Thursday after Epiphany Optional Memorial of St. Raymond of Penafort, 1175-1275; assembled the best collection of Church law until the 1917 codification of canon law; succeeded St. Dominic as head of the Dominican order; opposed heresy, and worked for the conversion of the Moors in Spain Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/7/21 Gospel: […]

Twelfth Day of Christmas (traditional date of the Epiphany) Saint of the Day: St. Andre Bessette, 1845-1937; joined the Congregation of Holy Cross, and became doorkeeper; prayed for the sick, and some were cured; instrumental in the construction of the Oratory of St. Joseph in Montreal Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/6/21 Gospel: […]

Memorial of St. John Neumann,1811-1860; born in what is now the Czech Republic, came to New York at 25, was ordained, and joined the Redemptorists; at 41, as bishop of Philadelphia, he organized the parochial school system into a diocesan one Eleventh Day of Christmas Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/5/21 Gospel: Mark […]

Memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, 1774-1821; went from “belle of New York” to widowed and penniless; converted to the Catholic faith, and opened a school in Baltimore, following the lines of a religious community, which was officially founded in 1809; first American-born citizen to be canonized 10th Day of Christmas Office of Readings and […]

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/3/21 Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

Memorial of Saints Basil the Great, 330-379, and Gregory Nazianzen, 325-390; both bishops and doctors of the church; became friends during their education in Athens; Basil wrote a monastic rule still in use in the East; Gregory was called to rebuild the faith in Constantinople Ninth Day of Christmas Office of Readings and Morning Prayer […]

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Eighth Day of Christmas Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/1/21 Gospel: Luke 2:16-21

Seventh Day of Christmas Optional Memorial of Pope St. Sylvester; witnessed the persecution and fall of Diocletian and Maximian, and the triumph of Constantine in 312; became pope in 314; sent legates to the Council of Nicea, due to his age; died 335 A.D. Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 12/31/20 Gospel: John 1:1-18

Sixth Day of Christmas Saint of the Day: St. Egwin; Seventh Century bishop of Worcester, England; opposed by his clergy over his correction of abuses, absolved by Pope Constantine; founded Evesham Abbey; died 717 A.D. Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 12/30/20 Gospel: Luke 2:36-40

Fifth Day of Christmas Optional Memorial of St. Thomas Becket, 1118-1170; became Archbishop of Canterbury through his friend, King Henry II; however Thomas resisted the king’s intrusion into church affairs; Thomas was ultimately slain by four of the king’s knights, in Canterbury Cathedral Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 12/29/20 Gospel: Luke 2:22-35