Saints and the Liturgical Year

[grateful_child]

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.

[grateful_child]

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 - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...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."

[grateful_child]

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 - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=35

[Amiciel]

Originally Posted by grateful_child

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'.

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.

[Amiciel]

Originally Posted by grateful_child

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."

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).

[odhiambo]

Originally Posted by Amiciel

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.

I agree!
There quotes too are wonderful sources of inspiration.

[grateful_child]

Originally Posted by odhiambo

I agree!
There quotes too are wonderful sources of inspiration.

I totally agree, Odhiambo and Amiciel. How blessed we are to have the lives and quotes of the saints to inspire us!

[grateful_child]

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 - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...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 - http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saint...rtofprague.asp
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...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."

[grateful_child]

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 - http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saint...igmaringen.asp
Odhimabo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...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."

[Amiciel]

Originally Posted by grateful_child

I totally agree, Odhiambo and Amiciel. How blessed we are to have the lives and quotes of the saints to inspire us!

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.

[odhiambo]

Originally Posted by Amiciel

Odhiambo, thank you for letting us use your thread on Saints as one of our links.

The pleasure is all mine Amiciel

[grateful_child]

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 - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=36

[grateful_child]

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 - http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saint...arcellinus.asp
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=36

[grateful_child]

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 - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=36

[grateful_child]

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 - http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saint...rettamolla.asp
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...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 - http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saint...eterchanel.asp
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=36