Saturday, 22 December was the festival of Saint Flavian of Acquapendente, Martyr (died 362), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Julian the Apostate: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link (List).
Commentary: Wayback Machine. Husband of St. Dafrosa of Acquapendente [4 January] & father of Ss. Bibiana [2 December] & Demetria [21 June], martyrs all.
'Twas also the festival of Saint Abbán of New Ross, Abbot (died circa 520; also spelt Eibbán, Moabba; A.K.A. of Magheranoidhe, Abbán moccu Corbmaic), founder of many churches & monasteries, including that at which the Nurney Cross was erected: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Cross.
Commentary: Brother of St. Gobnait [11 February].
'Twas also the festival of Saint Hunger of Utrecht, Bishop (died 886, A.K.A. Hungerus Frisus): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Twas also the festival of Saint Amaswinthus of Málaga, Abbot (died 982): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link (List).
'Twas also the festival of Blessed Jutta of Disibodenberg, Abbess, O.S.B. (circa 1084-1136, A.K.A. of Sponheim): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Twas also the festival of Blessed Thomas Holland, Priest & Martyr, S.J. (1600-1642, A.K.A. Thomas Sanderson, Thomas Hammond), martyred under the auspices of the Roundhead Parliament: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.
Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Saturday of the Third Week of Advent
The First Book of Samuel, chapter one, verses twenty-four thru twenty-eight;
The First Book of Samuel, chapter two, verses one, four & five, six & seven, & eight(a/b/c/d);
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter one, verses forty-six thru fifty-six.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, by far, the most important Advent figure is Mary of Nazareth, the Mother of God, for Mary sums up in her person the whole of the people Israel, the nation whose whole purpose was to prepare for the coming of the Lord. In her greatMagnificat, which we hear in today’s Gospel, Mary is the new Isaiah and the new Jeremiah and the new Ezekiel, for she announces with the greatest clarity and joy the coming of the Messiah.
What was only vaguely foreseen in those great prophetic figures is now in clear focus: "He has shown the strength of his arm; he has scattered the proud in their conceit; he has filled the hungry with good things and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever."
There is nothing stronger or more beautiful in any of the prophets.
Video reflection by Marc DelMonico, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Papal Quote o' That Day
"With the coming of the birthday of the Redeemer, the Church would bring us to the stable of Bethlehem & there teach that we must be born again & undergo a complete reformation. That will only happen when we are intimately & vitally united to the Word of God made Man."Little Flower Quote o' That Day
—Pope Ven. Pius XII (1876-1958)
"Does He not see our anguish & the burden that weighs us down? Why does He not come & comfort us? …He knows that it is the only means of preparing us to know Him as He knows Himself, & to become ourselves Divine!"Saint Quote o' That Day
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
"After I recognized that there is a God, it as impossible for me not to live for Him alone."
—Bl. Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916, feast day: 1 December)
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