry they have fulfilled, and are still fulfilling in the Church. The Church is never without Martyrs, just as she is never without Miracles: it is the twofold testimony that she will give to the end of time, by which she evidences the divine life she has received from her almighty Founder.

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2013 Patron Saint for the Year Devotion

UPDATE (JANUARY 26, 2013): All results are now posted below. The 2013 devotion is now closed with 276 participants!  Thank you!

I am very pleased to again be a facilitator for the Patron Saint of the Year Devotion.  I have been part of this annual tradition since 2006 and have helped coordinate devotions for hundreds of families.  It is my pleasure to now be part of the 2013 Patron Saint of the Year Devotion.

You can read about the past devotions at the following posts:

• 2006 Saint for the Year Devotion
• 2007 Saint for the Year Devotion
• 2008 Saint for the Year Devotion
• 2010 Saint for the Year Devotion 
• 2011 Saint for the Year Devotion 
• 2012 Saint for the Year Devotion

Again, I would like to take a few minutes to explain the devotion, which has its roots in St. Faustina.

When will the saints be drawn?  This year I will start the drawing of saints on the Octave Day of Christmas after the 10 AM Solemn High Mass and the recitation of both the Veni Creator Spiritus and the Litany of Saints.  Saints will be emailed starting that afternoon and thereafter.

 St. Louis IX - Virgin and Child Adored by Saint Louis, King of France

What is the Saint for the Year Devotion? Here is my post on this from years past to clarify the matter. This is from the person that draws all of the saints. I don't draw the saints. I will merely pass on your name or screenname to her so that she will draw a saint for you. Also, I will pass on the name of any of your family or friends that would like to participate. This isn't superstition. St. Faustina did the same thing!

Last year dozens of people received saints to be their special patron, and there were miraculous connections. It was truly amazing. We pray that this year the Holy Spirit will again work so that all participants receive a saint that they will be able to pray to for aid throughout the entire year:

Saint for the Year

I want to tell you about the practice of picking a saint at random to be your “holy protector” for the year. Actually, the saint is the one who chooses us though. The tradition of letting a saint “pick you,” is not a new one. St. Faustina wrote about it in her diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul. The excerpt is below.

“There is a custom among us of drawing by lot, on New Year's Day, special Patrons for ourselves for the whole year. In the morning during meditation, there arose within me a secret desire that the Eucharistic Jesus be my special Patron for this year also, as in the past. But, hiding this desire from my Beloved, I spoke to Him about everything else but that. When we came to refectory for breakfast, we blessed ourselves and began drawing our patrons. When I approached the holy cards on which the names of the patrons were written, without hesitation I took one, but I didn't read the name immediately as I wanted to mortify myself for a few minutes. Suddenly, I heard a voice in my soul: ‘I am your patron. Read.’ I looked at once at the inscription and read, ‘Patron for the Year 1935 - the Most Blessed Eucharist.’ My heart leapt with joy, and I slipped quietly away from the sisters and went for a short visit before the Blessed Sacrament, where I poured out my heart. But Jesus sweetly admonished me that I should be at that moment together with the sisters. I went immediately in obedience to the rule.”Excerpt from Divine Mercy in My Soul, the Diary of St. Faustina"

I have a container full of names ... I will be glad to pick out the name for you and send you the name if you prefer. I am so excited by my saint(s) ... I already picked mine. Well, I should say that they picked me ... I have Saints Marcus and Marcellianus ... they are twin brothers who were sent to prison before their death. St. Sebastian visited them continually in prison and helped keep their faith alive. They are buried near St. Felix and are specifically honored in Spain.

OK now ... here are a couple of immediate ironies in regard to these saints ... I have a SPECIAL place in my heart for twins! As a child, I LOVED reading the story about St. Sebastian. I had a children's book of saints and I think I wore out the pages on St. Sebastian! Felix is my grandfather's name! Silvia, our exchange student, is from Spain! I am so excited to have these two saints to walk through 2006 with me! I'm looking forward as to where and how they will intercede for me.

