Project BLACK MAMBA: The Long Road Back, Part V

Today is the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle: Feast-link ūnus, Feast-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Saul witness the risen Christ, which fulfilled the qualification for an apostle (Acts, 1:21-22). Only those who had seen the risen Christ could testify to His resurrection. Paul's life-changing experience on the Damascus Road led to his baptism & instruction in the Christian faith. He became the most determined of the apostles, suffering brutal physical pain, persecution, & finally martyrdom.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Poppo of Stavelot, Abbot (circa 977-1048): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter twenty-two, verses three thru sixteen;
or, the Acts of the Apostles, chapter nine, verses one thru twenty-two;
Psalm One Hundred Seventeen, verses one(b,c) & two;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verses fifteen thru eighteen.

* * * * *

19 January (last Tuesday) was the feast of Saint Bassian of Lodi, Bishop (circa 320-409): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the feast of Saint Wulfstan of Worcester, Bishop (circa 1008-1095): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The First Book of Samuel, chapter sixteen, verses one thru thirteen;
Psalm Eighty-nine, verses twenty thru twenty-two, twenty-seven, & twenty-eight;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter two, verses twenty-three thru twenty-eight.

* * * * *

20 January (last Wednesday) was feast of Saint Fabian, Pope & Martyr (circa 200-250), martyred under the emperor Decius: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

St. Fabian is famous for the miraculous nature of his election, in which a dove is said to have descended on his head to mark him as the Holy Spirit's unexpected choice to become the next pope.

'Twas also the feast of Saint Sebastian, Martyr (died circa 288), martyred under the emperor Diocletian: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

According to historical records, [intercessory prayer to] St. Sebastian defended the city of Rome against the plague in 680. He is the patron saint of soldiers, athletes, & those who desire a saintly death.

'Twas also feast of Saint Henry of Uppsala, Bishop & Martyr (died circa 1156), martyred by a pagan Finn: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The First Book of Samuel, chapter seventeen, verses thirty-two, thirty-three, thirty-seven, & forty thru fifty-one;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-four, verses one(b), two, nine, & ten;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter three, verses one thru six.