Monthly Archives: November 2019

He was Born in Tuscany.  He was raised to the See of Peter in 440.  He reigned as Pope between 440 and 461.  In an edict in 445, he persuaded Emperor Vanentinian to recognize the primacy of the Bishop of Rome.  He confirmed the doctrine of the Incarnation.  He labored strenuously to safeguard the integrity of the faith and vigorously defended the unity of the Church.  He softened the rush of barbarians and has deservedly won the title “the Great”.  He died in 461, leaving many letters and writings of great historical value.

 FEAST DAY :  November 10

CHILDREN’S BOOKS

Responsorial Psalm

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

a) Submissive

Today’s Question-

Only after much debating did Moses follow God’s call to him (Ex. 3:11)

True or false?

It was originally the palace of Constantine, but it was adapted and dedicated under the title “Our Savior” to serve as the church of the Pope.  It is the oldest and ranks first among the four greater or patriarchal churches of Rome.  The other archbasilicas of Rome are St. Peter’s, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul’s outside the walls.  The present arch basilica was built later, on the site of the original church.  It is known as St. John Lateran.  These four arch basilicas represent the four great partriarchcates or ecclesiastical provinces of the world. 

FEAST DAY:  November 9

HOLY WATER FONTS

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

Envy

Today’s Question-

What was Abraham’s attitude when he received God’s call?

a) submissive   b) fearful   c) joyful

Born in 1065 near Soissons, France became a monk and priest.  He was chosen Abbot of Nogent in Champagne, a rapidly declining religious house.  Its outer appearance was completely dilapidated and its religious life was in disarray and floundering.  With the force of Godfrey’s personality and spirituality, he soon had it flourishing in every way.  He turned down the offer of Saint-Remi at Rheims choosing to remain running his own house.  In 1104, he accepted the episcopacy of Amiens.  Here he put an end to simony, strenuously enforced celibacy and endorsed the establishment of communes.  He provoked the opposition because of his strickness, and he withdrew to a Carthusian monastery in 1114.  Council ordered him to return to his diocese, but he died in 1115 at St. Crispin’s Abbey in Soissons before he could return.

FEAST DAY:  November 8

CROSSES & CRUCIFIXES

Responsorial Psalm

Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

True

Today’s Quiz-

What is not sign against the eighth commandment?

a) perjury  b) detraction  c) calumny  d) deceiving  e) envy

Little is known of this saint except for the acts of her martyrdom.  In the year 360 in the city of Ankara, she and her husband Antonius and her 13 year old son, Melasippus, were arrested because of their Christian Faith.  As was the custom, the authorities tried to get them to give up their devotion to the True God by means of cruel and inhuman tortures.  Aided by heavenly grace, they remained steadfast in their Faith, thus they attained their crown of martyrdom. 

FEAST DAY:  November 7

SAINT MEDALS

Responsorial Psalm

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

False

Today’s Question-

It is justifiable to refuse obedience to civil authority if the demand is contrary to one’s conscience.  True or false?

St. Leonard, confessor, born of a noble family in Limoges in Aquitaine was a disciple of the blessed bishop of Remigius.  He chose to lead a solitary life.  He was celebrated for his holiness and miracles, but his virtue shone particularly in the deliverance of captives.

FEAST DAY:  November 6

PATRON OF:  Captives

STATUES

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

True

Today’s Question-

Christians do not have a moral responsibility to pay taxes.

True or false?

Born in the territory of Soissons, France during the reign of Dagobert I.  In 630 she became a religious in a monastery of nuns in Jouarre.  Her prudence appeared so perfect that she was given the care of entertaining strangers, charge of the sick and of the children who were being educated there, despite her youth.  Her example influenced the whole community.  St. Bathildis, wife of Clovis II, asked the Abbess of Jouarre to send over a small colony of nuns to lead novices in the practice of monastic perfection.  Bertrille was chosen to lead the colony and became the first Abbess of Chelles around 646.  Her sanctity and the good discipline of her monastery brought several foreign princesses including Hereswith, Queen of East Angles.  Queen Bathildis also took the monastic habit there in 665, so Bertrille became the superior of two Queens.  She governed the monastery for forty-six years, increasing in virtue and redoubling her fervor.  She died in 692.

FEAST DAY:  November 5

STATUES

Responsorial Psalm

The Lord is my light and my salvation.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

Saturday

Today’s Question-

People have the right and sometimes, the duty to engage in legitimate protest against what is contrary to the well-being of the community.

