Today, December 21, is the memorial of Saint Peter Canisius. Doctor of the Church. Born in 1521 in Habsburg Netherlands, Peter had wealthy parents (his father was a chief magistrate). At 19, he was sent to study at the University of Cologne. There he met St. Peter Faber, one of the founders of the Society …
Mary set out in those daysand traveled to the hill country in hasteto a town of Judah,where she entered the house of Zechariahand greeted Elizabeth.When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,the infant leaped in her womb,and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,cried out in a loud voice and said,“Most blessed are you among women,and blessed is the …
The angel Gabriel was sent from Godto a town of Galilee called Nazareth,to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,of the house of David,and the virgin’s name was Mary.And coming to her, he said,“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”But she was greatly troubled at what was saidand pondered what sort of …
Today, December 19, is the memorial of Pope Saint Anastasius I. Anastasius, whose father was Maximus, was born in Rome. His predecessor was Pope St. Siricius. He was Pope from 399 to 401. As Pope he condemned the works of the theologian Origen. In fact, contradicting Origen’s writings became one of the main points of …
In the days of Herod, King of Judea,there was a priest named Zechariahof the priestly division of Abijah;his wife was from the daughters of Aaron,and her name was Elizabeth.Both were righteous in the eyes of God,observing all the commandmentsand ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barrenand both were advanced …
Today, December 18, is the memorial of Blessed Giulia Nemesia Valle. Giulia was born in Sardinia in 1847 to Anselmo Valle and Cristina Dalbar who both worked in the family’s hatmaker shop. Her mother died when she was four, and she was raised by relatives in Aosta and Donnas in Italy. She studied in Besançon, …
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,but before they lived together,she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,yet unwilling to expose her to shame,decided to divorce her quietly.Such was his intention when, behold,the angel of the …
Today, December 17, is the memorial of Saint Lazarus of Bethany. Saint Lazarus was the brother of Saint Martha and Saint Mary of Bethany and was the one of whom the Jews referred to: “See how much He loved him.” He was the friend of Jesus raised from the dead after having been buried in …
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac,Isaac the father of Jacob,Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah,whose mother was Tamar.Perez became the father of Hezron,Hezron the father of Ram,Ram the father of Amminadab.Amminadab …
Today, December 16, is the memorial of Blessed Mary of the Angels. Carmelite nun. She was born Marianna Fontanella in Turin, Italy in 1661 to nobility. She was a distant cousin of St. Aloysius Gonzaga. At around six years old, Marianna already knew she had a vocation to the religious life. One day, she planned …