The First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church

The First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church were Christians who were martyred in the city of Rome during Nero's persecution in 64 AD¹. This event is recorded by both Tacitus and Pope Clement I, among others.

In July of 64 AD, Rome was devastated by a fire. Rumor blamed the tragedy on Emperor Nero, who wanted to enlarge his palace. He shifted the blame by accusing the Christians¹². According to the historian Tacitus, many Christians were put to death because of their "hatred of the human race." Peter and Paul were probably among the victims¹².

These martyrs are celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church as an optional memorial on 30 June¹. The Orthodox Church also celebrates them on 30 June in its liturgical calendar¹.

This feast first came into the General Roman Calendar in the 1969 calendar reforms. The intention of the feast is to give a general celebration of early Roman martyrs¹. This feast is a replacement for the many Roman martyr feasts, whose absence allowed for a less cluttered and more "dies natale" based sanctoral calendar of more major saints¹.

Their sacrifice is a testament to their faith and is remembered as a significant event in the history of the Christian Church¹²³⁴.

(1) First Martyrs of the Church of Rome - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Martyrs_of_the_Church_of_Rome.

(2) First Martyrs of the Church of Rome | Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/first-martyrs-of-the-church-of-rome/.

(3) First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church - Catholic Apostolate Center ....

https://www.catholicapostolatecenterfeastdays.org/feast-days-and-solemnities/first-martyrs-of-the-holy-roman-church.

(4) Honoring the First Christian Martyrs of the Church at Rome. https://www.catholiccompany.com/magazine/first-christian-martyrs-church-rome-2-6084.

In Vigilia Ss. Petri et Pauli Apostolorum

The phrase "In Vigilia Ss. Petri et Pauli Apostolorum" is Latin and translates to "On the Vigil of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles" in English. This refers to the eve of the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul, which is celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church on June 29th. The vigil is a time of prayer and anticipation for the feast day. Saints Peter and Paul are two of the most important figures in early Christianity, and their feast day is a significant event in the liturgical calendar³. The readings and prayers for the vigil Mass reflect on their lives and contributions to the Church.

**Saint Peter**, also known as Simon Peter, Simeon, or Cephas, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. He is recognized in the early Christian church as the leader of the 12 disciples and by the Roman Catholic Church as the first of its unbroken succession of popes¹. Peter, a Jewish fisherman, was called to be a disciple of Jesus at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry¹. He was born in Bethsaida and lived in Capernaum during the period of Jesus’ ministry¹. He is also known for his work with Paul in Antioch and later carried on missionary work in Asia Minor⁵. According to tradition, he eventually went to Rome, where he suffered martyrdom by being crucified upside down⁵.

**Saint Paul**, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, was one of the leaders of the first generation of Christians and is often considered to be the most important person after Jesus in the history of Christianity⁶. He was a Roman citizen and a Pharisee⁹. Saul experienced a powerful vision that caused him to convert to Christianity while on the road to Damascus⁹. He spread the teachings of Jesus in the first-century world⁷ and founded several Christian communities in Asia Minor and Europe⁷. He is also known for his contributions to the New Testament, and it is believed that he wrote thirteen books of the Bible, together called the Pauline epistles⁸. These are letters to churches and Christians⁸. He was born in Tarsus in Cilicia (now in Turkey) and died in Rome⁶.

Both Saints Peter and Paul had significant influences on the early Christian Church and their teachings continue to be central to Christian theology today. Their feast day is celebrated on June 29th¹.

(1) Saint Peter the Apostle | History, Facts, & Feast Day. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Peter-the-Apostle.

(2) Saint Peter the Apostle summary - Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/summary/Saint-Peter-the-Apostle.

(3) Saint Paul the Apostle | Biography & Facts | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Paul-the-Apostle.

(4) St. Paul - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=91.

(5) Paul the Apostle - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_the_Apostle.

(6) Paul the Apostle - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_the_Apostle.

(7) Saint Peter - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Peter.

(8) Saint Peter the Apostle | History, Facts, & Feast Day. https://bing.com/search?q=Saint+Peter+biography.

(9) Saint Peter the Apostle Biography - Catholic Saint of the Day. https://catholicreadings.org/st-peter-the-apostle/.

(10) Saint Paul and his letters in the New Testament | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/summary/Saint-Paul-the-Apostle.

Saints John and Paul

Saints John and Paul were Roman military officers and blood brothers who lived during the fourth century in the Roman Empire. They were martyred in Rome on June 26. The exact year of their martyrdom is uncertain, but it is believed to have occurred under Julian the Apostate (361–363).

After a successful career in the military, they were entrusted by Constantine the Great with the protection of his daughter, Constantia. They received a vast inheritance from Constantia and were very wealthy. Their home is now the site of a basilica.

Their names are included in the Roman Canon of the Holy Mass. Their lives and martyrdom are commemorated on their feast day, which is celebrated on June 26.

The Roman brothers John and Paul distributed to the poor the wealth they had been left by Constantia, the daughter of Constantine, whom they had served justly and faithfully.

Invited by Julian the Apostate to join the members of his household, they boldly declared that they did not wish to live in the house of a man who had abandoned Jesus Christ.

They were therefore given ten days in which to be persuaded to sacrifice to Jupiter.

As they steadfastly refused to commit this sin, they were beheaded in their home, at the command of Terentian the judge, thus meriting the palm of martyrdom.

The news of their glorious death was spread abroad by unclean spirits, who began tormenting the bodies of many persons, among them the son of Terentian.

He was freed of his diabolical tormentor at the tomb of the Martyrs.

This miracle led both him and his father, Terentian, to believe in Christ; and the latter is said to have written the life of the holy Martyrs.

As for their adversaries?

They that trust in their own strength, * and glory in the multitude of their riches,

No brother can redeem, nor shall man redeem: * he shall not give to God his ransom,

Nor the price of the redemption of his soul: * and shall labour for ever, and shall still live unto the end.

He shall not see destruction, when he shall see the wise dying: * the senseless and the fool shall perish together:

And they shall leave their riches to strangers: * and their sepulchres shall be their houses for ever.

Their dwelling places to all generations: * they have called their lands by their names.

And man when he was in honour did not understand; * he is compared to senseless beasts, and is become like to them.

Be not thou afraid, when a man shall be made rich, * and when the glory of his house shall be increased.

For when he shall die he shall take nothing away; * nor shall his glory descend with him.

For in his lifetime his soul will be blessed: * and he will praise thee when thou shalt do well to him.

He shall go in to the generations of his fathers: * and he shall never see light.

Man when he was in honour did not understand: * he hath been compared to senseless beasts, and made like to them.

(1) John and Paul - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_and_Paul.

