6 Traditional Latin Mass Locations for Bay Area Catholics Reviewed

I've had the opportunity to explore the various Tridentine Latin Mass locations in the Bay Area this summer.  For those Catholics living in San Francisco, Oakland, the Peninsula, or even down in San Jose, there are relatively few options for Traditional Catholics to avail themselves of the Sacraments.  Thankfully, there are nevertheless still options available.  I've taken the time to attend Mass at these locations so as to provide an honest review.

Of course, the Mass is of infinite value and renders the greatest homage to God (and is the greatest act of religion).  My reviews concern the external factors of these Mass locations and include tips since not all of them were easy to find.  I would always choose one of these Masses (even if it is in a modern and uninspiring church) over a Novus Ordo.

Please join me in praying for an increase in the Faith, in the pursuit of supernatural virtues, and for the reign of Christ to come to all of those living in the Bay Area

Star of the Sea, San Francisco, CA
Mass Times: 11:30 AM on Sundays; 7:30 Daily

Star of the Sea is a parish of the Archdiocese of San Francisco.  I had written of them in the past when they made the courageous decision to rightfully only allow men to serve at the altar.  The Church is quite beautiful and, at least on the Sunday I attended Mass, they had two priests hearing Confessions.

The sermon was not the most engaging though and the music was acceptable though not extraordinary in quality.  The artwork though was beautiful.  They have a convenient parking lot as well and a large restroom at the entrance, which is quite useful for families who need a little room for the baby to have a diaper change.

All in all, it was a beautiful Mass but the location is quite far for anyone living in the suburbs or on the other side of the Bay.  For those Catholics who live in the city of San Francisco though, make the commute to this Church for their Sunday Tridentine Mass at 11:30.  Note, this is a new time and the previous schedule of 11 AM and 5:30 PM on Sundays has been replaced with only a Latin Mass at 11:30 AM.  They do though offer an early 7:30 AM Daily Mass as well for those who are local to the Richmond area of San Francisco.

St. Francis of Assisi, East Palo Alto, CA
Mass Times: 6:00 PM on Fridays only

While the parish only offers the Traditional Mass on Fridays, it is still good to see it being celebrated at all.  Part of restoring Catholic tradition and restoring Christian culture necessitates the restoration of the Mass of All Times.  So I welcome an occasional time rather than no time at all.

The parish itself is quite modern but they do have an inspiring and beautiful piece of art featuring St. Francis directly behind the altar.

However, the Mass that I attended for the Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul had its shortcomings.  The priest saying Mass was noticeably elderly and had a difficult time moving and speaking.  His Latin was read very slowly.  And most problematic of all, after about 15 minutes into the Mass, he began to repeat the readings in English and in Spanish and he gave an English and a Spanish sermon.  Now after nearly 50 minutes had passed, we were finally entering the Offertory of the Mass.

I won't be back but I pray this location helps restore some of the sacred and brings back some reverence to Catholics of the area even though this parish has some improvements to be made.

St. Athanasius Chapel, San Jose
Mass Times: 7:00 AM, 8:30 AM, 10 AM on Sundays; 7:45 AM Weekdays

While over an hour from downtown San Francisco even in non-existent Sunday traffic, the city of San Jose is easily reachable for those living in the Peninsula and those on the lower side of the East Bay.  The chapel of St. Athanasius/St. Thomas More is a beautiful chapel, though a little small like many of the other chapels on this list.  The place was filled with large families and Father gave a truly captivating sermon (the most captivating sermon that I heard of any of the parishes on the list).  They also were offering Confessions during Mass as well.  And like the other SSPX Chapels I've attended (but unlike the other places on this list), they have a large container of holy water allowing you to fill up your holy water bottles for home use.

The Chapel offers 3 convenient Mass times on Sundays and even daily Mass before work for those living in or close to San Jose.  I will definitely return and encourage those Catholics in the area looking for a beautiful liturgy but also authentic and non-watered down doctrine to attend Mass here.

Five Wounds, San Jose
Mass Times: 9 AM and 12:30 PM on Sundays; Weekdays: 12:15 PM; Sat: 7:30 AM, except 8:00 PM, 1st Sat.

Updated in October 2018 from the parish website: "Starting on Sunday, October 7, we will be having an additional Mass on Sunday morning in order to accommodate an increased number of attendees. Low Mass will be offered in the IES Chapel at 8:30 a.m. and at 9:45 a.m. on Sundays."

