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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Maryland Catholic Women's Conference
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200119
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200120
DTSTAMP:20260403T132309
CREATED:20200130T165906Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200130T165906Z
UID:1468-1579392000-1579478399@marylandcatholicwomen.com
SUMMARY:Second Sunday after Epiphany–G (II)
DESCRIPTION:ST. CANUTUS\, King\, Martyr. St. Canutus\, King of Denmark\, was endowed with excellent qualities of both mind and body. It is hard to say whether he excelled more in courage or in conduct and skill in war; but his singular piety eclipsed all his other endowments. He cleared the seas of pirates\, and subdued several neighboring provinces which infested Denmark with their incursions. The kingdom of Denmark was elective till the year 1660\, and\, when the father of Canutus died\, his eldest brother\, Harold\, was called to the throne. Harold died after reigning for two years\, and Canutus was chosen to succeed him. He began his reign by a successful war against the troublesome\, barbarous enemies of the state\, and by planting the faith in the conquered provinces. Amid the glory of his victories he humbly prostrated himself at the foot of the crucifix\, laying there his diadem\, and offering himself and his kingdom to the King of kings. After having provided for the peace and safety of his country\, he married Eltha\, daughter of Robert\, Earl of Flanders\, who proved a spouse worthy of him. His next concern was to reform abuses at home. For this purpose he enacted severe but necessary laws for the strict administration of justice\, and repressed the violence and tyranny of the great\, without respect to persons. He countenanced and honored holy men\, and granted many privileges and immunities to the clergy. His charity and tenderness towards his subjects made him study by all possible ways to make them a happy people. He showed a royal munificence in building and adorning churches\, and gave the crown which he wore\, of exceeding great value\, to a church in his capital and place of residence\, where the kings of Denmark are yet buried. To the virtues which constitute a great king\, Canutus added those which prove the great saint. A rebellion having sprung up in his kingdom\, the king was surprised at church by the rebels. Perceiving his danger\, he confessed his sins at the foot of the altar\, and received Holy Communion. Stretching out his arms before the altar\, the saint fervently recommended his soul to his Creator; in this posture he was struck by a javelin thrown through a window\, and fell a victim for Christ’s sake.
URL:https://marylandcatholicwomen.com/event/second-sunday-after-epiphany-g-ii/
CATEGORIES:Church Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200118
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200119
DTSTAMP:20260403T132309
CREATED:20200130T165906Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200130T165906Z
UID:1467-1579305600-1579391999@marylandcatholicwomen.com
SUMMARY:Our Lady on Saturdays–W (IV) - St. Prisca\, Virgin\, Martyr–R (Comm.)
DESCRIPTION:ST. PRISCA was a young Roman woman tortured and executed for her Christian faith. The dates of her birth and death are unknown. She is revered as a pre-schism Western saint and martyr by the Orthodox Church and as a saint and a martyr by the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. Though some legends suggest otherwise\, scholars do not believe she is the Priscilla (Prisca) of the New Testament couple\, Priscilla and Aquila\, who were friends of the apostle Paul.
URL:https://marylandcatholicwomen.com/event/our-lady-on-saturdays-w-iv-st-prisca-virgin-martyr-r-comm/
CATEGORIES:Church Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200117
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200118
DTSTAMP:20260403T132309
CREATED:20200130T165906Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200130T165906Z
UID:1466-1579219200-1579305599@marylandcatholicwomen.com
SUMMARY:St. Anthony the Hermit\, Abbot–W (III)
DESCRIPTION:ST. ANTHONY was born in the year 251\, in Upper Egypt. Hearing at Mass the words\, “If thou wilt be perfect\, go\, sell what thou hast\, and give to the poor\,” he gave away all his vast possessions. He then begged an aged hermit to teach him the spiritual life. He also visited various solitaries\, copying in himself the principal virtue of each. To serve God more perfectly\, Anthony entered the desert and immured himself in a ruin\, building up the door so that none could enter. Here the devils assaulted him most furiously\, appearing as various monsters\, and even wounding him severely; but his courage never failed\, and he overcame them all by confidence in God and by the sign of the Cross. One night\, whilst Anthony was in his solitude\, many devils scourged him so terribly that he lay as if dead. A friend found him thus\, and believing him dead carried him home. But when Anthony came to himself he persuaded his friend to carry him\, in spite of his wounds\, back to his solitude. Here\, prostrate from weakness\, he defied the devils\, saying\, “I fear you not; you cannot separate me from the love of Christ.” After more vain assaults the devils fled\, and Christ appeared to Anthony in glory. His only food was bread and water\, which he never tasted before sunset\, and sometimes only once in two\, three\, or four days. He wore sackcloth and sheepskin\, and he often knelt in prayer from sunset to sunrise. Many souls flocked to him for advice\, and after 20 years of solitude he consented to guide them in holiness thus founding the first monastery. His numerous miracles attracted such multitudes that he fled again into solitude\, where he lived by manual labor. He expired peacefully at a very advanced age. St. Athanasius\, his biographer\, says that the mere knowledge of how St. Anthony lived is a good guide to virtue.
