According to the Roman Martyrology, he was the son of Cleophas who was St. Joseph’s brother.  Therefore, he was the first cousin of Jesus.  When James was martyred, he succeeded him as Bishop of Jerusalem.  In the year 66 he was supernaturally warned that the Romans were going to destroy Jerusalem.  He led a group of Christians to Pella and remained until it was safe to return to Jerusalem.  Both Emperors Vespasian and Domitian decreed that all people of Jewish origin be put to death but Simeon escaped.  He was arrested by the Roman Governor, Atticus and was tortured and crucified.  He was well over 100 years old.  He may be the same Simeon as the one called the Zealot.

FEAST DAY- February 18

BOOK

Responsorial Psalm

Blessed the man you instruct, O Lord.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(a) Caiaphas

Today’s Question-

What unusual effect did the outpouring of the Holy Spirit have on those gathered on the day of Pentecost?

(a) filled with fear  (b) different tongues  (c) fell asleep

Seven members of a Florentine Confraternity devoted  to the Blessed Mother were gathered in prayer on the feast of the Assumption.  They were: Bonfiglio Monaldo, Bonaiunta Manetto, Manetto Antellese, Amedeo Amedei, Uguccione Uguccioni, Sosteneo Sostenei, and Alessio Falconieri.

The Blessed Mother appeared to them and exhorted them to devote themselves to her service in retirement from the world.  These men, who were once prominent business men got the approval of their Bishop and retired to Monte Senario, near Florence.  They founded a new order, “Servants of Mary,” or “Servites” in recognition of the special manner of venerating the “Seven Sorrows of Our Lady”.

FEAST DAY- February 17

BOOK

Responsorial Psalm

Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(c) Gethsemane

Today’s Question-

Who was the High Priest who sought Jesus’ death?

(a) Caiaphas  (b) Herod  (c) Pilate

A native of Phrygia, St. Onesimus  robbed his master and then fled to Rome.  He met St. Paul there, in prison.  Paul converted him to Christianity, baptized him, and sent him back to Colossae.  Paul wrote a letter to his former master, Philemon, begging him to forgive Onesimus.  The pardon was granted and Onesimus returned to St. Paul and served him faithfully.  Later, he was sent to Colossae with Tychicus as the bearer of the Epistle to the Colossians.

FEAST DAY- February 16

DVD

Responsorial Psalm

Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(b) Barabbas

Today’s Question-

In what garden did Jesus pray that this cup may pass from him?

(a) Galilee  (b) Eden  (c) Gethsemane

Claude was born in 1641.  He joined the Society of Jesus in Lyons, France.  He was a great orator and educator and gained widespread fame in Paris.  He had great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  He met St. Margaret Mary Alacoque at the Visitation convent in Paray-le-Monial.   As her Spiritual Director, he urged her to spread devotion to the Sacred Heart as Our Lord had commanded her in her visions.  He became a zealous apostle of the devotion, using it for revitalizing the Faith.  He was sent to London to preach to the Duchess of York, and continued to promote the devotion.  He converted the Duke of York as well as others.  His efforts earned him the death sentence due to anti-Catholicism at the time.  He died in 1682, in accord with the last message he received from St. Margaret Mary, “He wants the sacrifice of your life in this country.”

FEAST DAY- February 15

PATRON OF- Toy makers

AUDIO

Responsorial Psalm

Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(a) John the Baptist

Today’s Question-

Who was the criminal released by Pilate at the trial  of Jesus?

(a) Simon of Cyrene  (b) Judas  (c) Barabbas

These two brothers were born in Thessalonica in 826 and 827  and were educated at Constantinople.  Cyril preached in southern Russia. Patriarch  St. Ignatius sent them as missionaries to the Bulgarians where they  soon converted them to Christianity.  From there, they proceeded to Moravia and Dalmatia where they continued to work.  They were consecrated Bishops when they returned to Rome by Pope Hadrian.  Cyril died in 869 in Rome.  Methodius went on to successfully continue the apostolate in Moravia, Bohemia, Poland, and neighboring countries.  He is attributed to having translated the Holy Scriptures in the Slav alphabet which he created.  He was worn out by his heroic labors and long struggles with his enemies and died April 6, 883.  The relics of the two saints are venerated in the church of St. Clement in Rome.

