EMBER FRIDAY
of the FIRST WEEK of LENT – Fast & Abstinence
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/16/today-is-an-ember-day-did-you-remember/
The Feast of the Sacred Lance and Nails – Friday after the 1st Sunday in Lent:
The Supreme Pontiff, Innocent VI, in his Decree establishing the Feast and Office of the Lance and Nails which pierced the Body of our Crucified Lord Jesus Christ, exhorts all the faithful to have a special veneration for and devotion to, all the Sacred Instruments of our Saviour’s Passion.
The following are the Holy Father’s words:
“We should honour the most holy Passion of our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, in such manner that, meditating on all the mysteries and merits of the same Passion, we venerate also each Sacred Instrument thereof.”
Then this holy and zealous Pontiff, coming more directly to the honour due to the Lance and Nails, says:
“Although the Lance and Nails and the other Sacred Instruments of the Passion, should be enerated everywhere, by the faithful of Christ and although every year the Church celebrates the Solemn Offices of the same Passion, yet, we deem it proper and fitting, that a special Solemn Feast should be instituted and celebrated in honour of those particular Instruments of the Passion, more especially, in those places wherein these salutary Instruments are preserved. Hence, we wish to encourage this devotion by a special Office and privileges.” (Innocent VI in Decret. de Fest. Lane, et Clav. Domini).
The Lance, also known as “The Spear of Longinus” is kept in the Vatican Basilica, given to Innocent VIII in 1492. The Nails were kept with the Crown of Thorns, along with a small piece of the Lance of Longinus at Saint Chapelle, France and were subsequently lost during the French Revolution. The Crown of Thorns was the only Relic saved and is now kept at Notre Dame Cathedral.
Nostra Signora della Luce / Our Lady of Light, Palermo, Italy, (18th Century) – 27 February:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/27/our-lady-of-light-palermo-italy-18th-century-and-memorials-of-the-saints-27-february/
St Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin/Gabriel Possenti CP (1838-1862) Confessor, Passionist Religious and student preparing for the Priesthood. Gabriel was known for his great devotion to the Sorrows of the Virgin Mary. St Gabriel was Canonised on 13 May 1920 by Pope Benedict XV.
Loving St Gabriel:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/27/saint-of-the-day-27-february-st-gabriel-of-our-lady-of-sorrows-cp-1838-1862/
St Abundius of Rome
St Alexander of Rome
St Alnoth
St Antigonus of Rome
St Baldomerus of Saint Just (Died c650) SubDeacon, Lay Brother, Blacksmith.
His Devoted Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/27/saint-of-the-day-27-february-saint-baldomerus-of-saint-just-died-c650-subdeacon/
St Basil (8th Century) Monk of Constantinople AND St Procopius (8th Century) Monk of Decapolis
St Comgan
Bl Emmanuel of Cremona Bishop
St Fortunatus of Rome
St Herefrith of Lindsey
St Honorina
St John (c900-976) Abbot of Gorze Monastery, Penitent, Reformer, Diplomat, Apostle of the needy and sick.
His Penitent Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2025/02/27/saint-of-the-day-27-february-saint-john-c900-976-abbot-of-gorze/
St Luke of Messina
Blessed Mark Barkworth OSB (c 1572–1601) Priest Martyr – one of the English Martyrs. Mark was Beatified by Pope Pius XI on 15 December 1929.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/27/saint-of-the-day-27-february-blessed-mark-barkworth-osb-c-1572-1601-priest-martyr/
St Thalilaeus
Blessed William Richardson (1572–1603) English Priest, Martyr. He was Beatified on 15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI. Born in Yorkshire and died by being hanged, drawn and quartered on 27 February 1603 at Tyburn, London, aged just 31. William owns the dubious honour of being the last Martyr under Elizabeth I’s barbaric policy of murdering Catholics and especially Priests, in this manner.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/02/27/saint-of-the-day-27-february-blessed-william-richardson-1572-1603-english-priest-martyr/






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