FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Saturday 14th November : St. Laurence O'Toole
Born in Castledermot, Co. Kildare in 1128. He studied at Glendalough, becoming a monk there and later its abbot in 1148. In 1162 he was chosen as the first native Archbishop of Dublin. He followed the reforming methods of Ceallach and Malachy, introducing the Canons Regular to minister in the cathedral, upholding the rights of the Church, caring for the people. He attended the Third Lateran Council in 1179 and, returning as papal legate, he held synods to extend reform. He worked for peace and reconciliation and died on a mission of mediation with King Henry II and the Irish rulers at Eu in Normandy in 1180.
Sunday 15th November : 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
World Day of the Poor
The readings today emphasise fidelity and dedication to duty and work. It is more blessed to give: talents and gifts are given for the service of the community. The Christian is to be fully dedicated to working in service of others while watching and waiting for the life to come. There is always so much good to be done for others and so little time in which to do it!
Monday 16th November : St. Margaret of Scotland (1045-1093)
Wife of Malcolm III, King of Scotland, helped by her example and influence the work of reform in the Church.
Monday 16th November : St. Gertrude (1256-1302)
A Benedictine nun, from the age of fie she cultivated devotion to the Sacred Heart and advocated frequent Communion.
Tuesday 17th November : St. Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231)
Queen at fourteen, widowed and exiled at twenty, Franciscan tertiary until her death at twenty-four. A woman of prayer and service of the poor.
Wednesday 18th November : Dedication of the Basilica of Ss Peter and Paul
This feast celebrates the dedications of two of the four major basilicas of Rome.
Saint Peter's Basilica was originally built in 323 by the emperor Constantine. The basilica was constructed over the tomb of Peter the Apostle, the Church's first Pope. After standing for more than a thousand years, Pope Julius II ordered the building to be town down due to structural concerns. The construction of the new church spanned over 200 years before its completion. It was dedicated on 18th November 1626. It is considered the most famous church in Christendom.
Saint Paul's Basilica (St. Paul Outside the Walls) is located outside the original walls of Rome. It was originally built by the emperor Constantine though it was destroyed by fire in 1823. Donations from around the world made the reconstruction possible. The Basilica was built over St. Paul's grave. Pope Pius IX consecrated the Basilica in 1854.
Saturday 21st November : Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary originated in the East and was included on the General Calendar in the sixteenth century. It celebrates Mary in her grace-filled life, wholly given over to the Holy Spirit.