- - FeAsT DaYs FoR nOvemBeR - -
November 1: ALL SAiNTS DAY!
This solemnity [which just means a special day that we acknowledge something] of the Church recognizes and celebrates all those holy men and women who now live in eternal glory with Christ our Lord... AKA, we celebrate all the souls in heaven!
November 2: ALL SOULS DAY
This feast is in memory of all those who have passed from this life, but we're not sure if they've made it to heaven yet. The emphasis is placed on offering prayers for deceased loved ones and friends so that they'll get to paradise, ASAP!
November 3: Saint Martin de Porres
This dude was a famous Dominican brother from Lima who was known for his great devotion to the Eucharist and his complete dedication to serving the poor and the needy. He built a hospital for children and an orphanage for the poor children of the slums of Lima. He is the first black American Saint. He's also the Patron of Peru, African Americans, barbers/hairstylists, public health, innkeepers, inter-racial justice and many other things. We love him!
November 4: Saint Charles Borromeo
First of all, the Council of Trent was a meeting of Church leaders that defined a few teachings of the Catholic Church to stand up to Protestant heresies. Some of these things were our doctrines on Scripture and Tradition, Original Sin, Justification, Sacraments, the Eucharist in the Holy Mass and our veneration of Saint [like Saint Charles!]. He guy was a great apostle of the council of Trent [he was a major influence], archbishop of Milan, and he founded schools, hospitals, and seminaries. He is also known for instituting Sunday school for children to help them learn the faith. He was known for his life of penance and love for the poor. Patron of bishops, catechists, seminarians, stomach ulcers, colic, stomach diseases, and many other things.
November 10: Saint Leo the Great
He was pope from 440 - 461 A.D. Saint Leo is known for his famous confrontation with Attila the Hun when Attila attempted to invade Rome. Attila claimed to have seen a vision of a man in priestly robes, carrying a bare sword, and threatening to kill the invader if he did not obey Pope Leo. It was known that Pope Leo had a great devotion to Saint Peter [Our first pope, and one of Jesus' Twelve]. When Genseric invaded Rome, Pope Leo's sanctity and eloquence saved the city again. Something that's also pretty cool was that Pope Leo was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1574 A.D.
November 11: Saint Martin of Tours
Baptized at the age of 18, Martin is was a Roman soldier and the spiritual student of Saint Hilary at Poitiers. When Hilary, who had been in exile, returned, Martin joined him and became a hermit. He would go on to be declared the Bishop of Tours and was known to have visions. Patron of soldiers, reformed alcoholics, beggars, riders, wine makers/growers, horses, poverty and Patron Saint against alcoholism.
November 15: Saint Albert the Great
He was best known for being the mentor of Saint Thomas Aquinas and for his writings. He is a Doctor of the Church and Patron of the archdiocese of Cincinnati Ohio, medical technicians, natural sciences, philosophers, school children, scientists, students, and students of theology.
November 16: Saint Margaret of Scotland
Margaret married King Malcolm III Canmore of Scotland in 1070, and became the Queen of Scotland. They had eight children, one of whom was Saint Maud, wife of Henry I. Margaret founded abbeys [monasteries that are head by a head or superior person] and used her position to work for justice and improve conditions for the poor. Patroness of the death of children, large families, learning, queens, Scotland, and widows.
November 16: Saint Gertrude
Saint Gertrude studied the Bible and the works of the Church Fathers. She had tons of visions and mystical instruction, which formed the basis of her writings. She helped spread devotion to the Sacred Heart. Her writings have been greatly praised by Saint Teresa and Saint Francis de Sailles, and continue in print today. Patroness of nuns, travelers, and the West Indies.
November 17: Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
Elizabeth built a hospital at the foot of the mountain on which her castle stood and tended to the sick herself. When her husband, King Louis, died, Elizabeth sold all that she had [which was A LOT since she was a Queen], and worked to support her four children. Her gifts of bread to the poor, and of a large gift of grain to a famine stricken Germany, led to her patronage of bakers and related fields. Patroness of bakers; beggars; brides; charitable societies; charitable workers; charities; countesses; falsely accused people; homeless people; hospitals; in-law problems; lace workers; nursing homes & services; people in exile; people ridiculed for their piety; Sisters of Mercy and other things.
November 21: CHRiST the KiNG!
This solemnity is to remind all of us that we have great king in our Lord Jesus Christ. This feast also reminds us that the Catholic Church is not a democracy, it's a monarchy with Christ as our King. We are his subjects and subjects of the teaching authority of His Church. Here is the prayer for this awesome solemnity:
Almighty and merciful God, you break the power of evil and make all things new in your Son Jesus Christ, the King of the universe. May all in heaven and earth acclaim your glory and never cease to praise you. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
November 22: Saint Cecilia
Cecilia vowed her virginity to God, but her parents married her to Valerian of Trastevere. She told her new husband that she was accompanied by an angel, but in order to see it, he must be purified. He agreed to the purification, and was baptised; returning from the ceremony, he found her in prayer accompanied by a praying angel. The angel placed a crown on each of their heads, and offered Valerian a favor; the new convert asked that his brother be baptised. The two brothers developed a ministry of giving proper burial to martyred Christians and they were martyered themselves. Cecilia buried them at her villa on the Apprian Way, and was arrested for the action. She was ordered to sacrifice to false gods; she refused, she too was martyred. The Acta of Cecilia includes the following: "While the profane music of her wedding was heard, Cecilia was singing in her heart a hymn of love for Jesus, her true spouse." It was this phrase that led to her association with music, singers, musicians, etc.
November 30: Saint Andrew
The first of the Apostles and the brother of St. Peter, he was a Missionary in Asia Minor and Greece, and possibly areas in modern Russia and Poland. He was martyred on a saltire (x-shaped) cross and he is said to have preached for two days from it! Patron of fishermen, Scotland, Russia, sore throats and many other places and things.