April
4 - Saint Isidore of Seville, Bishop, Confessor, Doctor (560
- 636)
Regarded as one of the most brilliant theologians of his day,
Isidore taught the Truth of the gospel to many who had been deceived
by Arianism and other heresies of his day, and therefor deprived
of the fullness of the Gospel. He succeeded his brother, St.
Leander, in c. 601 as the archbishop of Seville, Spain. He was
charitable to the poor, and desired to spread religious learning
through advocating the founding of cathedral schools in every
town. Because he was responsible for creating the encyclopedia-like
"Etymologies," considered the Internet of its time,
he is now also the Patron Saint of the Internet.
May he be an example for our time, as
we try to preserve and share the Orthodox faith in an age in
which many "will not endure sound doctrine" and
have turned "away their ears from the truth." (The
day's epistle, page F 27, The People's Anglican Missal). The Day's Propers + Catholic
Encyclopedia Article + Internet
Patron Saint Holy Card
April 11
- Saint Leo the Great, Bishop of Rome (d. 461)
Leo is best known for his treatise (the Tome) on the Incarnation
of Christ, which was accepted at the Council of Chalcedon in
451. This work did much to solidify the orthodox view on the
divine and human natures of our LORD, against such heresies as
was expounded by Eutyches (who denied the two natures of Christ)
and Nestorius (who taught that in Jesus there were two persons).
Leo's love of worshipping God motivated
him to use his talents in crafting many collects and other pieces
of liturgical worship still in use today. "In the midst
of the congregation he opened his mouth: and the Lord filled
him with the spirit of understanding" (The day's introit,
page F 26, The People's Anglican Missal). The
Day's Propers + Catholic
Encyclopedia Article
April 14
- Saint Justin, Martyr (c, 100 - c. 165)
Born at Nablus (Samaria) around 100, Justin received a thorough
grounding in Greek philosophy, but discovered the real aim and
truth of life through the Word of Christ Jesus. He did, however,
use his philosophical knowledge to advocate the Gospel among
the Jews, heretics and other non-believers. His writings - the
two Apologies and the Dialogues with Trypho - reveal
the early Church's stand on Baptism, the Eucharist and other
matters of the faith. He was martyred for his faith, which he
confessed at his trial during the reign of the Roman Emperor
Marcus Aurelius.
Justin Martyr lived the words, "The
proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law: but
I will speak of thy testimonies also even before kings, and will
not be ashamed, alleluia, alleluia". (The day's introit,
page E 47, The People's Anglican Missal). The
Day's Propers + Catholic
Encyclopedia Article
April 21
- Saint Anselm, Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church (c. 1033
- 1109)
Anselm was a Benedictine monk, theologian, and the archbishop
of Canterbury. He is remembered for presenting theological works
using the rational method, thereby laying the foundation for
Scholasticism. He said of his faith, "I do not try to
understand in order to believe, but I believe in order to understand."
Anselm defended the Faith, practicing
the instruction St. Paul gave to Timothy to "Preach the
word; be instant in season, out of season: reprove, rebuke, exhort
with all long-suffering and doctrine." (The day's epistle,
page F 27, The People's Anglican Missal). The
Day's Propers + Click
for Catholic Encyclopedia Article
April 23
- Saint George, Patron Saint of England and Martyr (Davies
Jewelry has Medals of this Saint)
Not much is known about St. George, other than he suffered and
was martyred during the persecutions of Diocletian and Maximian.
He was most likely a soldier. Numerous legends were told regarding
him, the most enduring possibly being the slaying of a dragon
which required human sacrifices to appease it. Found first in
the 12th century in the manual called the "Golden Legend"
(also known as the Lombardica Historia) the legend no doubt was
meant to signify that devout men such as George stand firm in
their Faith and sacrifice all that they possess, even their lives,
in the face of an fearful and anti-Christian state. "I
endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain
the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory."
(The day's epistle, page E 50, The People's Anglican Missal).
The
Day's Propers
April 25
- Saint Mark, Evangelist (Davies
Jewelry has Medals of this Saint)
The author of the Gospel of Mark, he is believed to have been
John Mark in the Gospels, whose mother's house was used as a
meeting place for the Apostles. In addition, he is believed to
have been the young disciple who followed Christ after His arrest.
A travelling companion of both Paul and Barnabas, Mark was with
Paul during his arrest in Rome, and was a disciple of Peter.
The symbol of Mark the evangelist is the lion.
May God give us the grace "that,
being not like children carried away with every blast of vain
doctrine, we may be established in the truth" of the
gospel. (The day's collect, page E 51, The People's Anglican
Missal). Catholic
Encyclopedia Article + Prayer
book propers
April 30
- Saint Catherine of Sienna, Virgin (c. 1347 - 1380)
Catherine was the youngest of some twenty children of a Sienese,
Italian woman. Early on in her life she devoted herself to prayer
and penance. She refused marriage, insisting instead to be espoused
to Our Lord. She was a nun of the Dominican Third Order. She
visited the poor and sick often, and helped many to convert to
Christ. Because of her personal holiness, she received numerous
criticisms, both from her family and from those whom she met.
Nonetheless, many saw her as a living example of the Gospel of
Christ in action bringing light to those who sat in darkness.
"Thou has loved righteousness,
and hated iniquity: therefore God even thy God hat anointed thee
with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." (The day's
Introit, page F 39, The People's Anglican Missal). The Day's Propers + Catholic
Encyclopedia Article
