Saints and the Liturgical Year

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December 25 - Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas):

Collect (Opening Prayer at Mass during the day):
“O God, who wonderfully created the dignity of human nature
and still more wonderfully restored it,
grant, we pray,
that we may share in the divinity of Christ,
who humbled himself to share in our humanity.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

Note: “THE NEXT days of the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord show that the Nativity of the Lord is also a feast of Christ’s final coming, when he will be surrounded by his angels and saints, represented by St. Stephen [December 26], St. John the Apostle [December 27], and the Holy Innocents [December 28].” (Ordo.)
 
Thank you, Lord for the gift of your Son,
for all the blessings you have given us this year,
and for all the blessings you will be giving us
in the coming years! Amen.

Wishing you all
a very Blessed Christmas
and a Happy New Year! 🙂
 
grateful_child said:
December 25 - Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas):

Note: “THE NEXT days of the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord show that the Nativity of the Lord is also a feast of Christ’s final coming, when he will be surrounded by his angels and saints, represented by St. Stephen [December 26], St. John the Apostle [December 27], and the Holy Innocents [December 28].” (Ordo)
Click to expand...
December 26 - Saint Stephen, The First Martyr (Feast):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Grant, Lord, we pray,
that we may imitate what we worship,
and so learn to love even our enemies,
for we celebrate the heavenly birthday
of a man who knew how to pray even for his persecutors.
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.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

“St. Stephen was the first Christian martyred and one of the seven deacons who helped the Apostles. He died praying for his executioners; the similarities between his martyrdom and the Crucifixion of Our Lord show his perfect imitation of Christ even unto death. His name is included in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I).” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on St. Stephen, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/S/ststephen.asp
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2013-12-26
 
December 27 - Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist (Feast):

Collect:
“O God, who through the blessed Apostle John
have unlocked for us the secrets of your Word,
grant, we pray,
that we may grasp with proper understanding
what he has so marvelously brought to our ears.
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.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

“Born in Bethsaida, the fisherman St. John was called to follow Christ while mending his nets; he wrote a Gospel, three Epistles, and the Book of Revelation. With his brother St. James and St. Peter, St. John witnessed the Transfiguration. At the Last Supper, this ‘beloved disciple’ leaned on Our Lord’s breast, and at the foot of the Cross, Christ entrusted his own Mother to his care. St. John’s purity kept him close to Christ. He was exiled to the island of Patmos under Emperor Domitian.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on St. John, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/J/stjohn.asp
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2013-12-27
 
December 28 - The Holy Innocents, Martyrs (Feast):

Collect:
“O God, whom the Holy Innocents confessed
and proclaimed on this day,
not by speaking but by dying,
grant, we pray,
that the faith in you which we confess with our lips
may also speak through our manner 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.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

“This feast celebrates the memory of the male children King Herod ordered to be killed in his attempt to kill the infant Christ. These innocent victims thus bear witness to Christ in the world and God’s care for even the most helpless of people.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on the Holy Innocents, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/H/holyinnocents.asp
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2013-12-28
 
December 29, 2013 - The Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord [Christmas] -
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who were pleased to give us
the shining example of the Holy Family,
graciously grant that we may imitate them
in practicing the virtues of family life and in the bonds of charity,
and so, in the joy of your house,
delight one day in eternal rewards.
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.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

"The hidden life at Nazareth allows everyone to enter into fellowhip with Jesus by the most ordinary events of daily life:

'The home of Nazareth is the school where we begin to understand the life of Jesus - the school of the Gospel. First, then, a lesson of silence. May esteem for silence, that admirable and indispensable condition of mind, revive in us … a lesson on family life. May Nazareth teach us what family life is, its communionof love, its austere and simple beauty, and its sacred and inviolable charactger … A lesson of work. Nazareth, home of the ‘Carpenter’s Son’, in you I would choose to understand and proclaim the severe and redeeming law of human work… To conclude, I want to greet all the workers of the word, holding up to them their great pattern, their brother who is God" (CCC533). (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on the Feast of the Holy Family, see links:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2013-12-29
www.ncregister.com/site/article/the-holy-family-at-christmas-model-of-faith-and-love

December 29 - St. Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr (Optional Memorial)

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who gave the Martyr Saint Thomas Becket
the courage to give up his life for the sake of justice,
grant, through his intercession,
that, renouncing our life
for the sake of Christ in this world,
we may find it in heaven.
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.”

