Daybreak

Feast of the Holy Innocents – Male children, two years of age and under, slaughtered by Herod in his rage over “the newborn king of the Jews” Fourth Day of Christmas Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 12/28/18 Gospel: Matthew 2:13-18

Feast of St. John, apostle and evangelist Third Day of Christmas Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 12/27/18 Gospel: John 20:1-8

Feast of St. Stephen, first Christian martyr; died about 36 A.D. Second Day of Christmas Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 12/26/18 Gospel: Matthew 10:17-22

Solemnity of Christmas Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 12/25/18 Gospel: Luke 2:15-20

Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent, Christmas Eve Saint of the day: St. Adele, 678-730; Founded a convent near Trier, served as first abbess; disciple of St. Boniface Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 12/24/18 Gospel: Luke 1:67-79

Fourth Sunday of Advent Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 12/23/18 Gospel: Luke 1:39-45

Saturday of the Third Week of Advent Saint of the Day: St. Zeno, martyred for laughing while the Emperor Diocletian offered a sacrifice to a pagan god; died 303 A.D. Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 12/22/18 Gospel: Luke 1:46-56

Friday of the Third Week of Advent Optional Memorial of St. Peter Canisius, 1521-1597; one of the most important figures in Catholic Reformation in Germany Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 12/21/18 Gospel: Luke 1:39-45

Thursday of the Third Week of Advent Saint of the Day: St. Dominic of Silos, 1000-1073; exiled from Navarre over a land dispute with the king; became abbot of St. Sebastian abbey in Silos; one of the most beloved saints of Spain Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 12/20/18 Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent Spotlight on St. Anastasius I, 304-401; elected pope in 399, on of the first to condemn the writings of Origen Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 12/19/18 Gospel: Luke 1:5-25