Quote/s of the Day – 16 December – 2 Corinthians 1:3-7; Matthew 16:24-27 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
Seeking St John of the Cross
“For he who will save his life, will lose it and he who will lose his life for My sake, will find it. ”
Matthew 16:25
“The one who walks in the love of God seeks neither gain nor reward but seeks only, with the will, to lose self and all things, for God and this loss, the lover judges to be a gain! ”
“O you souls who wish to go on with so much safety and consolation, if you knew how pleasing to God, is suffering and how much it helps, in acquiring other good things, you would never seek consolation in anything; but. you would rather look upon it, as a great happiness, to bear the Cross of the Lord.”
“The endurance of darkness is the preparation for great light!”
“Strive to preserve your heart in peace; let no event of this world, disturb it.”
“Happiness is not a destination, it is a method of travel.”
St John of the Cross (1542-1591) Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 16 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – St Eusebius of Vercelli (c283-371) Bishop, Confessor – 2 Corinthians 1:3-7; Matthew 16:24-27 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“For he who will save his life, will lose it and he who will lose his life, for My sake, will find it. ” – Matthew 16:25
REFLECTION – “I lost myself and was found”
“The one who walks in the love of God seeks neither gain nor reward but seeks only, with the will, to lose self and all things, for God and this loss, the lover judges to be a gain! Thus it is, as St Paul asserts: “For me death is gain” [Phil 1:21], that is, my death to all things and to myself, for Christ, is my spiritual gain. Consequently, the soul declares: “I was found.” The soul who does not know how to lose himself, does not find himself but rather, loses himself, as Our Lord teaches in the Gospel: “For he that will save his life, shall lose it and he that will lose his life for my sake, will find it. ” (Mt 16:25).
Should we desire to interpret this verse more spiritually and in accord with what we are discussing here, it ought to be known that when a soul treading the spiritual road, has reached such a point that he has lost all roads and natural methods, in his communion with God and no longer seeks Him by reflections or forms or feelings or by any other way of creatures and the senses but, has advanced beyond them all and beyond all modes and manners and enjoys communion with God in faith and love, then it is said that God is his gain, because he has certainly lost all that is not God and has truly lost himself.” – St John of the Cross (1542-1591) Carmelite, Doctor of the Church (Spiritual Canticle 29:11).
PRAYER – O God, Who gladden us with the annual festival of blessed Eusebius, Thy Martyr and Bishop, mercifully grant that, as we venerate the anniversary of his Martyrdom, we may also rejoice in his protection.Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 16 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Saturday of the Second Week of Advent and a day to honour our Holy Mother
Most Holy Mary By St John of the Cross (1542-1591) Doctor of the Church
Most holy Mary, Virgin of virgins, Shrine of the most Holy Trinity, joy of the Angels, sure Refuge of sinners, take pity on our sorrows, mercifully accept our sighs and appease the wrath of your most holy Son. Amen.
Saint of the Day – 16 December – Saint Albina of Caesarea (Died c250) Virgin Martyr. Born in Caesarea, Palestine and died by beheading in c250, during the reign of the Emperor Decius, at Formia, Gaeta, Campagna, Italy. Also known as – Ulbina.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Mola-di-Gaeta, in Campagna, St Albina, Virgin and Martyr, under the Emperor Decius.”
St Albina, painting by Antonio Sicurezza.
Albina was a young Christian girl who lived in the middle of the 2nd Century in Caesarea in Palestine. Because she would not give up her Christian faith, she was beheaded in c250 during the persecutions of Emperor Decius (249-251).
Legend has it that her body was placed on a boat which floated ashore near Formia at Gaeta in Campagna in southern Italy and that she was then transported to nearby Gaeta and buried there, next to Saint Erasmus. Albina’s Relics are venerated in Gaeta in the Cathedral
The learned Church Historian, Oratorian and Cardinal, the Venerable Cesare Baronius (1538-1607), included the story of her suffering in the Martyrologium Romanum when he revised it at the end of the 16th Century, based on “ancient documents of the Church of Gaeta.”
St Beoc St Dominic Dosso Bl Elizabeth of Saint Francis
St Everard of Friuli (c815-867) Duke, Count, Soldier, Founder of Churches and a Monastery. In contrast to his soldiering life, St Everard was a peacemaker, a humble and loving Master with a social conscience, striving always to free serfs, wherever possible or at least to free them from their burdens and assisting the poor and needy in all their deprivations. His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/16/saint-of-the-day-16-december-saint-everard-of-friuli-c-815-867/
Haggai the Prophet St Irenion Bl James of Tunis St Jean Wauthier St Macarius of Collesano
Martyred Women of North-West Africa: A large group of women Martyred in the persecutions of Hunneric, Arian King of the Vandals. 482 in North-West Africa.
Martyrs of Ravenna – 4 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together. Four names and no other information has survived – Agricola, Concordius, Navalis and Valentine. c 305 at Ravenna, Italy.