URL:https://marylandcatholicwomen.com/event/st-anthony-the-hermit-abbot-w-iii/
CATEGORIES:Church Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200116
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200117
DTSTAMP:20260403T132309
CREATED:20200130T165905Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200130T165905Z
UID:1465-1579132800-1579219199@marylandcatholicwomen.com
SUMMARY:St. Marcellus I\, Pope\, Martyr–R (III)
DESCRIPTION:POPE MARCELLUS I (January 6\, 255 – January 16\, 309) was pope from May or June 308 to his death in 309. He succeeded Pope Marcellinus after a considerable interval. Under Maxentius\, he was banished from Rome in 309\, on account of the tumult caused by the severity of the penances he had imposed on Christians who had lapsed under the recent persecution. He died the same year\, being succeeded by Pope Eusebius. His relics are under the altar of San Marcello al Corso in Rome. For some time after the death of Marcellinus in 304\, the Diocletian persecution continued with unabated severity. After the abdication of Diocletian in 305\, and the accession in Rome of Maxentius to the throne of the Caesars in October of the following year\, the Christians of the capital again enjoyed comparative peace. Nevertheless\, nearly two years passed before a new Bishop of Rome was elected. Then in 308\, Pope Marcellus first entered on his office. At Rome\, Marcellus found the Church in the greatest confusion. The meeting-places and some of the burial-places of the faithful had been confiscated\, and the ordinary life and activity of the Church was interrupted. Added to this were the dissensions within the Church itself\, caused by the large number of weaker members who had fallen away during the long period of active persecution and later\, under the leadership of an apostate\, violently demanded that they should be readmitted to communion without doing penance. Marcellus divided the territorial administration of the Church into 25 districts\, appointing over each a presbyter\, who saw to the preparation of the catechumens for baptism and directed the performance of public penances. The presbyter was also made responsible for the burial of the dead and for the celebrations commemorating the deaths of the martyrs. The pope also had a new burial-place\, the Cœmeterium Novellœ on the Via Salaria (opposite the Catacomb of St. Priscilla)\, laid out. The work of the pope was\, however\, quickly interrupted by the controversies concerning the question of the re-admittance of the lapsed into the Church. As to this\, we gather some light from the poetic tribute composed by Pope Damasus I in memory of his predecessor and placed over his grave. Damasus relates that Marcellus was looked upon as a wicked enemy by all the lapsed\, because he insisted that they should perform the prescribed penance for their guilt. As a result\, serious conflicts arose\, some of which ended in bloodshed\, and every bond of peace was broken. At the head of this band of dissenters was an apostate who had denied the Faith even before the outbreak of persecution. The tyrannical Maxentius had the pope seized and sent into exile. This took place at the end of 308 or the beginning of 309\, which gives the length of the pontificate as no more than one year\, six (or seven) months\, and 20 days. Marcellus died shortly after leaving Rome\, and was venerated as a saint.
URL:https://marylandcatholicwomen.com/event/st-marcellus-i-pope-martyr-r-iii/
CATEGORIES:Church Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200115
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200116
DTSTAMP:20260403T132309
CREATED:20200130T165904Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200130T165904Z
UID:1464-1579046400-1579132799@marylandcatholicwomen.com
SUMMARY:St. Paul the First Hermit\, Confessor–W (III) - St. Maurus\, Abbot–W (Comm.)