“Born in London, St. Thomas (1118-1170) studied in Paris. He was named chancellor to the king and later was consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury. A conversion followed his appointment as archbishop; he absorbed himself in his duties, defending the right of the Church against King Henry II, who exiled him for six years. Upon his return, St. Thomas endured trials and was martyred by agents of the king.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on St. Thomas Becket, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/T/stthomasbecket.asp
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2012-12-29
 
December 30, 2013 - Monday (Sixth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)):

Collect:
“Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that the newness of the Nativity in the flesh
of your Only Begotten Son may set us free,
for ancient servitude holds us bound
beneath the yoke of sin.
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.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2013-12-30
 
grateful_child said:
December 29, 2013 - The Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord [Christmas] -
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who were pleased to give us
the shining example of the Holy Family,
graciously grant that we may imitate them
in practicing the virtues of family life and in the bonds of charity,
and so, in the joy of your house,
delight one day in eternal rewards.
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.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

"The hidden life at Nazareth allows everyone to enter into fellowhip with Jesus by the most ordinary events of daily life:

'The home of Nazareth is the school where we begin to understand the life of Jesus - the school of the Gospel. First, then, a lesson of silence. May esteem for silence, that admirable and indispensable condition of mind, revive in us … a lesson on family life. May Nazareth teach us what family life is, its communionof love, its austere and simple beauty, and its sacred and inviolable charactger … A lesson of work. Nazareth, home of the ‘Carpenter’s Son’, in you I would choose to understand and proclaim the severe and redeeming law of human work… To conclude, I want to greet all the workers of the word, holding up to them their great pattern, their brother who is God" (CCC533). (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on the Feast of the Holy Family, see links:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2013-12-29
www.ncregister.com/site/article/the-holy-family-at-christmas-model-of-faith-and-love
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Sharing these excerpts from the Euchalette, dated 12/30/2012. Although the reflection goes back to last year’s feast of the Holy Family, the message is just as valid today:

"By a happy coincidence, this year the Feast of the Holy Family falls on the last Sunday of the year. This gives us a further reason to raise our minds and hearts to God in gratitude for the many blessings He has granted our families during the year that is about to end. Although we may not be fully aware of all the blessings we have received from the Lord, the little we know is more than enough to bring us to thank Him with all our hearts, especially through this Eucharistic Sacrifice.

This is also the time to entrust our own family, as well as all the families throughout the world, to the protection of the Holy Family of Nazareth during the new year we are about to begin. May the Lord be the heart of our family. May we love and serve Him as Jesus, Mary, and Joseph did. May He watch over us as He loved and protected the Holy Family of Nazareth." (p.1).

“It is in the family that the reform of society begins, because it is there that we learn to respect and help one another, we practice patience and justice, we learn to share and to love in an unselfish and practical manner …” (p. 4).

O Holy Family of Nazareth, keep our families united in peace and mutual respect. Enable us to support one another, especially in times of trial; and may you grant each member of our family good health, financial stability, holiness of life and the gift of gratitude. Amen.

Here’s a down-to-earth reflection by Fr. Leo Clifford, ofm, on Gratitude.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6oQtWRAqYQ
 
I was just wondering if anyone knew the Patron Saint of Anxiety. I recently graduated college, and have made it through my first semester of graduate school at CMU, but I am faced with overwhelming stress most days which lead to panic attacks. I was just wondering if there was a saint I could pray to?

Thanks for any help!
 
