* * *** While St. Ambrose was serving the imperial government and yet a catechumen, he was elected Bishop of Milan. He distinguished himself through apostolic zeal, service to the poor, and effective care of the faithful. An articulate opponent of Arianism in the West, St. Ambrose converted and baptized St. Augustine.

~ “O God, who made the Bishop Saint Ambrose a teacher of the Catholic faith and a model of apostolic courage, raise up in your Church men after your own heart to govern her with courage and wisdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ from the Daily Roman Missal

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— Born in the third century to a wealthy family, St. Nicholas was consecrated Bishop of Myra (modern-day Turkey) and is known for his compassion and generosity to those in need.

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— St. Andrew was a disciple of St. John the Baptist before he became a follower of Christ, to whom he also brought his brother, St. Peter. “Andrew told his brother Simon: We have found the Messiah, the Christ, and he brought him to Jesus.” (Cf. Jn 1:41-42, Proper of Saints, Daily Roman Missal)

* * *** Advent 2021 ~ begins Sunday, November 28

(St. John Paul II ~ Angelus, First Sunday of Advent, 30 November 2003)

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“As we venerate the glorious memory of the most holy Virgin Mary, grant, we pray, O Lord, through her intercession, that we, too, may merit to receive from the fullness of your grace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ from the Proper of Saints, Daily Roman Missal

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— Born into Hungarian nobility, St. Elizabeth (1207-1231) is remembered for her charitable works and tireless devotion in caring for the poor and the sick. After her husband’s death, she became one of the first Franciscan tertiaries of Germany. (art: “St. Elizabeth spinning wool for the poor” by Marianne Stokes)

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— Mother Cabrini (1850-1917) dedicated her life in serving the poor, sick, and abandoned. She encountered many hardships when first arriving in New York, yet managed to establish orphanages, schools, and hospitals. Mother Cabrini founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which provides service in education, healthcare, and immigration.

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— Today’s great feast honors all the saints now in Heaven… those who have been recognized by the Church as well as those who have not been canonized.

* * *** The Church honors St. Simon (the Zealot) and St. Jude (Thaddeus), two of the Twelve Apostles called by Jesus.

— Saints Simon and Jude appear in all three Synoptic Gospels and in John’s Gospel is Jude’s famous query to Jesus: “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” — Their names appear in the Roman Canon and according to tradition, Saints Simon and Jude were both […]

* * *** “Open wide the doors for Christ.” – St. John Paul II

— A strong defender of the family, St. John Paul II began the tradition of World Youth Day and also the World Meeting of Families. He developed many themes during his papacy including, “The Culture of Life,” “The Universal Call to Holiness,” “Christian Marriage and Family life as the domestic church,” and “Theology of the […]

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