DESCRIPTION:ST. PAUL was born in Upper Egypt\, about the year 230\, and became an orphan at the age of 15. He was very rich and highly educated. Fearing lest the tortures of a terrible persecution might endanger his Christian perseverance\, he retired into a remote village. But his pagan brother-in-law denounced him\, and St. Paul\, rather than remain where his faith was in danger\, entered the barren desert\, trusting that God would supply his wants. And his confidence was rewarded; for on the spot to which Providence led him he found the fruit of the palm-tree for food\, and its leaves for clothing\, and the water of a spring for drink. His first design was to return to the world when the persecution was over; but\, tasting great delights in prayer and penance\, he remained the rest of his life\, 90 years\, in penance\, prayer\, and contemplation. God revealed His existence to St. Antony\, who sought him for three days. Seeing a thirsty she-wolf run through an opening in the rocks\, Antony followed her to look for water\, and found Paul. They knew each other at once\, and praised God together. When St. Antony visited him\, a raven brought him a loaf\, and St. Paul said\, “See how good God is! For 60 years this bird has brought me half a loaf every day; now thou art come\, Christ has doubled the provision for His servants.” Having passed the night in prayer\, at dawn of day Paul told Antony that he was about to die\, and asked to be buried in the cloak given to Antony by St. Athanasius. Antony hastened to fetch it\, and on his way back saw Paul rise to Heaven in glory. He found his dead body kneeling as if in prayer\, and two lions came and dug his grave. Paul died in his 113th year.
URL:https://marylandcatholicwomen.com/event/st-paul-the-first-hermit-confessor-w-iii-st-maurus-abbot-w-comm/
CATEGORIES:Church Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200114
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200115
DTSTAMP:20260403T132309
CREATED:20200130T165904Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200130T165904Z
UID:1463-1578960000-1579046399@marylandcatholicwomen.com
SUMMARY:St. Hilary\, Bishop\, Confessor\, Doctor–W (III) - St. Felix\, Priest\, Martyr–R (Comm.)
DESCRIPTION:ST. HILARY was a native of Poitiers in Aquitaine. Born and educated a pagan\, it was not till near middle age that he embraced Christianity\, moved thereto mainly by the idea of God presented to him in the Holy Scriptures. He soon converted his wife and daughter\, and separated himself rigidly from all un-Catholic company. In the beginning of his conversion\, St. Hilary would not eat with Jews or heretics\, nor salute them by the way; but afterwards\, for their sake\, he relaxed this severity. He entered Holy Orders\, and in 353 was chosen bishop of his native city. Arianism\, under the protection of the Emperor Constantius\, was just then in the height of its power\, and St. Hilary found himself called upon to support the orthodox cause in several Gallic councils\, in which Arian bishops formed an overwhelming majority. He was in consequence accused to the emperor\, who banished him to Phrygia. He spent his three years and more of exile in composing his great works on the Trinity. In 359 he attended the Council of Seleucia\, in which Arians\, semi-Arians\, and Catholics contended for the mastery. With the deputies of the council he proceeded to Constantinople\, and there so dismayed the heads of the Arian party that they prevailed upon the emperor to let him return to Gaul. He traversed Gaul\, Italy\, and Illyria\, wherever he came discomfiting the heretics and procuring triumph of orthodoxy. After seven or eight years of missionary travel he returned to Poitiers\, where he died in peace in 368.
URL:https://marylandcatholicwomen.com/event/st-hilary-bishop-confessor-doctor-w-iii-st-felix-priest-martyr-r-comm/
CATEGORIES:Church Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200113
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200114
DTSTAMP:20260403T132309
CREATED:20200130T165904Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200130T165904Z
UID:1462-1578873600-1578959999@marylandcatholicwomen.com
SUMMARY:Commemoration of the Baptism of Our Lord–W (II)
DESCRIPTION:In spite of the small scandal that Jesus’ baptism must have created what was the sinless one doing having Himself baptized? It belonged to the earliest tradition\, is recorded in all four gospels (Mt. 3:13; Mk. 1:9; Lk. 3:21-22\, Jn. 1:29-34)\, and belongs undoubtedly to the events of the historical Jesus. In Mark it is the beginning of the gospel\, and Luke has Jesus in the synagogue at Nazareth at the start of His ministry recalling His anointing with the Spirit at the Jordan. In the very short summary of the good news\, Peter includes Jesus’ baptism (Acts 1:22). In identifying who Jesus is\, the biblical witness moves back from the resurrection (Rom. 1:3-4)\, to the baptism of Jesus\, to the annunciation (Lk. 1:26-38)\, to pre-existence (Jn. 1:1). The Jordan event\, therefore\, is an important stage in this backward development in identifying Jesus.
