FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Thursday 4th December : St. John Damascene
He was a Syrian Christian theologian. He became a priest in the monastery of St. Sabas near Jerusalem and was a leading figure in the defence of icons int he iconoclastic controversy.
Saturday 6th December : St. Nicholas
Fourth-century Bishop of Myra in modern-day Turkey of whom little is known. He is patron of Russia, sailors, pawnbrokers and children.
Sunday 7th December : 2nd Sunday of ADVENT
John the Baptist is a prophetic voice for all ages: his message speaks to us today, for conversion is always part of the Christian way of living. Conversion to each other is called for by St. Paul, so that we can be tolerant of each other, united in mind and heart.
Monday 8th December : Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
We celebrate Mary who, from the first instant of her existence in the womb of her mother Anne, was "by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God, and in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race, preserved free from all stain of original sin".
Tuesday 9th December : St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin
Saw the vision of Our Lady of Guadalupe in December 1531. Patron saint of Indigenous people.
Wednesday 10th December : Our Lady of Loreto
This celebration helps all people, especially families, youth and religious, to imitate the virtues of that perfect disciple of the Gospel, the Virgin Mother, who, in conceiving the Head of the Church also accepted us as her own.
Thursday 11th December : St. Damasus I
Born around 304 and died on this day in 384, elected pope in 366. He insisted on the apostolic foundations of the Roman See and was active in opposing fourth-century heresies. He commissioned St. Jerome to prepare the Vulgate version of the Bible.
Friday 12th December : St. Finnian
Studied in Idrone (Co. Carlow), and later in Wales. On his return he settled in Clonard, Co. Meath, around 520, where he established a famous school. His pupils, among whom were Canice, Colum Cille and Brendan, were the initiators of the great monastic expansion in Ireland. He died in 549 and is remembered as the tutor of the saints of Ireland.
Friday 12th December : Our Lady of Guadalupe
Patron of the Americas. This memorial recalls the apparitions in December 1531 to Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin on Tepeyac hill, near Mexico city.
Saturday 13th December : St. Lucy
Desiring to remain consecrated to Christ alone, was martyred in 304 at Syracuse in Sicily during the persecution of Diocletian.