The Nativity Of Saint John The Baptist. Feast Day, Today, 24 June.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.

The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist.
   Feast Day 24 June.

Double of The First Class
   with an Octave.

White Vestments.

English: The "Voice in the Desert".

Français: La voix dans le désert.

Artist: James Tissot (1836-1902).

Date: Between 1886 and 1894.

Current location: Brooklyn Museum, New York City.

Credit line: Purchased by public subscription.

Source/Photographer: Online Collection of Brooklyn Museum;

Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2007, 00.159.44_PS1.jpg.

(Wikimedia Commons)

English: Saint John the Baptist Church, Konigsberg.

Königsberg is the historical name for the present-day City of Kaliningrad, Russia. Originally a Sambian, or Old Prussian City, it later belonged to the Monastic State of The Teutonic Knights, The Duchy of Prussia, The Kingdom of Prussia, The Russian Empire, and Germany, until 1946. After being largely destroyed in World War II by Soviet forces and annexed by The Soviet Union, thereafter, the City was re-named Kaliningrad. Few traces of the former Königsberg remain today.

Deutsch: Im Innern der Probsteikirche in Königsberg.

Date: 1904.

Source: http://www.bildarchiv-ostpreussen.de/index.html

Author: Herausgeber: Landsmannschaft Ostpreußen e.V. Parkallee 84/86 20144

Hamburg HRA VR4551 Ust-ID-Nr.: DE118718969Bundesgeschäftsführer: Dr. Sebastian Husen.

(Wikimedia Commons)

"A Prophet of The Most High" (Alleluia), Saint John is pre-figured by Isaias and Jeremias (Introit, Epistle, Gospel); moreover, he was Consecrated before birth to announce Jesus (Secret) and to prepare Souls for His coming.

The Gospel narrates the prodigies which accompanied his birth. Zachary gives his child the name which Saint Gabriel has brought him from Heaven, which signifies: "The Lord has pardoned". He immediately recovers his speech and, filled with The Holy Ghost, he foretells the greatness of his son: "He shall walk before The Face of The Lord, to give unto the people the knowledge of Salvation."

The Virgin and Child, with The Infant Saint John, appearing to Saint Jerome and Saint Anthony.

Artist: Andrea Celesti (1637-1712).

Date: Circa 1700.

Current location: Santa Maria dei Derelitti, Venice, Italy.

Source/Photographer: Web Gallery of Art.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Angel Gabriel had announced to Zachary that "many would rejoice in the birth of Saint John the Baptist". Indeed, not only "the neighbours and relations of Elizabeth" Solemnised the event, but every year, on its Anniversary, the whole Church invites her children to share in this Holy Joy. She knows that The Nativity "of this Prophet of The Most High", at this "Summer Christmas", is intimately connected with The Advent of The Messias.

After The Feast of The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, the days become shorter, while, on the contrary, after The Nativity of The Saviour, of which this Feast is the prelude, the days become longer. The Precursor must efface himself before Jesus, Who is The True Light of Faith. "He must increase," says Saint John, "and I must decrease."

The Solstices were the occasion of pagan feasts, when fires were lighted to honour the orb which gives us light. The Church Christianised the Rites, seeing in them a symbol of Saint John, who was "a burning and brilliant lamp".

The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist.

Artist: Caravaggio (1573-1610).

Date: 1608.

Current location: Saint John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta, Malta.

Source/Photographer: The Yorck Project: 10.000 Meisterwerke der Malerei. DVD-ROM, 2002.

ISBN 3936122202. Distributed by DIRECTMEDIA Publishing GmbH.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Indeed, "she encouraged this kind of manifestation, which corresponds so well with the character of the Feast. The Saint John bonfires happily completed The Liturgical Solemnity: They showed The Church and the Earthly City united in one thought." [The Liturgical Year by Dom Guéranger: The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist.]

The name of The Precursor is inscribed in The Canon of The Mass at the head of The Second List.

Formerly, on his Feast Day, three Masses were Celebrated in his honour, and numerous Churches were Dedicated to him. Parents loved to give his name to their children.

Gregorian Chant.

