Episodes

  • December 31: Saint Sylvester I, Pope—Optional Memorial

    December 31: Saint Sylvester I, Pope—Optional Memorial
    Dec 30 2024
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    December 31: Saint Sylvester I, Pope—Optional Memorial

    c. Late Third Century–335
    Patron Saint of animals, harvests, and stonemasons
    Pre-Congregation canonization
    Liturgical Color: White

    Quote: And so, on the first day after receiving the mystery of the holy baptism, and after the cure of my body from the squalor of the leprosy, I recognized that there was no other God save the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; whom the most blessed Sylvester the pope doth preach…And when, the blessed Sylvester preaching them, I perceived these things, and learned that by the kindness of St. Peter himself I had been entirely restored to health: I…decree that his holy Roman church shall be honored with veneration; and that, more than our empire and earthly throne, the most sacred seat of St. Peter shall be gloriously exalted; we giving to it the imperial power, and dignity of glory, and vigor and honor. And we ordain and decree that he shall have the supremacy as well over the four chief seats Antioch, Alexandria, Constantinople and Jerusalem, as also over all the churches of God in the whole world. ~From the legendary “Donation of Constantine”

    Prayer:
    Saint Sylvester, you were privileged not only to be elected pope, but to do so during a time of great progress and transformation for the Church. You took control and navigated the Church at this crucial and pivotal time by God’s grace and hard work. Please pray for me, that I will wholeheartedly embrace the mission given to me by Christ, so that God can use me for important work in this day and age. Saint Sylvester, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

    Source of content: mycatholic.life
    Copyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

    Image: Public domain via Wikimedia
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    12 mins
  • December 29: Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr—Optional Memorial

    December 29: Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr—Optional Memorial
    Dec 28 2024
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    December 29: Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr—Optional Memorial

    c. 1119–1170
    Patron Saint of clergy
    Canonized by Pope Alexander III on February 21, 1173
    Liturgical color: White (Red only where celebrated as a Feast)

    Quote:
    Remember the profession, which you made and placed in writing upon the altar at Westminster, to preserve the Church’s liberties, when you were consecrated and anointed to be king. Restore the Church of Canterbury, from which you received your promotion and consecration, to the state in which it was in the days of our predecessors, with all its possessions, castles, manors, and farms, and all other property that has been taken away from any of my men, whether clerks or laymen, and allow us to resume our duties in the aforesaid Church, without trouble or molestation. If your majesty will consent to this, I am prepared to serve you with all obedience as my beloved lord and sovereign, as far as lies in my power SAVING THE HONOUR OF GOD AND OF THE ROMAN CHURCH, AND MY OWN ORDER. But if you will not do these things, know for a certainty that you shall feel the severity of God’s vengeance! ~From a letter to King Henry II by Saint Thomas Becket

    Prayer:
    Saint Thomas Becket, you lived much of your life in a worldly pompous way, but upon being consecrated a bishop, you turned to a life of prayer, penance, and defense of the Church. Please pray for me, that I will also turn from all worldly attractions and will devote myself wholeheartedly to the service of God and His Church. Saint Thomas Becket, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

    Source of content: mycatholic.life
    Copyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

    Public domain via Wikimedia
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    14 mins
  • December 28: Holy Innocents, Martyrs—Feast

    December 28: Holy Innocents, Martyrs—Feast
    Dec 22 2025
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    December 28: Holy Innocents, Martyrs—Feast

    AD 1
    Patron Saints of babies, abandoned babies, children’s choirs, students, and altar servers
    Invoked against ambition, jealousy
    Pre-Congregation canonization
    Liturgical Color: Red

    Quote:
    When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: “A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more.” ~Matthew 2:16–18

    Prayer:
    Dear Holy Innocents, you were treated with the utmost cruelty even before you were capable of understanding such cruelty. God permitted your suffering, and now He exalts you forever as the first witnesses to Him who shed your blood. Please pray for me, that I will always bear witness to Christ in my life and will walk with peace and joy amidst the sufferings in this life. Holy Innocents, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

    Source of content: mycatholic.life
    Copyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

    Public domain via Wikimedia
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    9 mins
  • The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—Feast

    The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—Feast
    Dec 22 2025
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    The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—Feast
    Sunday within the Octave of Christmas

    Liturgical Color: White

    Quote:
    How I would like to return to my childhood and attend the simple yet profound school that is Nazareth! How wonderful to be close to Mary, learning again the lesson of the true meaning of life, learning again God’s truths…First, we learn from its silence…The silence of Nazareth should teach us how to meditate in peace and quiet, to reflect on the deeply spiritual, and to be open to the voice of God’s inner wisdom and the counsel of his true teachers…Second, we learn about family life…May it show us the family’s holy and enduring character and exemplify its basic function in society: a community of love and sharing, beautiful for the problems it poses and the rewards it brings, in sum, the perfect setting for rearing children—and for this there is no substitute. ~Pope Paul VI, Address from Nazareth

    Prayer:
    Most Holy Family of Nazareth, you were a true school of love in which the perfection of family love grew strong. Please bestow upon me, my family, and families everywhere the grace needed to more fully imitate the love you shared, so that families everywhere will continue to be the fundamental building block of the world. Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, pray for us and have mercy on all. Jesus, I trust in You.