Thought for the Day – 15 December– Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Power of Mary
“Virgin most powerful, pray for us.” This is one of the invocations to Our Lady in her Litany. Mary’s power derives from her Divine Motherhood. The Eternal Word was made man in her most chaste womb. By assuming our human nature in the Hypostatic Union, He became her Son. In the same way as a mother can give instructions to her son, Mary can pray to Jesus with full confidence that she will be answered. Not only has she the power of love, over Him but, also the power of a mother. Her prayers have the force of a command and it is impossible for them to go unheeded. When Mary seeks a favour from her Divine Son for us, who are her adopted sons, says St Peter Damian, she commands rather than prays, she is more like the mistress than the handmaid of the Lord (Serm 41 de Nativitate). Some Ecclesiastical writers go as far as describing Mary as being omnipotent in grace and in intercession, even as God is omnipotent by reason of His nature. “O Mother of God,” writes St Gregory of Nicomedia, “you have such invincible power, that the multitude of our sins can never exhaust your mercy. Nothing can resist your power, for your Creator regards your glory as His own” (Orat de Exitu B Virg). This doctrine should console even the most hopeless sinners. It is enough to have loving recourse to Mary and we shall be sure of salvation.”
Quote/s of the Day – 15 December – Octave of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God – Proverbs 8:22-35, Luke 1:26-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Hail, full of grace!” Luke 1:28
“Thou alone and Thy Mother, are in all things fair, there is no flaw in Thee and no stain in Thy Mother.”
St Ephrem (306-373) Father and Doctor of the Church
O Pure and Immaculate Blessed Virgin By St Ephrem (306-373) Father and Doctor of the Church
O Pure and Immaculate and likewise Blessed Virgin, who art the sinless Mother of thy Son, the mighty Lord of the universe, thou who art inviolate and altogether holy, the hope of the hopeless and sinful, we sing thy praises. We bless thee, as full of every grace, thou who didst bear the God-Man: we bow low before thee; we invoke thee and implore thine aid. Rescue us, O holy and inviolate Virgin, from every necessity that presses upon us and from all the temptations of the devil. Be our intercessor and advocate at the hour of death and judgement, deliver us from the fire that is not extinguished and from the outer darkness; make us worthy of the glory of thy Son, O dearest and most clement Virgin Mother. Thou indeed art our only hope most sure and sacred in God’s sight, to Whom be honour and glory and majesty and dominion forever and ever, world without end. Amen
St Ephrem of Syria (306-373) Father and Doctor of the Church
“The very fact that God has elected her, proves, that none was ever holier than Mary; if any stain had disfigured her soul, if any other virgin had been purer and holier, God would have selected her and rejected Mary.”
St Jacob of Sarug (c 451-521) Bishop, Theologian, Poet, Writer
“He Who is Infinite, Limitless, came to dwell in your womb; God, the Child Jesus, was nourished by your milk. You are the ever virginal Doorway of God; your hands hold your God; your lap is a throne raised up above the Cherubim… You are the wedding chamber of the Spirit, the “city of the living God, gladdened by the runlets of the stream” that is to say, the waves of the Spirit’s gifts. You are “all fair, the Beloved” of God.”
St John Damascene (675-749) Father and Doctor of the Church
“Free from the concupiscence which has disturbed our human nature, she was like a snow-white lily, sparkling in the sunlight. Her mortal life was a continuous ascent towards the highest peak of holiness. … her daily correspondence with God’s gifts was as remarkable as her dignity. … The most chaste Virgin Mary, is a model for our imitation.”
One Minute Reflection –15 December – Octave of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God – Proverbs 8:22-35, Luke 1:26-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Hail, full of grace!” – Luke 1:28
REFLECTION – “So the Lord now manifestly came to His own. Born by His own created order that He Himself bears, He by His obedience on the tree, renewed and reversed what was done by disobedience, in connection with a tree.
The power of that seduction, by which the virgin Eve, already betrothed to a man, had been wickedly seduced, was broken when the Angel in truth brought good tidings to the Virgin Mary, who already, by her betrothal belonged to a man. For as Eve was seduced by the word of an Angel to flee from God, having rebelled against His Word, so Mary, by the word of an Angel, received the glad tidings that she would bear God, by obeying His Word.
The former was seduced to disobey God and so fell but the latter, was persuaded to obey God, so that the Virgin Mary might become the advocate of Eve.
As the human race was subjected to death through the act of a Virgin, so was it saved by a Virgin, was precisely balanced by the obedience of Another. Then indeed, the sin of the first formed man was amended by the chastisement of the First Begotten, the wisdom of the serpent was conquered by the simplicity of the Dove and the chains were broken, by which we were in bondage to death.” – St Irenaeus (130-202) Bishop of Lyons, Martyr, Father of the Church (Against Heresies, 5)
PRAYER – O God, Who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, prepared a worthy dwelling for Thy Son, and Who, by Thy Son’s death, foreseen by You, preserved her from all taint, grant, we beseech Thee through her intercession that we too may come to Thee unstained by sin. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 15 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” and the Octave Day of the Feast
Deign, O Immaculate Virgin By St Paschasius Radbertus (785–865)
Deign, O Immaculate Virgin, Mother most pure, to accept the loving cry of praise which we send up to you from the depths of our hearts. Though they can but add little to your glory, O Queen of Angels, you do not despise, in your love, the praises of the humble and the poor. Cast down upon us a glance of mercy, O most glorious Queen, graciously receive our petitions. Through your immaculate purity of body and mind, which rendered you so pleasing to God, inspire us with a love of innocence and purity. Teach us to guard carefully the gifts of grace, striving ever after sanctity, so that, being made like the image of your beauty, we may be worthy to become the sharers of your eternal happiness. Amen
Saint of the Day – 15 December – Saint Valerian of Abbenza (c377-c457) Confessor, the 2nd Bishop of Abbenza in North Africa. Born in c377 and died in c457 of exposure in the region of his Diocese. Additional Memorial – 28 November as one of the Martyrs of North Africa.
