"O Lord, grant eternal rest to all the souls of the faithful departed
and let perpetual light shine upon them!"
As November commences, we call to mind those who have gone before us, whether in Heaven or Purgatory. This forces us at this time of year to contemplate our own mortality and ask ourselves the question, "Am I on the road to sainthood? Are there ways I should be changing my life?" And Holy Church dedicates this month to those suffering in Purgatory. May we keep them in our prayers each day of this month. The words above should be ever on our lips!
As always, we highlight some specific feasts of the month.....3 from the time of Our Lord-Saints Zachary & Elizabeth, Presentation of Mary and Saint Andrew....3 "Greats"......one "The Good" and one "The Wonder-Worker"......3 Doctors of the Church.....a queen.....2 upholding the blessing of large families....2 Marian feasts and the glorious "Christ the King of the Universe," on the 20th! Each month of the Catholic year has a unique character and opportunities to grow in the Faith and learn about the great Catholic examples who have gone before us. All ye holy saints, pray for us!
11/1-All Saints Day-Holy Day of Obligation
11/2-All Souls Day
11/3-Saint Martin de Porres, Religious-patron of South America
11/5-Saints Zachary & Elizabeth, Parents of Saint John the Baptist (non-standard)
11/10-Saint Leo the Great, Pope, Doctor
11/11-Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop-patron of soldiers
11/13-Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin, Religious, Founder Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart-20th century saint, patron of immigrants
11/15-Saint Albert the Great, Bishop, Doctor-patron of scientists/Saint Leopold the Good-father of many children, refused the imperial crown (non-standard)
11/16-Saint Margaret of Scotland, Queen-patron of large families & child mortality/Saint Gertrude the Great, Virgin, Abbess, Mystic
11/17-Saint Gregory the Wonder-Worker, Bishop-invoked against earthquakes
11/20-Christ the King of the Universe
11/21-Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
11/22-Saint Cecilia, Virgin, Martyr-patron of musicians
11/24-(Thanksgiving Day) Saint John of the Cross, Priest, Doctor
11/26-Saint John Berchmans, Jesuit Novice-patron of altar boys (non-standard)
11/27-Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (non-standard)
11/28-Saint Catherine Laboure, Virgin, Religious, Seer of Miraculous Medal (non-standard)
11/30-Saint Andrew, Apostle of Our Lord, Martyr-patron of fishermen, Russia & Scotland
This blog provides both new and traditional feasts.