St. Damasus was made Pope in 366. He was archivist of the Roman Church before his elevation to the papal throne, and on becoming Pope continued to concern himself with the history and cult of the martyrs: the walls of the catacombs contain many epitaphs of his composition. He opposed the heresies of his times,…

Patroness of Syracuse and of all Sicily, St. Lucy is one of the saints held in greatest honor in Italy; at Rome itself no less than twenty churches were dedicated to her. In her the Church venerates the twofold testimony of virginity and martyrdom, the highest virtue combined with the most heroic fidelity. St. Lucy…

In the fifth century, an army of barbarians from Germany, ravaging part of Gaul, plundered the city of Rheims. Nicasius, the holy bishop, had foretold this calamity to his flock. When he saw the enemy at the gates and in the streets, he went from door to door encouraging all to patience and constancy, and…

St. Maria was the foundress of the Handmaids of Charity of Brescia, Italy. She was born in 1813 and died in 1855. Although of delicate constitution, apostolic zeal made her an angel of consolation to those needing any of the corporal or spiritual works of mercy Her spiritual guide, Monsignor Pinzoni, said that “her life…

St. Eusebius was born in Sardinia in the fourth century, when Arianism was endeavoring to undermine the doctrine of Christ’s Divinity. As bishop of Vercelli in Italy, he supported St. Hilary, Pope Liberius and St. Damasus, whose feast is December 11, in their struggle against the heresy. He suffered every sort of vexation and was…

At the Magnificat at Vespers on December 17 begins the singing of the solemn antiphons appointed for the week preceding Christmas. Each of them is a fervent appeal for the coming of the Messias. In words taken from Scripture they all proclaim the divine titles and the high prerogatives of the Savior of the world…

O Adonai, and Leader of the house of Israel, who didst appear to Moses in the flame of the burning bush, and didst give unto him the law on Sinai: come and with an outstretched arm redeem us.

O Root of Jesse, who standest for an ensign of the people, before whom kings shall keep silence, and unto whom the Gentiles shall make their supplication: come to deliver us, and tarry not.

O Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel, who openest and no man shutteth, who shuttest and no man openeth: come and bring forth from his prison house, the captive that sitteth in darkness and in the shadow of death.

The disciple who at first did not believe, St. Thomas has become for the Church one of the first witnesses to her faith. She is fond of appealing to his testimony and frequently puts in our mouths those simple words whereby he expressed the fervor of his regained faith: “My Lord and my God.” It…