Saints and the Liturgical Year

[grateful_child]

May 8, 2012 - Tuesday, 5th Week of Easter:

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"O God, who restore us to eternal life
in the Resurrection of Christ,
grant your people constancy in faith and hope,
that we may never doubt the promises
of which we have learned from you.
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."


May 8 - St. Peter of Tarantaise:

St. Peter of Tarantaise was an archbishop of the 12th century. He became a superior of a Cistercian house at Tamie in the Alps. He died in 1174.

For more on St. Peter of Tarantaise and other saints of the day, see links:
EWTN - http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saint...tarantaise.asp
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=39

[grateful_child]

May 9, 2012 - Wednesday, 5th Week of Easter;

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"O God, restorer and lover of innocence,
direct the hearts of your servants towards yourself,
that those you have set free from the darkness of unbelief
may never stray from the light of your truth.
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."


May 9 - St. Pachomius:

St. Pachomius was an abbott and bishop, born in Egypt in 292 and died in 348, in Egypt.

For more on St. Pachomius and other saints of the day, see links:
EWTN - www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/P/stpachomius.asp
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=39

[grateful_child]

May 10, 2012 - Thursday, 5th Week of Easter:

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"O God, by whose grace,
though sinners, we are made just
and, through pitiable, made blessed,
stand, we pray, by your works,
stand by your gifts,
that those justified by faith
may not lack the courage of perseverance.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with youin the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."


May 10 - St. Damien de Veuster, Priest (Optional Memorial, Dioceses of the United States):

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"Father of mercy,
who gave us in Saint Damien
a shining witness of love for the poorest and most abandoned,
grant that, by his intercession,
as faithful witnesses of the heart of your Son Jesus,
we too may be servants of the most needy and rejected.
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 Belgium, St. Damien (1840-1889) joined the Fathers of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in 1860. In 1873, he requested to go to the leper colony at Moloka'i, where he spent the rest of his life; ... later he contracted leprosy." (Daily Roman Missal, MWTF.)

St. Damien is the patron of Hawaii, of people with leprosy, people with HIV and AIDS, of outcasts.

For more on St. Damien and other saints of the day, see links:
EWTN - http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saint...nofmolokai.asp
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=39

May 10 - St. Antonius of Florence:
St. Antonius of Florence was an archbishop and Confessor. He died in 1459 and was canonized in 1523. He is patron against fever.

For more on St. Antonius:
EWTN - http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saint...offlorence.asp

[grateful_child]

May 11, 2012 - Friday, 5th Week of Easter:

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"Grant us, Lord, we pray,
that, being rightly conformed to the paschal mysteries,
what we celebrate in joy
may protect and save us with perpetual power.
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."


May 11 - St. Francis of Girolamo:

St. Francis of Girolamo was born in 1642 near Taranto, Italy. He joined the Jesuit Order at Naples and later became a famous preacher. He died in 1716 and was canonized in 1839.

For more on St. Francis and other saints of the day, see links:
EWTN - http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saint...ofgirolamo.asp
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=39

[grateful_child]

May 12, 2012 - Saturday, 5th Week of Easter:

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"Almighty and eternal God,
who through the regenerating power of Baptism
have been pleased to confer on us heavenly life,
grant, we pray,
that those you render capable of immortality
by justifying them
may by your guidance
attain the fullness of 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."


May 12 - Saints Nereus and Achilleus, Martyrs (Optional Memorial):

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that we, who know the great courage
of the glorious Martyrs Nereus and Achilleus
in confessing you,
may experience their loving intercession for us in your presence.
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."

"Sts. Nereus and Achilleus were Roman soldiers during the reign of the Emperor Trajan in the first century AD. According to tradition they were martyred when they embraced the true Faith and consequently left the military." (Daily Roman Missal, MWTF.)

For more on Sts. Nereus and Achilleus and other saints of the day, see links:
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4820
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=39

May 12 - Saint Pancras, Martyr (Optional Memorial):

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"May your Church rejoice, O God,
confident in the intercession of the Martyr Saint Pancras,
and by his glorious prayers
may she persevere in devotion to you
and stand ever firm.
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."

"At fourteen, St. Pancras (d.304) was martyred during the reign of Diocletian. He was buried on the Via Aurelia, where Pope Symmachus erected a basilica over his tomb." (Daily Roman Missal, MWTF.)

St. Pancras is the patron of children; invoked against cramp, false witness, headaches ...
EWTN - www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/P/stpancras.asp

[grateful_child]

May 13, 2012 - 6th Sunday of Easter:

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"Grant, almighty God,
that we may celebrate with heartfelt devotion these days of joy,
which we keep in honor of the risen Lord,
and that what we relive in remembrance
we may always hold to in what we do.
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."


May 13 - Our Lady of Fatima:

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"O God, who chose the Mother of your Son to be our Mother also,
grant us that, persevering in penance and prayer
for the salvation of the world,
we may further more effectively each day the reign of Christ.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."

