Using Church funds, Pope Damasus restored and adorned the tombs of the martyrs in the catacombs. He had epitaphs, which he wrote, carved on stone tablets and affixed to the saints’ tombs. He had new stairways and light and air shafts constructed for easier access to the catacombs.
FEAST DAY- December 11
PATRON OF- Archaeologists
O bless the Lord, my soul!
The rosary
Who are the successors of the apostles today?
It is said that in 1921, after the crusaders were driven out of the Holy Land, the house of the Holy Family in Nazareth was taken to what is now Loreto by angels. A basilica was built around the little stone house. Pope Benedict XV named Our Lady of Loreto the patron saint of airline pilots. Later, the patronage was extended to the entire crew and the passengers.
FEAST DAY- December 10
PATRON OF- Pilots, crew, passengers
The Lord our God comes with power.
John the Baptist
What is a popular Marian prayer which is also called “an abridgment of the whole Gospel?”
St. Peter Fourier was born in Lorraine in 1565. At age 20 he joined the Canons Regular of St. Augustine. After his ordination and further studies, he was appointed parish priest in the village of Mattaincourt at the age of 33. This was a stronghold of Calvinism where he labored unceasingly with zeal and lived out the example of a holy life for his people. He founded the Congregation of Augustinian Canonesses of Our Lady dedicated to the education of girls. For several years he worked at unifying the Order of Lorraine. He became Superior General. In 1636, political circumstances caused him to be exiled. He died in 1640.
FEAST DAY- December 9
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
(c) priests
Who baptized Jesus?
The Blessed Virgin Mary was free from original sin from the moment she was conceived. The Eastern Churches declared this in the 6th century. On December I, 1854, Pope Pius the XI declared this dogma of the Church. It is in accord with the texts of Scripture, (Gn 3,15 and (Luke 1,28). This was generally accepted long before Pius defined it.
FEAST DAY- December 8
Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
(b) Nazareth
Who are the co-workers of the bishops and the second order of the ordained ministry?
(a) deacons (b) nuns (c) priests (presbyters)
St. Ambrose
Born around the year 340 in Gaul. His father died while Ambrose was an infant and his mother moved back to Rome. He was well educated, he learned Greek and was a poet and orator. He moved to Milan to be with his brother. He was appointed Governor of Liguoria and Aemilia. When the Milan See was vacated, he was appointed Bishop. He accepted reluctantly. Since he was only a catechumen, he had to be baptized and was consecrated Bishop at age 34. He gave his fortune to the Church and the poor. St. Ambrose became a foe of heresy and by the year 385 very few heretics were in the diocese. He was sent to Gaul and successfully concluded a treaty with the Emperor. He assisted in many problems in the kingdom and bapt
FEAST DAY: December 7
PATRON OF: Beekeepers, Candle-makers
Responsorial Psalm
Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.
(c) Eve
Where did the angel encounter Mary to announce the coming birth of Jesus?
(a) Bethlehem (b) Nazareth (c) Galilee
St. Nicholas was born in Myra near the end of the third century. His uncle was Bishop of Myra. Nicholas was the special protector of those wronged. He made gifts of money to those who needed it without them knowing it. It is said that he restored to life the bodies of three children whose father had them killed. He died in 342 AD.
FEAST DAY: December 6
PATRON OF: Children, Merchants, Sailors
(False)
Who is the “mother of all the living” in Gen. 3:20? (a) Mary (b) Eve (c) Mother Teresa?
Bernard, the Archbishop of Toledo, was delegated to bring ecclesiastical reform to Spain. He called various clerks and monks, including St. Gerald, Abbot of Moissac, to achieve this. St. Gerald was appointed choir director of the Cathedral of Toledo. Because he did so well in this task and had such a good influence on the people, he was selected to be the Bishop of Braga when its See became vacant. Bishop Gerald successfully eradicated many of the abuses happening in his diocese, especially administering ecclesiastical investiture by laymen. He died on December 5, 1109 in Bornos, Portugal.
FEAST DAY: December 5
PATRON OF: Disabled people
Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist
(As God reveals himself, there is less mystery about him. True or False?)
Born in 676 AD, he was known for his knowledge and theological methods. He opposed the persecutions by the Emperor of Constantinople and fought for the veneration of sacred images. Accused of treason, his right hand was cut off, but was miraculously restored through the intercession of the Virgin Mary. He was persecuted until he died in peace in the latter part of the 8th century.
FEAST DAY- December 4
True
What are the three sacraments of initiation?
Born in Spain in 1506, St. Francis Xavier became a follower of Ignatius Loyola while studying arts in Paris. In 1537 he was ordained at Rome and devoted himself to works of charity. He went to the Orient and proclaimed the Gospel in India and Japan for ten years. Through his preaching, he brought many to believe in Jesus Christ. He died in 1552 on the island of Sancian.
FEAST DAY- December 3
PATRON OF- Japan, Missionaries
False
In case of necessity, any person, whether Christian or not, may baptize. True or False?
Very little is known about this saint, but it is known she was the daughter of Christians. Her father was tortured and died of his wounds and her mother was beheaded. St. Bibiana suffered much during the persecution started by the governor of Rome, Apronianus. She and her sister were left in poverty. They were called upon to deny their faith but refused. Her sister died after confessing her faith. Bibiana was tied to a pillar and beaten to death.
FEAST DAY- December 2
(c) Power of the Holy Spirit
The church does not pray directly to Mary to intercede on our behalf.
True or False?
