12/01 Bl. Clementina Anuarite
Sr Anuarite was killed but not before she found the strength to forgive her murderer with these words: “May God forgive you, and I forgive you because you do not realise what you are doing”.
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12/02 Bl. Rafal Chylinski
Family members nicknamed him “the little monk.”
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12/03 St. Francis Xavier
Wherever he went, he lived with the poorest people, sharing their food and rough accommodations.
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12/04 St. John Damascene
He is famous for his treatise, Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, a summary of the Greek Fathers.
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12/05 St. Sabas
He stands as a model of patient generosity for anyone whose time and energy are required by others—that is, for all of us.
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12/06 St. Nicholas
In the English-speaking countries, St. Nicholas became, by a twist of the tongue, Santa Claus—further expanding the example of generosity portrayed by this holy bishop.
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12/07 St. Ambrose
In his disputes with the Emperor Auxentius, he coined the principle: “The emperor is in the Church, not above the Church.”
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12/08 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception In Mary, Jesus’ work was so powerful as to prevent original sin at the outset.
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12/09 St. Juan Diego
The Holy Father called the new saint “a simple, humble Indian” who accepted Christianity without giving up his identity as an Indian.
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12/10 St. John Roberts
John Roberts suffered the horrendous execution reserved for traitors – being hanged, drawn and quartered.
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12/11 St. Damasus
He declared the official religion of the Roman state (380), and Latin became the principal liturgical language as part of reform.
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12/12 Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared in Mexico as the pregnant Mother of God to Juan Diego, an Aztec Indian, on December 9, 10, and 12, 1531..
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12/13 St. Lucy
Disappointed suitor accused Lucy of being a Christian and she was executed in Syracuse (Sicily) in the year 304.
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12/14 St. John of the Cross
One of John’s most famous sayings is, “In the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone.”
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12/15 Bl. Mary Frances Schervier
Mother Frances visited the United States in 1863 and helped her sisters nurse soldiers wounded in the Civil War.
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12/16 Bl. Honoratus Kozminski
He dedicated his energies to preaching, to giving spiritual direction and to hearing confessions.
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12/17 Lazarus
He is supposed to have left a written account of what he saw in the next world before he was called back to life.
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12/18 St. Winebald
“Let us keep in mind that those we associate with have a powerful influence on our personality and character.”
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12/19 Bl. Pope Urban
Benedictine monk and canon lawyer, he was deeply spiritual and brilliant.
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12/20 St. Dominic of Silos
Not the founder of the Dominicans we honor today, but there’s a poignant story that connects both Dominics.
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12/21 St. Peter Canisius
An excellent example of the scriptural man who develops his talents for the sake of the Lord’s work.
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12/22 Bl. Jacopone da Todi
“Crazy Jim,” his contemporaries called Jacopone.
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12/23 St. John KantyHe was a serious man, and humble, but known to all the poor of Kraków for his kindness.
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12/24 Christmas at Greccio
The spot in central Italy where St. Francis of Assisi created the first Christmas crib in the year 1223.
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12/25 The Nativity of the Lord
And, like Mary and the shepherds, let us treasure that discovery in our hearts. Read more…
12/26 St. Stephen
‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit…. Lord, do not hold this sin against them’”
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12/27 St. John the Apostle Considered the author of the Fourth Gospel, three New Testament letters and the Book of Revelation.
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12/28 The Holy Innocents
Herod became furious and “ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under.” Read more…
12/29 St. Thomas Becket
“Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest!” Four knights, taking his words as his wish, slew Thomas in the Canterbury cathedral.
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12/30 The Holy Family
Feast is to present the Holy Family as the model for all Christian families, and for domestic life in general.
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12/31 St. Sylvester I
“He presided at seven December ordinations at which he created 42 priests, 25 deacons and 65 bishops for various sees.”
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For Peace of Mind
Loving God, please grant me peace of mind and calm my troubled heart. …
Give me the strength and clarity of mind to find my purpose and walk the path you’ve laid out for me.
I trust your Love God, and know that you will heal this stress.
Just as the sun rises each day against the dark of night.