(Feast Day ~ February 3) One of the virtues which all Christians are called to strive for is that of “selflessness” – concern for others more than for self, attention to the needs of those around us before our own needs. St. Blaise (Blase, Blasius) showed such unselfish pity and concern that we look to […]
St. Brigid, Abbess
(Feast Day ~ February 1) Throughout history, man has needed heroes – those who stand out in special ways, who inspire, whose behavior we want to imitate. Often, man has chosen the wrong heroes – those whose behavior is notorious or who inspire only to selfish materialism. But if we cooperate, God leads us to […]
St. Ignatius of Antioch, the “God-bearer”
(Feast Day ~ February 1) Technological advances in genealogical research have enabled many more people, in recent years, to discover the details of their family heritage. They are able to learn, not only of the lines of descent and relationships (the “begats”) of ancestors, but also to gain information about the occupations, travels, habits, and […]
St. Bathilde
(Feast Day ~ January 30) Rags to riches stories are always appealing. What child has not thrilled to the story of Cinderella, who went from being neglected and given the worst of the household chores by her step-sisters to being the Prince’s choice for his bride? And what American does not admire the success stories […]
St. Sulpicius Severus, Confessor
Feast Day ~ January 29 He had everything a young man could wish for: wealth, social prominence, an excellent education, a lucrative position as a lawyer, a beautiful wife from one of the best families. What more could Sulpicius Severus have asked for? It is especially true for someone who “has it all” that one […]
St. Ephrem the Syrian, Deacon
Feast Day ~ January 28 As we so often hear in church, what God expects of us is faithfulness: faithfulness to his word as laid out in Holy Scripture and the teachings of the Church, faithfulness in repentance and sorrow for our sins, faithfulness in worship and receiving the sacraments. Whether the circumstances of our […]
St. John Chrysostom
(Feast day ~ January 27) Popularity with many often brings about hatred by some, and truth, spoken forthrightly and bluntly can inspire hatred in those for whom the truth hurts most. St. John Chrysostom, Patriarch of Constantinople at the turn of the 4th to the 5th century, experienced this phenomenon dramatically. John was born in […]
St. Polycarp
(Feast day ~ January 26) Tradition holds that St. Polycarp, born in Smyrna in the year 69, was baptized by St. John, the beloved disciple. Smyrna was an important Mediterranean seaport, and many Christians fled to it and other area cities after the destruction of Jerusalem in the year 70. St. John, living in Ephesus, […]
St. John the Merciful, Confessor
(Feast Day ~ January 23) The New Testament is filled with stories of our Lord’s admonitions to his listeners – and to us, today – to be merciful and generous to the poor, to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, to go out of our way to help those in need. Many of the […]
St. Anastasius the Persian
(Feast Day ~ January 22) Six centuries after Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star and brought gifts to the Christ child, another magus learned of Christ, believed, and gave his life for his faith. Magundat, a Persian, was the son of a magician, who had taught him all the practices of his art. Magundat […]