Memorial of Saints (December 1)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Eligius of Noyon, bishop
• Edmund Campion, Ralph Sherwin, Alexander Briant, & Robert Southwell, priests and martyrs, (four of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales)
• Ansanus, martyr
• Agericus or Airy, bishop
• Tudwal, bishop
• Charles de Foucauld

Sts. Edmund Campion, Ralph Sherwin, & Robert Southwell were Jesuits. St. Alexander Briant was a diocesan priest. When St. Alexander was imprisoned in the Tower of London, he wrote a letter to the Jesuits in England reflecting on his plight and asked to be admitted to the Society of Jesus. Consequently, he is numbered among the Jesuits' martyrs.

St. Robert Southwell was a Jesuit poet known for his poem, "The Burning Babe". Here is a quote from that poem:

Love is the fire
and sighs the smoke,
the ashes shame and scorns;
The fuel Justice layeth on,
and Mercy blows the coals;
The metal in this furnace wrought
are men's defiled souls,
For which, as now on fire I am,
to work them to their good,
So will I melt into a bath,
to wash them in my blood;
With this He vanish'd out of sight,
and swiftly shrunk away,
And straight I call'd unto mind
that it was Christmas day.

December 1 Saints in the Byzantine Calendar

• St. Nahum, Prophet
• St. Filaret, the "Almsgiver"
• St. Ananias, Martyr

The Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches celebrate today the feast of St. Nahum, a minor prophet in the Old Testament who was the father of another minor prophet, Amos.

The Church of England commemorates on December 1 Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916 A.D.). Charles de Foucauld was a French soldier, explorer, geographer, ethnographer, hermit, and Catholic priest who lived among the Tuareg people in the Sahara in Algeria (as a witness in the midst of non-Christians). His writings led to the founding of a number of religious communities inspired by his example, such as the Little Brothers of Jesus.

Charles de Foucauld was canonized by Pope Francis on 15 May 2022 A.D. in Rome. The Roman Catholic Church also celebrates the feast day of St. Charles de Foucauld every December 1.

1st Sunday of Advent (C)

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

1st Sunday of Advent (C), December 2, 2012
Liturgical readings
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 25
1 Thessalonians 3:12 - 4:2
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

"Pray constantly..."

All Catholics should see the immense value of constant prayer. For this contributes to a vigilant spirit which can help a soul aware of his mortal condition and a conscious need for God and His salvation. Jesus Himself tells His disciples to pray constantly, for the discipline can guard them against all indulgence, drunkenness and worldly cares. The Lord meant the counsel not only for His disciples, but to all the faithful in the Universal Church. It is by praying constantly with faith that all who believe in Christ will be given "the strength to escape whatever is in prospect". Constant prayer, vigilance and faith will make any soul ready to "stand secure before the Son of Man".

This counsel of constant prayer in the Bible is inculturated in the many Catholic spiritualities that grew along the continuum of history. This counsel, as many would probably say, is not incompatible with a busy work or life in today's modern context. Spiritual masters such as St. John Climacus, St. Elizabeth Seton, and St. Josemaria Escriva convince us today that it is a discipline possible if it is taken to heart (and to practice). Below are some quotes from them that can inspire all to take up the discipline of prayer, silence and reflection:

"the remembrance of Jesus...with each breath." (St. John Climacus)

"we must pray literally without ceasing - without ceasing - in every occurence and enjoyment of our lives." (St. Elizabeth Seton)

"those words that struck you when you were praying: engrave this in your memory..." (St. Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer)

From the time of Jesus, to St. John Climacus (7th century), to St. Elizabeth Seton (18th century), to St. Josemaria Escriva (20th century), and to our present Eucharistic celebrations, the spirit of constant prayer is kept alive. This is especially relevant at this time of Advent when all prepare for the Parousia (the Second Coming of the Lord). Nobody knows when the Second Coming of Jesus will happen. But it is wise to prepare. If one faithfully joins the constant prayers of the Church in the Eucharist, and do what is asked, there is no need to worry of "dying of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the earth". For even if the "powers in the heavens will be shaken", one can learn through a spiritual discipline to wait with joy for the salvation promised by the Lord.

Memorial of Saints (November 30)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Andrew the Apostle
• Sapor and Isaac, bishops and martyrs
• Cuthbert Mayne, priest and martyr

St. Andrew the Apostle (1st century A.D.) was one of the first followers of Christ. He led his brother Simon Peter to Christ (John 1:35-42). After Pentecost, he went to Greece and Scythia to spread the Gospel. He was martyred on an X-shaped Cross.

St. Cuthbert Mayne (1543-1577 A.D.) was one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales canonized in the year 1970 A.D. Raised and ordained in the Church of England, he was influenced by Edmund Campion to become a Catholic. In 1575 A.D., he was ordained to the Catholic priesthood at Douai in northern France, and then was later sent back to England to minister to Catholic recusants (those who refused to accept the queen as head of the Church of England). Disguised as a domestic steward in that ministry, he was soon discovered, arrested, tried and executed after refusing to acknowledge the ecclesiastical authority of the queen of England.

November 30 Saints in the Byzantine Calendar

• St. Andrew, the "First-called" Apostle

Related blog post:

• What Happened to the Apostles after Pentecost (Part Two), Learn more