True or false?

Born in Italy in 1538 to the noble family of Borromeo.  He received his doctorate in civil and canon law in 1559.  His uncle, Cardinal de Medici, was elected Pope in that same year.  He took the name of Pius IV.  He appointed Charles a Cardinal, and a short time later nominated him Archbishop of Milan though he was only 22 years old.  He labored diligently in Rome founding the Vatican Academy for literary work and other interests of the church.  He was instrumental in assembling the Council of Trent, enforcing its reforms, and composing the Roman Catechism. After his ordination he accepted the office of grand penitentiary.  The Pope died in 1564 with Charles at his side.  After Pius V was elected, Charles went to Milan.  He showed himself the true shepherd by his self-sacrificing during the great plague in  Milan in 1575.  He died in 1584.

FEAST DAY:  November 4

PATRON OF:  Catechists, seminarians

CHRISTMAS & ADVENT

Responsorial Psalm

 I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

False

Today’s Question-

The Jewish Sabbath is literally what day of the week?

St. Martin de Porres was born in Lima, Peru in 1579.  His mother was an Indian woman from Panama, and his father was a Spanish gentleman.   At age fifteen, he became a lay brother at the Dominican Friary at Lima where he worked as a barber, farmer and infirmarian, along with other work.  His desire was to go to a foreign mission and earn the palm of martyrdom.  This was not possible so he made a martyr out of his body.  He devoted himself to ceaseless and severe penances.  God, in turn graced him with wondrous gifts, such as, aerial flights and bilocation.  His all-embracing love included humans and animals, and he maintained a cats’ and dogs’ hospital at his sister’s house.  The spiritual wisdom granted him allowed him to solve his sister’s marriage problems, raising a dowry for his niece in three days’ time, and resolving theological problems for the learned of his Order and for Bishops.  He was a close friend of St. Rose of Lima.  He died on November 3, 1639 and was canonized May 6, 1962.

FEAST DAY:  November 3

PATRON OF:  South America, Biblical people, television

ST. MARTIN DE PORRES MEDAL

Responsorial Psalm

 In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

c) Agnosticism

Today’s Question-

The Christian veneration of images is contrary to the first commandment.  True or false?

The memorial day of the dead comes down to us from the first Christians.  It is commemorated on November 2 (or November 3 if the second falls on a Sunday).  It is the belief that all the Faithful Departed whose sins are not fully atoned for are purified in purgatory.   The church mourns for all her children who are being purified in the sufferings of purgatory.  The faithful on earth can help them through their temporal punishment by prayers and alms and especially by the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to hasten their admission into heaven.  Since August 10, 1915 every priest is permitted to offer three Masses on All Souls’ Day – for all the Faithful Departed, one for the Pope and one for the priest’s intention.  Some dioceses have collection of monies, names of the departed and offer Masses for all those souls on All Souls’ Day.  Some  dioceses offer Masses on other days of November also.

FEAST DAY:  November 2

BIBLES

Responsorial Psalm

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

b)  Presumption

Today’s Question-

What is it to be indifferent about God or to deny that anything can be known of God?

a) atheism   b) agnosticism    c) sacrilege

This feast dates back to the 7^th century.  On the occasion of the conversion of the ancient Pantheon at Rome to a Christian church, this feast was introduced.  This church was thought to have been built by Marcus Agrippa in the year 27 BC.  He may have just restored and added to it.  Pliny says it was dedicated to Jupiter the Avenger. The Emperor Phocas gave this temple to Pope Boniface IV in the beginning of the 7^th century. He converted it into a church and dedicated it to the Blessed Virgin and all the saints, about the year 608. The dedication was held on May 13.  The feast of the Apostles had been celebrated on the first of May. Pope Gregory III consecrated a chapel in St. Peter’s Church in honor of all the saints about the year 731.  Since then, the Feast of All Saints has been celebrated in Rome.  While in France in 837, Pope Gregory IV encouraged the celebration of this feast in that country.  Greeks celebrate it on the Sunday after Pentecost.

FEAST DAY:  November 1

SAINT BOOKS

Responsorial Psalm

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

b) Total repudiation of the faith

Today’s Question-

What is it called if we rely only upon God’s goodness for salvation without conversion of heart? 

a) despair  b) presumption  c) indifference