26 Jan – Memorial for Sts. Timothy and Titus, bishops St. Timothy (d. 97) was the son of a Greek gentile, his mother Eunice was Jewish. He was converted to Christianity by St. Paul around the year 47. He was a partner, assistant and close friend of Paul. He was a missionary as well, and... Continue Reading →
24 January, Wednesday — True Friendship
24 Jan – Memorial for St. Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622) was born in a castle to a well-placed family. His parents intended him to become a lawyer, enter politics, and carry on the family line and power. He studied at La Roche, Annecy, Clermont College... Continue Reading →
20 January, Saturday — Crazily in Love
20 Jan – Memorial for St. Fabian, pope and martyr; Memorial for St. Sebastian, martyr Pope St. Fabian (d. 250) was a layman and a farmer. He came into Rome on a day when a new pope was to be elected. A dove flew in and settled on his head. The gathered clergy and laity... Continue Reading →
17 January, Wednesday — Anger Issues
17 Jan – Memorial for St. Anthony, abbot Following the death of his parents when he was about 20, St. Anthony (251-356) ensured that his sister completed her education, then sold his house, furniture, and the land he owned, gave the proceeds to the poor, joined the anchorites who lived nearby, and moved into an... Continue Reading →
13 January, Saturday — Come Dine With Me
13 Jan – Memorial for St. Hilary, bishop and doctor of the Church St. Hilary of Poitiers (315-368) was known as Athanasius of the West. He was born to wealthy polytheistic, pagan nobility. His early life was uneventful as he married, had children (one of whom was St. Abra), and studied on his own. Through... Continue Reading →
2 January, Tuesday — A voice cries out in the wilderness
2 Jan – Memorial for Sts. Basil the Great & Gregory Nazianzen, bishops St. Basil the Great (329-379) was a noble by birth. His parents and four of his nine siblings were canonized, including St. Gregory of Nyssa. He was the grandson of St. Marcina the Elder. As a youth, he was noted for organizing... Continue Reading →
21 December, Thursday — Dancing with God
Dec 21 – Memorial for St. Peter Canisius, priest, doctor of the Church St. Peter Canisius (1521–1597) was the son of Jacob Canisius, a wealthy burgomeister, and Ægidia van Houweningen, who died shortly after Peter’s birth. He was educated in Cologne, Germany, where he studied art, civil law, and theology. He received a master’s degree... Continue Reading →
13 December, Wednesday — Human strength is finite
Dec 13 – Memorial for St. Lucy, virgin, martyr St. Lucy (c. 283) was a rich, young Christian of Greek ancestry. She was raised in a pious family, and vowed her life to Christ. Her Roman father died when she was young. Her mother, Eutychia, arranged a marriage for her. For three years, she managed... Continue Reading →
11 December, Monday — Courage! Do Not Be Afraid!
Dec 11 – Memorial for St. Damasus I, Pope Pope Damasus I (304-384) -- All lovers of Scripture have reason to celebrate this day. Damasus was the pope who commissioned Saint Jerome to translate the Scriptures into Latin, the Vulgate version of the Bible. Damasus was a sixty-year-old deacon when he was elected bishop of Rome in 366. His reign was marked by violence from... Continue Reading →
9 December, Saturday — Celebrate Jesus
Dec 9 – Memorial for St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, hermit, layman John (1474-1548) was born an impoverished free man in a strongly class-conscious society. He was a farm worker, a field labourer, and a mat maker. He became a married layman with no children. Even as a pagan, he was a mystical and religious man,... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 