Saints and the Liturgical Year

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Every day, every moment, there is Holy Mass going on somewhere in some part(s) of the world. Every day, every moment, too, there are many people unable to go to daily Mass but who would want to join in spirit the Church’s Liturgy for the day.

This thread may help. It will provide the saint being honored by the Church on a particular day, plus the day’s “Opening Prayer” at Mass, which reflects the tone or mood of the Celebration. Knowing this mood can help us to join in spirit the Church’s Liturgy currently taking place somewhere in the world.

Other saints who have been canonized but are not listed in the ORDO or Roman Missal will also be posted. Their life narrative can be obtained through the links provided, including a link to Odhiambo’s ‘Saint of the day and Feastdays’.

Viewers are also welcome to add information or comment that could help bring the saints and the Liturgy of the day closer to us and within our reach. Thank you.
 
April 21, 2012 - Saturday, 2nd Week of Easter

Opening Prayer of Mass: “Set aside, O Lord,
the bond of sentence written for us by the law of sin,
which in the Paschal Mystery you canceled
through the Resurrection of Christ your Son.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

April 21 - St. Anselm, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

St. Anselm was born of noble parents at Aosta, Piedmont, Italy in 1033. He became a Benedictine monk at themonastery of Bec in France. As he progressed in the spiritual life, he taught theology to his fellow students. He later went to England where he was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury. Fighting vigorously for the freedom of the Church, he was exiled twice. He is known for his writings, especially for those on Mystical Theology. He is called the Father of Scholastic Theology. St. Anselm died on April 21, 1109.

For more on St. Anselm, see:
EWTN - www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/A/stanselm.asp
Odhiambo - forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=622273&page=35

Opening Prayer of Mass:
“O God, who led the Bishop Saint Anselm
to seek out and teach the depths of your wisdom,
grant, we pray,
that our faith in you may so aid our understanding,
that what we believe by your command
may give delight to our hearts.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”
 
April 22, 2012 - 3rd Sunday of Easter

The collection of St. Peter’s Pence (Obolo Sancti Petri) may be made today for the birthday of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI (April 16) … The remittances will be forwarded to Rome to be used for the charities of the Holy Father." (Ordo)

Opening Prayer of Mass:
“May your people exult for ever, O God,
in renewed youthfulness of spirit,
so that, rejoicing now in the restored glory of our adoption,
we may look forward in confident hope
to the rejoicing of the day of resurrection.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

April 22 - St. Opportuna
St. Opportuna is a Virgin and Abbess. She died in 770 in France.

For more on St. Opportuna, see links:
EWTN - www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/O/stopportuna.asp
Odhiambo’s - forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=622273&page=35
 
grateful_child said:
This thread may help. It will provide the saint being honored by the Church on a particular day, plus the day’s “Opening Prayer” at Mass, which reflects the tone or mood of the Celebration. Knowing this mood can help us to join in spirit the Church’s Liturgy currently taking place somewhere in the world.

Other saints who have been canonized but are not listed in the ORDO or Roman Missal will also be posted. Their life narrative can be obtained through the links provided, including a link to Odhiambo’s ‘Saint of the day and Feastdays’.
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Saints are great to have as friends! We know they are people just like us except that they have already reached our heavenly home safely. Knowing their lives can give us courage in our own journey. They are great to have as intercessors, especially on the day the Church has set aside to honor them.
 
grateful_child said:
April 22, 2012 - 3rd Sunday of Easter

Opening Prayer of Mass:
“May your people exult for ever, O God,
in renewed youthfulness of spirit,
so that, rejoicing now in the restored glory of our adoption,
we may look forward in confident hope
to the rejoicing of the day of resurrection.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”
Click to expand...
Today’s Readings: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; 1Jn 2:1-5; Lk 24:35-48

Excerpts from today’s Euchalette:

“On this … third Sunday of Easter, we continue to meet the Risen Christ. He sets the hearts of his disciples at peace and opens their minds to understand the message of the Scriptures concerning his destiny of pain and glory.”

“It is only in the light of the Resurrection that we are able to make sense of the violent passion and death of Christ. It is likewise in the light of his resurrection and the eternal life he earned for us that we can come to accept the trials of life with faith and patience.” (p.1).

