Project BLACK MAMBA: Advent

Today is the Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest, S.J. (1506-1552): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

With encouragement from his friend (St.) Ignatius of Loyola (31 July), Xavier devoted himself to religious service & became one of the founder of the Jesuit order. A famed missionary himself, he is now the patron saint of missionaries.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

Born in Navarre, Spain in 1506, Francis was one of the first Jesuits. He met St. Ignatius of Loyola at the University of Paris & turned from his worldly ambitions to become one of St. Ignatius's first disciples. Though suffering from sciatica, he went to preach the Gospel in the unknown far East. Fro eleven years, in suffering & prayer, he brought the Gospel to India, Ceylon, & Japan. He fell ill & died at the gates of China at age forty-six. He was canonized in 1662.

We also remember Saint Emma of Lesum (circa 977-1038, A.K.A. of Bremen, of Stiepel): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

We also remember Blessed Edward Coleman, Martyr (1636-1678), martyred under King Charles II, a victim of Titus Oates's fabricated "Popish Plot:" Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Personal Reading
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter six (verses one thru thirty-four).

Commentary: The Lord's Prayer!

Mass Readings
The Book of Isaiah, chapter twenty-six, verses one thru six;
Psalm One Hundred Eighteen, verses one, eight, nine, nineteen thru twenty-one, & twenty-five thru twenty-seven(a);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter seven, verses twenty-one & twenty-four thru twenty-seven.