DECEMBER 2011 FEAST DAYS

Saturday, December 3 — Saint Francis Xavier

Born in Spain in 1506, Francis met Ignatius of Loyola at the University of Paris, and was one of the first members of the Society of Jesus. He

spent many years working as a missionary with the people of Goa,

Southeast Asia and Japan. He had excellent organizational skills. The

communities he established continued to flourish long after his

departure. He was canonized in 1602 and is a patron of foreign

missions.

Tuesday, December 6 — Saint Nicholas

Nicholas was born to wealthy parents during the third century in the village of Patara in Asia Minor. Obeying Jesus’ words to “sell what you own and give the money to the poor,” he used his inheritance to assist

the needy, the sick and the suffering. Nicholas dedicated his life to serving God and was made the Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known for his generosity to those in need,

his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships. He died AD 343.

Wednesday, December 7 — Saint Ambrose

Ambrose was born around 339 AD in what is now France.

Following in his father’s footsteps, he embarked upon a career

in law and politics and by 370 had become the imperial governor of Northern Italy. When the episcopal see of Milan became vacant in 374, the people demanded that Saint Ambrose be made their bishop. He was the bishop of Milan from 374 to 397 and died on April 4, 397. He is one of the four original Doctors of the Church.

Thursday, December 8 — Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary

In celebrating this feast, we single out this woman among all women for her pivotal role in our story. It is the patronal feast of the Sodality as well as the foundation day of the Bordeaux Sodality and the Marianist Family. Members of the Society of Mary are asked to remember their fellow brothers and those associated with the Society at the Eucharist. The deceased members are remembered during a Eucharist in the following week.

Friday, December 9 — Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin

This simple and humble native Mexican communicated with the Blessed Virgin at Tepeyac Hill. He was canonized in 2002 by Pope John Paul II.

Monday, December 12 — Our Lady of Guadalupe

This feast commemorates the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin in 1531 at Tepeyac, on the outskirts of Mexico City. In one of her appearances to the aboriginal convert, Juan Diego, she left an imprint of her image on a cloak. This cloak is an object of great veneration and is preserved in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In 1946 Pope Pius XII named her a patron of the Americas.

Tuesday, December 13 — Saint Lucy

Lucy was born of rich and noble parents in the year 283. She consecrated her virginity to God, refused to marry a pagan, and had her dowry distributed to the poor. Her would‐be husband denounced her as a Christian to the governor of Syracuse, Sicily. Lucy lost her life in the persecution of Christians in the early fourth century. Her veneration spread to Rome so that by the sixth century, the whole Church recognized her courage in defense of the faith.

Wednesday, December 14 — Saint John of the Cross

Born in Spain in 1542, John of the Cross was a poet and mystic. He collaborated with Teresa of Avila in founding the reformed (“Discalced”) Carmelite friars. He suffered cruel imprisonment and privations by the unreformed Carmelites. Known as the “Mystical Doctor,” he authored a number of books. Among them are The Ascent of Mount Carmel and The Dark Night of the Soul. He died in 1591. Monday, December 26 — Saint Stephen

Stephen is the first‐named among the seven deacons chosen to minister to Greek‐speaking Christians in Jerusalem at the dawn of the Christian church. He is the first recorded martyr of the New Testament. .

Tuesday, December 27 — Saint John, Apostle & Evangelist

John, the son of Zebedee and brother of James, was called to be an apostle by Jesus in the first year of his public ministry. He became the “beloved disciple.” John lived in Jerusalem and Ephesus and founded many churches in Asia Minor. He wrote the fourth Gospel and three Epistles; the Book of Revelation also is attributed to him. John lived to an old age, surviving all his fellow apostles, and died at Ephesus about the year 100.

Wednesday, December 28 — The Holy Innocents

This feast commemorates the killing of the children of Bethlehem following the birth of Jesus. The event is noted in Matthew’s gospel 2:16‐18. The Church venerates these children as martyrs, the first to be killed by persecution. The feast dates back to the fifth century.

Thursday, December 29 — Saint Thomas Becket

Ordained as a deacon in 1154, Thomas was chosen Lord Chancellor by King Henry II. Later the king appointed him Archbishop of Canterbury. Their disagreements on church matters forced Thomas into exile. Within weeks of his return, they clashed again. Thomas was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral. Pope Alexander III declared him a saint in 1173, only three years after his death.