Memorial of Saints (December 10)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Melquiades, pope
• Eulalia of Merida, virgin and martyr
• Gregory III, pope
• Mennas, Hermogenes, and Eugraphus, martyrs
• Edmund Gennings, Eustace White, Polydore Plasden, Swithen Wells, John Roberts

St. Gregory III (died ca. 741 A.D.) was born in Syria and became a priest in Rome. In 731 A.D., he was elected to the Papacy. He supported the missionary activities in the Church, especially the missionary work of St. Boniface in Germany.

Sts. Edward Gennings (1567-1591 A.D.), Polydore Plasden (1563 A.D.), John Roberts (ca. 1576-1610 A.D.), Swithin Wells (1536-1591 A.D.), and Eustace White (d. ca. 1591 A.D.) are among the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. They were canonized in 1970 A.D. Sts. Edward, Polydore, and Eustace were priests. St. Swithin was a schoolmaster and married to Margaret, who was also sentenced to death, but reprieved. (She died in prison eleven years later.) St. John Roberts was a Benedictine monk.

December 10 Saints in the Byzantine Calendar

• Sts. Mennas, Hermogenes, and Eugraphus, Martyrs

This day marks the feast on the martyrs Mennas, Hermogenes, and Eugraphus. The martyrs' feast coincide (both December 10) in the Roman Calendar and the Byzantine Calendar. (It is also celebrated this day by the Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches).

St. Mennas was a civil servant in Rome while Eugraphus was his friend and secretary. When Mennas publicly lashed at the critics of Christianity, the Roman Emperor sent one of his magistrates, Hermogenes, to investigate. Mennas was tried in court and Hermogenes ordered Mennas to be tortured and his tongue cut out. After a time, Mennas and his secretary Eugraphus, were summoned before Hermogenes. When the tongueless Mennas spoke in a "sweet and beautiful voice", Hermogenes fell to his knees in acceptance of Christ. All three, Mennas, Eugraphus and Hermogenes, were beheaded at the command of the Roman governor.

Today in Catholic Church History

On December 10, 1968 A.D. marks the day of death of Thomas Merton, Trappist monk and activist in the cause of world peace, social justice, and interfaith harmony. He influenced millions of people of all faiths and of no faith with his spiritual writings. His autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain, is a modern classic.

Memorial of Saints (December 9)

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

2nd Sunday of Advent (C)

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

2nd Sunday of Advent (C), December 9, 2012

Liturgical readings

Baruch 5:1-9
Psalm 126
Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11
Luke 3:1-6

"Make ready the way of the Lord."

St. John the Baptist is a strong character in the readings during the Advent season. His leadership is a prophetic service to his people - leading them to a baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sins. Entrusted by the Lord to prepare God's people for the coming of the Messiah, his baptism will take away their "robes of mourning and misery" - caused by many infidelities to Yahweh. So we see St. John in the gospel crying out in the Jordan river and calling the people to prepare for their salvation in God. This salvation will make them see once more that God's promises and His faithfulness are true: the Lord has, is, and will continue to do great things for them, and fill their hearts and their land with His mercy, justice and joy.

Repentance and amendment of life. These are very important themes to reflect upon during Advent; it helps to make our hearts ready for the Lord.  It can begin with the grace and healing received in Confession. When our sins have been taken away by the Lord in the Sacrament, it makes strong our life of charity in God's name: in every thought, word and deed. The law of Christ is not only something external to us, but is engraved much more deeply within our heart and soul. We learn in the Spirit and in the Church that only Jesus can save us, and that our hopes find its true fulfillment in Him. God saves, but we also have to do our part in working for our salvation, as well as that of our neighbor's, through the grace of perseverance and fortitude we receive from Him.

To repent and amend our life needs a little more work. We have to take it to heart and to daily practice. It is especially in these times when the family is beset by so much uncertainty and moral degeneration, that Christ's call becomes stronger: calling every family to renew their commitment to work for His kingdom. The Lord's prophetic call at the beginning of His public life echoes also during Advent: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel." It only takes humble and contrite hearts to make that first steps needed to renew our resolutions and make ready the way of the Lord. Once we resolve to a renewal of hearts and minds to God, Jesus will be with us despite all the uncertainty and adversity we experience around us. He is our Emmanuel; He will continue to be with us for all time.