Viewing all items in Resource Category: Holy Days
Featuring the Saints whose feast-day is this month
- Demetrius of Sirmium should be the patron saint of anyone who takes a stand for the right, despite knowing they will suffer for it. Demetrius was a soldier from Serbia in the fourth century. He fought for the Roman Emperor, and that took courage. Then Demetrius converted to Christianity – and took his stand with...8th October Demetrius of Sirmium – taking a stand, and suffering for it
- Do you want your life to make a difference – for the good – in this world? Then Luis Bertran (1526-81) is the saint for you. This fearless Dominican priest so inspired tens of thousands of people in Latin America that he was chosen as patron of Columbia. Luis Bertran was born at Valencia in...9th October Luis Bertran – patron saint of Columbia
- Have you ever held your head in your hands and felt that events were against you? Then Denys is the saint for you. This Christian martyr knew all about holding his head in his hands when times got rough. According to Gregory of Tours, Denys was an Italian bishop who became the first bishop of...9th October Denys of Paris – why losing your head is not always a bad thing
- Thomas Traherne (1636 – 1674) is a good saint for anyone who loves our planet, and who wants to preserve Creation. This 17th century poet and clergyman wrote extensively about his love for nature, seeing in it a reflection of the glory of God. Traherne was not of a literary family, for his father was...10th October Thomas Traherne – lover of nature
- Here is a saint for you if you have lost the person you love. Here is a saint for you if you would not let your wealth and security stop you from doing something daringly good with your life. Francis Borgia (1510 – 72) certainly began with it ‘all’. He was the son of a...10th October Francis Borgia – ‘the Jesuits’ second founder’
- James the Deacon is the saint for any lay person who has stepped in to lead their church when the clergy are far away. In fact, an historian has called James the Deacon ‘the one heroic figure’ in the Roman mission to Northumbria. No wonder – in a time of political chaos, with the king...11th October James the Deacon
- Elizabeth Fry had endless compassion and endless energy – and together with a steadfast determination to do God’s work, this outstanding philanthropist became one of the foremost promoters of prison reform – not just in Britain, but in all of Europe. Elizabeth was born in 1780, far from any prison. The family lived in Norwich,...12th October Elizabeth Fry, prison reformer
- If you approve of giving money to help cathedrals survive, then Edward the Confessor (1003 – 66) is the saint for you. This early King of England was the virtual founder of Westminster Abbey. And never mind entrance charges – at one point in his life, Edward was giving a full tenth of his income...13th October Edward the Confessor – helping to found Westminster Abbey
- Some Christians today have the curious idea that being a Christian guarantees a prosperous life in this world. St Paul was more realistic – throughout his epistles he urges Christians to pray for patience and endurance in this world. Donation (martyred c 484) is a timely reminder that we are called to be witnesses, and...14th October Donation – North Africa Christian martyr
- by David Winter ‘Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, bless the bed that I lie on’ – my grandma taught me that one. At least it meant I never forgot the names of the writers of the four Gospels. This month Luke, the writer of the third of them, has his feast day – 18th October....18th October Thank you, Dr Luke!
- To St Luke, a Gentile, we owe the beautifully written Gospel of Luke, and the Book of Acts. He was a Greek physician, a disciple of St Paul, a companion on some of his missionary journeys, and an inspired writer. Luke’s gospel focuses on the compassion of Christ. His gospel contains some of the most...18th October St Luke the Evangelist – linking the sacred and the profane
- If you love languages, then Henry Martyn is the saint for you. Born in 1781, and schooled in Truro, he went on to St John’s College in Cambridge, where he proved a brilliant student. He planned on becoming a lawyer, but at Cambridge he met Charles Simeon, the Vicar of Holy Trinity Cambridge, and a...* NEW19th October Henry Martyn, translator & missionary in India and Persia