Dec 7 – Memorial for St. Ambrose, bishop and doctor of the Church St. Ambrose (c.340–397) was born to the Roman nobility. He was the brother of St. Marcellina and St. Satyrus. He was educated in the classics, Greek, and philosophy at Rome, Italy. He was a poet and a noted orator. He was a convert... Continue Reading →
6 December, Monday – God’s Strange Mercy
Dec 6 – Memorial for St. Nicholas, bishop St. Nicholas (d. 346) was a priest and abbot, and the bishop of Myra, Lycia (modern Turkey). He was generous to the poor, and a special protector of the innocent and wrong. Many stories grew up around him prior to his becoming Santa Claus. One story is that... Continue Reading →
4 December, Saturday — The good in counsel and wisdom is managed by God’s grace
Dec 4 – Memorial for St. John Damascene, priest, doctor of the Church St. John Damascene was born in Damascus about 675. After holding public office for a time, he withdrew to the monastery of Sabas near Jerusalem. He wrote ‘The Fount of Wisdom’, in which he presented a comprehensive teaching on Christian doctrine, which had... Continue Reading →
25 November, Thursday — Signs of Life
Nov 25 – Memorial for St. Catherine of Alexandria, virgin, martyr St. Catherine (d. 305) was a noble who was learned in science and oratory. After receiving a vision, she converted to Christianity. At the age of 18, during the persecution of Maximus, she offered to debate the pagan philosophers. Many were converted by her arguments,... Continue Reading →
24 November, Wednesday — Endurance in Adversity
Nov 24 – Memorial for St. Andrew Dung-Lac, priest, martyr, and companions, Martyrs of Vietnam Between the arrival of the first Portuguese missionary in 1533, through the Dominicans and then the Jesuit missions of the 17th century, the politically inspired persecutions of the 19th century, and the Communist-led terrors of the 20th, there have been... Continue Reading →
23 November, Tuesday — Remembering that all things shall pass
Nov 23 – Memorial for St. Clement I, pope, martyr; Memorial for St. Columban, abbot St. Clement (d. 101) was the fourth pope, and an apostolic Father. The Basilica of St. Clement in Rome is one of the earliest parish churches in the city, and is probably built on the site of Clement’s home. He is... Continue Reading →
22 November, Monday — Giving from the little we have
Nov 22 – Memorial for St. Cecilia, virgin, martyr St. Cecilia (d. 117) was a cultivated young patrician woman, whose ancestors loomed large in Rome’s history. She vowed her virginity to God, but her parents married her to Valerian of Trastevere. She told her new husband that she was accompanied by an angel, but in order... Continue Reading →
18 November, Thursday – One Degree
Nov 18 – Memorial for the Dedication of the Basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul The Basilica of St. Peter is located within the Vatican City. It occupies a unique position as one of the holiest sites and as the greatest of all churches of Christendom. It is the burial site of St. Peter,... Continue Reading →
17 November, Wednesday – Holy Detachment
Nov 17 – Memorial for St. Elizabeth of Hungary, married woman, religious St. Elizabeth (1207-1231) was a princess, the daughter of King Andrew of Hungary, and the great-aunt of St. Elizabeth of Portugal. At the age of 13, she married Prince Louis of Thuringia. She built a hospital at the foot of the mountain on which... Continue Reading →
16 November, Tuesday – Dying a Noble Death
Memorial for St. Gertrude (1256 – 1301/2) Saint Gertrude was born on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6, 1256, in Eisleben, Thuringia. As a girl, she was educated by the Benedictine nuns at Helfta and was particularly talented at literature and philosophy. Gertrude was confided to the care of Mechtilde, the younger sister of... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 