March 1 - David of Wales, Confessor
and Bishop (d. c. 601) 6th century monk and bishop
of Wales who, according to tradition, founded numerous monasteries
throughout England. He was known for his devout faith, asceticism,
works of charity and bold preaching, all of which led to a renewal
and strengthening of the body of Faithful throughout England
and Ireland. May we likewise forsake all for the furtherance
of the Kingdom of God. The
Day's Propers + Catholic Encyclopedia Article
March 6 - Saints
Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs (d. 7 March 203) Perpetua and Felicity were 2nd
century martyrs. We know the details of their lives prior to
and including their martyrdoms, thanks to the diary kept by Perpetua.
Both were catechumens arrested in Africa under the Roman rule
of Emperor Septimius Severus, who struck out at new Christian
converts, martyring the two of them at the arena at Carthage.
Whenever we celebrate the feast day of a martyr or martyrs, we
would do well to ask ourselves, "Am I willing to stand
up for the faith of Christ crucified, even unto death?"
" The ungodly laid wait for
me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies, O Lord:
I see that all things come to an end: but thy commandment is
exceeding broad. (The day's Introit, page F 42, The People's
Anglican Missal) The
Day's Propers + Catholic Encyclopedia Article
March 7 - Thomas
Aquinas, Confessor, Doctor of the Church (C. 1225 - 1274)
Dominican monk of the 13th century and
one of the Doctors of the Church, known for his holiness and
for training his brilliant intellect for the theological defense
of Christianity. His most acclaimed theological work is the "Summa
Theologica", in which he puts forth his thoughts on
the Divine mysteries through the Aristotelian method.
Pray that we too, "may both
understand aright the doctrine that he taught, and also follow
in all things the pattern of his conversation." (The
day's collect, page E 35, The People's Anglican Missal).
The Day's Propers
+Catholic Encyclopedia Article
March 10
- The Forty Holy Martyrs (4th Century) In 320 and during the reign
of Emperor Licinius, forty Roman soldiers stationed at a garrison
in Sebaste, Armenia were singled out and persecuted for their
Christian faith. The governor of Sebaste tried persuasion and
various means of torture to get them to apostatize, by demanding
that they offer sacrifices to idols. Refusing to do so, they
were stripped and forced to stand on a frozen pond all night,
while warm baths and a fire were posted on the bank to tempt
them. The soldiers prayed to God that they would not give in,
and so remain forty strong - symbolizing the forty days of fasting
by Christ, Moses and Elijah. Only one gave in, however, a soldier
standing watch over them took his place, making them again forty
in number. They all finally died from this torture.
During our Lenten trials, may these
men be our example for remaining steadfast in Christ. "The
righteous cry and the Lord heareth them: and delivereth them
out of all their troubles." (The day's introit, page
E 35, The People's Anglican Missal). The
Day's Propers + Catholic Encyclopedia Article
March 12
- Saint Gregory the Great, Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church
(c. 540 - 604) One of the four great doctors
of the Western Church who, as Pope, is best known for the conversion
of England and for enriching and codifying liturgical worship
and music. Born the son of a Roman senator in 540, Gregory used
his personal wealth to begin six Benedictine monasteries in Sicily
and one in Rome. His ascetic practices helped him remain focused
on Christ.
"Blessed is the man that feareth
the Lord : he hath great delight in his commandments." (The
day's tract, page E 37, The People's Anglican Missal).The Day's Propers
+ Catholic Encyclopedia Article
March 17
- Saint Patrick, Bishop and Confessor (c. 390 - c. 460)
Born a Britain, Patrick was captured
by pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland. During his six years
as a slave, he prayed often and came to know our Lord, whom he
had previously taken for granted. God revealed to him in a dream
that he would be freed from slavery, and upon his return to Britain,
he studied for the priesthood and was ordained. Patrick then
felt called to return to the land of his captors to spread the
Gospel, thereby helping in the conversion of Ireland. May God
grant us like patience in our afflictions, so that we might bring
forth fruit for the greater glory of Almighty God.
"The Lord sent a man before
them, even Joseph, who was sold to be a bond-servant. Until the
time came that his cause was known, the word of the Lord tried
him." (The day's gradual, page E 37, The People's Anglican
Missal). The
Day's Propers + Catholic Encyclopedia Article + Confession
of Saint Patrick
March 18
- St Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop (C. 315 - 386) Cyril is best known for remaining
steadfast in the Orthodox faith in the face of the Arian heresy,
which denied the divinity of Christ. He was often persecuted
and even banished from his Jerusalem see for his beliefs; however,
nothing dissuaded him from preaching Christ fully divine and
fully man.
