BIG C CATHOLICS

Memorial - January 17th  It is interesting that someone who once hoped to be a martyr would instead live to be 105 years old — thus it was with Saint Anthony (or Antony) of Egypt. Born in the year 251, he would not only live through the last of the persecutions of Christians by the Roman Empire, but he would then go on to fight the heresy of Arianism and eventually become known as “the father of monasticism.” Anthony was born in Coma, Egypt, to affluent parents who died when he was only 20 years old.  Left with a substantial material inheritance, it would be the spiritual foundation that his family had impressed upon him which would have the greatest influence on his life. Not long after their death, Anthony heard a Gospel reading at church that he felt was spoken directly to him: “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven.”  (Mt 19:21) Much like St. Francis of Assisi, Anthony took this Scripture passage qui

Optional Memorial - January 13th  It seems odd to us today that anyone claiming to be a Christian would deny the divinity of Christ. In the 4th century, however, Arianism, a particularly pernicious heresy which proclaimed precisely that, threatened the very existence of the Church. While emperors and even some bishops sanctioned this teaching, many saints defended Jesus’ divinity; among that number was Saint Hilary of France. Hilary was born into a pagan family around the year 315, but converted to the Christian religion after discovering God through his study of the Scriptures. So great was his reputation for holiness and his defense of Christ’s divinity that he was appointed Bishop of Poitiers, France, in 353, to great acclaim. At about the same time, Constantius II, an adherent to Arianism, became emperor in Rome. This new ruler, at the behest of pro-Arian prelate, promptly exiled Hilary to far-off Phrygia in the hopes that sheer distance would silence him. It did not. In

On January 2nd the Church celebrates the memorial of Saint Basil the Great and Saint Gregory Nazianzen, bishops and doctors. Both men were from Cappadocia (central turkey) and followed the monastic way of life for some years. Together with Saint Gregory of Nyssa, they are known as the Cappadocian Fathers and venerated widely for their contributions in both the Eastern and Latin Churches. _________________________________________________ The old saying goes that “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” If ever there were a saint who proved that proverb to be true, it was St. Basil the Great.  His grandmother, Macrina, was a saint who suffered persecution under the Romans, and of his nine brothers and sister, two of them, Gregory of Nyssa and Macrina (the younger), also became saints. Another brother, Peter, became a bishop.  No doubt this combined influence also caused him, as a youth, to take an abiding interest in the poor by organizing famine relief and working in a soup ki

(In 2017, this feast is superseded by the Sunday liturgy.)  December 31st is the optional memorial of Saint Sylvester I, the 4th century pope and confessor, whose papacy saw the end of the initial period of Christian persecution. He guided the Church during the reign of Emperor Constantine when the Arian heresy and the Donatist schism had lead to great discord. He convened the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea and oversaw the building of Rome’s magnificent Basilicas. Only a strong and wise man could have preserved the autonomy of the Church in the face of such a looming and powerful figure that was Constantine. _____________________________________________________ Saint Sylvester, a native Roman, was chosen by God to govern His Church during the initial years of her temporal prosperity and the triumph over her persecuting enemies. Pope Melchiades died in January, 314, and Sylvester was chosen as his successor. He governed the Church for over twenty-one years, ably organizing the

On December 11th, the Church observes the feast of Pope St. Damasus I, who lived in the mid-300s just after the early persecutions of Christians had ended. When Damasus assumed the papacy, there were numerous Gospels and stories of Jesus’ life that were then circulating. Many of these were not inspired. Pope Damasus convened an ecumenical council to determine once and for all which Gospels and letters should comprise the New Testament. He also commissioned St. Jerome to translate the Bible into Latin, the language of the Roman Empire. __________________________________________ Pope St. Damasus I: A Consequential Papacy On [Pope] Liberius' death, riots broke out over the election of a successor. The majority favored Damasus, who was born in Rome of Spanish descent. He had served as a deacon under Liberius and upheld the Nicene Creed. In less than a month, Damasus was installed in the Lateran palace. A minority refused to accept the decision and set up the antipope Ursinu