Please pass this message on through your blogs and/or email distribution lists, letting all of the Catholic blogsphere have the chance to participate. I only ask that you give me your email address so that I may contact you when your saint is drawn. Usually within one to two days I can email you about your saint.

So, please either make sure your email address is in your profile or please leave it below in the comment box when you ask to participate. If you wish to remain anonymous, please leave your initials instead of your name.  And, if you would prefer to email me directly and not write your email address in the comment box, please send an email entitled "Saint for the Year 2013" to acatholiclife [at] gmail.com

So, comment below and pass this message on throughout the entire Catholic Blogsphere!

Support

I participate in this devotion each year without any cost. Please take a minute and if you are a supporter of this devotion, please consider leaving us a free will donation. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps me continue working on this devotion and spreading it further.

Results:

Sharon K	St. John Baptist de la Salle
Lisa B	St. Catherine Laboure - feastday 11/28
Rosary Girl	St. Thomas Aquinas - feastday 3/7
Elynne	St. Augustine of Canterbury - feastday 5/28
Anna	St. Hilary - feastday 1/14
Alma R	St. Andre of Canada
Cathy T	St. Placidus - feastday 10/5
Jessamine	St. Anselm - feastday 4/21
Jessamine's mom	St. Casper (Wisemen)
Jessamine's dad	St. Januarius - feastday 9/19
Gie	St. John of the Cross
Lory	St. Albert the Great - feastday of 11/15
Andy	Blessed Basil Anthony Moreau
Mira	St. Matthias
Frederick	St. Boniface - feastday of 5/14
Maximilian	St. Ignatius of Loyola - feastday of 7/31
Jessamine's future husband	St. Charles Borromeo - feastday of 11/4
Redita	Our Lady of Ransom - feastday of 7/24
A.	St. Ludger - feastday of 3/26
J.	St. Edbert - feastday of 5/6
R.	St. Genevieve - feastday of 1/3
C.	St. Julia - feastday of 5/22
Beata	St. Leocadia - feastday of 12/9
Krista	St. Julia - feastday of 5/22
William	St. Marie Soubirous - feastday 2/18
Ashley	Our Lady of Ransom - feastday of 7/24
Daniel K	St. Mary of the Cross
Anastacia S	St. Raymond of Penafort - feastday 1/23
Susan G	St. Bartholomew
Rethinam  A	St. Paul the Apostle
Tim W	St. Callistus - feastday 10/14
Kirsten S	St. Damascus - feastday 12/11
Barry M Family	Frei Galvao
Andy M	St. Paul the Apostle
Reene C	St. Francis of Paula - feastday 4/2
Sharry G	St. Pius X - feastday 9/3
Karleen	St. Vincent de Paul - feastday 7/19
Suzanne T	St. Louis IX - feastday 8/25
Peter R	St. Medard - feastday 6/8
Antoniette Q	St. Casimir - feastday 3/4
Catherine	Benedict Joseph Labre - feastday 4/16
Cyrene	St. Vitus - feastday 6/15
Ashley	St. Susanna - feastday 8/11
Cindy	St. Gregory Naxianzen - feastday 5/9
Dustin (son)	St. Nicholas - feastday 12/6
Hailey (granddaughter)	St. Damian - feastday 9/27
Lila (friend)	Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Ray	St. Hyacinth - feastday 9/11
Rosalina	St. Apollinarius - feastday 1/8