The Life of Saint John the Baptist.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

Paul the Deacon, a Monk of Monte Cassino, Italy, and a friend of Charlemagne, had composed, in honour of Saint John the Baptist, the Hymn: "Ut queant laxis." In the 13th-Century, the Benedictine Monk, Guy of Arezzo, noticed that the notes, sung on the first syllables, formed the sequence of the first six degrees of The Scale. He named each degree by the corresponding syllable: "Ut, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si" and thereby greatly facilitated the study of musical intervals.

Ut queant laxis resonare fibris [Do - Re]

Mira gestorum famuli tuorum [Mi - Fa]

Solve polluti labii reatum [Sol - La]

Sancte Johannes [Si] (S J makes Si)

"Unloose, great Baptist, our sin-fettered lips;

That with enfranchis'd voice we may proclaim,

The Miracles of thy transcendent life,

Thy deeds of matchless fame."

"That thy servants may sing with full voice

the marvels of thy works, purify their sullied lips, O Saint John."

Immediately, Zachary made signs that he wished to call his son "John", he recovered his speech; and Lo !, a Hymn composed in honour of The Prophet, whose voice resounds in the desert, becomes the occasion of a new progress in music.

Every Parish Priest Celebrates Mass for the people of his Parish.

Mass: De ventre.

English: The Chapel of Saint John and Saint Paul in Szekszárd, Hungary.

Magyar: A barokk stílusú Szent János és Pál kápolna Szekszárdon.

Esperanto: Kapelo Sanktaj Johano kaj Paŭlo en Szekszárd, Hungario.

Photo: 4 October 2010.

Source: Hungarian Wikipedia, file hu:file:SzentJanos esPal.jpg.

Author: Pásztörperc.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Oh, Thank God. At Last. A Politician That Speaks Out For The Little Ones.

Illustration: JESUS CHRIST SAVIOR

Deputy Nolan has won admiration for her 

courageous Pro-Life stance in the face of pressure and suspension from her Party. In a Statement she said:

"I have decided, as of today, 19 June 2018, to resign from Sinn Féin. I feel that, as a Pro-Life Republican woman, that I no longer have a place in this Party

which doesn't recognise or show genuine respect

for the Pro-Life views of Members."

This Article is taken from, and can be read in full at, LIFE INSTITUTE

Carol Nolan TD.

Illustration: LIFE INSTITUTE

"It is not for Politicians or Society in general to decide who lives or dies. Every life is precious and every child deserves the chance to live. I don't believe that Abortion is the solution to any crisis, how can it be when

it takes The Right To Life away from the unborn ?"

"I cannot and will not support Abortion and for that reason I have made a decision to leave Sinn Fein".

[Editor: To Carol Nolan TD.

You may not get your reward in this life,

but you 

will 

surely get your reward in Heaven.]

The Vigil Of Saint John The Baptist. 23 June.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.

The Vigil of Saint John the Baptist.
   23 June.

Violet Vestments.

The Sermon of Saint John the Baptist (detail).

Artist: Pieter Breughel the Elder (1526-1569).

Date: 1566.

Current location: Szépművészeti Múzeum (Museum of Fine Arts), Budapest, Hungary.

Source: Own work.

Author: Yelkrokoyade. Taken on 20 July 2013.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Feast Day Procession of Saint John the Baptist,

Patron Saint of Florence, 

in Florence, Italy, 24 June 2011.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

The Infant Jesus and John the Baptist.

Artist: Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617-1682).

Date: 1600s.

Source: http://www.1st-art-gallery.com/Bartolome-Esteban-Murillo/

Infant-Christ-Offering-A-Drink-Of-Water-To-St-John-1675-80.html.

(Wikimedia Commons)

In the Gospel of 25 March, we read that The Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that, three months later, Elizabeth, in virtue of a Divine Miracle, would have a son.

This is why The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist is Celebrated towards the end of June.

This important Feast is preceded by a Vigil.

Mass: Ne timias.

Fresco of The Birth of Saint John the Baptist.

Date: 1486-1490.

Artist: Domenico Ghirlandaio.

Current location: Tornabuoni Chapel,

Church of Santa Maria Novella, Florence, Italy.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Tornabuoni Chapel (Italian: Cappella Tornabuoni) is the main Chapel (or Chancel)

in the Church of Santa Maria Novella, Florence, Italy. It is famous for the extensive

and well-preserved fresco cycle on its walls, one of the most complete in the City,

which was created by Domenico Ghirlandaio and his workshop between 1485 and 1490.

