Viewing all items in Resource Category: Holy Days
Featuring the Saints whose feast-day is this month
- In the aftermath of the terrorist attack on America 17 years ago this autumn, many Americans were seen to be ‘saintly’ in their brave attempts to help save lives. But Frances (1850 – 1917) was the first citizen of the United States to be officially canonised as a saint – by Pope Pius XII in...13th November: Frances Xavier Cabrini, first saint of New York City
- Here is a saint for any young person who has a generous heart and a desire to please God, but who gets rather badly used by adults who should know better. Elizabeth was born in 1207, a princess in the kingdom of Hungary. When she was four, she was sent to the court of the...18th November: Elizabeth of Hungary
- Danger of torture, assassination, lootings, floods, famines and epidemics… life in France in the 6th century was as turbulent and violent as many of the world’s hot spots are today. In the midst of all this Gregory (539 – 94) was born into a senatorial family who lived in the Auvergne. He grew up seeing...17th November: Gregory of Tours – compassion in dangerous times
- Hilda played a key role in the early English Christian church, and she may even have been the first to encourage the writing of Christian poetry. She was born a princess, into the Deiran (Northumbrian) dynasty, and her sister became Queen of the East Angles, with whom the Deiran had connections. In those days East...*NEW 19th November: Hilda – Abbess of Whitby
- If you are going to any concerts before Christmas, spare a thought for St Cecilia (2nd century) – the patron saint of musicians. Cecilia is one of the most famous of the Roman martyrs of the 2nd century. As far as is known, she was born a noble lady of Rome who, despite her vow...22nd November: St Cecilia, patron saint of musicians
- Catherine is thought to have been a noble girl who lived in the 4th century. She was persecuted for her Christianity, and despised marriage with the Emperor because she was a ‘bride of Christ’. According to the legend, Catherine was no push-over intellectually, either: she disputed successfully with 50 philosophers who were called in to...25th November: Catherine of Alexandria – patron saint of young girls and nurses
- The apostle Andrew (d. c.60) is patron saint of Scotland. According to the gospel of Matthew, Andrew and his brother Simon Peter were the very first two disciples whom Jesus called. ‘Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ (Matt 4:18,19) Without more ado, they obeyed. ‘At once they left their nets...30th November: St Andrew – patron saint of Scotland
- Andrew, whose feast day ends the Christian year on 30th November, is probably best known to us as the patron saint of Scotland, though his only connection with the country is that some of his bones were reputedly transported in the 8th century to Fife and preserved at a church in a place now named...30th November: Andrew – first disciple of Jesus
- Editor: As saints don’t go away, we add to them each year rather than start afresh. The saints with an asterisk appear on this site for the first time… 1 Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury – the Poor Man’s Earl 1 Remigius 1 Theresa of Lisieux 2 Your Guardian Angel 3 Hewald the Black...High Days and Holy Days (all) for October
- Think of Piccadilly Circus, and that small statue of the angel poised with bow and arrow. Most people think it stands for Eros. It does not. It stands for Anteros, his brother, the god of selfless love. It is a memorial to the greatest Christian Victorian philanthropist, politician and social reformer of his generation –...1st Oct: 7th Earl of Shaftesbury – the Poor Man’s Earl
- Theresa of Lisieux (1873-97) should be the patron saint of teenage girls and young women who want to make the most of their lives, despite being constrained by family and school or work. Theresa grew up in a strict, devout Roman Catholic middle-class family in France, one of four sisters. Her father was a watch-maker. ...1st Oct: Theresa of Lisieux – making the most of life
- If you’ve ever prayed for the ill children of non-Christian friends, then you are following in the steps of Remigius (d.533). Remigius was bishop of Reims late in the 5th century, and the king’s son was ill. The queen, Clotild, was a Christian, but the king of the Franks, Clovis I, was not. Then Remigius...1st Oct: Remigius – praying for ill children