On December 7th, the Church observes the memorial of Saint Ambrose, the 4th century bishop and Doctor. One of the most important prelates and influential theologians in the early Church, he is acclaimed in the West as a Father of the Church. Ambrose was born at Treves in Gaul, a territory which encompassed modern France, Britain, Spain, and part of Africa. He completed his studies in Rome and later became governor of Liguria and Aemelia with residence at Milan. In the year 370, in his capacity as governor, Ambrose tried to resolve a heated dispute over who would ascend to the episcopacy of Milan. His words struck such a chord in people that someone shouted out that Ambrose should become bishop. Ambrose had no intention of being a priest or a bishop. He was still a catechumen who was preparing for baptism. But the people prevailed and by popular assent, Ambrose was baptized and then consecrated bishop of Milan the following week. His judicious administration proved to be very eff

Optional Memorial - November 23rd   Though he died nearly fourteen-hundred years ago, Saint Columban is a saint for our time, which bears an uncanny resemblance to his own. In the midst of great social and spiritual upheaval, he stands as an example of someone not afraid to be outspoken in the face of moral corruption and depravity—even when that involved bishops and kings. Many miracles were credited to him during his life. St. Columban was one of the great Irish missionaries who made his way to the continent of Europe near the close of the 6th century. He traveled there after spending some 30 years in a monastery in northern Ireland, where he had fled to overcome severe temptations of the flesh. Once in Gaul, he became known for his moral discipline, homilies, and deep commitment to charity and religious life. Countless souls went to hear him preach and to pray in the monasteries there. The devastation of the barbarian invasions had completely disrupted Gaul’s civil and re

November 11th is the memorial of St. Martin of Tours. Born around the year 316, in present-day Hungary during the reign of Constantine, he was one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages. Martin was immediately thrust into a world in transition. Although Christianity had recently been declared legal in the Roman Empire, there were many people who still worshipped the various Roman deities of old, including Martin’s parents. In order to follow Christ, the young Martin had to become a catechumen in secret — which he did at the tender age of 10. At age 15, Martin, as the son of a veteran, was compelled by Roman law to join the army. Though he was a soldier, he tried his utmost to live as a Christian. It was at Amiens, Gaul (modern-day France) that he performed the service for which he would always be remembered. As the army entered the town on a particularly cold winter day, they encountered a poor beggar, dressed in rags and in danger of freezing to death. Martin, moved with c

Saint Leo the Great, also called Pope Saint Leo I, the 5th century pontiff and Doctor of the Church, is admired as one of the best administrative popes of the ancient Church. He was a tireless defender of doctrinal orthodoxy who fought against numerous heresies including Arianism, Pelagianism, and Manichaeism. Novena Prayer to St. Leo the Great Eternal Shepherd, look favorably upon Thy flock, which we beseech Thee to guard and keep for evermore through the blessed Leo, Supreme Pontiff, who Thou didst choose to be chief shepherd of the whole Church. And by his mighty merits, glorious intercession, and solicitude care for the flock we beg of Thee to: (Mention your intentions) And govern Thy Church in Thy clemency, we beseech Thee, O Lord, so that under the guidance of Thy mighty rule, she may enjoy greater freedom and abiding integrity of religion. Through Christ Our Lord. In the Name of the Father... Amen. O God, who never allow the gates of hell to prevail against you

Optional Memorial - August 2nd Eusebius was the founder of the canons regular, priests living under a religious rule and dedicated to pastoral work. The canons regular was the immediate result of the rise of monasticism in the East, and St. Eusebius of Vercelli saw the possibilities of this new movement for the clergy. His example was imitated all over the West and brought about a renewal of clerical life. He was born in Sardinia and as a child was taken to Rome, where he became a member of the Roman clergy under Pope Julius. Consecrated for the see of Vercelli in 344, he gathered his clergy into a community life, founding also the dioceses of Turin and Embrun. In 355, he attended the Council of Milan as legate of Pope Liberius, which defended St. Athanasius against those Western bishops intimidated by the emperor. When Eusebius was ordered along with other bishops to condemn Athanasius, he refused, insisting instead that they all sign the Nicene Creed. When threatened by the em