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.

At The Annunciation, when The Angel Gabriel appeared to The Virgin Mary to inform her that she would conceive of The Holy Ghost, he also informed her that Elizabeth, her cousin, was already six months pregnant (Luke 1:36). Mary then journeyed to visit Elizabeth. Luke’s Gospel recounts that the baby “leapt” in Elizabeth’s womb at the greeting of Mary (Luke 1:44).

The Nativity of John the Baptist, on 24 June, comes three months after the Celebration on 25 March of The Annunciation, when The Angel Gabriel told Mary that her cousin Elizabeth was in her sixth month of pregnancy, and six months before the Christmas Celebration of The Birth of Jesus. The Nativity of John the Baptist Anticipates The Feast of Christmas.

Vespers for The Feast of Saint John the Baptist.

Recorded on 19 June 2014 at the Church of Saint Jean Baptiste,

New York City, by Tom Durack, Michael McGuinnes,

and video editing by Anthony Indelicato.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

The Nativity of John the Baptist is one of the oldest Festivals of The Christian Church, being listed by The Council of Agde, in 506 A.D., as one of that region's principal Festivals, where it was a day of rest and, like Christmas, was Celebrated with three Masses: A Vigil Mass; a Dawn Mass; and a Mid-Day Mass. This Feast of The Nativity of Saint John is one of the Patronal Feasts of The Order of Malta.

Ordinarily, the day of a Saint's death is usually Celebrated as his or her Feast Day, because that day marks their entrance into Heaven. To this rule there are two notable exceptions: The Birthday (Nativity) of The Blessed Virgin Mary (8 September); and The Birthday (Nativity) of Saint John the Baptist (24 June). According to Catholic Tradition and teaching, Mary, already in the first moment of her existence, was free from Original Sin (her Conception itself is Commemorated by a separate Feast (8 December)), while Saint John the Baptist was cleansed of Original Sin in the womb of his mother.

The Nativity of John the Baptist, though not a widespread public holiday outside of Quebec, is a high-ranking Liturgical Feast, kept in The Roman Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran Churches. In the Roman Rite it is Celebrated, since 1970, as a Solemnity. In the 1962 Missal, it is a Feast of The First-Class and, in still-earlier Missals, as a Double of The First-Class with a Common Octave.

Like The Birth of The Virgin Mary, the subject is often shown in art, especially from Florence, whose Patron Saint is John the Baptist.

1910-1963: The Destruction Of Penn Station. Or, How To Make The Philistines Look Cultured And Refined.

Circa 1910.

Image: Library of Congress.

Illustration: MASHABLE.COM

August 1965.

Image: ROBERT R MCELROY/GETTY IMAGES.

Illustration: MASHABLE.COM

The Night-Office In The Monastery.

Dawn breaks over Silverstream Priory, Ireland.

Illustration: VULTUS CHRISTI

This Article is taken  from, and can be read in full at, VULTUS CHRISTI

CHAPTER X. 

How The Night-Office is to be said in Summer Time.

12 Feb. 13 June. 13 Oct.

From Easter to The First of November, let the same number of Psalms be recited as prescribed above; only that no Lessons are to be read from The Book, on account of the shortness of the Night: but, instead of those three Lessons, let one from The Old Testament be said by heart, followed by a short Responsory, and the rest as before laid down; so that never less than twelve Psalms, not counting The Third and Ninety-Fourth, be said at The Night-Office.

Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. Confessor. Feast Day, Today, 21 June.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless stated otherwise.

Saint Aloysius Gonzaga.
   Confessor.
   Feast Day 21 June.

Double.

White Vestments.

The Vocation of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga.

Artist: Guercino (1591–1666).

Date: Circa 1650.

Source/Photographer: http://www.metmuseum.org/Works_of_Art/collection_database/european

_paintings/the_vocation_of_saint_aloysius_luigi_gonzaga_guercino_giovanni

_francesco_barbieri//objectview.aspx?OID=110001047&collID=11&dd1=11

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Holy Ghost, "distributor of Heavenly Gifts" (Collect), made of Aloysius, a young Prince of the noble family of Gonzaga, an Angel on Earth, uniting in him all the marvels of innocence and mortification (Ibid.). Wherefore, The Church applies to him the Verse of the Psalm, where the humanity of Adam, before The Fall, and that of Christ, are declared hardly inferior to Angelic nature (Introit).

