Project BLACK MAMBA: Christmastide Daily Double

Commentary: 5 January is the Twelfth Day of Christmas, or Twelfth Night, before the traditional observance of Epiphany on 6 January. The American bishops, in their wisdom, have moved the observance of many such holy days & observances to the nearest convenient Sunday, so as to encourage more of the faithful to observe the observance; thus, Epiphany can be celebrated on any Sunday betwixt 2 January & 8 January. Last year, 2016, Epiphany was celebrated on Sunday, 3 January. This year, due to Christmas Day itself falling on a Sunday, we have the longest possible Christmastide—Epiphany being celebrated on Sunday, 8 January—just as previously we had the longest possible Advent. You know what that means? Extra days of Christmas! Bonus Christmas! You're welcome.

Friday, 6 January is the Optional Memorial of Saint André Bessette, Religious, C.S.C. (1845-1937): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

More commonly known as Brother André, & since his canonization as Saint André of Montreal, was a lay brother of the Congregation of Holy Cross & a significant figure of the Roman Catholic Church among French-Canadians, credited with thousands of reported miraculous healings.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

At twenty-five, André applied for entrance into the Congregation of the Holy Cross. After a year's novitiate, he was not admitted because of his weak health. But with an extension & the urging of Bishop Bourget, he was finally received. He was given the humble job of doorkeeper at Notre Dame College in Montreal, with additional duties as sacristan, laundry worker, & messanger. "When I joined this community, the superiors showed me the door, & I remained forty years," he said.

Today is the Optional Memorial of St. André Bessette in the United States; interestingly, in his native Canada, St. André's feast day is tomorrow, 7 January, & is an obligatory Memorial.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Felix of Nantes, Bishop (circa 515-584): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Peter of Canterbury, Abbot, O.S.B. (died circa 614): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Christmas Weekday
The First Letter of John, chapter five, verses five thru thirteen;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-seven, verses twelve thru fifteen, nineteen, & twenty;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter one, verses seven thru eleven;
or, the Gospel according to Luke, chapter three, verses twenty-three thru twenty-eight;
or, the Gospel according to Luke, chapter three, verses twenty-three, thirty-one thru thirty-four, thirty-six, & thirty-eight;

or, for St. André:
The First Book of Kings, chapter nineteen, verses four thru nine(a) & eleven thru fifteen(a);
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-eight;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter nine, verses fifty-seven thru sixty-two.

* * * * *

Friday, 30 December was the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, & Joseph: J.M.J.-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. The Feast of the Holy Family is usually celebrated on the first Sunday following Christmas; however, in years such as 2016 when Christmas Day itself falls on a Sunday, so that the following Sunday is 1 January, the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, the Feats of the Holy Family is celebrated on 30 December.

'Twas also the feast of Saint Egwin of Evashem, Bishop, O.S.B. (died 717, A.K.A. of Worcester): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twas also the feast of Blessed Margaret Colonna, Abbess, O.S.C. (circa 1255-1284): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Sirach, chapter three, verses two thru six;
or, the Letter to the Colossians, chapter three, verses twelve thru twenty-one,
(or, the Letter to the Colossians, chapter three, verses twelve thru seventeen);
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-eight, verses one thru five;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter two, verses thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, & nineteen thru twenty-three.