Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints
- Juan Diego
- Peter Fourier
- Hipparchus and Companions, martyrs
- the Seven Martyrs of Samosata
- Leocadia, virgin and martyr
- Gorgonia, widow
- Budoc or Beuzec, abbot
St. Juan Diego: In 1531 A.D., while he was on his way to Mass, Our Lady appeared four times to Juan Diego Cuatitlatoatzin (meaning “the talking eagle”), at Tepayac, near Mexico City. Juan Diego was said to be a native convert, a widower, and advancing in years. He was a member of the Chichimeca people, perhaps also a leader of his own people and may have been involved in the area’s textile industry.
In Our Lady's apparition, she praised Juan Diego for his humility and faithfulness. She then urged him to go to the bishop and request a church to be built where he stood. Upon visiting the bishop, the bishop asked a sign from Juan Diego to authenticate the request of Our Lady. So Juan went back to the place of Our Lady's apparition and was instructed by the Virgin to gather roses, cover them, and deliver them to the bishop. Juan Diego did as the Virgin instructed. He gathered the roses in his tilma (cloak) and brought them to the bishop. As he unveiled the roses before the bishop, Our Lady of Guadalupe shone and emerged on his cloak. The bishop was convinced.
Known for his holiness, St. Juan Diego devoted himself, tradition says, to the pilgrims who came to see the miraculous image of Mary imprinted on his cloak. Juan Diego was beatified in 1990 A.D. by Pope John Paul II in Mexico City, and was canonized in 2002 A.D.
St. Peter Fourier (1565-1640 A.D.) was born in Mirecourt, France. When he was 15, he studied at a Jesuit university. After 5 years, he entered the Augustinians. He was ordained in 1589 A.D., continued with his studies, and obtained a doctorate in theology. He began to reform his community but faced strong opposition.
In 1597 A.D., he was assigned to a dilapidated parish, where he saw the need of children for care and education. In 1598 A.D., he founded with Alix Le Clerq as superior, the "Canonesses Regular of St. Augustine of the Congregation of Our Lady" for the free education of the children.
In 1622 A.D., the bishop of Toul asked him to reform and unite the religious houses of his order (the Canons Regular of St. Augustine) into one congregation. He merged the Canon Regulars into the Congregation of Our Saviour. Peter was elected superior general against his will.
In 1632 A.D., the Kingdom of France was invaded by the Duchy of Lorraine. When Peter Fourier refused an oath of allegiance to King Louis XIII, he and his community went into exile. They went to Burgundy. As a chaplain there, St. Peter Fourier took care of a small convent and taught children in a free school.
More details from Wikipedia.org, Peter Fourier
December 9 Saints in the Byzantine Calendar
- Patapius of Thebes
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