FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Friday 5th June : St. Boniface
Born at Crediton in Devonshire and educated in monastery schools in England. He went as a missionary to Germany. He founded monasteries in Bavaria, including Fulda in 735.
Saturday 6th June : St. Jarlath
Said to have been a disciple of St. Enda, and was also taught by St. Benignus. He became abbot bishop of the monastery he founded at Tuam in the sixth century.
Sunday 7th June : Corpus Christi
The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
From this feast of Corpus Christi have originated many practices of eucharistic devotion that, under the inspiration of divine grace, have increased from day to day and that the Catholic Church uses eagerly to show ever greater homage to Christ, the thank him for so great a gift and to implore his mercy.
Pope Paul VI
Monday 8th June : St. Colman
From Dromore, Co. Down, he spent most of his life in that area. Possibly he studied under Caetan of Nendrom, Co. Down, and was persuaded by St. MacNissi to settle at Dromore c. the year 514.
Tuesday 9th June : St. Columba (Colum Cille)
One of the three Patron Saints of Ireland along with St. Patrick and St. Brigid.
Abbot & Missionary.
Born in Gartan, Co. Donegal in 521 of royal lineage. He studied under St. Finnian of Moville and St. Finnian of Clonard. He founded monasteries in Derry, Durrow, Iona and possibly Kells. He left Ireland, either for penance or to be a pilgrim for Christ, but Iona became his principal foundation. From it missionaries undertook the conversion of Northumbria. Columba is noted for his great love for people and for all living creatures. He died 9 June 597.
A Prayer of St. Columba:
My dearest Lord,
Be thou a bright flame before me,
a guiding star above me,
a smooth path beneath me,
a kindly shepherd behind me,
Today, tonight and for evermore. Amen
Wednesday 10th June : St. Ephrem the Syrian
He was a native of Nisibis in Mesopotamia, and became a monk and deacon near Edessa in modern Turkey. He wrote commentaries on scripture and several hymns which were later included in the liturgy. He defended the faith against Arianism and encouraged devotion to Our Lady.
Thursday 11th June : St. Barnabas
Born on the island of Cyprus. He was one of the first converts in Jerusalem and preached at Antioch. He became a companion of St. Paul and went with him on his first missionary journey, and he took part in the Council of Jerusalem. He returned to his native land to preach the gospel and there he died.
Friday 12th June : Sacred Heart of Jesus
Understood in the light of the Scriptures, the term "Sacred Heart of Jesus" denotes the entire mystery of Christ: Son of God, uncreated wisdom, infinite charity, principle of the salvation and sanctification of mankind.