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?

John was born in 1403 in the village of Kanty in Poland.  He became a professor in the University of Cracow after finishing his studies.  He tried to  instill into the hearts of his students sentiments of piety while teaching them science.  He was ordained to the priesthood and strove for the greater   glory of God.  He became a true pastor of souls, striving to change them from their carelessness and indifference.  He tried to show himself as father and friend to his people.  He resumed his teaching after some years.  On a pilgrimage to Jerusalem he preached “Jesus Crucified” to the Turks.  Four times he walked to Rome to make a pilgrimage.  He ate very little and practiced severe discipline of his body.  After distributing all he had to the poor, he died in 1474.

FEAST DAY- December 23

FONTS

Responsorial Psalm

Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

Baptism

Today’s Question-

Those who are confirmed share more completely in Christ’s mission than those not confirmed. True or False?

Mother Cabrini, an Italian nun, founded the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.  She wanted to serve in China, but Pope Leo XIII wanted her to serve all the poor immigrant Italians who were going to the United States.  Mother Cabrini and six nuns traveled to New York in 1889.  They opened schools, hospitals, charitable institutions all across the United States for Italians.  She was canonized “Mother Cabrini” by Pope XII in 1946.  He formally named her Patron of Immigrants.

FEAST DAY- December 22

PATRON OF- Immigrants, hospital administrators

ROSARIES

Responsorial Psalm 

Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(c) Chrism oil

Today’s Question-

Confirmation follows in the wake of what other sacrament?

Born in Holland (when it was part of Germany) May 8, 1521, Peter Canisius joined the Society of Jesus at 22years of age.  He was a great preacher and theologian.  He wrote a German catechism to bring the German speaking Protestants back to the church.   His life was devoted to reforming the church.  He is considered the “Second Apostle” of Germany after Boniface.  Died in 1597.

FEAST DAY- December 21

AUDIO/CD

Responsorial Psalm

Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer

(d) Anointing

Today’s Question-

What is the name of the perfumed oil used in the sacrament of confirmation?

(a) oil of the sick (b) chrism (c) oil of catechumens

St. Dominic from Spain, was Abbot of the order of St. Benedict.  He was renowned for the miracles he had wrought for the liberation of captives. 

FEAST DAY- December 20

PATRON OF- Captives

SAINT BOOKS

Responsorial Psalm

Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(b) Pentecost

Today’s Question-

Which name is not used for the sacrament of reconciliation?

(a) penance  (b) absolution  (c) confession  (d) anointing

William de Grimoard was born in France in 1310.  He became a Benedictine monk and after some time of more study was ordained.  He then received his doctorate and in 1352 was appointed abbot.  He was elected pope to succeed Innocent VI in 1362 and took the name Urban V.  He began to reform the church and returned the papacy to Rome from Avignon.  After much revolt and unrest in Italy, William de Grimoard returned to Avignon where he died three months later, December 19, 1870.

FEAST DAY- December 19

POPE BOOKS

Responsorial Psalm

My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

False

Today’s Question-

What special feast day is perpetuated in the Church through the sacrament of Confirmation?

(a) Easter (b) Pentecost (c) Christmas

In the middle of the third century, St. Gatian of Rome went to Tours  in Gaul with Dionysius of Paris to preach the faith. Idolatry was strong in Gaul but the saint gained a number of converts.  The inhabitants were furious with him and he had to hide from them.  He celebrated his services in caves and grottos.  For nearly 50 years he continued his labors despite the many dangers.  He died in peace.

FEAST DAY- December 18

DR. RAY GUARENDI BOOKS

Responsorial Psalm

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(c) the Jordan River

Today’s Question-

Jesus needed to be baptized by John the Baptist in order to be free from sin.  True or False?

All that is known of Lazarus is that he and his sisters, Mary and Martha, were friends of Jesus.  He was raised from the dead by Jesus.  (John 11:1-44).  In John 12:1-11 he is mentioned as being present at a dinner in Bethany.  Many stories about his whereabouts have no truth to them.

FEAST DAY- December 17

PATRON OF- leprosy

STATUES

Responsorial Psalm

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(d) all of the above

Today’s Question-

In what body of water was Jesus baptized?

(a) the Nile River (b) the Dead Sea (c) the Jordan River

Eusebius was born August 1 in Sardinia.  His father was martyred and his mother took him to Rome, where he was then raised.  He was ordained a lector and went to Vercelli, where he was ordained a bishop.  He was known for uniting the clergy in the monastic life.  During his lifetime he was threatened with death, and banished from numerous areas.  Eusebius suffered much for his religion and died on August 1 in 362 AD.

FEAST DAY- December 16

SAINT BOOKS

Responsorial Psalm

Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(b) forgiveness

Today’s Question-

What symbolizes the action of the Holy Spirit?

(a) water (b) oil (c) fire (d) all of the above