URL:https://marylandcatholicwomen.com/event/commemoration-of-the-baptism-of-our-lord-w-ii/
CATEGORIES:Church Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200112
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200113
DTSTAMP:20260403T132309
CREATED:20200130T165904Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200130T165904Z
UID:1461-1578787200-1578873599@marylandcatholicwomen.com
SUMMARY:The Feast of the Holy Family–W (II)
DESCRIPTION:The special devotion which sets forth the Holy Family of Jesus\, Mary\, and Joseph as the model of virtue for all Christian households began in the 17th century. It commenced almost simultaneously in Canada and France: the Association of the Holy Family being founded in Montreal in 1663\, and the Daughters of the Holy Family in Paris in 1674. Numerous other congregations and associations under the patronage of the Holy Family have been established since that time\, and they are spread over the world. The archconfraternity was established by Pius IX in 1847. In 1893 Leo XIII approved a feast for Canada\, and Benedict XV extended the Feast of the Holy Family to the whole Church and ordered its celebration to take place on the Sunday after the Epiphany.
URL:https://marylandcatholicwomen.com/event/the-feast-of-the-holy-family-w-ii/
CATEGORIES:Church Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200111
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200112
DTSTAMP:20260403T132309
CREATED:20200130T165904Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200130T165904Z
UID:1460-1578700800-1578787199@marylandcatholicwomen.com
SUMMARY:Our Lady on Saturdays–W (IV) - St. Hyginus\, Pope & Martyr–R (Comm.)
DESCRIPTION:Pope Hyginus was the Bishop of Rome from c. 138 to c. 142. Tradition holds that during his papacy he determined the various prerogatives of the clergy and defined the grades of the ecclesiastical hierarchy.
URL:https://marylandcatholicwomen.com/event/our-lady-on-saturdays-w-iv-st-hyginus-pope-martyr-r-comm/
CATEGORIES:Church Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200110
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200111
DTSTAMP:20260403T132309
CREATED:20200130T165902Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200130T165902Z
UID:1459-1578614400-1578700799@marylandcatholicwomen.com
SUMMARY:Ferial–W (IV)
DESCRIPTION:ST. WILLIAM\, Archbishop. William Berruyer\, of the illustrious family of the ancient Counts of Nevers\, was educated by Peter the Hermit\, Archdeacon of Soissons\, his uncle by the mother’s side. From his infancy William learned to despise the folly and emptiness of the world\, to abhor its pleasures\, and to tremble at its dangers. His only delight was in exercises of piety and in his studies\, in which he employed his whole time with indefatigable application. He was made canon\, first of Soissons and afterwards of Paris; but he soon resolved to abandon the world\, and retired into the solitude of Grandmont\, where he lived with great regularity in that austere Order until finally he joined the Cistercians\, then in wonderful odor of sanctity. After some time he was chosen Prior of the Abbey of Pontigny\, and afterwards became Abbot of Chaalis. On the death of Henri de Sully\, Archbishop of Bourges\, William was chosen to succeed him. The announcement of this new dignity which had fallen on him overwhelmed him with grief\, and he would not have accepted the office had not the pope and his general\, the Abbot of Citeaux\, commanded him to do so. His first care in his new position was to conform his life to the most perfect rules of sanctity. He redoubled all his austerities\, saying it was incumbent on him now to do penance for others as well as for himself. He always wore a hair-shirt under his religious habit\, and never added to his clothing in winter or diminished it in summer; he never ate any flesh-meat\, though he had it at his table for strangers. When he drew near his end\, he was\, at his request\, laid on ashes in his hair-cloth\, and in this posture expired on the 10th of January\, 1209. His body was interred in his cathedral\, and\, being honored by many miracles\, was taken up in 1217\, and in the year following William was canonized by Pope Honorius III.
