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Celebration of the saints on their Feast Days.
Saint Thomas Becket: Born: 21 December 1119/1120;
Died: 29 December 1170 (aged 50 or 51)
Canonized: 21 February 1173 by Pope Alexander III
Patronage: clergy; Exeter College Oxford; Portsmouth England; secular clergy
The Holy Innocents: Born: Various, presumably close to the birth of Jesus
Died: Various days in Bethlehem (martyred by King Herod the Great)
Cause of death: Infanticide
Patronage: Foundlings, Babies, Children’s choirs
Saint John The Evangelist: Born: Between 6–9 AD; Died: 100-101 AD
Attributes: Eagle, Chalice, Scrolls
Patronage: against poison; art dealers; authors; bookbinders; booksellers; burns; compositors; editors; engravers; friendships; lithographers; painters; papermakers; poisoning; printers; publishers; tanners; theologians; typesetters; writers
Saint Stephen: Born: 5; Died: 33–36
“Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and miracles among the people … And they, crying out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and with one accord rushed violently upon him. And casting him out of the city, they stoned him and the witness laid down their garments at the feet of a young man, whose name was Saul. And falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, saying: Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the Lord”
Patronage: Altar Servers; Bricklayers; casket makers; deacons; headaches; horses; masons;
Saints Thrasilla and Emilliana: Born: 6th century; Died: 6th century
Virgins as well as aunts of St. Gregory the Great
Saint John of Kanty’s Story (June 24, 1390 – December 24, 1473)
John was a country lad who made good in the big city and the big university of Kraków, Poland. After brilliant studies he was ordained a priest and became a professor of theology. The inevitable opposition which saints encounter led to his being ousted by rivals and sent to be a parish priest at Olkusz. An extremely humble man, he did his best, but his best was not to the liking of his parishioners. Besides, he was afraid of the responsibilities of his position. But in the end he won his people’s hearts. After some time he returned to Kraków and taught Scripture for the remainder of his life.
John was a serious man, and humble, but known to all the poor of Kraków for his kindness. His goods and his money were always at their disposal, and time and again they took advantage of him. He kept only the money and clothes absolutely needed to support himself. He slept little, ate sparingly, and took no meat. He made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, hoping to be martyred by the Turks. Later John made four subsequent pilgrimages to Rome, carrying his luggage on his back. When he was warned to look after his health, he was quick to point out that, for all their austerity, the fathers of the desert lived remarkably long lives.
Reflection
John of Kanty is a typical saint: He was kind, humble, and generous, he suffered opposition and led an austere, penitential life. Most Christians in an affluent society can understand all the ingredients except the last: Anything more than mild self-discipline seems reserved for athletes and ballet dancers. Christmas at least is a good time to reject self-indulgence.