Also in San Jose is the beautiful Five Wounds Portuguese National Church.  The parish church is unfortunately though only used by the Institute of Christ the King priests and is not there own so, for that reason, 60% of the collection goes not to the ICKSP or the Latin Mass but to the parish's checking account.  The Mass times also change frequently in the short time I've known of the parish.  For example, the Low Mass was canceled by the parish due to events for the entire month of June.  And in May, the daily 12 Noon Mass was moved to 7:15 AM to accommodate the parish.  Consequently, the feeling exists that the Latin Mass is not an integral part of the parish but merely a "renter" and at the whim of the parish's decisions and frequent schedule demands.

I attended the Low Mass at 9 AM.  But, much to my surprise, the Low Mass is not in the actual church but located on the same block in a small building in the parking lot called the IES Chapel.  The IES Chapel (pictured below) is extremely small making it quite crowded and uncomfortable to attend Mass.  [Note: In October 2018 they changed the Mass times which likely make it less crowded as they now have 2 Low Masses in the morning]

The Mass was beautiful and said with great care for the rubrics (e.g. of all the Low Masses I attended in the Bay Area, only the Institue of Christ the King priests observe the placing of a lighted candle on the altar during the Canon). However, the majority of parents were having a very difficult time minding their children (at least on the Sunday I attended) and the sounds of screaming, crying, and shouting penetrated the chapel almost incessantly.  These piercing sounds and the difficulty of understanding Father's sermons due to his Japanese accent made it extremely difficult to enter into the mystery of the Mass.

I would not recommend attending the Low Mass.  The High Mass at 12:30 PM does use the beautiful church and offers much more space even though the sanctuary has a rather hideous table altar that isn't moved during the Holy Sacrifice.  

Please pray for the Traditional Catholics of San Jose. 

Mater Dolorosa, South San Francisco
Mass Times: 5:00 PM on Sundays; 12:00 PM on Weekdays

Image of the Chapel in the Monastery House

Mater Dolorosa is a very modern looking parish. And like some of the other locations on this list, the priests who come in and say the Latin Mass are not a part of the parish.  So while it's not possible to attend Mass at a more appropriate morning hour, it is still possible to attend Mass here almost every day of the week (except Saturday mornings).

The Friday when I attended Mass, Mass was moved at the last minute from the main church to the monastery's chapel.  While it took me at least 15 minutes to find it, it was actually on the other side of the large parking lot and in a building that looked like a house.  The Mass itself was beautiful - one of the most beautiful and spiritually enriching Masses I attended, as evident of the holiness, care, and reverence of the priest.

The priest is a member of the Contemplatives of St. Joseph (COSJ) which say the Tridentine Mass at Mater Dolorosa even though their main monastery is down in Monterey, CA (over 2 hours south in no traffic from San Francisco).  The monastic house on the Mater Dolorosa ground allows them to serve the Archdiocese of San Francisco and they do so well.  They even broadcast on Facebook Live the weekly Sermon on Sundays. They even celebrate the Byzantine Liturgy at their Monterey Monastery.

The downside is that the actual parish Church where Mass is said on Sundays, and all weekdays special exceptions aside, is very modernist.  And also problematic, the priests of the COSJ also personally do offer the Novus Ordo.  And they have no qualms about the work of Paul VI and John Paul II who in their sermons they openly praise and quote. They are what some call "conservative" priests rather than "traditionalist" priests, using those terms loosely and in the manner in which most traditionalists do.

While it was admirable to see the Sanctus candle used as that doesn't always happen like it should, the image in the above pictures that was offered in the main church was said by a priest who said the readings in English from the altar instead of in Latin. Another downside, is the Masses are rather long - most daytime low Masses here are an hour. The one I attended for All Saints Day was 1.5+ hours. For a weekday Mass and since many of the people who would likely come need to do so over a lunch break, it's highly likely that it will be a bit too long. The Masses in the five times I've attended have featured a homily too on all but one time - even for feria days.

I do think their Masses were beautiful and I know they are doing good to restore the love of the Liturgy - and I will likely attend their Masses from time to time - but for those looking to have both the Tridentine Mass and pre-Vatican II doctrine, I would recommend only the SSPX.

