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Happy Feast Day Saint John Neumann 1811-1860 Feast day: January 5 Patronage: Catholic Education

St. John Neumann was the first canonized male saint of the United States. He is proclaimed the model and patron for all the faithful. He introduced the Forty Hours devotion and laid the foundation for the Catholic school system in this country and also founded a religious community of nuns.

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Happy Feast Day Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton 1774-1821 Feast day: January 4 Patronage: Catholic Schools

Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton was the first native-born citizen of the United States to be canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. She established the first Catholic school in the nation, at Emmitsburg, Maryland, where she founded the first American congregation of Religious Sisters, the Sisters of Charity.

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The Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus 

“The sweet Name of Jesus produces in us holy thoughts, fills the soul with noble sentiments, strengthens virtue, begets good works and nourishes pure affection. All spiritual food leaves the soul dry, if it contain not, that penetrating oil, the Name Jesus.”St. Bernard

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The Epiphany   

Today the Magi gaze in deep wonder at what they see: heaven on earth, earth in heaven, man in God, God in man, one whom the whole universe cannot contain now enclosed in a tiny body. As they look, they believe and do not question, as their symbolic gifts bear witness: incense for God, gold for a king, myrrh for one who is to die. St. Peter Chrysologus

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Happy Feast Day Saint David the King 973 B.C. Feast day: December 29

King David was from the tribe of Judah, a descendant of Ruth and one of the 12 sons of Jesse who lived in Bethlehem. After he was anointed by the prophet Samuel, he killed the Philistine, Goliath, and eventually succeed Saul as King of Israel. During his 40 year reign he brought about Israel’s “Golden Age”, wrote the Psalms, brought the Ark of The Covenant back to Jerusalem. His son Solomon succeeded him as King. Jesus is a descendant of David. (Samuel 16:1, Kings 2:11)

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The Feast of the Holy Family

“On this day, let us ask for the intercession of the Holy Family that we may have the strength & courage to stand against all those who seek to destroy the life of traditional families.”St John Paul II

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Merry Christmas

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” - Luke 2:10-11

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Happy Feast Day Saints Adam and Eve Feast day: December 24

Saints Adam and Eve are not saints in the ordinary reference, historic or scriptural ways. Catholic tradition holds that Adam and Eve repented of their great sin and lived lives of holiness and are with Christ in heaven. Adam is the Father of the Human race. Eve, formed from Adam’s body, is his wife. The human race is descended from them. During the Easter Vigil Mass, St.Thomas Aquinas’s quote “oh holy fault of Adam” is used to make the point of how great Jesus’s death was for the human race.

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Happy Feast Day Saint Thorlak Thorhallsson 1133-1193 Feast day: December 23 Patronage: Iceland, autism

Saint Thorlak came from a poor farming family, ordained to the priesthood at 18 and studied theology in France and England. As Bishop of Skalholt, now The Diocese of Reykjavik, he worked to end church laxity and abuses, especially in the clergy. He established a monastery to the strict rule of St. Augustine. Today, Icelanders celebrate  St.Thorlak’s day, the final day of preparation before Christmas, by eating cured fish.

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We pray during Advent that we may open our hearts in love and hope as we await the celebration of Jesus’ birth.  

“Lord, show us your mercy and love.” Psalm 85 {website}

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Happy Feast Day Saint Peter Canisius Doctor of the Church 1521-1597 Feast day: December 21 Patronage: The Catholic Press

Saint Peter Canisius, a Jesuit, was ordained in 1546 in the midst of the Protestant reformation. He believed and led the Catholic Reformation with patience and love, thru education. He wrote Summary of Christian Doctrine, a catechism, that was reprinted over 200 times in 15 languages. St. Peter founded universities and seminaries and traveled over 20 thousand miles, preaching and caring for the sick. He is considered the second Apostle of Germany.

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Madonna and Child 

 “Teacher of children became himself a child among children, that he might instruct the unwise. The Bread of heaven came down to earth to feed the hungry.” #StCyrilofJerusalem {website}

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Happy Feast Day Saint Adelaide 932-999 Feast Day: December 16 Patronage: abuse victims; brides; empresses; exiles; in-law problems; parenthood; parents of large families; princesses; prisoners; second marriages; step-parents; widows

Saint Adelaide, born a princess, was given in an arranged marriage at the age of 16 to Lothair of Italy. He died 3 years later and his successor ordered Adelaide to marry his son. When she refused, he had her imprisoned and seized the throne. She escaped and sought help from King Otto of Germany to regain it. He conquered Italy and they married in 951. Pope John XII crowned them as rulers of the Holy Roman Empire in 962. After Otto’s death, Adelaide became estranged from her stepson Otto II, left the court and lived in Burgundy with her brother, but they reconciled before his death and she returned as Regent. One of the most influential women of the 10th century, Adelaide used her position and power to help the poor, evangelize and build and restore monasteries and churches. 

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Place de la Cathédrale, Rouen, France, photo by tealioio

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Fr. John A. Hardon S.J. Servant of God June 18,1914- December 30, 2000 Patronage: Institute on Religious Life

Father John Hardon, a Jesuit priest, was a brilliant writer and theologian. He was a willful child raised by his widowed mother but was softened by her steadfast faith. He studied to be a doctor and was engaged before he discerned the priesthood. He entered the Jesuits in 1936 and was ordained in 1947 and became a champion of orthodoxy. Throughout his career he taught at Universities, founded religious institutions and wrote over 40 books on religion and theology, including The Catholic Catechism, while keeping close communications with Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, and Pope Benedict XVI. He died a painful death from bone cancer at the age of 86.

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Happy Feast Day Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day: December 12

Our Lady of Guadalupe is a powerful reminder that Mary—and the God who sent her—accept all peoples and wants them to come to Jesus through the Catholic faith.

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