David of Wales

Saint David of Wales

Also known as

· David the Briton
· Degui
· Dewi
· Dewi Sant
· Dewid
· Dewm
· Dewn
· Dmui

memorial
· 1 March

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Saint David, unlike Saint Grwst, has a couple of vowels in his name so as such he is the more popular patron of Wales. Take a gander at some of his other cognomen’s though….he is pretty lucky David is what he goes by. David was born to Welsh royalty, and is the uncle of Arthur, King of the Britons. He was the founder of many monasteries, schools churches and the like; he was consecrated Bishop and later Archbishop of Wales.

After a vision in his monastery he set out next day with two monks to Jerusalem to aid the Patriarch. While there it is said, his preaching converted many anti-Christians. This may be legendary as I find it difficult to believe the natives of Jerusalem understood the Welsh Language: “Mae fy hofrenfad yn llawn llyswennod!” *

Wales has always been a fountain of fantastic legends it is home to giants and other incredible beasts. Naturally, our saint’s life is no exception it is filled with fantastic stories. Legend says that once while he was preaching, a dove descended to his shoulder to show he had the blessings of the Spirit, and that the earth rose to lift him high above the people so that they all could hear him. Another time when he was preaching to a crowd at Llandewi Brefi, people on the outer edges could not hear, so he spread a handkerchief on the ground, stood on it, and the ground beneath rose up in a pillar so all could hear.

On St Patrick’s Day the Irish wear shamrocks. On St. David’s day the Welch wear leeks.

Born
· c.542 at Menevia (now Saint David’s), Wales

Died
· c.601 at Mynyw, Wales (no comment) of natural causes

Name Meaning
· bevoweled one

Patronage
· doves
· Wales

Representation
· preaching on a hill
· dove
· Celtic bishop with long hair, a beard, and a dove perched on his shoulder
· holding his cathedral
· leeks
· man standing on a pillar with a dove on his shoulder

*The Eels have gotten into my hovercraft

Walpurgis

Saint Walpurgis

Also known as
· Bugga
· Gaudurge
· Vaubourg
· Walpurga
· Walburga

memorial
· 25 February
· 1 May (translation of relics to Eichstätt)

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Our Saint today was the Daughter of the King of Wessex England, she was from a religious family and eventually became a nun.

Beginning in 748, she evangelized and healed the pagans in what is now Germany. After her death, many cures are ascribed to the oil that exudes from a rock on which her relics were placed. Add this healing oil to the stories of her healing skills in life, explains her patronage of plague, rabies, coughs, etc. This oil, like the Manna of St. Nicholas, is also why the location of her relics is important to many. Her remains have been moved around a lot…at least three times that I can find. When a saint’s relics are moved officially to a different resting place it is called “translating” their remains or relics. It is usually accompanied by a lot of local hoopla and fanfare.

The hoopla and fanfare is so great that many dates of a saint’s “translation of relics” is celebrated as a separate feast. The night of May 1st, the date of the translation of her relics to Eichstätt in 870, is known as Walpurgis Night. In the lovely mother tongue of the Whip it is called Walpugisnacht (make sure you spit gutturally from the back of your throat at the “ch” when you say “Eichstatt” and “nacht”) and is a pagan festival marking the beginning of summer and the revels of witches much like All Hallows Eve (Halloween) and Candlemas Eve. Modern Wiccans also celebrate this feast and mistakenly feel it is only paying homage to “Nature”.

In that vein I recommend “Hostage to the Devil” by Father Malachi Martin. It is a book about five supposedly true accounts of Demonic possession in the 20th century. I was frightened reading it. In 4 of the 5 cases the Demon involved posed itself to the possessed as a “deity of nature” so you Wiccans are deluding yourselves. Alistair Crowley, who many call the founder of modern Wicca belief, was quite clear on this in his writings.

Anyhoo…..Though the saint had no connection with this festival, her name became associated with witchcraft and country superstitions because of the date. It is possible that the protection of crops ascribed to her, represented by three ears of corn in her icons, may have been transferred to her from Mother Earth and the connection to this pagan holiday. Pagan myth says an unmarried woman who sleeps nude on Walprgisnight (May 1st) will have her future husband appear to her in a dream.