Cristian	St. Peter Canisius - feastday 4/27
Nicolaus	St. Eusebius - feastday 8/14
Elena	St. James - feastday 7/25
Pablo	St. Alphonsus Liguori - feastday 8/2
Steve	St. Petronilla - feastday 5/31
Toni	St. Mary Dei Pazzi - feastday 5/29
Stephanie	St. Elizabeth of Hungary - feastday 11/19
Trissi	St. Volusian - feastday 1/18
Ken	St. Tiburtius - feastday 8/11
John	St. Felician - feastday 6/9
Lenore	St. Dorothy - feastday 2/6
Dan	St. Julius - feastday 4/2
Christopher	St. Linus - feastday 9/23
Bill (husband)	St. Tiburtius - feastday 8/11
Julie (wife)	St. Anicetus - feastday 4/17
Scott (son)	St. Robert Bellarmine - feastday 5/13
Blake (son)	St. Thomas Aquinas - feastday 3/7
Lara P	St. Tiburtius - feastday 8/11
Linda K	St. Cyprian - feastday 9/16
The Torres Family	St. Theodulus - feastday 5/3
Joey	St. Quintin - feastday 10/31
Nicole	St. Nemesion - feastday 12/19
Nathaniel	St. Teresa - feastday 10/15
Ava	St. Casimir - feastday 3/4
Eden	St. Jovita - feastday 2/15
Jacob	St. Victorian - feastday 1/12
Xander	St. Maria Goretti - feastady 7/9
The Canich Family	St. Cyril of Jerusalem - feastday 3/18
Alyson G	St. Abdon - feastday 7/30
Joannie	St. Cosmas - feastday 7/27
Sequoia S	St. Lucy - feastday 12/13
Dymphna	St. Lupicinus - feastday 2/28
Franciscus Carmelo	St. Robert of Newinister - feastday 6/7
Anonymous	St. Gregory - feastday 11/17
Anonymous' husband	St. Paulinus - feastday 6/22
Camie	St. Eustace - feastday 9/20
Cheryl	St. Battista
Susan	St. Firminus - feastday 9/25
Suso	St. Olympias - feastday 12/17
J Walden	St. Richard - feastday 4/3
Denise G	St. Martha - feastday 7/29
Mary T	St. Robert Bellarmine - feastday 5/13
Michael Y	St. Mary Dei Pazzi - feastday 5/29
Steve Dixon, OP	St. Theodulus - feastday 5/3
John (my husband)	St. Anselm - feastday 4/21
Joseph (our son)	St. Stephen - feastday 12/26
Theresa (myself)	St. John Bosco - feastday 1/31
Claudia	St. Robert of Newinister - feastday 6/7
Heather B	St. Thomas More - feastday 7/6
Mariah	St. Faustina
Randy Koralewski family	St. Ephrem the Syrian - feastday 6/18
Zach	St. Anicetus - feastday 4/17
Ana	St. Hubert - feastday 11/3
Molly	St. Bertille - feastday 11/5
Maggie	St. James - feastday 5/11
Ben	Guardian Angels - feastday 10/2
Katrina	St. Gregory - feastday 11/17
Janet	St. Ladislas - feastday 6/27
Joe	St. Catherine of Siena - feastday 4/30
Rachel	St. Barbatus - feastday 2/19
Jack	St. Acacius - feastday 4/9
Sabine	St. Primus - feastday 6/9
Manuel	St. Wilfrid - feastday 10/2
Gabriella	St. Peter of Alcantara - feastday 10/19
Paul W	St. Callistus - feastday 10/14
Tim V	St. Cloud - feastday 7/7
Elizabeth C	St. Joseph the Workman - feastday 5/1
Paul	St. Eventius - feastday 5/3
Deborah	St. Matthias
Judy	St. Pius X - feastday 9/3
Joan	St. Giulia Salzano
John	St. Cassian - feastday 8/13
Holly	St. Cyril - feastday 7/7
Ramona	St. Celestine - feastday 4/6
Fran	Our Lady of Ransom - feastday of 7/24
Don	St. Barbatus - feastday 2/19
Susan	St. Catherine of Sweden - feastday 3/22
Lydia	St. John Francis Regis - feastday 6/16
V. Family	St. Bartholomew
Enrico	St. John Cantius - feastday 10/20
Maria	St. Gertrude - feastday 11/16
