dailyromanmissal

This feast commemorates the office of supreme pastor conferred by Christ upon St. Peter and continued in unbroken succession to the present. ~ from the Proper of Saints, Daily Roman Missal

–“He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter said in reply, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus said to him in reply, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And […]

Born into a wealthy and prominent family in Thessalonica, brothers Cyril and Methodius evangelized Moravia, Bohemia, and Bulgaria. Their ardent love for Christ would drive them to renounce wealth and status in order to fully commit themselves in service to the Lord. St. John Paul II proclaimed them patron saints of Europe along with St. Benedict of Nursia.

~ “O God, who enlightened the Slavic peoples through the brothers Saints Cyril and Methodius, grant that out hearts may grasp the words of your teaching, and perfect us as a people of one accord in true faith and right confession. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ from the Proper of Saints, Daily Roman Missal […]

Today marks the first apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Bernadette, the young peasant girl from Southern France. In 1858, Our Lady revealed herself to St. Bernadette as “the Immaculate Conception,” and her loving message was a call to conversion, prayer, and charity.

~ “Grant us, O merciful God, protection in our weakness, that we, who keep the Memorial of the Immaculate Mother of God, may, with the help of her intercession, rise up from our iniquities. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ from the Proper of Saints, Daily Roman Missal

Born in 480 to a Roman noble family, St. Scholastica was the twin sister of St. Benedict, the “father of monasticism.” Following the rule of her brother, she founded the Order of Benedictine nuns. According to the “Dialogues of St. Gregory the Great,” they spent their last day together in prayer and conversation.

~ “As we celebrate anew the Memorial of the Virgin Saint Scholastica, we pray, O Lord, that, following her example, we may serve you with pure love and happily receive what comes from loving you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ from the Proper of Saints, Daily Roman Missal

St. Agatha is one of the most highly venerated of the virgin martyrs in the early Church. Although there is little that is known about her life, tradition holds that she was born in Sicily to a noble family, and martyred there during the time of Emperor Decius in the third century. St. Agatha is among the saints commemorated in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I).

~ “May the Virgin Martyr Saint Agatha implore your compassion for us, O Lord, we pray, for she found favor with you by the courage of her martyrdom and the merit of her chastity. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ from the Proper of Saints, Daily Roman Missal

In both the Eastern and Western Church, there is widespread veneration of St. Blasé due to the many cures attributed to him. According to tradition, he was a physician before being consecrated Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia and in 316 martyred under Licinius.

“Hear, O Lord, the supplications your people make under the patronage of the Martyr Saint Blaise, and grant that they may rejoice in peace in this present life, and find help for life eternal. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one […]

Originally celebrated in the Eastern Churches as “The Meeting of the Lord.” Also known as the Purification of Mary, and Candlemas Day, this feast concludes the celebration of the Nativity. By the offerings of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, and the prophecy of St. Simeon, the life of Christ now begins to point toward his Resurrection.

–“The presentation of Jesus in the temple shows him to be the firstborn Son who belongs to the Lord… Jesus is recognized as the long-expected Messiah, the ‘light to the nations’ and the ‘glory of Israel.’” (CCC 529). –“… for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all […]

St. John Bosco’s lifework was educating young people. He combined catechetical training and fatherly guidance, seeking to unite the spiritual life with one’s work, study and play. He believed that education–based on a strong Catholic identity, reason, and kindness–was the means to help young people find their place in society. St. John founded the Salesian Society, named in honor of St. Francis de Sales.

~ from St. John Bosco: –“Act today in such a way that you need not blush tomorrow.” –“Forget the services you have rendered to others, but not those rendered to you.” –“Do not write anything offensive: scripta manent (writings remain).” –“All past persecutors of the Church are now no more, but the Church still lives […]

One of the greatest philosophers and theologians of all time, the Angelic Doctor exhibited a profound holiness of life. His great work, “Summa Theologica,” was not yet finished when he died. Following a mystical experience, Aquinas declared he would write no more, “such things have been revealed to me that what I have written seems like straw.”

“Faith has to do with things that are not seen, and hope with things that are not in hand.” ~ St. Thomas Aquinas

Celebrated together, these two saints were close companions and disciples of St. Paul. Timothy was a convert of Paul, joining him in his apostolic work. According to ancient tradition, St. Timothy tried to halt a pagan festival by preaching the Gospel, when an angry mob beat him to death. St. Titus was known as an effective negotiator; he was sent by St. Paul to help organize a new Church.

*The Epistles of Paul give insight into the trusted friendship he had for disciples Timothy and Titus. –“I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may be cheered by news of you. I have no one like him, who will be genuinely anxious for your welfare. They all […]