His birth to a Heavenly Life preceded in a certain manner his natural birth, for he was born at the Castle of Castiglione, in Italy, in such perilous circumstances, that they hastened his Baptism (Gradual). As an infant, all those who carried him in their arms thought they held an Angel.

At the age of nine, at Florence, Italy, he made a Vow of Virginity before the Altar of The Blessed Virgin, and practised during his whole life the strictest modesty in his looks. Amid the seductions of the Princely Courts, to which his father sent him, he kept his first innocence so faithfully that he seemed confirmed in Grace (Epistle).

Towards the age of eleven, he received for the first time The Bread of Angels from the hands of Saint Charles Borromeo (Communion). At sixteen, he entered at Rome The Company of Jesus, of which he is one of the glories. He so distinguished himself, by his mortification and love of God, that he is compared to The Elect in Heaven. "They live like Angels," says Jesus, because the Soul will exercise full command over the body, which will participate in its Spiritual nature.

At the age of twenty-two (1591), wearing his innocence like a nuptial robe, on which shone the pearls of his continual tears, he died a victim to his devotion to the plague-stricken and ascended The Holy Mountain to take part in The Heavenly Banquet to which God invites The Pure of Heart (Secret, Offertory, Gradual).

Let us have recourse to the merits and intercession of Saint Aloysius.

Pope Benedict XIII (reigned 1724-1730) gave him as a pattern to young people, in order that, not always having imitated him in his innocence, they may at least imitate him by doing Penance (Collect).

Mass: Minuisti eum.

No-One In The World Needs An Elephant Tusk Other Than An Elephant.

Illustration: WILD AT HEART

Saint Silverius. Pope And Martyr. Reigned From 536 A.D. - 537 A.D. Feast Day 20 June.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless stated otherwise.

Saint Silverius.
   Pope And Martyr.
   Feast Day 20 June.

Simple.

Red Vestments.

Pope Silverius.

Source: http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immagine:Silverius2.jpg

Author: http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utente:Deep_also_it

(Wikimedia Commons)

A son of Pope Hormisdas, who was married before receiving Holy Orders, Silverius was invested with full Sacerdotal powers on succeeding Pope Agapitus on The Pontifical Throne (Introit, Alleluia). Theodora, Empress of Constantinople, entreated him to restore to The Pontifical Throne, of that City, a heresiarch [Editor: The founder of a heresy or the leader of a heretical sect], who, "living a slave to his impious wishes and not having The Spirit of God" (Epistle), had been deposed by Pope Agapitus. When Pope Silverius refused Theodora's demands, she caused him to be exiled to the Island of Ponza, Italy.

As a Disciple of Christ, The Holy Pontiff, Silverius, followed Him bearing His Heavy Cross (Gospel), and, from there (Ponza), governed The Church, "taking for his food," as he is reported to have said, "the bread of affliction and the water of anguish".

Later, Saint Silverius, worn out by privations and sufferings, fell asleep in The Lord in 537 A.D. His body, carried to Rome and buried in the Vatican Basilica, was made famous by numerous Miracles.

Guided by The Holy Ghost, let us beseech God to help our weakness (Collect), and to fill us with the courage shown by Saint Silverius in the defence of Truth.

Mass: Státuit.

Saint Gervase And Saint Protase. Martyrs. Feast Day 19 June.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.

Saint Gervase And Saint Protase. 
   Martyrs. 
   Feast Day 19 June.

Simple.

Red Vestments.

Saints Gervasius and Protasius, detail from The Apparition to Saint Ambrose.

Artist: Philippe de Champaigne (1602–1674).

Date: 1658.

Source: Own work.

Author: http://santiebeati.it/immagini/?mode=view&album=58350&pic=58350H.JPG&dispsize=Original&start=0

(Wikimedia Commons)

Sons of Saint Vitalis and Saint Valeria, these two Saints were Martyred under Emperor Nero at Milan (1st-Century A.D.). Saint Gervase was beaten  to death, and Saint Protase, after having been scourged, was beheaded.