December 31, 2013 - Tuesday, Seventh Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Almighty ever-living God,
who in the Nativity of your Son
established the beginning and fulfillment of all religion,
grant, we pray, that we may be numbered
among those who belong to him,
in whom is the fullness of human salvation.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

December 31 - Saint Sylvester I, Pope (Optional Memorial):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Come, O Lord, to the help of your people,
sustained by the intercession of Pope Saint Sylvester,
so that, running the course of this present life under your guidance,
we may happily attain life without end.
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. Sylvester (d.335) served the Church when the Arian heresy and the Donatist schism had provoked great discord. After the Peace of Constantine, he contributed to the expansion of the Faith throughout the Roman world.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on Pope St. Sylvester, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/S/stsylvester.asp
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2013-12-31
 
JamesAnthony12 said:
I was just wondering if anyone knew the Patron Saint of Anxiety. I recently graduated college, and have made it through my first semester of graduate school at CMU, but I am faced with overwhelming stress most days which lead to panic attacks. I was just wondering if there was a saint I could pray to?

Thanks for any help!
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Hi, JamesAnthony - Offhand, I don’t have a particular saint to suggest. I’ll try to find out and post it here. I suggest, if you have not already done so, to open a new thread in CAF’s forums and ask your question. Many CAF members may know which saints are patron saints for anxiety cases.

God bless!
 
JamesAnthony12 said:
I was just wondering if anyone knew the Patron Saint of Anxiety. I recently graduated college, and have made it through my first semester of graduate school at CMU, but I am faced with overwhelming stress most days which lead to panic attacks. I was just wondering if there was a saint I could pray to?

Thanks for any help!
Click to expand...
grateful_child said:
Hi, JamesAnthony - Offhand, I don’t have a particular saint to suggest. I’ll try to find out and post it here. I suggest, if you have not already done so, to open a new thread in CAF’s forums and ask your question. Many CAF members may know which saints are patron saints for anxiety cases.

God bless!
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I did not find any article identifying a particular saint as Patron of Anxiety. But if your stress and anxiety comes from your studies, you can maybe pray to Patron Saints of students. You have the doctors of the Church such as St. Thomas Aquinas, or other saints known for their work with students such as St. Isidore of Seville, St. Joseph Calasanz, St. John Bosco, etc.
 
With December 31, we reach the end of our current year, 2013. Thank you all who have visited this thread. Thank you, too, Amiciel, for your precious contribution which have so enriched this thread.

Most of all, thank you, Lord, for all the blessings we received during 2013. Thank you, too, for all the blessings that will still come our way!

Happy New Year to everyone! May God bless us all!
 
January 1 - Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God (Holy Day of Obligation):
Today is also World Day of Prayer for Peace.

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who through the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary
bestowed on the human race
the grace of eternal salvation,
grant, we pray,
that we may experience the intercession of her,
through whom we were found worthy
to receive the author of life,
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.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

"Today’s feast commemorates the important role Our Lady had in God’s work of salvation. It reminds us of the singular dignity accorded by God to Mary, as Mother of God. And, as is Mary’s role, her feast today points us to Jesus, the newborn Prince of Peace.

It is likewise a fitting occasion for renewed adoration of the newborn Prince of Peace, for listening once more to the glad tidings of the angels, and for imploring from God, through the Queen of Peace, the supreme gift of peace … (Marialis Cultus, 1974). This day, therefore, has been instituted as World Day of Prayer for Peace." (quote from Saints Corner, post # 211, Our Eucharistic Journery Group.)

“This oldest feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrates the mystery of her being the Mother of Jesus Christ, true God and true Man. It is the principal feast of Mary, because her divine Motherhood is the reason why she received the special privileges of Immaculate Conception and Assumption into heaven. Mary is the Mother of Christ and the Mother of the Church.” (ORDO.)

For more on the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/S/solemnityofmary.asp
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-01-01
 
grateful_child said:
January 1 - Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God (Holy Day of Obligation):
Today is also World Day of Prayer for Peace.

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who through the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary
bestowed on the human race
the grace of eternal salvation,
grant, we pray,
that we may experience the intercession of her,
through whom we were found worthy
to receive the author of life,
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.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

"Today’s feast commemorates the important role Our Lady had in God’s work of salvation. It reminds us of the singular dignity accorded by God to Mary, as Mother of God. And, as is Mary’s role, her feast today points us to Jesus, the newborn Prince of Peace.

It is likewise a fitting occasion for renewed adoration of the newborn Prince of Peace, for listening once more to the glad tidings of the angels, and for imploring from God, through the Queen of Peace, the supreme gift of peace … (Marialis Cultus, 1974). This day, therefore, has been instituted as World Day of Prayer for Peace." (quote from Saints Corner, post # 211, Our Eucharistic Journery Group.)

