Viewing all items in Resource Category: Holy Days
Featuring the Saints whose feast-day is this month
- If you approve of giving money to help cathedrals survive, then Edward the Confessor (1003 – 66) is the saint for you. This early King of England was the virtual founder of Westminster Abbey. And never mind entrance charges – at one point in his life, Edward was giving a full tenth of his income...13 Edward the Confessor – helping to found Westminster Abbey
- Some Christians today have the curious idea that being a Christian guarantees a prosperous life in this world. St Paul was more realistic – throughout his epistles he urges Christians to pray for patience and endurance in this world. Donation (martyred c 484) is a timely reminder that we are called to be witnesses, and...14 Donation – North Africa Christian martyr
- by David Winter ‘Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, bless the bed that I lie on’ – my grandma taught me that one. At least it meant I never forgot the names of the writers of the four Gospels. This month Luke, the writer of the third of them, has his feast day – 18th October....18 Thank you, Dr Luke!
- To St Luke, a Gentile, we owe the beautifully written Gospel of Luke, and the Book of Acts. He was a Greek physician, a disciple of St Paul, a companion on some of his missionary journeys, and an inspired writer. Luke’s gospel focuses on the compassion of Christ. His gospel contains some of the most...18 St Luke the Evangelist – linking the sacred and the profane
- When you are out and about on the road far from home, ever feel tempted to pop in and explore an unfamiliar church? If so, think of Donatus as your patron saint – and beware. You don’t know what you may be letting yourself in for…. In 829 Donatus, an Irish monk, had completed a...22 Donatus – and the danger of exploring an unfamiliar church
- Do you value your Bible? If so, Felix of Thibiuca (247 – 303) is a good patron saint for you. The year was 303, and Diocletian was emperor in Rome. In February of that year he decided that Christians were NOT a good thing. So he issued an edict: all copies of the Christian Scriptures...24 Felix of Thibiuca – the man who would not give up his Bible
- Can you think of a politician who deserves to be called a saint? If no one currently living politician comes to mind, never mind – there is always King Alfred of Wessex (871-99). This remarkable and best known of all the Anglo-Saxon rulers may have dozed off and let some cakes burn while a peasant...26 Alfred the Great, King of the West Saxons, scholar, d AD 899
- Odran is a suitable saint to remember as Halloween approaches, for his story involves the spirit world. British by birth, Odran (died c. 563) was one of Columba’s first companions on Iona. Sadly, he died not long after his arrival on the island. But Columba found comfort, for in a vision he saw Odran’s soul...27 Odran of Iona – fought over by the spirits
- Jude the apostle and martyr (1st century) warns us in his epistle that not all ‘evil’ comes in the form of obvious ghosties and ghoulies. He writes instead to warn the Christians of the greater danger of people who infect others with heresy and moral failure. He writes that they are nothing more than …. ...28 Simon and Jude – warning against moral infections
- If you have done your best to live ‘right’, and still had nothing but trouble and heartache in your life, Alphonsus is the saint for you. He was born in 1533, the son of a wool merchant in Segovia. He followed his father into the profession, married, and had two children. He was a responsible...30 Alphonsus Rodriguez – when life takes everything you value
- Modern Halloween celebrations have their roots with the Celtic peoples of pre-Christian times. In those long-ago days, on the last night of October, the Celts celebrated the Festival of Samhain, or ‘Summer’s End’. The priests, or Druids, performed ceremonies to thank and honour the sun. For there was a very dark side to all this:...31 All Hallows Eve – or Holy Evening
- Editor: As the saints don’t go away, we have added to them rather than start afresh. The items with an asterisk appear on this site for the first time… 1st Sept Drithelm – vision of the after-life 1st Sept St Giles of Provence – helping those damaged by life 2nd Sept The New Guinea Martyrs...High Days and Holy Days for September (all articles)