(2) Saints John and Paul – Martyrs for Our Time in History. https://taylormarshall.com/2012/06/saints-john-and-paul-martyrs-for-our.html.

(3) BIOGRAPHY OF THE STS. JOHN AND PAUL – PASSIOCHRISTI. https://www.passiochristi.org/biography-of-the-ss-john-and-paul/.

(4) Saint Luke the Evangelist :: PA. https://saintluke.net/.

(5) Saints John & Paul Church - Coventry, RI. https://stsjohnpaulri.com/.

Saint William of Montevergine, also known as William the Abbot or William of Vercelli

Saint William of Montevergine, also known as William the Abbot or William of Vercelli, is a significant figure in the Roman Catholic Church. He was born in 1085 into a noble family of Vercelli in northwest Italy. At the age of fourteen, he decided to go on a pilgrimage – first to Santiago de Compostela, and then to the Holy Land. He gave up all he had in order to embrace a religious life.

After returning from Spain, he intended to go to Jerusalem but was beaten up and robbed by thieves. Considering this misfortune a sign of God's will, he decided to stay in South Italy and spread the message of Christ. In 1118, he went to the region of Irpinia, at the base of Monte Partenio, where he became a hermit. His fame as a holy man spread throughout the region, and people began to visit his hermitage.

William, born of noble parents at Vercelli, had scarcely finished his fourteenth year when he made a pilgrimage to Compostella in a wonderful spirit of penitence and devotional zeal.

Then, having vainly attempted another, pilgrimage, to the tomb of Christ the Lord, he spent two years on a solitary mountain in constant prayer, in vigils and in fasting.

Fleeing human renown after he had restored sight to a blind man, he built a monastery on Monte Virgiliáno, which was thereafter called Monte Vergine, in a wild and inaccessible spot.

There companions joined him, and he formed them by fixed regulations taken largely from those of St. Benedict, by word, and by the example of a most holy life.

Then he built other monasteries, and daily his fame as a holy man grew; so that many came to him from all parts, drawn by the report of his frequent miracles.

Finally, having foretold the day of his death, he fell asleep in the Lord, in the year of salvation 1142.

The hermitage eventually became a small community, the germ of the Order of Monte Vergine, which was officially recognized in 1126. St. William led more by example than by instruction: he undertook rigorous penances, was found constantly at prayer, and served the poor with great charity.

He is venerated as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church, and his feast day is celebrated on June 25. His life and works serve as an inspiration for many, embodying the virtues of humility, piety, and service to others.



(1) William of Montevergine - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_of_Montevergine.

(2) St. William - Information on the Saint of the Day - Vatican News. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/06/25/st-william--abbot--founder-of-the-congregation-of-montevergine.html.

(3) St. William, Abbot of Eskille, Confessor | EWTN. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/st-william-abbot-of-eskille-confessor-5941.

Saint John the Baptist

Saint John the Baptist is a significant figure in Christianity, Islam, the Baháʼí faith, the Druze faith, and Mandaeism. Here are some key details about him:

**Birth and Death**: He was born in the 1st decade BCE in Judaea, Palestine, near Jerusalem and died between 28–36 CE.

**Role**: John the Baptist was a Jewish prophet of priestly origin who preached the imminence of God’s Final Judgment and baptized those who repented in self-preparation for it³. He is revered in the Christian church as the forerunner of Jesus Christ.

**Baptism of Jesus**: Most biblical scholars agree that John baptized Jesus.

**Death**: According to the New Testament, John was sentenced to death and subsequently beheaded by Herod Antipas around AD 30 after John rebuked him for divorcing his wife Phasaelis and then unlawfully wedding Herodias, the wife of his brother Herod Philip I.

**Feast Day**: His feast day is celebrated on June 24, commemorating his nativity, and on August 29, commemorating his beheading.

John the Baptist is recognized as the start of the Christian era in all four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), and each in its own way tries to reconcile John’s precedence in time and Jesus’ acceptance of his message and of a baptism of repentance from his hands³. He is considered a major religious figure and is honored as a saint in many Christian denominations.

(1) John the Baptist - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist.

(2) St. John the Baptist | Facts, Feast Day, & Death | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-John-the-Baptist.

(3) https://bing.com/search?q=Saint+John+the+Baptist.

(4) St John Baptist Church. https://sjbc.org/.

(5) Who Was John the Baptist of the Bible? - Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/john-the-baptist-117707.

Psalm 10

Psalm 10 In the Lord I put my trust: how then do you say to my soul: * Get thee away from hence to the mountain, like a sparrow?

For, lo, the wicked have bent their bow: they have prepared their arrows in the quiver, * to shoot in the dark the upright of heart.

For they have destroyed the things which thou hast made: * but what has the just man done?

The Lord is in his holy temple, * the Lord’s throne is in heaven.

His eyes look on the poor man: * his eyelids examine the sons of men.

The Lord trieth the just and the wicked: * but he that loveth iniquity, hateth his own soul.

He shall rain snares upon sinners: * fire and brimstone, and storms of winds, shall be the portion of their cup.

For the Lord is just, and hath loved justice: * his countenance hath beheld righteousness.

Psalm 9 (33-39) Breviary 6/23

Verses 12-13: The psalmist calls upon God to rise and lift up His hand, not forgetting the humble. The wicked, in their arrogance, challenge God, believing He will not hold them accountable.

Verses 14-15: God sees the trouble and grief they cause, and He will take matters into His hands. The victims commit themselves to God, the helper of the fatherless. The psalmist prays for God to break the arm of the wicked and evil man.

Verses 16-18: The Lord is eternal, and the wicked will perish. God hears the desires of the afflicted and encourages them. He will defend the fatherless and the oppressed, so that earthly men will never again strike terror.

This psalm is a powerful reminder of God’s justice and His care for the oppressed. It reassures us that God hears the cries of the afflicted and will ultimately bring about justice.

Saint Paulinus of Nola

Saint Paulinus of Nola, also known as Paulinus Nolanus, was a significant figure in the early Christian Church. Here's a brief overview of his life:

**Birth and Early Life**: Born as Pontius Meropius Anicius Paulinus around 354 AD in Burdigala (now Bordeaux, France).

**Career**: He was a Roman poet, writer, and senator who attained the ranks of suffect consul around 377 and governor of Campania from around 380 to 381.

**Conversion to Christianity**: Following the assassination of the emperor Gratian and under the influence of his Hispanic wife Therasia of Nola, he abandoned his career, was baptized as a Christian, and probably after Therasia's death became bishop of Nola in Campania.

**Contributions**: He wrote poems in honor of his predecessor Saint Felix and corresponded with other Christian leaders throughout the empire. He is credited with the introduction of bells to Christian worship and helped resolve the disputed election of Pope Boniface I.