URL:https://marylandcatholicwomen.com/event/ferial-w-iv-5/
CATEGORIES:Church Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200109
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200110
DTSTAMP:20260403T132309
CREATED:20200130T165902Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200130T165902Z
UID:1458-1578528000-1578614399@marylandcatholicwomen.com
SUMMARY:Ferial–W (IV)
DESCRIPTION:SS. JULIAN and BASILISSA\, Martyrs. St. Julian and St. Basilissa\, though married\, lived\, by mutual consent\, in perpetual chastity; they sanctified themselves by the most perfect exercises of an ascetic life\, and employed their revenues in relieving the poor and the sick. For this purpose they converted their house into a kind of hospital\, in which they sometimes entertained a thousand poor people. Basilissa attended those of her sex\, in separate lodgings from the men; these were taken care of by Julian\, who from his charity is named the Hospitalarian. Egypt\, where they lived\, had then begun to abound with examples of persons who\, either in the cities or in the deserts\, devoted themselves to the most perfect exercises of charity\, penance\, and mortification. Basilissa\, after having stood seven persecutions\, died in peace; Julian survived her many years and received the crown of a glorious martyrdom\, together with Celsus\, a youth\, Antony\, a priest\, Anastasius\, and Marcianilla\, the mother of Celsus. Many churches and hospitals in the East\, and especially in the West\, bear the name of one or other of these martyrs. Four churches at Rome\, and three out of five at Paris\, which bear the name of St. Julian\, were originally dedicated under the name of St. Julian\, the Hospitalarian and martyr. In the time of St. Gregory the Great\, the skull of St. Julian was brought out of the East into France\, and given to Queen Brunehault; she gave it to the nunnery which she founded at Étampes; part of it is at present in the monastery of Morigny\, near Étampes\, and part in the church of the regular canonesses of St. Basilissa at Paris.\nReflection—God often rewards men for works that are pleasing in His sight by giving them grace and opportunity to do other works higher still. St. Augustine said\, “I have never seen a compassionate and charitable man die a bad death.”
URL:https://marylandcatholicwomen.com/event/ferial-w-iv-4/
CATEGORIES:Church Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200108
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200109
DTSTAMP:20260403T132309
CREATED:20200130T165902Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200130T165902Z
UID:1457-1578441600-1578527999@marylandcatholicwomen.com
SUMMARY:Ferial–W (IV)
DESCRIPTION:ST. APOLLINARIS\, THE APOLOGIST\, Bishop. Claudius Apollinaris\, Bishop of Hierapolis in Phrygia\, was one of the most illustrious prelates of the second age. Notwithstanding the great encomiums bestowed on him by Eusebius\, St. Jerome\, Theodoret\, and ethers\, but little is known of his actions; and his writings\, which then were held in great esteem\, seem now to be all lost. He wrote many able treatises against the heretics\, and pointed out\, as St. Jerome testifies\, from what philosophical sect each heresy derived its errors. Nothing rendered his name so illustrious\, however\, as his noble apology for the Christian religion which he addressed to the Emperor Marcus Aurelius\, about the year 175\, soon after the miraculous victory that prince had obtained over the Quadi by the prayers of the Christians. St. Apollinaris reminded the emperor of the benefit he had received from God through the prayers of his Christian subjects\, and implored protection for them against the persecution of the pagans. Marcus Aurelius published an edict in which he forbade any one\, under pain of death\, to accuse a Christian on account of his religion; by a strange inconsistency\, he had not the courage to abolish the laws then in force against the Christians\, and\, as a consequence\, many of them suffered martyrdom\, though their accusers were also put to death. The date of St. Apollinaris’ death is not known; the Roman Martyrology mentions him on the 8th of January.
