Tag Archives: December Feast Days

Faith, Feast Days, Our Lady, Spirituality

Prayers, Quips and Quotes; Feast of the Holy Family

Quote December 15, 2019 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast of the Holy Family is celebrated the first Sunday after Christmas. It is a time to reflect on the love and tenderness Jesus, Mary and Joseph had for one another. How can we improve our own family lives to be more loving?

One way to celebrate the Feast Day of the Holy Family is to make an act of consecration. An act of consecration is a sacred act and should be done in a very prayerful way. It needs to be prayed deeply. and slowly..from the heart.

Consecration to the Holy Family Prayer

O Lord Jesus, you lived in the home of Mary and Joseph in Nazareth. There you grew in age, wisdom and grace as you prepared to fulfill your mission as our Redeemer. We entrust our family to you.

O Blessed Mary, you are the Mother of our Savior. At Nazareth you cared for Jesus and nurtured him in the peace and joy of your home. We entrust our family to you.

O Saint Joseph, you provided a secure and loving home for Jesus and Mary, and gave us a model of fatherhood while showing us the dignity of work. We entrust our family to you.

Holy Family, we consecrate ourselves and our family to you. May we be completely united in a love that is lasting, faithful and open to the gift of new life. Help us to grow in virtue, to forgive one another from our hearts, and to live in peace all our days.

Keep us strong in faith, persevering in prayer, diligent in our work, and generous toward those in need.

our home, O Holy Family, truly become a domestic church where we reflect your example in our daily life. Amen.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us!

Short Prayer to the Holy Family

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul; Jesus Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony; Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you.

“If you want to bring happiness to the whole world, go home and love your family.”

Quote of St. Teresa of Calcutta

January is the Month of the Holy Name

Pope, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Sylvester I, Feast Day December 31

January 3, 2017 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of St. Sylvester I is celebrated on December 31.

St. Sylvester I was the 33 pope, succeeding Pope Militades on Jan 31, 314. Although he became pope during peaceful times, his reign occurred during the persecutions of Diocletian. These persecutions came to an end when Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity.

A popular legend states that Constantine was cured of leprosy by Pope Sylvester, after which he converted to the faith. Constantine built several churches during his reign with the help of Pope Sylvester. These included the original St. Peter’s Basilica and the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

Pope Sylvester served as the Bishop of Rome for 21 years. He was involved in the debate about Arianism at the Council of Nicea. The Arians believed that Jesus Christ was not fully divine but a created being. It was at this council that the Nicean Creed was proclaimed by the Catholic Church. Pope Sylvester died in the year 335.

Nicean Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father.

Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation, he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
Amen.

Jesus calls Peter

Do not be afraid; from now on,
you will be catching people.

Quote of Jesus Christ (Luke 5:20)

Jesus calls Levi

“Follow me.”

Quote of Jesus Christ (Luke 5:27)

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

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Dominican, Dominican Saints, Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Alcober, Feast Day December 30

Quote January 3, 2017 Vicki Scheenstra

Prayers, Quips and Quotes:

St. John Alcober, Feast Day December 30

The feast day of St. John Alcober is celebrated on December 30. He was a Dominican Priest, a missionary to China and a Martyr of the Church.

St. John Alcober was born in Granada.in 1694. He entered the Order of Preachers, also known as the Dominicans, in 1709. When marooned for a time on Lorca, he became popular there as a preacher. He reached China in 1728 where he was a missionary for sixteen years. His ministry was done in secret. St. John is considered one of the Martyrs of China.

He, along with Francis Serrano and Father Francis Diaz, was tortured to disclose the location of Bishop Pere Sans Jorda and Father Joachim Royo, who surrendered to stop the torture.

St. John Alcober, St. Francis Serrano, St. Joachim Royo, and St. Francis Diaz were all martyred on October 18, 1739.

“The prayer of a good innocent,

and obedient child is like dew

from heaven falling upon

his whole family.”

Quote of St. John XXIII; Feast Day October 11

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

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Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Thomas Becket, Feast Day December 29

January 3, 2017 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of St. Thomas Becket is celebrated on December 29. He was the Archbishop of Canterbury and a martyr.

St. Thomas Becket was born in 1118 in Normandy. He was the son of a wealthy merchant. He went to Paris to study law. After working in the field of law he decided to become a priest. He continued studying towards this goal. Thomas accepted the position of Bishop of Canterbury in 1162. After becoming Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas gave up his worldly lifestyle. He lived an austere life and was generous with his time and money.

