Saint Damasus: Born: 305, Died: 384
Papacy began 1 October 366; Papacy ended 11 December 384
Patronage: Archaeologists, against fever
Saint of the Day – December 10 – Our Lady of Loreto
Saint of the Day – December 9 – Saint Juan Diego
Saint Juan Diego’s Story (1474 – May 30, 1548)
Thousands of people gathered in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe July 31, 2002, for the canonization of Juan Diego, to whom the Blessed Mother appeared in the 16th century. Pope John Paul II celebrated the ceremony at which the poor Indian peasant became the Church’s first saint indigenous to the Americas.
The Holy Father called the new saint “a simple, humble Indian” who accepted Christianity without giving up his identity as an Indian. “In praising the Indian Juan Diego, I want to express to all of you the closeness of the Church and the pope, embracing you with love and encouraging you to overcome with hope the difficult times you are going through,” John Paul said. Among the thousands present for the event were members of Mexico’s 64 indigenous groups.
First called Cuauhtlatohuac (“The eagle who speaks”), Juan Diego’s name is forever linked with Our Lady of Guadalupe because it was to him that she first appeared at Tepeyac hill on December 9, 1531. The most famous part of his story is told in connection with the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12. After the roses gathered in his tilma were transformed into the miraculous image of Our Lady, however, little more is said about Juan Diego.
In time he lived near the shrine constructed at Tepeyac, revered as a holy, unselfish, and compassionate catechist, who taught by word and especially by example.
During his 1990 pastoral visit to Mexico, Pope John Paul II confirmed the long-standing liturgical cult in honor of Juan Diego, beatifying him. Twelve years later the same pope proclaimed him a saint.
Reflection
God counted on Juan Diego to play a humble, yet huge role in bringing the Good News to the peoples of Mexico. Overcoming his own fear and the doubts of Bishop Juan de Zumarraga, Juan Diego cooperated with God’s grace in showing his people that the Good News of Jesus is for everyone. Pope John Paul II used the occasion of Juan Diego’s beatification to urge Mexican lay people to assume their responsibilities for passing on the Good News and witnessing to it.
Saint of the Day – December 8 – Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Saint of the Day – December 7 – Saint Ambrose, Bishop & Doctor of the Church
Saint of the Day – December 6 – Saint Nicholas, Bishop
Saint of the Day – December 5 – Saint Sabbas, Abbot
Saint Sabbas: Born: 439 Died: 531 or 532
Attributes: Clothed as a monk, often holding an abbot’s staff
Saint of the Day – December 4 – Saint Peter Chrysologus
Saint Peter Chrysologus: Born: 406 Died: ~450
Quote: Anyone who wishes to frolic with the devil cannot rejoice with Christ.
~Saint Peter Chrysologus
Saint of the Day – December 3 – Saint Francis Xavier
Saint Francis Xavier: Born: 7 April 1506 Died: 3 December 1552 (aged 46)
Canonized: 12 March 1622 by Pope Gregory XV
Patronage: African missions; foreign missions; black missions; missionaries; navigators; parish missions; plague epidemics; Propagation of the Faith; many location around the world including: India, South Africa, China, and Spain
Saint of the Day – December 2 – Saint Bibiana, Virgin and Martyr
Saint Bibiana: Born: 4th century Died: ~360
Patronage: parish, epilepsy, epileptics, hangovers, headaches, insanity, mental illness, mentally ill people, single laywomen, torture victims