St. Margaret Mary, Oakland, CA
Mass Times: 7 AM and 12:30 PM on Sundays; M - F: 6:00 PM (except Thurs, 12 noon); Sat: 10:00 AM; Holy Days, usually 6:00 PM

The Institute of Christ the King borrows the parish church of St. Margaret Mary in Oakland.  The parish itself is a great community of those united in the Faith but they have a small parking lot, are located in an area that makes it difficult to reach for those in the East Bay, and the priest's French accent makes the sermons difficult to understand. The parish is also a bit dark and lacks some of the beauty of other chapels and parishes on this list in terms of its ornamentation.

The Novus Ordo priest though did kindly hear Confessions throughout the Mass (but absolution was in English and not in Latin).  The sermon too, while difficult to understand, was meaningful and helpful to hear.

Conclusion

As mentioned above, this honest recap of my experiences is in no way to diminish the value of the Traditional Latin Mass.  But for those familiar with the grandeur and splendor of St. Mary's in Kansas, or St. Josephs in Detroit, or the Institute's Shrine in St. Louis, or St. John Cantius in Chicago, the Latin Masses in the greater San Francisco Bay area leave much to be desired.  Finding a robust Catholic Mass community that actually owns a parish, makes the TLM the centerpiece of the parish and not as an aside to the Novus Ordo, preaches powerful and yet understandable sermons, and is in a parish church that is large enough to allow regular mobility and movement is difficult to find.

Let's keep praying for the Catholics in the Bay Area and for more places to offer the Latin Mass.  As for me, I will likely be attending the SSPX Masses in San Jose and occasional Masses at St. Margaret Mary in Oakland.

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The Americanism Heresy: What Is It? Is it Still Around?

The Encyclical Testem benevolentiae nostrae published Jan 22, 1899, was released by Pope Leo XIII on the history of Americanism.  Testem benevolentiae nostrae was written to Cardinal Gibbons of Baltimore from His Holiness Pope Leo XIII.  And while this encyclical is unknown by the vast majority of Catholics, it is nevertheless an extremely relevant document to the modern Catholic.

Much of what we are suffering from in America is the loss of our Catholic identity, and those familiar with this forgotten encyclical will see that the situation of today is largely due to the cultural liberalism of American Catholics.  In this document, Pope Leo XIII condemned the notion that Catholics could decide doctrine for themselves (i.e. cafeteria Catholics) and accept and reject doctrines, customs, and practices according to their own whims.  The Holy Father emphasized that Catholics must obey the magisterial teachings of the Universal Church which is a universal faith that does not alter its dogmas from nation to nation.

This heresy is practiced by many Catholics who have no idea they have fallen into this heresy.

Pope Leo XIII condemned the following trends:

• Undue insistence on interior initiative in the spiritual life, as leading to disobedience.  He condemned the practice to put natural virtues (e.g. hard work and persistence and frugality) ahead of the Theological and Cardinal Virtues which have a supernatural element at their core.
• Attacks on religious vows and disparagement of the value of religious orders in the modern world
• Minimizing Catholic doctrine (especially manifested by failing to speak out and actively live, proclaim, and defend the Faith in the tendency of American life to hide religious convictions or to think that all religions are to be respected)
• Minimizing the importance of spiritual direction
• Maintaining the idea that all opinions should be publicly aired (this is because speech that harms morality and the truths of the Faith has no right whatsoever to be publicly proclaimed) 

In this month during which we remember America’s independence from England, I suggest reading the text online of this obscure but important document for American Catholics.

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Daily Prayers for an Increase in the Virtues

The following prayers, taken from the Raccolta, were assigned an indulgence by His Holiness, Blessed Pope Pius IX on May 17, 1852:

AN INDULGENCE OF FIFTY DAYS; to be gained once a day for saying with a contrite heart the following prayers, each on its appointed day, in order to obtain thereby the intercession of this Saint for the acquisition of certain special virtues.

I will be adding these to my own prayer life on a daily basis as a means to continue to try to grow in the virtues which we truly supernatural and a means of furthering our own spiritual life. 

FOR SUNDAY.

Prayer to obtain the virtue of Humility.

