St. Gildas the Wise was born in the Valley of Clyde around 500 AD.  He was a teacher and the first British historian.  Not too much is certain of his life but it seems he had to flee to Wales and was married.  After his wife died he studied under St. Illtyd.  After some time in Ireland, around 520 AD he went to Rome and founded a religious house at Ruys in Brittany on  his way back to Wales.  He visited Ruys and Ireland again and died at Ruys on January 29, 570 AD.  He was known for the first history condemning British vice – the only history of the Celts.

FEAST DAY- January 29

CROSSES & CRUCIFIXES TO WEAR

Responsorial Psalm

For ever I will maintain my love for my servant.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

Elijah

Today’s Question-

Jesus prayed before all the decisive moments of his ministry in serving his Father’s will.  True or False?

St. Thomas Aquinas

Born around 1226 into the family of Count Aquino, at age 5, Thomas was placed under the care of the Benedictines of Monte Casino.  He surpassed all his fellow pupils in learning and in the practice of virtue.  St. Thomas chose to enter the Order of St. Dominic despite the opposition of his family.  St. Thomas persevered in his vocation despite his family’s severe opposition.  They went so far as to send an impure woman to tempt him.  His fidelity to God was rewarded with the gift of perfect chastity, which has merited him the title of Angelic Doctor.  He studied under St. Albert, the Great.  He was nicknamed “Dumb Ox” because of his silent ways and huge size.  He was brilliant.  At age 22 he was appointed to teach.  He also began to publish his first works.  He was sent to Paris four years later.  He was ordained to the priesthood and received his doctorate at age 31.  He dined frequently with the King, St. Louis.  Pope Urban IV called him to Rome to teach but he declined to accept any ecclesiastical dignity.  He wrote prodigiously and brilliantly.  He fell sick on his way to the Second Council of Lyons and died at the Cistercian monastery of Fossa Nuova in 1274.  His “Summa Theologica”   was left unfinished by his death.

FEAST DAY- January 28

PATRON OF- Scholars, students, publishers

BOOKS & CDS BY BISHOP ROBERT BARRON

Responsorial Psalm

Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(c) Solomon

Today’s Question-

Who was the father of the prophets who encountered God in the tiny whispering sound (Kings 19:1-14)

(a) Isaiah   (b) Ezekiel   (c) Elijah

Born in 1474 in Desenzano in Italy.   At age 15 she became a tertiary of St Francis.  God revealed that she would establish a “company” to promote the welfare of souls.  In her home town she founded a school for young girls and another at Brescia.  She established twelve religious companies and founded the Ursulines of Brescia.  Her organizations would remain in the world but devote themselves to every type of corporal and spiritual works of mercy.   Most important was education.   Her foundation was of a new society which would advance the order in the world around them.  They did not take vows or wear habits, but did have to adopt the canonical safeguards required of all nuns.  St. Angela’s company chose St. Ursula as their patron.  St. Angela’s schools strengthened Catholicism in Italy.  She  died in 1540 AD.

FEAST DAY- January 27

PATRON OF- Handicapped people

CHILDREN’S CROSSES

Responsorial Psalm

My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

True

Today’s Question-

Who built the temple of Jerusalem and made of it a house of prayer?

(a) Samuel  (b) David  (c) Solomon

Born of a Greek father and a Jewish mother, Timothy was from Lystra in Lycaonia.  He was well educated.  He and his mother, Eunice and grandmother Lois probably became Christians during St. Paul’s first stay at Lystra. When Paul returned to Lystra, the Christians highly recommended Timothy and so Paul chose him as a missionary companion.  He was sent on difficult and confidential missions.  He was with Paul during his imprisonment in Rome and accompanied him on his last missionary journey.  Timothy was left to take charge of the Church at Ephesus.  Tradition has it that Timothy spent the remainder of his life at Ephesus as its Bishop.  He was martyred during the winter of the year 97.

FEAST DAY- January 26

PATRON OF- Stomach Disorders

MIRACULOUS MEDALS

Responsorial Psalm

The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

True

Today’s Question-

Every Christian  is obliged to rest on Sundays.  True or False?

Born in Tarsus of Jewish parents – he was a Roman citizen by birth.  He took part in the persecution of  St. Stephen.  He was sent to Jerusalem where he was educated in ancestral law.  He was a zealot.  He returned to Tarsus sometime before the public life of Christ.  On the way to Damascus to arrest Christians, Jesus appeared to him in a blaze of light and spoke to him.  He was transformed and converted to Christianity and became an Apostle.

FEAST DAY- January 25

PATRON OF- Publishers and reporters

MEDAL

Responsorial Psalm

Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

False

Today’s Question-

The Law of Moses is imperfect. True or False?

St. Francis was born at Savoy in 1567.  After being ordained a priest he labored diligently for the restoration of Catholicism in his country.  He showed himself as a true pastor toward his clerics and the faithful by his writings, works, and example.  He died at Lyons December 28, 1622.         St. Francis pray for us!

FEAST DAY-  January 24

PATRON OF- Journalists

WEE BELIEVERS

Responsorial Psalm

Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.

Quiz

Today’s Question-

The Old Testament law gives the grace to choose right from wrong.  True or False?

He was born in Spain and educated by Bishop St. Valerius.  He was ordained and commissioned to preach.  Dacian, governor of Spain arrested him.  The Christians were being persecuted and he was put in prison at Valencia and was tortured because he refused to sacrifice to pagan gods.  He converted the prison warden and died in prison from the effects of his torture.

FEAST DAY- January 23

PATRON OF- sailors and winegrowers

BIBLES

Responsorial Psalm

In God I trust; I shall not fear.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

Law of Love

Today’s Question-

A person can be converted by God’s grace whether he/she cooperates with that grace or not.  True or False?

A soldier, named Magundat, in the Persian army.  Relics of the True Cross were brought back to Persia from sacking Jerusalem and he became attracted to Christianity.  He went to Jerusalem where he was baptized and took the name Anastasius.  He became a monk and preached against pagan worship.  He was tortured because he refused to forsake Christianity.  He was finally strangled and then beheaded after 68 Christians were beheaded in his presence.

FEAST DAY:  January 22

BROTHER FRANCIS DVD SERIES

Responsorial Psalm

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

Mt. Sinai or Mt. Horeb (Ex. 19:18)

Today’s Question-

What is the new name for the New Law?

(a) Civil Law   (b) Canon Law   (c) Law of Love

St. Agnes died a martyr at Rome in the third or fourth century.  Pope Damasus adorned her tomb with sacred poetry.  Many of the Fathers of the Church have honored her in their writings. St. Agnes pray for us!

FEAST DAY-  January 21

PATRON OF-  Chastity, Girl Scouts, Engaged Couples

BOOKS (SPANISH)

Responsorial Psalm

I have found David, my servant.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

Mortal and venial sin

Today’s Question-

Where did Moses receive the Ten Commandments from God?

St. Sebastian died a martyr at Rome in the beginning of the Diocletian persecution. From antiquity the faithful have venerated his tomb on the  Appian Way. St. Sebastian pray for us!

FEAST DAY- January 20

PATRON OF- Swiss Guards, Athletes, Archers

COMMUNION VESSELS

Responsorial Psalm

To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

Quiz

Today’s Question-

What are two levels of gravity of sin?