Read: John 1:19-28

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Today’s Bible Reading  

 

Saint Basil the Great

Father of Eastern Monasticism / Greek Doctor of the Church / Father of the Church

Feast Day: January 2

Patron of: hospital administrators, reformers, Russia

Symbol: supernatural fire, often with a dove present

 

 

 

Saint Basil the Great was born is 329 in Caesarea, Asia Minor in what is now known as Turkey. His name means 'kingly' and he did, in fact, come from a noble family. Both is parents, a grandmother and several of his siblings are honoured among the saints. After attending school and receiving and education befitting his station in life, he opened a school of oratory and became a lawyer. He became well known for his teaching and speaking abilities.

 

Eventually, however, he turned his back on public speaking and teaching, and dedicated his life in the service of God as a monk.

 

Speaking and teaching did not leave him, however. Saint Basil founded a monastery in Pontus and directed it and his fellow monks for five years. He wrote a monastic rule - rules, and guidelines for the organization, prayers schedule, discipline, and administration of the monastery. These rules are still in use in monasteries today, some 1600 years later.

 

Circumstances requiring his talents and skills continued to arise. After founding several other monasteries, Saint Basil was finally ordained as a priest and made Bishop of Caesarea. In this post, he spoke and taught against the heresy of Arianism, restored and protected the beliefs of the people of his diocese, and taught most persuasively about the faith. He was a man of great learning, ceaseless activity, eloquence and charity. Admired and respected in his life time as a representative of God's Truth, he was called 'Great' and named a Doctor of the Church after his death. He died in 379 at the age of 50.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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     DAILY HIGHLIGHTS                                  

 

Prayer Before Mass

 

Prayer After Mass

Prayer of St. Gertrude the great dictated by Our Lady to release 1,000 Souls from Purgatory each time it is said. The prayer was extend to include living sinners which would alleviate the indebtedness accrued to them during their lives.

“Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.”

St. Gertrude the Great was born in Germany in 1263. She was a Benedictine Nun, and meditated on the Passion of Christ, which many times brought floods of tears to her eyes. She did many penances, and Our Lady appeared to her many times. Her holy Soul passed away in 1334. November 16 is her Feast Day.

Prayer  for All Souls

 

 

Weekly Guide for Daily prayer

 

 

Second Week of Christmas

 

Daily Prayer This Week

 

 

 

 

Meditation: Do you recognize the Lord’s presence in your life? John the Baptist did such a great job of stirring the peoples’ expectation of the Messiah’s arrival, that many thought he might be the Messiah himself, or at least the great prophet Elijah who was expected to reappear at the Messiah’s coming (see Malachi 4:5, Deuteronomy 18:15). John had no mistaken identity. In all humility and sincerity he said he was only a voice bidding people to prepare the way for the coming of the King. John the Baptist bridges the Old and New Testaments. He is the last of the Old Testament Prophets who points the way to the Messiah. He is the first of the New Testament witnesses and martyrs. He is the herald who prepares the way for Jesus and who announces his mission to the people: Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!  John saw from a distance what the Messiah came to accomplish – our redemption from slavery to sin and our adoption as sons and daughters of God, our heavenly Father.  Do you recognize your identity as a child of God and a citizen of heaven?

John was the greatest of the prophets, yet he lived as a humble and faithful servant of God. He pointed others to Jesus, Messiah and Savior of the world. The Christian church from the earliest of times has given John many titles which signify his mission: Witness of the Lord, Trumpet of Heaven, Herald of Christ, Voice of the Word, Precursor of Truth, Friend of the Bridegroom, Crown of the Prophets, Forerunner of the Redeemer, Preparer of Salvation, Light of the Martyrs, and Servant of the Word. Do you point others to Christ by your witness and example?

"Lord Jesus, make me a herald of your word of truth and grace. Help me to be a faithful witness of the joy of the gospel and to point others to you as John did through his testimony."