St, Philip, my glorious Patron, who on earth didst so love humility as to count the praise and even the good esteem of men as dross; obtain for me also this virtue by thy prayers. Thou knowest how haughty I am in my thoughts, how contemptuous in my words, how ambitious in my doings. Ask for me humility of heart; that my mind may be freed from all pride, and impressed with the same low esteem of self which thou hadst of thyself, counting thyself the worst of all men, and for that reason rejoicing when thou didst suffer contempt, and seeking out for thyself occasions of enduring it.  Great Saint, obtain for me a true humble heart and the knowledge of my own nothingness; that I may rejoice when I am despised, and resent not when others are preferred before me; that I may never be vain when I am praised, but may ever seek only to be great in the eyes of God, desiring to receive from Him alone all my exaltation.

Pater, Ave, Gloria.



FOR MONDAY

Prayer to obtain the virtue of Patience.

St. Philip, my Patron Saint, whose heart was ever so constant in time of trouble, and whose spirit was so loving under suffering, that, when persecuted by the jealous, or calumniated by the wicked who thought to discredit thy sanctity, or when tried by God with many long, painful infirmities, thou didst always bear thy trials with wonderful tranquillity of heart and mind; pray for me that I may have a spirit of true courage in every adversity.  Alas, how much I stand in need of patience!  I shrink from every little trouble; I sicken under every light affliction; I fire up at and resent every trifling contradiction; never willing to learn that the road to paradise lies amidst the thorns of tribulation. Yet this was the path our Diving Master deigned to tread, and this too, my Saintly Patron, was thy path also.  Obtain for me, then, this courage, that with good hearty will I may embrace the crosses which every day I receive from God, and bear them all with the same endurance and ready will as thou didst when thou wast on earth; that so I may be made worthy to enjoy the blessed fruit of sufferings with thee in heaven above.
Pater, Ave, Gloria.



FOR TUESDAY

Prayer to obtain the virtue of Purity.

St. Philip, who didst always preserve the white lily of thy purity unsullied, with such great honour to thyself that the brightness of this fair virtue dwelt in thine eyes, shone forth from thy hands, and cast its fragrance over thy whole body, causing it to emit so sweet a perfume that it gave consolation, fervour, and devotion to all who conversed with thee; obtain me from the Holy Spirit of God so true a love for that virtue, that neither the words nor bad examples of sinners may ever make any impression upon my soul.  Never permit me in any way to lose that lovely virtue; and since avoidance of occasions, prayer, labour, humility, frequent use of the Sacraments, were the arms with which thou didst conquer the flesh, which is our worst enemy, so do thou obtain for me grace to use the same arms to vanquish the same foe.  Take not away thy help from me; but be as zealous for me as thou wast during thy life for thy penitents, keeping them far removed from all sensual infection.  Do this for me, my holy Patron; and be ever my protector in respect of this fair virtue.

Pater, Ave, Gloria.



FOR WEDNESDAY.

Prayer to obtain the Love of God.

St. Philip, I am filled with wonder at the great miracle which was wrought in thee by the Holy Spirit when He poured into thy heart such a flood of heavenly charity, that in order to contain it two of thy ribs were broken by the power of Divine love; and I am confounded when I compare thy heart with mine own.  I see thy heart all burning with love; and mine, all frozen and taken up with creatures.  I see thine inflamed with a fire from heaven, which so filled thy body that it radiated like flames from thy countenance; while mine is full of earthly love.  I love the world, which allures me and can never make me happy; I love the flesh, which ever wears me with its cares, and can never render me immortal; I love riches, which I can enjoy but for a moment.  O when shall I learn of thee to love nothing but God, my incomprehensible and only Good!  Help me, then, blessed Patron, that by thy intercession I may begin at once: obtain for me an efficacious love, manifesting itself by works; a pure love, making me love God most perfectly; a strong love, enabling me to surmount all obstacles hindering my union with God in life, that so I may be wholly united to Him for ever after my death.

Pater, Ave, Gloria.



FOR THURSDAY

Prayer to obtain the Love of our Neighbour.

