Today, December 9, is the memorial of Saint Juan Diego. Visionary of Our Lady of Guadalupe. He was born Juan Diego Cuāuhtlahtoātzin in 1474 to an impoverished free man in a strongly class-conscious society. He was a farm worker, field laborer, and mat maker. He was married to Maria Lucia and they had no children. …
Today, December 8, is the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the solemn dogma defined by Blessed Pope Pius IX in 1854. Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, “full of grace” through God, was redeemed from the moment of her …
Today, December 7, is the memorial of Saint Ambrose. Doctor of the Church. Ambrose was born to the Roman nobility. He was the brother of Saint Marcellina and Saint Satyrus. He was educated in the classics, Greek, and philosophy at Rome, Italy. When the bishop of Milan died, a dispute over his replacement led …
Today, December 5, is the memorial of Blessed Bartolomeo Fanti. Bartolomeo was born in Mantua, Italy in 1428. He was a Carmelite priest for 35 years. He served as spiritual director and rector of the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for which he composed a rule and statutes. He was also the spiritual teacher …
Today, December 4, is the memorial of Saint John Damascene. Doctor of the Church. Born in either c. 675 or 676 in Damascus, Umayyad Caliphate, John is known for defending the use of icons and images in churches through a series of letters opposing the anti-icon decrees of Germanus, Patriarch of Constantinople. An account narrates …
Today, December 3, is the memorial of Saint Francis Xavier. Born in 1506 in Spain, Francis Xavier was a friend of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. The latter encouraged him to use his talents in preaching the Gospel. He is considered as one of the founding members of the Society of Jesus, and also the first …
Today, December 2, is the memorial of Saint Bibiana. Virgin and martyr. Also known as Vivian, she was the daughter of Christians: Flavianus, a former prefect who was kicked out by the Roman emperor Julian the Apostate, and Dafrosa. The couple were both martyred for the faith. The authorities took away Bibiana and her sister …
Today, December 1, is the memorial of Blessed Charles de Foucauld. Charles inherited a considerable amount of fortune when his grandfather died. He left the army and used his money for extreme indulgence in sexual pleasures and alcohol. His cousin Mary, who lived nearby, was a model of Christianity. She inspired him so much that …
Today, November 30, is the feast of Saint Andrew. Andrew was the first Apostle. He was a fisherman by trade and the brother of Simon Peter. He was also a follower of St. John the Baptist. Andrew went through life preaching and encouraging people to follow Jesus, both before and after the Crucifixion. His preaching …
Today, November 28, is the memorial of Saint Catherine Labouré. Visionary of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Catherine, the ninth of 11 children, came from a well-to-do farming family in France. When she was about nine years old, her mother died. Since she was deemed the most level-headed of the brood, Catherine took responsibility …