St Richard of Chichester, Bishop Confessor; Comm. of the Lenten Feria: Missa “Statuit ei Dominus“ Bishop and leading figure in England during his era, also called Richard de Wyche. Born at Wyche, Worcestershire, England, he was orphaned while a young lad, managed to regain his fortune which had been mismanaged by others, and received an excellent…
Category: Saints
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Feast of St Benedict
Feast of Saint Benedict, Abbot and Religious Founder; Commemoration of the Lenten Feria: Missa “Os justi” Known as the “Father of Western Monastic Life,” Saint Benedict is the founder of the Benedictines. Born in 480 into a noble family in the village of Nursia, Italy, he studied in Rome but, fearing he would succumb to the…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Joseph, Husband of the BVM
St Joseph, Husband of the BVM; Comm. Lenten Feria: Missa “Justus ut palma florebit” The Church always honours St. Joseph with Mary and Jesus, especially during the Christmas solemnities. This day’s Gospel is indeed that of December 24th. A Coptic calendar tells us that St. Joseph was liturgically honoured in a special way on July 20th,…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Gregory the Great, Pope Confessor, Doctor of the Church
St Gregory the Great, Pope Confessor & Doctor of the Church; Comm. Lenten Feria: Missa “In medio“ Born in Rome in 540 to a Roman Senator, Pope Saint Gregory the Great began his career following in the footsteps of his father by becoming prefect of Rome from 573-578. After the death of his father, Gregory…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Matthias, Apostle
Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle: Missa “Mihi autem nimis” St. Peter, in the Acts of the Apostles (Epistle), says that the prophet had Judas in view when he declares “That his episcopate would pass into other hands.” It is the Lord Himself who showed the one He had chosen to be associated with the eleven apostles…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Feast of the Chair of Peter at Antioch
Feast of the Chair of Peter at Antioch: Missa “Státuit ei Dóminus” That Saint Peter, before he went to Rome, founded the see of Antioch is attested by many Saints of the earliest times, including St. Ignatius of Antioch and Pope St. Clement I. It was just that the Prince of the Apostles should take…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Cuthman of Steyning
S. Cuthman, Hermit & Confessor; Patronal Festival: Missa “QUIS DABIT MIHI” Steyning in West Sussex is quite unique in having its most famous Saxon son’s legends thrive despite Norman attempts to obliterate his memory. Such was, and indeed is, St Cuthman’s popularity that he has been accredited with several “miraculous” legends, usually incurring the wrath of god on…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St. Romuald, Abbot
S. Romuald, Abbot: Missa “Os iusti” St. Romuald was born in Ravenna of a noble family. Founder of the Camaldolese monks — one of the Italian branches of the Benedictines — in which the eremitical life is combined with life in community. He died in 1027, after a life of prayer and rigorous penance. St. Romuald,…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Dorothea of Caesarea, Virgin Martyr
St Dorothea of Caesarea, Virgin Martyr: Missa “Me expectaverunt“ According to her apocryphal tradition, Dorothy was a resident of Caesarea, Cappadocia, who when she refused to sacrifice to the gods during Emperor Diocletian’s persecution of the Christians, was tortured by the governor and ordered executed. On the way to the place of execution, she met a…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; S. Agatha, Virgin Martyr
St Agatha, Virgin Martyr: Missa “Gaudeámus omnes” Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr (Collect), was born in Sicily of noble parentage, but she estimated that for her the highest nobility would be to belong to Jesus, Whom she took as her Spouse (Gospel). Endowed with remarkable beauty, she had to resist the solicitations of the governor Quinitanus,…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Andrew Corsini
St Andrew Corsini, Bishop Confessor: Missa “Statuit“ St. Andrew, of the noble family of Corsini, was born at Florence, and from his birth was consecrated to the Blessed Virgin. His mother dreamed that she had given birth to a wolf which, on entering into the Carmelite church, was suddenly changed into a lamb. Her son…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Blaise
St Blaise, Bishop & Martyr; Comm. St Laurence of Canterbury, Bishop & Confessor: Missa “Statuit ei Dominus” St Blaise: Many Catholics might remember Saint Blaise’s feast day because of the Blessing of the Throats that took place on this day. Two candles are blessed, held slightly open, and pressed against the throat as the blessing is said. Saint…
