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

Known as “NINO” she performed miracles that led people to the faith of Christ in the time of Constantine.  She cured the Queen of an illness and aided the King on a hunting expedition. Both then converted to Christianity, as did all of Georgia.  She became a hermitess in Bodbe, where she died and was buried.  Many legends are told about her.

FEAST DAY- December 15

GIFTS

Responsorial Psalm

Lord, come and save us.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

Baptism

Today’s Question-

What is the first effect of God’s gift of love through the Holy Spirit to us?

Citing a desire to lead a contemplative life, John joined the Carmelites.  He met Teresa of Avila while he was at the University of Salamanca studying theology.  John was convinced to join her to bring the Carmelites back to their austere principles.  Besides assisting Teresa in her work, John, who had mystical experiences, wrote several mystical works.  Two of his most famous are:  Dark Night of the Soul and The Ascent of Mount Carmel.

FEAST DAY- December 14

PATRON OF- Contemplative life, mystical theology, mystics, and Spanish poets

BOOKS

Responsorial Psalm

Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

(b) canonization (par 828 in Catechism)

Today’s Question-

How does one become a member of the Church?

From early childhood, she vowed to remain a virgin.  When her prayers to St. Agatha resulted in her mother’s health, her mother allowed her to remain a virgin.  A young pagan nobleman, who she refused to marry, accused her of being a Christian. The judge her ordered to service in a brothel but God intervened.  She was sent to prison and endured tortures.  She was killed by the sword. 

FEAST DAY- December 13

PATRON OF-  Eye diseases, day laborers

MEDALS

Responsorial Psalm

Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

False

Today’s Question-

What is the process whereby the Church recognizes a person to be a saint or model of holiness?

(a) laicization  (b) canonization (c) dispensation

The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego as he was on his way to Mass in Mexico in December of 1531.  She told him to go to the Bishop saying, “Tell him to build a church where I am standing.”  The bishop, however, did not believe him.  He said, “Give me a sign.”  On his way to get a priest for his very sick uncle, Juan again met the Lady and told her of his situation.  She said, “Your uncle is cured.”  He was to gather roses and wrap them in his “tilma” (cloak).  He took them to the Bishop as her “sign” and when the roses fell to the floor, her image was imprinted on his “tilma”. The bishop then indeed came to believe.

FEAST DAY- December 12

PATRON OF- The Americas, sickness

OUR LADY MEDALS

Responsorial Psalm

You are the highest honor of our race.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

The bishops

Today’s Question-

Infants need not be baptized because they have never committed personal sin. True or False?

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

PYXES

Responsorial Psalm

O bless the Lord, my soul!

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

The rosary

Today’s Question-

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

OUR LADY MEDALS

Responsorial Psalm

The Lord our God comes with power.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

John the Baptist

Today’s Question-

What is a popular Marian prayer which is also called “an abridgment of the whole Gospel?”