    Source of content: mycatholic.life
    Copyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.


    Image: Public domain via Wikimedia: Main
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    12 mins
  • December 27: Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist—Feast

    December 27: Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist—Feast
    Dec 21 2025
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    December 27: Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist—Feast

    Early First Century–c. 101
    Patron Saint of arms manufacturers, art dealers, authors, basketmakers, bookbinders, booksellers, publishers, butchers, candlemakers, compositors, editors, engravers, friendships, glaziers, government officials, harvests, lithographers, notaries, painters, papermakers, printers, saddlemakers, scholars, sculptors, theologians, and winemakers
    Invoked against burns, epilepsy, foot problems, hailstorms, and poisoning
    Pre-Congregation canonization
    Liturgical color: White

    Quote:
    Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?” It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written. ~John 21:20–25

    Prayer:
    Saint John the Apostle, at a young age you heard Jesus’ call to follow Him, and you willingly accepted. During His ministry, you grew in a profound and mystical love of your Lord, and that love increased throughout your life. Please pray for me, that this pure and holy love will increase in my life so that I can share that love with others. Saint John the Apostle, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

    Source of content: mycatholic.life
    Copyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.


    Main image: public domain
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    15 mins
  • December 26: Saint Stephen, the First Martyr—Feast

    December 26: Saint Stephen, the First Martyr—Feast
    Dec 21 2025
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    December 26: Saint Stephen, the First Martyr—Feast

    Early First Century–c. 33–36
    Patron Saint of altar servers, builders, casket makers, deacons, horses, masons, and quarrymen
    Invoked against headaches
    Pre-Congregation canonization
    Liturgical Color: Red

    Quote:
    “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always oppose the Holy Spirit; you are just like your ancestors. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They put to death those who foretold the coming of the righteous one, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become. You received the law as transmitted by angels, but you did not observe it.” When they heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together. They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them;” and when he said this, he fell asleep. ~Acts 7:51–60

    Prayer:
    Saint Stephen, you were graced to be the first follower of Christ who was martyred for your faith. You did not shy away from the cruelty and hatred of your persecutors but spoke the truth to them and prayed that they be forgiven. Please also pray for me, that I will be forgiven for the sins I have committed against others and will follow you by offering my life wholeheartedly to Christ every day of my life. Saint Stephen, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

    Source of content: mycatholic.life
    Copyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.


    Image, public domain via Wikimedia: Main
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    15 mins
  • December 25: Nativity of the Lord—Solemnity

    December 25: Nativity of the Lord—Solemnity
    Dec 24 2024
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    December 25: Nativity of the Lord—Solemnity

    Quote:
    In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. ~Luke 2:1–7

    Prayer:
    Most Holy Savior of the World, You are the Light that scattered the darkness. You chose to be born in the most humble conditions, elevating humility as a means of great holiness. As we celebrate Your birth, I pray that You will also be born in my life, and through me, into the world. May this Christmas be a time in which I come to know You more fully and intimately, joining the shepherds in their adoration of You, so that I can share in the abundant new life You came to bestow. Holy Savior, have mercy on me. Jesus, I trust in You.

    Source of content: mycatholic.life
    Copyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

    Main image public domain
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    11 mins
  • December 23: Saint John of Kanty (Cantius), Priest—Optional Memorial

    December 23: Saint John of Kanty (Cantius), Priest—Optional Memorial
    Dec 22 2024
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    December 23: Saint John of Kanty (Cantius), Priest—Optional Memorial

    c. 1390–1473
    Patron Saint of teachers, students, priests, pilgrims, Lithuania, and Poland
    Canonized by Pope Clement XIII on July 16, 1767
    Liturgical Color: Violet

    Quote:
    Fight all false opinions, but let your weapons be patience, sweetness and love. Roughness is bad for your own soul and spoils the best cause. ~Saint John of Kanty

    Prayer:
    Saint John Cantius, though you were a great intellectual, your humility and deep faith, coupled with your genuine love for those whom you ministered to, had a lasting effect upon the people of your community, and upon all of Poland. Please pray for me, that I will learn from your life and imitate your virtues so that I, too, will one day be counted among the saints. Saint John Cantius, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

    Source of content: mycatholic.life
    Copyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

    Photo: Saint John Kanty Parish, Buffalo, NY
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    10 mins