Memorial of St. Athanasius, 296-373; as bishop of Alexandria, he fought the heresy of Arianism; five times he was sent into exile, but experienced about ten years of relative peace; his dogmatic and historical writings are almost all polemic, directed against every aspect of Arianism
Optional Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker; instituted by Pope Pius XII in 1955 to encourage greater devotion to St. Joseph, and as a response to the "May Day" communist celebrations
Optional Memorial of Pope St. Pius V, 1504-1572; elected in 1566, and given the task of implementing the reforms called for by the Council of Trent; he ordered the founding of seminaries, published a new missal, new breviary, and new catechism; he built hospitals, and gave money to the poor; he continued to wear his Dominican habit, leading to the custom of the pope wearing a which cassock
Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor of the Church, 1347-1380; joined the Dominican Third Order at 18, and soon had a group of followers; her letters began to take more and more note of public affairs; she worked 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, praying and pleading on behalf of the cause of Pope Urban VI and the unity of the Church
Saint of the Day: St. Zita, 1212-1272; born at Monte Sagrati, Italy; from the age of 13, worked as a servant; she was disliked by the other household staff because of her hard work and goodness, and her habit of giving food and clothing to the poor; they eventually were convinced one day when they found an angel filling in for Zita, doing baking and cleaning; also known for various miracles; patron saint of servants
Saint of the Day: St. Cletus; the third bishop of Rome, succeeding St. Linus; he was pope from 76 to 89 A.D.; he is styled as a martyr by the Canon of the Roman mass, St. Bede, and other martyrologists; he was buried at the Vatican, near St. Linus
Optional Memorial of St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, 1577-1622; a lawyer who left his career to become a Capuchin priest; as a Franciscan, he served the weak and needy; during a severe epidemic, he cared for and cured many soldiers; preached against Calvinists and Zwinglians in Switzerland, where he was set upon by armed men and killed
Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 4/24/24
Gospel: John 12:44-50
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.