Saint Ambrose discovered their bodies in 368 A.D.

Their names are included in The Litany of The Saints.

Mass: Loquétur Dominus.

Collects: Of The Mass: Salus Autem, but the names of the Saints are omitted in The Secret.

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.

Saints Gervasius and Protasius (also Saints Gervase and Protase, Gervasis and Prothasis, and, in French, Gervais and Protais) are Venerated as Christian Martyrs, probably of the 2nd-Century A.D 

They are the Patron Saintsof Milan and of Hay Makers, and are invoked for the discovery of thieves. Their Feast Day in The Latin Rite of The Catholic Church is 19 June, the day marking the Ttranslation of their Relics.

In The Eastern Orthodox Church and in The Eastern Rites of The Catholic Church, their Feast takes place on 14 October (O.S.)/24 October (N.S.), the Traditional day of their death. In Christian iconography their emblems are The Scourge, The Club and The Sword.

Saint Juliana Falconieri (1270-1340). Virgin. Feast Day 19 June.

Text is from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.

Saint Juliana Falconieri.
   Virgin.
   Feast Day 19 June.

Double.

White Vestments.

Illustration: CATHOLIC SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

Born at Florence, Italy, in 1270, of the illustrious family of Falconieri, Juliana, from childhood, gave such signs of Holiness that her uncle, Saint Alexis Falconieri, declared to her mother that she had given birth to an Angel. Never in the course of her life did she raise her eyes to look at a man's face, and to hear sin spoken of made her tremble (Introit).

At the age of fifteen, she Solemnly Consecrated her Virginity to God (Epistle, Gospel). "O, Juliana, only longing for the nuptials of the Heavenly Lamb, you leave your paternal roof and conduct a Choir of Virgins. You sigh night and day for the sorrows of your Spouse, nailed to The Cross, and you shed tears at the feet of The Mother of God, whose heart is pierced by Seven Swords." [Hymn at First Vespers.]

English: The Basilica Santissima Annunziata, Florence, Italy.

Saint Juliana Falconieri's major Shrine is in this Basilica.

Italiano: Basilica della santissima annunziata.

Photo: 3 June 2007.

Source: Own work.

Author: sailko.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Having Founded The Order of Mantellate [They were called Mantellate on account of the short Mantle they wore], she was asked by Saint Philip Beniti to take charge of the whole Order of Servites, which honours in a special manner The Sorrows of The Virgin.

On two days a week her only food was The Bread of Angels. At the age of seventy, not being able to retain any food, she lamented the impossibility of receiving Holy Communion. She asked that at least The Blessed Sacrament should be held near her heart and The Sacred Bread miraculously disappeared, leaving an impression in the shape of a Host representing the image of Jesus crucified (Collect). She then breathed her last and was joyfully conducted to The Throne of The Divine King (Gradual). It was 19 June 1341.

Let us beseech The Holy Ghost to grant that we may, like Saint Juliana, be nourished and strengthened in our agony by The Body of Christ, Which will be our viaticum to The Heavenly Home (Collect).

Mass: Dilexisti.
Commemoration of Saint Gervase and Saint Protase. Martyrs.

Saint Juliana Falconieri Catholic Church, Red Cloud, Nebraska, United States of America.

This 1883 Church is Listed in The National Register of Historic Places.

Photo: 4 September 2010.

Source: Own work.

Author: Ammodramus.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.

Juliana Falconieri, O.S.M., (1270 – 19 June 19, 1341) was the Italian Foundress of The Religious Sisters of The Third Order of Servites (or The Servite Tertiaries).

The Servite Order was approved by Pope Martin V in 1420. Pope Benedict XIII recognised the devotion long paid to her and granted The Servites permission to Celebrate The Feast of The Blessed Juliana. Pope Clement XII Canonised her in 1737, and extended the Celebration of her Feast Day,
19 June, to The Entire Church. Saint Juliana is usually represented in The Habit of her Order, with a Host upon her breast. Truly, a most excellent Saint.

Saint Juliana Falconieri was Beatified on 26 July 1678, in Rome, The Papal States, by His Holiness Pope Innocent XI.