**Death**: He died on June 22, 431, in Nola, Italy.

**Veneration**: His renunciation of his wealth and station in favor of an ascetic and philanthropic life was held up as an example by many of his contemporaries—including Augustine, Jerome, Martin, and Ambrose—and he was subsequently venerated as a saint¹. His feast day is observed on June 22 in both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches.



Paulinus, born in the year of restored salvation 353 of a very famous Roman family of Bordeaux, acquired the dignity of senator.

He was made consul of Nola, but a divine light prompted him to renounce the consulship and return to Bordeaux, where he was baptized by St. Delphinus.

Then, giving to the poor the large sum obtained by the sale of his goods, he went to Spain, where he was ordained priest. When he returned to Nola, he built a monastery near the grave of St. Felix and, with the companions who joined him, undertook a most austere cenobitical life.

As the fame of his holiness grew, he was elevated to the bishopric of Nola, in which office he left an example of wonderful devotion, patience, and especially charity.

He wrote many works on sacred doctrine and also gained a reputation for eloquence and poetry.

When Campania was devastated by the Goths, he used all his goods to feed the poor and redeem captives. And later, when the Vandals infested the same region and he had nothing more to give, he gave himself into slavery for the son of a widow, and was taken to Africa.

At length, restored to liberty, by the hand of God, he died a peaceful death in the Lord at Nola.



Please note that there is another Saint Paulinus, who was an Italian missionary, converted Northumbria to Christianity, became the first bishop of York, and was later made archbishop of Rochester³. His feast day is on October 10³. It's important to distinguish between these two when studying hagiography or the history of the Church.

(1) Paulinus of Nola - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulinus_of_Nola.

(2) Saint Paulinus | Roman Catholic, Northumbria & Missionary. https://bing.com/search?q=Saint+Paulinus+biography.

(3) Saint Paulinus | Roman Catholic, Northumbria & Missionary. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Paulinus.

(4) Saint Paulinus of Nola | Bishop, Poet, Patron | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Paulinus-of-Nola.

Saint Aloysius Gonzaga

Saint Aloysius Gonzaga (Italian: Luigi Gonzaga; March 9, 1568 – June 21, 1591) was an Italian aristocrat who became a member of the Society of Jesus. He was born in Castiglione delle Stiviere, Duchy of Mantua, Holy Roman Empire. He was the eldest of seven children born to Ferrante Gonzaga, marchese di Castiglione.

Aloysius was destined for a military career as a nobleman and was educated at the ducal courts of Florence and Mantua and at the royal court of Madrid, where he was page to King Philip II’s son Diego. However, in 1585 he resigned his inheritance and social status and entered the Society of Jesus (the Jesuit order) at Rome.

While still a student at the Roman College, he died as a result of caring for the victims of a serious epidemic. He was noted for his asceticism and quickly volunteered to care for the sick and dying at a Jesuit hospital when plague broke out in Rome. Shortly before his ordination, he contracted the disease himself and died at age 23.

He was beatified in 1605 and canonized in 1726. He is the patron saint of young students, Christian youth, Jesuit scholastics, the blind, AIDS patients, AIDS care-givers. His feast day is celebrated on June 21.

Aloysius, son of Ferdinand Gonzaga, Marquis of Castiglióne delle Stiviere, was in danger of death while he was being born. He was therefore baptized without delay, so that it seemed he was born to heaven even before he was born to earth. He retained this first grace so faithfully that he was believed to have been confirmed in it. When he was nine years old, he took a vow of virginity at Florence before the altar of the Blessed Virgin, whom he always thought of as his mother. By a singular blessing of God, he kept this vow without any rebellion of mind or body so that he was deservedly called a man without a body or an angel in the flesh. He handed over the right of succession to his brother and joined the Society of Jesus in Rome. Even in the novitiate he began to be considered a master of all the virtues. So ardent was the love of God in him that he would be rapt out of his body. Possessed by a wonderful charity for his neighbour, he zealously served in the public hospitals, and as a result he contacted a contagious fever. After slowly wasting away, he went to heaven on the 21st day of June, having just entered his twenty-fourth year. Benedict XIII enrolled him among the Saints and gave him to students as both a model of innocency and charity and their heavenly Patron.

(1) Aloysius Gonzaga - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloysius_Gonzaga.

(2) Saint Aloysius Gonzaga | Biography & Facts | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Aloysius-Gonzaga.

(3) St. Aloysius Gonzaga | Gonzaga University. https://www.gonzaga.edu/about/our-mission-jesuit-values/gonzagas-history/st-aloysius-gonzaga.

Jordan Peterson on his wife's incredible cancer recovery

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Saint Silverius

Saint Silverius was Pope from June 8, 536, to March 537. His papacy was marked by political intrigue and conflict, leading to his deposition and subsequent martyrdom. Here are some key points about his life:

- **Early Life**: Silverius was born in Frosinone, Campania, Italy, to the future Pope Hormisdas before Hormisdas had entered the priesthood.

- **Papacy**: He was a subdeacon when he was nominated to the papacy by the Ostrogothic King Theodahad. Silverius was consecrated as Pope on June 8, 536, succeeding St. Agapetus I.

- **Conflict with Empress Theodora**: His papacy was troubled by the Byzantine Empress Theodora's efforts to promote the Monophysite doctrine, which Silverius opposed. When he refused to comply with her wishes to reinstate the deposed Monophysite Patriarch Anthimus of Constantinople, Theodora orchestrated his removal.

- **Deposition and Exile**: The Byzantine general Belisarius, under Theodora's orders, deposed Silverius in December 536. After being accused of treasonable collaboration with the Ostrogoths, he was degraded to the rank of monk and exiled to Lycia, Anatolia.

- **Death**: Silverius was eventually banished to the island of Palmaria, near Naples, where he died on December 2, 537, either by murder or starvation.

- **Feast Day**: Saint Silverius is commemorated on June 20, which is recognized as his feast day in the Roman Catholic Church.

His life story is a testament to the complex interplay between church and state during the early Byzantine period, and his steadfastness in the face of political pressure has been remembered by the Church through his sainthood.

(1) Saint Silverius | Pope, Exiled, Martyr | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Silverius. (2) Pope Silverius - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Silverius. (3) Saint Silverius | Pope, Exiled, Martyr | Britannica. https://bing.com/search?q=Saint+Silverius+biography. (4) Pope Silverius - New World Encyclopedia. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Pope_Silverius. (5) Pope Saint Silverius - America Needs Fatima. https://americaneedsfatima.org/articles/saint-silverius.

Psalm 48 Douay Rheims from Today's Breviary

Ant. My mouth shall speak * wisdom: and the meditation of my heart understanding. Psalm 48(2-13) [5]

Hear these things, all ye nations: * give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world.