Many disputes arose between St. Thomas and King Henry II. Refusing to cooperate with the King, Thomas proceeded to resign as Archbishop, saying his election had been irregular. The Pope reinstated him as archbishop ordering him not to abandon his office. He then recommended Thomas to the Cistercian Abbot at Pontigny. Thomas followed the rules of the monastery after putting on the habit of a monk.

Troops soon appeared. The Cistercians were warned that they were harboring an enemy. No longer welcome there, the Archbishop turned to King Louis for refuge.

After three years of quarreling, Thomas was named the legate for the Pope for England except York.

St. Thomas was murdered with swords at his cathedral in Canterbury by knights of King Henry.

Many miracles were reported at his tomb. He is considered a martyr for the faith.

“I feel as though I am with Mary and Joseph beside the Crib.

It is good to be there. Outside are the cold and the snow,

images of the world, but in the little cave,

lit by the light of Jesus, it is sweet and warm and light.”

Quote of Bl. Charles de Foucauld; Feast day December 1

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

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Feast Days, Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips ane Quotes: The Holy Innocents, Feast Day December 28

January 3, 2017 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of The Holy Innocents is celebrated on December 28.

According to the Gospel of St. Matthew 2:16-18, Herod ordered the execution of all young male children near Bethlehem out of fear of a newborn King of the Jews after the announcement of His birth by the Magi.

It is not known how many children died, however, they are considered Martyrs and are honored by the Catholic Church.

An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream saying;

“take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child and kill kill Him.”

Joseph took Mary and Jesus to Egypt keeping them safe from harm.

The star of Bethlehem

shines

in the night of sin.

Quote of St. Edith Stein; Feast day August 9

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

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Faith, Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Stephen, Feast Day December 26

December 30, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of St. Stephen is celebrated on December 26. He was a disciple of Jesus.

St. Stephen is believed to be one of the 72 original disciples of Our Lord. After the ascension of Jesus he became one of the first seven deacons of the Catholic Church. He is considered the first to be martyred for the faith. In the book of Acts:6 we learn the story of the plot against St. Stephen. He was accused of blasphemy against the Jewish temple. This resulted in him being condemned and then stoned to death. Before his death he cried out to the Lord to forgive those persecuting him.

Look! I see an opening in the sky, and the Son of Man standing

at God’s right hand…Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

Lord, do not hold this sin against them.

Quote of St. Stephen

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

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Christmas, Faith, Feast Days, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: The Feast of the Nativity, Feast Day December 25

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Emiliana and St. Trasila, Feast Day December 24

December 26, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of St. Emiliana and Trasila is celebrated on December 24. They were both Aunts of St. Gregory the Great.

St. Gregory the Great’s father had three sisters, Emiliana, Trasila and Gordiana. Gordiana eventually married. Trasila and Emilana lived in their father’s house living a life of prayer. They lived as if in a convent, praying many hours with joy and peace. They both made great spiritual progress.

Tarsilla had a vision of her great grandfather inviting her to join him in heaven. She died on Dec. 24th. This left her sister in grief on Christmas day. However, Tarsilla appeared to Emiliana several days after her death, asking her to celebrate Epiphany with her in heaven. Emiliana died on the eve of Epiphany, Jan. 5.

The feast day for both St. Emiliana and St. Tarsilla is celebrated on Dec. 24.

“Since I began to love, love has never forsaken me. It has grown to its own fullness within my innermost heart.”

Quote of St. Catherine of Genoa; Feast Day September 15

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

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Saint of the Day, Spirituality

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Cantius, Feast Day December 23

December 25, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast Day of St. John Cantius is celebrated on December 23. He was a priest in Poland.

St. John Cantius was born in 1397 in the Polish town of Kanty. He is also known as St. John of Kanty. He studied at a university in Krakow, Poland. After being ordained a priest, he was offered a position as rector of a school in Miechow. During this time he studied the writings and spirituality of St. Augustine. In 1429, he returned to Krakow, accepting a position in the Philosophy Department at Jagiellonian University. Eventually, he became the head of the Philosophy Dept. then the directorship of the University’s Theology Department.

St. John led a very austere life. He kept only what he absolutely needed, sleeping little and on the floor. He ate very little, consuming no meat. He was known for his kindness and generosity and was taken advantage of because of it. St. John had an affinity to the less fortunate and to the students.

At the time of his death in 1472, he was beloved and considered a holy man. Veneration began immediately after his death.