The Roman Martyrology this day states: “In Africa, the holy Bishop Valerian, who, being upwards of eighty years old, in the persecution of the Vandals, under the Arian King Genseric, was asked to deliver the Sacred vessels of the Church and, as he constantly refused, an order was issued to drive him, all alone, out of the City and all were forbidden to allow him to stay, either in their houses or on their land. For a long time, he remained lying on the public roads in the open air and thus, in the confession and defence of the Catholic verity, closed his blessed life.”
Valerian was a Roman Bishop of Abbenza, an ancient Episcopal Seat of the Roman Province of Proconsular Africa, identifiable today with the ruins of Bordj-Hamdouna, in the Archdiocese of Carthage, in northern Africa, who lived in the 5th Century.
In the list of Bishops of this Diocese, he is second on the list after Fortunatus.
He is remembered for having refused to obey Genseric, the King of the Vandals, who arrived with his troops in the City, to hand over all the Sacred vessels and furnishings of the Church to him.
Valerian protested against the violence of the soldiers and was driven out and exiled from his City together with eight other Bishops of North Africa – although they were not sent into exile together.
The order was given forbidding anyone to offer him hospitality of any kind. He had to live and sleep outdoors, on the public roads, until his death.
Valerian, remembered as a Confessor, remained faithful to his faith until his death. The name of Saint Valerian was included in the Roman Martyrology on his Feast Day, 15 December.
Octave Day of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Christmas Novena to the Divine Infant Jesus by St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori – BEGINS on 16 December: This Novena is translated from the Italian of Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori and was first published in 1758. Although this Novena is intended, primarily as a preparation for the Feast of our Lord’s Nativity, it can be used with spiritual profit at any time of the year, as a devotion in honour of the Infant Jesus. This translation by the Redemptorists of the UK.
AND/OR: December, naturally being the Month of the Divine Infant, is a wonderful time to begin this Monthly practice: The Monthly Novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague From 16 to 24 December (and of every Month on the same dates).
St Maximinus of Micy St Offa of Essex St Paul of Latros St Silvia of Constantinople St Urbicus St Valerian of Abbenza (c377-c457) Confessor, Bishop Blessed Victoria Strata (1562-1617) Widow,
Martyrs of North Africa – 7 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together for their faith in North Africa. The only details about them that survive are their names – Caelian, Candidus, Faustinus, Fortunatus, Januarius, Lucius and Mark.
Martyrs of Rome – 22 Saints: A group of 22 Christians Martyred together in the persecutions of Valerian. The only details we have are five of their names – Antonius, Irenaeus, Saturnin, Theodorus and Victor. c 258 in Rome, Italy.
Thought for the Day – 14 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Consolation from God
“Even men and other creatures, have some power to comfort and console us. The comfort which we receive from them, however, cannot completely satisfy our hearts which were made for God alone. Such consolations, as they can give are short-lived and vanish like snow beneath the sun.
What can men or other worldly creatures give us? They can give us material wealth but this often turns out to be troublesome and vexatious and is too much inferior to the greatness of the human soul, to be able to satisfy it. Worldly honour can intoxicate our pride and self-conceit for a little while but this state of inebriation cannot last very long. We know too well that we are what we are in the sight of God and nothing more. The praise and flattery of other men adds nothing to our statue and only serves as an incentive to idle vanity. Then, there are worldly pleasures, some of which are healthy and commendable but how long do thy last? They are like flowers which open there petals to the morning air and fold them again in the evening. There are unhealthy pleasures too; not only are these passing and perishable like all created things but, they leave behind a sense of nausea and remorse!
Let us seek, before all other joys, the consolation of God. These do not decrease as life goes on but, last forever and are completed in the next life.”
Quote/s of the Day – 14 December – Within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – The Feast of St Venantius Fortunatus (c530 – c609) Bishop, Poet, Hymnist, Writer. Another “Golden Words.”
“O Mother blest! And chosen Shrine wherein the Architect Divine, Whose Hand contains the earth and sky vouchsafed in hidden guise to lie; Blest in the message Gabriel brought; blest in the work, the Spirit wrought; Most blest, to bring to human birth, the long desired of all the earth!”
“See the destined day arise! See a willing Sacrifice! Jesus, to redeem our loss, hangs upon the shameful Cross; Jesus, Who but Thee could bear wrath so great and justice fair? Every pang and bitter throe, finishing Thine life of woe?”
“Hail, O Altar, Hail, O Victim, For the glory of Thy Passion, By which Life endured death And by death, restored life!”
One Minute Reflection – 14 December –The Second Week of Advent, Within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Proverbs 8:22-35; Luke 1:26-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Hail, full of grace …” – Luke 1:28
REFLECTION – “How can I speak? What praises could I possibly make of the holy and glorious Virgin? She surpasses all other beings except for God Himself. She is by nature more beautiful than the Cherubim and Seraphim and the whole Angelic Host. No language, whether of Heaven or earth, or even of the Angels, is enough to praise her. Blessed Virgin, spotless dove, heavenly bride… temple and throne of the Godhead! Christ, the Sun Who shines resplendently in Heaven and on earth, belongs to thee. Thou art the luminous cloud which brought Christ down to earth, He Who is the bright streak of lightening, Who shines across the world.