Glorious Saint, who didst employ thyself wholly in the good of thy neighbour, thinking well of all, sympathising with all, helping all, who throughout thy whole life didst ever try to secure the salvation of all, never shrinking from labour or trouble, keeping for thyself no time or comfort, that thou mightest win all hearts to God; pray for me, that together with the pardon of my sins I may have charity for my neighbour, and be henceforth more compassionate to him in his necessities, and obtain for me grace that I may love every man with pure, unselfish love, as mine own brother, succouring each one, if I am unable to do it with temporal goods, at least with prayers and good advice. And teach me too on every occasion to defend the honour of my neighbour, and never to say to him a hurtful or displeasing word; but ever to maintain, even with my enemies, sweetness of spirit like thine own, whereby thou didst triumph over thy persecutors.  Blessed Saint, ask of God for me also this lovely virtue, which already thou hast gained for so many of thy clients; that so we may all one day come to praise our God with thee in an eternity of bliss.

Pater, Ave, Gloria.



FOR FRIDAY

Prayer to obtain detachment from temporal goods.

Great Saint, who didst prefer a poor and austere life to the comforts of thy home, despising the honour and glory of thy station; obtain for me grace ever to keep my heart detached from transitory goods of this life.  St. Philip, whose desire it ever was to become so poor as one day to have to beg thy bread, and find no charitable hand to offer thee a crumb wherewith to support life; ask of God for me such love of poverty that I may turn all my thoughts to goods which never fail.  St. Philip, who didst prefer to live unknown, to promotion to the highest honours of the Church; intercede for me, that I may never seek after dignities, but always content myself with that state where God has set me.  My heart is too anxious for the empty fleeting things of earth; but thou - ah, what a maxim didst thou leave us by thy two words: "And then-" !  O wonder-working words! may they ever be deeply impressed upon my soul; that, despising the nothingness of earth, God alone may reign sole object of my affections and my thoughts.

Pater, Ave, Gloria.



FOR SATURDAY

Prayer to obtain perseverance in good works.

St. Philip, my holy Patron, who, ever constant in good works and full of merit, didst receive from Most High God the crown of glory in reward of all thy labours; obtain for me grace never to weary in His service.  St. Philip, who didst recompense those who loved thee by acquiring for them the gift of perseverance in good, ask of God this gift for me; stand by me, dear father, at the last moment of my life, and pray for me that I may depart this life strengthened with the grace of the Holy Sacraments.  Meanwhile intercede for me, that I may do penance for my sins, and deplore them bitterly all my days.  St. Philip, who from on high beholdest all my miseries, and the chains which yet bind me to my sins and to this earth; pray for me that I may be liberated from them, and be constantly devoted to my God.  Obtain for me an ardent desire to co-operate in my own salvation, and unshaken firmness in the good which I have begun; that so by thy intercession I may deserve to be for ever in thy company in an eternity of bliss.

Pater, Ave, Gloria.

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Pray the Rosary Online in English and Latin

Pray the Rosary Online

Choose the Day of the Week Below in either English or Latin.

Monday:



Tuesday:



Wednesday:



 

Thursday:



Friday:



Saturday:



Sunday:



Note, in Advent on Sundays, instead pray the Joyful Mysteries.  And on Sundays in Lent, pray the Sorrowful Mysteries.

Learn more on how the pray the Rosary and why pray the Rosary elsewhere on this site.

The Holy Rosary - Audio of all 15 Mysteries in 1 Hour in English:

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Indulged Prayer for the Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul

In honor of the Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul, let us say this prayer that was found in the Raccolta:

Pope Pius VI., by a Rescript of July 28, 1778, issued through the Segretaria of the memorials, granted:

i. An indulgence of 100 days to all the faithful who, being contrite, shall say at least once a day the following prayer, with one Pater, Ave, and Gloria, in honour of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul.

ii. A plenary indulgence, on all Feasts of SS. Peter and Paul, provided that, after Confession and Communion, they shall on such feast-day itself, or one of the nine days preceding it, or eight days following it, visit a church or altar dedicated to those Saints, saying there the following prayer, and remembering the Holy Church and its Sovereign Pontiff.

THE PRAYER

O blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, I, NN., elect you this day for my special protectors and advocates with God.  In all humility I rejoice with thee, blessed Peter, Prince of the Apostles, because thou art the rock whereon God hath built his Church; and I rejoice with thee too, blessed Paul, because thou wast chosen of God for a Vessel of election, and a preacher of the truth throughout the world.  Obtain for me, I beseech you both, a lively faith, firm hope, and perfect charity, entire detachment from myself, contempt of the world, patience in adversity, humility in prosperity, attention in prayer, purity of heart, right intention in my works, diligence in the fulfilment of all the duties of my state of life, constancy in my good resolutions, resignation to the holy will of God, perseverance in Divine grace unto death; that, having overcome by your joint intercession and your glorious merits, the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, I may be made worthy to appear before the face of the chief and eternal Bishop of Souls, Jesus Christ our Lord, to enjoy Him and to love Him for all eternity, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth ever world without end. Amen.

