Saint Damasus: Born: 305, Died: 384
Papacy began 1 October 366; Papacy ended 11 December 384
Patronage: Archaeologists, against fever
Saint of the Day – November 24 – Saint John of the Cross, Confessor and Doctor of the Church
Saint John of the Cross:
Born: June 24, 1542 Died: December 14, 1591 (aged 49)
Canonized: 27 December 1726, by Pope Benedict XIII
Patron Saint: contemplative life; contemplatives; mystical theology; mystics; Spanish poets
The Catechism in a Year – Day 201 – The Confessor’s Role
If God is the one who forgives our sins, why do we need priests as confessors? The Catechism teaches us today about the role of the priest as the minister of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We learn that priests ought to be “servants” of God’s mercy rather than “masters” of God’s mercy. Fr. Mike invites us to pray for all priests’ hearts, encouraging gentle, loving, and truthful confessors. Lastly, Fr. Mike clarifies the purpose of excommunication and the sacramental seal. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1461-1467.
Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/FiJArFHwTLw
Saint of the Day – December 11 – Saint Damasus, Pope and Confessor
Saint of the Day – October 13 – Saint Edward the Confessor
St. Edward the Confessor (1003-1066 A.D.) was a prince born to the King and Queen of England. His family was exiled from the kingdom when the Danish took control of the country in 1016 A.D. Edward spent much of his life in exile, probably in Normandy. Witnessing the folly of worldly ambition, he became attracted to the life of the Church and grew in piety. When opportunity arose he was persuaded to reclaim the throne of England, which he did in 1042 as one of its last Anglo-Saxon kings. The people supported his rule, and he gained a reputation as a just king committed to the welfare of his subjects. He thwarted invasions, ended unjust taxes, and was profoundly generous to the poor. His reign was marked by peace and prosperity throughout his kingdom. He married a beautiful woman to satisfy the people’s desire for a queen, but, having already made a vow of chastity, he obtained his wife’s agreement to live together as brother and sister. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, which he built, and after his death many miracles were ascribed to his intercession. This lead to his canonization in 1161, and in 1163 the transferral of his body to a new tomb. This was presided over by St. Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who found Edward’s body to be incorrupt. Edward was called “The Confessor” to distinguish him from St. Edward the Martyr. He is buried behind the high altar in Westminster Abbey. He is the patron of kings, difficult marriages, separated spouses, and the English royal family. His feast day is October 13th.
//Catholic Company//