Optional Memorial - May 18, 2017 Arianism originated during the fourth century in the Eastern half of the Roman Empire before spreading to the West. By the sixth century, the Arian heresy had weakened in the East, but was not dead. The Byzantine Emperor Justin I ordered Arian clergy to surrender their churches into orthodox Catholic hands. Meanwhile, in the West, Theodoric (King of the Ostrogoths and ruler of Italy), enraged by the emperor’s actions, attempted to coopt the Pope’s authority for his own ends. This placed Pope John in an untenable position. Despite the Pope’s orthodoxy, the Arian King Theodoric expected him to intercede with Emperor Justin on behalf of the heretics. John’s refusal to do so would eventually lead to his holy martyrdom. _________________________________________________ The Heroic Papacy and Martyrdom of St. John I (470 – 526) This Tuscan was destined to be glorified not only during his lifetime but after his death as well. Although peace with

May 2nd, is the memorial of Saint Athanasius of Alexandria (c. 296 – 373), the 4th century bishop, theologian, and Doctor of the Church who as a revered pillar of the Faith championed orthodoxy and the divinity of Christ against the heretical Arius (hence his title "Arius' ablest enemy"). He is a venerated Church Father. Most Catholics today have little idea what the term “Arianism” means. In the 4th century, however, it was the most pernicious heresy ever to be promulgated, and it threatened to destroy the Church's most essential beliefs about Jesus Christ. Arius, for whom the heresy is named, was a priest in Alexandria, Egypt, in the late 3rd century. He believed that, although Jesus was Lord and Savior, he was not equal to God the Father, but was merely the highest of all God’s creatures. In short, Arius denied the divinity of Christ. His teaching had divided the Church. Enter St. Athanasius. He too, was from Alexandria, having become Patriarch Archbishop

Though it might seem strange to reach back to the late seventh and early eighth centuries for a patron saint of something as modern as computers and the Internet, one of the names suggested for just such patronage is Saint Isidore of Seville. Born in Spain around the year 560, St. Isidore amassed in his lifetime such a treasure trove of knowledge that he is referred to as “The Schoolmaster of the Middle Ages.”  For anyone who relies on a computer search engine to access information, the thought that so much learning could be contained in one man’s mind, all of which he recalled without the aid of Google, is impressive indeed. That doesn’t mean that Isidore came by this erudition easily. His schooling, at the hands of his (much) older brother Leander, was, at least by today’s standards, imparted in a very harsh way. Leander, although he would himself also become a saint, believed that force and punishment were the proper pedagogical tools to be used on Isidore, and his methods ofte

March 18th, is the optional memorial of Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, the 4th century bishop, confessor, exegete and Doctor of the Church who composed the simple, yet, profoundly beautiful Catechetical Instructions , that defended the Church’s dogmas. Bishop of Jerusalem for thirty-seven years, Cyril, spent sixteen of those years banished from his own diocese. This was a result of the raging controversy surrounding the Arian heresy which denied the divinity of Jesus Christ. Like other bishops of his time accused of infidelity, Cyril endured the hardships of exile. He was eventually exonerated and his good standing restored. He participated in the Second General Council at Constantinople, and died in peace in the year 386 AD. Cyril was born in the city of Jerusalem, about the year 315. He immersed himself in the study of Sacred Scriptures from childhood, and achieved such insight that he would became a prominent champion of orthodoxy. He embraced the monastic institute and made a vow o