URL:https://marylandcatholicwomen.com/event/ferial-w-iv-3/
CATEGORIES:Church Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200107
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200108
DTSTAMP:20260403T132309
CREATED:20200130T165902Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200130T165902Z
UID:1456-1578355200-1578441599@marylandcatholicwomen.com
SUMMARY:Ferial–W (IV)
DESCRIPTION:ST. LUCIAN\, Martyr. St. Lucian was born at Samosata in Syria. Having lost his parents in his youth\, he distributed all his worldly goods\, of which he inherited an abundant share\, to the poor\, and withdrew to Edessa\, to live near a holy man named Macarius\, who imbued his mind with a knowledge of the Holy Scriptures\, and led him to the practice of the Christian virtues. Having become a priest\, his time was divided between the external duties of his holy state\, the performance of works of charity\, and the study of sacred literature. He revised the books of the Old and New Testaments\, expunging the errors which had found their way into the text either through the negligence of copyists or the malice of heretics\, thus preparing the way for St. Jerome\, who shortly after was to give to the world the Latin translation known as “The Vulgate.” Having been denounced as a Christian\, Lucian was thrown into prison and condemned to torture\, which was protracted for 12 whole days. Some Christian visited him in prison\, on the feast of the Epiphany\, and brought bread and wine to him; while bound and chained down on his back\, he consecrated the divine mysteries upon his own breast\, and communicated the faithful who were present. He finished his glorious career in prison\, and died with the words\, “I am a Christian\,” on his lips.
URL:https://marylandcatholicwomen.com/event/ferial-w-iv-2/
CATEGORIES:Church Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200106
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200107
DTSTAMP:20260403T132309
CREATED:20200130T165902Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200130T165902Z
UID:1455-1578268800-1578355199@marylandcatholicwomen.com
SUMMARY:THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY–W (I) (Holy Day of Obligation in England\, Wales & Ireland)
DESCRIPTION:THE word Epiphany means “manifestation\,” and it has passed into general acceptance throughout the universal Church\, from the fact that Jesus Christ manifested to the eyes of men His divine mission on this day first of all\, when a miraculous star revealed His birth to the kings of the East\, who\, in spite of the difficulties and dangers of a long and tedious journey through deserts and mountains almost impassable\, hastened at once to Bethlehem to adore Him and to offer Him mystical presents\, as to the King of kings\, to the God of Heaven and earth\, and to a man withal feeble and mortal. The second manifestation was when\, going out from the waters of the Jordan after having received baptism from the hands of St. John\, the Holy Ghost descended on Him in the visible form of a dove\, and a voice from Heaven was heard\, saying\, “This is My beloved Son\, in whom I am well pleased.” The third manifestation was that of His divine power\, when at the marriage-feast of Cana He changed the water into wine\, at the sight whereof His disciples believed in Him. The remembrance of these three great events\, concurring to the same end\, the Church has wished to celebrate in one and the same festival.\nReflection—Admire the almighty power of this little Child\, who from His cradle makes known His coming to the shepherds and magi—to the shepherds by means of His angel\, to the magi by a star in the East. Admire the docility of these kings. Jesus is born; behold them at His feet! Let us be little\, let us hide ourselves\, and the divine strength will be granted to us. Let us be docile and quick in following divine inspirations\, and we shall then become wise of the wisdom of God\, powerful in His almighty power.
URL:https://marylandcatholicwomen.com/event/the-feast-of-the-epiphany-w-i-holy-day-of-obligation-in-england-wales-ireland/
CATEGORIES:Church Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200105
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200106
DTSTAMP:20260403T132309
CREATED:20200130T165858Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200130T165858Z
UID:1454-1578182400-1578268799@marylandcatholicwomen.com
SUMMARY:The Most Holy Name of Jesus–W (II)
DESCRIPTION:The feast of the Holy Name of Jesus has been celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church\, at least at local levels\, since the end of the 15th century. The celebration has been held on different dates\, usually in January\, because January 1\, eight days after Christmas\, commemorates the circumcision and naming of the child Jesus; as recounted in the Gospel read on that day\, “at the end of eight days\, when he was circumcised\, he was called Jesus\, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.”
