Today is Feast of St. Timothy E. M., most faithful disciple of S. Paul after being converted to the Faith by the Disciple, who accompanied him on his missionary journeys, and was finally stoned to death in 97 at Ephesus. Although not commemorated in the Masses using the newer rubrics, pray to the Saint for strength to love and defend the Faith. Intention today is Conversion of the Jews.
This Week:
Monday 25th January 2021: Feast relates the great miracle whereby Saul, as he was known when he was the great persecutor of Christians, enroute to Damascus to round up Christians, was cast down by a great light from Heaven from his horse and heard a voice: “Saul, Saul, why persecutes thou me?” St. Paul, no doubt fearing for his safety, replied, “Who art Thou, Lord?” The simple answer, “I am Jesus, Whom thou persecutes.” Saul was directed to go into the City of Damascus and meet Ananias to whom Our Lord had given command to restore Saul’s sight which was lost due to the bright light. Ananias was reluctant due to the persecution Saul had inflicted upon Christians but agreed, met with Saul, laid hands upon him, whereupon sight was restored to Saul. He received instruction, was baptised, and met with the Apostles. He immediately began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus was Son of God which was astonishing both to the chief priests and Jews. St. Peter Apostle is commemorated in the Mass. Today we pray for the Missionary Conquest of the World, the last in the Church Unity Octave.
Tuesday 26th January 2021: A disciple of St. John, St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, a disciple of St. John, was martyred in the Coliseum at 86 for the amusement of the corrupt crowd in 166.
Wednesday 27th January 2021: St. John Chrysostom, one of the great Eastern Fathers of the Church, Archbishop of Constantinople, was a defender of the Faith, with St. Athanasius, against Arianism in the V Century.
Thursday 28th January 2021: St. Peter Nolasco devoted his life to ransom of captives from Moslem imprisonment. The second feast day of St. Agnes is also celebrated in the Mass honouring her appearance with a group of angels, while holding a white lamb, at her tomb to her parents on the octave day of her martyrdom. St. Agnes, help us to keep our holy faith inviolate, to profess ourselves Catholics in word and deed.
And so after None, the Time of Septuagesima begins with I Vespers.