All you that are earthborn, and you sons of men: * both rich and poor together.

My mouth shall speak wisdom: * and the meditation of my heart understanding

I will incline my ear to a parable; * I will open my proposition on the psaltery.

Why shall I fear in the evil day? * the iniquity of my heel shall encompass me.

They that trust in their own strength, * and glory in the multitude of their riches,

No brother can redeem, nor shall man redeem: * he shall not give to God his ransom,

Nor the price of the redemption of his soul: * and shall labour for ever, and shall still live unto the end.

He shall not see destruction, when he shall see the wise dying: * the senseless and the fool shall perish together:

And they shall leave their riches to strangers: * and their sepulchres shall be their houses for ever.

Their dwelling places to all generations: * they have called their lands by their names.

And man when he was in honour did not understand; * he is compared to senseless beasts, and is become like to them. ℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Ant. My mouth shall speak wisdom: and the meditation of my heart understanding.

Top Next

Ant. Be not thou afraid * the things which made him rich, or his glory shall not descend with him to the sepulchre. Psalm 48(14-21)

This way of theirs is a stumbling block to them: * and afterwards they shall delight in their mouth.

They are laid in hell like sheep: * death shall feed upon them.

And the just shall have dominion over them in the morning; * and their help shall decay in hell from their glory.

But God will redeem my soul from the hand of hell, * when he shall receive me.

Be not thou afraid, when a man shall be made rich, * and when the glory of his house shall be increased.

For when he shall die he shall take nothing away; * nor shall his glory descend with him.

For in his lifetime his soul will be blessed: * and he will praise thee when thou shalt do well to him.

He shall go in to the generations of his fathers: * and he shall never see light.

Man when he was in honour did not understand: * he hath been compared to senseless beasts, and made like to them. ℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Ant. Be not thou afraid the things which made him rich, or his glory shall not descend with him to the sepulchre.

Psalm 45 (Douay Rheims 44)

The text you've selected is from **Psalm 45**, a beautiful and poetic piece of scripture often interpreted as a royal wedding song, but also seen as prophetic of the Messiah, Christ. It's a psalm that celebrates the king's marriage and is rich with imagery and symbolism.

The opening verse, "My heart hath uttered a good word; I speak my works to the King. My tongue is the pen of a scrivener that writeth swiftly," reflects the psalmist's eagerness to praise the king with eloquent words, likening his tongue to the swift pen of a scribe¹.

The subsequent verses describe the king in majestic terms, highlighting his grace, beauty, and righteousness. The psalm speaks of the king's divine anointment, his role as a just leader, and his victories over enemies. It also alludes to the king's marriage, with the queen adorned in gold at his right hand.

This psalm is often used in the context of religious feasts, particularly those celebrating Christ as King. Its themes of justice, truth, and divine favor resonate with the significance of such occasions.

In the Christian tradition, the psalm is seen as messianic, with the king representing Christ himself. The references to the king's throne and scepter symbolize eternal authority and righteousness, while the anointing with oil signifies joy and blessing from God.

The use of rich fragrances like myrrh and cassia, and the mention of ivory palaces, evoke a sense of the opulence and splendor associated with the king's court. The psalm ends with a doxology, giving glory to the Holy Trinity, which is a common practice in Christian liturgy.

The beauty of this psalm lies in its layers of meaning, serving both as a celebration of earthly kingship and a foreshadowing of the eternal reign of Christ. It's a testament to the enduring power of poetic language to convey deep spiritual truths.

(1) Psalm 45:1 - My Heart is Stirred by a Noble Theme - Bible Hub. https://biblehub.com/psalms/45-1.htm.

(2) Psalm 45:1 Context: My heart overflows with a noble theme. I recite my .... https://biblehub.com/context/psalms/45-1.htm.

(3) Psalm 44:2 DRA - My heart hath uttered a good word I - Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2044%3A2&version=DRA.

(4) Psalms 45:1 - NCV - For the director of music. To the tune of "Lilies .... https://www.studylight.org/bible/eng/ncv/psalms/45-1.html.

Saint Juliana Falconieri

Saint Juliana Falconieri was a remarkable figure in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, known for her deep spirituality and service to the sick. Here's a detailed look at her life:

- **Early Life and Family**: Born in **1270** in Florence, Juliana came from the noble Falconieri family. Her uncle, Alexis Falconieri, was one of the seven founders of the Servite Order.

- **Spiritual Calling**: Influenced by her uncle, she decided to follow a consecrated life from a young age. After her father's death, she received the habit of the Third Order of the Servites around **1285** from Philip Benizi, the then Prior General of the Order.

- **Founding the Mantellate Sisters**: Following her mother's death, Juliana and her companions established the first convent of the Sisters of the Third Order of Servites in **1305**, which came to be known as the Mantellate Sisters due to their distinctive short-sleeved black gowns and white veils.

- **Service and Devotion**: Juliana is celebrated for her service to the sick in hospitals, homes, and on the streets. Her community's main devotion was to Our Lady of Sorrows, and they were dedicated to caring for the sick.

- **Eucharistic Miracle**: A notable event in her life is the Eucharistic miracle that occurred at her death. Unable to receive Holy Communion due to constant vomiting, she asked for the Eucharistic host to be laid on a corporal upon her chest. The host then disappeared, and an image of a cross, like the one on the host, was found on her breast after she passed away on **June 19, 1341**.

When Juliana, of the noble family of the Falconieri, was still in her cradle, her baby lips were heard to utter, without any prompting, the sweet names of Jesus and Mary. Before she was fifteen years old, she renounced a rich inheritance and an earthly wedding and took a solemn vow of virginity in the presence of St. Philip Benizi. She was the first to receive from him the habit of the religious called the Mantellates. When many noble ladies followed her example, and even her mother gave herself over to her daughter to be instructed in the religious life, Juliana founded the Order of the Mantellate Nuns. She excelled in a wonderful humility, a constant zeal for prayer and an amazing abstinence. When her health failed so that she could take and retain no food at all, and was therefore kept from the Eucharistic table, she asked the Priest to place the divine Bread on her breast, since she could not receive it with her mouth. When he did so, the holy Bread disappeared at once, and Juliana, smiling, departed this life.

- **Canonization**: Juliana was canonized by Pope Clement XII on **June 16, 1737**, and her feast day is celebrated on **June 19th**.

Saint Juliana Falconieri's life is a testament to her unwavering faith and her commitment to serving those in need. Her legacy continues to inspire many within the Catholic community and beyond.

(1) Juliana Falconieri - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juliana_Falconieri.

(2) St. Juliana Falconieri - Information on the Saint of the Day - Vatican News. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/06/19/st--juliana-falconieri--virgin--foundress-of-the--mantellate.html.