“This oldest feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrates the mystery of her being the Mother of Jesus Christ, true God and true Man. It is the principal feast of Mary, because her divine Motherhood is the reason why she received the special privileges of Immaculate Conception and Assumption into heaven. Mary is the Mother of Christ and the Mother of the Church.” (ORDO.)

For more on the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/S/solemnityofmary.asp
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-01-01
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Sharing with you some excerpts from the book, More Mother Than Queen, by Fr. Marie-Eugene of the Child Jesus, o.c.d., on the **spiritual motherhood of Mary. **Fr. Marie-Eugene writes:

“Our Lord lives on in the Church, but the building of the Mystical Body is more especially attributed to the Holy Spirit. Wherever the Holy Spirit acts, the Virgin Mary acts also… She is the creature whom He has chosen and associated as His Spouse. Mary exercises a true motherhood…” (pp.19-20).

“…St. Peter Damian said that the Blessed Virgin holds in her hands all the divine riches. Before him, St. Jerome and other Fathers of the Church endeavored to show that all the graces of vocation and of perseverance come to us through Mary. The Virgin Mary who was entrusted to St. John … is not just a symbol but an absolute reality: **Mary given to humanity **… Wherever Our Lord is Savior, she is associated with Him and, like Him, she continues her work.” (p.20. emphasis added).
(Please read on to next post for continuation.
 
(On the Spiritual Motherhood of Mary, continued):

“Mary powerfully exercises this great mission for the members of the whole Church. She still commands as she did at Cana: ‘Do whatever He tells you.’ … God will save the souls who will have recourse to her …” (p.21.)

“This queenly power is at the service of her mission as mediator that she exercises with a total maternal love: tota Mater. From the very beginning, God has seen her as Mother, and all the graces she received from Him were in view of her motherhood. This is the unique privilege of her mission. Her sanctity was given to her for this mission, and all her beauty comes from her having accomplished God’s will, that is, to be Mother.” (p.21.)

“We must therefore remember that the Virgin Mary is all Mother, tota Mater, entirely enveloped in this grace. All her privileges merge into the unique privilege of her spiritual motherhood … indeed how very much superior she is to us … But her greatness is not the essential aspect in her. We must remember that she is our Mother, and that she belongs entirely to each one of us. She may not have known us in advance as Our Lord has known us; but she knows us now; she knows our sentiments and our thoughts. Her knowledge and her power of vision penetrate the depths of our being.” (pp.22-23.)

“Mary’s solicitude extends to all the details of life. She follows maternally the progress of our soul. We may find our sanctification slow, but she knows that we are not strong enough to receive God’s light and love, and that God will give us time. Let us therefore surrender ourselves completely to her; let us ask her to intercede for us in everything. We must go to Mary in order to find the Word. May our prayer, our leisure, our work - all that we do - be offered to her. May God grant that His Mother make her home in us. Let us ask for the grace to give her our constant and total filial trust. If we entrust to her our spiritual life, its growth will be faster and smoother.” (p.23.)

For more thoughts on Mary’s spiritual motherhood, please refer to Venerable Fr. Marie-Eugene’s book, More Mother than Queen. (Fr. Marie-Eugene was declared by the Vatican as having lived a life of ‘heroic virtue’ last December 19, 2011. He is now given the title of ‘* Venerable’.)*

O most loving Jesus, I am all Thine, and all I have is Thine, through Mary, Thy most holy Mother. Amen.
(St. Louis Marie de Montfort’s short formula of Consecration to Jesus through Mary.)
 
January 2 - Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church (Memorial):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who were pleased to give light to your Church
by the example and teaching
of the Bishops Saints Basil and Gregory,
grant, we pray,
that in humility we may learn your truth
and practice it faithfully in 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.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

"St. Basil (329-379) was a brilliant student born of a Christian family in Caesarea, Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey). He fought the Arian heresy vigorously. He followed the monastic way of life before being elected Archbishop of Caesarea in 370. Monks of the Eastern Rites still follow the monastic rule he wrote.

