Memorial of Saints (November 19)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Nerses, bishop and martyr
• Barlaam, martyr
• Mecthilde of Magdeburg, abbess
• Hilda of Whitby
• Agnes of Assisi, abbess

St. Agnes of Assisi (d. ca. 1253 A.D.) was the younger sister of St. Clare of Assisi, the foundress of the Poor Clares and the close associate of St. Francis of Assisi. She was only fifteen when she followed St. Clare into the convent. In 1220 A.D. St. Francis sent her to Monticelli to become abbess of a new convent of Poor Clares. Agnes died two months after the death of Clare. Initially buried at San Damiano, her remains were laid alongside her sister in 1260 A.D. in the newly built church of Santa Chiara in Assisi.

Related blog post:

• St. Clare of Assisi, virgin, Learn more

Memorial of Saints (November 18)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Dedication of the Churches of Peter and Paul
• Romanus of Antioch, martyr
• Mawes or Maudez, abbot
• Odo of Cluny, abbot

St. Odo of Cluny (ca. 879-942 A.D.) was born near Le Mans, France. He received the tonsure when he was nineteen, a canonry at St. Martin's in Tours, and then spent several years of study at Paris under Remigius of Auxerre. St. Odo became a monk under St. Berno, who became abbot of the newly founded Cluny monastery. In 927 A.D., St. Odo succeeded St. Berno and became the second abbot of Cluny. St. Odo spread Cluny's influence to many monasteries all over Europe. He wrote hymns, treatises on morality, an epic poem on the Redemption, and a biography of St. Gerald of Aurillac.

Related blog posts:

• The Achievements of Reform at Cluny, Learn more
• Monastic Reform in the 10th Century A.D., Learn more
• Reform in Benedictine Spirituality: Cluny and the Cistercians, Learn more
• Sts. Berno, Odo and Aymard: Benedictine Abbots of Cluny, Learn more

33rd Sunday of the Year (B)

(Edited) Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

33rd Sunday of the Year (B), November 18, 2012

Liturgical readings
Daniel 12:1-3
Psalm 16
Hebrews 10:11-14, 18
Mark 13:24-32

"The heavens and the earth will pass away, but my words will not."

Jesus spoke of His coming again - "in the clouds, with great power and glory". He spoke of the need to be watchful and vigilant, for no one knows that day or hour of His appearance again. Not the angels, not even Himself; only the Father knows. Much destruction will occur during those days. The heavens and the earth will pass away. But the Lord reassures everyone, that His words will not pass away. That is why He calls us to believe in His words, to have faith in Him and all what His words stand for. For both in Him and in His action within the sacramental community do we have hope of being saved by God our Redeemer and Saviour.

From biblical times, through centuries of Catholic spirituality, and until now, this important teaching of Christ of being ready and prepared for the Day of the Son of Man will always be relevant. Even already as early as the 1st century, St. Paul was getting the young Christian churches to be prepared.

He said: "stand firm ... keep the traditions ... let Jesus be your comfort and strength in everything that you do or say" (1 Thessalonians 2:15ff).

What he says is true, and holds true even though many centuries have passed since he preached and wrote the Letter to the Thessalonians. Whether the Day of the Son of Man comes during one's lifetime (or not), only Jesus will be each one's comfort and strength.

The End Times remind each and every one of death and God's judgment. But God's justice is always qualified by His mercy. His mercy gives a strong confidence of His saving presence and action during those days. St. Claude la Colombière (instrumental in propagating devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus) gives the Church a good attitude towards death:

"What would give me confidence before God's judgment would be nothing other than the number and greatness of my sins. Here is a confidence really worthy of God: far from allowing us to be depressed by the sight of our faults, it strengthens us ... by its infinite conception of the goodness of our Creator".