URL:https://marylandcatholicwomen.com/event/the-most-holy-name-of-jesus-w-ii/
CATEGORIES:Church Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200104
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200105
DTSTAMP:20260403T132309
CREATED:20200130T165858Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200130T165858Z
UID:1453-1578096000-1578182399@marylandcatholicwomen.com
SUMMARY:First Saturday - Our Lady on Saturdays–W (IV)
DESCRIPTION:ST. TITUS\, Bishop. Titus was a convert from heathenism\, a disciple of St. Paul\, one of the chosen companions of the apostles in his journey to the Council of Jerusalem\, and his fellow-laborers in many apostolic missions. From the Second Epistle which St. Paul sent by the hand of Titus to the Corinthians we gain an insight into his character and understand the strong affection which his master bore him. Titus had been commissioned to carry out a twofold office needing much firmness\, discretion\, and charity. He was to be the bearer of a severe rebuke to the Corinthians\, who were giving scandal and were wavering in their faith; and at the same time he was to put their charity to a further test by calling upon them for abundant alms for the church at Jerusalem. St. Paul meanwhile was anxiously awaiting the result. At Troas he writes\, “I had no rest in my spirit\, because I found not Titus\, my brother.” He set sail to Macedonia. Here at last Titus brought the good news. His success had been complete. He reported the sorrow\, the zeal\, the generosity of the Christians\, till the apostle could not contain his joy\, and sent back to them his faithful messenger with the letter of comfort from which we have quoted. Titus was finally left as a bishop in Crete\, and here he\, in turn\, received the epistle which bears his name\, and here at last he died in peace. The mission of Titus to Corinth shows us how well the disciple caught the spirit of his master. He knew how to be firm and to inspire respect. The Corinthians\, we are told\, “received him with fear and trembling.” He was patient and painstaking. St. Paul “gave thanks to God\, who had put such carefulness for them in the heart of Titus.” And these gifts were enhanced by a quickness to detect and call out all that was good in others\, and by a joyousness which overflowed upon the spirit of St. Paul himself\, who “abundantly rejoiced in the joy of Titus.”\nReflection—Saints win their empire over the hearts of men by their wide and affectionate sympathy. This was the characteristic gift of St. Titus\, as it was of St. Paul\, St-Francis Xavier\, and many others.
URL:https://marylandcatholicwomen.com/event/first-saturday-our-lady-on-saturdays-w-iv/
CATEGORIES:Church Calendar
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DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200104
DTSTAMP:20260403T132309
CREATED:20200130T165857Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200130T165857Z
UID:1452-1578009600-1578095999@marylandcatholicwomen.com
SUMMARY:First Friday - Ferial–W (IV)
DESCRIPTION:ST. GENEVIEVE\, Virgin. Genevieve was born at Nanterre\, near Paris. St. Germanus\, when passing through\, specially noticed a little shepherdess\, and predicted her future sanctity. At seven years of age she made a vow of perpetual chastity. After the death of her parents\, Paris became her abode; but she often travelled on works of mercy\, which\, by the gifts of prophecy and miracles\, she unfailingly performed. At one time she was cruelly persecuted: her enemies\, jealous of her power\, called her a hypocrite and tried to drown her. But St. Germanus having sent her some blessed bread as a token of esteem\, the outcry ceased\, and ever afterwards she was honored as a saint. During the siege of Paris by Childeric\, king of the Franks\, Genevieve went out with a few followers and procured corn for the starving citizens. Nevertheless Childeric\, though a pagan\, respected her\, and at her request spared the lives of many prisoners. By her exhortations again\, when Attila and his Huns were approaching the city\, the inhabitants\, instead of taking flight\, gave themselves to prayer and penance\, and averted\, as she had foretold\, the impending scourge. Clovis\, when converted from paganism by his holy wife\, St. Clotilda\, made Genevieve his constant adviser\, and\, in spite of his violent character\, made a generous and Christian king. She died within a few weeks of that monarch\, in 512\, aged 89. A pestilence broke out at Paris in 1129\, which in a short time swept off 14\,000 persons\, and\, in spite of all human efforts\, daily added to its victims. At length\, on November 26th\, the shrine of St. Genevieve was carried in solemn procession through the city. That same day but three persons died\, the rest recovered\, and no others were taken ill. This was but the first of a series of miraculous favors which the city of Paris has obtained through the relics of its patron saint.\nReflection—Genevieve was only a poor peasant girl\, but Christ dwelt in her heart. She was anointed with His Spirit\, and with power\, she went about doing good\, and God was with her.