Rejoice, full of grace, gate of Heaven! It was of thee, the author of the Song of Songs speaks… when he cries aloud: “A garden enclosed is my sister, my bride; an enclosed garden, a fountain sealed” (4:12)… Holy Mother of God, spotless ewe – thou gave birth to Christ, the Lamb, the Word made flesh in thee … How amazing a wonder in the heavens – a woman clothed with the sun (Apoc 12:1), carrying the Light in her arms! … How amazing a wonder in the heavens – the Lord of Angels becomes the Virgin’s Child. Angels judged Eve; now they fill Mary with glory, since it was she who raised Eve from her fall and brought Adam, expelled from Paradise, into Heaven.
Vast is the grace given to this Holy Virgin. Hence Gabriel, first addresses her with this greeting: “Hail, full of grace” resplendent as the Heaven. “Hail, full of grace” Virgin adorned with countless virtues… “Hail, full of grace” thou quench our thirst at the sweetness of the everlasting stream. Hail, holy and Immaculate Mother, thou conceived the Christ Who existed before thee. Hail, royal purple, thou clothed the King of Heaven and earth. Hail, O sealed book, thou enabled the world to read the Word, the Father’s Son!” – St Epiphanius of Salamis (c315-403) Bishop of Salamis, known as the Oracle of Palestine and Father of the Church (Sermon No 5)
PRAYER – Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the ways of Thy only-begotten Son, so that through His coming we may be able to serve Thee with purified minds. Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 14 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” and Within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception – Today is also the Feast day of dear St Venantius Fortunatus (c530 – c609) Bishop, Poet, Hymnist, Writer. Another “Golden Words”:
O Gloriosa Virginum By St Venantius Fortunatus (c530 – c609)
O Glorious Virgin, ever blest, Sublime above the starry sky, Who nurture from thy spotless breast To thy Creator didst supply.
What we had lost through hapless Eve, The Blossom sprung from these restores, And, granting bliss to souls that grieve, Unbars the everlasting doors.
O Gate, through which hath passed the King. O Hall, whence Light shone through the gloom; The ransomed nations, praise and sing Life given from the Virgin womb.
All honour, laud and glory be, O Jesu, Virgin-born, to Thee; All glory, as is ever meet, To Father and to Paraclete. Amen
O Gloriosa Domina is the second half of the Hymn: Quem Terra, Pontus, Aethera. It was composed by St Venantius Fortunatus (c530 – c609) the Bishop of Poitiers. In 1632, in accordance with revisions made to the Hymns of the Divine Office by Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644), it was altered and changed to O Gloriósa Vírginum. It is sung in the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Roman Breviary. It is said that St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) was always singing this Hymn. His mother sang it to him as a baby,and even on his death bed after receiving Extreme Unction, he intoned the Hymn.
Saint of the Day – 14 December – Saint Agnellus of Naples OSA (535-596) Hermit, Priest, Abbot, Defender and Protector of the City of Naples, Miracle-worker. Agnellus was initially a Basilian Monk and later became a Friar of the Hermits of St Augustine. Born in 535 in Naples, Italy and died of natural causes on 14 December 596 in his birth-town at the age of 61. Patronages – against invaders or invasion, of the City of Guarcino, one of the 50+ Co-Patrons of Naples (See Note below). Also known as – Agnello, Aniello the Abbot. Additional Memorial – 18 May in his Patronage Town of Guarcino.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In Naples, in Campaniaa, St Agnellus, Abbot. Illustrious by the gift of miracles, he was often seen with the standard of the Cross, delivering the City besieged by enemies.”
At the beginning of the 10th Century, Peter, a Sub-Deacon of the Neapolitan Church who had been freed from a serious illness through the intercession of Agnellus, composed a “Libellus Miraculorum,” in which, in addition to his own miraculous cure, he recounts twenty-two further miracles performed through the intercession of our Saint.
Agnellus was born in 535 in Naples into a rich family of Syracusan origin, possibly related to Saint Lucy. His father was Federico and his mother Giovanna. He spent his youth as a Hermit in a cave near a Chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary and then, in the Church of Santa Maria Intercede which later became Sant’Agnello Maggiore.
Statue of the saint in the Town named after him.
He received a rich and extensive inheritance on his parents’ death and used it on works of mercy, such as founding a hospital for the poor.
Agnellus became increasingly popular among the inhabitants of Naples, so much so that they called upon him to save the City during the Lombard invasion of 581. Accepting the challenge, he appeared carrying a Banner of the Cross to defend the City.
He finally left the City to escape his popularity, moving to Monte Sant’Angelo, then the village of Guarcino, where he remained for seven years and where there is a Shrine dedicated to him.
Agnellus later returned to Naples to become an Augustinian Monk and then a Priest at the Monastery of Gaudiosus of Naples, where he finally became Abbot and where he died aged 61.
The 17th Century Reliquary bust containing the jaw and throat attributed to Agnellus, is kept in the Cathedral of Naples, inside the Chapel of San Gennaro. He is Co-Patron of the City of Naples where, according to tradition, he was buried in the Church of Sant’Agnello Maggiore in Caponapoli.
