The transformation of Hungary into a Christian state was one of King Istvan's principal concerns throughout his reign.

King Louis XI of France reigned 1461 to 1483.   
In October 1461 Louis abolished the Pragmatic Sanction that his father had instituted in 1438   
to establish a French Gallican Church free of the controls of the popes in Rome.

Polycarp was consecrated Bishop of Smyrna by St. John before John was banished to the Island of Patmos.

All apostles were first disciples, but not all disciples became apostles.

The Twelve Apostles were also known as the Twelve Disciples or The Twelve

The Gospel of Mark was penned by a man named John Mark, Mark being the surname of his common Hebrew name John.

                                  {A} Daylily Delightful David   
                                  {B} A rose colored daylily     
                                  {C} Psalm 40 Verse 8   
                                          my delight is to do your will, your law, my God, is deep in my heart.

John thought that members of the higher caste would also have to be converted for Christianity to have a future.

Wenceslaus introduced German priests into his realm. 
He favored the Latin rite instead of the old Slavic rite.

Gaspar provided catechism for orphans and children of the poor and set up a night shelter for the homeless.   
 
 

January 13     
St. Hilary was born at Poitiers, France, of one of the most noble families of Gaul. 
He was Bishop and Doctor of the Church.   
At the Council of Seleucia, in 360, he defended the decree of Nicaea.

White is the liturgical color used in the Catholic Church during Christmas.

                          {A} Daylily Jordan     
                          {B} A deep red daylily with a velvet red eyezone   
                          {C} Matthew Chapter 3 Verse 13   
                                 Then Jesus appeared: he came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.         
   
                             

Beauvale Priory was a Carthusian monastery in Beauvale, Nottinghamshire.   
Following England's break from Rome, the Carthusians refused to accept King Henry VIII's supremacy over the church.   
Robert Lawrence, Prior of Beauvale, travelled to London in 1535 to see Thomas Cromwell in person   
in the hope of stopping the dissolution of his priory. Cromwell never saw Lawrence.

The gifts presented by the Three Wise Men foretold the future role and destiny of Jesus   
as a king, divine figure, and ultimately, a sacrificial savior.

In The Book of Numbers Chapter 24 Verse 17 Balaam prophesies:   
"I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near.   
A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel."