St Apollonia of Alexandria, Virgin Martyr: Commemoration of the Octave of St Cuthman of Steyning; Missa “Loquebar de testimonies” At Alexandria, in 249, a mob rose in savage fury against the Christians, during a persecution which the pagans of Alexandria instigated at the urging of a magician of that city. Metras, an old man, perished…
Category: Saints
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: Sunday’s Mass; St Blaise, Bishop of Sebaste & Martyr
St Blaise, Bishop & Martyr; Commemoration of Sunday IV Post Epiphany & 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…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; S. Peter Nolasco
St Peter Nolasco, Confessor: Missa “Justus ut palma florebit” Today the Church celebrates the sainthood of St. Peter Nolasco, the saintly founder of the Royal and Military Order of Our Lady of Mercy of the Redemption of the Captives. St. Peter (1182-1258) was born in southern France. After the death of his wealthy parents, he spent…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; S. Martina of Rome, Virgin Martyr
St Martina of Rome, Virgin Martyr: Missa “Loquebar de testimonies” Roman virgin, martyred in 226, according to some authorities, more probably in 228, under the pontificate of Pope Urban I, according to others. The daughter of an ex-consul and left an orphan at an early age, she so openly testified to her Christian faith that she…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; S. Francis de Sales, Bishop & Doctor of the Church
S. Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: Missa “In medio Ecclesiae” Francis de Sales was born on August 21, 1567 in France, which at the time was part of the Holy Roman Empire. He was the oldest of six children in his noble family. His father, Francis, was Lord of Boisy, Sales…
Carissimi: Sunday’s Mass; S. John Chrysostom, Bishop & Doctor of the Church
S. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church; Commemoration of the Third Sunday Post Epiphany: Missa “In medio Ecclesiae” The holy Patriarch of Constantinople received his surname “Chrysostom (golden mouth)” because he was the most eloquent preacher and the most prolific writer of the Greek Church. He was persecuted by the empress Eudoxia and…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Timothy, Bishop & Martyr
S. Timothy, Bishop and Martyr: Missa “Statuit ei Dominus” Saint Timothy was a convert of Saint Paul, born at Lystra in Asia Minor. His mother was a daughter of Israel, but his father was a pagan, and though Timothy had read the Scriptures from his childhood, he had never been circumcised. On the arrival of Saint Paul at…