Since the 15th Century, Agnellus was counted among the Patrons of Naples and is also the Patron of Guarcino, a City in Lazio in the Province of Frosinone. He also enjoys particular veneration in Lucca, where, since the 12th Century, an Altar was dedicated to him. This City disputed with Naples regarding the authenticity of its Relics and celebrates the Feast on 18 May.
There are many Churches dedicated to St Agnellus in the region.
*NOTE: The City of Naples has more than 50 official Patron Saints, although its principal Patron is Saint Januarius (Died c305). St Januarius is a Martyr of the Great Persecution which ended with Diocletian’s retirement in 305. The second in terms of importance, is St Aspren (Died in the 2nd Century) – the first Bishop of Naples. St Aspren’s Episcopate is stated as lasting twenty-three years.
St Agnellus in Glory – Gloria di Sant’Agnello, Santuario di Sant’Agnello Abate – Roccarainola
Bl Buenaventura Bonaccorsi St Folcuino of Therouanne Bl Joan Lambertini St John Pan y Agua (Bread-and-Water) Bl John Discalceat St Justus of Spain St Matronianus of Milan St Pompeius of Pavia
St Viator of Bergamo Bl William de Rovira
Martyrs of Alexandria – 4 Saints: A group of Egyptian Christians Martyred together in the persecutions of Decius – Arsenius, Dioscurus, Heron and Isidore. They were burned to death in 250 at Alexandria, Egypt.
Martyrs of Apollonia – 7 Saints: Martyred in the persecutions of Decius. The only surviving details are three names – Callinicus, Leucio and Tirso. The Martyrdom took place at Apollonia, Bithynia (in modern Turkey).
Martyrs of Ashkelon – 3 Saints: Several pilgrims from Egypt to Cilicia (in modern Turkey) who planned to minister to fellow Christians suffering in the persecutions of Emperor Maximinus. They were arrested, torture, mutilated and then imprisoned in Ashkelon. Some were ordered to forced labour in the mines but we have the names of three who were Martyred by order of Governor Firmilian – Ares, Elijah and Promo. They were burned at the stake or beheaded at the gates of Ashkelon c 308.
Martyrs of Hayle – 2+ Saints: Several Christians, including a brother and sister, who were Martyred together by pagans. The only other information to survive are the names of the two siblings – Fingar and Phiala. 5th Century at Hayle, Cornwall, England.
Martyrs of Syria – 3 Saints: Three Christians who were Martyred together. Known to Saint John Chrysostom who preached on their Feast Day and left us the only details we have – their names – Drusus, Theodore and Zosimus. The date and precise location of their Martyrdom is unknown but it was in Syria, possibly in Antioch.
Thought for the Day – 13 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Desire for Perfection
“Make and keep yourselves holy,” God commands us, “because, I Am Holy.” (Lev 11:44; 19:2). “You are to be perfect,” adds Jesus Christs, “even as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48).
We are obliged, therefore, to make every possible effort, to advance in holiness. Sad experience teaches us, however, that it is very dfifficult to reach the level of sanctity to which we are called by God and, that it is impossible to achieve the absolute perfection which God alone possesses. Why then, does God place before us such an inacessible goal? Simply because, although He knows that we cannot attain the perfect holiness which is to be found in our heavenly Father, He wants us to desire it with all our hearts and to do our best to approach as near to it as we can.
This desire for sanctity should dominate all our actions. It may be impossible for us to achieve Christian perfection completely but, we should always strive towards it. All our actions and affections should form a ladder which will enable us to climb nearer to this ideal. If the desire for perfection dominates our entire lives, it will one day dominate and brighten the supreme moment of death. If we lack this desire, we shall fall into a state of tepidity and of indifference to spiritual realities which will inevitably end in sin.”
Quote/s of the Day – 13 December – Feast of St Lucy, Virgin Martyr – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18, 11:1-2; Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field.”
Matthew 13:44
“For the man who loves God, it is sufficient to please the One he loves and, there is no greater recompense to be sought, than the loving itself. For love is from God, by the very fact that God Himself is love. The good and chaste soul is so happy to be filled with Him that it desires to take delight in nothing else. For what the Lord says is very true: ‘Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.’”
St Pope Leo the Great (400-461) ather and Doctor of the Church
I Will Love Thee, Lord By St Thomas of Villanova (1488-1555)
I will love Thee, Lord, in every way and without setting limits to my love. Thou set no limits to what Thou hast done for me; Thou hast not measured Thy gifts. I will not measure my love. I will love Thee, Lord, with all my strength, with all my powers, as much as I am able. Amen
“Amongst all loves, God’s is so to be preferred that we must always stand prepared in mind to forsake them all for that alone. ”
(Treatise on the Love of God, Book 10, Chapter 7)
“The love of God is the end, the perfection and the excellence, of the universe. ”
(Treatise on the Love of God, Book 10, Chapter 1)
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church
In Thy Divine Heart By St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) Visionary of the Sacred Heart
Lord Jesus, let my heart never rest until it finds Thee, Who are its source, its love and its happiness. By the wound in Thy Heart pardon the sins I have committed, whether out of weakness, or out of evil desires. Place my weak heart in Thy own Divine Heart, continually under Thy protection and guidance, so that I may persevere in doing good and in fleeing evil, until my last breath. Amen
One Minute Reflection – 13 December – Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent, Within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God – Feast of St Lucy, Virgin Martyr – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18, 11:1-2; Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field.” – Matthew 13:44
REFLECTION – “For the man who loves God, it is sufficient to please the One he loves and, there is no greater recompense to be sought, than the loving itself. For love is from God, by the very fact, that God Himself is love. The good and chaste soul is so happy to be filled with Him that it desires to take delight in nothing else. For what the Lord says is very true: – ‘Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.’