We thank God for members of Christ's
body, the Church, who have stood up for the Faith, no matter
the cost to them personally, so that the Church of future generations
would know the only true God, and Jesus Christ. The Day's Propers + Catholic Encyclopedia Article
March 19
- Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Virgin Mary Joseph is truly a saint for
our times - a day in which so many families are marked by fathers
who choose not to fulfill their responsibilities and promises
both to their wives and children. Joseph stands as an example
of one who responds to God's presence in life - for him his dream,
in which he was told, "fear not to take unto thee Mary
thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost,"
(The day's gospel, page E 40, The People's Anglican Missal).
The
Day's Propers + Catholic Encyclopedia Article
March
20 - Saint Cuthbert, Monk and Bishop (c. 634 - 687) Monk and Bishop of Lindisfarne
from 685-687, Cuthbert is known for his piety and zeal for preaching,
teaching and visiting the people of his diocese. Pious tradition
has it that he was blessed with the gifts of prophecy and of
healing. May the Church continue to be blessed by such powerful
apostles and priests.
"Let thy priests be clothed
with righteousness, and let thy Saints sing with joyfulness;
for thy servant David's sake, turn not away the presence of thine
Anointed." (The day's introit,
page F 24, The People's Anglican Missal). The
Day's Propers + Catholic Encyclopedia Article
March 21
- Saint Benedict of Nursia, Abbot (c. 480 - 550) The father of Western monasticism,
Benedict renounced the worldly education he was receiving as
a youth in Rome, and became a hermit in Subiaco, Italy. He began
a monastery there, which was followed by another one in Monte
Cassino. In all, he created twelve monasteries of twelve monks
each,which were called "schools for the Lord's service."
He lived the remainder of his life with a small band of monks
at Monte Cassino, where he composed what would come to be known
as the Rule of Saint Benedict - marked by prudence, obedience
and monastic zeal. Unique among rules, his provides both founding
principles and an outline of the monastic way of life. Having
never been ordained, Benedict serves as a model for all in our
day, of faithfulness and a godly focus of life.
"And everyone that hath forsaken
houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife,
or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold,
and shall inherit everlasting life." (The
day's gospel, page F 34, The People's Anglican Missal). The Day's Propers + Catholic Encyclopedia Article
March
24 - Saint Gabriel, Archangel
In the Old Testament Gabriel, whose name means 'Power of God,'
is mentioned as appearing onto Daniel to help him with the interpretations
of his visions as to the time of Christ's birth. In the New Testament,
he proclaims the birth of John the Baptist to his father, Zachariah.
However, Gabriel is most known for announcing onto the Virgin
Mary that she would be the 'God-bearer' of the Son of God through
conception by the Holy Ghost.
"Hail, Mary, full of grace;
the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women: and blessed
is the fruit of thy womb." (The day's tract, page E
42, The People's Anglican Missal). The
Day's Propers + Catholic Encyclopedia article
March 25
- The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Davies
Jewelry has Medals of this Saint)
The Archangel Gabriel announced onto Mary that she would bear
God's only Son. Mary, being a godly woman, did not question the
conception of Our Lord by the Holy Ghost in her womb, nor the
enormous responsibility of being the Mother of God. She was rewarded
for her faith in believing that . . ."with God nothing
shall be impossible: And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the
Lord, be it unto me according to thy word." (The day's
gospel, page E 44, The People's Anglican Missal).Catholic Encyclopedia article + Prayer
book propers
March 27
- Saint John Damascene, Confessor, Doctor (c. 675 - c. 749
John, surnamed Damascene (or of Damascus), lived under Muslim
rule. He is remembered for defending the preservation of icons
at a time when Muslims and other Iconoclasts ("destroyers
of images", in Greek) were doing their deeds. One of his
most important theological works, "De Fide Orthodox"
- which is part of his larger work, the 'Fount of Wisdom'
- deals with the Incarnation and of the Real Presence in
the Eucharist. Because of his orthodox understanding of the Incarnation
it follows that he would be a defender of . . ".the honour
of holy images, having been endued by God with,heavenly learning
and wondrous strength of spirit." . .(The day's collect,
page E 45, The People's Anglican Missal).The
Day's Propers + Click for Catholic Encyclopedia article
