FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Friday 21st November : Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrates Mary in her grace-filled life, wholly given over to the Holy Spirit.
Saturday 22nd November : St. Cecilia
Patroness of music and musicians. According to tradition, she refused to worship the Roman gods and was beheaded.
Sunday 23rd November : Christ, the King
We celebrate Christ as a crucified King. Through his cross he has won a holy nation and a royal people. In his kingdom he has reconciled all things to himself and through himself. He is the true shepherd-king who leads his people to peace.
Monday 24th November : St. Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions
In the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in Vietnam, many Christians suffered martyrdom. On 19 June 1988 Pope John Paul II canonised 117 of these, ninety-six native Vietnamese men and women, eleven Dominican missionaries from Spain, and ten French missionaries.
Tuesday 25th November : St. Catherine, St. Colman, St. Clement I
St. Catherine: Martyred in 310 at Alexandria. Her body is venerated at the monastery on Mount Sinai.
St. Colman: Born around 530, probably in west Cork. A bard by profession, he is reputed to have been influenced by St. Brendan to become a priest. His apostolate was to east Cork and his main foundation was at Cloyne.
St. Clement I: 3rd successor of St. Peter as Bishop of Rome. His letter to the Corinthians called for peace and harmony in the life of that community. Exiled, he was martyred by drowning in Crimea. Later, his relics were brought to the church of San Clemente in Rome.
Thursday 27th November : St. Fergal (Virgil)
He lived first in France and then in Bavaria, where he founded the monastery of Chiemsee. He was appointed bishop of Salzburg around the year 754 and died in 784 leaving a reputation for learning and holiness.