What is a man’s treasure but the heaping up of profits and the fruit of his toil? For whatever a man sows, this too will he reap and each man’s gain, matches his toil and where delight and enjoyment are found, there the heart’s desire is attached. Now there are many kinds of wealth and a variety of grounds for rejoicing – every man’s treasure is that which he desires. If it is based on earthly ambitions, its acquisition makes men not blessed but wretched!
But those who enjoy the things that are above and eternal, rather than earthly and perishable, possess an incorruptible, hidden store, of which the Prophet speaks: ‘Our treasure and salvation have come, wisdom and instruction and piety, from the Lord: these are the treasures of justice.’ Through these, with the help of God’s grace, even earthly possessions are transformed into heavenly blessings. It is a fact that many people use the wealth, which is either rightfully left to them or otherwise acquired, as a tool of devotion. By distributing what might be superfluous to support the poor, they are amassing imperishable riches, so that what they have discreetly given, cannot be subject to loss. They have properly placed those riches, where their heart is, – it is a most blessed thing, to work to increase such riches, rather than to fear that they may pass away.” – St Pope Leo the Great (400-461) Bishop of Rome and Great Western Father and Doctor of the Church (An excerpt from Sermon 92).
PRAYER – Hear us, O God our Saviour, that, as we rejoice on the feast of blessed Lucy, YThy Virgin and Martyr, so we may grow in love and devotion. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 13 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”
O Purest of Creatures, Sweet Mother, Sweet Maid By Fr Frederick W Faber C.Orat. (1814-1863)
O Purest of creatures, sweet Mother, sweet maid, The one spotless womb wherein Jesus was laid! Dark night hath come down on us, Mother! and we Look out for thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!
Deep night hath come down on this rough-spoken world, And the banners of darkness are boldly unfurled; And the tempest-tossed Church,— all her eyes are on thee; They look to thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!
He gazed on thy soul, it was spotless and fair, For the empire of sin—it had never been there; None ever had owned thee, dear Mother but He. And He blest thy clear shining, sweet Star of the Sea!
Earth gave Him one lodging; t’was deep in thy breast, And God found a home where the sinner finds rest; His home and His hiding-place, both were in thee, He was won by thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!
Saint of the Day – 13 December – Saint Ursicinus of Cahors (Died c595) Bishop, Monk, Royal Court Official and Adviser. Died in c595, og natural causes, after around 15 years as the Bishop of Cahors. Also known as – Urci, Urcisse, Urcsicinus, Ursicin, Ursicino.
Ursicinus was the Chancellor of Queen Ultragotha, the wife of Childebert I, King of Paris. He was chosen by Maurilius, then-Bishop of Cahors, to be his successor, making him the ninth Bishop of Cahors.
Cahors surrounding its Cathedral
The little information which has come to us about this Saint is reported by Saint Gregory of Tours in his “Historia Eccl. Francorum”, where he states that around the year 580, Maurilius, among the many Ecclesiastics who aspired to succeed him, chose Ursicinus, who was already a Secular and Spiritual Adviser to Queen Ultrogota, widow of King Childebert I.
Around 584, Innocent, Bishop of Rodez, accused Ursicinus of having usurped many Churches in his Diocese, so much so that the Bishop of Cahors had to defend himself in a Council meeting in Clermont, presided over by Bishop Sulpicius I, of Bouges. In that assembly, the accusations were judged false and Ursicinus was able to recover those Parishes usurped by the Bishop of Rodez and which had never belonged to his Diocese but had always been part of the Cahors See..
But then, Ursicinus was sentenced to a three-year penance at another Council. In fact, in the Autumn of 585, on the indication of King Gontranno, a Council was convened in Macon, where those Bishops who had welcomed the rebel Gondowald, a conspirator against the Merovingian dynasty, were discussed. Ursicinus publicly confessed to having committed this “crime” and the Bishop’s sentence of condemnation was explicit – he had to do penance for three years, abstaining from shaving his hair or beard, abstaining from wine and meat, not celebrating Mass, not ordaining Priests, nor consecrating Churches and not proceeding with any blessings.
Following this condemnation, the traces of Bishop Ursicinus are lost, but we do find him present at the Fourth Council of Auvergne in 590. After this citation we only know that his successor, Eusebius, was present at the Council of Paris in 614.
With regards to the cult of the sanctity of our Ursicinus – in a 14th Century Psalter, we find the first evidence of his cult and his feast which was celebrated on 13 December appears.
Many Churches in the Diocese were dedicated to him. Among these, one in Cahors, one in Tréjouls and one in Cantal. There are also two villages named after him, one in the canton of Puymirol and the other in that of Salvagnac. In the Diocese of Cahors the feast and remembrance of Saint Ursicinus, Bishop, is still celebrated today.
