Memorial of St. Athanasius, 296-373; became a theological advisor to the Council of Nicaea while still in his late 20's; an ardent opponent of Arianism and defender of the divinity of the Son of Man; wrote many works on the Incarnation and the Trinity as well as The Life of Anthony, which helped define and foster both monastic living and the writing of saints’ lives
Optional Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker; instituted by Pope Pius XII in 1955 to foster devotion to St. Joseph, and in response to the celebrations for workers sponsored by Communists
Optional Memorial of Pope St. Pius V, 1504-1572; as pope, he had the task of implementing the reforms of the Council of Trent; he ordered the founding of seminaries, published a new missal. a new breviary, and a new catechism, and established the Confraternity of Christian doctrine classes for the young; he continued to wear his Dominican habit, which led to the custom of the pope wearing a white cassock
Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena, 1347-1380; entered the Dominican Third Order at age 18, and spent the next three years in seclusion, prayer, and austerity; a group of followers developed; Catherine's letters began to take more note of public affairs, as she worked tirelessly for the crusade against the Turks and for peace between Florence and the pope; the Great Schism began in 1378, and Catherine spent the last two years of her life in Rome, in prayer and pleading on behalf of the cause of Pope Urban VI and the unity of the Church
Optional Memorial of St. Peter Chanel, 1803-1841; born in France; as a young priest, he revived a parish simply by showing great devotion to the sick; joined the Marists at the age of 28, and taught seminary for five years; he then traveled to West Oceana; on the island of Futuna, northeast of Fiji, the accompanying bishop said he would be back in six months, but didn't return for five years; Peter baptized a few natives, and instructed a few more; when the chieftain's son sought baptism, Peter was clubbed to death; in two years, the entire island had become Catholic, and remains so
Saint of the Day: St. Cletus; the third bishop of Rome, succeeding St. Linus; Cletus reigned as pope from 76 to 89 A.D.; he is styled as a martyr; he was buried near St. Linus, on the Vatican, and his relics remain in that church
Saint of the Day: St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, 1577-1622; born in Germany; he was a practicing lawyer, traveling across Europe as a tutor to aristocrats but then started defending the poor; in 1612, he became a Franciscan Capuchin monk; his mission to Swtzerland was so successful that some Protestants believed him to be a spy for the Austrian emperor; he was stabbed to death in a church id Seewis
Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 4/24/25
Gospel: Luke 24:35-48
52 min
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Daybreak™ is a fresh, upbeat approach to morning devotions and prayer. Host Paul Sadek leads you in spiritual reflections and meditations from the daily Mass readings, Morning Prayer, the Holy…
Father’s teachings, writing of the saints, and more.