Other Indulgences available in honor of Ss. Peter and Paul may be found by clicking here and consulting the Raccolta online.

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Indulged Prayer to St. Aloysius

Pope Pius VII., at the prayer of many bishops, the more to increase devotion towards St. Aloysius Gonzaga, who from the time of his canonization was given by Benedict XIII as the special protector of the young, granted, by a decree of the S. Congr. of Indulgences, March 6, 1802 -

An indulgence of 100 days, once a day, to all the faithful who, being contrite, shall devoutly say the following prayer, with one Pater noster and one Ave Maria.

THE PRAYER.

O blessed Aloysius, adorned with angelic virtues, I thy most unworthy suppliant recommend specially to thee the chastity of my soul and body, praying thee by thy angelic purity to plead for me with Jesus Christ the Immaculate Lamb, and His most Holy Mother, Virgin of virgins, that they would vouchsafe to keep me from all grievous sin. Never suffer me to be defiled with any stain of impurity; but when thou dost see me in temptation, or in danger of falling, then remove far from my mind all evil thoughts and unclean desires, and awaken in me the memory of eternity to come, and of Jesus crucified; impress deeply in my heart a sense of the holy fear of God; and kindling in me the fire of Divine love, enable me so to follow thy footsteps here on earth, that in heaven I may be made worthy to enjoy with thee the vision of our God for ever. Amen.

One Pater noster and one Ave Maria.

Source: The Raccolta

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Com. of Sts. Gervase and Protase

Today Holy Church commemorates Saints Gervase and Protase.

Sons of St. Vitalis and St. Valeria, these two saints were martyred under Nero at Milan in the 1st century. St. Gervase was beaten to death, and St. Protase, after having been scourged, was beheaded. St. Ambrose discovered their bodies in 386. Their names are included in the litanies of the saints.

Their bodies are vested and open for public veneration alongside the body of St. Ambrose.

Collect:

O God, who year by year dost gladden us by the solemnity of Thy holy martyrs Gervase and Protase, mercifully grant that we, who rejoice in their merits, may be inspired by their examples.

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Commemoration of Sts. Mark and Marcellianus

Today Holy Mother Church celebrates the feast day of St. Ephrem and also calls to mind a Commemoration of Sts. Mark and Marcellianus

Sts. Mark and Marcellianus were both brothers and deacons of the Roman Church. These two holy martyrs were slain by arrows, after two days of suffering early in the reign of Diocletian.  Their crime?  Being a Catholic.

The Daily Prayers website summarizes their last days in this world:

During the Diocletian period of Christian persecution, Sts Mark & Marcellian were arrested and imprisoned for practising their faith. Despite pleas from their parents and family, Sts Mark and Marcellian, with the guidance of St Sebastian (also imprisoned), refused to renounce their faith and offer sacrifice to the Roman gods. Indeed, St Sebastian converted their parents, the local prefect, other prison officials and many prisoners to Christianity as well as, miraculously healing an official’s wife, Zoe.  

One of the converted officials released the prisoners, however, Sts Mark and Marcellian were later rearrested and condemned to be hanged for a day upside down while nailed between two pillars. They were then pierced with lances. Many of the remaining prisoners and officials were also captured and executed including Zoe, who was burnt alive.

Collect:

O Almighty God, may the prayers of Your blessed martyrs Mark and Marcellian, whose heavenly birthday we celebrate today, rescue us from all the dangers that threaten to overcome us. Through our Lord . . .

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St. John Francis Regis (Mass in Some Places)

Today is a feria day on the Universal Calendar but in some parts of the world, it is the Feast of St. John Francis Regis.  His life is summarized by Deacon John Giglio Jr:

Born into a family of some wealth, John Francis was so impressed by his Jesuit educators that he himself wished to enter the Society of Jesus. He did so at age 18. Despite his rigorous academic schedule he spent many hours in chapel, often to the dismay of fellow seminarians who were concerned about his health. Following his ordination to the priesthood, he undertook missionary work in various French towns. While the formal sermons of the day tended toward the poetic, his discourses were plain. But they revealed the fervor within him and attracted people of all classes. Father Regis especially made himself available to the poor. Many mornings were spent in the confessional or at the altar celebrating Mass; afternoons were reserved for visits to prisons and hospitals.