St Ursicinus Church in Cahors which was built in around the 7th Century
St Lucy (of Syracuse) – St Lucy/Lucia of Syracuse (c283-304) Virgin and Martyr Patron of the blind, eye disorders, martyrs, Perugia, Italy, Malta; epidemics; salesmen, Syracuse, Italy, throat infections, writers, against fire, against poverty, against spiritual blindness, peasants, penitent prostitutes, poor people, sick children, authors, cutlers, farmers, glass blowers, glass makers, glaziers, labourers, lawyer, maid servants, notaries, ophthalmologists, opticians, porters, printers, saddler, sailors, salesmen, seamstresses, stained glass workers, tailors, upholsterers, weavers and 10 further towns and cities. St Lucy’s Life and Death: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/12/13/saint-of-the-day-13-december-st-lucy-c-283-304/
Prayer to St Lucy
O St Lucy, you preferred to let your eyes be torn out instead of denying the faith and defiling your soul and God, through an extraordinary miracle, replaced them with another pair of sound and perfect eyes to reward your virtue and faith, appointing you as the protector against eye diseases. I come to you for you to protect my eyesight and to heal the illness in my eyes.
O St Lucy, preserve the light of my eyes so that I may see the beauties of creation, the glow of the sun, the colour of the flowers and the smile of children.
Preserve also the eyes of my soul, the faith, through which I can know my God, understand His teachings, recognise His love for me and never miss the road that leads me to where you, St Lucy, can be found in the company of the angels and saints. St Lucy, protect my eyes and preserve my faith.
St Lucy, “Bringer of Light” Pray for those with eye ailments, Pray for us all!
Blessed Antonio Grassi Cong. Orat. (1592 – 1671) Priest of the Oratorians of St Philip Neri, Confessor, Tertiary of the Order of St Francis, Spiritual advisor, Counsellor, Mediator, Miracle Worker, Apostle of the poor and the sick. He was Beatified on 30 September 1900 by Pope Leo XIII. Blessed Antonio’s biography: https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/13/saint-of-the-day-13-december-blessed-antonio-grassi-cong-orat-1592-1671/
St Aristone St Arsenius of Latro St Aubert of Arras Bl Bartholomew of Tuscany St Edburgh of Lyminge St Einhildis of Hohenburg Bl Elizabeth Rose St Jodocus
Blessed Giovanni Marinoni CR (1490-1562) Priest of the Theatines of St Cajetan (1480-1547) (The Congregation of the Clerics Regular of the Divine Providence), renowned Preacher and spiritual director. Patron of Preachers. He was Beatified on 5 December 1764, by a Bull of Pope Clement XIII, who also granted an Office in his honour, to his Order, to be celebrated on 13 December. Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2019/12/13/saint-of-the-day-blessed-giovanni-marinoni-cr-1490-1562/
St Martino de Pomar St Roswinda St Tassio of Bavaria St Ursicinus of Cahors (Died c595) Bishop St Wifred
Blessed Mercedarian Knights – 7 Beati: A group of Mercedarian Knights who fought the enemies of the Catholic faith in the first Century of the Order. Blessed Bernardo de Podio Blessed Giacomo de Copons Blessed Giovanni de Bruquera Blessed Guglielmo de Sa Blessed Pietro Boguer Blessed Pietro Ricart Blessed Raimondo de Frexa
Martyrs of Sebaste – 5 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian. We know little more than their names – Auxentius, Eustratius, Eugene, Mardarius and Orestes. They were martyred in c 302 at Sebaste, Armenia (in modern Turkey) and their relics are enshrined at the church of Saint Apollinaris in Rome, Italy.
Thought for the Day – 12 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Merit and the Love of God
“It is necessary, therefore, to love God and to do everything for the love of Him and for His glory alone. If we are to love God, however, we must know Him. If only we knew God perfectly, not only should we love Him but, we should come near to expiring from excessive love! We love God too little because, we know Him too little! Let us endeavour, therefore, to know Him by meditating on His infinite goodness, beauty and perfection. Any other goodness, beauty or perfection is a faint reflection of that of God, Who is the Source of all true goodness. We should not allow ourselves to be distracted or disturbed by these fleeting and perishable reflections.
God alone is enough for us. Let us learn to know Him and, in consequence, to love Him in the splendour of created things which reflect His beauty and power. The stars and the flowers, the waves of the sea and the trees of the forest, all speak to us of God. Let us come to know and to love Him, until we lament with St Augustine: “Too late have I loved Thee!”
Quote/s of the Day – 12 December – The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
“Know, know for sure, my dearest, littlest and youngest son that I am the perfect and ever Virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the God of Truth, through Whom everything lives, the Lord of all things near us, the Lord of Heaven and earth.”
“I want, very much, to have a little house built here for me, in which I will show Him, I will exalt Him and make Him manifest. I will give Him to the people in all my personal love, in my compassion, in my help, in my protection because, I am truly your merciful Mother, yours and all the people who live united in this land and of all the other people of different ancestries, my lovers, who love me, those who seek me, those who trust in me.”
“Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything!”
One Minute Reflection – 12 December – Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent, Within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Proverbs 8:22-35; Luke 1:26-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women” – Luke 1:28
REFLECTION – “Son of God, grant me your own admirable Gift that I may celebrate the wondrous beauty of Thy beloved Mother! The Virgin gave birth to a Son while preserving her virginity; she suckled Him Who gives nourishment to the peoples; in her immaculate breast, she bore Him Who carries the whole world in His Hands. She is Virgin and Mother, what will she not be hereafter? Holy in body, all beautiful in soul, pure of mind, upright in intelligence, perfect in feeling, chaste and faithful, pure of heart and filled with virtue.
