Saint of the day and Feast days.

[Shin]

I'm glad to hear it.

Makes me wish I'd made one myself today! May Our Lord's sacrifice and St. Brigid be better remembered all throughout the world, especially by the little children, through St. Brigid's cross. Amen. Amen.

[Patricia]

Is it the same as making palm crosses? 

[Shin]

I saw some instructions on it once, it looks similar, but Martin would know better than me, as I've never done it!

[odhiambo]

Is it the same as making palm crosses? 

I imagine that was exactly what Saint Bridgid was doing at the bedside of the sick man; only she was braiding the rushes which was on the floor of the house.
It is a beautiful story how she was able to evangelise the sick man and convert him so that he died a Christian and at peace whereas before he had been raving.

[odhiambo]

2 February

Today is The Feast of
The Presentation of the Lord.

[Shin]

'The time having now come when, according to the law, Mary had to go to the Temple for her purification, and to present Jesus to the divine Father, behold she sets out in company with Joseph. Joseph carries the two turtle-doves that they are to offer to God, and Mary carries her dear Infant: she takes the Lamb of God to offer him to the Almighty, in token of the great sacrifice that this Son should one day accomplish on the cross.

Consider the holy Virgin entering the Temple; she makes an oblation of her Son on the part of the whole human race, and says: Behold, O Eternal Father, Thy beloved only-begotten One, who is Thy Son and mine also; I offer him to Thee as a victim to Thy divine justice, in order to appease Thy wrath against sinners. Accept him, O God of mercy! have pity on our miseries; for the love of this immaculate Lamb do Thou receive men into Thy grace.'

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

Good morning odhiambo! 

[odhiambo]

The Feast of the Presentation.
The Feast of the Presentation, often called Candlemas, commemorates the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the presentation of Christ in the temple. It was originally known as the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin.
According to Jewish law, the firstborn male child belonged to God, and the parents had to "buy him back" on the 40th day after his birth, by offering a sacrifice of "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons” in the temple. Also, According to Mosaic law, a mother who had given birth to a boy was considered unclean for seven days; she was to remain 33 days "in the blood of her purification."
On that same day of presentation of the baby, the mother would be ritually purified. So it was that Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem.
Once in the temple, Jesus was received by Simeon who offered prayers in the presence of Anna the prophetess. Simeon, upon seeing the Messiah, gave thanks to the Lord, singing a hymn now called the Nunc Dimittis:
Lord, now you let your servant go in peace,
your word has been fulfilled:
My own eyes have seen the salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.
Simeon told Mary, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against, (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed." Simeon thus foreshadowed the crucifixion and the sorrows of Mary at seeing the death of her Son.

[Shin]

I love the Nunc Dimittis!

[odhiambo]

Hi Shin.
It is the end of the day here.
5.30 pm to be exact. I am in the office only because I want to use the computer here.

[odhiambo]

Candlemas
The nameCandlemas comes from the activities associated with the feast.
Because of the words of the canticle ("a light to the revelation of the Gentiles"), by the 11th century, the custom had developed in the West of blessing candles on the Feast of the Presentation. The candles were then lit, and a procession took place through the darkened church while the Canticle of Simeon was sung. This was the reason the feast became known as the feast of Candlemas. The procession and blessing of the candles is not performed universally , but I undersand that Candlemas is still an important feast in many European countries.

[Shin]

Hi Shin.
It is the end of the day here.
5.30 pm to be exact. I am in the office only because I want to use the computer here.

I thought it might be a little different over there! 9:30 over here! I love the name Candlemas isn't it a fine one?

[Shin]

BTW how are you at riddles? I've got a few for the interested!

[odhiambo]

BTW how are you at riddles? I've got a few for the interested!

No good at all, I am afraid, but will take a look 

[odhiambo]

3 February

Today is the Memrial of
Saint Blaise
Among many other saints

[odhiambo]

Saint Blaise
Martyr
Also known as
* Biagio
* Blase
* Blasius
Very few facts are known about Saint Blaise. According to tradition, what is known is based on legend introduced into the West most likely at the time of the Crusades. He lived in the early part of the fourth century. He was reportedly, a well educated Physician and a man of outstanding virtue. He was appointed Bishop of his native city of Sebaste in Armenia now Turkey.
When the persecutions started under Emperor Diocletian, Blaise took refuge in a cave on Mount Argeus, where he cared for wild animals.
Years later, he was found by hunters in this cave. They carried him off to Agricolaus, governor of Cappadocia. Agricolaus had come to Sebaste specifically to persecute Christians. His huntsmen had gone into the forests of Argeus to find wild animals for the arena games, and found many people waiting outside Blaise’s cave. Discovered in prayer, Blaise was arrested, and Agricola tried to get him to recant his faith. When Blaise refused, he was thrown into prison where he helped sick prisoners and famously saved a child who was choking on a fish bone. In prison, Blaise still refused to renounce his faith and was tortured by having his flesh torn with wool combs. He was finally beheaded in A.D. 316 on the orders of Agricolaus.
Saint Blaise is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.
He is the patron saint of wild animals because of his care for them; he is also the patron saint of those with throat diseases.
Saint Blaise
Pray for us!

[odhiambo]

Last year I was lucky, I had my throat blessed.
I hope today I will get the same blessing.