(3) CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Juliana Falconieri - NEW ADVENT. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08556a.htm.

(4) Saint Juliana Falconieri, Virgin - sanctoral.com. https://sanctoral.com/en/saints/saint_juliana_falconieri.html.

(5) Juliana Falconieri | Religion Wiki | Fandom. https://religion.fandom.com/wiki/Juliana_Falconieri.

(6) SAINTS OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST - CATHOLIC TRADITION. http://www.catholictradition.org/Eucharist/saints6-13.htm.

St. Ephrem the Syrian

St. Ephrem the Syrian, also known as Saint Ephraim, was a distinguished theologian and a prolific writer of hymns in the 4th century. He was born around 306 AD in Nisibis, Mesopotamia, within the Roman Empire, and later lived in Edessa¹. He is venerated as a saint across various Christian denominations, including the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Catholic Church, the Church of the East, and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

Ephrem served as a deacon and is celebrated for his contributions to Christian literature and hymnography, earning him the title of "Harp of the Spirit." His works are considered a significant part of the spiritual heritage of the Syriac Christian tradition. He is especially renowned for his poetic and theological writings, which often used metaphors drawn from biblical sources and everyday experiences to explain complex theological ideas².

His feast day is observed on different dates across various traditions: June 9 in the Catholic Church, January 28 in Byzantine Christianity, and the first Saturday of Great Lent in the Indian Orthodox Church, among others¹.

St. Ephrem's legacy includes a vast array of hymns and biblical commentaries that have been influential in the development of Christian thought. His hymns were composed in the Syriac language and are characterized by their rich, poetic style and theological depth. They often reflect his pastoral concern for his community and his desire to combat heresies of his time through education and spiritual formation².

Ephrem is also credited with founding the School of Nisibis, which later became a central institution of learning for the Assyrian Church of the East². His writings continue to be studied for their doctrinal soundness and spiritual insights, making him one of the early church's most revered and influential figures.

(1) Ephrem the Syrian - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephrem_the_Syrian.

(2) Ephrem the Syrian - OrthodoxWiki. https://orthodoxwiki.org/Ephrem_the_Syrian.

(3) Ephrem the Syrian - Wikipedia. https://bing.com/search?q=St.+Ephrem+the+Syrian.

(4) St. Ephraim the Syrian. https://saintephraim.com/st-ephraim-the-syrian/.

(5) Ephraem the Syrian - New World Encyclopedia. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Ephraem_the_Syrian.

Saint Gregory Barbarigo June 17th

Saint Gregory Barbarigo was an influential figure in the Catholic Church during the 17th century. Here's a brief overview of his life and contributions:

- **Born**: September 16, 1625, in Venice, Italy⁴.

- **Died**: June 18, 1697, in Padua, Italy⁴.

- **Education**: He was educated in Padua⁵.

- **Diplomatic Service**: In 1648, he was part of the Venetian embassy to Münster for the Treaty of Westphalia⁵.

- **Ecclesiastical Career**: He served as the Bishop of Bergamo and later as the Bishop of Padua⁴.

- **Cardinal**: He was elevated to the rank of cardinal and was a frontrunner in the 1689 and 1691 papal conclaves⁴.

- **Canonization**: He was canonized by Pope John XXIII on May 26, 1960⁴.

Saint Gregory Barbarigo was known for his diplomatic skills, scholastic service, and his efforts in the reform of the clergy. He also focused on the education of priests and the laity, founding seminaries and colleges during his tenure as a bishop. His feast day is celebrated on June 18th, the anniversary of his death. If you're interested in more detailed aspects of his life or his impact on the church, I can provide further information.

Gregory Barbarigo, born at Venice of a very old family, obtained his degree in Canon and Civil Law Magna cum Laude at the college of Padua. While attending the peace congress of Muenster at the age of nineteen, he met the papal legate Fabio Chigi, and with his encouragement decided to became an ecclesiastic, and was admitted to holy orders. When Fabio Chigi became pope under the name of Alexander VII, he appointed Gregory bishop of Bergamo, and soon raised him to the college of Cardinals, transferring his to the See of Padua. In entering upon his episcopal duties, he strove to model himself upon St. Charles Borromeo. It was his lifelong endeavor to extirpate vices and cultivate virtues in obedience, to the warnings and decrees of the sacred synod of Trent. In both dioceses he enlarged the seminaries. At Padua especially he improved the library, and the press, which published books for distribution among the peoples of the Near East. He strenuously fostered Catechetical instruction and zealously traveled to every village of the diocese to teach and preach. He was distinguished for his works of charity and the holiness of his life. So generous was he to the needy and poor, that he even give away his household goods, his clothes and his bed to help them. Finally, after a brief illness, he fell asleep peacefully in the Lord on June 18, 1697. Renowned for his merits and his virtues, he was inscribed among the Blessed by Clement XIII and among the Saints by John XXIII.

(1) Gregorio Barbarigo - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregorio_Barbarigo.

(2) Barbarigo, Gregory, St. | Encyclopedia.com. https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/barbarigo-gregory-st.

(3) . https://bing.com/search?q=Saint+Gregory+Barbarigo.

(4) St. Gregory Barbarigo - Garnerville, NY. https://stgregorybarbarigo.org/.

(5) St. Gregory Barbarigo Elementary School - Garnerville, NY. https://stgregorybarbarigoschool.org/.

Saints Vitus, Modestus, and Crescentia

Saints Vitus, Modestus, and Crescentia are venerated as martyrs in the Christian tradition, particularly within the Roman Catholic Church. Here's a brief overview of their story:

- **Saint Vitus** is believed to have been a child martyr who suffered under the Roman Emperors Diocletian and Maximian. According to legend, he was the son of a pagan senator in Lucania and converted to Christianity at a young age. Despite various forms of torture, he remained steadfast in his faith.

- **Saint Modestus** and **Saint Crescentia** are often associated with Saint Vitus. Modestus is traditionally thought to have been Vitus's tutor, and Crescentia his nurse. The legends say they accompanied Vitus during his trials and shared in his martyrdom.

- Their feast day is celebrated on **June 15th**, and they are mentioned in the "Martyrologium Hieronymianum," an early Christian martyrology. This indicates that their veneration dates back to at least the fifth century.

- The story of their martyrdom is filled with miraculous events, such as an angel rescuing them from torture and Vitus performing an exorcism on a son of Emperor Diocletian. However, these accounts are considered legendary rather than historical facts.

- Saint Vitus, in particular, became very popular and was one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, a group of saints venerated together in medieval Christianity. He is also the patron saint of dancers and entertainers, and the neurological disorder Sydenham's chorea is commonly known as "Saint Vitus Dance" because of him.