She was Canonised on 16 June 1737, in Rome, The Papal States, by His Holiness Pope Clement XII.

Her major Shrine is in the Basilica of The Santissima Annunziata, Florence, Italy.

"The First And Indispensable Expression Of Devotion To The Saints Is The Celebration Of Their Feasts".

This Article is taken from, and can be read in full at, VULTUS CHRISTI

Illustration: VULTUS CHRISTI

Illustration: BOOKS.GOOGLE

CHAPTER XIV.

How The Night-Office Is To Be Said On Saints’ Days.

17 February. 18 June. 18 October.

On The Festivals of Saints, and all other Solemnities,

let The Office be ordered as we have prescribed for Sundays: Except that the Psalms, Antiphons and Lessons

suitable to The Day are to be said. Their number, however

shall remain as we have appointed above.

Monks' Night Stairs, 

Hexham Abbey, Northumberland, England.

The Monks would use The Night Stairs, 

descending from their "Dormer" (Sleeping Quarters),

in order to say The Night Office (Matins and Lauds). [Editor: Night Stairs pre-empted the need for Monks to go outside during the night to reach the Church, which, in Mediaeval times during Winter, could be extremely "bracing".]

Photo by RoryHenry on Flickr.

Illustration: PINTEREST

Saint Benedict distinguishes between The Festivals of The Saints and what he calls “all other Solemnities”. This last expression refers to the various Christological and Marian Festivals that were already being Celebrated in his time. The Rule is, it would seem, designedly vague, because it was to be observed not only at Monte Cassino, but also in other places, each having its own local Kalendar.

For The Festivals of The Saints, Saint Benedict enjoins his Monks to follow the pattern of The Sunday Office, apart from those parts of The Office that pertain to The Festival, itself. Blessed Schuster argues in favour of a full Proper Office, including Psalms, Lessons and Collects. He refers to the Sermons of Saint Augustine and Saint Cesarius that allude to Proper Liturgical Texts for The Feasts of Saints, and concludes that the beginning of The Proper of The Saints can be traced to a time before Saint Benedict.

Some authors, among them certain learned Maurists of the 17th-Century, interpret differently the phrase ad ipsum die pertinentes dicantur, and hold to the recitation of The Ferial Psalms even on The Festivals of Saints, albeit with Proper Antiphons. Blessed Schuster suggests that The Proper Offices of certain Saints were later extended and adapted to other Saints of the same category, giving rise to The Common of Martyrs, The Common of Confessors, The Common of Virgins, and the other Commons.

Historical considerations aside, what emerges from Chapter XIV of The Holy Rule of Saint Benedict is that The Saints, through The Liturgy, were present in the life of our father Saint Benedict, as they have been present, through The Liturgy, in the lives of his sons down through the ages.

The Feasts of The Saints, and the related Veneration of their Holy Relics, are opportunities given us by The Liturgical Providence of God to intensify our communion with The Church Triumphant. The Saints are more present to us than we to them; they are ever ready to help us, guide us, and intercede for us. We are not always aware of their presence, nor of their intense activity on our behalf, but being in The Light of Glory, they “neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 120:4).

And, therefore, we also having so great a cloud of witnesses over our head, laying aside every weight and sin which surrounds us, let us run by patience to the fight proposed to us. (Hebrews 12:1)

Our Lord gives specialised tasks to His Saints. The Church recognises this by attributing to certain Saints a patronage over places, groups, and particular needs. Our Lord engages The Saints in the ministrations of His Merciful Love to Souls. The life of The Saints in Heaven is one of co-operation with Our Lord in His two-fold Mediation as Eternal High Priest.

Through Him, and with Him, and in Him, they glorify and praise The Father in the ceaseless Liturgy of Heaven. At the same time, through Him, and with Him, and in Him, as His almoners, they dispense Graces to Souls and intervene with a perfect love in the lives of those who journey as Pilgrims on the Earth.

[Editor: Does your Parish Priest, or Pastor, Celebrate Feast Days of The Saints ? If not, why not ask him to do so.]

Saint Mark And Saint Marcellianus. Martyrs. Feast Day 18 June.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.

Saint Mark And Saint Marcellianus.
   Martyrs.
   Feast Day 18 June.

Simple.

Red Vestments.

Saint Mark and Saint Marcellianus.

