FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Saturday 8th August : St. Dominic (1170-1221)
A Spaniard who founded the Order of Preachers (Dominicans).
Patron of astronomers.
Sunday 9th August : 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
For Elijah, the Lord was not in the mighty wind but in the gentle breeze. Peter's faith fails int he face of the force of the wind on the sea. "Lord! Save me" is a prayer for all in times of fear and opposition.
Monday 10th August : St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr
Seen as the cheerful giver since he was one of the seven deacons of the Roman Church in charge of the material needs of the faithful. Gifted with a sense of humour, he met his death cheerfully on a gridiron in the year 258. From earliest times seen not only as a patron saint of the poor, but also of cooks.
Tuesday 11th August : St. Clare
Born at Assisi in 1193. She followed St. Francis in his life of poverty and was founder and ruler of the Poor Clares. She led an austere life, abounding in works of piety and charity. Patron of television.
Wednesday 12th August : St. Muiredach, St. Attracta and St. Lelia
St. Muirdeach: He is regarded as the founder of the church at Killala. He may also be the founder and patron of the monastery of Inishmurray off the Sligo coast.
St. Attracta: Lived in sixth or seventh century. Local tradition remembers her great healing powers. Her convents were famous for hospitality and charity to the poor.
St. Lelia: Had a church at Kileely, near Thomond Bridge. She is said to have been baptised by St. Patrick.
Thursday 13th August : St. Fachtna
(also called Fachanan). He was founder of the monastery of Ross Carbery (Ross Ailithir). He died around the year 600. His monastery became the principal monastery of west Cork and later had a famous scripture school.
Friday 14th August : St. Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941)
Born Raymond Kolbe. He became a Franciscan and took the name Maximilian Mary. He was filled with a very Polish devotion to the Virgin Mary. He contracted tuberculosis and though he recovered remained frail all his life. After the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939 he was imprisoned and released for a time. He was arrested again in February 1941 and the following May sent to the concentration camp in Auschwitz. A prisoner escaped one day the following July. In reprisal for this escape, the deputy camp commander selected 10 men to be starved to death in an underground bunker. One man selected was Fransiszek Gajowniczek. In reaction, he cried out in despair lamenting the fact that he would never see his wife and children again. Fr Kolbe stepped forward and said to the officer "I am a Polish Catholic priest. I am old, I want to take his place, because he has a wife and children". Gajowniczek was returned to the prisoners and Fr Kolbe along with 9 other men was sent to the bunker. After two weeks of starvation 5 prisoners remained. The director of the camp infirmary was called and he gave each of them an intravenous injection of poison acid. Fr Kolbe died on 14th August - his remains were cremated the following day - feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was canonised in 1982 by Pope St. John Paul II. Gajowniczek was present at the canonisation.
Saturday 15th August : Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The assumption of Mary honours the fullness of blessedness that was her destiny, the glorification of her immaculate soul and virginal body that completely conformed her for the risen Christ. This is a celebration that offers to the Church and to all humanity an exemplar and a consoling message, teaching us the fulfilment of our highest hopes. Their own future glorification is happily in store for all those whom Christ ahs made his won brothers and sisters by taking on their flesh and blood.