“It took the explanations given them by the Risen Christ himself, for the disciples to understand that all that had happened to Jesus was in fulfillment of what the prophets had foretold … They came to understand that the whole of Scripture is the mystery of Christ. His death was not an accident, but a free sacrificial offering for the salvationof all men… It was part of God’s plan… Likewise, his resurrection was not a pious invention, but God’s mighty work…”

“From that moment on, especially after Jesus’ ascension into heaven, the Scriptures became for the believers a continuous reminder of their crucified and risen Lord, and a privileged “place” where they could find him…”

“It should be so even for us and for all generations of believers. We know we can encounter the risen Lord in many ways, particularly in the sacraments, and most especially in the Eucharist. But we can and should encounter him also in the sacred Scriptures. these are not simply books about Jesus. The message they contain is the Word of God. Christ is present in the inspired pages with his life-giving power (See S.C. 7). And we can experience his saving presence not only when the Scriptures are proclaimed in the liturgy, but also when we read in the home with the rest of the family or by ourselves. What matters is a humble, prayerful heart, open to receive the Word, understand it in the light of the teaching of the Church, and apply it to our lives with the help of the Holy Spirit.” (p.4).
 
Amiciel said:
Saints are great to have as friends! We know they are people just like us except that they have already reached our heavenly home safely. Knowing their lives can give us courage in our own journey. They are great to have as intercessors, especially on the day the Church has set aside to honor them.
Click to expand...
I agree!
There quotes too are wonderful sources of inspiration.
 
April 23, 2012 - Monday, 3rd Week of Easter

Opening Prayer at Mass: “Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that, putting off our old self with all its ways,
we may live as Christ did,
for through the healing paschal remedies
you have conformed us to his nature.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

April 23 - Saint George, Martyr

St. George was born between AD 275 and 281 in Nicomedia, Bithynia (modern-day Northwestern Turkey) of an illustrious family. At a young age, he was elevated by Diocletian to one of the highest offices of the Imperial ministry. When the Emperor promulgated an edict against Christians, St. George professed his faith publicly and was martyred in 303. The veneration of St. George began as early as the fourth century in Palestine from which it has spread throughout the East and West. He is the patron saint of agricultural workers, equestrians, farmers, soldiers, lepers, against skin diseases, etc.

More about St. George and other saints from:
EWTN - www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/G/stgeorge.asp
Odhiambo - forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=622273&page=35

Opening Prayer:
“Extolling your might, O Lord,
we humbly implore you,
that, as Saint George imitated the Passion of the Lord,
so he may lend us ready help in our weakness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

April 23 - St. Adalbert of Prague, Bishop and Martyr
St. Adalbert was a bishop who was martyred in 997.

More on St. Adalbert and other saints from:
EWTN - www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/A/stadalbertofprague.asp
Odhiambo - forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=622273&page=35

Opening Prayer:
O God, who bestowed the crown of martyrdom
on the Bishop Saint Adalbert,
as he burned with zeal for souls,
grant, we pray, by his prayers,
that the obedience of the flock may never fail the shepherds,
nor the care of the shepherds be ever lacking to the flock.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."
 
April 24, 2012 - Tuesday, 3rd Week of Easter

Opening Prayer:
“O God, who open wide the gates of the heavenly Kingdom
to those reborn of water and the Holy Spirit,
pour out on your servants
an increase of the grace you have bestowed,
that, having been purged of all sins,
they may lack nothing
that in your kindness you have promised.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

April 24 - Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Priest and Martyr

St. Fidelis was born at Sigmaringen, Germany in 1577. Earlier in his life, he was called ‘the Advocate of the poor’. He later entered the Order of Friars Minor Capuchins. As a friar, he led an austere life of penance, vigils and prayer. He became engaged in the preaching of the Word of God and was sent by the Propagation of the Faith to preach in Grisons, Switzerland. In 1622, he was martyred by a group of heretics in Switzerland. He is the Protomartyr of the Propagation of the Faith.

More on St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen and other saints from:
EWTN - www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/F/stfidelisofsigmaringen.asp
Odhimabo - forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=622273&page=36

Opening Prayer at Mass:
“O God, who were pleased to award
the palm of martyrdom to Saint Fidelis
as, burning with love for you, he propagated the faith,
grant, we pray, through his intercession,
that, grounded in charity,
we may merit to know with him
the power of the Resurrection of Christ.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”
 
grateful_child said:
I totally agree, Odhiambo and Amiciel. How blessed we are to have the lives and quotes of the saints to inspire us!
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So true, grateful_child and odhiambo! Thank God for our “Communion of Saints” where we all can help one another as we journey home to God.

Odhiambo, thank you for letting us use your thread on Saints as one of our links.
 
