Friday, February 13, 2009

What day is it tomorrow?

I bet you only think you know.


St. Valentine, priest and martyr, baptizing St. Lucille

Pop Catholic calendar quiz:

1) What day is tomorrow?

2) How do you know?

Easy right?

1) Everyone knows it's St. Valentine's day.
2) It's in the shops.

Catholic Encyclopedia:
At least three different Saint Valentines, all of them martyrs, are mentioned in the early martyrologies under date of 14 February. One is described as a priest at Rome, another as bishop of Interamna (modern Terni), and these two seem both to have suffered in the second half of the third century and to have been buried on the Flaminian Way, but at different distances from the city. In William of Malmesbury's time what was known to the ancients as the Flaminian Gate of Rome and is now the Porta del Popolo, was called the Gate of St. Valentine. The name seems to have been taken from a small church dedicated to the saint which was in the immediate neighborhood. Of both these St. Valentines some sort of Acta are preserved but they are of relatively late date and of no historical value. Of the third Saint Valentine, who suffered in Africa with a number of companions, nothing further is known.


Roman Breviary:
The Lesson is taken from a Sermon by St. Augustine the Bishop

The illustrious day whereon the blessed Martyr Valentine conquered,
doth this day come round to us again : and as the Church doth rejoice
with him in his glory, so doth she set before us his footsteps to be
followed. For if we suffer, we shall also reign with him. In his
glorious battle we have two things chiefly to consider : the hardened
cruelty of the tormentor, and the unconquered patience of the Martyr :
the cruelty of the tormentor, that we may abhor it ; the patience of
the Martyr, that we may imitate it. Hear what the Psalmist saith,
complaining against sin : Fret not thyself because of the ungodly, for
they shall soon be cut down like the grass. But touching the patience
which is to be shewn against the ungodly, hear the word wherewith the
Apostle moveth us : Ye have need of patience, that ye may receive the
promise.

V. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R. Thanks be to God.



But because of the GloriousNewSpringTimeofWonderfulness that we are all currently enduring in NewChurch,

you're wrong.

Saturday, February 14, 2009
Liturgical Year B, Cycle I
Today's Mass
Saint Cyril, monk, and Methodius, bishop - Memorial
Readings for Mass
From the Common of pastors [for missionaries]
or
From the Common of holy men and women
or
From the Proper of the Season
(Saturday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time)
First Reading: Genesis 3:9-24
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 90:2, 3-4, 5-6, 12-13
Gospel: Mark 8:1-10
Today's Rosary: The Joyful Mysteries



Rejoice!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I thought it was Saturday in Septuagesima week, of the Blessed Virgin, with comm. of St Valentinus.

AM

Anonymous said...

Yes, it's sad. Even the Rosary.