On Walpurgisnight (May 1st) remember, the Enemy HATES St. Mike, a servant of the Fightin’ Jesus:

Saint Michael the Archangel,
Defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
And do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
By the Divine Power of God -
Cast into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits,
Who prowl throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen

Born
· c.710 England

Died
· 25 February 779, Germany

Patronage

· against coughs
· against dog bites
· against famine
· against hydrophobia
· against mad dogs
· against plague
· against rabies
· against storms
· boatmen
· Eichstätt, Germany, diocese of
· harvests
· mariners
· sailors
· watermen

Polycarp of Smyrna

Saint Polycarp of Smyrna

Memorial
· 23 February

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Polycarp was an associate, disciple and friend of the beloved apostle, Saint John. When John was exiled to the island of Patmos, Polycarp succeeded him as bishop of Smyrna. As a close friend and confidant of John, who was a close companion of the Son of God remember, John was a man most like Jesus in temperament and attitude, Polycarp was a well respected and a revered Christian leader during the first half of the second century.

He was chosen by the eastern churches to represent them to Pope Cletus on the question of the date of the Easter celebration. Cletus was the third pope, and Polycarp…a disciple of the Apostle John, from the eastern Church, asked the Pope, in Rome’s, permission to celebrate the Eucharist…tell that to the dopey hat wearers…..

He wrote many letters unfortunately only one has survived the one he wrote to the Church of Philippi, Macedonia. The martyr Saint Ignatius, bishop of Antioch was a student of Polycarp. Ignatius wrote seven letters, while he was being led to Rome to meet his own martyrdom; one of these letters was to Polycarp.

Polycarp was so well respected in the Christian community when the persecutions began, Polycarp became a prime target. In order to make a public show, Our Saint at age 86, was to be burned alive in a stadium in Smyrna. When the fire was lit apparently even though engulfed, the flames did not harm him, so a well placed dagger thrust delivered by an overzealous soldier finally killed him, the gush of blood that issued forth extinguished the flames. Later his lifeless body was burned.

The Acts of Polycarp’s martyrdom are the earliest preserved reliable account of a Christian martyr’s death:

When [St. Polycarp] had said, “Amen” and finished the prayer, the officials at the pyre lit it. But, when a great flame burst out, those of us privileged to see it witnessed a strange and wonderful thing. Like a ship’s sail swelling in the wind, the flame became as it were a dome encircling the martyr’s body. Surrounded by the fire, his body was like bread that is baked, or gold and silver white-hot in a furnace, not like flesh that has been burnt. So sweet a fragrance came to us that it was like that of burning incense or some other costly and sweet-smelling gum.

He is the patron saint of dysentery which is still the number one killer of children worldwide. I have no idea why he is the patron of this intestinal malady…..He's also patron against earache.

He is considered an Apostolic Father.

Born
· c.69

Died
c.155 at Smyrna

Patronage
against dysentery
against earache
Help in finding a parking spot (no joke…I think it is because his name sort of rhymes with spot, like Mother Cabrini when waiting for a bus or train.)

Prayers:
“Poly-CARP find me a SPOT”

“Mother Cabrini send a machini.” (see above)

I found this prayer to Polycarp on some dude’s Facebook page:

"Listen bro, I haven't made it to Mass while I was down here in Cancun on spring break, but like, I've got some of Montezuma's Revenge going on and oh, no! Help me Polycarp! I just bought these pants!"

Lent-Friday

 

Ash Wednesday

 

Ash Wednesday

 

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent.    Today is a day of Fast and Abstinence it is NOT a Holy Day of Obligation so don’t make yourself crazy trying to run around to “get ashes”.   That is not the important thing to do today…..Lent is a good time to set things right with God and our fellow man.  

 

In my diocese, we’re not supposed to give ashes to the faithful by smearing them in the forehead this year, we’re supposed to sprinkle ashes on the top of everyone’s head without direct contact.   So don’t be surprised if your Ash Wednesday is not what you expect in the ash department. 