"The Blessed Virgin Mary is venerated under this title following apparitions to three shepherd children in Portugal in 1917. The message of Fatima includes a call to conversion of heart, repentance from sin, and dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary, especially through praying the Rosary." (local Ordo.)


For more on Our Lady of Fatima and other saints of the day, see links:
EWTN - http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saint...dyoffatima.asp
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=39


May 13 - St. John the Silent:

St. John the Silent was a bishop of Armenia. He died in 558.
http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saint...nthesilent.asp

[grateful_child]

May 14, 2012 - Monday, 6th Week of Easter:

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"Grant, O merciful God,
that we may experience at all times
the fruit produced by the paschal observances.
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."


May 14 - Saint Matthias, Apostle:

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"O God, who assigned Saint Matthias
a place in the college of Apostles,
grant us through his intercession,
that, rejoicing at how your love has been allotted to us,
we may merit to be numbered among the elect.
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."

"After the Ascension of Our Lord, St. Peter proposed the disciples select an Apostle to take the office of Judas Iscariot. The choice was St. Matthias (d.64). He worked for the faith in Palestine and was stoned to death." (Daily Roman Missal, MTWF.)

For more on St. Matthias and other saints of the day, see links:
EWTN - www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/M/stmatthias.asp
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...=622273&page39

[Amiciel]

Originally Posted by grateful_child

May 13 - Our Lady of Fatima:

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"O God, who chose the Mother of your Son to be our Mother also,
grant us that, persevering in penance and prayer
for the salvation of the world,
we may further more effectively each day the reign of Christ.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."

"The Blessed Virgin Mary is venerated under this title following apparitions to three shepherd children in Portugal in 1917. The message of Fatima includes a call to conversion of heart, repentance from sin, and dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary, especially through praying the Rosary." (local Ordo.)


EWTN - http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saint...dyoffatima.asp

Our Lady of Fatima asked for the consecration of the world to her Immaculate Heart to obtain world peace and the conversion of Russia. The feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is celebrated annually on the Saturday following the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost.
www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/heart/index.htm
http://www.piercedhearts.org/hearts_..._mary_2010.htm

[Amiciel]

Originally Posted by grateful_child

May 13, 2012 - 6th Sunday of Easter:

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"Grant, almighty God,
that we may celebrate with heartfelt devotion these days of joy,
which we keep in honor of the risen Lord,
and that what we relive in remembrance
we may always hold to in what we do.
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."

Excerpt for the 6th Sunday of Easter from the Euchalette (May 29, 2011, p.4):

"Profession of our faith and our love for Christ in words is good and needed. But along with the words - and even more important than them - is our profession of faith and love for him through our lives."

"To respond to Christ's love for us throughout our life, in constant faithfulness (and not just occasionally!), is a daunting task. And we are weak. We often falter and fall! Jesus knew it, and that is why he promised his disciples (and us) that he would not leave them/us orphaned (see Jn 14:18). He promised to stay with us to the very end to guide and support us. (See Mt 28:20.)"

"Jesus' presence is made operative in our existence through the action of the Spirit, the supreme Gift of the Risen Lord. Life may be hard for us. We may be misunderstood or even persecuted because of our faithfulness to God. This already happened to Jesus. It will surely happen to us if we remain faithful to him...."

Occasional failures may occur, but a real disciple keeps rising and struggling, in spite of all difficulties from within and from without. In the midst of all difficulties we should keep in mind Jesus' wonderful promise: 'Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him ... and we willcome to him and make our dwelling place with him' (Jn 14:21,23)."

"These are words worth remembering and believeing. Their fulfillment will make our life a lasting success."

[grateful_child]

May 15, 2012 - Tuesday, 6th Week of Easter:

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"Grant, almighty and merciful God,
that we may in truth receive a share
in 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."


May 15 - Saint Isidore, the Farmer (Optional Memorial, Dioceses of the United States):

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"Lord God, to whom belongs all creation,
and who call us to serve you
by caring for the gifts that surround us,
inspire us by the example of Saint Isidore
to share our food with the hungry
and to work for the salvation of all people.
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. Isidore (1070 -1130) was a Spanish laborer who worked near Madrid as a ploughman for a nobleman. Despite his long workday, he never failed to attend daily Mass and to spend time praying before the Blessed Sacrament. He married a maidservant, St. Maria de la Cabeza. Always willing to help their neighbors, they worked with the poor in the slums." (Daily Roman Missal, MTWF.)

For more on St. Isidore and other saints of the day, see links:
EWTN - http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saint...ethefarmer.asp
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=39

[grateful_child]

May 16, 2012 - Wednesday, 6th Week of Easter:

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"Grant, we pray, O Lord,
that, as we celebrate in mystery
the solemnities of your Son's Resurrection,
so, too, we may be worthy
to rejoice at his coming with all the Saints.
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."

