The Fourth Week of Advent & Christmas Time

Evangelizing with the Saints: Part 4

St. John of Kanty

Monday, December 23

St. John of Kanty, a priest in fifteenth-century Poland, began his ministry as a brilliant professor of theology in the big city. His good works aroused jealousy, and he was sent away to be a parish priest in a small town. St. John continued to preach through word and deed in this new situation and was eventually able to return to the university. St. John of Kanty, pray that we would faithfully evangelize in whatever circumstances we are placed in!

St. Stephen the First Martyr

Thursday, December 26

St. Stephen was one of the first deacons ordained by the Apostles. He carried out a ministry of charity, miracles, and preaching until he was arrested and falsely charged with crimes against Judaism. While on trial, Stephen admonished his accusers for rejecting the Messiah and testified to Christ's Ascension into heaven. He forgave the crowd that stoned him to death. St. Stephen, pray that we will always preach the gospel, even when we face intense opposition!

St. John the Evangelist & Apostle

Friday, December 27

One of the Twelve Apostles, St. John was an especially close friend of Jesus. He was the only Apostle at the foot of the Cross. After the Ascension he preached the good news, wrote the Gospel that bears his name, worked miracles, and was miraculously preserved from martyrdom before being exiled to the island of Patmos, where he received the vision recorded in the Book of Revelation. St. John, pray that our missionary efforts will spring from an intimate relationship with Christ!

The Holy Innocents

Saturday, December 28

Though King Herod enjoined the magi to inform him of the location of the newborn king, they were warned in a dream to return to their country by another route. Enraged, Herod ordered the massacre of all baby boys in the area around Bethlehem. But God had also warned St. Joseph to take Jesus and Mary out of harm's way. The Holy Innocents who were murdered by Herod's soldiers bore witness to Christ by doing nothing other than dying. Holy Innocents, pray that our lives will proclaim the gospel even when we are weak and ignorant!
Grant, O Lord, that we may begin with holy fasting this campaign of Christian service, so that, as we take up battle against spiritual evils, we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint.

This collect prayer begins the Mass for Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Jesus is calling us to "take up battle against spiritual evils." We'll explore fasting itself in a few weeks; during the week of Ash Wednesday, we're going to dig into an important set of weapons the Lord gives us to fight evil: sacramentals.

What's a sacramental? Well, if you attend Mass on Ash Wednesday, you're probably going to receive one on your forehead.

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