Saints + Scripture: Advent

Better Late than Never | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

'Tis the festival of Saint Offa of Essex, Religious (died circa 709), King of Essex: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Margaret of Fontana, Virgin, T.O.S.D. (1440-1513): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Maria Vittoria De Fornari Strata, Religious, O.SS.A. (1562-1617), foundress of the Blue Nuns, formally the Order of the Most Holy Annunciation: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link O.SS.A.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Virginae Centurione Bracelli, Religious (1587-1651), foundress of the Sisters of Our Lady of Refuge in Mount Cavalry: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Maria Crocifissa di Rosa, Religious, A.D.C. (1813-1855, A.K.A. Paolina Francesca di Rosa), foundress of the Handmaids of Charity: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link A.D.C.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Mary Frances Schervier, Religious, S.P.S.F. (1819-1876, A.K.A. Franziska Schervier), foundress of the Poor Sisters of Saint Francis & the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor: Blessed-link ūna, Blessed-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link S.P.S.F. & Wikipedia-link S.F.P.

Scripture of This Day
Mass Readings—Saturday of the Second Week in Advent
The Book of Sirach, chapter forty-eight, verses one thru four, nine, ten, & eleven;
Psalm Eighty, verses two(a/c) & three(b), fifteen & sixteen, & eighteen & nineteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter seventeen, verses nine(a) & ten thru thirteen.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, today’s Gospel passage identifies the appearance of John the Baptist with the expected return of the prophet Elijah. John, the herald of Christ, appears in the desert. Here he stands for all of us in the desert of sin, the lifeless place. It is as though John purposely went there to remind us of our need for grace.

What is he proclaiming? A baptism of repentance. This is the great message. Turn your life over to a higher power. People are coming to him from all sides, because in our heart of hearts we all resonate with this message.

So often in the Old Testament the prophets are asked to act out some quality of the people, perhaps something they were unable or unwilling to see. Well, this tradition continues here: John acts out for the people their helplessness and neediness before the Lord. But then, like Isaiah, he refuses to leave it at that. He announces that one is coming, one who will baptize in the Holy Spirit.

Video reflection by Marc DelMonico, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Papal Quote o' This Day

"The peace of Christ can establish itself only where people are prepared to rid themselves of sin. Those who do not live in peace with God can hardly live in peace with each other."
—Pope John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' This Day

"Jesus has shown me the only way that leads to the fire of divine love: it is that of a little child who, full of trust, falls asleep in its father's arms."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Catholic Quote o' This Day

"There is only one tragedy in the end, not to have been a saint."
—Léon Bloy (1846-1917)