The Bishop of Viviers, observing the success of Father Regis in communicating with people, sought to draw on his many gifts, especially needed during the prolonged civil and religious strife then rampant throughout France. With many prelates absent and priests negligent, the people had been deprived of the sacraments for 20 years or more. Various forms of Protestantism were thriving in some cases while a general indifference toward religion was evident in other instances. For three years Father Regis traveled throughout the diocese, conducting missions in advance of a visit by the bishop. He succeeded in converting many people and in bringing many others back to religious observances.

Though Father Regis longed to work as a missionary among the North American Indians in Canada, he was to live out his days working for the Lord in the wildest and most desolate part of his native France. There he encountered rigorous winters, snowdrifts and other deprivations. Meanwhile, he continued preaching missions and earned a reputation as a saint. One man, entering the town of Saint-Andé, came upon a large crowd in front of a church and was told that people were waiting for "the saint" who was coming to preach a mission.

The last four years of his life were spent preaching and in organizing social services, especially for prisoners, the sick and the poor. In the autumn of 1640, Father Regis sensed that his days were coming to a conclusion. He settled some of his affairs and prepared for the end by continuing to do what he did so well: speaking to the people about the God who loved them. On December 31, he spent most of the day with his eyes on the crucifix. That evening, he died. His final words were: "Into thy hands I commend my spirit."

He was canonized in 1737 by Pope Clement XII.

Collect:

O God, who endowed Blessed Francis, Your Confessor, with wonderful charity and unconquerable patience, so that he might go through much toilsome work for the salvation of souls without faltering: grant, we beseech You, that we might so profit by the example he has left us and so avail ourselves of his prayers, that we too may win the reward of everlasting life. Amen

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Commemoration of Saints Basilides, Cyrinus, Nabor, and Nazarius

Today, besides the Feastday of St. John of San Facundo, is the commemoration of Sts.  Basilides, Cyrinus, Nabor, and Nazarius.

These saints are yet another example to us of the life we are called to live as Christians.  Namely, we are called to devote our entire lives to God and His Church.  While many of us will never suffer death for the Faith, we must be willing to endure all things so long as we keep the Faith and reach Heaven.  These saints, like so many others, help us put that into perspective in our lives in this modern world.

Liturgia Latina summarizes their lives:

These saints, Roman soldiers, noble by birth and illustrious by their virtues, became Christians under Diocletian. Arrested and cast into prison, they were condemned to death and beheaded. Their bodies were thrown to the wild beasts who respected them; they were buried with honour by the Christians.

The Traditional Reading at Matins shows the courage of these martyrs:

Basilides, Cyrinus, Nabor, and Nazarius were Roman soldiers of illustrious birth and valour. Having embraced the Christian religion, and being found publishing that Christ is the Son of God, they were arrested by Aurelius, prefect of Rome, under Diocletian. As they despised his orders to sacrifice to the gods, they were committed to prison. While they were at prayer there, a brilliant light broke forth before the eyes of all present and shone in all the prison. Marcellus, the gaoler, and many others were moved by this heavenly glory to believe in the Lord Christ. Having gone forth from the prison, they were afterwards thrown in again, by the emperor Maximian, who caused them, first of all, to be beaten with scorpions, for having, despite his orders, continued to have ever in their mouth that there is but one Christ, one God, one Lord, and so they were laden with chains. Thence, on the seventh day, they were brought out, and set before the emperor, and there still persisting in mocking at the vain idols, and declaring Jesus Christ to be God, they were condemned to death and beheaded. Their bodies were given to wild beasts to be devoured, but as these refused to touch them, the Christians took them and buried them honourably.

They suffered and died for the faith around the year 303 AD.

Collect:

O Lord, may the keeping of this festival of the heavenly birthday of Thy holy martyrs, Basilides, Cyrinus, Nabor and Nazarius, shed brightness on our lives; and may the eternal glory granted them, be increased by the devout service we pay Thee.

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