Kateri

The Nativity of The Lord – Christmas Feast date: Dec 25 The word for Christmas in late Old English is Cristes Maesse, the Mass of Christ, first found in 1038, and Cristes-messe, in 1131; in Latin Dies Natalis. Early Celebration Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church. Sts. Irenaeus and Tertullian omit … Read moreThe Nativity of The Lord – Christmas ​  on December 25, 2025 at 9:32 am

Vigil of Christmas Feast date: Dec 24 In the first ages, during the night before every feast, a vigil was kept. In the evening the faithful assembled in the place or church where the feast was to be celebrated and prepared themselves by prayers, readings from Holy Writ (now the Offices of Vespers and Matins), … Read moreVigil of Christmas ​  on December 24, 2025 at 9:31 am

St. Thorlak of Iceland Feast date: Dec 23 The Scandinavian island nation of Iceland celebrates its national patron, St. Thorlak Thorhallsson, on Dec. 23. Although Iceland’s national assembly declared him a saint in 1198, only five years after his death, this “unofficial” canonization did not become an official part of the Church’s liturgical calendar until … Read moreSt. Thorlak of Iceland ​  on December 23, 2025 at 9:31 am

St. Chaeromon Feast date: Dec 22 Not much is known about the life of St. Chaeromon except that he was a bishop of Nilopolis in Egypt who was already advanced in age when Emperor Trajanus Decius began the intense persecution of Christians.  Chaeromon and his companions fled to Arabia, and are believed to have been … Read moreSt. Chaeromon ​  on December 22, 2025 at 9:30 am

St. Peter Canisius Feast date: Dec 21 An important figure in the Catholic counter-reformation that responded to the 16th century spread of Protestantism, the priest and Doctor of the Church Saint Peter Canisius is remembered liturgically on Dec. 21. His efforts as a preacher, author, and religious educator strengthened the Catholic faith in Germany, Austria, … Read moreSt. Peter Canisius ​  on December 21, 2025 at 9:28 am

St. Dominic of Silos Feast date: Dec 20 Saint Dominic was born in 1000 in Cañas, Navarre, Spain. He was born a peasant, and as a youth worked as a shepherd until he entered the Benedictine monastery in Navarre. When Dominic refused to hand over the monastery lands at the King of Navarre’s demands, he was forced … Read moreSt. Dominic of Silos ​  on December 20, 2025 at 9:28 am

Blessed Pope Urban V Feast date: Dec 19 Blessed Pope Urban V was born Guillaume de Grimoard at Grisac in Languedoc, 1310. He studied canon law and theology in Avignon and became a Benedictine monk. He was named abbot of his monastery in 1352, and served as a papal diplomat and was eventually sent as … Read moreBlessed Pope Urban V ​  on December 19, 2025 at 9:26 am

St. Gatian of Tours Feast date: Dec 18 Not much is known about the life of Saint Gatian, but we do know that he was the first bishop of Tours in France, and is said to be a disciple of Saint Denis of Paris. Arriving in Gaul, a pagan land, completely untouched by the Good News, … Read moreSt. Gatian of Tours ​  on December 18, 2025 at 9:25 am

St. Olympias Feast date: Dec 17 Born sometime between 360-365, this pious, charitable, and wealthy disciple of St. John Chrysostom came from an illustrious family in Constantinople. Her father (called by the sources Secundus or Selencus) was a “Count” of the empire. One of her ancestors, Ablabius, filled the consulor office in 331, and was also … Read moreSt. Olympias ​  on December 17, 2025 at 9:25 am