Pope John Paul II had a devotion to this saint from Poland.

Fight all error, but do it with good humor,
patience, kindness, and love.
Harshness will damage your own soul
and spoil the best cause.

Quote of St. John Cantius

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

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Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Flavian, Feast Day December 22

December 25, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of St. Flavian is celebrated on December 22.

St. Flavian became the Patriarch of Constantinople after the death of Patriarch Proclus. It was a time of great turmoil in the church. St. Flavian convened a Local Council at Constantinople to discuss the heresy of Eutyches, which believed Jesus was Divine but not human.

When Eutyches persisted in his belief, he was excommunicated from the Church. Chrysathius, a friend of Eutyches, defended him and won his equital and the condemnation of Patrizrch Flavian.

Flavian suffered sever beatings and then he was chained and sentenced to banishment.

St. Flavian suffered martyrdom in August, 449.

Let us who are about to greet

the birthday of the Lord

clean our consciences.

Quote of St. Maximus of Turin; Feast Day June 25

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

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Doctor of the Church, Faith, Jesuit Saints, patron saints, Sacred Heart, Saint of the Day, Visionary

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Peter Canisius, Feast Day December 21

December 22, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of St. Peter Canisius is celebrated on December 21. He is the patron saint of the Catholic Press, a Jesuit priest and a Doctor of the Church.

St. Peter Canistius was born in Holland in 1521. He received his masters degree at the age of 19 from the University of Cologne. He studied art, law, and theology. He met Peter Faber, the first disciple of Ignatius, at a retreat. Soon after, he decided to become a member of the Society of Jesus, (the Jesuits). He was ordained in 1546. During the Council of Trent he was a delegate. St. Peter taught at several universities and established colleges and seminaries. He also wrote a catechism for lay people which was easy to understand. It was translated into twelve languages. He was an eloquent preacher, leading the counter reformation and renewing the faith in southern Germany. He also led reform in Austria, Bavaria and Bohemia.

After Mass one day, he received a vision of the Sacred Heart. Afterward, he offered his work to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Prior to his death he suffered from a paralytic seizure. He continued preaching and writing until his death on Dec. 21, 1597.

“Anyone who wishes to frolic with the devil cannot rejoice with Christ.”

Quote of St. Peter Canisius

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

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Benedictine Saints, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Dominic of Silos, Feast Day December 20

December 21, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of St. Dominic of Silos is celebrated on December 20. He is the patron saint of pregnant women, shepherds and prisoners. He was a Benedictine monk and priest.

St. Dominic of Silos was born in Navarre, Spain. around the year 1000. He was a peasant, shepherding his father’s flock. His love of solitude led him to become a Benedictine monk. He was ordained a priest becoming the Master of novices and prior. Because of his opposition to the annexation of the monastery land he was driven into exile.

St. Dominic turned to King Ferdinand I of Leon for aid. King Ferdinand found him refuge in the town of Silos in a decaying Abbey occupied by six monks. Dominic became the abbot of the community. He rebuilt the monastery both physically and spiritually. The monastery became a center of book design and scholarship Its proceeds were used for charity.
St. Dominic raised funds to ransom Christians taken prisoner by the Moors. The membership in the monastery increased to 40 monks.

St. Dominic died on Dec. 20. Many healings were reported at the monastery, especially regarding pregnancy. Almost one hundred hears after his death, Blessed Joan de Aza de Guzmán prayed at his shrine to conceive the child she named Dominic.

“Is it not reward enough to know that one is doing the will of God?”

Quote of St. Just Bretenie’res; Feast day September 20

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

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The Mystery of Faith

Tag Archives: December Feast Days

Prayers, Quips and Quotes; Feast of the Holy Family

“If you want to bring happiness to the whole world, go home and love your family.”

January is the Month of the Holy Name

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Sylvester I, Feast Day December 31

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Alcober, Feast Day December 30

Prayers, Quips and Quotes:

St. John Alcober, Feast Day December 30

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Thomas Becket, Feast Day December 29

Prayers, Quips ane Quotes: The Holy Innocents, Feast Day December 28

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Stephen, Feast Day December 26

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: The Feast of the Nativity, Feast Day December 25

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Emiliana and St. Trasila, Feast Day December 24

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Cantius, Feast Day December 23

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Flavian, Feast Day December 22

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Peter Canisius, Feast Day December 21

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Dominic of Silos, Feast Day December 20

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

Discovering the Spirituality of Catholicism