S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 2 — Presentation 3 — St. Blaise 5 — St. Agatha 6 — St. Paul Miki & Companions 10 — St. Scholastica 14 — Ash Wednesday Day of Fasting & Abstinence 16 — Day of Abstinence 21 — St. Peter Damian February Saints 22 — The Chair of St. Peter St. Scholastica 23 — St. Polycarp Day of Abstinence Living with the Saints St. Paul Miki (1562-97) and his 25 compan- day. Plan ahead and eat your chocolate on Fat The Feast of the Presentation of the ions are Japanese saints crucified in Nagasa- Tuesday! Lord falls on the fortieth day after 6 2 ki on February 5, 1587. As they hung on their Christmas, since it recalls an ancient Jewish crosses, they sang together an ancient prayer of St. Peter Damian (1007-1072) had many custom of presenting a first-born male to praise called the Te Deum. Google that prayer 21 talents and was a generous man, not on- the Lord in the Temple forty days after his and say it today. ly donating to the poor but dining with them at birth. Two elderly people, Simeon and An- his own table. He was a great teacher and na, were present in the Temple and spoke Imagine having two saints in the family! preacher and for this he was given the title of of Jesus as the Redeemer. Simeon called 10 St. Scholastica (c. 480-547) is the sister of Doctor of the Church. Consider how you re- him “a light to the nations,” so the liturgical another saint–Benedict of Nursia (whose feast spond when meeting someone with severe celebration involves a blessing of candles we celebrate on July 11). They are the founders needs of any time. Do you acknowledge and and a procession with candles. Bring your of the Benedictine Order. Pray for the people in welcome them or do you judge them? candles to church today and have them your family today, asking God to make them ho- blessed. Read the beautiful account of this ly. Today’s feast bears the unusual name, day found in Luke 2:22-38. 22 the Chair of Peter. The feast has been On this day in 1858, while gathering flow- celebrated by the Church since at least the mid- 11 ers with her sister and a friend, Bernadette dle of the fourth century. The Latin word for Soubirous saw a vision of the Blessed Mother chair is cathedra which gives name to Cathe- St. Blaise (†316) is a popular saint down to near Lourdes, France. Today there is a shrine at dral as the place housing the chair of a Bishop. this day despite the fact that we know little 3 Lourdes visited by people from throughout the This feast also celebrates the unity in the about him. He is best known today for the Bless- world, often seeking healing. Many parishes Church through the College of Bishops. Today ing of Throats that takes place at Mass. It’s a have outdoor shrines to Our Lady of Lourdes, is a good day to pray for the pope and bishops. good day to pray for teachers, singers and others set in a garden in a way similar to the way she who rely on their voices! appeared to St. Bernadette. Pray the rosary to- St. Polycarp (69-155) was a disciple of Saint John himself. Because he lived at a St. Agatha (died around 251) is one of the day. If you don’t remember how, look online for 23 time when the Apostles themselves were being few saints mentioned in the Roman Canon help. 5 martyred, he worked to make sure that the true (Eucharistic Prayer No. 1). While her life was Lent begins today. This is one of the most message of Jesus was not changed by the feel- short (perhaps 20 years), she is known for her solemn days of the Church year. We come ings of the times. He was a stalwart teacher and unwavering faith even in the face of torture. Her 14 face to face with the fact that we are sinners. Our was martyred for the faith. St. Polycarp is con- cruel captors removed her breast with pincers only hope is in God’s mercy which he generously sidered the first martyr to have a “cultic follow- while in captivity. Because of that, many pray to pours out on us. Make sure that if you don’t ing,” which means that those who followed him her as patron of those who have breast cancer. have a Lenten plan for prayer, fasting and alms- continued to venerate him long after his mar- Today, ask the Lord to watch over all those who giving that you take some time today to do so. tyrdom. are ill, especially those with breast cancer. Also Go to church today and leave the ashes on your ask for the same zeal that he gave St. Agatha to head as a silent witness of your faith. This year, keep the faith! Ash Wednesday falls on the popular Valentines .