 

More importantly, If you haven’t been to confession in a while, give it a try…there is no better time than Lent to do this.   Don’t be afraid.  It is a healing experience.  In reconciliation, don’t forget purification in the form of Church Indulgences.  

 

Remember gang, Fast and Abstinence on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday:

 

1) No meat.  (You may eat fish, cheese and beans).  This is abstinence, The Church requires its members to abstain from eating meat on Fridays as an act of penitence.  During Lent, this law applies to Catholics even in the U.S.       This law applies to all Catholics who are over the age of 14.

 

2) I full meal and two smaller snacks/collations if you need them for strength.  This is how Catholics Fast.  The Bishops in the United States have defined the minimum requirement of the fast for U.S. Catholics to be one full (but not excessive) meal plus other food not to exceed the full meal which may be taken in part at breakfast, noon or evening, depending on when one decides to take the “one full meal”. This law applies to Catholics between the age of 18 and 59. 

Simeon of Metz

Today is Fat Tuesday!    Lent begins tomorrow!   It is also:

Saint Simeon of Metz
memorial
16 February

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Our Saint today was a fourth century bishop of Metz, France.

Metz held a strategic position near the border of France and Germany. After the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, the area was annexed by the newly created German Empire in 1871 The German Army decided to build a fortress line from Mulhouse to Luxembourg to protect their new territories.

In World War II General Patton proved to Germany, and the world that fixed fortifications are a monument to the stupidity of man. If the Alps could be conquered anything made by man can as well.   Again, I digress......

Our Lady of Lourdes

Our Lady of Lourdes:

Memorial:
11 February

Back in 1858, on this date Bernadette Soubirous went with her sister and a friend to collect some firewood and bones in order to be able to buy some bread. The family was dirt poor. Bernadette was a sickly child as well. When she took off her shoes and stockings to wade through the water near the Cave of Massabielle, she saw a light in the grotto and a Lady, dressed all in white, apart from a blue belt fastened around her waist and golden yellow roses, one on each foot. Subsequently, Bernadette was told by the Lady to return to the Grotto over a period of two weeks.

News spread and Bernadette started a popular movement of followers and hecklers/disbelievers at the Grotto on specified dates and times to see her go into a religious ecstasy at the presence of the apparition. Bernadette received seventeen more visions, in the next five months, and was led to a spring of healing waters which soon became a focal point of pilgrimage, and continues to flow to this day.

As word spread, this water was given to medical patients of all kinds, and miracle cures, lacking medical explanations, were reported. Local officials in the government and church became increasingly concerned about the popular appeal of the Grotto they limited access to the site. Pilgrims still came…. In the process, Lourdes became a national issue in France, resulting in the intervention of emperor Napoleon III with an order to reopen the grotto.

On 18 January 1860, the local bishop finally declared that: The Virgin Mary did appear indeed to Bernadette Soubirous. The miraculous cures continue at Lourdes to this day. Ask any Metro North Railroad trackworker who visited there after his big settlement for the debilitating back injury he got on the job.

Eventually, Bernadette became a nun and took the name Sister Mary Bernard. She lived for years and eventually died in agony with trabecular tuberculosis (TB of the Bone), which began, in her leg. This story is done pretty well in the movie “The Song of Bernadette” I recommend it highly. Bernadette was canonized on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in 1925 her feast is April 16th.

Although famous for its cures there are really only 70 cases considered miraculous by the Church. That’s less than 1%. The latest cure declared in 2018. There is an association of medical practitioners called The Lourdes Medical Bureau (Association Médicale Internationale de Lourdes) based in Lourdes, France. It is an official organization within the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, but is administered and run only by secu;ar medical professionals. Its major function is the medical investigation of apparent cures associated with the shrine of Lourdes. Any medical provider or nurse practicing in or visiting Lourdes may apply to become members of the Lourdes Medical Bureau. Members are given (and invited to wear) a small but distinctive badge displaying a red cross on a white background surmounted by the word Credo ("I believe"). However, members of any religious affiliation, or none are welcomed. I applied, and was conditionally accepted, but they said in order to get the badge I need to go to Lourdes and appear in person at the Medical Bureau…I want the badge, but I’m not sure it is worth the trip to France…..

