St Francis Caracciolo Confessor; Comm. Feria in the Octave of the Ascension: Missa “Factum est” A medical crisis that proved to be a false alarm changed the life of this 16th-century saint. At age 22, Francis developed a troublesome skin disease resembling leprosy—one of the most dreaded diseases of the day. He vowed that if…
Tag: England
Today’s Saint; S. Philip Neri C.O. Confessor
St Philip Neri C.O. Confessor, Apostle of Rome Saint Philip Neri, Italian San Filippo Neri, (born July 21, 1515, Florence [Italy]—died May 26, 1595, Rome; canonized 1622; feast day May 26), Italian priest and one of the outstanding mystics during the Counter-Reformation and founder of the Congregation of the Oratory (now the Institute of the…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Bernardine of Siena, Confessor
St Bernardine of Siena, Confessor: Missa “Os justi” At this season of the year, when Jesus by His triumph has realized His name of Saviour, the Cycle celebrates the Feast of St. Bernardine who was consumed “by the very ardent love of this divine name” (Collect). Born of a noble family of Siena, St. Bernardine…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Paschal Baylon, Confessor
St Paschal Baylon, Confessor: Missa “Os justi” Paschal’s Spanish parents were poor and pious. Between the ages of seven and 24 he worked as a shepherd and began a life of mortification. He was able to pray on the job and was especially attentive to the church bell, which rang at the Elevation during Mass….
Carissimi; Today’s Mass: St. Athanasius, Doctor of the Church
St. Athanasius, Doctor of the Church: Missa “In medio” St. Athanasius, Doctor of the Church and Patriarch of Alexandria, one of the most renowned of the Fathers of the Church, was the heroic and successful defender of Catholic doctrine against Arius. After many sufferings in the cause of God’s Church, he died May 2, 373. While…
Carissimi; Today’s Mass: St Mark the Evangelist
St Mark, Evangelist [transferred]; commemoration of St Catherine of Siena: Missa “Protexisti” The feast of St. Mark was not regularly inserted into the Roman Calendar until about the Twelfth Century. This is explained by the original association of the commemorations of the saints with their tombs. Although St. Mark was among the first who with…
Carissimi; Today’s Mass: St George, Martyr, Patron of England
St George, Martyr, Patron of England (transferred): Missa “Protexisti” The feast of St. George is found in the Ethiopian, Coptic, Syriac, and Latin liturgies. The ancient “Georgia” is named after him. He is renowned as the armed defender of the Church, one who carried the trophies of victory over the enemy. Saint George (c. 275/281…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Richard of Chichester
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…
Today’s Saint; S. Chad, Bishop & Confessor
St Chad, Bishop & Confessor, Apostle to Mercia Born: c.AD 623 in Northumbria Abbot of Lastingham Bishop of York Bishop of Lichfield Died: 2nd March AD 672 at Lichfield, Staffordshire St. Chad, or Ceadda, was the youngest of the four brothers: Cedd, Cynebil, Celin and Chad, all eminent priests. Despite attempts to claim him as…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; S. Wulfstan of Worcester
St Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester & Confessor; Commemoration of the Martyrs, Marus, Martha, Audifax and Abachum and St Canute King and Martyr: Missa “Sacerdotes tui“ Wulfstan was the son of Athelstan and Wulfgeva. Even during his youth his piety had been noted, and he went on to study at the monasteries of Evesham and Peterborough. Once…
Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Thomas a Becket of Canterbury, Martyr
St Thomas a Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury and Martyr; Within the Octave of the Nativity: Missa “Gaudeámus omnes” Saint Thomas a Becket, son of an English nobleman, Gilbert Becket, was born on the day consecrated to the memory of Saint Thomas the Apostle, December 21, 1117, in Southwark, England. He was endowed by both nature and grace…
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 was assassinated…