St. Gregory (329-389) was also from Cappadocia. A friend of St. Basil, he also followed the monastic way of life before being elected Archbishop of Constantinople in 381, in which capacity he fought against the Arian heresy at its height. He is called ‘The Theologian’ because of his great learning and talent for oratory." (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on Sts. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, see links:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-01-02
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/B/stbasilthegreat.asp
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/G/stgregorynazianzen.asp
 
January 3, 2014 - Friday, Christmas Season:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Cast your kindly light upon your faithful, Lord, we pray,
and with the splendor of your glory
set their hands ever aflame,
that they may never cease to acknowledge their Savior
and may truly hold fast to him.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

January 3 - The Most Holy Name of Jesus (Optional Memorial):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who founded the salvation of the human race
on the Incarnation of your Word,
give your peoples the mercy they implore,
so that all may know there is no other name to be invoked
but the Name of your Only Begotten Son.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

"From apostolic times, the Church has professed, 'at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil 2:10-11). Through the efforts of St. Bernardine of Siena, devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus was promoted through the inscription of its monogram (IHS) and the addition of the name of Jesus to the Hail Mary. Pope Sixtus V granted an indulgence for piously uttering the phrase 'Praised be Jesus Christ!" (Enchiridion Indulgentiarum).((Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on the Most Holy Name of Jesus, see links:
catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0604.html
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-01-03
 
January 4, 2014 - Saturday, Christmas Season:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Almighty ever-living God,
who were pleased to shine forth with new light
through the coming of your Only Begotten Son,
grant, we pray,
that, just as he was pleased to share our bodily form
through the childbearing of the Virgin Mary,
so we, too, may one day merit
to become companions in his kingdom of grace.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

January 4 - Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious (Memorial in the Dioceses of the United States):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who crowned with the gift of true faith
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s burning zeal to find you,
grant by her intercession and example
that we may always seek you with diligent love
and find you in daily service with sincere faith.
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.”

"Born in New York, St. Elizabeth (1774-1821) married and bore five children. After her husband’s death, she converted to Catholicism and founded the first religious society in the United States of America, the Sisters of Charity, a community of teaching sisters that founded Catholic schools, especially to educate underprivileged children. She laid the foundation of the American parochial school system and was the first person born in the United Sates of America to be canonized. (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, see link:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-01-04
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/E/stelizabethannseton.asp
 
January 5, 2014 - The Epiphany of the Lord (Solemnity):

Collect (Opening Prayer) at the Vigil Mass:
“May the splendor of your majesty, O Lord, we pray,
shed its light upon our hearts,
that we may pass through the shadows of this world
and reach the brightness of our eternal home.
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.”

Collect (Opening Prayer) at Mass during the Day:
“O God, who on this day
revealed your Only Begotten Son to the nations
by the guidance of a star,
grant in your mercy
that we, who know you already by faith,
may be brought to behold the beauty of your sublime glory.
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.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-01-05

“The general manifestation of God’s presence in nature and its attendant beauty has sometimes been referred to as ‘diaphany’, a Greek word meaning ‘to appear through,’ but beyond and deeper than this diaphany is the ‘theophany’ in the history of the people of God. The ‘Epiphany’ is the ultimate manifestation, and is applied to the revelation of God’s glory in Jesus of Nazareth who becomes the complete sign of this glory. John’s Gospel has worked out this theme best. True wisdom is to seek, find, recognize,and adore God’s real presence in the signs and events of our times.” (ORDO)

January 5 - Saint John Neumann, Bishop (Memorial in the Dioceses of the United States):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who called the Bishop Saint John Neumann,
renowned for his charity and pastoral service,
to shepherd your people in America,
grant by his intercession
that as we foster the Christian education of youth
and are strengthened by the witness of brotherly love,
we may constantly increase the family 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.”

“Born in Bohemia, St. John (1811-1860) felt a desire to help in the missions in the United States of America, and he was ordained in New York in 1836. Entering the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, he established parishes and parish schools. In 1852 he was consecrated Bishop of Philadelphia and prescribed the Forty Hours devotion.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on St. John Neumann, see link:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/J/stjohnneumann.asp
 
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