Illustration: CATHOLICSAINTS.INFO

Brothers by birth, Mark and Marcellianus were brothers especially because they generously shed their blood for the sake of Christ (Alleluia). Persecuted for their Faith, like The Prophets and The Apostles (Gospel), they were arrested under Emperor Diocletian and were nailed by the feet to a post, where they remained hanging.

The Holy Ghost, Who filled their hearts with The Holy Love of God and the hope of an Eternal Reward, sustained them in their torments (Epistle) and protected them in their tribulations (Introit). "Never", they exclaimed, "have we enjoyed such delights as those we feel in suffering for Jesus Christ."

After a day and night of suffering, they were pierced with arrows, in 286 A.D., and their Souls, "delivered like the sparrow from the bird-catcher's net" (Offertory), entered for ever "into The Kingdom which had been prepared for them from the beginning of the World" (Communion).

On this day, The Anniversary of The Heavenly Birth of these two Holy Martyrs, let us ask God, through their Intercession, to deliver us from all the ills that threaten us (Collect).

Mass: (Out of Paschaltide): Salus autem.
Mass: (In Paschaltide): Sancti tui.
Rest of The Mass is Proper to The Feast.

Saint Ephrem. Deacon. Confessor. Doctor Of The Church. Feast Day 18 June.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,

unless otherwise stated.

Saint Ephrem.

   Deacon. Confessor.

   Doctor of The Church.

   Feast Day 18 June.

Double.

White Vestments.

English: Roumanian Icon of Saint Ephrem-the-Syrian.

Français: Photo d'une icône roumaine de St Ephrem le Syrien (diacre et docteur de l'Eglise dit "La Harpe de l'Esprit" ou encore "La cithare de Marie"), icône écrite par une sœur orthodoxe près d'Oradea en avril 2005, prise de vue par Geoffroy Blanc (le propriétaire de l'icône).

Date: 7 June 2006 (original upload date).

Source: Transferred from fr.wikipedia

Transferred to Commons by User:Bloody-libu using CommonsHelper.

Author: Original uploader was Troubageoff at fr.wikipedia

(Wikimedia Commons)

Newly-excavated Church of Saint Jacob (`Idto d-Mor Y`aqub),

in Nisibis, Turkey, where Saint Ephrem taught and ministered.

Photograph by Gareth Hughes.

Photo: 12 April 1999.

Source: Own work assumed (based on Copyright claims).

Author: Garzo assumed (based on Copyright claims).

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Ephrem was born in Nisibis, Mesopotamia, and was one of the Lights of The Church (Gospel). His father, a pagan priest, cast him out of his home. He then went as a Hermit in the desert and was Ordained Deacon of Edessa (Communion).

Led by The Holy Ghost to Caesarea, in Cappadocia, he there met Saint Basil. In order to refute the numerous errors which were being spread by the prayers and canticles of the Heretics, he wrote poems and Christian Hymns, celebrating the Mysteries of The Lives of Christ, The Blessed Virgin Mary, and The Saints. That is why he is called "The Harp of The Holy Ghost". He always had a great devotion to Our Lady.

He died at Edessa in 375 A.D., under the Emperor Valens. Pope Benedict XV proclaimed him a Doctor of The Universal Church (Collect).

Let us ask God, through the intercession of Saint Ephrem, to defend His Church against the snares of error and wickedness (Collect).

Mass: In médio.
Commemoration of Saint Mark and Saint Marcellianus. Martyrs.

Oh, Dear. One's Library Is Full. Must Tell Perkins To Cancel Some Subscriptions To Weekly Magazines, Book Clubs, And Newspapers.

                

        HISTORICAL EMPORIUM                                            PINTEREST

Zephyrinus really must cancel some of his Book Clubs, Newspapers, and Magazine Subscriptions.

Illustration: PINTEREST

Corpus Christi Procession. Truly Wonderful.

Illustration: RICHARD HAWKER (FACEBOOK)

Saint Vitus. Saint Modestus. Saint Crescentia. Martyrs. Feast Day 15 June.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless stated otherwise.

Saint Vitus. Saint Modestus. Saint Crescentia. 
   Martyrs. 
   Feast Day 15 June.

Simple.

Red Vestments.