Their story is a blend of historical tradition and legend, reflecting the early Christian community's reverence for those who stood firm in their faith despite persecution. The exact historical details of their lives and martyrdom may not be clear, but their legacy continues to inspire devotion among the faithful.

(1) Vitus, Modestus, and Crescentia, Saints - Catholic Answers. https://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/vitus-modestus-and-crescentia-saints.

(2) Saint Vitus - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Vitus.

(3) Vitus, Modestus, and Crescentia, Ss. | Encyclopedia.com. https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/vitus-modestus-and-crescentia-ss.

(4) SS Vitus, Modesta and Crecentia | ICN. https://www.indcatholicnews.com/saint/176.

(5) Catholic Activity: Holy Martyrs Vitus, Modestus, and Crescentia.

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=1080.

St. Basil the Great

St. Basil the Great, also known as Basil of Caesarea, was a significant figure in the early Christian Church. Born around AD 329 in Caesarea Mazaca, Cappadocia, he was a bishop, theologian, and a monastic reformer who played a crucial role in shaping the theology and organization of the early Church.

**Contributions to Theology:** St. Basil was a staunch defender of the Nicene Creed and opposed the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Jesus Christ. His theological writings were influential in shaping the doctrine of the Trinity and the nature of Christ. He is well-known for his works such as "On the Holy Spirit," where he argued for the divinity of the Holy Spirit, and his "Hexaëmeron," a series of homilies on the six days of Creation.

**Monasticism:** St. Basil established guidelines for monastic life that emphasized community life, liturgical prayer, and manual labor. His "Longer Rules" and "Shorter Rules" are considered foundational texts for Eastern Orthodox monasticism. He is remembered alongside Pachomius as a father of communal monasticism in Eastern Christianity.

**Charity and Social Justice:** He was known for his care of the poor and underprivileged. St. Basil established hospitals, schools, and other charitable institutions, emphasizing the importance of charity and social justice. He built hospitals and hostels alongside church buildings in Caesarea and organized relief for the poor.

**Liturgical Contributions:** The Liturgy of St. Basil, which he either composed or contributed to, is still used in the Eastern Orthodox Church, particularly on his feast day and during the Lenten period.

St. Basil's legacy extends beyond his theological and monastic contributions; he is also venerated for his moral teachings and his emphasis on Christian ethics. His feast day is celebrated on January 1st in the Eastern Church and January 2nd in the Western Church, reflecting his widespread influence and veneration across different Christian traditions.

Basil, a Cappodocian nobleman, studied profane letters at Athens together with his close friend, Gregory of Nazianzus, and took his sacred studies in a monastery.

Becoming marvelously proficient in both, he soon attained such excellence in learning and in his way of life that from then on he was given the name of The Great.

Summoned to preach the Gospel of Christ Jesus in Pontus, he called that province back to the way of salvation.

Soon he was asked by Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea, to aid him in teaching; and he succeeded Eusebius as bishop.

Basil was among the first to defend the consubstantiality of the Son with the Father; and by his miracles he caused Emperor Valens, who was angry with him and threatening him with exile, to give up any such intentions.

Basil's abstinence and continence were marvelled at; and he was constant in prayer, often spending the whole night in it.

He built monasteries, ordering the monastic life so that it would best combine the advantages of the solitary life with those of the active life.

He wrote many learned books; and, as Gregory of Nazianzus testifieth, no one hath explained the books of Holy Scripture more truly and fruitfully. He died on the 1st day of January.

(1) Saint Basil the Great | Biography, Facts, & Legacy | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Basil-the-Great.

(2) Basil of Caesarea - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil_of_Caesarea.

(3) Saint Basil the Great - Catholics for Catholics. https://cforc.com/2024/01/saint-basil-the-gr/.

(4) Basil the Great - World History Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/Basil_the_Great/.

(5) Saint Basil The Great | Encyclopedia.com. https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/philosophy-and-religion/saints/saint-basil-great.

St. Anthony of Padua June 13

St. Anthony of Padua, also known as Anthony of Lisbon, was born **Fernando Martins de Bulhões on August 15, 1195, in Lisbon, Portugal. He is one of the most beloved and revered saints in the Catholic Church, known for his powerful preaching, profound knowledge of scripture, and his devotion to the poor and sick.

Here are some key points about his life: - **Early Life**: Anthony was born into a wealthy family and was initially educated at the local cathedral school. At the age of 15, he joined the Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross³.

- **Joining the Franciscans**: Moved by the martyrdom of Franciscan missionaries, he became a Franciscan friar in 1220, adopting the name Anthony in honor of St. Anthony the Great³.

- **Preaching and Teaching**: Anthony was noted for his eloquent sermons that combined theological depth with practical wisdom. His teachings were so inspiring that he attracted crowds wherever he went³.

- **Miracles**: Many miracles are attributed to him, both during his life and after his death, earning him the title of "wonder-worker." He is often depicted holding the child Jesus, which is a reference to a miraculous vision he is said to have had³.

- **Death and Canonization**: St. Anthony died on **June 13, 1231**, in Padua, Italy, and was canonized less than a year after his death, which is one of the fastest canonization processes in history³. He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XII on **January 16, 1946**³.

St. Anthony is also the patron saint of lost items, and many people invoke his help when they lose something, using the traditional prayer, "Dear St. Anthony, please come around: something is lost, and it cannot be found."⁴

His feast day is celebrated on **June 13th**, and he is venerated as the patron saint of lost and stolen articles, the poor, travelers, and many more³⁴.

(1) Anthony of Padua - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_of_Padua. (2) St. Anthony of Padua - Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Anthony-of-Padua. (3) . https://bing.com/search?q=St.+Anthony+of+Padua. (4) St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. https://ap.church/. (5) Who is St. Anthony of Padua? | St Anthony Shrine. https://www.stanthony.org/who-st-anthony/.

Psalm 48:2 -13

48:2 Hear these things, all ye nations: * give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world.

48:3 All you that are earthborn, and you sons of men: * both rich and poor together.

48:4 My mouth shall speak wisdom: * and the meditation of my heart understanding

48:5 I will incline my ear to a parable; * I will open my proposition on the psaltery.

48:6 Why shall I fear in the evil day? * the iniquity of my heel shall encompass me.

48:7 They that trust in their own strength, * and glory in the multitude of their riches,

48:8 No brother can redeem, nor shall man redeem: * he shall not give to God his ransom,

48:9 Nor the price of the redemption of his soul: * and shall labour for ever, and shall still live unto the end.

48:11 He shall not see destruction, when he shall see the wise dying: * the senseless and the fool shall perish together:

48:11 And they shall leave their riches to strangers: * and their sepulchres shall be their houses for ever.

48:12 Their dwelling places to all generations: * they have called their lands by their names.

