The Presentation of the Lord, popularly known as ‘Candlemas,’ traditionally concludes the celebration of Christmas. It commemorates the presentation of Jesus in the Temple forty days after his birth, an occasion when offerings were made and the mother was ritually purified.
Several times during his life, Don Bosco faced serious opposition, including from his bishop, but he never gave up. He continued to work at bettering the lives and prospects of young people. Soon he was joined by others who shared his ideals. This was the beginning of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB).
“Grant me, O Lord My God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you.” – St Thomas Aquinas Who was St Thomas Aquinas? Today’s saint is written by Fr Richard Finn, OP […]
St Timothy (+ 97) accompanied St Paul on many of his journeys and eventually became bishop of Ephesus. St Titus (+ c.96) seems to have served as the first bishop of Crete.
This Feast commemorates the conversion of Saul of Tarsus while he was on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians. He was blinded by a light and thrown from his horse to the ground, hearing the words, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’
St Francis de Sales became Bishop of Geneva and did much to combat Calvinism. He also founded the Order of the Visitation, with St Jane Frances de Chantal, and produced popular spiritual works such as Introduction to the Devout Life. His flock called him ‘the Gentle Christ of Geneva’.