May the hearts of virgins rejoice in Mary, since of her was born the One Who set humankind free from dreadful slavery. May the old Adam, wounded by the serpent, rejoice in Mary; it is Mary who gives Adam a posterity which allows Him to crush the accursed serpent and Who cures him of his mortal wound (Gen 3:15). Let Priests rejoice in the blessed Virgin; she has brought the High Priest into the world, Who gave Himself as a victim, putting an end to the sacrifices of the Old Covenant. … Let the Prophets rejoice in Mary, since in her were fulfilled their visions, in her were realised their prophecies, in her were confirmed their oracles. Let all the Patriarchs rejoice in Mary, since she received the blessing promised to them, she, who, in her Son, has brought them to completion. …
Mary is the new tree of life who, instead of the bitter fruit picked by Eve, gives to mankind that sweet fruit on which the whole world is fed!” – St Ephrem (306-373) Deacon in Syria, Father and Doctor of the Church (Marian Hymn).
PRAYER – O God, Who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, prepared a worthy dwelling for Thy Son and Who, by Thy Son’s death, foreseen by Thee, preserved her from all taint, grant, we beseech Thee, through her intercession that we too may come to Thee unstained by sin.Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 12 December – Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mystical Rose Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe By St Pius X (1835-1914)
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mystical Rose, make intercession for the holy Church, protect the Sovereign Pontiff, help all those who invoke thee in their necessities, and since thou art the ever Virgin Mary and Mother of the true God, obtain for us from thy most holy Son the grace of keeping our faith, sweet hope in the midst of the bitterness of life, burning charity and the precious gift of final perseverance. Amen
This prayer was approved and enriched with an Indulgence of Five Hundred Days by St Pius X at an Audience held on 15 August, 1908 and was included in the official edition of Approved Indulgenced prayers (1950). Raccolta number 389, 500 days Indulgence, St Pope Pius X Audience, 15 August 1908.
Saint of the Day – 12 December – Saint Columba of Terryglass (Died 552) Abbot, Founder of Monasteries, Miracle-worker. One of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland, pupil and disciple of St Finnian of Clonard (470–549) known as the “Tutor of the Saints of Ireland.” Born in Leinster, Ireland and died on 13 December 552 of the Plague at his Monastery in Terryglass, where he was also buried. Also known as – Colum mac Crimthainn, Colum moccu Loigse, Columba of Tirdaglas, Columba of Tyrdagla. Additional Memorial – 6 January as one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland.
Columba was the son of Ninnidh, a descendant of Crinthainn, King of Leinster. In his childhood, he learned his Psalms and Hymns from an old holy man named Colman Cule, who lived near Clonenagh and founded the Church of Cluain Cain.
As he grew into adulthood, he studied with St Finnian of Clonard and then, Columba resolved to go to Rome and bring back Relics of Saints Peter and Paul. On his return, he visited Tours and brought from there, the staff of St Martin of Tours. He also visited England and preached with some success to the Anglo-Saxons.
Returning home, he remained at Clonenagh for around a year, before crossing Slieve Bloom and founding a Church near Lough Derg.
Around 520, Columba was prompted by an Angel, to relocate to the Island of Inis Cealtra and establish a Monastery there. , He remained a long time at this Monastery. According to one report, when one of his Monks died suddenly on the shore opposite the northern part of the Island, Columba ordered the Monks to go and say to the dead man, “Columba bids thee arise.” The man then arose and returned with them to the Island.
Columba founded the celebrated Monastery of Tirdaglas (Tir-da-glasí), or Terryglass in 548. St Fintan of Clonenagh (c526-603) received his religious formation at Terryglass and was deeply influenced by the penitential practices and the severity of the Rule at the Terryglass Monastery finally becoming the Abbot
When Saint Finnian was in extremis, suffering from the Plague, he sent for Columba to administer Holy Viaticum. Columba himself died of the Plague on 13 December 552 and was buried within the precincts of his Monastery at Terryglass.
There are some fifteen more Saints of Ireland, bearing the name of our St Columba all being mentioned in the Martyrology of Gorman.
Terryglass Parish Church with a Cross, being part of a Shrine to St Columba in the foreground
St Colman of Clonard St Columba of Terryglass (Died 552) Abbot One of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. Bl Conrad of Offida St Corentius of Quimper St Cormac St Cury St Donatus the Martyr St Edburga of Thanet
Martyrs of Alexandria – 6 Saints: A group of six Christians Martyred for their faith during the persecutions of Decius. We know little more than five of their names – Alexander, Ammonaria, Dionysia, Epimachus and Mercuria. They were burned to death c 250 in Alexandria, Egypt.
Martyrs of Trier – 4 Saints and Companions: “At Treves (Trier), the holy Martyrs, Maxentius, Constantius, Crescentius, Justinus and their companions, who suffered inthe persecutions of Diocletian, under the Governor Rictiovarus.”
Thought for the Day – 11 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Leaving Our Worries in God’s Hands
“We should try to behave with similar serenity. We should remain close to God and live in complete conformity with His will. We should perform our duties attentively and whole-heartedly but, we should never worry about them. As a result, we shall do more and do it more effectively. Most important of all, we shall be sure that God shall bless our work.”
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