48:13 And man when he was in honour did not understand; * he is compared to senseless beasts, and is become like to them.

This way of theirs is a stumbling block to them: * and afterwards they shall delight in their mouth.

48:15 They are laid in hell like sheep: * death shall feed upon them.

48:15 And the just shall have dominion over them in the morning; * and their help shall decay in hell from their glory.

48:16 But God will redeem my soul from the hand of hell, * when he shall receive me.

48:17 Be not thou afraid, when a man shall be made rich, * and when the glory of his house shall be increased.

48:18 For when he shall die he shall take nothing away; * nor shall his glory descend with him.

48:19 For in his lifetime his soul will be blessed: * and he will praise thee when thou shalt do well to him.

48:20 He shall go in to the generations of his fathers: * and he shall never see light.

48:21 Man when he was in honour did not understand: * he hath been compared to senseless beasts, and made like to them.

Saint John of Sahagún June 12

Saint John of Sahagún, also known as Juan de Sahagún, was born around the year 1430 in Sahagún, Spain. He is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church and was canonized by **Pope Alexander VIII** on **October 16, 1690**.

John was the eldest of seven children in a wealthy family. He received his early education from the monks of the Royal Monastery of St. Benedict in Sahagún. He was ordained a priest in 1445 and became a canon at the Cathedral of Burgos. However, troubled by holding multiple benefices, he resigned all but one to lead a life of poverty and mortification.

He pursued further studies at the **University of Salamanca**, where he earned degrees in theology and canon law. As a preacher, he was known for his eloquence and ability to reconcile enemies, particularly among the nobles and factions of Salamanca.

In 1463, after recovering from a serious illness, John joined the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine and became known for his deep spirituality and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. He was also recognized for his gift of discerning consciences, making him an effective confessor. His sermons were powerful, often addressing the sins of both common people and the nobility, which made him many enemies. Despite attempts on his life, he continued his mission with serenity and sweetness.

Saint John of Sahagún passed away on June 11, 1479, and his feast is celebrated on June 12th. He is often depicted holding a chalice and host, symbolizing his devotion to the Eucharist². His life exemplifies humility, peacemaking, and a commitment to social justice, making him a beacon of faith in the Catholic tradition.


John, born of a noble family at Sahagun [St. Facundus] in Spain, was granted by God to his parents, who had long been childless, in answer to their good works and prayers. From his earliest years, he gave signs of his future holiness. When ordained priest, he renounced, of his own accord, all the ecclesiastical benefits which had been given him, that he might serve God in greater tranquillity. When he incurred a serious illness in Salamanca, he bound himself by vow to observe a severer discipline. To do so, he went to the monastery of St. Augustine, where there flourished the greatest severity of discipline. As a religious, he excelled the most advanced monks in all virtues. Through his public talks and private conversations, as well as the holiness of his life, he brought back to peaceful living the citizens of Salamanca, who had been disturbed by bloody factions. In the course of this work, he was not infrequently saved from imminent death by divine power. The Lord Christ often appeared to him while he was celebrating Mass. Often also he could divine the secrets of hearts and foretell the future. At length, having predicted the day of his death, he departed this life in a most holy way, glorified by many miracles both before and after his death. These miracles were duly proved, and Alexander VIII enrolled him in the number of the Saints.

(1) John of Sahagún - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_of_Sahag%C3%BAn. (2) St. John of Sahagun | EWTN. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/saints/john-of-sahagun-648. (3) John of Sahagún: The Beacon of Faith & Humility. https://catholicsaints.day/john-of-sahagun/. (4) FEAST OF SAINT JOHN OF SAHAGUN – 12th JUNE - Prayers and Petitions. https://www.prayersandpetitions.org/feast-of-saint-john-of-sahagun-12th-june-2/.

First Friday Mass on the same date as the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus June 7, 2024

A Most Holy Day The Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus has a rich history that dates back to the 17th century. The first liturgical feast of the Sacred Heart was celebrated on August 31, 1670, in Rennes, France, with the approval of the local bishop, thanks to the efforts of St. John Eudes. This celebration was influenced by the earlier devotions to the Sacred Heart that arose from meditations on the Five Wounds of Christ, particularly during the 11th century.

The devotion gained significant momentum following the reported revelations to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the late 1670s. She had visions of Christ, where He expressed His desire for the veneration of His heart, symbolizing His love for humanity.

In 1765, the feast received papal approval for use in Poland and Portugal, and later in other countries like Venice, Austria, and Spain. The feast became more universally recognized when, in 1856, Pope Pius IX extended it to the entire Latin Church, to be celebrated on the Friday after the Octave of Corpus Christi. It was elevated to the rank of first class by Pope Leo XIII in 1889.

The feast was further promoted to the highest rank, double of the first class, by Pope Pius XI in 1928, and an octave was added, although the octave was later suppressed in the liturgical reforms of 1955. With the changes in 1969, the feast was assigned the highest rank of solemnity, and the Mass prayers and readings were updated.

This feast is not only a time for the Catholic faithful to reflect on the love of Christ but also serves as a reminder of the enduring message of divine compassion and mercy that is central to Christian faith. It's celebrated with various religious practices, including Masses, processions, and acts of reparation, emphasizing the profound impact of Christ's love for all people.

(1) Feast of the Sacred Heart - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feast_of_the_Sacred_Heart.

(2) Five facts about the Sacred Heart of Jesus - Catholic Digest. https://www.catholicdigest.com/faith/spirituality/five-facts-about-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus/.

(3) Sacred Heart of Jesus | EWTN. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/seasons-and-feast-days/sacred-heart-of-jesus-14357.

(4) The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. https://sacredheartfla.org/sunday-mornings/seasonal/feast-days-solemnities/the-solemnity-of-the-most-sacred-heart-of-jesus/.

(5) Sacred Heart - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_Heart.

Saint Norbert of Xanten

Saint Norbert of Xanten, also known as Norbert Gennep, was a significant figure in the Catholic Church during the 12th century. Here are some key points about his life and work:

Early Life: Norbert was born around 1080 in Xanten, Duchy of Lower Lorraine, which is now part of Germany.

Ordination: He was ordained as a priest in 1115.

Founder of the Premonstratensians: Norbert founded a religious order known as the Premonstratensians, or the Norbertines. The order was built on the principles of love, selfless sharing, and radical hospitality.

Work: Norbert worked tirelessly to combat heresies, particularly those concerning the Blessed Sacrament. He also worked to revitalize the faith of many who had become indifferent. His order was effective in converting heretics, reconciling enemies, and rebuilding faith in indifferent believers.

Archbishop of Magdeburg: Norbert became the Archbishop of Magdeburg, a territory that was half pagan and half Christian. He continued his work for the Church in this position until his death on June 6, 1134.

