FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Friday 14th November : St. Laurence O'Toole
He was born in Castledermot, Co. Kildare in 1123. 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 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.
Saturday 15th November : St. Albert the Great
Dominican theologian who taught in Cologne, was called the "Universal Teacher" for the vast range of his interests. Patron of scientists.
Sunday 16th November : 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
World Day of the Poor
Christians are called to patience and endurance in all of life's circumstances. We have no reason to expect that things will get better and better, or that the building up of the kingdom of God will proceed without opposition. All we are assured of is that God will work his purposes out and that good will triumph.
Today is World Day of the Poor. Pope Francis in his apostolic letter Misericordia et Misera, establishing this Day, said that it would serve as "the worthiest way to prepare for the celebration of the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, (next Sunday) who identified with the little ones and the poor and who will judge us on our works of mercy".
Monday 17th November : St. Elizabeth of Hungary
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.
Tuesday 18th November : Dedication of the Basilicas 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 torn 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 also originally built by the emperor Constantine though it was destroyed by fire in 1823. Donations from around the world make the reconstruction possible. It was consecrated in 1854. The Basilica was built over St. Paul's grave.
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.