St Francis Xavier, Confessor; com. of Advent I: Missa “Loquébar“ Saint Francis Xavier was not born a saint. He had to work at it for in the dangerous days of the Reformation, as young Spanish gentleman, he was making a name for himself as a professor of philosophy at the University of Paris. He was…
Tag: confessor
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; S. Erconwald, Bishop & Confessor
St Erconwald, Bishop & Confessor: Missa “Sacerdotes tui“ Bishop of London, died about 690. He belonged to the princely family of the East Anglian Offa, and devoted a considerable portion of his patrimony to founding two monasteries, one for monks at Chertsey, and the other for nuns at Barking in Essex. Over the latter he…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Didacus, Confessor
Feast of Saint Didacus, Confessor: Missa “Justus ut palma” This holy lay brother of the Order of Friars Minor was born around the turn of the 15th century to poor Spanish parents who placed him under the direction of a hermit living in the neighbourhood of San Nicolas del Puerto, his native town. Feeling himself…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Martin of Tours
St Martin of Tours, Bishop & Confessor; Com. St Mennas, Martyr: Missa “Státuit ei Dóminus” The story and history of Saint Martin of Tours. When a mere boy, Martin became a Christian catechumen against his parents’ wish; and at fifteen was therefore seized by his father, a pagan soldier, and enrolled in the army. One…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Andrew Avellino, Confessor
St Andrew Avellino, Confessor: Missa “Os justi” On this day we celebrate the feast of St. Andrew Avellino, 1521-1608. Lancelotto Avellino was a canon lawyer and a priest for the diocese of Naples. One day, while pleading a case, he told a lie. His remorse caused him to give up the practice of law. The…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Our holy father S. Willibrord
Our holy father St Willibrord, Bishop Confessor, Apostle to the Frisians, Founder of the See of Utrecht; Commemoration of the Octave of All Saints: Missa “Statuit ei Dominus” Today is the celebration of St. Willibrord, a British-born, Irish-trained, Roman-commissioned Benedictine who evangelized the Netherlands (or in the words of the Roman Martyrology, “Friesland and Denmark”). As…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; S. Leonard the Hermit of Noblac, Confessor
St. Leonard the Hermit of Noblac, Confessor: Missa “Justus ut palma florebit” Saint Leonard was born towards the end of the fifth century of illustrious parents, residing in the part of the province of Gaul which was then beginning to be called France. Several historians believe that with his brother Saint Lifard, his origins can…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St. John Cantius; Confessor
St John of Kenty, Confessor: Missa “Miserátio hóminis” John was a country lad who made good in the big city and the big university of Kraków, Poland. After brilliant studies he was ordained a priest and became a professor of theology. The inevitable opposition which saints encounter led to his being ousted by rivals and…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Octave Day of St Edward, King & Confessor
Octave Day of St Edward, King & Confessor: Missa “Os justi” Edward was born in 1003. He was the last Saxon king to rule (for more than a few months) in England. He is called “Edward the Confessor” to distinguish him from another King of England, Edward the Martyr (c962-979), who was assassinated (presumably by…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Octave Day of St Wilfrid, Apostle of the South Saxons
Octave Day of St Wilfrid of York, Apostle to the South Saxons, Co-Patron of the Sussex Mission; St. Peter of Alcantara, Confessor: Missa “Sacerdotes tui” Wilfrid (634-709) is one of the greatest and also one of the most controversial English Saints. He directly influenced the move away from Celtic to the more orderly Roman church…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Gall, Confessor
St Gall, Confessor; Commemoration of the Octave of St Wilfrid & of St Edward, King & Confessor: Missa “Os justi” Saint Gall was born in Ireland soon after the middle of the sixth century, of pious, noble, and rich parents. He was raised in a monastery during his youth, under Saint Colomban and Saint Comgall,…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Edward, King & Confessor
St Edward, King & Confessor; Commemoration of the Octave of St Wilfrid: Missa “Os justi” Edward was born in 1003. He was the last Saxon king to rule (for more than a few months) in England. He is called “Edward the Confessor” to distinguish him from another King of England, Edward the Martyr (c962-979), who…