May 16 - St. Simon Stock:

"St. Simon Stock was the 6th general of the Carmelite Order. As such he was instrumental in establishing houses at the principal university cities of Europe and in modifying the rules so that the Carmelites became an order of mendicant friars rather than of hermits. According to a Carmelite tradition, Our Lady gave Simon the brown scapular with all the privileges attached to it." (Alan Butler.)

For more on St. Simon Stock and other saints of the day, see links:
EWTN - http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saint...simonstock.asp
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=39

St. Margaret of Cortona:

St. Margaret of Cortona was a Franciscan tertiary, a Foundress and a miracle worker. She was born in 1247 at Tuscany, Italy. She died in 1297, Cortona, Italy. St. Margaret is the patron against temptations, falsely accused people, homeless people, mental illness, reformed prostitutes, etc.
EWTN - http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saint...tofcortona.asp

[grateful_child]

Originally Posted by grateful_child

May 13, 2012 - 6th Sunday of Easter:

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"Grant, almighty God,
that we may celebrate with heartfelt devotion these days of joy,
which we keep in honor of the risen Lord,
and that what we relive in remembrance
we may always hold to in what we do.
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, Sunday, is also Mothers' Day.

Happy Mothers' Day to all our Mothers worldwide! May Our Lord bless you abundantly; and may Our Lady of Fatima, whose feast is also today, give you her special blessings!

[grateful_child]

May 17, 2012 - The Ascension of the Lord (Solemnity):

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"O God, whose Son today ascended to the heavens
as the Apostles looked on,
grant, we pray, that, in accordance with his promise,
we may be worthy for him to live with us always on earth,
and we with him in heaven.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."

May 17, 2012 - Thursday, 6th Week of Easter:

In some regions, the Solemnity of the Ascension is not observed today, but is assigned to the Seventh Sunday of Easter. In this case, today is celebrated as a ferial Thursday of the 6th Week of Easter.

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"O God, who made your people
partakers in your redemption,
grant, we pray,
that we may perpetually render thanks
for the Resurrection of the Lord.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."


May 17 - St. Paschal Baylon:

St. Paschal Baylon was born a peasant in Aragon who became a shepherd. Later, he became a Franciscan lay brother and mystic who nurtured an intense love for the Holy Eucharist. He died in 1592 and was canonized in 1690.

St. Paschal is the patron of Eucharistic Congresses and Eucharistic associations.

For more on St. Paschal and other saints of the day, see link:
EWTN - http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saint...chalbaylon.asp
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=40

[grateful_child]

May 18, 2012 - Friday, 6th Week of Easter:

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"O God, who restore us to eternal life
in the Resurrection of Christ,
raise us up, we pray, to the author of our salvation,
who is seated at your right hand,
so that, when our Savior comes again in majesty,
those you have given new birth in Baptism
may be clothed with blessed immortality.
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."

May 18 - St. John I, Pope and Martyr:

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"O God, who reward faithful souls
and who have consecrated this day
by the martyrdom of Pope Saint John the First,
graciously hear the prayers of your people
and grant that we, who venerate his merits,
may imitate his constancy in the 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."

"St. John I (d. 526) was elected Pope in 523. King Theodoric, an Arian, sent him as his ambassador to Emperor Justin in Constantinople. Upon his return, St. John was captured by the king, who was displeased at the outcome of the embassy. He was cast into prison at Ravenna, where he died of ill treatment a few days later." (Daily Roman Missal, MWTF.)

For more on St. John I and other saints of the day, see links:
EWTN - www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/J/stjohni.asp
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=40
http://www.catholicculture.org/cultu...ate=2012-05-18

[grateful_child]

May 19, 2012 - Saturday, 6th Week of Easter:

Opening Prayer:
"O God, whose Son, at his Ascension to the heavens,
was pleased to promise the Holy Spirit to the Apostles,
grant, we pray,
that, just as they received manifold gifts of heavenly teaching,
so on us, too, you may bestow spiritual gifts.
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."

In regions where the Solemnity of the Ascension is celebrated on the following Sunday:
"Constantly shape our minds, we pray, O Lord,
by the practice of good works,
that, trying always for what is better,
we may strive to hold ever fast to the Paschal Mystery.
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."

May 19 - St. Celestine V - Pope:
St. Celestine V died in 1296 in Italy and was canonized in 1313. He was "one of the few popes who resigned from office. In vain he attempted to resume his hermit's life in the mountains. He was arrested and kept in confinement till death. His guards insulted and ill-used him, but he bore his sufferings with patience." (Alban Butler.)

For more on St. Celestine V and other saints of the day, see links:
EWTN - http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saint...celestinev.asp
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=40
http://www.catholicculture.org/cultu...ate=2012-05-19

May 19 - St. Crispin of Viterbo:
St. Crispin of Viterbo was a Franciscan lay Brother. He died in 1750 in Rome and was canonized in 1982 by Blessed Pope John Paul II.
http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saint...nofviterbo.asp