Peter	St. Wilfrid - feastday 10/2
Victoria	St. Ursula - feastday 10/21
Beata	Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
IT	St. Maria Goretti - feastday 7/9
IN	St. Achilleus - feastday 5/12
OR	St. Marcellus - feastday 10/30
Marty	St. Philip Neri - feastday 5/26
KMOPAIC	St. John Capistran - feastday 3/28
Hkbflyers	St. Hyacinth - feastday 8/17
Bigbmike	St. Bonaventure - feastday 7/14
Blackjack	St. Euphrasia - feastday 3/13
Nikki	St. Raphael - feastday 10/24
Joey B	St. Jude - feastday 10/28
Dominic	St. Silverius - feastday 6/20
Gabe's Boy	St. Alexius - feastday 7/17
Peter S	St. Cosmas - feastday 7/27
KathyR	St. Eleutherius - feastday 9/6
Heidi	St. Juvenal - feastday 5/3
Lisa W	St. William - feastday 1/10
Amelia G	St. Jerome - feastday 9/30
Sandy	St. Philip Neri - feastday 5/26
AnissaG	St. Gerard Majella - feastday 10/16
LanceG	St. Cassian - feastday 8/13
JacobG	St. William - feastday 1/10
ElizabethG	St. Hedwig - feastday 10/16
MichaelG	St. Eulogius - feastday 3/11
JosephG	St. James - feastday 5/11
JohnG	St. Albinus - feastday 3/1
Laura G	St. Raymond Nonnatus - feastday 8/31
Troylyn	St. Mathilda - feastday 3/14
Tim	St. Rufina - feastday 7/10
TJ	St. Venantius - feastday 5/18
Samantha	St. Gregory - feastday 11/17
Jordan	St. Slyvester - feastday 11/26
Tracy	St. Romanus - feastday 2/28
Teshia	St. Francis of Assisi - feastday 10/4
Christian	St. Cyprian - feastday 9/16
Jagear	St. Sabinus - feastday 12/30
Mark	St. Joachim - feastday 8/16
Jess	St. James - feastday 7/25
Rebecca	St. Alexius - feastday 7/17
Clare	St. Apollinarius - feastday 1/8
Sue	St. Ephrem the Syrian - feastday 6/18
Rita C	St. Thomas the Apostle
Annabelle	St. Paul - feastday 6/29
Joannie	St. Cyprian - feastday 9/16
Marty	St. Cassian - feastday 8/13
John L	St. Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception
John G	St. Marcellinus - feastday 6/2
Brendan B	St. Gregory Barbarigo - feastday 6/17
Guy C	St. Sabinus - feastday 12/30
Kathyrn D	St. Gregory Barbarigo - feastday 6/17
Josemaria C.	St. Thomas of Villanova - feastday 9/22
Jon H.	St. Louise de Marillac - feastday 3/15
Jneuman	St. Elphege - feastday 4/19
Carolyn C	St. Christina - feastday 7/24
Helen G	St. Peter Nolasco - feastday 1/28
Anne-marie	St. Wilfrid - feastday 10/2
Mrs Mouw	St. Slyvester I - feastday 12/31
Bernadette T	St. Hyacinth - feastday 8/17
Maribeth S	St. Dormitilla - feastday 5/12
Vi D	St. Simon - feastday 10/28
Kathy	St. Luke - feastday 10/18
Cheryl	St. Robert Bellarmine - feastday 5/13
Jacob	St. Peter Damian - feastday 2/23
Michele S	St. Antonius - feastday 5/10
Michele's Husband	St. James of La Marcha - feastday 11/28
Michele's Best Friend	St. Petronilla - feastday 5/31
Mark A	St. Perpetua - feastday 3/6
Michael B	St. John the Apostle
W.	St. Susanna - feastday 8/11
A.	St. Hegesippus - feastday 4/7
Abigail	St. Louis IX - feastday 8/25
Jonathan A	St. Jude - feastday 10/28
Lois F	St. Benedict - feastday 3/21
Kathy	St. Mary of the Cross
Jim	St. Damien Joseph de Veuster
Benjamin	40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Michael	St. Paulinus - feastday 6/22
