Memorial of Saints (December 11)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Damasus I, pope
• Daniel the Stylite
• Barsabas, martyr
• Fuscian, Victorinus, and Gentian, martyrs

St. Damasus I (305-384 A.D.) succeeded Pope Liberius to the papacy. He became pope in a time of turmoil, because the Church was divided by an antipope. Damasus I had to fight many heresies and in the ensuing conflict he was accused of scandals that caused his exile.

He was able to return to Rome and called St. Jerome to be his secretary. He then commissioned Jerome to make a new translation of the Bible into Latin. St. Jerome obeyed and translated the whole Bible into Latin from the ancient Greek manuscripts, the original Hebrew, Aramaic texts, and existing Latin translations. After St. Jerome completed the translation, Damasus I approved what is now called the Vulgate (the Latin translation of the Bible).

Damasus I also changed the liturgical language of Greek into Latin because the people did not understand. He also promoted devotion to the martyrs of the faith. Remembered for his modesty, and despite his being a very learned man, he is known for his compassion for the poor, the innocence of his manners, and his holiness. St. Damasus I's papal administration lasted eighteen years and two months. His remains are buried in a small church built on the Ardeatina Way in Rome (died ca. 384 A.D.).

St. Daniel the Stylite (409-493 A.D.) was from Syria. He became a monk and soon followed the example of St. Simeon Stylites the Elder. He lived on a "stylos" or "pillar" in Constantinople, where he performed his priestly duties. Renowned for his sanctity and spiritual insights, Daniel lived on a pillar for the last 33 years of his life and was buried in an oratory at the foot of the pillar. He is one of the many "pillar" Saints whose holiness edified the people of their time.

Related information: The story of Stylite or the Pillar-Saints & the Stylite Tower Umm Ar-Rasas, Jordan, YouTube video, 2:34 minutes

Learn more - December 11 Saints

December 11 Saints in the Byzantine Calendar

• Daniel, Stylite

The Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches also celebrate the feast of Daniel the Stylite on this day.

Memorial of Saints (December 10)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Melquiades, pope
• Eulalia of Merida, virgin and martyr
• Gregory III, pope
• Mennas, Hermogenes, and Eugraphus, martyrs
• Edmund Gennings, Eustace White, Polydore Plasden, Swithen Wells, John Roberts

St. Gregory III (died ca. 741 A.D.) was born in Syria and became a priest in Rome. In 731 A.D., he was elected to the Papacy. He supported the missionary activities in the Church, especially the missionary work of St. Boniface in Germany.

Sts. Edward Gennings (1567-1591 A.D.), Polydore Plasden (1563 A.D.), John Roberts (ca. 1576-1610 A.D.), Swithin Wells (1536-1591 A.D.), and Eustace White (d. ca. 1591 A.D.) are among the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. They were canonized in 1970 A.D. Sts. Edward, Polydore, and Eustace were priests. St. Swithin was a schoolmaster and married to Margaret, who was also sentenced to death, but reprieved. (She died in prison eleven years later.) St. John Roberts was a Benedictine monk.

December 10 Saints in the Byzantine Calendar

• Sts. Mennas, Hermogenes, and Eugraphus, Martyrs

This day marks the feast on the martyrs Mennas, Hermogenes, and Eugraphus. The martyrs' feast coincide (both December 10) in the Roman Calendar and the Byzantine Calendar. (It is also celebrated this day by the Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches).

St. Mennas was a civil servant in Rome while Eugraphus was his friend and secretary. When Mennas publicly lashed at the critics of Christianity, the Roman Emperor sent one of his magistrates, Hermogenes, to investigate. Mennas was tried in court and Hermogenes ordered Mennas to be tortured and his tongue cut out. After a time, Mennas and his secretary Eugraphus, were summoned before Hermogenes. When the tongueless Mennas spoke in a "sweet and beautiful voice", Hermogenes fell to his knees in acceptance of Christ. All three, Mennas, Eugraphus and Hermogenes, were beheaded at the command of the Roman governor.

Today in Catholic Church History

On December 10, 1968 A.D. marks the day of death of Thomas Merton, Trappist monk and activist in the cause of world peace, social justice, and interfaith harmony. He influenced millions of people of all faiths and of no faith with his spiritual writings. His autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain, is a modern classic.

Memorial of Saints (December 9)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Juan Diego
• Peter Fourier
• Hipparchus and Companions, martyrs
• the Seven Martyrs of Samosata
• Leocadia, virgin and martyr
• Gorgonia, widow
• Budoc or Beuzec, abbot

St. Juan Diego: In 1531 A.D., while he was on his way to Mass, Our Lady appeared four times to Juan Diego Cuatitlatoatzin (meaning “the talking eagle”), at Tepayac, near Mexico City. Juan Diego was said to be a native convert, a widower, and advancing in years. He was a member of the Chichimeca people, perhaps also a leader of his own people and may have been involved in the area’s textile industry.

In Our Lady's apparition, she praised Juan Diego for his humility and faithfulness. She then urged him to go to the bishop and request a church to be built where he stood. Upon visiting the bishop, the bishop asked a sign from Juan Diego to authenticate the request of Our Lady. So Juan went back to the place of Our Lady's apparition and was instructed by the Virgin to gather roses, cover them, and deliver them to the bishop. Juan Diego did as the Virgin instructed. He gathered the roses in his tilma (cloak) and brought them to the bishop. As he unveiled the roses before the bishop, Our Lady of Guadalupe shone and emerged on his cloak. The bishop was convinced.

Known for his holiness, St. Juan Diego devoted himself, tradition says, to the pilgrims who came to see the miraculous image of Mary imprinted on his cloak. Juan Diego was beatified in 1990 A.D. by Pope John Paul II in Mexico City, and was canonized in 2002 A.D.

St. Peter Fourier (1565-1640 A.D.) was born in Mirecourt, France. When he was 15, he studied at a Jesuit university. After 5 years, he entered the Augustinians. He was ordained in 1589 A.D., continued with his studies, and obtained a doctorate in theology. He began to reform his community but faced strong opposition.

In 1597 A.D., he was assigned to a dilapidated parish, where he saw the need of children for care and education. In 1598 A.D., he founded with Alix Le Clerq as superior, the "Canonesses Regular of St. Augustine of the Congregation of Our Lady" for the free education of the children.

In 1622 A.D., the bishop of Toul asked him to reform and unite the religious houses of his order (the Canons Regular of St. Augustine) into one congregation. He merged the Canon Regulars into the Congregation of Our Saviour. Peter was elected superior general against his will.

In 1632 A.D., the Kingdom of France was invaded by the Duchy of Lorraine. When Peter Fourier refused an oath of allegiance to King Louis XIII, he and his community went into exile. They went to Burgundy. As a chaplain there, St. Peter Fourier took care of a small convent and taught children in a free school.

More details from Wikipedia.org, Peter Fourier

December 9 Saints in the Byzantine Calendar

• Patapius of Thebes