April 25 - St. Mark, Evangelist (Feast)

Opening Prayer at Mass:
“O God, who raised up Saint Mark, your Evangelist,
and endowed him with the grace to preach the Gospel,
grant, we pray,
that we may so profit from his teaching
as to follow faithfully in the footsteps of Christ.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

According to St. Irenaeus, St. Mark was the disciple and interpreter of St. Peter, whose teaching was the basis for Mark’s Gospel. He begins his Gospel with the mission of John the Baptist, “crying in the desert”. St Mark is thus “represented with a lion at his feet, since the lion, one of the symbolic living creatures of Ezekiel’s vision, shakes the desert with his roars. He founded the Church at Alexandria in Egypt, and was martyred there in the latter part of the first century.” (St. Joseph’s Missal, 1975.)

St. Mark is the patron of notaries, of Egypt, of Venice.

For more on St. Mark, see links:
EWTN - www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/M/stmark.asp
Odhiambo - forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=622273&page=36
 
April 26, 2012 - Thursday, 3rd Week of Easter

Opening Prayer at Mass:
“Be present to your family, O Lord, we pray,
and graciously ensure
those you have endowed with the grace of faith
an eternal share in the Resurrection of your Only Begotten Son.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

April 26 - St. Marcellinus, Pope and Martyr

St. Marcellinus was successor in 296 to St. Caius as Bishop of Rome. He died in 304 at Rome, Italy.

For more on St. Marcellinus, see links:
EWTN - www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/M/stmarcellinus.asp
Odhiambo - forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=622273&page=36
 
April 27, 2012 - Friday, 3rd Week of Easter

Opening Prayer at Mass:
“Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that we, who have come to know
the grace of the Lord’s Resurrection,
may, through the love of the Spirit,
ourselves rise to newness of life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

April 27 - St. Zita of Lucca
St. Zita was a virgin who lived and died in the 13th century at Lucca, Italy. She is the patron of domestic servants, homemakers, people ridiculed for their piety, rape victims…

For more on St. Zita and other saints, see links:
EWTN - www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/Z/stzita.asp
Odhiambo - forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=622273&page=36
 
April 28, 2012 - Saturday, 3rd Week of Easter

Opening Prayer at Mass:
“O God, who in the font of Baptism
have made new those who believe in you,
keep safe those reborn in Christ,
that, defeating every onslaught of error,
they may faithfully preserve the grace of your blesing.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

April 28 - St. Gianna Beretta Molla, Mother

St. Gianna was beatified by Blessed Pope John Paul II on April 24, 1994 and canonized on May 16, 2004. She is the patron for mothers, physicians and unborn children …

For more on St. Gianna and other saints, see links:
EWTN - www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/G/stgiannaberettamolla.asp
Odhiambo - forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=622273&page=36

April 28 - St. Peter Chanel, Priest and Martyr (Optional Memorial)

Opening Prayer at Mass:
“O God, who for the spreading of your Church
crowned Saint Peter Chanel with martyrdom,
grant that, in these days of paschal joy,
we may so celebrate the mysteries
of Christ’s Death and Resurrection
as to bear worthy witness to newness of life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

St. Peter Chanel is the Protomartyr of Oceania. He was canonized on June 12, 1954 by Pope Pius XII.

For more on St. Peter Chanel and other saints, see links:
EWTN - www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/P/stpeterchanel.asp
Odhiambo - forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=622273&page=36
 
April 28 - Saint Louis Grignion de Montfort, Priest (Optional Memorial)

Opening Prayer at Mass:
“O God, who willed to direct the steps of the Priest Saint Louis
along the way of salvation and of the love of Christ,
in the company of the Blessed Virgin,
grant us, by his example,
that, meditating on the mysteries of your love,
we may strive tirelessly for the building up of your Church.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.” or

“Almighty and eternal God, who made the Priest Saint Louis
an outstanding witness and teacher
of total devotion to Christ your Son
through the hands of his Blessed Mother,
grant us that, following the same spiritual path,
we may constantly spread your Kingdom.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

"St. Louis (1673-1716) was born to a poor family at Montfort-La Cane in Brittany. Ordained at twenty-seven, he was devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary …He founded an order of priests (Company of Mary) and a religious institute of women devoted to the poor (Congregation of the Daughters of Divine Wisdom). (Daily Roman Missal, MWTF.)

For more on St. Louis and other saints, see links:
EWTN - www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/L/stlouisdemontfort.asp
Odhiambo - forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=622273&page=36
 
grateful_child said:
April 28 - Saint Louis Grignion de Montfort, Priest (Optional Memorial)

“Almighty and eternal God, who made the Priest Saint Louis
an outstanding witness and teacher
of total devotion to Christ your Son
through the hands of his Blessed Mother,
grant us that, following the same spiritual path,
we may constantly spread your Kingdom.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”
Click to expand...
St. Louis Marie G. de Montfort gave us the Montfortian Consecration whereby we consecrate all that we are and have to Jesus Christ, through His holy Mother Mary.