FEAST DAY- February 14

PATRON OF- Bulgaria, Czeck Republic, the reunification of the Orthodox with the Catholic Church

BOOKS

Responsorial Psalm

I am the Lord, your God: hear my voice.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

Cain and Abel

Today’s Question-

Who was the forerunner of Jesus sent to prepare his way?

(a) John the Baptist  (b) Isaiah  (c) Paul

St. Catherine De Ricci was born in Florence in 1522.  She was baptized “Alexandrina” but upon entering religious life, she chose Catherine.  When she was six years old, she was placed with her aunt Louisa in the convent of Monticelli in Florence.  She returned home briefly and entered the Dominican nuns convent in Tuscany when she was fourteen years old.  She was quite young when she was made mistress of novices, then sub prioress, and at twenty-five, she became perpetual prioress.  Her reputation for sanctity drew many illustrious personages to her side.  Pope Marcellus II, Pope Clement VIII, and Leo XI were among them.  She and St. Philip Neri corresponded and, while still alive, she appeared to him in Rome miraculously.  She experienced the “Ecstasy of the Passion” every Thursday at noon until Friday at 4 PM for 12 years.  She died in 1589 after a long illness. 

FEAST DAY- February 13

LENT 

Responsorial Psalm

Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

“In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (par 189)

Today’s Question-

Who are the first children mentioned in the Bible?

Eulalia of Barcelona and Eulalia of Merida appear to be the same person.  The information about these two people is legendary.  It is said that she suffered torture because she denounced Judge Daclan for attempting to apostatize Christians.  Emperor Diocletian was persecuting all Christians during his reign.  In French Catalonia, she is known as “Auclaire”.  She died February 12, 304AD.

FEAST DAY- February 12

CROSSES & CRUCIFIXES

Responsorial Psalm

The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

True

Today’s Question-

In whose name is a Christian baptized?

The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette at Lourdes in 1858.  Bernadette asked her who she was and Our Lady said “I am the Immaculate Conception.”  She revealed to Bernadette the place of a healing spring.  Many miracles have been received by people who have visited the Spring and from the devotions to Our Lady of Lourdes.  People from all over the world travel there.  It is one of the most popular pilgramage destinations in the Catholic world.

FEAST DAY- February 11

HOLY WATER FONTS

Responsorial Psalm

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(a) Justice

Today’s Question-

Praying the Our Father helps us overcome individualism.  True or False?

St. Scholastica, sister of St. Benedict, dedicated her life to God early in life.  After St. Benedict founded a monastery at Monte Cassino, she founded a monastery of nuns about five miles from Monte Cassino.  She visited St. Benedict once a year at a house some distance away where they conferred on spiritual matters.  On one visit with St. Benedict and some of his confreres, she asked him to stay the night.  He refused.  Scholastica prayed and a violent thunderstorm broke out.  They could not go home.  Three days later St. Scholastica died.  St. Benedict saw her soul in a vision as it entered heaven. He had her body brought to Monte Cassino where he buried her.  She died around 543.   

FEAST DAY- February 10

PATRON OF- Nuns, storms

DVD

Responsorial Psalm

Lord, go up to the place of your rest!

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

“Forgive us our trespasses” (par 2838)

Today’s Question-

What virtue is a concern of the words “give us this day our daily bread?”

(a) justice  (b) modesty  (c) prudence

During the persecutions of Decius, St. Apollonia, an elderly Deaconess known for her sanctity, refused to sacrifice to idols.  An enraged mob seized her and knocked out all her teeth.  She was threatened with being burned alive in the fire they had made.  She asked for a moment to think things over.  She then broke free from her captors and, prompted by the Holy Spirit, jumped into the fire.  They were surprised that this weak woman was so anxious to die for Christ.

FEAST DAY- February 9

PATRON OF- Toothaches and dental diseases

GARDEN STATUES

Responsorial Psalm

The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

False

Today’s Question-

What petition in the Lord’s Prayer will not be heard unless we first meet a prior demand?