January 13th, is the optional memorial of Saint Hilary of Poitiers (c. 310 – 367), the 4th century philosopher, bishop and Doctor of the Church, whose staunch defense of orthodox Trinitarian theology protected the deposit of faith against heretical attacks in a period of discord. His spiritual formation and extensive education included the classic literature of Latin and Greek as well as Sacred Scripture. Much of St. Hilary's life before his episcopacy is a mystery. What is known comes almost entirely from details contained in his theological writings. He was born in present-day France to a pagan family, three years before the Roman Empire ceased its persecution of Christians and officially recognized Christianity. Although he came of age without any significant Christian influence, his comprehensive study of Greek philosophy and the Bible enabled him to acknowledge the truths of the Faith. This acceptance occurred gradually. At age 35, Hilary was baptized together with his da

Pope Sylvester I and Emperor Constantine December 31st, is the optional memorial of Saint Sylvester I (??? - 335), the 4th century pontiff, who guided the Church during a period of violent persecution and challenges to doctrine at the hands of various heretics. According to legend, he baptized Emperor Constantine. Born in Rome, the son of devout parents Rufinus and Justa, he was instructed in Christian piety by his virtuous mother. Later, under the guidance of Carinus, a priest of great ability, Sylvester learned the truths and practice of religion in studying Sacred Scripture. Entering the Roman clergy, he was ordained a priest by Pope Marcellinus on the eve of widespread Christian persecution under Diocletian. Sylvester's papacy saw trial and triumph. The feast day of St. Sylvester is one of the oldest in the Church’s calendar, so great was his witness in the minds of the laity. His exemplary piety and concern for others, particularly the poor, endeared him to the faithful

December 7th, is the memorial of Saint Ambrose, (c. 338 - 397) the 4th-century bishop and theologian, one of the four original doctors of the Church, famous for baptizing Saint Augustine. Originally a lawyer and provincial governor, Ambrose was named bishop of Milan by popular acclamation while still an unbaptized catechumen. He wrote extensively on Sacred Scripture and the Fathers, defended the rights of the Church against secular encroachment and opposed heretics. He composed numerous sermons, letters and hymns, (most notably the Te Deum ) promoted sacred chant, and took interest in the Liturgy. He introduced into the West the practice of Lectio Divina . St. Augustine called him, "a faithful teacher of the Church, and even at the risk of his life a most strenuous defender of Catholic truth." Through his efforts, Ambrose secured the rights of Christians to worship. Ambrose was born to a wealthy Christian family (his father was the Pretorian Prefect of Gaul) in what is n

The Martyrdom of St Eusebius , Gaetano Gandolfi, 1784. There is one God, and... one Mediator between God and man, Christ Jesus, Himself a man, Who gave Himself as a ransom for all. (1 Tim 2:5-6)  [St.] Eusebius (c. 283 - 371) was the founder of the canons regular, priests living under a religious rule and dedicated to pastoral work. The canons regular was the immediate result of the rise of monasticism in the East, and St. Eusebius of Vercelli saw the possibilities of this new movement for the clergy. His example was imitated all over the West and brought about a renewal of clerical life. He was born in Sardinia and as a child was taken to Rome, where he became a member of the Roman clergy under Pope Julius. Consecrated for the see of Vercelli in 344, he gathered his clergy into a community life, founding also the dioceses of Turin and Embrun. In 355, he attended the Council of Milan as legate of Pope Liberius, which defended St. Athanasius against those Western bishops intimidat

Saint Athanasius was the "champion of orthodoxy," and a great defender of the early Church. He born in Alexandria in the year 297 c. AD. He studied under the tutelage of Orthodox Patriarch Alexander and St. Anthony of the desert. Ordained a deacon at age 22, Athanasius dedicated his life to opposing the teachings of Arias, a priest of the Alexandrian Church who denied Christ's divinity. As Bishop he endured, like St. Cyril of Jerusalem, his contemporary, many wrongs and sufferings for the sake of the faith at the hands of the Arians. Athanasius took part in the Council of Nicea in 325 and actively promoted its teaching on Christ. It is probable that he helped composed the encyclical letter announcing the condemnation of Arius. Five months later, Patriarch Alexander died. Athanasius was named his successor and in 326, was unanimously elected Patriarch, all before the age of thirty. One of his first acts was to tour his immense diocese, which included a number of monast