At my home parish, Notre Dame in New Hyde Park, we are under the patronage of Our Lady of Lourdes. We have a very nice Grotto in replica of the Grotto in France, it was blessed by Bishop Sheen back in the day.

Soteris the Martyr

Today is the feast of St. Scholastica we did her last year so today I present:

Saint Soteris the Martyr

memorial
10 February

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Our Saint for today was an ancestor of Saint Ambrose of Milan, at least he would proudly claim to be a descendant of hers as he contemplated the importance of beekeeping and other things. Soteris was a well fixed and wealthy Roman Christian in the third century. It is said she was a beautiful young woman, as all early Christians were apparently, good thing some of my cousins weren’t around then….In spite of her beauty Soteris would go around in simple dress and minimal ornamentation, so men would ignore her like they ignore my cousins. She led a simple prayerful life, it was almost as a precursor to the female religious orders in years to come.

In reading her story I was reminded of Wilmer McClean. The American Civil war began in Wilmer’s front yard and ended in his parlor. The First Battle of Bull Run (First Mannasas) took place on McLean's farm, the Union Army artillery fired at McLean's house, which was being used as a headquarters for Confederate Brigadier General P. G. T. Beauregard, and a cannonball dropped through the kitchen fireplace. After this he decided to move to southern Virginia to get away from the action and a desire to protect his family from a repetition of their combat experience. He moved to Appomattox County, Virginia, near a dusty, crossroads community called Appomattox Court House. In 1865 Lee surrendered to Grant in the parlor of McLean's house, in Appomattox…. effectively ending the Civil War.

Anyhoo, our Saint was arrested by the Emperor Decius’ sinister Agents and tortured for her faith. She was eventually released, undaunted and still full of faith, she returned to her prayerful life. Fifty years later she was arrested again, this time by the sinister Agents of Emperor Diocletian. He was a bit more serious about the pagan god sacrifice thing, naturally Soteris told him to take a hike. On this date in or about the year 302, Diocletian had her beaten and beheaded, which is almost always effective in making martyrs. In spite of all this all records indicate that, no matter the torture, she never once cried out, or flinched or showed weakness in any way. She was buried in the Catacombs of San Callisto.

Cuaran the Wise

Saint Cuaran the Wise

Also known as
• Curvinus the Wise
• Cronan the Wise

memorial
• 9 February

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Our Saint today was not The White Wizard living in Isengard, that was Saruman the Wise,  rather he was a Bishop in Ireland. As many spiritual people will tell you, sometimes the more secular requirements of our lives get so overwhelming that our prayer life suffers. It is tough sometimes to pray and easy not to pray, no one will really know if we don’t…except HIM, and because of this the first thing we tend to jettison, , when the world becomes overwhelming, is praying. Usually at a time when we need to pray more.

Anyhoo, when the requirements of the office crowded out his prayer life, Cuaran moved out of town, disguised his identity, and became a monk. His cognomen is “The Wise” not “the Master of Disguise” soooo, he was quickly recognized by Saint Columba no less, and returned to his duty, I like to think the miter on a guy trying to look inconspicuous, in some coffee shop somewhere was a dead giveaway, . It is said he was called “the Wise” due to his extensive knowledge of the canons of the Church clearly not for his masquerade ability.

He died about the year 700

Josephine Bakhita

Saint Josephine Bakhita

Also known as

Giuseppina Bakhita
Madre Moretta
Sister Moretta

memorial
8 February

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Our Saint for today was born in the year 1868 to wealth and high standing in the Darfur region of the Sudan, like Abdullah the Butcher. Unlike Abdullah (the Madman from the Sudan), Josephine was kidnapped by human traffickers; slave traders at 9 years of age. She was sold around the slave markets in Northern Africa until the Italian consul bought her with the intention of freeing her when he got back to Italy in 1885. She was treated well in Italy and grew to love the country. She eventually became a convert to Christianity.

She became a Daughter of Charity and served that order for the next 50 years. She was a comfort to the poor they served due to her gentle demeanor. Her biography was published in 1930 because of this Josephine became a noted and sought after speaker, raising funds to support the missions.