URL:https://marylandcatholicwomen.com/event/first-friday-ferial-w-iv/
CATEGORIES:Church Calendar
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200102
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200103
DTSTAMP:20260403T132309
CREATED:20200130T165857Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200130T165857Z
UID:1451-1577923200-1578009599@marylandcatholicwomen.com
SUMMARY:Ferial–W (IV)
DESCRIPTION:ST. FULGENTIUS\, Bishop. In spite of family troubles and delicate health\, Fulgentius was appointed at an early age procurator of his province at Carthage. This success\, however\, did not satisfy his heart. Levying the taxes proved daily more distasteful\, and when he was 22\, St. Austin’s treatise on the Psalms helped him decide to enter religion. After six years of peace\, his monastery was attacked by Arian heretics\, and Fulgentius himself was driven out destitute to the desert. He now sought the solitude of Egypt\, but finding that country also in schism\, he turned his steps toward Rome. There\, the splendors of the imperial court only told him of the greater glory of the heavenly Jerusalem\, and at the first lull in the persecution\, he sought his African cell. Elected bishop in 508\, he was summoned forth to face new dangers\, and was shortly after banished by the Arian king\, Thrasimund\, with 59 orthodox prelates\, to Sardinia. Though the youngest of the exiles\, he was at once the mouthpiece of his brethren and the stay of their flocks. By his books and letters\, which are still extant\, he confounded both Pelagian and Arian heresiarchs\, and confirmed the Catholics in Africa and Gaul. An Arian priest betrayed Fulgentius to the Numidians\, and ordered him to be scourged. This was done. His hair and beard were plucked out\, and he was left naked\, his body one bleeding sore. Even the Arian bishop was ashamed of this brutality\, and offered to punish the priest if the saint would prosecute him. But Fulgentius replied\, “A Christian must not seek revenge in this world. God knows how to right His servants’ wrongs. If I were to bring the punishment of man on that priest\, I should lose my own reward with God. And it would be a scandal to many little ones that a Catholic and a monk\, however unworthy he be\, should seek redress from an Arian bishop.” On Thrasimund’s death the bishops returned to their flocks\, and Fulgentius\, having reestablished discipline in his see\, retired to an island monastery\, where after a year’s preparation he died in peace in the year 533.\nReflection—Each year may bring us fresh changes and trials; let us learn from St. Fulgentius to receive all that happens as from the hand of God\, and appointed for our salvation.
URL:https://marylandcatholicwomen.com/event/ferial-w-iv/
CATEGORIES:Church Calendar
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200101
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200102
DTSTAMP:20260403T132309
CREATED:20200130T165857Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200130T165857Z
UID:1450-1577836800-1577923199@marylandcatholicwomen.com
SUMMARY:Holy Day of Obligation: OCTAVE DAY OF THE NATIVITY–W (I)
DESCRIPTION:CIRCUMCISION was a sacrament of the Old Law\, and the first legal observance required by Almighty God of the descendants of Abraham. It was a sacrament of initiation in the service of God\, and a promise and engagement to believe and act as He had revealed and directed. The law of circumcision continued in force until the death of Christ\, and our savior being born under the law\, it became Him\, who came to teach mankind obedience to the law of God\, to fulfil all justice\, and to submit to it. Therefore\, He was circumcised that He might redeem them who were under the law\, by freeing them from the servitude of it; and that those who were in the condition of servants before might be set at liberty\, and receive the adoption of sons in baptism\, which\, by Christ’s institution\, succeeded to circumcision. On the day that the divine Infant was circumcised\, He received the name of Jesus\, which signifies savior\, which had been given Him by the angel before He was conceived. That name\, so beautiful\, so glorious\, the divine Child does not wish to bear for one moment without fulfilling its meaning; even at the moment of His circumcision He showed Himself a savior by shedding for us that blood a single drop of which is more than sufficient for the ransom and salvation of the whole world.
URL:https://marylandcatholicwomen.com/event/holy-day-of-obligation-octave-day-of-the-nativity-w-i/
CATEGORIES:Church Calendar
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