Memorial of Saints (December 23)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• John of Kanty, priest
• The Ten Martyrs of Crete
• Victoria and Anatolia, virgins and martyrs
• Servulus
• Dagobert of Austrasia
• Thorlac, bishop
• Marie Margeruite d'Youville

St. John of Kanty (1390-1473 A.D.) was a Polish priest and professor at the University of Cracow. John was born of a well-to-do family at Kanty, near Oswiecim (Auschwitz) in Poland. For some unknown reason, perhaps out of envy at his success, he was later removed from his teaching position and assigned to a parish in Olkusz. His parish ministry being unsuccessful, he was later recalled to occupy a chair of theology at the university. He urged his students to oppose false opinions with moderation and courtesy. And he himself was held in such high esteem that his academic gown was used to vest each new doctor of the university.

St. Thorlac of Skalholt (1133-1193 A.D.) was born in Iceland, became a deacon when he was fifteen, and was ordained when he was eighteen. He was sent abroad to study and then returned to Iceland in 1161 A.D. He founded a community of Augustinian Canons and became its abbot. In 1178 A.D., he was named bishop of Skalholt, one of Iceland's two dioceses. He reformed the see, insisted on clerical discipline and celibacy, abolished lay patronage, and fought simony. He planned to resign and move to Thykkviboer and retire, but he died on December 23. The bishops of Iceland canonized him in 1198 A.D. and made patron saint of Iceland, but his cult has never been formally approved by the Holy See in Rome. Learn more from CatholicNewsAgency.com.

December 23 Saints in the Byzantine Calendar

• The Ten Martyrs of Crete

The Ten Martyrs of Crete are both commemorated in the Roman Calendar and the Byzantine Calendar. These ten were executed during the reign of the Roman emperor Decius from 249 to 251 A.D.

• Theodulus,
• Saturninus,
• Euporus,
• Gelasius,
• Eunician, (and all the four above were from Gortyn),
• Zoticus from Knossos,
• Pompius from Lebena,
• Agathopus from Panormos,
• Basilides from Kydonia (Hania),
• and Evaristus from Iraklion

The ten refused to worship at the shrine of the deity of the emperor Decius as god of Rome. The ten were brought before the governor of Crete. At their trial they steadfastly confessed their faith in Christ and refused to worship the emperor and other idols. They were imprisoned and tortured for one month. But the torture did not change their opinions, and they continued to glorifying God. They were sentenced by the governor of Crete to be beheaded. Learn more from OrthodoxWiki.org.

4th Sunday of Advent (C)

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

4th Sunday of Advent (C), December 23, 2012
Liturgical readings
Micah 5:1-4a
Psalm 80
Hebrews 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-45

"Blessed is she who trusted that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled."

There are only a few passages in the New Testament which refer to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In this Sunday's gospel, we find her visiting her cousin Elizabeth. Mary does not speak in the passage, except for a mention of her greeting. That greeting from Mary caused Elizabeth to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Great joy filled Elizabeth's heart that she was moved to praise Mary for trusting the Lord's words. One ought to note that Elizabeth's words of praise became part of every Catholic's prayer in the rosary. Both Elizabeth's and Mary's humility before God is rooted in that patient hope of a people awaiting their deliverance from God - which is now fulfilled in Mary's womb after 42 generations since the time of their ancestor Abraham.

Meditating on this mystery of the Visitation, one can seek to understand the meaning of the encounter between Mary and Elizabeth. We see how God's action can enter human history even in the most unexpected places. And involving members of Jewish society who were closest to God in prayer: a virgin from Nazareth (who knows no man) now conceives the Word of God in her immaculate womb; and an aged and married woman (known to be barren) now conceives a son in her old age (in a town of Judah not even named in the gospel). Two miraculous conceptions. Two miracles of life. These miracles of life will bring great tidings and joy to the world. And it all began with a humble trust in God's Word.

To trust in God and His will is what all are called to do daily. It may not be easy at first, since that trust will be tried several times in life. Mary is a good example for all in the exercise of faith and obedience to God's will. That is why next to Jesus, she is the most loved, and the one whom many go to in times of need. Just as the gospel presents her bringing the Good News of salvation and deliverance from sin to her cousin Elizabeth, devotion to Mary will also lead anyone to a greater praise of God's mercy and a greater love for Christ, our Redeemer and Prince of Peace.

Memorial of Saints (December 22)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Chaermon, Ischyion and other martyrs
• Anastasia, martyr

St. Chaermon (died ca. 250 A.D.) was bishop of Nilopolis, Egypt. During Decius' persecution of Christians, and when he was already an old man, he fled to the mountains of Arabia and was never seen again.

December 22 Saints in the Byzantine Calendar

• St. Anastasia, Great-Martyr

St. Anastasia (d. ca. 304 A.D.) is commemorated this day in both the Roman Calendar and the Byzantine Calendar. She was a martyr venerated in Rome since the fifth century A.D. and is mentioned in the Canon of the Roman Mass.

There are many versions on her life. One story says she was the daughter of a noble Roman and had Chrysogonus as her spiritual director. She was married to a pagan and cared for Christians who were in prison during the persecution of Christians during Diocletian's reign. Because of her aid to prisoners, she herself was eventually arrested and executed.