One may ask: Why not simply consecrate ourselves directly to Jesus Christ? Why is it better to have the Blessed Mother with us as ‘channel’?

Below are excerpts from the writings of St. Louis de Montfort which explain why:

*True Devotion to Mary (# 24): *
“God the Son imparted to his mother all that he gained by his life and death, namely, his infinite merits and his eminent virtues. He made her the treasurer of all his Father had given him as heritage. Through her, he applies his merits to his members and through her, he transmits his virtues and distributes his graces. She is his mystic channel, his aqueduct, through which he causes his mercies to flow gently and abundantly.”​

So important is the role of Mary, our Queen and Mother, in our salvation that St. John Damascene wrote: “Devotion to you, O Blessed Virgin, is a means of salvation which God gives to those whom he wishes to save.” (from True Devotion to Mary, # 41.)

The Secret of Mary (#23):
“… Nevertheless, St. Thomas teaches that in the order of grace, established by divine Wisdom, God ordinarily communicates Himself to men only through Mary. Therefore, if we would go up to Him and be united with Him, we must use the same means He used to come down to us, to be made man to impart His graces to us. That means is a true devotion to our Blessed Lady.”
 
April 29, 2012 - 4th Sunday of Easter
Today is also Good Shepherd Sunday and World Day Prayer for Vocations.

Opening Prayer at Mass:
“Almighty ever-living God,
lead us to a share in the joys of heaven,
so that the humble flock may reach
where the brave Shepherd has gone before.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

April 29 - St. Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church

Opening Prayer at Mass:
“O God, who set Saint Catherine of Siena on fire with divine love
in her contemplation of the Lord’s Passion
and her service of your Church,
grant, through her intercession,
that your people,
participating in the mystery of Christ,
may ever exult in the revelation of his glory.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

“St. Catherine (1347-1380) was instrumental in the return of Pope Gregory XI from Avignon to Rome. In word and deed, she showed her love for God’s Church and the Roman Pontiff. Her short life is an example of courage. Imprinted with the stigmata, she died in Rome at thirty-three years of age. She was proclaimed patroness of Italy on June 18, 1939, and in 1970 Pope Paul VI proclaimed her a Doctor of the Church.” (Daily Roman Missal, MWTF.)

St. Catherine is also the patron saint of firefigters, against fire, bodily ills, miscarriages, sexual temptation, patron saint of people ridiculed for their piety, sick people, etc.

For more on St. Catherine and other saints of the day, see links:
EWTN - www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/C/stcatherineofsiena.asp
Odhiambo - forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=622273&page=37
 
grateful_child said:
April 29, 2012 - 4th Sunday of Easter
Today is also Good Shepherd Sunday and World Day Prayer for Vocations.

Opening Prayer at Mass:
“Almighty ever-living God,
lead us to a share in the joys of heaven,
so that the humble flock may reach
where the brave Shepherd has gone before.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”
Click to expand...
Today’s Readings: Acts 4:8-12; 1Jn 3:1-2; Jn 10:11-18

Excerpt from today’s Euchalette:

“Today is ‘Good Shepherd Sunday,’ a day of special prayer for priestly, religious and missionary vocations. We honor and thank, first of all, Jesus, the ‘Senior Good Shepherd’ who laid down his life for the salvation of all human beings. But we also honor, thank and pray for the ‘junior good shepherds’ who were chosen and sent by Jesus himself to minister to our spiritual needs. It is also our duty to pray that many more may heed the invitation of the ‘Senior Good Shepherd’ and respond to it with generous faithfulness.”

Today, “let us include these intentions in the Eucharistic Celebration …”. (p.1.)
 
April 30, 2012 - Monday, 4th Week of Easter

Opening Prayer at Mass:
“O God, perfect light of the blessed,
by whose gift we celebrate the paschal mysteries on earth,
bring us, we pray,
to rejoice in the full measure of your grace
for ages unending.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

April 30 - Saint Pius V, Pope (Optional Memorial):

Opening Prayer at Mass:
“O God, who in your providence
raised up Pope Saint Pius the Fifth in your Church
that the faith might be safeguarded
and more fitting worship be offered to you,
grant, through his intercession,
that we may participate in your mysteries
with lively faith and fruitful charity.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

“The pontificate of Pope Pius V (1504-1572) was one ot the most notable of the sixteenth century. He enforced the decrees of the Council of Trent, published the Roman Catechism, and revised the Roman Missal and Liturgy of the Hours.” (Daily Roman Missal, MWTF.)

For more on St. Pius V and other saints of the day, see links:
EWTN - www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/P/stpiusv.asp
Odhiambo - forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=622273&page=37
 
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