Canonization: Norbert was canonized by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582.

Saint Norbert's feast day is celebrated on June 6, and among the Premonstratensians, it is celebrated on July 11. His life and work continue to inspire many people around the world. His order, the Premonstratensians, continues to serve the Church and communities worldwide.

(1) Norbert of Xanten - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norbert_of_Xanten.

(2) Saint Norbert of Xanten | German, Premonstratensian, Founder. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Norbert-of-Xanten.

(3) Saint Norbert | Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-norbert/.

(4) Who was St. Norbert? - Order of Prémontré - Premontre. https://premontre.org/who-was-st-norbert/.

(5) Who Is Norbert of Xanten? | St. Norbert College. https://www.snc.edu/cns/norbertofxanten/.

Saint Boniface

Saint Boniface, originally named Wynfrith, was born around 675 in Wessex, England. He became a Benedictine monk and then a priest. He made two attempts to convert the Frisian Saxons. In 718, he journeyed to Rome, where Pope Gregory II entrusted him with a mission to the pagans east of the Rhine and gave him the name Boniface. In 722 at Hesse, he founded the first of many Benedictine monasteries.

He was a leading figure in the Anglo-Saxon mission to the Germanic parts of Francia during the eighth century. He organized significant foundations of the church in Germany and was made bishop of Mainz by Pope Gregory III. He was martyred in Frisia in 754, along with 52 others, and his remains were returned to Fulda, where they rest in a sarcophagus which remains a site of Christian pilgrimage.

Boniface's life and death as well as his work became widely known, there being a wealth of material available. He is venerated as a saint in the Christian church and became the patron saint of Germania, known as the "Apostle to the Germans". Norman Cantor notes the three roles Boniface played that made him "one of the truly outstanding creators of the first Europe, as the apostle of Germania, the reformer of the Frankish church, and the chief fomentor of the alliance between the papacy and the Carolingian family".

Through his efforts to reorganize and regulate the church of the Franks, he helped shape the Latin Church in Europe, and many of the dioceses he proposed remain today. After his martyrdom, he was quickly hailed as a saint in Fulda and other areas in Germania and in England. He is still venerated strongly today by Catholics in Germany and throughout the German diaspora. Boniface is celebrated as a missionary; he is regarded as a unifier of Europe, and he is regarded by German Roman Catholics as a national figure.

Source: (1) Saint Boniface | English Missionary & Germanic Reformer. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Boniface.

(2) Saint Boniface summary | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/summary/Saint-Boniface.

(3) Saint Boniface - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Boniface.

(4) Saint Boniface I | Monastic, Reformer, Missionary | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Boniface-I.

Saint Francis Caracciolo June 6

Saint Francis Caracciolo, born as Ascanio dei Caracciolo Pisquizi on October 13, 1563, was an Italian Catholic priest who co-founded the Order of the Clerics Regular Minor. He was born in Villa Santa Maria in the Abruzzo region, in the Kingdom of Naples.

At the age of 22, he was afflicted by a severe skin disease, considered to be a form of leprosy at the time. During this illness, he made a vow that if he regained his health, he would dedicate his life to the service of God and his fellow men. His recovery was so rapid and complete that it was considered miraculous.

Following his recovery, he renounced all his properties and noble titles, and went to Naples to study for the priesthood. After his ordination, he joined the Confraternity of the White Servants of Justice, a group that looked after the spiritual welfare of prisoners and those condemned to death.

In 1588, he mistakenly received a letter intended for a relative, which led him to co-found the Order of the Clerics Regular Minor with John Augustine Adorno and Fabrizio Caracciolo. This order combined both active and contemplative life, with a particular dedication to the divine worship centered in the Eucharistic Devotions.

Saint Francis Caracciolo passed away on June 4, 1608. He was beatified in 1769 by Pope Clement XIV and canonized on May 24, 1807, by Pope Pius VII. He is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church, and his feast day is celebrated on June 4. He is also the patron saint of Naples, Italy, and Italian cooks.

(1) Francis Caracciolo - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Caracciolo.

(2) St. Francis Caracciolo - Adorno Fathers. https://www.adornofathers.org/about-us/st-francis-caracciolo/.

(3) St. Francis Caracciolo - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3439.

(4) Francis Caracciolo - Catholic Saints Day. https://catholicsaints.day/francis-caracciolo/.

(5) Saint Francis Caracciolo - CATHOLIC SAINTS. https://www.catholic-saints.info/roman-catholic-saints-a-g/saint-francis-caracciolo.htm.

Arise, O Lord, let not man prevail

During a reading from https://www.divinumofficium.com/

I came across this antiphon seen often in this Breviary. Take a look at the phrase and the explanation.

Arise, O Lord, let not man prevail.

The selected text, "Arise, O Lord, * let not man prevail," is a verse from the Bible, specifically Psalm 9:19.

This verse is found in various versions of the Bible with slight variations in wording, but the message remains the same.

It is a plea for God to rise up and not let mankind triumph, and for the nations to be judged in His presence.

This verse reflects a common theme in the Psalms, which often contain pleas for divine intervention and justice.

It helps my understanding. I'm not just reading something I don't grasp.

From Psalm 36 of Douay Rheims Bible

From Psalm 36 of Douay Rheims Bible.

I'm intereseted in absorbing the widom of the author.

This passage caught my attention:

Because the wicked shall perish. And the enemies of the Lord, presently after they shall be honoured and exalted, shall come to nothing and vanish like smoke. The sinner shall borrow, and not pay again; but the just sheweth mercy and shall give. For such as bless him shall inherit the land: but such as curse him shall perish. Here's one interpretation:

This passage is a reflection on the consequences of one's actions and attitudes towards God. Here's a breakdown:

"Because the wicked shall perish. And the enemies of the Lord, presently after they shall be honoured and exalted, shall come to nothing and vanish like smoke."** This suggests that those who act wickedly or oppose God, even if they seem to prosper temporarily, will ultimately face downfall and disappear like smoke.

"The sinner shall borrow, and not pay again; but the just sheweth mercy and shall give."** This contrasts the behavior of sinners, who are depicted as dishonest and untrustworthy, with the righteous, who are merciful and generous.

"For such as bless him shall inherit the land: but such as curse him shall perish."** This final part emphasizes the rewards for those who honor and bless God—they will inherit the land, a metaphor for receiving God's blessings. Conversely, those who curse or reject God will perish.

Overall, this passage underscores the theme of divine justice, where righteousness is rewarded and wickedness is punished. It encourages faithfulness, honesty, and mercy, while warning against wickedness and disrespect towards God. It's a reminder of the spiritual principles that govern life and the afterlife according to many religious beliefs.