Joseph	St. Primus - feastday 6/9
Ramzi	St. Raphael - feastday 10/24
Pam	St. Faustinus - feastday 1/20
Noah	St. Candida Maria de Jesus
Noella	St. Wilfrid - feastday 10/2
Kate	St. Alphonsus Liguori - feastday 8/2
Jean	St. Charles of St. Andrew
CJV	St. Cyril of Alexandria - feastday 2/9
Randy	Our Lady of Lourdes
Mary	St. Damien Joseph de Veuster
Josefina	St. Anselm - feastday 4/21
Peter	St. Isaac Jogues - feastday 9/26
Jennifer S	St. Stanislaw Soltys
Mary K	St. Jane Frances de Chantal - feastday 8/21
Joseph	St. John Chrysostom - feastday 1/27
Lucielle	St. John Baptist de Rossi
Patrick	St. Onesimus - feastday 2/16
James	St. Lucy - feastday 12/13
Patricia	St. John Damascene - feastday 3/27
John	St. Catherine of Siena - feastday 4/30
Mary	St. Euphrasia - feastday 3/13
Francis	St. Rufina - feastday 7/10
Janet R	St. Potamiaena - feastday 6/28
Minetta	St. Paulinus - feastday 6/22
Joanne	St. Jerome Emilian - feastday 7/20
Rob W	St. Primus - feastday 6/9
Aaardvark	St. Melchior
Erika	St. Felicitas - feastday 3/6
Brittany	St. Daria - feastday 10/25
Lucy E	St. John Chrysostom - feastday 1/27
Elizabeth D	St. Placidus - feastday 10/5
Lisa	St. Wenceslaus - feastday 9/28
Melissa	St. Andrew - feastday 11/30
Ruby	St. Candida Maria de Jesus
Tom P	St. John Gualbert - feastday 7/12
Helen T	St. Slyvester I - feastday 12/31
Beverly	St. Melchiades - feastday 12/10
Cidi	St. Susanna - feastday 8/11
Katrina	St. Gertrude - feastday 11/16
Krishan	St. Cyril - feastday 7/7
Kay W	St. Zachariah - father of St. John the Baptist
Christine	St. Bridget - feastday 10/8
Ross W	St. Scholastica - feastday 2/10
Amanda W	St. Padre Pio
Lee K	St. Julian the Hospitaller - feastday 1/9
Joseph Jr L	St. Raphael - feastday 10/24
Jeannie L	St. Boniface - feastday of 5/14
Teresa L	St. Paul the Apostle
Anthony L	St. Eventius - feastday 5/3
Mark W	St. Euphrasia - feastday 3/13
Fina	St. Benedict - feastday 3/21
Missio	St. John Cantius - feastday 10/20
C/R	St. Martin - feastday 11/12
Requestor	St. John Chrysostom - feastday 1/27
Requestor's husband	St. Edbert - feastday of 5/6
John	St. Apollonius - feastday 4/18
Nikki	St. Vincent Ferrer
Bbr1012	St. Victor - feastday 1/12
Michelle	Our Lady of Lourdes
Rick	St. Teresa - feastday 10/15
Sean	St. Andrew Avellino - feastday 11/10
Derek	St. Cyril of Alexandria - feastday 2/9
Dorothy	St. Marcellinus - feastday 4/20
Sekyle	St. Soter - feastday 4/22
Evangeline A.	St. Andre of Canada
Tally	St. Candida Maria de Jesus
Jacklyn C.	St. Potamiaena - feastday 6/28

If you are not familiar your saint, I encourage you to research online and even pick up a copy of Father Hugo Hoever's "Live of the Saints," from which I read daily.  While the book does not include saints canonized in recent years, it is something that I am highly recommending.  You may find information on your saint on my page dedicated to the saints: http://acatholiclife.blogspot.com/2005/09/saints.html and here is a prayer to honor any saint: http://acatholiclife.blogspot.com/2006/01/prayer-to-venerate-any-saint.html

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