Category Archives: Saint Of The Day

The church revised the calendar of the Church to honor these two great Doctors of the Church and good friends on the same day.  Basil was born in Caesarea in 330.  His parents and several brothers and sisters were honored as saints.  While attending school in Athens he met St. Gregory Nazianzen in 352.  After having a school in Caesarea and was a lawyer, he became a monk.  He founded several monasteries, and was ordained and in 370 he was made Bishop of Caesarea.  He died in 379 and is the patron of hospital administrators.

St. Gregory was born in Cappodocia.  Both of his parents were made saints.  He met St. Basil during his studies in Alexandria where they were students.  He was baptized by his father when he returned to Nazianzus and led a holy life. He was ordained a priest and was appointed Bishop of Sasima by St. Basil in 372.  He wanted to live a life of quiet and reflection but circumstances prevented this.  He was made Bishop of Constantinople in 379 .  He resigned this position in 381 and returned to a life of solitude where he died in 389.

FEAST DAY- January 2

ST. BASIL THE GREAT MEDAL

ST. GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS MEDAL

Responsorial Psalm

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

Spirit

Today’s Question-

How many gifts of the Holy Spirit are there?

From eternity, God had Mary chosen as the Mother of God.  Mary became the Mother of God at the Annunciation.  It is her most exalted title.  This is the source of all her other privileges.  At the crucifixion, Christ gave His Mother to be the spiritual Mother to all men.  Thus, through her they could come to Him.  This feast is in place of the Maternity of Mary  formerly kept on October 13.  

FEAST DAY-  January 1

 BOOKS ON MARY

Responsorial Psalm

May God bless us in his mercy.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

False

Today’s Question-

The Gospel of John records Jesus’ words that no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born gain of water and ______.

Born in Rome, little is known of Sylvester’s early life.  He was ordained by  Pope St. Marcellinus during the peace before the persecutions of  Diocletian. He lived through those days of terror.  Constantine triumphed over Diocletian and Maximian in 312.  He succeeded St. Melchiades as Bishop of Rome and on January 31, 314, Sylvester was ordained Pope .  He sent legates to the Council of the Western Church at Arles.  In 325 AD he sent his legates to the Council of Nice.   Because of his great age, he was unable to attend himself.  Sylvester was pope for 24 years and 11 months. He died in 335 AD.

FEAST DAY- December 31

BOOKS BY DR. SCOTT HAHN

Responsorial Psalm

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(c) Charisms

Today’s Question-

Those from other Christian denominations are re-baptized when the convert to the Catholic Church. True or False?

He was persecuted during the reign of Emperor Diocletian.  His hands were cut off because he destroyed a statue of Jupiter that he was told to worship and his two deacons were tortured to death.  Sabinus was sent back to prison where he cured a blind nephew of Serena who was a widow.  Both converted to Christianity along with several other prisoners.  Venustian (who had cut off the hands) also converted and was killed.  Sabinus was beaten to death at Spoleto in the year 303.

FEAST DAY- December 30

FRAMED ART

Responsorial Psalm

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

Quiz

Today’s Question-

Which are the “graces” of the Holy Spirit?

(a) prayers before meals  (b) virtues  (c) charisms

Thomas Becket was born in London in 1118.  A cleric of the diocese of Canterbury, he first became chancellor to the king and then in 1162 was chosen bishop.  His tireless defense of the rights of the Church against Henry II prompted the king to exile Becket to France for six years.  After returning to his homeland, he endured many trials and in 1170 was murdered by agents of the king.

FEAST DAY- December 29

STATUES

Responsorial Psalm

Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

Pentecost

Today’s Question-

Who is the successor of St. Peter, the Church’s supreme pastor?

This feast day remembers and honors the infants that were killed by order of King Herod following the birth of baby Jesus.  Herod was hoping that in having all baby boys 2 years old and younger, killed, the “newborn king of the Jews” would be slaughtered as well.  The early church fathers called the innocent babies martyrs.  From the first century, they have been honored in the Liturgy of the church.

FEAST DAY- December 28

PATRON OF- Babies

E-BOOKS

Responsorial Psalm

Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(c) the prophets

Today’s Question-

What is the feast day of the Holy Spirit celebrated 50 days after Easter?

St. John was the youngest of the apostles.  He lived in Jerusalem and Ephesus.  Present at the Transfiguration, he was also at the foot of the cross and remained  with Mary when Jesus was crucified.  Jesus gave His mother into his care.   After being thrown into a vat of boiling oil, he was not harmed.  He was banished to Patmos where he received visions. He died in the year 100 of old age.

FEAST DAY-  December 27

PATRON OF-   Paper makers, art dealers, painters

CHASUBLES

Responsorial Psalm

Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-   

  True

Today’s Question-

In the Old Testament, who were the special people through whom the Holy Spirit spoke?

(a) the Canaanites (b) the shepherds (c) the prophets

St. Stephen was a disciple of Christ as well as one of the seven deacons of the Church. He worked great wonders and signs among the people.  He was accused of blasphemy and was condemned to be stoned to death.  As he was awaiting death he asked the Lord to forgive his persecutors.  Stephen died in 34 AD as the first martyr. 

FEAST DAY- December 26

PATRON OF- Casket makers, stone workers, deacons

MEDALS

Responsorial Psalm

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(c) Thanksgiving

Today’s Question-

The Holy Spirit was present and active at the creation of the universe.  True or False?

Legend says she was married to Publius, a pagan.  Her father was a noble Roman.  After the death of her husband, she went to Aquileia to minister to Christians suffering persecution during the reign of Diocletian.  She was captured with a group of pagan prisoners.  She had her hands and feet tied to the stake  and was burned to death.  She has been venerated in Rome since the fifth century.  All else about her is more likely to be fiction.

FEAST DAY- December 25

PATRON OF-Martyrs, widows

PYXES

Responsorial Psalm

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

True

Today’s Question-

What does the word “eucharist” mean?

(a) praise (b) sacrifice (c) thanksgiving

St. Adele, daughter of King Dagobert II of Germany, became a nun upon the death of her husband.  She had a young son for whom she made provision.  He became the future father of St. Gregory of Utrecht.  She founded  a convent near Trier and was its first abbess.  She ruled with holiness, prudence, and compassion.  She was a disciple of St. Benedict, the Apostle of Germany.  A letter in his correspondence was addressed to her.  She lived a devout life and died in 730.

FEAST DAY- December 24

GUARDIAN ANGEL MEDALS

Responsorial Psalm

For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

True

Today’s Question-

According to Church Law, all baptized persons should receive confirmation.  True or False?