The Martyrdom of Saint Vitus, Saint Modestus, and Saint Crescentia,

from a 14th-Century Manuscript.

Source: http://saints.bestlatin.net/gallery/modestus_bnfms.htm

Author: Richard de Montbaston.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Vitus, also called Guy, belonged to an illustrious Sicilian family. His father, learning that he had been Baptised, delivered him to the Judge, Valerian, to be scourged, but he was struck blind.

The Prayers of the Saint obtained his recovery, but did not convert him. Saint Vitus was then saved from his father's cruelty by Saint Modestus, his tutor, and by Saint Crescentia, his nurse, who took him to another part of the country.

There, his Holiness became so famous that Emperor Diocletian had recourse to him to deliver his son, who was tormented by the devil. Guy healed him (Gospel). But, the ungrateful Price (Diocletian), having failed to induce the Saint to Worship the false gods, caused him to be arrested with Saint Modestus and Saint Crescentia.

They were plunged into a cauldron of molten lead and flaming resin and were then quartered. After having tested them like Gold in the furnace (Epistle), God delivered the from all these sufferings (Introit)  and rejoiced them by giving them a place of honour at The Heavenly Banquet (Gradual). They died in 303 A.D.

Saint Vitus is one of The Fourteen Auxiliary Saints.

Let us have recourse to Saint Guy (Vitus), to be preserved from the bite of the mad dogs and from the sad disease which bears his name [Editor: Saint Vitus' Dance]. He will obtain for us great docility towards The Holy Ghost, in order that we do good in all Liberty, Humility, and Charity (Collect).

Mass: Multae tribulationes.

Mass (in Paschaltide): Sancti tui.

English: Church of Saint Vitus, Libědice, Czech Republic.

Čeština: Kostel sv. Víta (Libědice), Libědice

Photo: 8 September 2013.

Source: Own work.

Author: Pavel Kinšt.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Basil The Great. Bishop. Confessor. Doctor Of The Church. Feast Day 14 June.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless stated otherwise.

Saint Basil the Great.
   Bishop. Confessor.
   Doctor of The Church.

Double.

White Vestments.

English: The Fathers of The Church: Saint Basil of Caesarea; Saint John Chrysostom;

Saint Gregory of Nazianzen - an icon of the 17th-Century from Lipie Museum, Sanok, Poland.

Polski: Ojcowie Kościoła: św. Bazyli Wielki, św. Jan Chryzostom, św. Grzegorz z Nazjanzu

– ikona z XVII wieku, pochodząca z Lipia, miejsce ekspozycji - Muzeum Historyczne

w Sanoku, nr inw. MHS/S/3423.

Date: August 2007.

Source: Own work.

Author: Przykuta.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Basil was born at Caesarea, in Cappadocia. After having completed his studies at Constantinople and Athens with his intimate friend Saint Gregory of Nazianzen, he renounced the World, left his family (Gospel), and embraced Monastic Life in the Province of Pontus.

Like fully-seasoned salt (Gospel), he gave to his teaching the full flavour of the Gospel and nourished with Holy Truth the people of Caesarea committed to his care (Communion).

He was the author of the famous rule which bears his name; it was praised by Saint Benedict and is still observed by the Monks of The East. The Holy Ghost filled him with His Divine Wisdom and with Intelligence (Introit).

When, therefore, he wrote against those who rebelled against the sound Doctrine (Epistle), he attacked the Arians, who denied The Divinity of Jesus Christ, and prepared the triumph of Orthodoxy over the error of the Macedonians by firmly establishing the Catholic Dogma regarding The Holy Ghost.

The Life of Saint Basil the Great.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

He is one of the Four Great Doctors of The East. He died in 379 A.D.

Let us ask Saint Basil to fill us with his Faith in The Divinity of The Third Person of The Holy Trinity, and to deliver us from sin (Offertory) which hinders the working of The Holy Ghost in our Souls.

Mass: In médio.
Creed.

The following Text is from NEW ADVENT

There are Four Great Doctors of The East: Saint Basil the Great; Saint John Chrysostom; Saint Gregory of Nazianzen; Saint Athanasius.

There are Four Great Doctors of The West: Saint Ambrose; Saint Augustine; Saint Jerome; Saint Gregory the Great.