BIG C CATHOLICS

Saint John of Damascus or Damascene, the last of the Greek Fathers, was an 8th century theologian and one of the principal defenders of the veneration of images against the Iconoclasts, who condemned this practice. I do not worship matter; I worship the Creator of matter who became matter for my sake. …Because of the Incarnation, I salute all remaining matter with reverence. — St. John Damascene _____________________________________________ Prayer for the Intercession of St. John Damascene Grant, we pray, O Lord, that we may be helped by the prayers of the Priest Saint John Damascene, so that the true faith, which he so excelled in teaching, may always be our light and our strength. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you, and with the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.

O Holy Saint Anne, you were especially favored by God to be the mother of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of our Savior. By your powerful intercession in union with your most pure daughter and with her divine Son, kindly obtain for us the grace and the favor we now seek. Please secure for us also forgiveness of our past sins, the strength to perform faithfully our daily duties and the help we need to persevere in the love of God and the imitation of Jesus our Lord. Amen. __________________________________________ St. Anne: A Powerful Intercessor and Protectress Great saints and Doctors of the Church including Saint Augustine, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Saint John Damascene, and Saint Teresa of Ávila, had devotions to St. Anne. In the words of St. Teresa of Ávila, “We know and are convinced that our good mother St. Anne helps in all needs, dangers and tribulations.” Among other things, she is the patroness of the childless, the help of the pregnant, and the protectres

The Bible is a scented garden, delightful, beautiful, it enchants our ears with birdsong in a sweet, divine, and spiritual harmony, it touches our heart, comforts us in sorrow, soothes us in a moment of anger, and fills us with eternal joy. — St. John Damascene ___________________________________________________ Prayer for the Intercession of  St. John Damascene Grant, we pray, O Lord, that we may be helped by the prayers of the Priest Saint John Damascene, so that the true faith, which he excelled in teaching, may always be our light and our strength. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you, and with the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.

The example of this 8th century saint should reassure anyone who thinks that great or grandiose deeds are necessary for a sanctified life. Saint Stephen of Mar Saba (725-794), whose feast day is March 31st, lived a quiet, unassuming and prayerful existence, but his service to others through contemplation and works led to him being an exemplar of holiness and peace. He ministered for half a century within the community of Mar Saba, a monastery established by Saint Sabas in the 5th century. His witness of heroic virtue and selfless love illustrates the extraordinary power of God’s grace to transform and ennoble ordinary life. A nephew of Saint John Damascene, one of the most learned men of his time, young Stephen was introduced to monastic life at the age of ten. From then until he reached the age of 24, he received instruction from his uncle, upon whom's death he became both a monk and an ordained priest. Stephen’s spiritual insight was especially evident in the charitable guid

Below are eight saints whose commemorations occur during the liturgical season of Advent — the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, St. Francis Xavier, St. John Damascene, St. Nicholas, St. Ambrose, St. Juan Diego, St. Lucy and St. John of the Cross. During this time of expectation, we remember their heroic witness. THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY We call the Blessed Virgin the " Theotokos ," ["Mother of God" or "God-bearer"] to reaffirm the central truth of what occurred in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Our Lady's Fiat, her "Yes" to God exhibits her total trust and devotion to the Father's Will. We must live our lives for God by emulating Mary's example. Two Marian feasts occur during this season of Advent: the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception [Dec. 8] and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe [Dec. 12]. From Mary we learn: love, humility, justice, openness to God's grace, trust in divine Providence, and the willingness to

St. John Damascene was a theologian who carefully gathered together and transmitted to us the teaching of the Greek Fathers, and is thus one of the most trustworthy witnesses to the oriental tradition. He wrote many liturgical hymns still in use today. St. John Damascene died in 749. Pope Leo XIII proclaimed him a Doctor of the universal Church. He was instrumental in defending the production and veneration of religious images. St. John Damascene, taught that icons and other sacred artworks are permissible because they point to the incarnation of Christ. He understood the power of words to do the same. St. John Damascene is one of the Church’s most gifted poets. Every sacred image, whether in art, hymn or poetry, can lead us to deeper contemplation of the heart of God. Apologia of St. John Damascene Against Those Who Decry Holy Images The Life of St. John Damascene John of Damascus or Damascene, the last of the Greek Fathers, was one of the principal defenders of the venerati

Below are seven saints whose various commemorations occur during the liturgical season of Advent — the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, St. Francis Xavier, St. John Damascene, St. Nicholas, St. Ambrose, St. Lucy and St. John of the Cross. MARY We call the Blessed Virgin the " Theotokos ," ["Mother of God" or "God-bearer"] to reaffirm the central truth of what occurred in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Our Lady's Fiat, her "Yes" to God exhibits her total trust and devotion to the Father's Will. We must live our lives for God by emulating Mary's example. Two Marian feasts occur during this season of Advent: the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception [Dec. 8] and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe [Dec. 12]. From Mary we learn: love, humility, justice, openness to God's grace and the willingness to act. ST. FRANCIS XAVIER (DEC. 3)  St. Francis Xavier [1506-1552] tirelessly evangelized the Far East. He converted