* * *** St. John of Kanty, also known as John Cantius, was born in Cracow, Poland. He taught at the Jagiellonian University for most of his life and was noted for his piety and the humble, unassuming spirit of charity that pervaded his professional life.

— Patron of St. John Cantius Church in Chicago, where both the extraordinary and ordinary forms of the Latin Rite are celebrated.

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— St. John was persuaded by St. Teresa of Avila to join her in reforming the Carmelites, and as a result he suffered many tribulations, including imprisonment. During his incarceration he wrote “Dark Night of the Soul,” a profound work of mysticism and study on the development of the soul. St. John’s writings are considered […]

* * *** “A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” (Rev 12:1, Entrance Antiphon, Daily Roman Missal)

— The image of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the tilma of St. Juan Diego is kept, miraculously preserved, in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, in Mexico City. (Proper of Saints, Daily Roman Missal)

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— Pope Bl. Pius IX solemnly defined the traditional belief of the Church: the Blessed Virgin Mary was conceived free from all stain of Original Sin. Her Immaculate Conception is the most beautiful fruit of the work of redemption accomplished by her Son, Jesus Christ. Chosen to be the Mother of the Savior, the Blessed […]

* * *** “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, your Son.” (Collect, Daily Roman Missal)

— 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 helped to convert St. Augustine to Christianity and also baptized […]

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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. Although not much is known about his life, tradition holds that St. Nicholas was present at the First Ecumenical Council where he took part […]

* * *** “Andrew told his brother Simon: We have found the Messiah, the Christ, and he brought him to Jesus.” (Cf. Jn 1:41-42, Daily Roman Missal)

— 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. According to tradition, St. Andrew was martyred on a saltire, (X-shaped cross), which is often depicted in classical art.

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Advent 2022 begins Sunday, November 27 (St. John Paul II ~ ANGELUS, First Sunday of Advent, 30 November 2003)

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— Tradition holds that the Blessed Virgin Mary, as a child, was presented by her parents into the Temple. This feast commemorates the total gift that Mary made of herself–her total dedication to God’s service and obedience to God’s will. In the Eastern Orthodox Church it’s known as The Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos […]

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— Born into Hungarian nobility, St. Elizabeth (1207-1231) is remembered for her charitable works and devotion in caring for the poor and the sick. St. Elizabeth was an early member of the Third Order of St. Francis and honored as its patroness.

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