© 2010 - Fox Hill Publications
3rd December - St. Francis of Xavier
Born in 1506 in Navarre (Spain), Francis died on this day in 1552 off the coast of China. While studying in Paris, he met Saint Ignatius of Loyola (31 July), became one of the first Jesuits, and went to Goa (India) as a missionary. From there he travelled extensively through southeast Asia to Japan, winning many converts and leaving behind organised Christian communities. He is remembered for the witness of his poverty and for his tireless efforts as a missionary.
St Francis Xavier is patron saint of navigators, missions and missionaries.
God, our Father by the preaching of Francis Xavier you brought many nations to yourself.
Give his zeal for the faith to all who believe in you,that y our Church may rejoice in continued growth throughout the world.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
6th December - St. Nicholas
The figure of Santa Claus has developed from the Christian tradition of St Nicholas who was a Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor in the fourth century. His feast day is December 6th. There is a legend that St Nicholas helped a man whose daughters were unable to marry as they did not have a dowry. Nicholas was said to have thrown a bag containing the dowry for each of the daughters through the man’s window, under the cover of darkness. He was eventually discovered as the giver of the gifts. In Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands there developed the tradition of St Nicholas giving gifts secretly to children on December 6th. In the USA this tradition developed into the figure of Santa Claus.
Father, hear our prayers for mercy, and by the help of Saint Nicholas keep us safe from all danger, and guide us on the way of salvation.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
13th December - St. Lucy
Lucy died at Syracuse in Sicily, probably in the persecution of the emperor Diocletian in 304. Widely venerated from the earliest times, her memorial has long been kept on this day. Probably because her name is suggestive of light, her intercession has been sought for eyesight problems. Lucy is named in Eucharistic Prayer I (The Roman Canon) and is remembered as a youth, radiant with Christian faith and courage.
Lord, give us courage through the prayers of Saint Lucy. As we celebrate her entrance into eternal glory,
we ask to share her happiness in the life to come. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