The Church has designated Saint Josephine’s feast day as an international day of prayer to stop human trafficking.

The Mad Man from the Sudan

She was Canonized on the 1st of October 2000 by Pope John Paul II, probably the only Saint from the Sudan....Abdullah the Butcher surely won't become a saint without a lot of purification; God is very impatient with foreign objects being brought into the ring behind the referees back but obvious from our vantage point....

Died

8 February 1947 of natural causes in Italy

Theophilus the Penitent

Saint Theophilus the Penitent

memorial
4 February

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Today’s is a particularly interesting saint. Theophilus, whose name means God Lover, was the Archdeacon (HDIC) of Adana in Cilicia (modern Turkey). He was eventually offered the bishopric. Yes, back then, deacons were often elevated to bishop, they're clergy after all,  he declined, saying he was not adequate to the task. Other clergy in that see were jealous or politically motivated or both so they started rumors and slandered the good Deacon. The new bishop maybe motivated by jealousy for not being asked to be bishop first, or for other reasons believed this slander and removed him from his position in the Church completely.

Legend says that in anger, Theo signed a pact with the Devil to avenge himself on the bishop and regain his position. He quickly realized the error of his ways and came to his senses, he begged for the help of Our Lady who intervened, recovered the pact, and tore it up. The pact was burned in the public square. This story has figured in many dramas since, most notably Goethe's Faust.

Died
c.538

Representation
archdeacon making a pact with the devil from which he is rescued by the Virgin; sometimes she is shown handing him back the contract

Ives

Today is also the feast of St. Blase as I’m sure you all know. For what its worth:

Through the intercession of Saint Blase, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit.

It is also the feast of:

Saint Ives

Also known as
Hia
Ia

memorial
3 February

Profile

Our saint today was a 5th century Missionary to Cornwall, (where they make great pasties) with as many as 777 companions. Legend says that to reach Cornwall, she sailed across the Irish Sea on a leaf, a leaf mind you.

Saint Ives, Cornwall is named for her. She was a martyr somehow. Creams, soaps and body lotions are named for her too, I don’t know why.

She was martyred in the year 450 at the River Hayle, in Cornwall.

I remember her because of the riddle:

As I was going to St. Ives;
I met a man with seven wives;
And every wife had seven sacks;
And every sack had seven cats;
And every cat had seven kits;
Kits, Cats, Sacks, Wives, how many were going to St. Ives?

Candlemas

Presentation of the Infant Jesus in the Temple

Also known as:
• Our Lady of the Candles
• Candlemas
• Purification of the Blessed Virgin

Feast
• 2 February

About the Feast

According to the Mosaic Law, 40 days after the birth of a child a new mother had to “purify” herself by offering a sacrifice to God. Today would be 40 days after Christmas, and therefore the Purification of the Blessed Virgin.

The practice of “Churching a Woman” after childbirth is a throwback to this Old Testament, post partum purification. Back when Roman Catholicism was much more fun, it was very common that mothers did not come to church, even for their newborn’s baptism, prior to 40 days after birth and their “full recovery”. There is a short ceremony in the church vestibule, the priest, vested in surplice and white stole, sprinkles her with holy water in the form of a cross. Recites scripture and leads her into the church. It is still pretty common in Ireland I’m told.

Traditionally, all the candles used in church are blessed on this day commemoration of the words of Simeon concerning Christ “a light to the revelation of the Gentiles” and a procession with lighted candles is held in the church to represent the entry of Christ, the Light of the World, into the Temple of Jerusalem. In the Middle Ages there were candles everywhere in the Cathedrals, like a warehouse of wax, laying around today waiting for the Bishop to bless them. This blessing ceremony is why we call it “Candlemas”.

The tradition of “Groundhog Day” is really a Protestantization and debasing of a Middle Ages custom for this day, it was said:

If Candlemas be clear and bright then winter shall put up a fight;
If Candlemas there be rain then winter shall not come again

Or:

If Candlemas be dry and fair
The half o' winters to come, and more
If Candlemas day be wet and foul
The half o' winter's gone at Yule.

All apologies to Puxatawney Phil, but why did we need to change this holy day into paying reverence to a rodent?